《Imprisoned for a Trillion Years, I Was Worshipped by All Gods!》


 Chapter 1: Chapter1-Knowledge Is Power

    "The last one."A cheerful laugh echoed in the boundless library.


    Owen stood amidst a pile of books. Today, he would finish reading the last book and finally escape this terrifying prison that had trapped him for billions of years.


    This was the Void Library.


    A place that gathered knowledge from all across the universe.


    Originally just an ordinary human from Earth, Owen had been swept into a temporal vortex by accident. When he awoke, he found himself here.


    For the first decade, he was overjoyed, devouring knowledge that didn''t exist on Earth.


    Magic, knights, alchemy, magic arrays.


    He fantasized about one day leaving this place and wreaking havoc, commanding the masses, and becoming a legend in history books.


    After a century, Owen grew anxious. His family and friends were long gone, and his name would fade into oblivion.


    After a millennium, Owen fell silent. He read mechanically, as if he were a walking corpse.


    Now, billions of years had passed.


    Owen smiled as he finished the last page.


    The entire Void Library began to tremble.


    A portal of light appeared before him. On the other side was the world outside, the scenery he hadn''t seen in ages.


    "I can finally leave." Owen''s laughter grew maniacal.


    Anyone imprisoned for billions of years would go mad.


    Owen was no exception.


    He stepped through the portal.


    All he wanted now was to destroy anything in the outside world that displeased him.


    Blinding white light flashed.


    ...


    "Tsk tsk, you actually woke up." A sharp male voice rang out. "What bad luck. I had planned for you to die in your coma."


    Owen opened his eyes and found himself trapped in a magic array.


    Not far away stood a mage in a black robe.


    The mage droned on, and soon, Owen understood his situation. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time had long since reduced his body to ashes. The body he was in now wasn''t even his own.


    It belonged to a mage named Daniel.


    "Such a failure," the black-robed mage said. "You''re forty years old and only at Tier-Iron. If it weren''t for your father, there''s no way someone as weak as you could become the headmaster of a magic academy."


    "You''re right," Owen nodded. "Quite the failure indeed."


    The black-robed mage looked at Daniel''s indifferent expression and sensed that something was off.


    "Don''t try anything!" the mage snapped. "The magic array beneath your feet is already linked to your mana. As soon as..."


    "As soon as the magic array is activated," Owen interjected, "my body will ''boom'' and explode, leaving me a pile of blood and guts on your head."


    The black-robed mage was silent for a few seconds. He sensed things were spiraling out of his control.


    "Yes, your knowledge of magic theory is impressive," the mage admitted, "but your strength is lacking. In one minute, you''ll be dead."


    Owen nodded.


    At Tier-Iron, indeed, he couldn''t break free from the magic array.


    But knowledge is power.


    Billions of years of accumulated knowledge were enough for Owen to wreak havoc in this world.


    He just had one small question left.


    "Setting up this kind of mana-linking magic array must''ve been troublesome. You could have just killed me directly," Owen said. "So, you went to the trouble to make it look like an accident? Someone hired you to kill me, and they must have a conflict of interest with me."


    The black-robed mage nervously glanced around.


    Daniel¡ªno, Owen¡ªwas making him uneasy.


    The mage was about to respond when Owen stopped him.


    "Wait, I think I''ve figured it out." Memories surged through Owen''s mind.


    They were the original owner''s memories and emotions.


    Daniel''s father, an archmage and the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy, had recently passed away.


    That was the real reason someone had dared to send a killer after Daniel.


    "I see," Owen nodded. "Now, you can proceed."


    "What?" The black-robed mage frowned.


    Something wasn''t right.


    Everything that had just happened felt wrong.


    To avoid any further complications, the black-robed mage immediately activated the magic array.


    Mana tendrils from the array began to extend toward Owen!


    The spell took effect, which normally would have been instantaneous.


    But to Owen, the process of the magic invading his body unfolded in slow motion, as if time itself had been stretched out.


    Too slow.


    So slow that Owen''s mind began to wander.


    He couldn''t help but recall those days in the Void Library.


    Time is the most powerful weapon.


    Billions of years of solitude would shatter the souls of ordinary people.


    Owen had survived and completed the library''s task, thanks to his system.


    With its help, not only had he withstood the erosion of time, but for every book he finished reading in the Void Library, he received a reward from the system!


    After countless millennia, even the most worthless of rewards¡ªmana stones, which served as currency or mana storage tools¡ªhad accumulated in terrifying numbers!


    And those rewards were secondary.


    The real treasure was the vast knowledge contained within the Void Library''s collection!


    Books of every known language, technology, and magic from the multiverse resided there!


    In terms of knowledge, after billions of years of learning, Owen was practically omniscient!


    Magic held no secrets from him!


    The magic array had been set up in a remote forest, surrounded by another array to isolate sound.


    "The son of an archmage, trying to take a shortcut to boost his Tier in a secluded spot of the academy, ends up burning himself and exploding due to the mana in his body¡ªDaniel, your pathetic life ends here!"


    The black-robed mage relaxed as Daniel remained motionless.


    Threads of mana from the magic array seeped into Daniel''s body.


    The more powerful the mage''s internal mana, the greater the damage from such an attack!


    "What a waste," Owen said disapprovingly. "A Tier-Iron failure doesn''t need such a fine magic array."


    If it were him, he would have had thousands of better ways to make Daniel''s death look like an accident.


    The black-robed mage didn''t know how to respond.


    Then he noticed something strange.


    "Why... Why aren''t you dead yet?!


    "You should have exploded by now!


    "What are you doing?!"


    The seasoned golden-ranked mage realized something had gone wrong!


    The magic array began to flicker erratically.


    Owen stretched lazily.


    He looked at a specific spot on the magic array.


    All magic arrays, spells, and other magical constructs were based on strict grammatical rules.


    They were written in Chinese, with some key terms replaced by Latin.


    Owen had long mastered every known language, including the writings of different civilizations across the universe.


    Deciphering the mysteries of magic¡ªor even tampering with an enemy''s spells¡ªwas something Owen could easily do, thanks to his vast knowledge and well-tempered mind power!


    The syntax written on the magic array was like an open book to Owen, revealing all its secrets.


    Owen directed his mana to follow the link with the array and began altering its structure.


    It was simple for him: just change the original attack command from "to the other party" to "to myself."


    But for Daniel, it would have been nearly impossible.


    This body lacked talent, and its mana flowed sluggishly.


    Even for someone as knowledgeable as Owen, it took a few seconds.


    "Well then, goodbye," Owen smiled at the black-robed mage. "Boom!"


    "You!" Those were the last words the black-robed mage uttered.


    The magic array reversed.


    The attack originally aimed at Owen rebounded onto the mage.


    The black-robed mage began to swell, like an overripe tomato, and with a "boom!" he exploded.


    Dark red tomato juice splattered around.


    The soundproofing array suddenly lit up, as Owen had altered it to keep the blood rain from dirtying his shoes.


    "Nice plan, sloppy execution," Owen commented like a teacher. "Too many flaws, allowing me to easily alter the syntax. Killer, remember this in your next life."


    Smelling the blood in the air, Owen''s rage and murderous intent slightly subsided.


    At this moment, Owen and Daniel''s memories fully merged.


    Looking southward, not far away stood Crossbridge Academy.


    In Riverside City, a small northern town on the continent, Crossbridge Academy had risen to prominence over the past few decades, thanks to the mages it had trained, making it as renowned as the other two great families.


    Now that the old headmaster had passed away, everyone believed Crossbridge Academy was on the brink of collapse.


    Owen didn''t think so.


    The academy belonged to Daniel, which meant it belonged to him.


    Anyone who tried to take it from him would die.


    Owen hummed a cheerful tune as he headed toward Crossbridge Academy.


    Smashing tomatoes felt good.


    Freedom felt even better.

 Chapter 2: Chapter2-Knowledge Is Wealth

    Crossbridge Academy covered a vast area. Even though it had fallen into decline, it still looked quite grand from a distance.Daniel moved slowly. He couldn''t help but feel helpless with this body that had never been properly trained. It was as slow as a pregnant snail.


    A small figure was pacing at the academy gate. Upon seeing Daniel, she immediately rushed over.


    "Father, you''re hurt!" The girl, about twelve or thirteen years old and bearing a striking resemblance to Daniel, said. "Let me help you get treated."


    "I''m fine." As Daniel was supported by the girl, a sudden, indescribable feeling surged from his heart.


    That deep emotion, that overwhelming love that made him want to cry, caused Daniel to tremble.


    What was this?


    This warm sensation... what was it?


    A silent sigh lingered in the wind.


    My Rose, my daughter, my life, my everything.


    Daniel frowned. He knew the original owner''s soul had already perished, but he didn''t expect to feel such intense fatherly love upon seeing his daughter.


    "Are you really okay, Father?" Rose''s big eyes were filled with worry. "You look so tired."


    This concern made Owen, who had been alone for billions of years, feel a bit uncomfortable.


    But it wasn''t a bad feeling.


    The murderous intent and desire for destruction in his heart subsided slightly.


    "I''m fine." Daniel patted her head. "My daughter Rose, from now on, I will protect you."


    "Father, I will also train hard. I want to protect you too!" Rose said seriously.


    Daniel smiled slightly.


    She was a good child.


    The academy grounds were nearly deserted. Daniel noticed that, apart from a few students, he hadn''t seen a single teacher since entering.


    Rose''s expression also carried a hint of sadness.


    "What happened while I was away?" Daniel suddenly asked.


    "N-nothing happened..." Rose forced a smile, trying to guide Daniel back to rest.


    "Rose." Daniel looked into her eyes. "You can trust me. Whatever the problem is, I can solve it."


    Today, her father seemed different.


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to hide it from you," Rose said cautiously. "It just happened so suddenly. After you left the academy, all the teachers resigned."


    "As expected," Daniel nodded. People are fickle.


    Some of the teachers must have heard rumors, assuming that Daniel would never return.


    "Aren''t you angry, Father?" Rose asked in surprise. "You worked so hard before, trying your best to keep every teacher."


    "My mindset has changed," Daniel said, looking at the empty campus. "This is now my academy. I will rebuild it, and the first step is to clear out the disloyal and useless trash."


    Daniel was eager to reorganize the academy.


    Learning was painful.


    He had suffered for billions of years.


    Now, it was time for the students to experience the pain of learning too.


    The thought of students weeping as they studied brought Daniel a strange sense of joy.


    The few students passing by greeted Daniel respectfully. Even though Daniel''s strength was weak, it didn''t affect the respect and affection the students had for him.


    Their magic academy was more akin to an orphanage.


    The previous headmaster, Daniel''s father, was an archmage from the southern continent. After arriving in Riverside City, he dedicated himself to spreading magic education, founding the academy.


    A significant portion of the students were orphans with nowhere to go. The academy not only provided them with an education but also a means of survival.


    When the archmage was still alive, the academy could attract decent instructors. But after his death, the academy''s influence and appeal waned.


    It was no surprise that the teachers had collectively resigned today.


    Coupled with the recent assassination attempt, it was clear that someone wanted the academy to disappear.


    "Father, I support your decision," Rose said, seeing Daniel''s determined expression, finding courage rising in her own heart. "But what about the upcoming classes?"


    "Let everyone rest for a few days," Daniel had already formulated a plan. "I will find new teachers immediately."


    He wanted to take further action, but his body was too exhausted. He could only return to his room to rest.


    He dug out the original owner''s stash of recovery potions.


    Daniel downed one in a single gulp.


    As he felt his strength return, he began to contemplate his next move.


    "It''s obvious who sent the assassin¡ªthe other two families," Daniel thought. "House Lunastone and House Windwhisper."


    "The Mistriver Realm is about to open. With our academy out of the way, there will be fewer competitors for the treasures within."


    Daniel wasn''t worried.


    Although his body was weak, he possessed something extremely valuable in this world¡ªmana stones.


    The billions of years he spent trapped in the Void Library, with the help of the system, allowed Daniel to fully immerse himself in the endless ocean of knowledge.


    Countless magic, languages, and technologies had been completely assimilated.


    He could wield this knowledge as easily as moving his own limbs.


    But aside from this invaluable knowledge, the system had also rewarded him with mana stones for every book he finished and mastered in the Void Library.


    For the old Daniel, trapped in a chaotic space, mana stones held no real significance.


    But now, things were different.


    Mana stones were the universal currency in the magical world, with real importance.


    The mana stored within them could be used by mages to ascend tiers or directly cast spells.


    The value of a mana stone was also directly related to its purity.


    "I haven''t really paid attention before. How many mana stones do I have now..." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel closed his eyes, and his current resource reserves appeared before him:


    "999999..."


    "Knowledge is wealth." Daniel was quite satisfied. "Study hard, and you can have everything."


    This was a truly astronomical figure.


    If what Daniel held were a trillion tons of paper currency, it would be as good as holding a trillion tons of¡ªworthless paper.


    Paper, in itself, has no value.


    Flooding the world with a trillion tons of paper currency wouldn''t boost the economy. It would only stall development or even cause collapse, ruining countless lives.


    That would be a disaster!


    But mana stones were different.


    Mana stones themselves were mana!


    Their currency aspect was the least valuable of their properties.


    The ability to provide mages with mana that was difficult to extract naturally was what made these stones truly precious.


    No one could ever have too many mana stones.


    Daniel opened his right hand.


    A soft sound, like the gentle flow of water, filled the air. Pure mana stones didn''t fall one by one¡ªthey poured out in torrents from his palm!


    "What a beautiful sound," Daniel enjoyed it. Once the floor was piled with mana stones, he snapped his fingers.


    The mana stones instantly vanished, returning to the system''s storage.


    And that was the slowest way to retrieve them.


    If Daniel so desired, with just a thought, he could fill an entire building with mana stones in an instant!


    Yet despite the enormous piles, his account balance¡ªthose nine towering digits¡ªdidn''t decrease at all.


    Infinite mana stones meant infinite mana.


    And with infinite mana, combined with Daniel''s boundless knowledge, he could change the entire world.


    "A mage''s greatest challenges in tier ascension are talent and wealth.


    "Daniel himself lacks talent, but he has no shortage of wealth.


    "In the face of my mind and knowledge, talent is irrelevant!"


    After sorting through the original owner''s memories, he knew that in this world, all humans were descendants of great deities.


    Everyone had inherited a fraction of divine bloodline, which accounted for the differences in talent among individuals.


    The higher the concentration of divine blood, the greater the talent, making it easier to inscribe magic patterns and faster to release mana.


    The old methods of inscribing magic patterns, passed down through generations, were useless to Daniel.


    But so what?


    "Who cares about so-called bloodline talent?" Daniel scoffed. "The knowledge in my head will carve out a new path."


    "From now on, bloodline talent will no longer be an obstacle in my ascension!"

 Chapter 3: Chapter3-The Academys Predicament

    Talent and bloodline essentially boil down to how easily one can engrave a magic pattern.Magic patterns refer to the unique markings naturally inscribed in a person''s body as they manipulate mana to cast spells. It''s similar to how rivers carve out beds as they flow across the earth.


    The formation of magic patterns inside a mage''s body has always been considered a "natural phenomenon" that cannot be artificially influenced. The easier and more intricate these patterns form¡ªthe better the talent and the purer the bloodline of the mage¡ªthe more efficient their magical abilities become.


    This, in turn, translates to greater power¡ªmore specifically, destructive power.


    ...


    Now, Daniel''s mastery of magical abilities far surpasses what any mage in this world can imagine.


    And this is despite being hindered by the limited talent of his current body.


    This body couldn''t match the knowledge he possessed!


    However, it wasn''t entirely beyond remedy.


    Daniel held his breath, focused, and channeled his mana to carefully examine his current body.


    With mana tendrils weaving through him, the mysteries of the human body unfolded before his eyes.


    "Fascinating... The principles behind how magic patterns form are surprisingly similar to the technological structures of many civilizations. In fact, it''s almost identical to the circuit principles of some cultures..."


    The more Daniel explored the intricacies of magic, and the more he aligned and merged it with his vast knowledge, the more confident he became that he could break free from the so-called limits of talent and bloodline! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After careful observation, he discovered that no matter how mana flows, it always passes through the heart.


    So Daniel decided to engrave an intricate magic pattern directly on his heart!


    By preparing this magic pattern in advance, it would activate naturally as mana flows through the heart. This way, even those with low bloodline concentration who are unable to inscribe magic patterns on their hearts could improve their magical abilities by practicing this method!


    Talent would no longer be a barrier!


    "I''ll call it Mana Core Engraving!"


    The magic pattern would connect directly through the heart!


    Mana would flow freely without obstruction!


    In fact, if Daniel wished, with his enormous reserve of mana stones, he could unleash a torrent of pure mana through his body into the real world without any need for skill!


    Of course, he wouldn''t do that.


    Firstly, because such a mana flood could be apocalyptic.


    Secondly, his current physical body wasn''t strong enough to withstand it.


    ---


    The next day.


    Daniel convened an emergency meeting with the academy''s leadership.


    Though most of the teachers had resigned, a few remained.


    They were mostly long-time employees who had served alongside Daniel''s father and had a deep emotional connection to the academy¡ªsomething money couldn''t buy.


    The meeting room was almost empty, with only four people seated.


    Daniel surveyed the room.


    Not bad.


    The remaining few looked worried, like the end of the world was near, which showed they genuinely cared about the academy''s fate.


    "Everyone, given the current situation, what are your thoughts?" Daniel was the first to speak. "Don''t hold back. Speak freely."


    The vice headmaster, seated to Daniel''s left, sighed.


    "Forgive me, Daniel. I''m just deeply concerned," said Vice Headmaster Aldric, a white-haired elder. "We can cover for the teachers who left, but the departure of the three main lecturers has been hard for many students to accept."


    In fact, this kind of collective resignation¡ªessentially a mass defection¡ªhad never happened before.


    When the old headmaster was alive, he treated everyone with sincerity and virtue, earning respect and fostering unity throughout the academy.


    From the Academic Affairs Office to the staff and students, everyone regarded the academy as their home.


    The departure of those three main lecturers wasn''t just about disrupting classes. More importantly, it broke the hearts of everyone in this tight-knit family.


    "Departure is a lesson in itself. The students have learned it now," Daniel said calmly. "What about you, Miss Isolde? It seems you have something to say."


    Logistics Director Isolde, who was known for her fiery temper, was surprised by Daniel''s demeanor.


    Was this the same weak new headmaster?


    "Headmaster, I think this situation is more complicated than it seems!"


    "I personally witnessed the alchemy instructor secretly meeting with people from House Windwhisper multiple times."


    "Yes, I noticed it too," Aldric chimed in. "As Miss Isolde mentioned, it seems the teachers left because they were offered better conditions elsewhere."


    Compared to the hot-tempered Isolde, Aldric was much more composed.


    He was someone who could solve problems and had been the old headmaster''s most trusted right-hand man. After Daniel took over Crossbridge Academy, it was mainly Aldric who managed all affairs, given his competence and reliability.


    "And as far as I know, it wasn''t just House Windwhisper..." Aldric paused before continuing, "House Lunastone was also involved in this incident.


    "They tried to lure other instructors as well, though they only succeeded with those three."


    "Three isn''t enough for you?!" Isolde slammed the table, furious at the three traitorous lecturers.


    Daniel raised a hand, signaling her to calm down.


    "Miss Isolde, getting angry won''t solve anything. It will only make you ill."


    "The situation is clear now."


    "Let Aldric finish."


    Although Daniel''s talent was limited, earning him disdain for inheriting the headmaster role, within the academy, teachers and students still respected the new headmaster, the son of an archmage, who had a kind and gentle personality.


    Isolde sat down, fuming.


    Even though Daniel already knew the details, he didn''t interrupt the vice headmaster.


    As Aldric continued his analysis, it became apparent that among the three major powers in Riverside City, the magic academy had always clashed with House Windwhisper.


    Even though both House Windwhisper and House Lunastone were involved in poaching the academy''s staff, it was clear that House Windwhisper was leading the charge.


    They saw an opportunity now that the old archmage had passed away, and Daniel, with his lack of talent, seemed like an easy target.


    They planned to reshape the balance of power in Riverside City, reducing the three powers to two!


    If House Windwhisper could gain an upper hand in this struggle, they could potentially become the dominant family in the city, or at the very least, it was a direction worth pursuing...


    "Therefore," Aldric continued, "we need to restart teaching as soon as possible to stabilize the situation.


    "Otherwise, not only will external forces increasingly challenge the academy, but it will also waste precious time for the students."


    After finishing, Aldric glanced at Daniel, curious.


    This new headmaster, who had once appeared unmotivated and incapable, now seemed... confident, even assured of victory.


    "How many students are there currently at the academy?" Daniel suddenly asked.


    Aldric was momentarily surprised, but he quickly answered, "We have 283 students.


    "In the five main fields¡ªMagic Theory, Alchemy, Magic Arrays, and Mana Forging¡ªthere are 283 students in total."


    Speaking of the students, the Academic Affairs Officer raised his hand, and Daniel nodded for him to speak.


    Mr. Rowan, the Academic Affairs Officer, was responsible for formulating the teaching plans, organizing academy activities, and other administrative tasks.


    He also managed resource allocation, while Logistics Director Isolde handled distribution.


    "One more thing, Daniel.


    "As for the mana stones, magical metals, alchemy equipment, and the various rare items needed for drawing magic arrays during the students'' training...


    "I''ll be blunt¡ªwe are in dire shortage!


    "Even if we find replacements for the three lecturers, we''ll still have trouble progressing with the lessons."


    The Academic Affairs Officer was at his wit''s end.


    Educational plans couldn''t be implemented!


    They were running out of everything!


    With the lecturers gone, perhaps the teaching assistants could step in temporarily. Even upperclassmen teaching underclassmen could suffice in a pinch.


    But lacking teaching tools and resources was a real headache.


    Even the best chef can''t cook without ingredients!

 Chapter 4: Chapter4-Are We Really Short on Mana Stones?

    "Especially mana stones..."Rowan had barely begun when Logistics Director Isolde stood up alongside him to voice their grievances. This was right in her area of expertise as the Logistics Director.


    "Headmaster Daniel, we''re truly short on mana stones!" The Academic Affairs Officer and the Logistics Director were practically on the verge of tears.


    "Whether it''s alchemy, drawing magic arrays, or forging magical items, what doesn''t require mana stones?! But our academy¡ª" Isolde clapped her hands together. "We simply don''t have any mana stones!"


    Well, not entirely none.


    At least Daniel knew that logistics weren''t just responsible for the mana stone expenditures related to student classes and teacher salaries. They also managed all the academy''s external expenses¡ªfrom taxes, food, and water, to transportation for field trips, renting venues, and even dealings with Riverside City officials. All of this fell under logistics.


    Given the academy''s size, these miscellaneous costs added up to thousands of intermediate mana stones each year!


    In terms of teaching, both teachers and students had to rely on inferior mana stones, which were reused over and over. Some mana stones were completely drained of mana and had turned into ordinary rocks but were still being used in model classes!


    In short, every little thing consumed mana stones.


    Maybe the overwhelming burden, coupled with the lack of mana stones, was what caused Isolde''s temper to grow worse over time.


    With Isolde and Rowan leading the complaints, the other key staff members also began to chime in.


    The head of admissions lamented, "If things keep going this way, recruitment next year will be a huge problem! Even at the bare minimum, we might not have enough resources to care for the children we bring in."


    Some of the remaining teachers, though willing to forgo their pay for the time being, admitted that their gestures were only a drop in the ocean. It wouldn''t make much difference in addressing the academy''s massive mana stone deficit.


    Back when the old archmage was alive, his personal connections allowed the academy to secure funding through loans or other means. The contributions of alumni helped fill some of the gaps in the academy''s finances, and the archmage himself would even take on external work to earn mana stones to keep the academy running.


    But now, the academy had no one like the old archmage¡ªsomeone with the influence and ability to bring in mana stones.


    At least, that''s how the academy staff saw it.


    Daniel listened as everyone expressed their views, and although the atmosphere wasn''t too chaotic, the concern in the room was clear. He wasn''t the least bit impatient.


    Billions of years of training had given Daniel immense patience.


    He nodded and raised his hands, signaling everyone to sit down.


    "In the end, the problem boils down to one thing¡ªour lack of mana stones."


    "Exactly," Isolde stood up again. "Right now, the academy''s mana stone reserves are practically nonexistent! After paying for rent, taxes, and food, we''re barely breaking even!"


    Daniel asked, "How much do we need? Give me a number."


    Isolde froze for a moment, as if she hadn''t quite processed what the headmaster had just said.


    "I''m asking, how many mana stones do we need right now?"


    "Well..." Isolde glanced at her colleagues, and they all avoided eye contact.


    She hesitated before finally saying, "Mana stones... the more, the better, but..."


    They were reluctant to give a figure, afraid of putting too much pressure on Daniel.


    "Snap!" Daniel snapped his fingers. "Let''s settle the mana stone issue first."


    He understood their good intentions but found it unnecessary.


    Mana stones were the last thing Daniel was lacking.


    He just needed to find the right opportunity to introduce his mana stones legally.


    At that moment, there was a knock on the meeting room door. It was Rose. "Father, the carriage is ready."


    "Headmaster, where are you going?" The group looked puzzled. They had no idea what Daniel was planning.


    "Come with me, Isolde," Daniel said.


    The Logistics Director stood up and followed Daniel to the door, finally realizing she hadn''t asked the most important question. "Where are we going?"


    "To solve the mana stone issue," Daniel replied concisely.


    Solve it?


    How?


    Where could he go to solve it?


    Very few mages in the world weren''t short on mana stones. How could he just go somewhere and resolve such a problem?


    Though Isolde had a thousand questions in her head, she still followed Daniel to the carriage Rose had prepared.


    As the Logistics Director, Isolde often had to step in herself due to the academy''s financial constraints. She even took on tasks like driving the carriage.


    So, with her short wavy hair and smart, sharp demeanor, the ever-efficient Isolde personally took the reins and drove Daniel''s carriage.


    "Headmaster, where exactly are we going?" Isolde asked once they were on the road.


    "Dragonscale Bank."


    The carriage wasn''t large¡ªjust a one-horse, two-wheel cart with an arched canopy over the back. Daniel and Isolde sat on the front plank, with Isolde holding the reins.


    "Dragonscale Bank?" Isolde''s eyes lit up. "Could it be that the old headmaster left some fortune in their vault?"


    "You''ll see when we get there," Daniel replied.


    He had intended to close his eyes and rest, but the constant rattling of the carriage made it too uncomfortable. From the back of the carriage came the occasional sound of something small and hard bouncing around.


    Daniel didn''t say anything, and Isolde couldn''t figure it out either.


    She could only assume that the old headmaster had left some wealth behind. But then again¡ªhow likely was that?


    The old headmaster had devoted nearly all his wealth to supporting the academy and caring for the children. How could there be anything left¡ªespecially at Dragonscale Bank?


    Dragonscale Bank wasn''t just any ordinary bank. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Usually, the academy dealt with "Mana Stone Credit," a service that allowed borrowing mana stones on loan.


    Dragonscale Bank, however, was different. They only dealt in high-value treasures. If it wasn''t something particularly valuable, only enormous quantities of mana stones, far beyond what most people could imagine, would qualify for Dragonscale Bank''s services.


    ...


    Before long, the carriage arrived at the entrance to Dragonscale Bank.


    The rundown carriage, bearing the Crossbridge Academy emblem, instantly drew a lot of attention.


    Upon seeing the academy''s crest, the initial looks of surprise turned into silent ridicule.


    The useless headmaster.


    The impoverished academy.


    These were the stereotypes people in Riverside City had of Crossbridge Academy.


    A doorman immediately went to notify the bank manager.


    "Headmaster Daniel of Crossbridge Academy? What''s he doing here?" The beautiful female manager paused for a moment, then decided to greet him personally.


    Perhaps the academy was finally ready to sell off its last treasures.


    This could be a lucrative opportunity for her.


    "Headmaster Daniel, welcome," the manager said with a gracious smile. "A private room has been prepared for you on the second floor. Please follow me."


    Daniel nodded.


    He could see the calculation in her eyes, but that was just a merchant''s instinct.


    The sharper they were, the easier the negotiation would be.


    "Headmaster, this is Miss Claire," Isolde introduced.


    Miss Claire smiled warmly.


    Although she was young, as the manager of Dragonscale Bank in this region, the wealth she controlled surpassed that of all the major powers in Riverside City combined.


    "Professor Daniel, are you here for a purchase or a deposit?"


    "I must apologize; the previous manager didn''t leave complete records, and I couldn''t find any transactions between your academy and the bank.


    "If there''s any oversight, I hope you''ll forgive us."


    Daniel understood her implication.


    She was gently reminding him that Dragonscale Bank''s services were expensive and not to overestimate his purchasing power.


    It was a tactful way for merchants to protect the dignity of less wealthy customers.


    "There weren''t any transactions before," Daniel nodded, stepping toward the back of the carriage, "but there will be now!"


    With that, he opened the slot that secured the carriage''s back panel.


    Whoosh¡ª!


    Thick as walnuts, as long as fingers¡ªtens of thousands of shimmering, high-purity superior mana stones tumbled out, spilling onto the ground like water!

 Chapter 5: Chapter5-Shopping Made Simple

    The entrance of Dragonscale Bank was now covered with superior mana stones, a sight that most people would never see in their lifetime. Owning just one of these stones could last someone several generations.Isolde''s eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth agape. Among the three of them, she was the most astonished.


    She had just driven a gold mine down the street!


    A small commotion immediately erupted outside Dragonscale Bank. Who could ignore the sight of the ground being covered with superior mana stones? These rare treasures, highly valued even among mages, could not be faked. Ordinary people could easily identify their authenticity, and mages would be instantly drawn to the overwhelming mana contained within the stones.


    The only reason no one dared approach was due to the formidable reputation of Dragonscale Bank. Though people noticed the commotion, no one dared to come closer, let alone attempt to steal anything.


    "Our academy has this many mana stones?"


    "The old headmaster sure knew how to keep secrets."


    "Oh my god, I can barely breathe."


    Logistics Director Isolde was practically gasping, her face flushed red with excitement.


    She couldn''t have been happier.


    This immense wealth was enough to completely transform the academy.


    Truth be told, she had never seen so many superior mana stones in her life! And what had spilled out was only a portion of what the carriage held.


    There must have been over a thousand stones already! The total number of superior mana stones in the carriage likely exceeded ten thousand!


    Even in the magical world, ordinary people rarely had access to mana stones. The wealthiest merchants among non-mages might spend their entire fortunes just to acquire some low-grade, fragmented mana stones to pass down as family heirlooms. Only the best-quality fragments could be exchanged for the lowest-tier mana stones in the magical world¡ªinferior mana stones.


    It would take a thousand top-tier inferior mana stones, those with no mana depletion, to be exchanged for a single intermediate mana stone. And even then, it would depend on the market price.


    During the old headmaster''s time, the academy consumed about a thousand intermediate mana stones each year, roughly equivalent to one million inferior mana stones. This was just to keep the academy afloat.


    As for exchanging intermediate mana stones for superior ones, it was nearly impossible. Even with thousands or tens of thousands of intermediate mana stones, there was no guarantee you could acquire a single superior mana stone.


    For most mages, intermediate mana stones were the highest-tier stones they could obtain through conventional means. Only in the largest transactions or among the wealthiest mages did superior mana stones come into play.


    Now, with a carriage loaded with over ten thousand superior mana stones, the scale of wealth was unimaginable!


    Isolde''s eyes filled with tears. "This is incredible. The students will never have to worry about lacking study materials again, and the teachers won''t have to keep reusing the same mana stones."


    "Headmaster, I suddenly feel like our academy has hope."


    Like anyone who had gone from rags to riches, Isolde was overwhelmed by emotions.


    Claire, noticing this, kindly suggested, "Headmaster Daniel, perhaps Miss Isolde should rest for a moment."


    Daniel nodded.


    Two young attendants immediately stepped forward, ready to assist Isolde inside.


    "No, Headmaster, I don''t need to rest," Isolde insisted. "I''ll stay here to watch over the mana stones. I don''t want anyone to steal them."


    "At least have some calming tea," Claire offered, instructing someone to bring over a cup of soothing red tea.


    Once that was taken care of, Claire turned back to Daniel, her attitude now much more respectful.


    Anyone who could produce such an enormous fortune was a VIP, no matter where they went.


    "Headmaster Daniel, would you like to store these mana stones in the vault?"


    "If you deposit them with ''Mana Stone Credit,'' the annual interest income would be quite substantial," Claire advised, "but the security wouldn''t match that of storing them directly in our vault."


    Claire''s professionalism pleased Daniel.


    "I won''t be storing them. I''m here to shop," Daniel replied, revealing the true purpose of his visit. "Wherever there''s a Dragonscale Bank, there''s always a Silverscale Store nearby."


    "I''m here to purchase supplies for the academy."


    "Miss Claire, I''d like you to recommend some suitable items."


    "It would be my honor to assist you," Claire said with a smile. "Please, follow me."


    As they walked, Claire introduced the store''s offerings.


    "Silverscale Store is an extension of Dragonscale Bank. We stock a wide variety of materials, treasures, gems, weapons, magical equipment, potions, and more. Many of our basic magical items are perfect for student use, and we also have tools specifically for teachers."


    Claire''s recommendations were professional, and she didn''t just suggest the most expensive items.


    Isolde''s eyes sparkled as she listened.


    So many incredible items! There were even things she had never seen before. Although she was the Logistics Director of a magical academy, this was the first time she had the chance to enter a store like Silverscale. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the past, Crossbridge Academy''s budget had been so tight that they had no dealings with such a wealthy establishment. She had always had to shop at cheaper second-hand markets.


    But today, things would be different.


    As the three of them entered the Silverscale Store, the bank staff and guards immediately began collecting and securing the mana stones outside.


    As one of the most renowned banks on the continent, Dragonscale''s reputation was built on trust. Daniel knew they wouldn''t tamper with the count.


    ...


    Silverscale Store truly lived up to its reputation as a massive marketplace!


    Upon entering, Isolde felt overwhelmed by the sheer variety of choices. She was so dazzled that Daniel had to call her name twice before she snapped out of it.


    "Huh... What is it, Headmaster?"


    "Tell Miss Claire everything we need," Daniel instructed. "There''s a lot to buy, so don''t miss anything."


    He was about to get very busy and wouldn''t have time to handle such details.


    Isolde quickly nodded and looked around again.


    The vast expanse of Silverscale''s first floor seemed to stretch endlessly. Everywhere she looked, there were countless magical tools, alchemy equipment, spellbooks, and rare materials like magical metals and enchanted creature components.


    "The academy might need a large supply of alchemical materials or perhaps finished magical items.


    "And... if possible, we should check what magical books Silverscale Store has in stock.


    "As for basic magical metals and enchanted creature materials, we''ll need to stockpile those as well."


    Isolde carefully listed the academy''s most urgent needs, casting a cautious glance at Daniel.


    She worried that she might be overreaching. After all, the academy had only just come into such a windfall. What if spending too much made the headmaster unhappy?


    Even though Daniel had somehow acquired a carriage full of precious superior mana stones, Isolde still felt responsible for managing the academy''s wealth prudently. After all, the academy had to keep running, and it was better to be cautious with spending.


    "Buy it all," Daniel said calmly. "Quality first, don''t worry about the cost."


    His tone was so casual, as if spending an entire carriage of mana stones was no big deal.


    To Daniel, time was the most valuable resource.


    Mana stones didn''t matter at all. After all, his supply of mana stones was practically limitless.


    "Rest assured," Claire said earnestly. "Quality is our top priority, and we take pride in our reputation. We won''t inflate the prices unnecessarily."


    "However, due to the size of Riverside City, the highest-tier items we stock here are Level-C.


    "Headmaster Daniel, if you have the time, I can show you a selection of our finest Level-C items to personally choose from."


    "That''s fine," Daniel nodded.


    He needed some high-quality magical items for his next plans.


    With Claire''s guidance, a variety of Level-C items were soon brought before them.


    Neatly folded parchment sheets, each one a magic scroll ready to be activated.


    Wands of various lengths, adorned with gemstones, all crafted by renowned artisans into mid- to high-tier staffs.


    Refined magical metals, glowing with different colors and producing crisp sounds as they clinked together, were brought in by the cartload.


    Animal pelts, rare and strange creature parts, all of which were carefully carried on trays by staff members and placed in front of Daniel.


    Isolde''s eyes darted around, unsure where to look first.

 Chapter 6: Chapter6-Is This All You Got?

    Claire was confident. The treasures within Silverscale Store were not the highest quality in the world, but for a small city like Riverside, they were more than sufficient. For use in an academy, they were even overqualified."Do you see anything here that pleases you?" Claire asked, thoughtfully.


    "No," Daniel''s response made her expression shift slightly. "This isn''t what I was expecting."


    Daniel didn''t touch the exquisite furs. He didn''t glance at the finely crafted staffs, nor did he even acknowledge the magic scrolls.


    Too mediocre. A complete waste of time.


    Daniel''s words brought a bead of sweat to Claire''s forehead.


    "Not... satisfied?" she asked, her voice uneasy.


    She hadn''t been exaggerating earlier. For a small town like Riverside City, Level-C quality treasures were already considered high-end. If it weren''t for the city''s proximity to the Mist River and the potential opening of the realm, neither Dragonscale Bank nor Silverscale Store would have even bothered to set up branches here.


    These were the finest items Riverside City had to offer, and Daniel''s attitude made it clear he was genuinely unimpressed.


    Claire looked troubled. "Professor Daniel, please forgive me. I didn''t mean to offend you. These are the best items within our budget."


    She gestured toward the items her staff had carefully brought forward¡ªthe staffs, scrolls, and various magical tools.


    "Anything higher-tier than these would be..."


    "Forget the budget," Daniel interrupted. "I need truly high-quality items."


    With one sentence, Claire''s further explanations were cut off.


    At that moment, her assistant handed her the detailed report of the mana stone count from Daniel''s carriage. A total of 23,000 superior mana stones.


    It was, undeniably, a significant sum of wealth.


    Initially, Claire had assumed that Crossbridge Academy was struggling financially and that this might be their last stash of savings, so she had tried to help them conserve funds. That''s why she had chosen these particular treasures, balancing quality with cost to avoid draining Daniel''s resources all at once.


    But now, since the client had made his demands clear, Claire had no choice but to comply.


    "Bring out the finest treasures from our vault for Mr. Daniel to choose from. Bring all of them."


    This time, the process was quicker, as the more precious items were fewer in number. Several staff members carefully brought out a few treasures, treating them with great reverence.


    Claire stepped forward to personally introduce them:


    "Here, we have the Windwalker boots.


    "They are as light as a feather, allowing the wearer to walk on wind and cast a weaker version of Wind Step, a high-tier spell, with minimal mana consumption."


    "Over here is the Green Crystal Oak Staff. It''s particularly suited for spells that harness natural forces.


    "If you''re considering shifting to druidic magic or gifting it to a friend who practices natural magic, this would be the ideal staff."


    "And here¡ªwe have the Chronicles of the Elements, written by Tier-Grandmaster Archmage Elrian.


    "It contains not only foundational and advanced elemental spells but also detailed accounts of various mages'' experiences with these spells, as well as the evolution of casting techniques over the years. It''s a priceless magical tome."


    "And finally," Claire unveiled a long box covered with red cloth, "this is the Knight''s Sword, once wielded by Paladin Fernandez. According to legend, it possesses the ability to guide one onto the path of knighthood."


    "The higher-tier items you asked for," Claire said, gesturing toward the displayed treasures, "are right here."


    The magical items were impressive, but Daniel''s attention was drawn to the Knight''s Sword. Unlike him, his daughter Rose seemed inclined to follow the path of a knight.


    Daniel wanted to give her a gift.


    Even if she lacked the talent, she would have the finest equipment. With him by her side, her future would be nothing but bright.


    "Good..." Daniel was about to nod when Isolde suddenly spoke up.


    "Wait a moment!"


    Without giving Daniel a chance to ask why, Isolde turned to Claire.


    "What about the prices for these items?"


    Her eyes were full of concern.


    These treasures looked incredibly expensive. Could the headmaster really afford them? It was better to ask first to avoid embarrassment later.


    "These Windwalker boots can be used by a tier-bronze novice mage to cast a near-advanced spell with low mana consumption." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The price is 200 high-quality superior mana stones."


    This was the most favorable internal price Claire could offer. She had always been considerate of her customers, which earned her many returning clients. Even in dealing with the struggling Crossbridge Academy, she had shown no negligence.


    Isolde, accustomed to dealing with inferior mana stones, quickly did the math. Based on what she knew about the current exchange rates, one superior mana stone could be exchanged for at least 100,000 intermediate mana stones, and each intermediate mana stone could easily fetch 1,000 inferior mana stones, even in a poor market.


    So, 200 superior mana stones would be equivalent to... 20 billion inferior mana stones!


    Isolde''s eyes fluttered shut as she felt a wave of dizziness.


    Boots worth 20 billion inferior mana stones?!


    Such was the world of mages.


    It''s no wonder there were so few high-tier mages. The sheer expense of it was unimaginable for most people.


    Superior mana stones were typically reserved for large-scale, nation-level trade. This was no joke. Even without converting, 200 superior mana stones were no small sum!


    Claire moved on to the next item.


    "This Green Crystal Oak Staff is slightly more expensive than the Windwalker boots."


    "The price is 1,000 superior mana stones."


    A thousand... superior... mana stones...


    Those words had never strung together in Isolde''s mind before. She felt as though the woman in front of her was casting some kind of spell on her, making her feel faint and dizzy again.


    Thank goodness she hadn''t visited Silverscale Store before today. The items were amazing¡ªbut the prices were staggering!


    "And... how much for the magic book?" Isolde asked, struggling to stay conscious.


    "The Chronicles of the Elements is one of our finest Level-C treasures.


    "To be honest, if you hadn''t come today, we were planning to upgrade it to Level-B."


    The book''s price was 10,000 superior mana stones.


    Isolde felt like the world was spinning, and she could no longer find the words to speak.


    "And the price of the Knight''s Sword?" Daniel, however, seemed unaffected by the astronomical prices. He inquired about the items as casually as if he were asking about vegetables at the market.


    Claire replied, "The Knight''s Sword is in the same class as the magic book, and considering its legendary status, it''s valued even higher.


    "If you want both, we''ll give you a special price¡ª20,000 superior mana stones for the two."


    For Daniel, the quality of the Knight''s Sword wasn''t "the best" or even "good."


    But for his beginner daughter, Rose, it was passable.


    This was about the limit of what the store had to offer, and Daniel was mildly satisfied, giving a slight nod.


    "And what about something better?"


    Claire was taken aback.


    The items she had just listed, along with their prices, would nearly exhaust the superior mana stones Daniel had brought. If she hadn''t offered such generous discounts, his supply wouldn''t have been enough!


    Was Daniel planning to take out a loan to purchase even higher-tier items?


    "I''m sorry, but loans carry very high interest," Claire gently warned. "You''d end up at a disadvantage. It might be better to wait until something suitable comes in. I''ll reserve it for you."


    "These items are fine," Daniel acknowledged that Silverscale Store''s offerings weren''t without merit.


    The magic book, the magical tools, and the staffs would all be useful for the academy.


    "But if this is truly the best Dragonscale Bank has to offer, I have to say, I''m disappointed."


    Daniel made no effort to hide his dissatisfaction as he shook his head.


    "Don''t tell me¡ªthis is your limit."


    "Miss Claire, I want to see something truly impressive."

 Chapter 7: Chapter7-Adults Don’t Make Choices

    "Headmaster¡ªplease reconsider!"Logistics Director Isolde grabbed Daniel''s arm, her face filled with sincere concern.


    It wasn''t just about maintaining the academy''s daily operations after this shopping spree. The cost of angering Dragonscale Bank would be far more than their small academy could bear!


    Miss Claire sighed.


    "I''m sorry, Professor Daniel. Dragonscale Bank does indeed have one very powerful treasure, but it far exceeds the amount of mana stones you brought today."


    She thought she hadn''t been clear enough before, leading Daniel to overestimate his purchasing power.


    "Just one of these treasures would use up most of your mana stones, leaving little room for other necessary academy supplies. From what I hear from Miss Isolde, your academy is in need of many items."


    "Perhaps you could wait until the academy''s situation improves before purchasing. I will keep that treasure reserved for you," Claire sincerely suggested.


    Daniel appreciated her honesty, and he decided not to tease her any longer. He simply pulled out an item from his pocket.


    Claire continued her explanation, but suddenly, her voice came to an abrupt halt. She froze, her eyes widening as they fixated on the object Daniel was casually tossing in his hand.


    "Miss Claire, please don''t zone out. I still need to continue shopping," Daniel reminded her.


    Stammering, Claire replied, "Apologies, but... but is that what I think it is?"


    "A small trinket," Daniel said, placing the item on the table. It was a stone, similar in size to the superior mana stones scattered earlier, but it had a deeper, more restrained glow, with no external radiance.


    "That''s a pure mana stone!" Claire''s voice trembled with excitement, and a flush appeared on her face.


    If superior mana stones were used for large transactions and high-tier magic, often considered currency for purchasing rare treasures, then pure mana stones...


    Their very existence was a rare treasure.


    In addition to containing an immense amount of mana, pure mana stones allowed mages at the tier-grandmaster level or higher to absorb ambient magical energy with unparalleled efficiency. Moreover, casting spells using the mana from a pure mana stone was sometimes even more fluid and powerful than using mana directly from one''s own body¡ªan advantage that couldn''t be overstated!


    In mage families that had been around for centuries, pure mana stones were ranked among the most prized heirlooms¡ªtrue family treasures. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The phrase "priceless" was no exaggeration when it came to such an item. One pure mana stone could easily purchase an entire small city in a remote region of a weaker continent.


    "A pure... mana stone?!" Claire''s outburst snapped Isolde out of her daze, helping her realize just what sort of treasure their headmaster had in his hands.


    Unlike Claire, who had some understanding of pure mana stones, Isolde had only heard about such treasures in legends and myths.


    For people like her¡ªsmall-town elites or local powers¡ªthis was akin to witnessing a legend come to life.


    The shock left the Logistics Director rooted in place.


    "Where''s the rest?" Daniel tapped the table.


    Claire snapped back to attention and immediately gave orders to her staff: "Bring the best treasures from the deepest vault."


    She treated Daniel with newfound respect. Many people could come up with large amounts of mana stones, but someone who could casually toss a pure mana stone like it was a toy? That was exceedingly rare.


    "It seems Dragonscale Bank is very interested in pure mana stones?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes," Claire answered truthfully. "It''s not just Dragonscale Bank¡ªany mage would value a pure mana stone highly."


    Such treasures had no threshold or limitations; they could be used by anyone and were valuable for nearly all magical research or combat purposes.


    Pure mana stones weren''t just treasures; they were treasures you could never have too many of¡ªtrue strategic resources, even for Dragonscale Bank.


    Even in a small place like Riverside City, Claire, as a manager, knew that this pure mana stone might be her ticket to a promotion within the bank''s system. Out of the countless vault managers across Dragonscale Bank''s branches in major and minor cities, few ever encountered such an opportunity.


    Claire knew she had to seize this chance.


    Soon, two more items were brought from the vault.


    One was a dull, gray staff.


    The other was a crystal-clear green orb.


    Upon seeing the staff, Daniel asked, "What''s this?"


    "Oh, my apologies!" Claire seemed surprised. "I didn''t mean for this item to be brought out. Mr. Daniel, I''m truly sorry¡ªthis staff is a defective product, completely unusable by any mage. I''m not sure which of my predecessors acquired it, but I''ve been meaning to dispose of it and simply forgot. I can''t believe they brought it out."


    "Defective?"


    Daniel smiled slightly. "It''s fine. Even if it can''t be used, it''ll make a nice decoration for the classroom wall."


    "If you don''t mind taking it, it''s yours," Claire said, unfazed.


    The staff had no value whatsoever. They had tested it countless times, and it showed no mana fluctuations at all, nor could it be activated by any mana stones. It was, at best, a tree branch with decent aesthetics.


    Since Daniel had purchased so many items, Claire was happy to give it away as a freebie.


    Daniel casually tossed the staff onto the pile of selected items, further convincing Claire that he simply saw it as a free decorative piece.


    She then introduced the sparkling green orb.


    "This is an Emerald Protection Magic Array."


    "It contains a defensive magic array cast by a Tier-Master mage, perfect for protecting large buildings. If you place it in the center of your Crossbridge Academy, you can activate a protective shield around the entire academy."


    "That doesn''t sound too special," Isolde remarked. "Our academy already has protective magic arrays."


    "Please let me finish," Claire said with a smile. "What''s special about this magic array is that it works in conjunction with nearby plants.


    "The more plants surrounding the academy, the more it absorbs trace amounts of plant energy every day. There''s no limit to how much it can absorb, and this energy, in turn, promotes plant growth."


    "If attacked, this stored energy will be unleashed as part of the academy''s defenses."


    "In other words, it''s a magic array that strengthens itself daily. Even if its power diminishes during an attack, as long as plants are present, it will recover and grow stronger over time."


    "In the ancient Greenleaf Kingdom, a similar crystal was used to withstand an abyssal demon invasion for over a hundred days."


    Isolde was stunned.


    Unlimited growth, plant resonance, self-repair and enhancement¡ªjust those features alone made this orb extraordinary.


    She didn''t even dare to imagine how much it would cost.


    "Perfect," Daniel said without hesitation. He had found what he truly needed.


    As he looked over the so-called "treasures," he thought the knight''s sword might be useful for his daughter Rose, and the rest of the supplies would be broadly useful for the academy.


    But for Daniel himself, what he truly needed wasn''t the crystal orb¡ªit was something else.


    To him, wealth¡ªmana stones¡ªmeant nothing.


    In the Void Library, where he had read endless books and mastered boundless knowledge, these were mere side rewards.


    In fact, among his mana stone reserves, more than half were pure mana stones, and the rest were mostly high-grade ones. Medium-grade stones were scarce, and low-grade ones were non-existent.


    "Very well!" Even though Claire had done her best to remain composed, the sheer scale of the transaction was making her heart race.


    "This crystal is now yours, Headmaster Daniel!" Claire reverently presented the treasure with both hands.


    But Daniel shook his head. "You misunderstood me."


    "Huh?" Claire was confused.


    "What I meant was, I want everything in your store¡ªand all the remaining treasures in Dragonscale Bank as well. I''ll take it all."


    As a financially limitless adult, Daniel wasn''t here to make choices. He was here to take everything.

 Chapter 8: Chapter8-The True Treasure

    Claire''s mouth opened, but before she could say a word, Daniel made a slight gesture with his hand.Two pure mana stones appeared on the table.


    The usually calm and composed Claire couldn''t help but gasp in shock.


    Is this a dream?


    "I''ll arrange to transport your goods immediately," Claire said, her voice trembling with excitement, her eyes glistening. "We''ll provide free magical scrolls to carry ordinary items, and though we don''t have magical chests for transporting priceless treasures, we will personally escort them to the academy.


    All of our Tier-gold mages, including myself, will participate in the escort to ensure your safe return to the academy, Professor Daniel!"


    Daniel had now become an extremely important client for Dragonscale Bank. Claire had to ensure, by any means necessary, that he was completely satisfied.


    All the treasures stored in Dragonscale Bank, along with everything in Silverscale Store, were now essentially sold to Daniel. Transporting everything would take some time, and security was non-negotiable.


    "No need for such trouble," Daniel gestured for everyone to step back.


    He snapped his fingers.


    A sudden gust of wind swirled around them, even knocking the experienced high-level mage Claire slightly off balance. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When she regained her composure, she was astonished to see that all the resources and treasures, which had been stacked in multiple layers across nearly a quarter of the store''s first floor, had vanished into thin air!


    "W-What just happened?"


    As a high-level mage who was just a step away from becoming a Tier-diamond mage, Claire stood wide-eyed, stunned.


    While Claire was still frozen in disbelief, Daniel had already taken his equally speechless and confused Logistics Director, Isolde, and left.


    ...


    On the way back, Daniel noticed Isolde struggling, clearly full of questions but unsure how to express them.


    "Speak freely," Daniel said.


    Indeed, Isolde''s mind was racing with various thoughts and questions, all colliding and competing for attention. Finally, she decided to voice the most recent one that had surfaced.


    "Your wealth and your power... How did you..."


    Isolde stammered, gesturing with her hands as she tried to find the right words to articulate her confusion.


    Daniel had anticipated this. "You can think of it as part of the old headmaster''s plan. You, as the logistics director, are part of that plan."


    A simple explanation¡ªone that left plenty of room for imagination.


    This, ironically, made it feel even more plausible.


    Moments ago, Isolde had been dazed, still processing everything she had witnessed. But now, with her responsibilities brought up, she quickly pulled herself together, her expression firm as she said,


    "Don''t worry, Headmaster! Leave it to me, I won''t let you down!"


    This was exactly what Daniel liked.


    At Crossbridge Academy, there were no internal power struggles. After all, only with a united team could they achieve great things.


    Upon returning to the academy, most of the magical materials, tools, spell scrolls, and theory books were handed over to Isolde to organize and store properly.


    Daniel, on the other hand, returned to his room.


    He took out the staff that Claire had called "a defective item."


    "Defective? Not at all." Daniel ran his hand over the staff''s surface, brushing away the dust to reveal its true form.


    While Claire couldn''t identify its origins, Daniel''s vast knowledge had allowed him to recognize it the moment he saw it.


    "The Solis Staff¡ªalso known as the Star Sun Staff!"


    This staff was incredibly rare¡ªthere was likely no other like it in the world.


    "The unfortunate part is that powerful stellar mages who controlled celestial forces have long disappeared, which is why no mage can use it today."


    But even so, this Solis Staff was still an exceptional tool for channeling other types of mana, making it a top-tier magic wand.


    The mana patterns within the staff unfolded clearly before Daniel''s eyes, as if bowing in submission to a king.


    In some ways, simple humans were not as sensitive as magical artifacts or magical creatures.


    While Daniel''s "Mana Core Engraving" allowed him to carve magic patterns within his own body to forcefully improve his magical talent, it didn''t do much to enhance his physical strength.


    Though Daniel''s magical talent had been transformed through his vast knowledge of mana manipulation, his body remained weak. When harnessing vast amounts of mana, his physical form couldn''t handle the strain.


    He still needed to rely on external tools.


    By absorbing and devouring magical artifacts, he could gradually strengthen his mana core and increase his body''s capacity to withstand greater mana.


    This had been part of Daniel''s plan from the beginning.


    His visit to Dragonscale Bank, aside from his extravagant shopping spree, was aimed at finding suitable magical tools to absorb and use to reinforce his mana core.


    And this Star Sun Staff was perfect for him at this stage!


    Daniel stored the staff, deciding to use it at the first opportunity.


    Now, he was ready to check on Rose.


    In the backyard.


    "Hah!"


    Even before entering the gate, Daniel could hear his daughter''s spirited shouts as she trained.


    Thud! Thud!


    The sounds of wooden training dummies and straw targets being struck followed.


    "Father! You''re back!" Rose was practicing her swordsmanship.


    Like her father, the young girl had no significant talent for magic.


    But unlike him, she had chosen not to follow the mage''s path. She was determined to become strong through hard work.


    She had to be strong.


    Only then could she protect her father and the academy.


    Rose loved her family, loved the atmosphere of the academy, and cherished the place she called home.


    The girl knew that after her grandfather, the powerful archmage who had kept the academy afloat, passed away, the academy''s situation had become precarious.


    She had to work even harder.


    While other students were still asleep, she was already up training; and long after they had gone to bed, she continued her evening practice routines.


    All of this had not escaped Daniel''s notice.


    Seeing Rose run over to him, a smile crept onto Daniel''s face¡ªa genuine smile, one even he didn''t realize he had.


    "The academy hasn''t been able to hire a magic swordsman instructor, and you''ve been practicing basic swordsmanship on your own. I''ll find you a suitable teacher soon."


    "Father, that''s not necessary!" Rose quickly shook her head.


    "Really, you don''t need to worry about me! Even if I only practice the basics, it''s fine!


    "After all, even those who trained in basic swordsmanship became great figures like Paladin Fernandez!


    "If I work hard, I should be able to..."


    Rose''s voice trailed off, her words cut short as her eyes widened. Her mouth hung slightly open, her wide eyes locked on what Daniel had just drawn from his robes¡ªa massive knight''s sword, nearly 180 centimeters in length, with a blade over 120 centimeters long, requiring both hands to wield.


    The sword was taller than Rose herself!


    Its blade was straight and unadorned, with a simple hilt wrapped in white cloth. No gemstones decorated it¡ªjust plain metal.


    Yet despite its simplicity, anyone with knowledge could see that this Knight''s Sword was no ordinary weapon.


    "This... is..." Rose''s eyes were glued to the sword.


    Daniel said, "This is my gift to you."


    "But... I''ve seen this sword somewhere before..." Rose thought for a moment before suddenly letting out a scream. "This is the sword of Paladin Fernandez from the Chronicles of the Top 100 Knights! It looks exactly like it!"


    "Ahhhh¡ª!"


    No matter how mature or sensible she might be, Rose was still a young girl at heart.


    Ecstatic over such a gift and overwhelmed by the news, she could only scream in delight, throwing her arms around her beloved father in a tight hug!

 Chapter 9: Chapter9-Frenzied Leveling! Tier-god Alarmed!

    "Thank you, Father!" Rose''s eyes brimmed with excitement and tears.She held the legendary greatsword of Paladin Fernandez, attempting to wield it.


    But after just two swings, she could no longer lift it.


    Undeterred, Rose clenched her small fists and said, "I must work harder. I won''t let Father''s trust in me be in vain!"


    "Tonight''s goal is a thousand sword swings before bed. I won''t sleep until I''m done."


    Seeing the seriousness in his daughter''s eyes, Daniel felt a wave of warmth. What a wonderful child.


    He knew from the moment he bought the greatsword that Rose, with her current abilities, wouldn''t be able to use it yet.


    On the way back, Daniel had already crafted a book specifically tailored to Rose''s constitution. It would enhance her physical strength, speed, and power, while also gradually guiding her in swordsmanship.


    Daniel named the book Book of the Ever-Blooming Rose, embedding Rose''s name and his blessings into it.


    "Father, did you write this?" Rose asked, astonished as she received the Book of the Ever-Blooming Rose, unable to believe her eyes when she saw the author''s name.


    "Yes, my dear Rose." Daniel patted her head gently. "I hope you will be like a rose¡ªbeautiful, but with thorns."


    "Thank you, Father," Rose said, deeply moved, her heart filled with warmth.


    Daniel smiled slightly.


    The book to guide her was ready, but Rose''s natural physique was still quite ordinary. Even if she trained hard, at best, she''d reach the level of a Gold Knight.


    "But Rose has me as her father," Daniel thought, recalling the recently acquired Solis Staff.


    This top-tier staff, when dismantled, would yield Star Shards and Dust of the Sun¡ªingredients that, along with a few other materials, could transform a person''s physique.


    Owen had originally intended to use it himself.


    But after inventorying the Essence of Sky he''d crafted, Daniel realized he had some left over, just enough for Rose.


    The decision was made.


    "Rose, keep practicing," Daniel instructed. "The path of a knight is full of hardship and sweat. Talent and persistence are equally important."


    "Yes!" Rose replied, already following the methods outlined in the Book of the Ever-Blooming Rose. Her face was covered in sweat, and her hands were starting to tremble, but her eyes were full of determination, showing no signs of stopping.


    Satisfied, Daniel left.


    Dismantling the staff here would draw too much attention, especially with the recent assassination attempt and the valuable items he''d purchased. All this would surely attract unwanted eyes.


    Daniel wasn''t afraid of anyone, but he didn''t want unnecessary trouble that could harm his beloved students.


    A gray whirlwind engulfed Daniel, and he vanished from the academy without a sound.


    ...


    Far off in the desolate plains.


    The sky was perpetually overcast, with sunlight never breaking through the thick clouds.


    The ground was barren, littered with the bones and decaying corpses of fallen spell beasts.


    This was the savage land, the home of the spell beasts.


    A team of heavily armed mercenaries scoured the bones below. In this land, spell beasts frequently fought over scarce resources, and humans would often come in search of the remains, knowing that bones, fur, and meat could fetch a high price. If they were lucky enough to dig up a spell beast''s heart, they could become rich overnight, forever changing their fate. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Zzzzzz!!" A loud crackling sound echoed through the sky.


    The mercenary team leader jerked his head up.


    Everyone saw it¡ªlightning crackling across the clouds, huge bolts of energy coursing through the sky.


    The powerful energy was enough to scatter the clouds, revealing a misty moon and sparse stars.


    "What''s going on?" the team leader gasped. "It looks like those stars are about to fall! Do you see this?"


    "Captain, stop staring and run!" a team member shouted, dragging him as they bolted forward without looking back.


    The team leader finally noticed.


    The ground had begun to tremble.


    In the distance, a mass of blackness spread like a tide from the stone forest, expanding outward.


    "Spell beast rampage!" the team leader inhaled sharply. "Everyone, retreat!"


    He couldn''t believe his luck. They had stumbled upon the terrifying stampede of spell beasts, likely triggered by the strange phenomena in the sky.


    At that moment, Daniel, who was suspended in midair by the whirlwind, also noticed the stampeding spell beasts in the distance.


    "Such violent, bloodthirsty energy," Daniel murmured, shaking his head. "I thought I''d chosen a remote location, yet here I am, witnessing a spell beast rampage."


    He quickened his pace.


    The Solis Staff trembled violently.


    "Hurry up!" Daniel grumbled. "I only need a few Star Shards, why''s it taking so long?"


    Both lightning and wind were forms of mana. Daniel tapped into the knowledge he''d gained from the library, frantically modifying the flow of mana.


    The lightning grew more intense.


    It crackled through the clouds, resembling silver trees, a spectacle visible to all creatures across the savage land.


    More and more light descended from the sky.


    Finally, the light gathered in Daniel''s hands, like fireflies floating in the air. Daniel carefully collected the precious materials into a special crystal vial.


    "Not bad, even more than I expected."


    Daniel added a few ingredients and consumed the gathered Star Shards and Dust of the Sun.


    His body surged with vitality¡ªflesh, skin, muscles, even his cells¡ªall rapidly strengthening.


    His mana core began to spin!


    Daniel was pleased. He raised his hand to the sky, chanting an ancient incantation.


    The restless lightning finally found its release.


    With a sudden motion, the lightning shot toward Daniel''s body.


    "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The thunderous sounds overwhelmed even the spell beast stampede, and for a moment, the surrounding light distorted.


    "I return from the Old Ones, reborn. My will is Order, my body the world!" Daniel chanted the ultimate spell.


    This incantation was crafted from thousands of years of magical knowledge, merged with the magical grammar of this world, containing the terrifying Power of Order.


    When the lightning finally disappeared, Daniel opened his eyes.


    Flashes of lightning danced in them, and his entire body radiated an indescribable power. His mana core had grown immensely strong.


    "Tier-sage," Daniel smiled. "Just one more step to godhood, but¡­ no rush."


    Having just returned from the void, he wanted to enjoy the lively, real world for a while.


    After all, he still had his beloved daughter and a bunch of students to care for, and Daniel truly loved the home-like atmosphere of Crossbridge Academy.


    No longer needing the whirlwind, Daniel hovered effortlessly.


    Around him, within a 500-meter radius, the land was unrecognizable, with massive craters revealing molten lava below, the result of the lightning''s wrath.


    Stretching lazily, Daniel smiled.


    "Not bad. Finally, I have a body that matches the knowledge in my mind."


    The previous owner of his body had been utterly useless, giving Daniel the frustrating sensation of a baby wielding a Gatling gun.


    He glanced at the approaching tide of spell beasts.


    The lightning had agitated them further.


    They were now more frenzied than ever.


    Looking at the massive swarm of spell beasts, Daniel frowned slightly.


    "If these spell beasts suddenly appeared in the human world, the destruction would be unimaginable. The entire academy¡ªno, the entire kingdom¡ªcould be reduced to ruins."


    "Maybe I should consider revising the academy''s policies to recruit more power. That way, when disaster truly strikes one day, we won''t be completely powerless."


    Just then, Daniel sensed something.


    He turned sharply, his mind power sweeping across the land, stretching for thousands of miles to a distant stone forest.


    It was a grim, stone-filled expanse covering nearly ten thousand miles, a true land of death.


    Daniel''s mind power was idly wandering when suddenly, an enormous surge of mind power shot out from deep within the stone forest, rushing toward him.


    This mind power seemed to be one with the entire forest, nearly equal to a fraction of Daniel''s own formidable mind power.


    Incredibly powerful!


    After countless eons in the Void Library, Daniel''s mind power had reached terrifying levels.


    "Someone of this caliber exists in this world?"


    When the mind power reached him, Daniel swiftly withdrew his own. He wasn''t ready to deal with the world''s top powers just yet.


    "Another time."


    With a shrug, Daniel noted that the sun was already dipping low in the sky. Consuming the Solis Staff had taken far longer than he''d anticipated.


    It was time to head back.


    ...


    Far to the north of the stone forest, a multitude of crimson eyes opened. From afar, these eyes formed a massive, singular eye, a gaze so powerful that an ordinary human would go insane just from seeing it.


    "Peering into the Divine Realm¡­"


    "Is it friend or foe?"


    "Another twist of fate, shrouded in mist¡­"


    "How much longer can we endure¡­"

 Chapter 10: Chapter10-Stick with Me, You Wont Lose Out

    After returning to Crossbridge Academy, Daniel started to consider something else. The overwhelming spell beast riot had left a deep impression on him."Although the academy is now on the right track, in times of peace, we need to foresee adversity. Relying solely on the current teachers is still not enough."


    Daniel immediately made a decision. He called for Rowan, the Academic Affairs Officer.


    "I need to hire a few capable teachers. Give me a list," Daniel instructed. "Remember, character comes first, then strength. As for the cost, don''t worry about it."


    Daniel had countless ways to enhance someone''s strength, but poor character would come with the risk of betrayal.


    Rowan quickly returned with a list. It contained three names, along with their respective classes and tiers. Daniel was satisfied with the list; not only could these three teach students, but they would also be an asset in times of danger.


    Without delay, Daniel headed into town, planning to visit the first person on the list, the 5-star apothecary and alchemist, Synapsis.


    The carriage stopped beside a pitch-black building, which was the store owned by the Synapsis family, specializing in selling various magic potions and alchemical items.


    The store had three floors, and the first floor, packed with life-related magic potions, was almost bursting at the seams.


    Daniel headed directly to the third floor.


    The shopkeeper, seeing him, was initially startled, but then quickly put on a flattering smile and walked over.


    "Honorable Headmaster Daniel, what can I assist you with today?"


    The news that the "old fool" Daniel from Crossbridge Academy had suddenly come into a fortune had already spread to every store in town. Everyone was hoping for a windfall like the one Silverscale Store had experienced.


    "I wish to see Synapsis," Daniel said. "I have a deal that he won''t refuse."


    "Ah, you want to see the grand alchemist?" The shopkeeper said awkwardly. "But he''s extremely busy. You can make an appointment now, and perhaps see him in ten days."


    With a "thud," Daniel casually tossed a pouch filled with mana stones onto the table.


    The unique glow of superior mana stones made the shopkeeper hold his breath.


    Swallowing nervously, he immediately changed his tune, saying, "I understand. I''ll notify the grand alchemist right away."


    Daniel nodded slightly. Financial power was a form of strength. For small characters like this, there wasn''t even a need to flex muscles.


    However, this was a small test Daniel had set for Synapsis. For a busy master of magic potions, if Synapsis came rushing for a mere bag of superior mana stones, it would only disappoint Daniel.


    Moments later, the shopkeeper returned, looking apologetic. "The grand alchemist said he''s in the middle of potion preparations. He requests that you make an appointment in advance. Apologies, but please take the mana stones with you."


    "Not bad," Daniel smiled slightly. In the next moment, he disappeared like a wisp of smoke, right before the shopkeeper''s eyes.


    "What just happened!" The shopkeeper was dumbfounded. "I didn''t even notice how he left."


    He broke into a cold sweat. Although he was a platinum-tier mage, he couldn''t even tell what magic Daniel had used to leave. What level was Daniel? Headmaster? Grandmaster? Or...


    The shopkeeper didn''t dare think further. Cold sweat covered his forehead as he decided to warn all the staff to treat Daniel with utmost respect if they encountered him.


    Meanwhile, in a secret chamber, Synapsis, who was working on a potion, suddenly froze. A figure had appeared before him without warning. The mana around this person was so contained that it was almost undetectable, yet the moment he appeared, Synapsis felt an overwhelming sense of mystery.


    "Who are you?" Synapsis'' expression changed. "I''ve set up five protective magic arrays. How did you get in?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I just walked in," Daniel casually glanced around the lab. "Did you design this potion acceleration magic array yourself? Not bad, but it''s too slow."


    He casually adjusted two runes. In the next moment, the speed of the magic array increased dramatically, boosting efficiency by fifty percent.


    Synapsis was stunned. This level of understanding of magic arrays far exceeded his own.


    "Whoever you are, leave immediately!" Synapsis wasn''t easy to deal with. Not only was he a 5-star apothecary, but he was also a diamond-tier mage. He believed that in his own lab, even against a master-tier mage, he had a fighting chance.


    "You''re indeed skilled in potion-making and alchemy," Daniel remarked. "It''s perfect for testing your combat abilities."


    "Arrogant stranger! I will make you regret coming here today!" Synapsis roared. This man had broken into his lab and was speaking down to him! Who did he think he was?


    Rays of magic arrays lit up, and in an instant, Daniel was engulfed in a sea of magic arrays. Not only that, but a barrage of alchemical items rained down on Daniel¡ªparalysis potions, sleep potions, magic suppression potions¡ªall kinds of control-type potions appeared around him as if they were free.


    Synapsis had unleashed his full power! He was determined to teach this insolent intruder a harsh lesson.


    The next moment, Synapsis froze. He saw Daniel, trapped within the magic arrays, raise his head and give him a slight smile.


    "What does that mean? Isn''t he afraid?"


    "Could he have gone mad from fear?"


    Before Synapsis could think further, Daniel casually snapped his fingers. The magic arrays were instantly altered. Switching from attack to self-destruction required only three adjustments to the runes.


    "Sizzle!" The magic arrays began to flicker erratically, and a second later, they all collapsed simultaneously! The explosion of energy was so intense that it blinded Synapsis, and everything¡ªfrom alchemical items to magic potions¡ªwas reversed in an instant.


    They were all reduced to raw materials, blown across the room by the energy storm.


    "You..." Synapsis barely managed to utter a word before he was struck by the shockwave. Though he was a diamond-tier mage, he couldn''t even put up a fight and was knocked unconscious.


    He didn''t know how long he had been out when he finally opened his eyes. Looking at the wreckage of his lab, he clutched his chest and coughed.


    "You won''t die, but you''ll feel terrible for a few days," Daniel''s voice came from behind him. "But for an apothecary, that shouldn''t be an issue."


    Hearing this voice sent a chill down Synapsis'' spine. The other party was far too powerful. With just a flick of his finger, he had effortlessly destroyed his strongest defense!


    In the face of such a person, even the proud Synapsis couldn''t help but lower his head.


    "Sir, what do you want?" Synapsis asked cautiously. "Is it a mysterious potion you need, or perhaps an alchemical item?"


    "I want you," Daniel said, pulling out a contract.


    Synapsis'' heart skipped a beat. He couldn''t believe what he had just heard. What did that mean? Did this powerful stranger have... special preferences?


    "I am Daniel, Headmaster of Crossbridge Academy. Sign this magical contract, and you''ll become a teacher at the academy," Daniel explained. "You''ll be free to conduct your research when not teaching, but in case of an attack, you''ll be required to help defend the academy."


    Synapsis breathed a sigh of relief. He even felt a little grateful. Compared to making hemorrhoid potions every day, being a teacher seemed like a far better option.


    After a quick check to make sure the contract wasn''t a trap, he signed his name without hesitation.


    "Aren''t you afraid I''ll treat you like a slave?" Daniel asked, satisfied with his quick decision.


    "Your wisdom and strength far exceed mine. Even without a contract, if you wanted to enslave me, it would be easy," Synapsis said respectfully. "The contract actually protects me."


    Daniel chuckled. He enjoyed talking with clever people.


    "The academy offers excellent benefits for its teachers," Daniel continued. "One hundred thousand intermediate mana stones."


    Synapsis was quite pleased with the compensation, which was about the same as his family''s annual income.


    To his surprise, Daniel added, "One hundred thousand intermediate mana stones per month. Plus a year-end bonus. You''ll have three days off each month, and after one year, you''ll receive ten days of paid vacation."


    "If you work for three years, you''re free to resign or pursue further studies, and I won''t stop you."


    Synapsis gasped. The offer was... amazing!


    Daniel, with his wealth and power, was a boss not to be missed!


    "I am honored to serve you!" Synapsis immediately knelt on one knee and saluted Daniel in the mage''s fashion. "From now on, I shall be your loyal subordinate and employee."

 Chapter 11: Chapter11-Strength Speaks Louder Than Words

    It was a long time after Daniel left that the shop owner cautiously stepped inside."Master, are you really going to teach at Crossbridge Academy?" he asked in confusion. "But what about our potion business?"


    "Think long-term," Synapsis said. "If it''s just me making potions with alchemy, we''ll at most be considered wealthy."


    "I have a feeling that following Mr. Daniel is the right path to our rise."


    The shop owner scratched his head. "Is he really that powerful? But everyone says Daniel is..."


    "Shut up!" Synapsis said sternly. "Tell everyone, from now on, treat Mr. Daniel with the respect you would give a master! Do not let him feel even the slightest displeasure."


    He looked at the mess in the laboratory, feeling a chill of fear in his heart.


    Luckily, Mr. Daniel held back.


    Otherwise, he would be shattered into pieces, just like those magic arrays.


    Meanwhile, Daniel was preparing to find two more suitable candidates.


    One was the 5-star artificer of magitech items, Ironhand Lindsey.


    The other was the 5-star master of magic arrays, One-Eyed Emily.


    "According to the records, One-Eyed Emily is quite powerful but eccentric, living by the riverside on the outskirts of town."


    "She''s next."


    Daniel looked at the small grove in front of him. It was near the river, but there were no signs of anyone living there.


    Due to the scattered graves nearby, coupled with the crows circling overhead, any passerby would quickly leave the area.


    In such a gloomy setting, Daniel saw something different.


    What he saw was a cleverly designed, massive magic array.


    The graves were the fixed rune stones.


    The circling crows were part of a transformation spell, ensuring the stability of the magic array.


    "Not a bad design," Daniel remarked approvingly. "No wonder people say she''s eccentric. Using a magic array to deliberately keep people away is quite an interesting move."


    He took a step forward and immediately felt an invisible barrier.


    Rustling sounds filled the air.


    Shadows, like terrifying undead, appeared in his peripheral vision.


    "Leave, quickly leave, this place is terrifying~" a voice rang out, filled with strong psychological suggestion.


    At this point, even an ordinary mage would feel the urge to retreat.


    In this world, the unknown meant danger.


    Anything related to the undead or death usually meant double the risk.


    "Very good," Daniel said, satisfied. "Our academy needs someone like you. Come out, Miss Emily. I know you''re watching me."


    "I only respect the strong," the cawing crows in the sky turned into the voice of a woman.


    Daniel smiled faintly.


    He had to have this master of magic arrays.


    Daniel said no more. He extended a finger and lightly tapped the air in front of him.


    In an instant, the runes of the magic array were altered. The array changed from concealing to revealing, and not only that, Daniel''s powerful mind completely rewrote the magic array''s essence.


    A breeze blew through.


    The previously eerie atmosphere vanished.


    The withered trees began to sprout leaves, flowers bloomed across the ground, the crows transformed into doves, and the graves turned into bushes laden with fruit.


    A young woman in a gray robe stood, wide-eyed, staring at Daniel.


    She was right in front of him.


    When the array was changed, her form was revealed.


    "How did you do that?" One-Eyed Emily''s voice trembled. "Not only did you break my magic array, but you reversed the entire environment!"


    "I spent five years perfecting this magic array."


    "Who are you?"


    If another mage had been present, they would have only thought Daniel was amazing, but only someone specialized in magic arrays would understand just how terrifying Daniel was.


    From the moment he moved to the moment the array changed.


    It took just two seconds!


    What kind of concept is that?


    Was this person in front of her a tier-grandmaster mage?


    Facing such a powerful figure, even though he was smiling, One-Eyed Emily dared not be careless.


    Her right hand rested on her left chest as she knelt slightly, giving Daniel the mage''s gesture of submission.


    "You know who I am," Daniel said. "My Crossbridge Academy needs a new magic array instructor."


    "You... you really are the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy, the one who''s so waste¡ªwonder... I mean, wonderfully full of potential?"


    She had just heard his request.


    But from his one move, she could already tell that this man was definitely not the useless Daniel.


    Everyone knew that if it weren''t for Daniel having a good father and a few good teachers helping him, he would have been torn apart by the other two families long ago. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The old Daniel was useless, but I am not," Daniel said calmly. "Accept my invitation."


    He didn''t need to say "or else."


    Strength speaks for itself.


    One-Eyed Emily had no choice.


    "Yes, I accept," Emily sighed inwardly. "What kind of contract is it? Servant contract or labor contract?"


    As a wandering mage with no family, she had long been accustomed to the harsh realities of a world where the weak were preyed upon by the strong.


    Emily clenched the red crystal in her hand behind her back, ready to go down fighting if it was a slave contract or if Daniel crossed any lines.


    A contract floated before her.


    One-Eyed Emily was stunned.


    "An employment contract?" She stared in disbelief at the contents. "One hundred thousand intermediate mana stones per month, with a bonus at the end of the year, vacation time, and the ability to leave after three years?"


    Every clause was beyond her expectations.


    The conditions were so good that she couldn''t help but feel tempted.


    And there were no traps in the contract.


    This Daniel was genuinely hiring a teacher.


    "Sorry for overthinking things," One-Eyed Emily said. "But as you can see, I specialize in linked magic arrays, which cost twice as much in materials as single arrays."


    "That''s not a problem," Daniel replied, flicking his wrist.


    A pile of mana stones appeared on the bare ground.


    The glow of the high-grade mana stones made Emily''s eyes widen. She couldn''t believe it. "High-grade mana stones!"


    "Buy the materials you need. Classes start tomorrow," Daniel said. "Submit your expenses once a month."


    "Alright!" One-Eyed Emily didn''t hesitate any longer.


    She hurriedly signed her name on the contract, afraid that if she delayed, Mr. Daniel might change his mind.


    Employers as powerful and generous as him were harder to find than treasure troves!


    One-Eyed Emily decided to start working on a teaching plan that night. She couldn''t afford to disappoint Mr. Daniel.


    Daniel nodded at her, then headed for the last location.


    He left a subtle trace of his mind power on each of the teachers.


    No matter where they ran, Daniel would be able to sense them instantly.


    The last person on the list¡ªthe 5-star artificer of magical items, Ironhand Lindsey.


    Just from the name, Daniel could tell that this person''s ancestors had connections to dwarves, and Ironhand lived in a more distant mining area.


    The area was close to a small volcano. After being modified by the Crafting Guild, it had been turned into an everlasting lava forge, and it became a gathering place for craftsmen from nearby towns.


    As soon as he entered, the sound of clanging metal filled the air.


    The shops lining the streets mostly sold weapons and armor. Whether for commoners, mages, or knights, anyone could find suitable equipment.


    Ironhand''s shop was a bit hard to find, tucked away in a more secluded area.


    The moment Daniel was spotted, the apprentices eagerly swarmed around him, trying to sell their wares.


    "Sir, our master''s weapons and armor are all magitech items. Affordable and beautiful, you should definitely take a look."


    Daniel nodded. "I''m here to see Ironhand."


    "Right away! We''ll call the master."


    Ironhand Lindsey was a stout middle-aged man, a bit short, with a full beard¡ªjust the image one would expect of a dwarf descendant.


    As soon as he saw Daniel, Ironhand immediately said, "I accept!"


    Now it was Daniel''s turn to be a little surprised.


    He hadn''t even said anything yet.


    "Daniel, right? Haha, I used to deliver equipment to Crossbridge Academy all the time when your father was alive," Ironhand said warmly, bowing to Daniel. "I heard your academy lost all its teachers. You''re definitely here to recruit me."


    "Let''s go right now, haha, I''m more than willing."


    Such an eager response made Daniel pause.


    He hadn''t even mentioned the terms, and this guy was already eager to leave with him.


    Something was definitely up.

 Chapter 12: Chapter12-The Trouble with Too Much Money

    It wasn''t just Ironhand Lindsey who was in a hurry¡ªhis group of apprentice blacksmiths were even more frantic.They quickly began packing up.


    In a few minutes, they had gathered a large pile of belongings.


    "Mr. Ironhand, is there something you''re not telling me?" Daniel blocked his way. "Are you in debt or being chased?"


    "Haha, how did you know?" Ironhand Lindsey scratched his thick hair. "My shop''s location is too remote, and customers are few. Before I realized it, I''d fallen behind on the rent."


    "How long have you been behind?"


    "Hahaha, not too long¡ªonly three years," Ironhand Lindsey said. "I''m selling myself to you now, earning a bit of a wage to pay the rent, so my students won''t end up homeless."


    Daniel had initially thought it was a case of a ruthless landlord. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now it seemed that if the landlord had let him delay for three years, they were already a very kind person.


    "Uh..." Ironhand Lindsey said awkwardly, "I heard from some friends in the city that you''ve been quite generous lately, Daniel. Could I possibly get an advance on my salary?"


    "Sure," Daniel replied. "But you''re a 5-star blacksmith, and any one of your items would sell for a decent price. Your muscles show you''re not lazy, so why are your finances in such bad shape?"


    He needed to be sure that Lindsey didn''t have any bad habits.


    In any world, Daniel had zero tolerance for gambling or drugs.


    "It costs a lot of money to train a skilled blacksmith," Ironhand Lindsey admitted without hesitation. "The materials my students use each month are a massive expense."


    "Why not sell some of the items your students make?" That could at least help offset some of the costs.


    "No way!" Ironhand Lindsey said seriously. "My students are only allowed to sell items once they''ve successfully become 3-star blacksmiths."


    "Every item bears a blacksmith''s mark. The higher the quality of their first item, the better their future items will sell, ensuring their livelihood later on."


    "They''re all orphans or wanderers I''ve taken in. This craft will be their only means of survival."


    Daniel nodded.


    He hadn''t expected that beneath Ironhand Lindsey''s rough exterior was such a thoughtful and caring heart.


    A man like this, Daniel was sure, would never betray him once he joined Crossbridge Academy.


    "Here''s the employment contract," Daniel said. "All your students can join Crossbridge Academy."


    "The academy will provide all the materials the students need."


    Ironhand Lindsey was stunned.


    He stammered, "Is that really possible?"


    If they could enter Crossbridge Academy, not only would they gain more knowledge, but they''d also save a lot on expenses.


    "It''s possible. Those who wish to join can register at the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow," Daniel said. "Of course, after joining the academy, the academy''s interests must always come first. I don''t want to see any small factions forming."


    "I promise!" Ironhand Lindsey thumped his chest, sparking a bit of electricity. "Daniel, I, Ironhand Lindsey, and all my students will be part of Crossbridge Academy from now on."


    "Anyone who dares bully Crossbridge Academy¡ªno matter who it is¡ªwe''ll smash them into iron slag and melt them down!"


    Daniel laughed.


    This straightforward half-dwarf was quite amusing.


    Now that the academy had resources and its main teachers were found, it would soon be rejuvenated.


    Daniel was very satisfied.


    Meanwhile, Ms. Isolde, the Logistics Director, was overwhelmed with worry.


    In front of her was a large stack of various invoices.


    She was used to facing such situations in the past, but back then, the desk was piled high with overdue bills and debt notices. Now, however, it was lists of various items.


    "High-level training dummies, potions to enhance mana recovery, crystals to boost mana perception... too many things, too many good things!" Ms. Isolde fretted.


    Daniel had cleared out both Dragonscale Bank and Silverscale Store, buying an enormous amount of goods, far beyond what the current students could use.


    Even if they were equipped from head to toe, there would still be plenty left in stock.


    What troubled her even more was that Daniel gave her a budget of one million mana stones per month to buy consumables.


    "I can''t spend it all! It''s impossible to spend it all!"


    "We could eat mana stones and drink magic spring water every day, and it still wouldn''t use it all."


    Ms. Isolde let out a howl of happiness.


    She had never imagined in her life that she''d experience the trouble of having too much money.


    At the same time, she was secretly thrilled.


    With such a vast resource investment, it wouldn''t take long for Crossbridge Academy to grow into something everyone could only look up to!


    When that time came, neither Moonstone Academy nor Whisperwind would be their match.


    "It''s all thanks to Daniel," Ms. Isolde took a deep breath. "I must work hard! For the headmaster and for the future of the academy."


    The next day.


    Ms. Isolde was stunned as she looked at the three new teachers who had come to report.


    She had seen the list, but she hadn''t expected Daniel to work so quickly.


    The three teachers were just as surprised when they saw each other.


    As well-known experts in Riverside City, they all knew each other''s identities.


    "Emily, you''re here too?" Ironhand Lindsey said in surprise. "Were you also shocked by Daniel''s generosity and decided to join the academy?"


    "Yes," One-Eyed Emily replied. "Of course, Daniel''s strength is also quite impressive. But Synapsis, why would you, a shut-in, come out to work?"


    "Heh, don''t pretend," Synapsis said. "I don''t believe you two didn''t get beaten."


    "We didn''t," they both said in unison. "We respect Daniel from the bottom of our hearts. He would never hit us."


    Seeing their amused expressions, Synapsis silently took out a bottle of vomit-inducing potion.


    Logistics Director Ms. Isolde quickly stepped between them, pulling out the school rules and reciting, "Teachers are not allowed to fight with each other. If you really want to, you can apply to Daniel and have a fair competition in the academy''s arena."


    At the mention of Daniel''s name, the tension between the three instantly dissolved.


    They had just joined Crossbridge Academy and still wanted to make a good impression on Daniel.


    Ms. Isolde breathed a sigh of relief.


    She was very busy today.


    Not only did she need to arrange housing for the new teachers, but today was also the day Crossbridge Academy distributed mana stones.


    Students had already started lining up in the auditorium.


    Their student uniforms were a bit shabby, but everyone was in high spirits. Having grown up together, they were as close as real family.


    "I heard Daniel bought lots of new stuff. Maybe we''ll each get a new mana stone this time."


    "Haha, no way. Even having five people share a mana stone for training is already pretty extravagant."


    "But where did Daniel get the money? I heard there are dark mages in the southern swamp who buy kidneys and livers for a lot of money. Could he have sold a kidney for us?"


    "Wow, don''t scare me like that! Headmaster, oh no, headmaster..."


    The students were talking about all sorts of things.


    They knew new supplies would be distributed today.


    While they were excited, they were also worried for Daniel.


    Their wildest hopes only went as far as owning a single inferior mana stone.


    So, when they saw the piles of glittering items inside the auditorium, they were completely dumbfounded.


    "Kids, don''t rush," Ms. Isolde said excitedly. "These are the new supplies the headmaster has purchased for you all. New enchanted uniforms, cloaks, shoes, and each of you will get a new beginner''s staff."


    "Each of you will also receive four hundred inferior mana stones per month, with more if you advance a tier. If it''s not enough, you can apply for more anytime."


    "Every day, you''ll also get one mana cheese or jerky as a snack and a bottle of beginner mana potion."


    These were just the basic benefits.


    The rest would be distributed gradually.


    She thought the students would cheer with joy after hearing this.


    But instead, they were first shocked, then exchanged glances. Then, some of the younger ones began hugging each other and crying.


    "We''re doomed! With so many good things being given out, Daniel really must have sold a kidney!"


    "Headmaster, nooo! We''d rather stay poor like before than have you sell yourself!"


    Suddenly, the entire auditorium was filled with crying.


    Ms. Isolde was dumbfounded.


    What in the world were they saying?


    Who had started spreading such ridiculous rumors?


    She was both angry and amused, hurriedly explaining to the students, "Daniel just used the old headmaster''s inheritance! He didn''t sell anything! Please stop crying, really!"

 Chapter 13: Chapter13-As Light as a Feather

    While Daniel was out, he had no idea about the small commotion that occurred during the distribution of supplies.Nor did he know that his image in the hearts of the students had elevated from respect to adoration.


    The sight of the rampaging spell beasts that day still bothered him.


    Daniel had invested a lot of energy into Crossbridge Academy.


    He regarded the school as his own property, and any threats that arose, he wanted to stamp out before they could grow.


    Even though the Desolate Plains were far from Riverside City, Daniel began patrolling in that direction.


    After making a full circuit, he found no trace of the spell beasts.


    Just as he was about to return, he heard several screams.


    The sound came from far away, and Daniel originally didn''t intend to get involved. But then he heard the low growl of a spell beast, which caught his attention.


    Daniel''s figure vanished from where he stood.


    In the next moment, he appeared on a hill a kilometer away.


    The ground below was shaking as a massive red turtle spell beast continuously pounded the earth. Nearby, several young people lay scattered on the ground.


    Among them were mages, knights, and Daniel also spotted an assassin holding a dagger and a priest radiating faint golden light.


    It was a well-rounded adventuring party.


    However, their equipment was tattered, suggesting they were just a group of friends out on a self-organized adventure.


    "Run!" The knight in front wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and cursed, "Hurry up, my taunt is about to end, all of you, just run!"


    "Brother!" The priest struggled to muster even a little mana, but under the turtle spell beast''s tremor attacks, she couldn''t manage it.


    The assassin coughed twice, then drank a potion and suddenly turned invisible.


    "The moment Kent and I strike, the rest of you leave immediately, don''t look back," the assassin''s voice came from near the giant turtle spell beast. "Cough... You guys can split the mana stones I have hidden under my bed."


    This tragic scene made the other members of the team tear up.


    The mage gritted his teeth, grabbed the sobbing priest, and prepared to use his last bit of strength to teleport her away.


    Daniel, from his high vantage point, watched with great interest.


    What a passionate battle.


    What a touching display of friendship.


    Ah, youth.


    None of them noticed the figure in the sky.


    With death-defying resolve, the knight and assassin launched their final assault on the spell beast, charging at it.


    A hint of mockery flashed in the giant red turtle''s eyes.


    Did these short-lived, bronze-tier humans think they could attack it?


    Dream on. It would crush these humans and slowly pulverize them into mush!


    The red turtle stretched its neck, preparing to unleash a deadly sonic attack.


    In the next instant, a single finger extended from the void.


    With a light flick, as if brushing away a small feather from his shoulder, Daniel effortlessly sent the turtle spell beast flying.


    With a "thud," the massive body of the red turtle flipped several times in the air before crashing heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust that made the adventurers squint.


    When the dust settled, they were shocked to see that the fearsome behemoth was lying motionless, its eyes wide open, and the mana within its body was dissipating.


    The group stood frozen in place, not daring to move.


    They couldn''t even comprehend what had just happened.


    Only the mage, who had been standing farther back, saw what had occurred. She quickly rushed over with the priest in tow: "Someone just saved us!"


    "My apologies, honorable sir. Thank you for saving our Ragtag Mercenary Squad. We''re from Riverlight Town."


    Daniel, who had been about to leave, suddenly became interested when he heard the name of their squad.


    He descended from the sky.


    The team members immediately stepped forward and respectfully bowed to him.


    Their leader, the knight, was particularly shaken. He had glimpsed a finger flick the giant turtle away, but he thought it had been a hallucination before his death. Now he realized someone had indeed intervened.


    This man''s power was terrifying.


    That turtle spell beast had been tier-gold.


    Could this mage be a tier-platinum, or even tier-diamond figure?


    With that thought, the knight became even more respectful.


    "Are you an independent mercenary squad?" Daniel had watched their entire battle.


    Their willingness to risk their lives for their comrades, even sacrificing themselves to ensure others could escape, had left a deep impression on him.


    These young people, likely no older than twenty, had potential.


    To Daniel, character was more important than strength.


    With him backing them, even a pig could be trained to become a king-tier spell beast.


    "Yes, honorable mage sir," the knight replied. "I''m Kent, captain of the Ragtag Mercenary Squad. Thank you for your help. Is there anything we can do to repay you?"


    Daniel nodded.


    Gratitude.


    Another good quality.


    Although there was an enormous gap in strength between them, and the mercenaries could not offer any real assistance, the desire to repay a favor was completely different from simply accepting help as their due.


    "I''m the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy in Riverside City." Daniel handed an academy badge to Kent. "If you''re interested, you''re welcome to join my academy. We value young people like you."


    "Crossbridge Academy!" The group was shocked.


    Their hometown was a small village some distance from Riverside City.


    To them, Riverside was a grand city.


    As for a specialized academy, that was a place they had never even dared to dream of.


    "Can we really go?" Kent carefully pocketed the badge. "Will the tuition be expensive? We might need to take on a few more tasks to save up the money."


    "It''s free," Daniel smiled. "Your friendship is more valuable than mana stones."


    He snapped his fingers in the direction of the spell beast''s corpse.


    The beast''s body began to decay.


    Then, its essence condensed into a small red gem.


    "Set out as soon as you can, and be careful on the road."


    After leaving behind the spell beast''s red gem and this bit of advice, Daniel disappeared as suddenly as he had arrived.


    "Wow!!" The mage''s eyes sparkled. "What a powerful figure. Is this what high-tier mages can do? Maybe I''ll be able to do that one day too."


    "Don''t let your guard down," Kent said, putting away the gem and looking around. "That fight made a lot of noise. We''re all injured, so let''s leave before anyone comes to take advantage."


    The group quickly suppressed their excitement at surviving and cleaned up their tracks before swiftly departing.


    They decided that as soon as they had recovered, they would head straight for Riverside City. If they could really join Crossbridge Academy, that would be incredible.


    Daniel had already gone far.


    The trace of his mind power left behind told him the mercenary squad''s next steps.


    This reassured him that his decision was the right one.


    "They''re a good squad," Daniel thought as he returned to the academy. Looking at his students, he realized something.


    Compared to those young mercenaries, the kids here lacked combat experience. They were too sheltered.


    This wouldn''t do.


    Daniel didn''t want to raise a group of delicate flowers in a greenhouse. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had high expectations for his students.


    "Hard work can improve strength, but abilities only grow through real combat experience." Daniel began pondering how to organize a large-scale academy-wide training exercise.


    At that moment, an anxious-looking Isolde came to find him.


    "What''s wrong? Are the mana stones all used up?" Daniel glanced at her and tossed over a large bag of mana stones.


    "No, no, no! Daniel, please stop giving me mana stones," Isolde jumped in surprise. "I''m losing sleep every night worrying about how to spend all this money."


    "I''m here to report something else."


    "I''ve received intelligence that strange lightning has been appearing along the northern border, near the Desolate Plains."


    "The lightning is making the spell beasts restless, and there''s a high chance it could trigger a spell beast surge."


    "..." Daniel coughed awkwardly.


    That had been his doing.


    But it shouldn''t have had much of an impact.


    Isolde continued, her face filled with concern: "Many prophets are saying this is a sign of the world''s end. There have already been a few spell beast sightings outside the border cities."


    "Some have even shown up near nearby towns."


    "Daniel, should we be preparing for this?"


    The end of the world?


    That was a bit of an exaggeration, Daniel thought, but it seemed like a good opportunity to train his students.

 Chapter 14: Chapter14-Get Everyone to the Frontline

    "Daniel, both House Lunastone and House Windwhisper are taking action. They''re preparing to send forces to support the border towns," Isolde said worriedly. "This will expand the influence of their territories even further."Daniel understood her concern.


    Riverside City was jointly governed by several factions. This control extended not only to the city but also to the surrounding areas. The resources were limited: if one faction claimed more, the others would inevitably get less. Every action had repercussions on the balance of power in the region.


    "It''s a good opportunity," Daniel said. "The kids at the academy are due for some real experience."


    "You mean sending a few of the senior students?" Isolde asked. "Their abilities are decent. With protective spells and other equipment, they should manage¡­"


    "No, everyone goes," Daniel interrupted, shocking Isolde.


    "You mean¡­ everyone? Even the younger ones?" she stammered. "Some of them can''t even cast a fireball yet!"


    "So what?" Daniel replied indifferently. "We''re only dealing with scattered spell beasts, not a full-on beast horde. The academy''s equipment will keep them safe."


    "Even if they can''t kill spell beasts, real combat will toughen their courage and resolve," he continued. "Those cities have their own defense forces. Learning how to manage interpersonal relations is something they must also master."


    "We''re not a breeding ground for delicate flowers. I don''t need greenhouse plants in my academy."


    Isolde froze. She had never thought this deeply about the situation before. But Daniel was right.


    "We aren''t short on mana stones; what we lack is talent," Daniel said, offering more insight. "With people, we can expand. In the future, if you encounter talented young individuals, invite them to join the academy."


    "Yes!" Isolde admired Daniel''s foresight. With such a headmaster, the academy''s future was surely bright.


    News of Crossbridge Academy''s full mobilization spread quickly. The reactions from the other two houses were mixed.


    The conservative House Lunastone believed Daniel had made a poor judgment call, while the more aggressive House Windwhisper openly mocked him.


    "That useless Daniel has gone mad! I heard he found some inheritance left by the old headmaster and spent it all in a frenzy, buying all sorts of things. Now he thinks he''s invincible?"


    "Just wait. He''s sending even the pre-tier-stone brats. If something goes wrong, the entire Crossbridge Academy will be done for."


    "Hah, I''ve said it before. Crossbridge Academy is doomed under Daniel''s leadership."


    Almost everyone doubted Crossbridge Academy''s actions, assuming it was Daniel''s desperate attempt to regain influence after the old headmaster''s death. They believed he was trying to earn a good reputation to attract more teachers to the academy.


    But the external noise didn''t affect the students at Crossbridge Academy. In their eyes, Daniel was someone they trusted completely. Even the younger ones, though fearful, mustered up the courage to prepare for the mission, set to depart in ten days.


    The academy was buzzing with excitement and anticipation, with talk of the upcoming support mission everywhere.


    Daniel was pleased with this development. It seemed that everyone had already passed the test of courage.


    Returning to his small courtyard, he took out a small amount of the remaining Essence of Sky, diluted it, and condensed it into a tiny blue crystal. Inside this crystal was a magic array, which Daniel had specifically modified for Rose. Entering the array would directly alter her constitution, raising her potential ceiling.


    As he approached Rose''s room, ready to knock, he heard the sound of sobbing from within.


    What''s going on? Rose was always so strong. Even when she was on the verge of collapsing from training, she never complained. Why was she crying alone today? Could something have upset her?


    "I''m so useless," Rose sobbed, sounding utterly heartbroken. "Everyone else can go fight the spell beasts, but I can''t. Father will surely be disappointed in me."


    Daniel''s heart stirred. He pushed open the door and walked inside.


    Rose was sitting with her shoes off, applying medicine to her ankle, which was severely swollen¡ªa bad sprain, clearly. Beside her were several bottles of ointment, none of which contained a trace of mana. They were just ordinary salves for regular injuries.


    "Father! You''re back!" Rose panicked, scrambling to hide the medicine. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why didn''t you tell me you were injured?" Daniel asked, slightly displeased. "The academy has healing potions available. Why didn''t you ask your teachers for one?"


    Rose tensed up, lowering her head. "I''m sorry, Father. I didn''t want anyone to know I was hurt."


    "As your daughter and the wielder of the Knight Sword you gave me, I''m supposed to set an example for everyone¡­ not get injured so easily."


    "I''ve been training twelve hours a day to get stronger¡­ but I''m still so useless."


    So that''s how it was.


    Daniel felt a mix of emotions. The original Daniel hadn''t been capable of much, but he had a good daughter. Rose had gotten used to not worrying her father, so now she didn''t dare tell Daniel when something was wrong.


    "Rose, I''m your father," Daniel said gently. "I''m the one person in this world you can always rely on and trust."


    "From now on, no matter what happens, you can tell me! If you want to set an example for the other students, show them that getting injured is common and not something to be ashamed of. Trust in your companions and teachers. The right thing to do is to seek treatment promptly!"


    Daniel''s tone was soft, and Rose, who had been tense, suddenly relaxed. Seeing him pull out a healing potion, her eyes welled up with tears.


    "Drink it," Daniel said. "I''m not happy with your decision to hide this."


    "I''m sorry, Father. I promise this won''t happen again."


    After drinking the healing potion, her ankle injury immediately improved. The swelling subsided, and the scrapes from her training vanished completely.


    "You promised?" Daniel shook his head. "What you need is punishment. You''re not going to participate in this support mission."


    "Father!" Rose cried out in alarm. "But everyone else is going!"


    "If I don''t go, everyone will think I''m a coward, that I''m avoiding danger just because I''m the headmaster''s daughter."


    "Please, Father, let me go."


    Daniel looked at Rose and felt she had been reprimanded enough.


    "Unless¡­"


    "Unless what?" Rose''s eyes lit up instantly. "Father, I''ll do anything as long as I can go with everyone."


    "Then raise your strength to tier-iron before the mission," Daniel said. "Right now, you''re only a pre-tier-stone. You''re too weak. You have ten days. If you can do it, I''ll let you go."


    Rose bit her lip. "I''ll do my best, Father."


    Her attitude was good, but sheer determination wasn''t enough. Daniel then took out the blue crystal containing the magic array.


    "This is a magic array I created specifically for you to enhance your physique. But the process will be painful. Are you ready for that, Rose?"


    "Father, I''m ready!" Rose said, her eyes filled with resolve. "I want to get stronger! You always said that there''s no gain without pain, and that every strong person has endured immense hardship to become unbreakable."


    "Good," Daniel nodded.


    Blue light radiated from the crystal, transforming the room into what seemed like another dimension. Rose held her breath as she gazed at the intricate magic array before her.


    Her teachers had always said that the more complex a magic array was, the more powerful it would be, consuming vast amounts of resources. An array as mana-rich as this one must have cost a fortune.


    "Father, how many mana stones does this cost?" she asked in astonishment.


    "It''s cheap."


    Only a mere billion mana stones, hardly worth mentioning to Daniel.


    "Go ahead, Rose. Once the magic array is activated, it cannot be stopped. You''ll have to endure until the transformation is complete."


    "Yes!" Rose took a deep breath, then stepped into the magic array without hesitation.


    The next moment, she found herself unable to see her father anymore. All around her were countless mana stones, densely packed.

 Chapter 15: Chapter15-Trying to Steal My Business?

    The mana stones emitted mana like webs that wrapped around Rose.In the next instant, an overwhelming energy surged into her body¡ªit was the diluted Essence of Sky.


    Rose opened her mouth, but couldn''t even scream. Her body began its transformation, and even her mind was being tempered.


    Tears streamed down Rose''s face as she gritted her teeth, enduring the pain.


    Every time she was on the verge of passing out, she silently reminded herself, "This is a precious gift that Father worked so hard to obtain. I can''t let him down again. Rose, you can do this. Hold on."


    And so, every inch of her body was invaded and transformed by the Essence of Sky.


    Mana intertwined with every drop of her blood and every muscle fiber.


    Standing outside the magic array, Daniel watched everything unfold clearly.


    After about three hours, the glow of the magic array finally faded.


    Countless mana stones had been drained of their mana, losing their mysterious luster and turning to ash.


    Standing at the center of the magic array, Rose opened her eyes.


    Golden light flickered within them.


    "Father, I¡­" Rose lifted her head, her body now radiating a pure golden glow. "I''ve grown stronger. I''ve understood knowledge I didn''t before, and my body feels different."


    "Very good," Daniel said. "Now go outside and test your strength."


    He could tell immediately that Rose''s potential had increased significantly.


    With proper training, she could at least reach tier-grandmaster.


    With the right materials to further enhance her physique, becoming a god one day wasn''t out of the question.


    However, just because her potential had increased didn''t mean she could relax.


    She was still only a pre-tier-stone knight and needed rigorous training to fully realize the benefits she had just gained.


    "Yes!" Rose grabbed her Fernandez greatsword and was surprised to find that the once heavy weapon now felt just right, perhaps even a bit light.


    "Hah!" Rose raised the greatsword and swung it fiercely at the practice dummy she often used.


    Without using the knight''s radiance she had just learned, she relied solely on her own strength.


    With a loud crash, the dummy was instantly split in half. Though it quickly regenerated, the result left Rose ecstatic.


    "Father, did you see that? I actually managed to cut the dummy in half!" Rose was overjoyed. "Wow, at this rate, I''ll definitely reach tier-iron knight within ten days!"


    Her eyes sparkled as she continued striking the magical dummy with enthusiasm.


    Daniel knew that this training dummy was designed for pre-tier-stone knights, capable of withstanding damage up to the tier-stone limit.


    As Rose had said, with a bit more improvement and the right opportunity, she could advance to the next tier.


    Seeing the dummy shattered and unable to regenerate in time, Daniel waved his hand, and five new dummies appeared in the yard.


    "Use these for practice," Daniel said. "These are tier-gold magic dummies, specifically for attack training."


    "The other four are attack dummies¡ªa golden mage, golden assassin, golden knight, and golden hunter¡ªto help you practice defense and basic combat skills."


    "Wow!" Rose''s eyes lit up.


    She tried attacking the golden assassin dummy, but in the next second, before she could even see what happened, she was knocked to the ground.


    She jumped up immediately.


    "Thank you, Father! These training dummies are amazing!"


    "They''re just dummies. Their reactions can''t compare to a real opponent," Daniel said. "Now open the *Book of the Ever-Blooming Rose* I gave you and focus on improving yourself."


    "Yes!" Rose said earnestly.


    If she opened the book, she would be surprised to find that all the content had changed.


    Previously, due to her low strength, the book only contained basic information.


    But as her abilities improved, the book''s content would grow more challenging.


    Daniel had written it himself, using his knowledge to create a book that could grow with its reader.


    Watching Rose practice diligently, Daniel returned to his own room.


    The original owner''s room was simple, with no luxurious decorations.


    Perhaps to compensate for his lack of talent, the room was packed with books¡ªeverything from basic geography to distant secrets.


    There was almost nothing it didn''t cover.


    Daniel casually flipped through the books.


    The original owner had been diligent, but his memory wasn''t the best.


    Since Daniel planned to settle here, he needed to learn more about this world.


    He skimmed through the pages quickly. Riverside City, despite covering a large area with many surrounding towns and territories, wasn''t even considered a third-tier city in the Free Federation.


    The federation''s most prosperous cities numbered five in total.


    "Lakecity, the third-largest city in the Free Federation, renowned for its beautiful scenery, numerous lakes, and wealthy citizens," Daniel read from the book. "Its commercial prosperity is unmatched. I think Lady Claire mentioned once that the Dragonscale Bank headquarters is located there."


    "I cleared out their inventory last time. I wonder when Lady Claire will restock."


    Daniel''s supply of mana stones was nearly infinite. Sitting on them was a waste; only by exchanging them for treasures would they have real value.


    "Achoo!" Lady Claire sneezed.


    She found it odd. With her physical constitution, how could she catch a cold?


    "I''ve heard that when a tier-sage thinks of someone, that person will have a slight reaction. Could it be that some important figure is looking for me to buy something?" Lady Claire joked to herself.


    She was currently seated in the Dragonscale Bank headquarters in Lakecity. After selling out all the goods in Riverside City, Lady Claire had come here with high hopes.


    One, to restock and find better treasures for Daniel.


    Two, to hopefully secure a promotion within the bank. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Lady Claire, the chief steward will see you now."


    Confidently, Claire walked into the chief steward''s office. The man was a slightly overweight middle-aged figure, wearing a necklace of colorful gemstones around his neck, his clothing emitting a faint golden shimmer. He looked incredibly opulent.


    "Mr. Dick, good day," Claire greeted him politely and got straight to the point. "I want a promotion."


    Chief Steward Dick hadn''t yet responded when a disdainful laugh came from the side.


    "You? Really?" A sultry red-haired woman chuckled. "Claire, you''ve been stuck in that small place, Riverside City, for five years without meeting the promotion requirements. If it weren''t for Mr. Dick''s generosity, you would''ve been demoted by now."


    "Your abilities are so lacking that Mr. Dick was about to send me to take over your work in Riverside City."


    "What?" Lady Claire was shocked.


    This red-haired woman, Tina, had always had a poor relationship with her. She had even snatched several valuable items that were meant to be sold in Riverside City. If Tina really took over her work, Claire knew her future would be bleak.


    Moreover, Claire had just formed a partnership with a super-client like Daniel. There was no way she''d let that go.


    "I object," Claire argued logically. "I just completed a transaction worth over a hundred billion mana stones! According to the regulations, I should be promoted and granted expanded authority over Riverside City''s Dragonscale Bank."


    "Hahaha, you must be joking," Tina laughed, covering her mouth. "In that small place, how could anyone possibly afford that many mana stones at once?"


    "Claire," Dick, the chief steward, who had remained silent until now, spoke gravely. "Falsifying sales figures is a serious offense and will be punished harshly."


    Claire knew that the relationship between these two was less than professional. She didn''t bother arguing further and directly presented her magical ledger. Every transaction made at Dragonscale Bank was recorded in this book.


    Using her authority, Claire hid Daniel''s name and the items he purchased, but the others could still see the total sales amount.


    "187.2 billion mana stones!" Tina exclaimed in shock. "How is that possible?"


    "The magical ledger doesn''t lie," Lady Claire stood tall. "I formally request an immediate promotion!"


    Dick''s expression changed.


    Though he managed Lakecity''s Dragonscale Bank and several nearby cities, any records in the magical ledger would also appear in the central records at the bank''s headquarters. Promotions within Dragonscale Bank were strict, but the process was transparent. With such a significant transaction, he would need a solid reason to oppose her promotion.


    "I see," Dick said. "You may go now. I will follow the regulations and process your promotion in a few days."


    He agreed so easily?


    Lady Claire felt suspicious, but kept her expression calm.


    After she left, Tina turned to Dick with dissatisfaction. "Darling, are you really going to promote her?"


    "No!" Dick sneered. "You will head to Riverside City right now and find out who her recent big client is. With your abilities, I''m sure you can steal that mysterious customer."

 Chapter 16: Chapter16-The Art of Spending Money

    Time flew by.Daniel had fully adapted to life in this world.


    Rose didn''t disappoint him¡ªshe successfully advanced to a tier-iron knight on the eighth day.


    Now, she had joined the rest of the academy''s students on their mission to support the border towns.


    With everyone gone, the academy had grown very quiet.


    The three teachers Daniel had hired were too concerned about their students to stay behind, so they accompanied them.


    However, under Daniel''s orders, they strictly adhered to the rule of only intervening if the students'' lives were in serious danger.


    While everyone was away, Dean Rowan and Logistics Director Lady Isolde began upgrading the academy''s facilities.


    Desks, chairs, teaching tools, blackboards, and various large magical items were being replaced one by one.


    Every day, Daniel could see Crossbridge Academy transforming.


    The previous aura of decay had long since vanished, and now the academy was clean, cozy, and gradually taking on the shape of a future super-academy.


    Daniel had also fully grasped the knowledge and common sense of this world.


    "This continent is entirely different from the Earth I knew in my previous life," Daniel mused. "I''m even beginning to wonder if this place is spherical at all."


    The reason was simple: the landmass was simply too vast.


    Once, a tier-grandmaster mage attempted to create a complete map of the entire continent.


    He used his flight magic to trace the continent''s edges, recording his journey.


    After ten years, he was shocked to find that there was still no end in sight. Undeterred, he continued exploring for another thirty years.


    The results were just as astonishing.


    In the end, he left behind a famous quote: "This is a world without borders. No matter how powerful a mortal''s body, even a tier-sage cannot glimpse the full expanse of the continent."


    Since then, everyone had accepted that the world had no borders.


    Even the most seasoned travelers only ventured within a handful of kingdoms, and no one dared to claim they had seen the entire world.


    However, being a magical world, people still managed to create a rough map of the world, even though they couldn''t explore the boundaries.


    The continent was roughly divided into five regions: the Holy Empire, the Eternal Tribe, the Free Federation, the Lost Lands, and a vast expanse of islands collectively known as the Emerald Isles.


    Scattered throughout were countless smaller factions.


    Riverside City, where Daniel was currently located, was part of the Free Federation, a loose confederation of many cities that barely qualified as a nation.


    Riverside City was a subsidiary of Lakecity, and if ever in danger, Lakecity would provide protection.


    In exchange, however, Riverside City had to pay a hefty annual fee to Lakecity.


    "The relationships between cities are quite interesting," Daniel thought. "It''s not a bad system. Large cities can fall into decline, and small cities can rise. Whoever becomes the strongest with the greatest military power will have the final say."


    "If Riverside City were to become the most powerful in the future, Lakecity would become its subordinate."


    As for strength, the continent''s tier and class system was clearly defined.


    There were two types of classes: ordinary and extraordinary.


    Every class had both types of practitioners.


    For example, there were regular maids and magical maids, regular chefs and magical chefs.


    The latter produced more exceptional results and earned much higher rewards.


    Professions like mages, priests, knights, and assassins typically focused on adventuring, mercenary work, or combat to earn a living. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tiers were divided into pre-stone, iron, bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, master, grandmaster, and sage.


    Few ever reached beyond the sage tier¡ªthat was the domain of legendary gods.


    Daniel kept his power at the sage peak, meaning he was essentially invincible on the continent.


    "But it''s not just a legend," Daniel knew full well. "There''s something beyond the sage tier. If I wanted, I could break through at any moment. Last time, when I sensed that power beyond the stone forest, it was beyond the sage tier."


    "It seems this continent isn''t as simple as it appears."


    "There are still many hidden mysteries."


    Daniel set down the book in his hand. He had already finished reading through the academy''s entire library.


    Unfortunately, the level of knowledge here wasn''t sufficient to grant him access to the Void Library. He wasn''t in a rush, though.


    Crossbridge Academy had only just gotten back on track.


    With Daniel at the helm, it was only a matter of time before the academy grew into a force to be reckoned with.


    "Daniel, the meeting is about to start," Rowan knocked on the door to remind him.


    "I''ll be right there," Daniel nodded.


    Each month, the academy''s management gathered for a meeting.


    Unlike the gloomy atmosphere of their first meeting, today every teacher appeared relaxed, smiles on their faces.


    "Daniel, the students are doing great," Rowan reported. "Mr. Synapsis, Ironhand Lindsey, and Lady Emily have been sending updates every three days. The students of Crossbridge have already helped the border towns deal with twenty-six spell beasts."


    "The border patrol is full of praise for them, and the local townspeople have warmly welcomed our students. Quite a few parents are now considering sending their children to the academy."


    "Our financial situation is also excellent. While the spell beast attacks caused minor losses to the border merchants, the rewards earned by our students for defeating the spell beasts have completely covered those losses."


    Daniel smiled and said, "I sent them out for training, but I didn''t expect them to start earning their own money already."


    The support mission had been a tremendous success.


    Not only did it provide valuable experience for the students and win them a good reputation, but it also sent a clear message to those in Riverside City who were still plotting against Daniel: Crossbridge Academy was no longer what it once was.


    At least, no one had made another attempt to assassinate Daniel.


    Daniel himself felt a little disappointed by that.


    "Headmaster, this is the academy''s expenditure report for the month," said Lady Isolde, the Logistics Director, as she handed over the academy''s specialized magical ledger.


    Her tone was filled with pride as she said, "We''ve saved eight hundred million mana stones compared to last month."


    "Saved?" Daniel asked. "Why are we saving money?"


    "I cut some unnecessary expenses," Lady Isolde explained. "For example, I replaced the magical street lamps with cheaper ones. They go out after ten o''clock at night, and while the light is a bit dimmer, each lamp saves us a thousand mana stones compared to the automatic, light-adjusting ones."


    "And the dining utensils¡ªwe switched to regular ones. Replacing everything with magical items would have cost us an additional three million mana stones."


    Isolde continued to list her cost-saving measures, clearly proud of how much she had saved the academy.


    "Stop." Daniel knocked on the table. "Isolde, I don''t doubt your abilities, but you need to work on something."


    "What''s that?" she asked.


    "Your ability to spend money!" Daniel said. "I understand that you want to save, but it''s unnecessary! Our academy is going to become a top-tier institution, so we need to use the best of everything, as long as we aren''t wasting resources."


    "Cheap magical street lamps will cause students to trip and won''t keep the blood-sucking mosquitoes away."


    "Ordinary utensils require extra cleaning time and provide no benefits to magical food."


    "Bedding and pajamas made from high-grade mana-patterned fabric keep students warm in winter and cool in summer. They also provide a calming effect and can alert them to nightmares. Ordinary fabric can''t do any of that."


    "Lady Isolde, from now on, I want you to shift your mindset! Prioritize the students. As long as the academy is strong, we won''t need to worry about mana stones."


    Daniel''s words left Isolde feeling ashamed.


    She hadn''t realized that her well-intentioned savings weren''t actually benefiting the students.


    "I''m sorry, Daniel," Isolde said, her face flushing red. "I wasn''t thinking clearly. I''ll be more careful in the future."


    "Then start by spending the entire budget I give you each month," Daniel said firmly. "Fifty billion mana stones per month, and I want it all spent! Show me the detailed accounts next month."


    "How am I supposed to spend that much money?" Isolde felt overwhelmed by the pressure.


    Aldric and Rowan exchanged a glance, both of them smiling in relief.


    Other schools were worried about having too little funding. Their school was stressed because they had too much.


    If word got out, the rest of the academies in the Free Federation would be green with envy.


    "With Daniel here, Crossbridge Academy is destined to become the greatest academy!" Aldric thought silently.


    His heart was full of hope, and he believed he could continue working for Daniel for at least another fifty years!

 Chapter 17: Chapter17-The Adults’ Scheming

    Maybe it was because Lady Isolde''s frustration was too obvious.Daniel gave her a small hint.


    "Upgrade the school facilities, improve the quality of student supplies, and upgrade the food quality for students," Daniel said. "If you really can''t spend it all, go shopping. I think our academy is already Claire''s favorite customer."


    "Dragonscale Bank has many treasures. If you come across something valuable, buy it and store it in the school''s collection. It''ll come in handy eventually."


    "If you find something truly precious, the budget I''ve given you won''t be enough. You can come directly to me."


    Isolde nodded repeatedly, diligently jotting it all down in her notebook.


    She now admired Daniel deeply.


    However, Daniel seemed to have forgotten something.


    "Apologies, I also wanted to shop at Dragonscale Bank, but when I went last week, the staff said they were out of stock."


    "They said that after you bought everything last time, they haven''t restocked since."


    Daniel shook his head.


    Such inefficiency.


    After all this time, they still hadn''t restocked.


    It seemed that this world''s service industry had a lot of room for improvement.


    "Here''s this month''s budget." Daniel dropped two bags of mana stones. "Give an extra hundred mana stones to each of the students who went on the support mission. This is a great opportunity for them to strengthen their abilities."


    "Understood."


    Daniel''s generosity earned him the admiration of several teachers.


    With such cost-free cultivation of students, once these little ones matured, they would be powerful whether they liked it or not.


    ¡­


    "Who exactly is that mysterious big client?" Lady Tina had been in Riverside City for some time now. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She had been secretly tracking Claire, using Mr. Dick''s connections to meet several influential people in the city.


    She initially suspected that the mysterious big client might be the Moonstone family or the House of Windwhisper.


    But after getting to know them, it didn''t seem to be the case.


    "It couldn''t possibly be that nearly bankrupt Crossbridge Academy, could it?"


    Tina found the thought so ridiculous that it made her laugh.


    She had no idea about the current state of the academy.


    According to her information, the academy''s new headmaster was a tier-iron "failure." All the teachers had left, and the students were orphans¡ªa poor and miserable place, through and through.


    She decided to focus on tracking Claire. Once she found out who the mysterious big client was, she was confident that her beauty and charm would help her win them over.


    "Lady Tina, we have new information."


    An assassin in charge of surveillance brought the latest news.


    "We''ve noticed that Claire used a magic scroll and disappeared in Garden Street."


    "Ha! I knew it!" Tina was thrilled. "Let''s go! To Garden Street! I''m going to find that mysterious big client."


    Meanwhile, in Garden Street, Daniel and Claire were chatting in a flower shop.


    "What a peculiar place to do business," Daniel said. "Why not trade at Dragonscale Bank?"


    "The surroundings here are more pleasant," Claire couldn''t possibly tell him she was being followed. She didn''t want to cause Daniel any displeasure, so she came up with another reason.


    "I heard that Lady Isolde from Crossbridge Academy is planning to purchase a batch of deep green jasmine. This shop is where I prepared my gift for her."


    "That''s thoughtful," Daniel said with a slight smile.


    He could already imagine the outcry Isolde would make when she received such a large pile of flowers.


    Her hard-thought-out spending plan had been thwarted by someone gifting the flowers ahead of time.


    "So, what about the new treasures?" Daniel asked directly.


    "They''re all here." Claire produced a delicate golden box, intricately carved with a magic array. Daniel immediately recognized it as a large spatial storage box.


    However, the contents left Daniel somewhat disappointed.


    They were similar to what he had purchased before.


    Although the categories were different, the highest-grade treasure was only 3-star.


    "I''ll take everything," Daniel said. "But I expect to see higher-quality items."


    "Whether it''s raw materials, mana cores, weapons, or consumables¡ªthe rarer, the better."


    Claire apologized, "I''m terribly sorry. Since the Riverside City treasury was emptied last time, new items require assessment by Chief Steward Dick before they can be gradually released. These are the best I could secure."


    "What a hassle," Daniel frowned.


    They didn''t even know how to make money.


    This Dick fellow must not be too bright.


    "Daniel, the total value of these items is 150 billion mana stones. However, since you''re my valued customer, I can offer you a 20% discount, bringing it down to 120 billion mana stones."


    "That''s fine." Daniel readily paid.


    He didn''t mind the mana stones, but he appreciated the attitude.


    It was rare to find a capable merchant who wasn''t greedy.


    "Thank you, Daniel. If you need anything, feel free to contact me directly," Claire said with even more respect. "I''ll do my best to get it done."


    "Next time, just come to the academy," Daniel said. "If I''m not there, talk to Lady Isolde."


    "Understood." Claire breathed a sigh of relief.


    Success.


    Daniel was willing to work with her long-term.


    With this transaction completed smoothly, her promotion was no longer in jeopardy.


    "I''ll continue to search for more treasures¡ªanything 3-star or higher, or even SS-grade, is what I''m after."


    Claire took note of his requests seriously.


    She planned to make a trip to Lake City soon. If Chief Steward Dick continued to make excuses, she would bypass him and submit the request directly.


    After all, a straightforward customer like Daniel was a rare and high-value client.


    Daniel was busy.


    After finishing his business, his figure turned into a gray breeze and vanished.


    Claire was left speechless.


    What kind of power was this? She hadn''t even sensed a trace of mana fluctuation. She resolved to be even more cautious around Daniel in the future. Not only was he a golden goose, but also a formidable expert.


    At that moment, the flower shop door suddenly opened.


    "Hello there! I''m Tina from Dragonscale Bank. So nice to meet you." Tina, drenched in perfume and dressed in a luxurious magic robe with a high slit, strutted into the shop, exuding charm with her perfectly alluring makeup.


    "..." Claire was speechless.


    "Hmm? Why are you the only one here?" Tina asked in surprise. "Where''s that mysterious customer?"


    "Which customer?" Claire asked. "I''m here to buy flowers. Who were you talking to just now, Lady Tina? You weren''t secretly following me, were you? You know the bank prohibits poaching clients."


    Tina glanced around and confirmed that the only person in the shop was Claire.


    "Hmph, I''m also here to buy flowers," she said, unwilling to directly violate the bank''s rules. With that excuse, she left, though not without giving Claire a condescending glance. "Heh, don''t say I didn''t warn you¡ªno matter how much you sell, you won''t get promoted!"


    "Thanks for the reminder," Claire replied with a slight smile. "But Dragonscale Bank doesn''t belong to you or Mr. Dick. Headquarters will decide my promotion."


    The two women exchanged a sharp look, the tension between them palpable.


    After Claire left, Tina''s expression turned vicious.


    "Promotion? Dream on!"


    "As long as I have Dick''s support, you''ll never get promoted."


    All this undercurrent of conflict, Daniel was unaware of.


    And even if he knew, he wouldn''t care.


    Even that Chief Steward from Lake City was insignificant to Daniel.


    ¡­


    Today, Crossbridge Academy was filled with the scent of deep green jasmine.


    The deputy headmaster stood at the school gate with several teachers, eagerly awaiting.


    "They''re back. There they are," they said, spotting the returning students from afar.


    In the time they''d been away, the once immature students had undergone a complete transformation. They returned with confident smiles, their bodies stronger.


    Even the youngest children had a new determination in their eyes.


    They had ventured out, facing numerous dangers¡ªnot only battling fierce spell beasts but also engaging in all kinds of power struggles with other factions.


    It could be said that before they left, they were chicks. Now, they were fledgling eagles.


    "The kids look amazing," Deputy Headmaster Aldric marveled. "Isn''t that Rose leading them? She seems to have grown a lot taller. They say girls blossom when they grow up."


    Carrying her giant sword, Rose looked at the familiar academy, breathing a sigh of relief.


    Throughout the journey, she had fulfilled her duties, working hard to protect her fellow students. In every battle, she led the charge.


    Several times, she even came close to getting injured.


    These actions had earned her the respect of her classmates.


    In their eyes, she was no longer just the headmaster''s daughter¡ªshe was truly Big Sister Rose.

 Chapter 18: Chapter18-The Best Headmaster

    Daniel stepped forward as well.The changes in the students were obvious, but what displeased him was that they were carrying quite a few injuries.


    Not only that, their mage robes and knight uniforms were damaged, and Daniel even saw one student holding a sword broken in two.


    "What happened?" He looked at Lady Isolde. "Isn''t the academy supposed to have weekly reports on equipment replacements and distribution of healing potions?"


    "I have no idea." Lady Isolde was stunned.


    She had been distributing all kinds of supplies on time and in full.


    Seeing the students in such tattered conditions was beyond her expectations.


    The three teachers who had accompanied the group returned as well.


    Hearing Daniel''s question, Ironhand Lindsey laughed heartily. "Daniel, these kids are just too frugal! You wouldn''t believe it¡ªthey carry magic sewing kits with them and refuse to discard their torn mage robes."


    "The young knights spent most of their time at the blacksmith shop in the border town, patching up and repairing their gear."


    "If I didn''t know they had mana stones from the academy, I would have thought they were living in utter hardship."


    One-eyed Emily nodded in agreement, "Yes, they truly know how to cherish things. None of them waste a single mana stone."


    This support mission left a deep impression on the three teachers.


    Initially, they were either there because of Daniel''s power or due to the influence of mana stones, but after spending time with the students, the three expert teachers came to realize that Crossbridge Academy was not an ordinary school¡ªit was more like a large family.


    The students cared for each other and showed genuine respect toward the teachers, which deepened the three teachers'' sense of belonging to the academy.


    "Father!" Rose''s eyes lit up the moment she saw Daniel. She ran over to him in a few quick steps. "Father, I''m back! All the students who participated in the support mission have returned safely!"


    As she spoke, she respectfully performed a standard knight''s salute to Daniel.


    After this period of training, Rose had reached the mid-tier of iron rank.


    She had grown taller and her demeanor had become more mature.


    "Well done," Daniel patted her on the shoulder.


    That simple praise made Rose beam with joy.


    The other students greeted Daniel respectfully, and he told them to go and rest. The academy had already prepared hot meals, and the new hot water magic array was ready for them to use.


    "Wow, this is awesome!" the students cheered. "We can take hot baths anytime now!"


    "The academy looks so different! It''s so beautiful¡ªeven the street lamps have magical fluctuations. Is this really the academy we know?"


    "It''s suddenly so full of happiness!"


    The students couldn''t wait to rush inside and explore their newly renovated campus.


    "Why aren''t you going to rest?" Daniel asked Rose. "Is there something you want to tell me?"


    "Yes, Father." Rose nodded.


    She hesitated, unsure whether to share her thoughts.


    But seeing the encouraging look in Daniel''s eyes, she chose to speak up.


    "Father, during this support mission, we not only faced spell beasts but also saw many unfortunate children," she said. "Many of them didn''t even have enough to eat or shoes to wear." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A lot of our classmates used their mana stones to buy clothes and food for those children."


    Most of the students at Crossbridge Academy were orphans, but thanks to the efforts of the former headmaster, while their learning environment might have been tough, they had never lacked clothes or food.


    It was only after visiting the border city that they saw what true survival struggles looked like.


    This experience deeply moved the students.


    Rose even came up with a bold idea.


    "Father, since the academy has always taken in orphans, could we¡­" She hesitated, then softly asked, "Could we also take in those unfortunate children and make them academy students?"


    "Yes," Daniel said. "But you''ll be responsible for this matter, and it must not interfere with your studies. If there''s a problem, you''ll be held accountable."


    He wanted to give Rose a chance to develop her various abilities.


    Although the orphans were pitiful, in their struggle to survive, they might resort to petty theft. The challenge would be how to reform them and help them adapt to academy life¡ªthis would be Rose''s test.


    "Thank you for trusting me, Father," Rose said shyly. "Actually, during the trip to the border, I made friends with a few children who have great potential, so I''ve already brought them back."


    "They''re with Cousin Green right now, outside the academy."


    "How has Green been doing?" Daniel asked.


    He recalled that Green was the son of the original headmaster''s younger brother, who had gone on an expedition and had been missing for years. Green had been living with them ever since.


    "Green has improved a lot." Rose smiled. "He used to be afraid of blood, but now he''s completely fine! Even when he was covered in blood from battle, he didn''t faint."


    "Not bad," Daniel said. "In the future, if you come across children with good character and integrity, just inform Lady Isolde. You don''t need to report each one to me."


    "Understood, Father."


    While the students were resting, Daniel called Rowan, the head of the Academic Affairs Office, over.


    "Daniel, what can I do for you?"


    "You''ve seen how frugal the kids are," Daniel said. "It''s a good mindset, but it''s holding back their progress."


    Rowan nodded, "So, what do you propose?"


    "Set up an internal exchange system within the academy," Daniel said. "In addition to the regular supplies distributed, students can earn ''score'' by improving their skills, completing academy tasks, and so on. These scores can be used to exchange for items."


    "I''ll create a list of items, ranging from basic potions and materials to 3-star treasures, and there will be more things added in the future."


    "Anyone, as long as they have enough score, can exchange for these items."


    "The teachers as well."


    At this, even the usually calm Rowan looked excited.


    3-star treasures?


    Such rare items could be exchanged just by accumulating score!


    Once this news spread, the entire academy¡ªteachers and students alike¡ªwould be buzzing as if they had drunk molten lava potions.


    Rowan knew that some wealthy families had similar systems, but he never expected that Crossbridge Academy would undergo such a transformation.


    "Daniel, your decision is truly brilliant!" Rowan praised. "This way, everyone will be more motivated, and their sense of belonging to the academy will grow stronger."


    That was precisely Daniel''s intention.


    With so many students, some were bound to have peculiar or sensitive personalities.


    Such individuals could easily turn to the dark side if not handled properly.


    But now, with the score system, it didn''t matter what their personalities were like or how good their relationships were¡ªif they worked hard, they would always get what they wanted.


    "It''s not just about academic performance. We want well-rounded talent at this academy," Daniel instructed. "Teach each student carefully, observe what they excel at. Even if it''s something like organizing, cleaning, or being particularly meticulous¡ªthose are all strengths!"


    Rowan nodded repeatedly.


    He had once thought that Daniel was not as capable as the former headmaster.


    But now, every decision Daniel made earned his deep respect.


    These children were being treated seriously by Daniel as headmaster. Even if they didn''t become great knights or mages, they would still grow into honest and capable individuals.


    Sure enough, when the newly named "Crossbridge Treasure Vault" exchange system was announced, the students were ecstatic.


    "Wow! Everyone gets five hundred starting score. Haha, that''s enough to exchange for fifty mana stones! I never thought something like this could happen."


    "I heard we''re going to get a lot more score soon based on our performance during the support mission."


    "Have you seen the items in the Treasure Vault? There are so many good things! I need to work hard¡ªthere''s all the magic materials I want."


    "The tasks haven''t been posted yet, but you can earn score just by studying diligently. Am I dreaming?"


    "Wait, finding reliable talents to join the academy earns three thousand score!"


    "Students getting married will receive bonus points!"


    "Even children of adult students joining the academy will earn score!"


    Everyone looked at each other in disbelief.


    Daniel was always full of surprises. This system seemed to not only cover student life but even marriage and having children in the future.

 Chapter 19: Chapter19-The Enrollment Frenzy!

    The new exchange plan ignited a wave of enthusiasm throughout the academy.Many students began forming groups, planning to explore and go on expeditions. Not only would this help them strengthen their abilities, but they could also earn scores through these adventures.


    If they acquired any valuable items, there was no need to sell them to outside shops. They could directly go to the academy''s logistics department to exchange the items for either mana stones or scores.


    As a result, Rose, after only a few days of rest, informed Daniel that she and a few friends were heading out again.


    "Father, we''re planning to return to the borderlands," Rose said. "There are still spell beasts that haven''t been dealt with, and I want to bring back more of those unfortunate children."


    "Don''t worry, Green will be coming with us."


    Daniel didn''t stop her.


    He handed her several crystals.


    "Instant-cast magic amulets," Daniel explained. "For you and your friends. Keep them with you at all times. If you encounter danger, they will warn you and protect you from a fatal attack."


    "Yes, Father." Rose happily left.


    This time, they would be facing a true adventure without the protection of teachers.


    Daniel wasn''t too concerned.


    The magic amulets he gave to Rose contained a trace of his mind power, allowing him to sense Rose''s location at all times.


    After sending his daughter off, Daniel began organizing the various magical books he had purchased earlier.


    After two major shopping sprees, he had accumulated dozens of magic books.


    This gave Daniel a deeper understanding of the world''s magical system.


    Long ago, the first people to awaken magical abilities did so by accidentally obtaining various magical items, such as consuming magical herbs or mana crystals, which granted them special powers.


    These people intermarried to ensure that their children were born with powers that surpassed ordinary humans.


    At that time, families were the most powerful forces, monopolizing all magical items.


    Later, ordinary people, unwilling to be oppressed, sought new paths.


    Some awakened through battles with spell beasts.


    Others befriended more peaceful spell beasts and learned their methods of gaining strength.


    This marked the discovery of absorbing natural energy from the air.


    This breakthrough shattered the family monopolies, leading humanity into an era of rapid development. Various classes and abilities emerged, and humanity''s greatest gift¡ªcreativity¡ªflourished.


    The invention of magic arrays, alchemy, and mana-powered items gradually made humans the dominant force on the continent, while spell beasts were forced to retreat to remote corners.


    This was the history of how human power developed on the continent.


    "Fascinating, but with obvious flaws," Daniel concluded. "Due to multiple awakenings and innovations, there are far too many ways to enhance one''s power!"


    For an ordinary person to find the perfect method for themselves, it would take a great deal of time and money.


    Even academy students, after going through talent testing, still had a chance of choosing an unsuitable method of enhancement.


    "Hmm... I could create a foundational manual that anyone could use," Daniel suddenly had an idea. "It doesn''t need to be extremely powerful, but it should be accessible to anyone¡ªno matter their age or condition¡ªwithout side effects."


    "It would be like a universal key to unlock the door. Once they open that door, the path they choose would still be up to them."


    "This way, the continent''s overall combat power would increase, and we''d fully enter an era of high magic¡ªchaotic, but more interesting."


    This idea was far ahead of its time in this world, something no one had ever conceived before.


    But Daniel came from Earth.


    To him, creating a universal foundational system was like promoting literacy for the masses.


    People need to be able to read before they can dive into more books and gain more knowledge.


    "Let''s create a prototype first."


    Daniel began working.


    The mana core engraved in the heart would be the power source, while the foundational texts would extend from it! Each person''s internal mana pattern was different and complex, but the common point for all humans was that they shared the same basic organs.


    The heart was the core, extending to the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys¡ªthese four pillars. From there, it spread to the gallbladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine, bladder, and triple burner, and then to the blood vessels. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even if someone was born without or later lost an organ, it wouldn''t affect the system too much.


    Mana would form a virtual extension in place of the missing organ, allowing it to function as intended.


    "As long as the heart is still beating and you can breathe, you can continuously absorb natural energy from the environment," a new training manual began to take shape in Daniel''s mind. "It''s gentle but reliable! And if mana stones are used, the process will speed up."


    He kept refining his calculations.


    Whenever he found an error in the text, he corrected it.


    Whenever he found a connection that wouldn''t work, he fixed it.


    Whenever there were unnecessary, redundant paths, he streamlined them.


    And so, Daniel became fully immersed in the process.


    He closed his eyes, and if it weren''t for the faint aura of power surrounding him, one might think he was asleep.


    This state of deep focus lasted for fifty days.


    During that time, Daniel never left his room.


    When Vice Headmaster Aldric tried to visit him, he was blown back by a gust of wind before he could even get close.


    Realizing that Daniel had entered a state where he couldn''t be disturbed, Aldric hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on Daniel''s door and placed magical dummies as guards to ensure no one interrupted him.


    Even when Rose returned from her adventure and wanted to see Daniel, she couldn''t get in.


    Another thirty days passed.


    Finally, Daniel opened his eyes.


    "It''s done." A transparent diamond-shaped crystal floated in front of him, emitting a faint silver glow, as if a magic array were spinning within it. "I didn''t expect it to take so long."


    Inside the crystal was a brand-new training manual.


    This was something entirely unprecedented.


    Daniel''s creation was revolutionary. Not only could it actively absorb natural energy, but it could also passively draw energy from magic arrays, spell beast cores, and even the scattered power of other humans.


    As long as someone had the access rights granted by Daniel, they could copy the manual from the crystal.


    Anyone, no matter their gender or age, could use it.


    Although the results would vary from person to person, it truly allowed everyone to train.


    "Now it needs a good name." Daniel pondered for a moment. "I''ll call it Genesis."


    He had a feeling that his creation would gradually change the entire continent.


    It might even give rise to a new world.


    News of Daniel emerging from his room quickly spread throughout the academy.


    In addition to the concerned students rushing over to greet him, several teachers came as well. After confirming that Daniel was in good health, Rowan and Isolde began reporting recent events.


    "Daniel, there haven''t been any major incidents lately."


    "What about the spell beasts at the border?"


    "The spell beasts seem to have calmed down. Our academy''s students have gone on several expeditions, and perhaps because of that, both the Moonstone family and House Windwhisper sent out people as well. Most of the larger spell beasts have been eliminated."


    "However, some students still remain at the border, wanting to hone their skills. Just as you instructed, they''ve established strong friendships with the local residents."


    Daniel nodded.


    The Moonstone family and House Windwhisper were too slow to act.


    By now, the border towns revered only Crossbridge Academy, greatly expanding the academy''s sphere of influence.


    The students of Crossbridge were sincere and dedicated, unlike the old hands from the two other families. They brought their own food and supplies, saving many people, and even took in many children, bringing them back to Crossbridge Academy.


    This gave rise to the notion in those border towns that "joining Crossbridge Academy is an honor."


    In short, the academy''s influence at the border had completely overshadowed the other factions.


    "And what about the people joining us?" Daniel asked. "My requirement is that character comes first."


    "Yes, we''ve conducted various assessments," Rowan replied. "Over five hundred free mages and knights applied to join, and after the assessments, one hundred fifty passed."


    Daniel nodded. "Once we''re sure of their character, have them start with one or two simple tasks. After identifying their strengths, allow them access to the Treasure Vault exchange system."


    This would provide newcomers with more motivation and loyalty to the academy.


    Even if someone''s strength wasn''t up to par, that was only temporary.


    Daniel knew that with all the resources he controlled, as long as there were enough people, he could produce an army of experts.

 Chapter 20: Chapter20-The Students Efforts

    "Daniel, I feel like if things continue like this, the number of people at our academy will explode," Isolde said. "The academy used to feel so empty, but now it''s full of people everywhere.""Thankfully, the old headmaster had the foresight not to sell off the extra land."


    "Aside from the new freelance practitioners joining, even the students are forming different small groups during their expeditions."


    Daniel asked, "Small groups?"


    "Yes, they''ve attracted many young people from outside the academy to follow them," Isolde explained. "For example, Green has teamed up with a bunch of boys, and they''ve named themselves the Whirlwind Boys."


    "Miss Rose, along with a few close female friends, formed a group called Dead Pink."


    Daniel couldn''t help but laugh at the names these kids had come up with.


    Sure enough, they were still just children.


    "As long as there''s no malicious competition and these groups help bring in fresh talent, such so-called ''small groups'' shouldn''t be a problem," Daniel concluded.


    Seeing that Daniel wasn''t opposed, Lady Isolde smiled too.


    "Headmaster, although these kids are young, they''ve been doing a pretty good job. For example, Rose''s Dead Pink helped a nearby village last month by driving off a mercenary group that attempted to raid them."


    "This has made their reputation even more well-known."


    "Everyone''s saying that the students from Crossbridge Academy are all good kids."


    Hearing about Rose''s achievements gave Daniel a sense of pride.


    He knew that with Rose''s determination and resilience, it was only a matter of time before she made a name for herself.


    "Daniel, the students are doing great, and the opening of the Mistriver Realm is approaching. Are you planning to send them to participate this time?" asked Rowan, the head of the Academic Affairs Office.


    The Mistriver Realm opens once every fifty years.


    The opening time isn''t fixed, but it usually happens around the second week of July.


    The realm is a vast forest. The outskirts contain many magical herbs and natural mana stones, while deeper inside, spell beasts can be found.


    Some have even stumbled into the heart of the forest, discovering massive footprints and, nearby, four-star alchemical materials.


    The last time the realm opened, Crossbridge Academy was at its peak. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel''s father led a group of elite students and, despite being ambushed by the other two families, managed to secure a large amount of treasures!


    Those materials were exchanged for mana stones, which had sustained the academy for so long.


    "This time, we will participate," Daniel said, already forming a list in his mind. "We''ll hold an internal academy tournament, and the top twenty students will be able to enter the realm."


    "Understood!"


    While the realm had great rewards, it was also extremely dangerous.


    Sending in students who weren''t strong enough would be sending them to their deaths.


    Daniel wasn''t about to let the promising young talents he had painstakingly cultivated die in such a place.


    Seeing Isolde''s smiling face, Daniel was struck by a thought and tossed her three large bags of mana stones.


    "This is the budget for preparing to enter the realm and for academy shopping during this period," Daniel said. "Same rule as always¡ªyou have to spend it all."


    Lady Isolde''s smile vanished instantly.


    She frowned, deep in thought about what she could possibly buy to spend the entire budget.


    "By the way, Daniel, this came from Lady Claire of Dragonscale Bank." Rowan brought in several magical storage boxes. "She said it''s the agreed-upon supplies."


    The boxes were filled to the brim with carefully selected items.


    Even while Daniel had been holed up, Lady Claire had kept sending things on time.


    Particularly, the last three boxes contained items for which Daniel hadn''t even paid yet, suggesting that Claire had used some kind of privilege to send them before payment.


    "Does Lady Claire trust me that much?" Daniel glanced at the bill. "Is she not afraid I''ll just refuse to pay or run away?"


    All the items together were worth nearly 3.7 trillion mana stones.


    Daniel instructed Isolde to store the materials properly. Most of them would be added to the list of exchangeable items in the Crossbridge Treasure Vault.


    "Send this crystal to Lady Claire," Daniel said, handing over a crystal filled with mana stones. "The payment is inside, and she knows the password to unlock it."


    "Understood." Rowan carefully put away the crystal.


    The sheer amount of wealth made him uneasy.


    Just as he was about to leave, another matter came to his mind.


    "Daniel, last month a mercenary squad came to see you. They claimed to be the Ragtag Mercenary Squad and said you had saved them once."


    "Yes," Daniel nodded.


    He vaguely remembered the incident.


    Just as he was about to tell Rowan to arrange for the squad to join the academy''s security team, Daniel had a new idea.


    Genesis was ready.


    It was the perfect time to find someone to test it.


    The Ragtag Mercenary Squad was of average strength, but their tenacity made them ideal candidates to try out the new training manual.


    He instructed Rowan to summon the members of the Ragtag Mercenary Squad.


    "Daniel!" The group, dressed in fresh new clothes, immediately saluted when they saw Daniel.


    They carried the academy badge, having successfully joined.


    The benefits of Crossbridge Academy had far exceeded their expectations¡ªnot only did they receive mana stones each month, but all their daily necessities were provided for free.


    They had never imagined living a life where they could sleep under expensive magical blankets.


    This deepened their gratitude toward Daniel.


    "No need to be so tense. Introduce yourselves," Daniel said. "I remember your leader is a knight named Kent."


    "Yes!" Kent stepped forward and introduced the squad members. "This is my sister Cheryl, the priest in our squad."


    "Mage Lily, assassin Lucy, and hunter Maston."


    Daniel glanced at them.


    "Your strength has improved a bit since I last saw you. Kent is now mid-tier bronze, Maston is low-tier bronze, and the rest of you are still tier-iron, correct?"


    The squad members nodded in unison, their respect for Daniel deepening.


    For their headmaster to gauge their levels with just a glance, he must be far beyond their abilities.


    Daniel spoke directly, "I''ve developed a new training manual, and I need someone to be the first to try it."


    "The new manual isn''t dangerous, but since no one has used it before, it''s natural for you to be concerned. I won''t force you if you''re unwilling."


    "If you agree, I can promise that I''ll invest resources into your training and help your entire team reach tier-gold in a short time."


    The group exchanged looks, stunned.


    They hadn''t expected this to be why Daniel had summoned them.


    As the leader, Kent''s mind raced with thoughts.


    A new training manual meant unknown risks. If they failed, the best-case scenario would be severe injury, leaving them unable to progress for the rest of their lives. The worst-case scenario would be death.


    Even if they succeeded, there was no guarantee that the new manual would be stronger than their current training methods.


    For a moment, everyone remained silent, filled with unease.


    "Daniel, may I ask something?" Kent cautiously spoke. "If we refuse, will we be expelled from the academy?"


    "Of course not," Daniel smiled. "There''s no problem if you refuse. I can find others to try it. I chose you because, during the battle with the turtle spell beast, you showed remarkable resilience."


    "The new manual requires such resilience during the rest phases, or it will likely fail."


    He was upfront with them.


    He simply found this group of young people likable and wanted to give them an opportunity.


    Even so, the members of the mercenary squad found themselves caught in a dilemma.


    They didn''t dare to agree lightly¡ªthis was a life-changing decision.


    Daniel didn''t rush them.


    He needed their wholehearted consent.


    After a brief silence, the assassin Lucy suddenly stepped forward.


    She looked Daniel in the eyes and said earnestly, "Daniel, with your strength, I trust that you wouldn''t deceive us."


    "I''m willing to help you test this new manual."


    "Good." Daniel had a deep impression of this assassin girl. Back then, she had been willing to sacrifice herself to buy time for her comrades to escape.


    With such character, she deserved to be the first to train using Genesis.

 Chapter 21: Chapter21-Who Dares to Rob Crossbridge?

    Lucy''s words seemed to set things in motion.The rest of the team quickly chimed in, expressing their willingness to join the test.


    "If Lucy can do it, then so can I," said Lily, the timid-looking priest, in a soft voice. "If we succeed, everyone will become stronger."


    She didn''t say what would happen if they failed.


    But the implication was clear: if they failed, they would all share the consequences.


    Daniel smiled slightly.


    The bond within this ragtag mercenary squad seemed pretty solid after all.


    "Are you sure?" Daniel gave them one last chance to change their minds. "Once we begin, there will be no turning back."


    "We''re sure!" they answered in unison.


    Daniel took out the mana containing the principles of Genesis and gently squeezed it.


    The squad members felt a sudden darkness engulf them.


    The scenery around them had completely changed.


    They were surrounded by swirling magic arrays, countless mana stones shining like stars in the sky.


    "Focus your minds, feel the new laws the magic array brings!"


    "Relax, let go of the mana in your bodies! Once your mana is depleted, slowly begin to absorb the power of the magic array."


    Under Daniel''s guidance, the mercenaries followed his instructions.


    He showed them how to use the new cultivation laws.


    The finer details, however, he left for them to figure out on their own.


    Before long, all the magic arrays lit up. They directly infused knowledge into their minds, and the basic grammar of Genesis was deeply imprinted in their brains.


    The five had varying talents, and the time it took to comprehend the new laws differed for each.


    Daniel was patient.


    He stood outside the magic array, watching the situation clearly through the layers of shimmering mana stone barriers.


    "Not bad, the physical changes are just as I predicted."


    "Lucy and Kent have the best talent, progressing much faster than the others."


    "Lily has the weakest talent, but she''s determined. She''s failed several times but hasn''t given up."


    The enlightenment lasted a long time.


    It wasn''t until the sky began to lighten that Daniel snapped his fingers, stopping the magic arrays.


    The five woke up from their cultivation.


    Their faces were full of exhaustion, and they still seemed somewhat dazed.


    Daniel arranged for them to stay in the closest rooms to him to rest well, instructing them to come to him immediately if they experienced any unusual symptoms.


    "Master Daniel, I feel like, though I''m tired, I seem to be absorbing natural energy faster than before," Kent said. "And there were things I didn''t understand during my previous training that now make perfect sense."


    Lucy progressed the fastest. She had originally been at the iron tier, and after dispelling her old strength and starting anew, she had already returned to her former tier.


    But the confusion and obstacles she had previously encountered were gone.


    Now, the new cultivation law seemed like a straight, unobstructed path, and as long as she followed it, she would reach heights she hadn''t dared to imagine before.


    The others felt similarly.


    They looked at Daniel with deep gratitude in their eyes.


    Even the slowest among them could tell that the new law Daniel had them test was something extraordinary, far superior to the lower-grade laws they had been using.


    After bowing to Daniel again, they dragged their exhausted bodies to rest.


    Daniel, meanwhile, began to record the results of the first experiment.


    Errors in cultivation principles: none.


    Adverse reactions in test subjects: none.


    Risk of collapse during cultivation: none.


    He was quite pleased with the results.


    Just then, Academic Affairs Director Rowan came rushing over in a panic.


    "Daniel!" he exclaimed in alarm, "I''ve been robbed."


    Rowan''s mage robe had a large tear in it, and the defensive magic array embedded in it had activated just in time to save him from a fatal attack. However, the magical impact had knocked him unconscious, and he had only just awoken.


    After speaking, Rowan suddenly coughed violently.


    With a "pfft," he spat out a mouthful of blood, his face as pale as snow.


    The number of mana stones stolen was staggering, and upon waking, he had rushed back without even treating his wounds, intent on reporting the incident.


    Daniel frowned slightly and placed a hand on Rowan''s forehead.


    The next moment, Rowan felt a surge of warmth flow through his body, instantly healing his injuries, including the burning pain in his lungs.


    He stared at Daniel with wide eyes, momentarily at a loss for words.


    This was at least a Tier-Master level blessing! Even the most dedicated priests couldn''t perform such a powerful and effortless healing as Daniel had just done!


    "If you encounter something like this again, prioritize your safety," Daniel said. "Money can always be earned later; it''s just some mana stones. But if you''re seriously injured, the academy would suffer an irreplaceable loss."


    Rowan was deeply moved by these words.


    He had expected Daniel to blame him for failing in his duties.


    But instead, Daniel was concerned about his well-being.


    It made Rowan feel that his decision to reject higher-paying offers from other families and stay with Crossbridge Academy had been the right one.


    "Where are the others who went with you?" Daniel asked, knowing that someone as cautious as Rowan wouldn''t have gone to deliver something valuable alone.


    "They''re all injured," Rowan said bitterly. "I had someone send them back. Most of them aren''t in too bad of shape, but Bighead Stone¡­ he was stabbed. He was unconscious all night, and he lost so much blood. The academy doctor said his ribs had punctured his heart, and there''s no saving him."


    At this point, Rowan felt even more sorrow.


    Bighead Stone wasn''t very skilled, nor was he particularly bright, but he was loyal to Crossbridge Academy, especially to the old headmaster.


    During the academy''s toughest times, to prevent outsiders from sneaking in to cause trouble, he would patrol the entrance every night without sleep.


    Such a person didn''t deserve such an end.


    "I''ll go check on him!" Daniel remembered Bighead Stone.


    Even in the memories of his predecessor, this honest man had left a strong impression. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In a flash, Daniel disappeared, following the scent of blood, and reappeared the next second in the infirmary.


    The infirmary was filled with wounded people. Most had already been treated with powerful potions and bandages and had fallen into a deep sleep. The medic was gently wiping the blood off Bighead Stone''s body with a cloth.


    Bighead Stone was completely unconscious.


    He was covered in blood and looked incredibly pitiful.


    Vice Headmaster Aldric, Logistics Director Lady Isolde, and three other teachers were there as well, their expressions grim, faces full of anger.


    "Whoever did this, I swear I''ll make them pay!" Aldric fumed. "Damn scum! How dare they harm one of our own?"


    "Damn thieves! How did they know Devon was carrying such a huge amount of mana stones? It must have been an insider leak from Dragonscale Bank," Lady Isolde clenched her fists. "Those double-crossing, backstabbing bastards."


    Just as the others were about to speak, they saw Daniel suddenly appear. They were first startled, then looked at him as if seeing their savior.


    "Daniel, is there any hope for Bighead Stone?" Lady Isolde asked with a mixture of hope and desperation.


    The medic sighed, "I''ve already told you, Bighead Stone''s external wounds are the least of our concerns. Even with the heart injury, there are ways to heal it. The real problem is that his soul is already starting to dissipate."


    "He must''ve been attacked by a curse-wielding soul mage!"


    "If there were a high priest here providing protection at the time, maybe he could''ve been saved."


    The others'' faces darkened.


    Yes, his soul was almost gone.


    How could he be saved now?


    Daniel scanned Bighead Stone''s condition. A faint golden light flickered in his eyes as he saw the fragments of the soul dissipating.


    "Greater Blessing!" Daniel whispered. "Holy light, revive the warrior, restore the soul. Scattered soul, heed my command, gather back into your master''s body."


    As he spoke, a gentle yet immense golden light enveloped the entire space.


    Everyone felt a warm sensation throughout their bodies.


    The other wounded, though asleep, smiled as their brows relaxed.


    Bighead Stone''s injuries healed visibly before their eyes. His face regained its color, and although the others couldn''t see the state of his soul, the next moment, they all gasped.


    Bighead Stone had opened his eyes.

 Chapter 22: Chapter22-Is Reviving Someone That Difficult?

    "I¡­ why did I sleep for so long?" Bighead Stone looked confused. "Why is everyone staring at me?""You¡­ you''re alive!" Isolde screamed with joy. "Thank goodness! You survived!"


    Everyone else was equally shocked.


    They had never imagined that someone whose soul had started to dissipate could still be saved.


    While it wasn''t quite a resurrection, it was pretty close.


    "When did I die?" Bighead Stone scratched his head, baffled. He jumped off the bed and patted the spot where he had been injured. "It''s itchy here. I remember being hurt and passing out, but I guess it was just a dream."


    The terrifying wounds he had were completely healed.


    In fact, Bighead Stone seemed even more full of life than before.


    Everyone could tell that he was fully recovered!


    While they were happy for him, they were also deeply shaken by Daniel''s abilities.


    In less than a minute¡ªno, in just ten seconds¡ªDaniel had not only healed Bighead Stone''s physical injuries but had also restored his shattered soul.


    His power far exceeded what anyone present could imagine.


    "Daniel, you are¡­ truly¡­" Lady Isolde didn''t even know what to say.


    Aldric, full of excitement, said, "If we publicize this, no one in Riverside City will ever dare oppose Crossbridge Academy again!"


    Not just Riverside City, perhaps even larger cities nearby would have second thoughts before crossing them.


    "No." Daniel shook his head. "No one is to speak a word about what happened today."


    Although they didn''t fully understand, no one dared to question Daniel''s decision. They all nodded in agreement.


    "Now that everyone''s here, tell me exactly what happened last night," Daniel said as he sat down. "I want every detail."


    "Yes," Rowan steadied himself and began, "I didn''t want to draw attention, so I only brought Bighead Stone and a few others to Dragonscale Bank."


    "The process of handing over the mana stones to Lady Claire went smoothly, without any incidents. We were in her office the entire time, and no one else came in."


    "After Lady Claire finished counting the mana stones, she gave me two chests of mana and even disguised them, making the chests look like ordinary baskets full of empty magic bottles."


    Daniel nodded. By this point, he already had a good idea of what had happened.


    Since the problem didn''t seem to be with the academy, it had to be at Dragonscale Bank.


    Lady Claire was unlikely to be the culprit.


    If she wanted to double-cross them, she wouldn''t have given away two more valuable chests.


    That meant someone had known about the academy''s large transaction with the bank and had been monitoring them.


    In the past, when Daniel handled things himself, the spies never detected him.


    But when someone else went in his place, these people, like sharks smelling blood, pounced immediately.


    The rest of the story unfolded as Daniel expected.


    Even though the academy group was carrying what appeared to be worthless empty magic bottles, they were attacked not long after leaving Dragonscale Bank.


    "At least four Tier-Platinum individuals, well-trained, and they seemed to be part of an organization," Rowan said.


    "The four of them attacked so swiftly that we didn''t have time to react."


    Bighead Stone, who had been carrying the chests, was the most severely injured.


    The attackers didn''t speak a word or make any noise throughout the assault, suggesting that they had done this many times before.


    "Who could it be?" Isolde wondered aloud. "I originally thought it was someone from Dragonscale Bank, but there''s no way the Riverside City branch could muster that many high-level experts."


    "And what would be the point of robbing their own goods? Aren''t they afraid of the reputational damage if they''re found out?"


    "Daniel, could it be¡­" Isolde lowered her voice, "the Shadow League?"


    The Shadow League was a mysterious organization on the continent.


    They seemed to have some grand scheme in motion, and their members were frequently involved in assassinations, robberies, and other notorious activities.


    The mere mention of their name struck fear into the hearts of many.


    The others'' expressions grew grim as well.


    "Hmph, it doesn''t matter who it is," Daniel said as he stood up. "The injured should rest. Everyone else, proceed as usual. I''ll take care of this. Those who dared to attack our academy will disappear from this world forever."


    With that, his form flickered and vanished from the room.


    Everyone was stunned.


    A moment later, someone muttered, "Daniel has changed so much. Have you noticed?"


    "Stop talking," Aldric said sternly. "No matter how much he changes, Daniel will always be our respected headmaster! Didn''t you see the light he just emitted? That was pure Greater Blessing."


    "Anyone capable of wielding such magic could never be tainted by evil."


    "So, I don''t want to hear any more of this kind of talk!"


    It was rare for Aldric to lose his temper.


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    What was wrong with change?


    Daniel''s father had passed, and he had suffered a great blow¡ªof course, his personality would shift. Besides, ever since his transformation, every decision he had made had been perfect. The academy itself had undergone a complete transformation.


    ¡­


    After leaving, Daniel reappeared at the site where the Crossbridge Academy members had been attacked.


    The bloodstains on the ground were still visible.


    This was the main road between the academy and the city.


    A faint golden light flickered in Daniel''s eyes.


    In the next moment, the scenery around him dimmed slightly, as if a thin layer of black gauze had been draped over everything. Within this black veil, faint golden threads stood out starkly.


    Those were traces of Daniel''s mind power marks.


    He had left a small mark of mind power on every member of the academy.


    Using the marks at the scene, Daniel reconstructed what had happened in his mind.


    "This area was also covered by a silence magic array and a phantom magic array. Their preparations were thorough."


    Faint trails of mind power spread in another direction.


    These were traces left by the attackers.


    There was always some transfer during contact, and this applied to mind power as well.


    These attackers had brushed against a tiny bit of Daniel''s mind power, leaving behind such traces.


    Daniel flew off in the direction of the attackers.


    Before long, he saw several people dressed in Dragonscale Bank uniforms on a hillside ahead. They appeared to be searching for something.


    Leading them was none other than Lady Claire.


    Her expression was grim as she directed her subordinates. "Search carefully! Don''t miss any clues!"


    Suddenly, as if sensing something, Lady Claire looked up sharply.


    She met Daniel''s cold gaze head-on.


    "Daniel!" Lady Claire''s back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.


    She had never imagined that a single look from someone could instill such fear in her.


    Daniel spoke directly, "Who did it?"


    Crossbridge Academy had been attacked right after leaving Dragonscale Bank¡ªthere was no way Lady Claire hadn''t heard about it. Her presence at the scene of the attack and her search efforts made it clear she knew something.


    "It¡­ it was Lady Tina from Lakecity''s Dragonscale Bank," she whispered. "I''m sorry. This was supposed to be an internal struggle. I had no idea she''d be bold enough to target a client."


    Daniel wasn''t fully convinced. "Evidence."


    "Lady Tina and I have never gotten along. She''s been trying to take over my position in Riverside City."


    Claire explained, "Based on the volume of transactions I''ve done with you, Daniel, I should have been promoted by now, but Lady Tina has been involved with the chief steward of Lakecity, and they''ve been blocking my application. She even secretly came to Riverside City to spy on me."


    That day, after failing to find the mysterious client, Lady Claire bypassed Mr. Dick and submitted an application directly to the headquarters.


    Due to her outstanding performance and the unjust delay in her promotion, headquarters began investigating Dick''s actions.


    As a result, the scandal of bribery and illicit favors between Lady Tina and Mr. Dick came to light. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lady Tina was reassigned to the smallest town, and Dick was demoted to second steward, stripped of his authority to make personnel changes.


    Claire was promoted smoothly.


    "These two have hated me ever since. Lady Tina certainly has the ability to mobilize four Tier-Platinum assassins."


    Lady Claire apologized sincerely, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure you get justice, Daniel."


    She was incredibly nervous inside.


    This was a serious matter.


    If Daniel pursued it, she might lose him as a major client.


    Not daring to offend Daniel in the slightest, Lady Claire humbly said, "This was my failure. Whatever punishment you deem appropriate, I will accept."

 Chapter 23: Chapter23-Who Gave You the Nerve to Rob Me?

    "Any punishment?"Daniel glanced at Lady Claire''s beautiful face and well-proportioned figure, then let out a cold laugh. "Your dedication is commendable."


    Lady Claire''s face instantly turned red.


    She could hear the sarcasm in Daniel''s words.


    But there was nothing she could do, so she silently endured it.


    "You knew that Tina had come here and could pose a threat to our transaction. Why didn''t you inform me in advance?" Daniel''s voice was icy. "Because of that, my people suffered serious injuries."


    "I''m sorry." Lady Claire knelt on one knee, humbly apologizing. "I know no amount of apology can make up for the life of your subordinate. I will personally compensate Mr. Bighead Stone''s family for his unfortunate passing."


    "The person behind Tina is Mr. Dick. He''s been running the Lakecity branch of Dragonscale Bank for many years and knows many powerful people. It''s said that he even has connections with Tier-Diamond experts."


    "I didn''t want you to clash with Tina."


    "I never expected her to be so reckless."


    Claire had already received word that the most severely injured from Crossbridge Academy was someone named Bighead Stone, and she had heard that he was beyond saving.


    But now, facing Daniel''s cold gaze, Lady Claire realized for the first time just how powerless her words were.


    Daniel watched as beads of sweat dripped from Lady Claire''s forehead.


    After a moment, he spoke, "You should be grateful that Bighead Stone didn''t die. Otherwise, there would no longer be a Dragonscale Bank in Riverside City."


    "There will be no next time. Anything that could potentially harm the academy must be reported to me immediately."


    "Yes." Lady Claire exhaled slightly, relieved.


    Daniel''s pressure was overwhelming.


    She was even worried that one wrong word would result in her being killed on the spot.


    But Claire couldn''t help but wonder¡ªwhy hadn''t Bighead Stone died? Did Crossbridge Academy have a high priest skilled in healing?


    "The transaction will continue," Daniel said. "I''ll take care of the other matters."


    "Sorry, what other matters?" Claire was suddenly confused.


    "Those who hurt my academy will pay the price, no matter who they are," Daniel said calmly. "Get me the magical portraits of Lady Tina from Lakecity and Mr. Dick."


    "Ah!" Lady Claire finally understood.


    She was too shocked to speak.


    Daniel was planning revenge.


    "Please think carefully!" Claire hurriedly said. "Tina has likely already fled to Lakecity with all those stolen goods. Mr. Dick will definitely protect her, and there are many powerful people in Dragonscale Bank''s office!"


    She was truly worried now.


    No matter how strong Daniel was, he couldn''t possibly take on all the experts in Lakecity.


    Lady Claire didn''t want to see Daniel lose his cool and rush into a deathtrap.


    "Powerful people?" Daniel sneered. "How strong are they? Forget the magical portraits, you''re coming with me to identify them in person."


    Without giving Lady Claire a chance to refuse, Daniel wrapped a strand of mind power around her.


    Lady Claire was unable to move.


    The next moment, her vision blurred, and the scenery around her began to spin.


    ¡­


    Lakecity.


    "Hahaha, this feels great," Lady Tina said, admiring the magic chests before her with a seductive smile. "So easy to get so much stuff. These are no longer the bank''s treasures, but ours now."


    The thought of Claire''s reaction when she found out made Tina even happier.


    Would she fight back?


    Hmph, not a chance. That path would lead only to death.


    With the goods stolen, the client would undoubtedly sever ties with Claire.


    And when the headquarters held her accountable, Claire would have to personally repay everything that had been taken.


    Mr. Dick playfully pinched her delicate cheek.


    "You were a bit too harsh this time. Stealing the goods was enough; there was no need to kill anyone."


    "So what if I killed them?" Tina said indifferently. "Crossbridge Academy is full of worthless nobodies. Their students are poor orphans, and their new headmaster is a famous weakling! The only reason they could buy so much was because of the old headmaster''s inheritance."


    "Even if I wiped them all out, no one would care."


    She had spent enough time in Riverside City to gather a lot of information, and she thought she knew everything about Crossbridge Academy''s situation.


    She knew that the new headmaster, Daniel, was just Tier-Iron, which was why she had ordered the attackers to show no mercy.


    "They made a big purchase before, buying up all of Dragonscale Bank in Riverside City, attracting a lot of envy," Tina said with a smile. "If we didn''t make a move, someone else would have sooner or later."


    "Exactly. Sudden wealth makes people like that reckless. They don''t know how to hide their strength," Mr. Dick agreed. "Consider this a lesson for them."


    To them, a force without solid foundations was like a candle in the wind¡ªeasily snuffed out with the slightest breeze.


    Neither of them had any respect for Crossbridge Academy.


    At most, they thought Claire might face some minor trouble if she insisted on investigating.


    "My dear, I''ve done so well this time. What will you reward me with?" Tina leaned against Mr. Dick, her body soft and alluring. "I want that beauty gem that keeps people forever young." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hahaha, anything you want," Mr. Dick laughed. "But you''re already so beautiful without the gem. If you used it, those country bumpkins in Riverside City would be so enchanted by you, you wouldn''t even need to lift a finger to steal from them."


    "Really?" A stranger''s voice suddenly cut in.


    Mr. Dick was startled.


    Both of them turned toward the source of the voice.


    In the center of the room, a spinning vortex of wind had appeared, with countless stars twinkling within it. Two figures slowly emerged from the vortex.


    One of them was none other than Claire, the very person they had been discussing.


    "You bitch! How do you have a spatial scroll?!" Tina screamed in fear. "And who is this man? Is he your lover?"


    Mr. Dick''s face turned deathly pale, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.


    His strength was greater than Tina''s, so he could see that this was no mere spatial scroll! It was genuine spatial magic! A powerful magic long thought lost to history, said to only be wielded by mages of Tier-Grandmaster or higher.


    While Tina was still screaming, Mr. Dick had already collapsed to the ground.


    "Forgive me, sir!" he stammered, his voice trembling. "May I ask what brings you to Dragonscale Bank?"


    "Are these the two?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes," Claire replied, still trembling with fear herself. She had never imagined that when Daniel said he was going after them, he would use this method!


    He had asked for the location of the Lakecity branch and obtained some personal items from Lady Tina, then used powerful spatial magic to bring them here.


    The entire process had taken less than ten minutes.


    Claire silently counted her blessings.


    Fortunately, she had shown Daniel enough respect. Otherwise, if she had angered this mysterious and unfathomable man, she wouldn''t even know how she died.


    "Why are you scared of him?" Tina pushed the kneeling Mr. Dick. "This is that useless fool Daniel I told you about! I''ve seen his magical portrait. They must have spent the last of their money on a spatial scroll. Call for help and show them what happens to those who trespass in Dragonscale Bank!"


    What?!


    This man was that Daniel?!


    Mr. Dick''s eyes widened in disbelief. According to the reports, wasn''t Daniel only Tier-Iron? But the man standing before him was clearly of unfathomable power¡ªat least at the grandmaster level.


    "Damn it, wait!" Tina gritted her teeth. "I''ll call for help myself."


    She barely took two steps before Mr. Dick grabbed her.


    "Idiot! Kneel!" he shouted, drenched in cold sweat. "Apologize to Lord Daniel immediately. That''s not a scroll; it''s real spatial magic!"


    "How is that possible?" Tina froze. "But everyone in Riverside City said Daniel was just a useless weakling, only here because of his father''s legacy!"


    Mr. Dick wished he could leap forward and shut the foolish woman''s mouth.


    If she wanted to die, she didn''t need to drag him down with her.


    Daniel had come for revenge, and it was obvious!


    Gritting his teeth, Mr. Dick suddenly said, "Lord Daniel, I had nothing to do with this! It was all Tina''s doing. I was merely momentarily swayed by her! I was just about to report this when you arrived."


    "This is all Tina''s fault!"


    "It really has nothing to do with me."

 Chapter 24: Chapter24-The Master of Time and Space

    Mr. Dick''s words made Tina gasp in shock.She couldn''t believe it.


    The man who had been fawning over her just a minute ago had suddenly turned on her, pushing all the blame onto her.


    "You coward! He''s just a worthless nobody, and you''re this scared?!" Tina shouted, her anger making her lose control of her words. "Daniel! I''ll tell you right now: I stole your things! I killed your people! What are you going to do about it?"


    "This is Dragonscale Bank!"


    "If you dare make a move here, you''ll be going up against all the Dragonscale Banks across the continent! Get out of here immediately, and take that slut Claire with you!"


    "Disappear?" Daniel pointed a finger in Tina''s direction.


    Tina flew backward, slamming into the wall.


    But the entire room was sealed off by Daniel''s magic, so Tina kept being flung back and forth, crashing into the floor and walls repeatedly.


    Blood trickled from her mouth.


    The sound of bones breaking and her agonized screams echoed throughout the room.


    For five whole minutes, Tina was battered around like a ragdoll in front of Dick and Claire. When she finally fell to the ground, her body lay in a twisted, unnatural position, with her limbs bent in wrong directions.


    Every bone in her body was broken¡ªmany of them completely shattered. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "S-save me¡­" Tina looked at Dick, but her spine was utterly crushed, leaving her unable to move.


    Dick stared at her, frozen in place, not daring to move or even make a sound.


    He was terrified that he would be the next one to suffer such torture.


    Tina gasped for breath, her broken bones piercing into her heart and lungs, making every breath agonizing.


    "This is for Bighead Stone," Daniel said. "He suffered just as much after you injured him."


    Tears of regret filled Tina''s eyes.


    She truly regretted her actions and was now terrified.


    This Daniel was nothing like the weakling she had heard about!


    With such terrifying methods and power, he was someone she should never have provoked. But it was too late now.


    However, Daniel wasn''t finished with her yet.


    Her body had suffered, but her mind would as well¡ªthis was revenge, after all.


    "You wanted a gem that would keep you forever beautiful," Daniel said. "Since you care so much about your appearance, watching yourself turn into an old woman, full of wrinkles, should be interesting."


    He snapped his fingers.


    Tina''s life force rapidly drained away.


    A mirror appeared before her, showing her reflection aging at an incredible speed.


    Wrinkles and age spots quickly covered her face, her eyes grew cloudy, and her teeth yellowed and cracked.


    "No, no, no, no!" Tina screamed in despair. "That old hag in the mirror isn''t me! I''m the most beautiful¡ª"


    Her mind shattered completely.


    Soon, her flesh dissolved, leaving behind only a skeleton. In just three minutes, she had aged a hundred years, and even her bones turned to dust.


    The living, breathing woman had perished in such a horrific manner with just a snap of Daniel''s fingers, and Mr. Dick, having witnessed it all, was now crying in terror.


    "Lord Daniel, please! I really¡ª"


    Daniel cut him off.


    "Your voice is as annoying as frogs croaking at night."


    As soon as he spoke, a gust of wind expanded from Daniel''s body.


    In the next moment, everything in the room¡ªthe walls, the furniture, even the corridors and offices outside¡ªwas reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye.


    The top of the Dragonscale Bank tower was erased.


    The staff below stared up in shock, their mouths hanging open.


    They hadn''t heard any noise, just felt a rain of dust, and when they looked up, they saw this astonishing scene.


    "We''re under attack!"


    "Oh my god, what kind of power is this? It''s terrifying!"


    "Run! Everyone run! This has to be a Tier-Master level expert! We''re too weak¡ªwe''ll be turned to dust just like the tower if we stay!"


    Not only the staff, but many of the customers were fleeing in panic as well.


    As the dust cleared, Mr. Dick sat frozen, his mind completely shattered by the events.


    Everything that had happened today was far beyond his comprehension.


    A warm sensation spread down his legs¡ªhe had wet himself in fear.


    "Pissing yourself won''t save you," Daniel said coldly. "You''ll die all the same."


    He pointed a finger at Dick.


    In the next moment, Dick let out a blood-curdling scream.


    He rolled on the ground in agony, vomiting blood and bits of his organs.


    Lady Claire cowered in the corner, not daring to make a sound, trying her best to become invisible.


    "Stop!" Several voices rang out at once.


    Finally, the experts from Dragonscale Bank had arrived. They flew toward the top floor.


    When they saw the obliterated tower, they all wore expressions of shock.


    The strongest among them was a Tier-Diamond mage, clad in a luxurious robe studded with mana stones, his expression haughty. He was the most powerful person at Dragonscale Bank in Lakecity. Normally, everyone showed him great respect. Today, hearing that someone was causing trouble, the mage decided to teach the intruder a lesson.


    But the moment he saw Daniel, cold sweat poured down his face.


    The aura radiating from Daniel was like an endless abyss. Just one glance made the mage feel fear deep in his soul.


    "Esteemed sir! Welcome to Dragonscale Bank. Whatever you wish to purchase, we have it!" The Tier-Diamond mage forced a smile. "Haha, you knocked down the roof? No problem at all, as long as you''re happy."


    The other guards also realized the strength of the man before them.


    Not only did they turn a blind eye to the suffering Mr. Dick, they even began flattering Daniel.


    "He¡­ he killed Tina," Mr. Dick sputtered, emboldened by the arrival of the others. "He''s going to kill me too! He''s trying to start a war with Dragonscale Bank! Hurry, kill him!"


    "Shut up! Tina is dead, and that''s that!" the Tier-Diamond mage barked. "Shut your mouth and don''t offend this gentleman."


    "Is everyone here?" Daniel asked coldly, looking at them.


    "Yes, sir. How can we assist you?" The group stared eagerly at Daniel.


    By now, a crowd had gathered on the streets below.


    News of Dragonscale Bank''s tower being destroyed had spread throughout Lakecity.


    Not only were the residents watching, but people from other factions were also keen to see what would happen.


    "Did you see that? Dragonscale Bank''s roof has been blown off!"


    "Haha, those arrogant old men who look down on everyone are now bowing to a stranger like clowns."


    "But who is that stranger? To suppress so many experts on his own!"


    Lakecity had many powerful individuals, but none of them had any intention of stepping in to help.


    Daniel looked at the people in front of him and spoke slowly, "Today is the day you die."


    "Four of you went to Riverside City, stole my belongings, and gravely injured my subordinates! I don''t care who was responsible¡ªyou will all die today."


    The group was dumbfounded.


    They never expected that this powerful figure had come for them.


    "You¡ª" The Tier-Diamond mage started to speak.


    Daniel had no interest in hearing his excuses.


    With a wave of his hand, the bodies of the group suddenly split in half.


    No matter their tier, none of them had the strength to resist.


    Like straw men, they were torn apart, their bodies falling from the sky, smashing into the ground, and turning into piles of flesh.


    "Murder! He''s killing people!"


    "It''s terrifying! What kind of power is this? The Tier-Diamond mage of Dragonscale Bank was killed without even a reaction."


    "I think they provoked someone they never should have."


    The crowd scattered in fear.


    Even the powerful figures who had come to watch the spectacle backed away.


    Dragonscale Bank might not have many experts in Lakecity, but their presence spanned the entire continent. Whoever had killed their people today would surely face retribution from their headquarters.


    The smart ones had no desire to get involved in this matter.


    Daniel, meanwhile, was quite satisfied and allowed a faint smile to cross his lips.

 Chapter 25: Chapter25-The Elderly Girl

    Claire, who was standing beside Daniel, knew that he had come for revenge, but she never expected that he would kill everyone involved without the slightest hesitation.She was stunned.


    With a flick of Daniel''s hand, two magical chests appeared in front of him.


    Before making his move, he had deliberately avoided damaging these items, so the contents remained intact.


    He took back what rightfully belonged to him.


    Dick, who still had a breath left, knew his fate was sealed.


    He stared at Daniel and shouted, "Daniel, don''t think killing us will solve everything! Our organization will never let you go! Your school will be razed to the ground, and you won''t die a peaceful death."


    "Oh? I''m looking forward to it," Daniel scoffed.


    With just a glance, Dick coughed up another mouthful of blood.


    His internal organs were shattered, and the pain nearly caused him to faint.


    Killing Dick was as easy for Daniel as swatting a mosquito.


    But Dick''s words piqued his interest.


    "Fine, I won''t kill you," Daniel suddenly laughed. "Go ahead, call all those people you claim will destroy my school. I''m not interested in hunting them down one by one."


    Not only that, but Daniel also tossed a healing potion onto Dick, ensuring he wouldn''t die before summoning reinforcements.


    Instead of dealing with them one by one, why not deal with them all at once?


    Daniel had no time to waste.


    "You''ll regret your arrogance today! They''ll come for me, and you''ll be slaughtered like a dog!" Dick screamed in desperation.


    "Why slaughter a dog?" a mature female voice suddenly cut in.


    Claire visibly shuddered at the sound of the voice.


    A woman, around forty years old, had appeared in the air, dressed in black knight''s armor with her golden hair tied high.


    Seeing her, Dick thought he had found salvation. "Lady Elise, it''s him! He destroyed our entire top floor and killed all the experts! Even poor Tina is dead. You must punish him severely. Oh, and he is¡­"


    "I don''t like you," Elise said, drawing the sword from her back.


    She moved so swiftly that Claire couldn''t even see her draw the sword.


    Dick''s head rolled onto the ground, still frozen in an expression of shock.


    "Daniel," Elise addressed him, "this was a mishap on behalf of the Dragonscale Bank Lakecity Branch. We deeply apologize."


    But Daniel''s gaze had already shifted behind her, where there was nothing to be seen.


    However, Daniel sensed the presence of a hidden teleportation magic array.


    If he attacked Elise, she could escape through it or summon reinforcements.


    "Your powers are truly remarkable. I see you''ve already noticed the magic array," Elise explained. "It''s not meant for you. It''s a magical effect bound by my elders."


    Daniel was growing impatient. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He snapped his fingers, and the air around them began to distort as a starry portal materialized.


    "I can sell you more high-grade items," Elise quickly added, fearing he would leave just like that. "Claire doesn''t have the authority, but I, as the new manager sent by the continental headquarters, can offer you treasures unavailable in Riverside City."


    That sparked Daniel''s interest.


    He had already noticed something unusual about Elise.


    Her voice and appearance suggested a plain middle-aged woman, but in reality, she was probably only eighteen or nineteen.


    The mature exterior was merely the result of some magical artifact.


    "Get to the point," Daniel said bluntly. He had no patience for people who spoke in circles, like Elise, who had hidden meanings behind every word.


    "The issue was caused by Dick acting on his own, leading to your losses. Your revenge is understandable. We don''t want to lose such a valuable customer, and we hope to continue our business with you." Elise spoke professionally, her tone serious. "I believe we can sit down and discuss the specific categories of items in detail."


    Daniel stared at her face. In his eyes, beneath Elise''s ordinary features was a younger face, one desperately trying to appear more mature.


    "Fine, you can ask Claire about my specific requests, and she''ll handle the transactions," Daniel said, not wanting to hear any more.


    The starry portal fully appeared, and Daniel stepped through, vanishing from sight.


    Elise watched his back as he disappeared, then turned to Claire with a smile. "That Daniel is quite different from the intel, isn''t he? Have you gained his trust, Claire? Are you two close?"


    "We have no personal relationship," Claire replied, her head lowered. "Perhaps Daniel is just used to me handling these matters."


    "Then you''ll stay in Riverside City," Elise''s voice grew colder. "You bear some responsibility for this incident as well. Don''t expect a promotion for the next ten years."


    One might have expected Claire to look dejected, but she merely nodded and stared at Dick''s severed head, lost in thought.


    A woman who had always valued her career and advancement now seemed profoundly changed after witnessing the recent events.


    The bank''s once-mighty experts were no match for someone as powerful as Daniel, who held their lives in his hands.


    Claire now realized how meaningless her prior ambitions were.


    True power was the only thing that mattered. Elise''s reprimand didn''t bother her.


    "Yes, I''ll follow your instructions," Claire said with a bow.


    She didn''t want to leave Riverside City. It was the perfect place to hone her own strength.


    "You know your place," Elise replied. "Now, let''s discuss the new supply of materials for Riverside City."


    A soundproof magic array rose around them.


    Several Dragonscale Bank employees began cleaning and repairing the scene.


    Dick''s body was incinerated like trash, leaving no trace.


    The same fate befell the other dead experts, their existence erased as if they had never been.


    Half a day later, the damage to Dragonscale Bank was fully repaired.


    The incident was over, as if it had never happened.


    After handling the situation, Elise waved Claire away.


    As she did, a spectral figure appeared behind her.


    "Were you able to assess Daniel''s strength?" Elise asked, her shrewd expression fading to reveal the youthful innocence beneath.


    "I could not. He may have used magic to conceal his power," the metallic voice rasped, as if scraping against metal. "But he''s at least above tier-master level. His soul is incredibly powerful."


    "That''s what I thought," Elise said, frowning. "For someone as skilled as Daniel to show up in an obscure place like Riverside City¡­"


    "It seems the astrological predictions are true. The greatest upheaval in the past century is coming."


    "Master," the metallic voice continued, "based on my analysis, Daniel does not like your disguise or your way of speaking. I suggest altering your approach with him in the future. Avoid making him an enemy, and strongly consider building a friendship."


    "I understand," Elise nodded. "The chaos is coming, and we must be prepared."


    Daniel, unaware of what transpired after he left, didn''t care.


    Upon returning to the academy, the first thing he did was check on the injured.


    Bighead Stone had fully recovered, and the others were nearly healed under the Greater Blessing.


    "These are for them," Daniel said, handing out a dozen mana stones. "They can strengthen the body, increase resistance to magic and physical attacks, and enhance speed."


    He added, "Those who participated in the mission will receive an additional half-year supply of mana stones."


    Lady Isolde immediately agreed.


    She now admired Daniel immensely.


    Where she once might have silently criticized his more exaggerated actions, she now followed his every command without question.


    "Add a safety course to the curriculum," Daniel ordered. "All teachers and students must attend!"


    "The course will cover how to protect oneself in dangerous situations. Everyone must master the use of escape magic arrays."


    Daniel admired Bighead Stone and the others for their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the academy, but he didn''t want such things to happen again. Staying alive was the most important thing. Once you were dead, it was all over. Even if Daniel avenged them, the dead could not be brought back. He preferred to see his subordinates alive and well.

 Chapter 26: Chapter26-The Poor Are Not Your Playthings

    Daniel summoned Aldric."What rank is a seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight on the continent?" Daniel not only discerned Elise''s true age but also her strength level.


    The Tier-Diamond mage from Dragonscale Bank, whom he had effortlessly killed, was old and frail. Elise, however, was not even twenty yet and was already at the pinnacle of Tier-Diamond. Within two years, she would likely reach Tier-Master.


    This surprised Daniel somewhat.


    There were more geniuses on the continent than he had imagined.


    "A seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight?" Aldric drew in a sharp breath. "Are you joking? That''s impossible! A child who reaches Tier-Stone by age ten is already one in ten thousand. How could there be a seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond?"


    His face was filled with disbelief.


    Daniel nodded, offering no further explanation.


    Perhaps such talent was rare in a small place like Riverside City, but on the vast continent, there were children born at the Tier-Stone level.


    "Our academy must accelerate its training pace," Daniel declared. "Build a new magic training room, enhance the mana system, and require every student to absorb three mana stones daily. Open the self-training room twenty-four hours a day."


    He would spare no expense to help these seedlings grow faster.


    A seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight wasn''t of much concern to Daniel. But seventeen! That age made him rethink his approach.


    There were children of similar age at his academy, yet they were far behind Elise.


    The other students, if trained along the standard path, would need at least five to six years to become exceptional.


    Daniel had no intention of playing caretaker.


    If mana stones could speed up training, then they would be used without limit. Quantity over quality!


    ...


    In a border town, two young people cautiously watched a heavily wounded leopard spell beast.


    The leopard spell beast had a deep, bone-exposing wound on its abdomen. Before it lay a dead bird spell beast, and the area around them was a mess, clearly the result of a fierce battle.


    The two were mercenaries from the border city, out to try their luck, only to stumble upon the aftermath of a spell beast battle, scaring them into hiding.


    Now that both spell beasts were gravely wounded, it was their turn to pick up the spoils.


    "Hehe, awesome! Didn''t think we''d stumble upon something this lucky." One of the young men, baby-faced, held a chipped knight''s sword, with armor too mismatched to form a full set.


    "Be careful. The leopard spell beast is still breathing. Don''t get yourself hurt."


    His mage companion stood behind him, eyeing their surroundings warily.


    "Don''t worry. I''ve been watching for a while. The leopard and the crow fought so intensely that even if it''s breathing, it''s close to death." The baby-faced knight approached the beast.


    He raised his heavily damaged sword. Just as he neared the leopard, the supposedly dying leopard spell beast suddenly opened its eyes.


    A flash of red appeared in its eyes, and its body swelled.


    A cloud of blood mist exploded, targeting the baby-faced young man.


    "Watch out! This is its final attack!" the mage shouted, chanting a protective spell that created a glow beneath the knight''s feet. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But the leopard''s final strike was beyond what they could dodge at their level.


    With a thud, the baby-faced knight was sent flying, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as he lay injured on the ground.


    The leopard spell beast let out a mournful cry and collapsed completely.


    The beautiful mage rushed over, taking out a cheap healing powder and stuffing it into the baby-faced knight''s mouth.


    "Idiot brother!" she cried, "I told you to be careful! If only I had better healing potions."


    "It''s fine; we did well today," the baby-faced knight reassured her. "As long as we collect every usable part from these spell beasts, we''ll have enough money to go to Riverside City."


    "Then we can apply to Crossbridge Academy. I heard they don''t charge tuition as long as you pass the entrance exam. We''d even get mana stones every month and new clothes."


    "We wouldn''t have to risk our lives like this."


    "Stop talking, brother." The beautiful mage sighed.


    After bandaging him, she pulled out a skinning knife and began to gather their spoils.


    The leopard and crow''s fight had been brutal, leaving most of the pelts damaged, so she planned to gather some meat instead to sell for a decent price.


    Suddenly, the mage gasped with excitement, "There are eggs! Wonderful!"


    "If we sell these eggs, not only will we have enough, but so will everyone else at the orphanage. We can all head to Riverside City together."


    Just then, a group of young people descended from the sky.


    Their expressions were haughty, their clothing luxurious, leaving the impoverished mercenaries stunned.


    "Not bad; didn''t expect to find a bounty here," said the young man leading the group. "Collect both spell beasts and the eggs. They may not be worth much, but they''re our spoils."


    "Wait!" The beautiful mage, suppressing her fear, spoke up, "These are ours."


    The leader sneered, "You pathetic mercenaries can barely afford decent gear. You didn''t kill these spell beasts; you were just scavenging."


    He glanced at the knight''s wound, tossing a few mana stones their way as if tossing scraps to beggars.


    "Now, get lost! I''m in a good mood, so don''t annoy me! Or I''ll deal with you as well."


    "You''re too much! Aren''t you afraid I''ll report you to the patrol corps?" The beautiful mage''s face flushed with anger.


    "Patrol corps?" The young leader burst out laughing. "Patrol corps are nothing! To our House Windwhisper, they''re like dogs, doing as we command."


    House Windwhisper!


    The two mercenaries exchanged a shocked look.


    With no powerful backing, they dared not offend a powerhouse like House Windwhisper.


    The mage had no choice but to gather the few mana stones and prepare to leave with her brother.


    But the leader smirked at her retreating figure, raising an eyebrow. "Did I say you could leave? When someone gives you something, don''t you show some gratitude?"


    "You''re quite pretty. Why not become my maid? All you''d have to do is keep me comfortable at home. It''s far better than risking your life out here."


    "That will never happen," the mage said angrily. "I refuse to be your maid."


    There were different kinds of maids. Some were employed for household chores, while others served as toys for the powerful. It was clear which role the young man intended for her, and she''d never agree.


    "This isn''t up to you. People like you have no choice." With a glance from the leader, his followers surrounded the mage.


    "Haha, come on, pretty girl! Prins is House Windwhisper''s future heir. It''s an honor for you and your whole family to serve him," one of his lackeys sneered.


    "Then why don''t you take this honor yourself?" The mage raised her staff in anger. "I''d rather die than serve him."


    "Die? How can you die?" Prins''s face darkened. "Ungrateful wretch! If you won''t be my personal maid, I''ll shatter your mana core and have you serve drinks in a tavern."


    "Let go of my sister, you beasts!" The injured baby-faced knight struggled to rise, but as soon as he moved, blood spilled from his mouth again.


    "Brother, we might die here today," the mage whispered, despair in her eyes.


    "Don''t be afraid. We''ll fight them, even if it means death!" The baby-faced knight struggled to raise his sword. "We may be poor, but we''re not toys for people like them!"


    "Enough talk. Take them down," Prins ordered.


    "Who dares?" A fierce female voice suddenly echoed.


    Unnoticed, several young women had entered the forest.


    They were fully equipped and looked at Prins and his companions with disdain.

 Chapter 27: Chapter27-The Thorned Rose

    "So, it''s Prins of House Windwhisper," said Rose, the girl who had spoken up earlier, her tone full of disdain. "Bullying others again and trying to steal their spoils?"Prins''s eyes briefly flashed with admiration when he saw Rose, but it was quickly replaced by caution.


    "What''s it to you? This isn''t your academy. I can do whatever I want here; you have no authority over me."


    "Well, today, I do," Rose replied. "We all heard you trying to harass this girl. That''s something Dead Pink won''t tolerate."


    "Dead Pink? Every time I hear that name, I want to laugh!" Prins sneered. "What, did you come up with that name playing kids'' games? This area is managed by House Windwhisper. Get lost, or I''ll beat you until you beg me to stop."


    "Think you can handle it, weakling?" Rose laughed.


    Through constant training, Rose''s aura had become entirely different; she was now a high-tier Bronze, just a step away from Silver. The other girls with her were at similar levels.


    Prins and his group also had several Bronze tiers, but Prins himself was an early Silver tier, one level above Rose.


    Despite this, Rose wasn''t afraid in the slightest.


    All of them had fought spell beasts face-to-face on the borders, and with the top-notch equipment and protections Daniel provided for each student, Rose felt confident she could defeat someone like Prins despite the slight rank difference.


    "Oh? Are you confused?" Prins squinted. "This is my family''s land. Even if I killed you here, as long as no bodies are found, no one would care! You really think your academy would go to war over such a small matter?"


    "Good point," Rose pondered aloud. "So, if I killed all of you here and no bodies were found, House Windwhisper wouldn''t go to war either, right?"


    "You!" Prins jumped, furious.


    Just as he was about to speak, a sudden sword aura slashed toward him without warning.


    Rose had made her move.


    Prins was startled; he hadn''t expected Rose to attack so directly. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although his level was higher than Rose''s, he lacked the courage to push forward.


    Panicking under her sword wind, Prins tried to use magic, but, unpracticed, he stumbled on a tree branch and nearly fell.


    The sharp sword wind grazed his cheek, shaving off a chunk of his hair and leaving a bloody scratch.


    "You wretch!" Prins shouted, clutching his face. "How dare you injure me! You''re dead."


    Unable to rely on his magic, Prins reached for a scroll, one containing a mid-tier Silver fire spell.


    If he unleashed it, both the mercenary siblings and Rose would be incinerated. Humiliated, he could only think of lashing out and used the strongest attack method given to him by his elders.


    "Ladies, attack!" Rose commanded.


    The girls sprang into coordinated action.


    Two mages summoned a massive web, ensnaring Prins and his lackeys, while an assassin, who had been hidden from the start, struck each of them with a dagger coated in paralyzing poison.


    Within moments, Prins and his cronies lay immobilized on the ground.


    "Coming out here to bully people with that level of skill? Pathetic." Rose sneered. "I''ll spare you this time. Get lost! If I catch you doing this again, I''ll make sure you regret it."


    "Just wait! You think you''re tough because you''ve got backup?" Prins shouted defiantly. "If you''re so brave, join the Mist River secret realm trial. I''ll have my sister teach you a harsh lesson."


    "Oh, I''m definitely going!" Rose sheathed her greatsword. "And when I do, I''ll make sure none of House Windwhisper''s participants leave unscathed."


    With that, she threw a scroll onto the ground.


    A gust of wind swept through the area, and when it died down, Prins and his followers had vanished.


    The team''s healer began treating the mercenary siblings.


    "Alright, you''re safe now." Rose walked over. "But you''ve still managed to anger Prins."


    "Thank you! You''re with Dead Pink, right? I''ve heard of you¡ªyou''re all from Crossbridge Academy." The female mage looked at Rose with admiration. "We want to join the academy too."


    "Our academy would welcome you," Rose replied. "You''ve got resilience, so I''m sure you''ll get in."


    "Please take these spell beast spoils as our thanks," the mage girl offered.


    "No need. You need these more than we do, and you watched over them, and your brother was injured because of it," Rose said generously. "Go ahead and keep them."


    In talking with them, Rose learned that the two were from nearby Black Bear Town, a place under House Windwhisper''s influence.


    If they returned there, Prins would undoubtedly seek them out for revenge after his humiliation.


    Rose was no longer the na?ve girl she had once been.


    "Do you have any family or friends?" she asked. "Send them away from Black Bear Town to nearby Stag Deer Town¡ªthat''s in Crossbridge Academy''s territory."


    "If you want to join the academy, you can recover there and then travel with my people."


    The mage girl worriedly replied, "We do have a few friends still in town, but if there are so many of us, would Crossbridge Academy really accept us?"


    "Of course!" Rose replied proudly. "Crossbridge''s Headmaster, Mr. Daniel, is a very kind person. He''d be happy to welcome young people like you."


    Unlike Prins, Rose never revealed that she was the headmaster''s daughter.


    Her answer brought smiles to the mercenary siblings'' faces.


    They bowed to Rose, full of gratitude.


    Becoming a Crossbridge student was their greatest dream, and today, it had finally come true.


    Back at the academy, Daniel received a letter from Rose.


    He nodded approvingly. "Much better than before."


    "All thanks to your guidance, Headmaster," Ms. Isolde remarked. "Rose commands a great deal of respect among the students. They all admire her."


    The Seedling Cultivation Plan was progressing smoothly.


    The young students were venturing out, exploring the world.


    Not only had they made their mark in Crossbridge''s territory, but they had also gone to Lunastone and House Windwhisper''s lands.


    The Crossbridge students'' strong performance had significantly enhanced the academy''s reputation across the region.


    "Daniel, there''s something else I wanted to report," Ms. Isolde said. "Our academy''s fame is spreading, and many practitioners have moved near the academy. Some smaller families have even relocated to Riverside City."


    "These families originally relied on the other two houses. I worry they might take issue with this."


    "Let them. If they''re displeased, they can come to me," Daniel replied.


    He had no qualms about disrupting the longstanding balance of power among the three forces in Riverside City.


    Seeing the concern on Ms. Isolde''s face, Daniel shook his head. "Our ambitions extend far beyond here and Lake City."


    "Our academy will one day be the most prestigious institution on the continent. We''re only getting started; can''t handle the pressure already?"


    "I mentioned to Mr. Aldric once about a seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight. Compared to her, our students are still far behind. That''s just a small target for us now."


    A seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight! A small target?


    Ms. Isolde broke into a cold sweat.


    Even she hadn''t reached Tier-Diamond yet.


    "No need to worry," Daniel reassured her. "Training isn''t just about talent; it''s about choice. As long as I''m here, I''ll turn even the most average into a so-called genius."


    "Ms. Isolde, although you''re in charge of logistics, your strength must improve too!" Daniel ordered firmly, "Within six months, you and the other teachers must break through to Tier-Diamond and step into Tier-Platinum."

 Chapter 28: Chapter28-Powerful and Annoying

    Tier-Gold and Tier-Platinum are a dividing line.Some of the finest magical equipment can only be used starting at Tier-Platinum.


    Daniel now had access to a vast supply of resources, but his team''s strength was still lacking. No matter how much he wanted to use powerful equipment, the required rank limited them.


    Ms. Isolde nodded solemnly. "I''ll give it my best!"


    Daniel''s words ignited an ambition within her. With such a dedicated headmaster willing to go all out to boost their strength, she had no reason not to give it her all!


    "Daniel, how are we handling Lunastone and House Windwhisper?" Ms. Isolde asked. "I''m concerned they might start harassing us."


    "If they do, that''s excellent." Daniel replied nonchalantly.


    He''d been wondering when a suitable excuse to crush them would arise.


    For Daniel, large organizations like Dragonscale Bank were already fair game. He didn''t think twice before eliminating anyone from these family-run groups.


    A few days later, House Lunastone and House Windwhisper jointly called for a Riverside City Governance Alliance meeting.


    The Alliance was managed by the three families and held meetings every three years. However, if two families agreed, an early meeting could be called for urgent issues.


    All leaders had to attend, or they''d be considered out of the governing council.


    Daniel immediately understood their motives.


    He''d initially planned to go alone, but Aldric and Rowan insisted on accompanying him, as did Ms. Isolde, who even dressed up in a dazzling new magical robe despite usually avoiding formal attire.


    Upon arrival at the conference hall, Daniel noticed they were the first to arrive.


    Aldric whispered, "We''ll likely have to wait a bit longer. This is meant to intimidate us."


    Daniel shook his head.


    Boring tricks.


    These petty games were laughable in the face of real power.


    After about ten minutes, the representatives of the other two houses finally arrived together.


    Lord Lunastone was a thin man in his forties, wearing a green mage''s robe, with slightly thinning hair and gold-rimmed magical glasses.


    Lord Windwhisper was notable for his large belly, though he wasn''t pregnant. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He wore neither mage robes nor knight''s attire but an extravagantly fancy noble suit instead.


    The two brought an entourage of a dozen knights each, accompanied by six or seven beautiful mages in tight, high-slit robes.


    Ms. Isolde glanced at her own modest mage''s robe and suddenly felt that their side''s presence seemed a bit understated.


    Daniel glanced at them expressionlessly and spoke bluntly, "You two have already discussed this. If there''s something to say, get to the point. I don''t have time to waste on trivial games like you do."


    The fake smiles on both house heads froze instantly.


    They never imagined Daniel would be so direct.


    They had a whole prepared speech, but it now felt completely useless.


    "Who would have thought Crossbridge Academy would produce a headmaster like you," Lord Windwhisper sneered. "You''re nothing like your father, and certainly not as weak as rumors claimed."


    Lord Lunastone, still smiling, said, "We''re all allies here. Today''s meeting is just to clear up some minor misunderstandings. A little conversation, and it''s all sorted."


    "What misunderstanding?" Daniel asked.


    "Recently, your academy has been active on our lands, frequently clashing with our people and deliberately building a good reputation to draw away those who used to rely on us. Isn''t that the case?"


    Daniel didn''t like his tone one bit.


    With a cold voice, he replied, "That''s because you''re too weak! People admire strength, and since our students are strong, it''s only natural they attract more people."


    "You!" Lord Windwhisper''s face turned red with anger, and he pointed at Daniel. "Even your father didn''t dare speak to me like this. Who do you think you are?"


    Daniel glanced at him, "Thinking of declaring war? Our academy could use a bit more space. Annexing your family''s land should be enough."


    Lord Lunastone immediately stood up.


    "Come now, we''re friends; there''s no need for anger or arguments. Let''s talk this out," he urged.


    "Daniel, how about we each take a step back?" Lord Lunastone proposed. "We''ll overlook those who''ve already defected to you, but please keep your students from running missions all over our territory in the future."


    To him, this was already a significant concession.


    "No," Daniel replied firmly. "My students don''t need your restrictions! Instead of asking me to restrain them, why don''t you spend less time on these petty tricks and more on improving your strength?"


    "If you were stronger, those people wouldn''t be leaving you."


    Lord Lunastone inhaled sharply, looking at Daniel in disbelief.


    Daniel knew that Lunastone and House Windwhisper had already formed an alliance. On the surface, it looked like a negotiation among the three, but it was really two against one.


    If he gave an inch, they''d take another, and another, until he was backed into a corner.


    Negotiations reached an impasse.


    "If that''s your attitude, then there''s no point in continuing this discussion," Lord Windwhisper said, fuming.


    "So, you brought me here for this nonsense? What a waste of time." Daniel turned and left without hesitation.


    As he walked away, he remarked casually, "But if you manage to win those people back, I might actually think more highly of you."


    The rest of the Crossbridge Academy team followed Daniel out.


    "Bastard!" Lord Windwhisper shattered his cup in anger, swearing loudly. "Who does he think he is?! If it weren''t for his luck in inheriting his father''s fortune, Crossbridge Academy would''ve gone bankrupt long ago."


    Daniel''s dealings with Dragonscale Bank weren''t exactly a secret.


    The public believed he had inherited his father''s legacy, and most assumed it was simply luck.


    The academy''s recent rise was largely attributed to the wealth of this inheritance, which allowed them to afford top-quality equipment, strengthening the students.


    So, while the other two families knew Crossbridge Academy had become stronger, they assumed it was all luck and outside resources.


    "Why get so mad at that young upstart?" A hint of malice flashed in Lord Lunastone''s eyes. "I''ve seen plenty like Daniel. Just because he came into money, he''s arrogant. His bad luck will catch up soon enough."


    "When the Mistriver Realm opens, we''ll be ready. No matter how many from Crossbridge Academy come, they won''t make it out."


    Lord Lunastone''s confidence in his plan made him smile. "At that point, with the academy defenseless, we can¡­" He made a crushing gesture with his hand.


    Lord Windwhisper asked, "But what about our alliance?"


    "Haha, alliances are man-made, so men can change them," Lord Lunastone replied confidently. "Once Crossbridge Academy is nothing but a memory, no one will care about it."


    ...


    After leaving the conference room, Ms. Isolde suddenly laughed.


    "Daniel, you were amazing. Crossbridge Academy has been under their heel for so long, and today we finally made them suffer. Lord Windwhisper''s face was as red as a tomato!"


    Aldric added, "While House Windwhisper is the strongest, their head''s impulsiveness makes him easy to anger. The real threat is Lord Lunastone; he''s a cunning, treacherous old fox."


    "It doesn''t matter," Daniel replied. "If they dare lay a hand on the academy, Lunastone or Windwhisper, I''ll kill them all."


    Ms. Isolde and Aldric exchanged a glance.


    Daniel''s killing intent was intense, but they welcomed it.


    Crossbridge Academy had suffered long enough at the hands of others.


    It wasn''t a matter of kindness or patience making their enemies relent. The continent was growing more chaotic, and with a strong headmaster like Daniel, they knew they could survive.


    "Any progress on my father''s case?" Daniel suddenly asked.


    The mention of the old headmaster''s name at the meeting had reminded Daniel of the circumstances of his father''s sudden death.


    The former headmaster had harbored many suspicions, but with Crossbridge Academy barely holding on, he''d lacked the means to investigate.


    But Daniel wouldn''t let it go.

 Chapter 29: Chapter29-Echoes of the Past

    "It''s difficult to find any useful clues," sighed Rowan, the Head of the Academic Affairs Office. "The old headmaster took two teachers and four mercenaries into Mistwood, intending to find Dewcrystal, which can temporarily boost one''s strength.""Only one mercenary made it back alive. According to him, they found the flower but accidentally woke up a giant snake-like spell beast guarding it."


    "The old headmaster specialized in fire magic, but the spell beast overpowered him. The mercenary only managed to escape by using an invisibility potion."


    The academy had tried its best to investigate, but the incident appeared to be an unlucky accident.


    After all, a rare herb like Dewcrystal wasn''t only desirable to humans; it was natural for spell beasts to guard it, waiting for it to mature.


    "Could it really have been an accident?" Ms. Isolde asked.


    An accident?


    Daniel didn''t think so.


    First, the old headmaster specialized in fire magic, which should have given him an advantage over most Mistwood spell beasts. So why did he encounter a snake-like spell beast with water abilities?


    Snake-like spell beasts usually inhabit warm, humid areas, going into hibernation if the temperature drops too low.


    And everything that supposedly happened in the forest came from the sole surviving mercenary, who vanished afterward and couldn''t be found.


    To Daniel, the whole affair was highly suspicious.


    "I''ll go take a look myself sometime," he decided. Even if it was something concerning the previous headmaster, he felt unsettled leaving it unresolved.


    "Daniel, you can''t go!" the others said in unison.


    Aldric looked on the verge of panic.


    "Mistwood is desolate and teeming with spell beasts, and anyone who ventures there isn''t exactly friendly. The academy depends on you now; you absolutely can''t risk it."


    The other teachers nodded in agreement.


    The academy had grown to its current size entirely due to Daniel. Any harm to him would be catastrophic.


    Daniel was somewhat speechless.


    Mistwood scared them that much?


    But he understood they were concerned for him. Strength shapes one''s perspective.


    While the teachers saw Mistwood as a dangerous wilderness, to Daniel, it was about as threatening as his backyard.


    Still, he promised the teachers he wouldn''t go.


    "If I don''t go myself, I can send students," Daniel suggested, inspired by an idea. "We''ll release it as a mission, and any clues found will earn a reward."


    It was decided on the spot.


    On his way back, Daniel noticed that Riverside City was far more crowded than usual.


    Every shop was packed, and the streets were bustling with people, reminding him of New Year''s crowds from his previous life on Earth.


    With the city center too crowded, people had started expanding outward.


    Temporary housing was popping up outside the city, effectively doubling Riverside City''s area.


    Especially around Crossbridge Academy.


    The academy had once been isolated, located on the outskirts, with hardly anyone around except for students.


    Now, the academy''s surroundings were full of people, some even building small houses.


    Daniel knew they were drawn to the academy.


    Rowan, the Head of Academic Affairs, mentioned that some people wanted to join the academy but, after failing the entrance test, settled nearby, hoping to pick up tasks the academy occasionally released.


    Others saw the academy as a safe haven.


    Many held high hopes for Crossbridge Academy''s future.


    "We should strengthen the academy''s security," Daniel said. "We need to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from slipping in."


    The academy''s success had drawn many eager applicants.


    But if the academy ever faced a significant crisis, these same people would turn into greedy hyenas, tearing away any part of the academy they could grasp.


    This sentiment was shared by many in Riverside City.


    Some people believed Daniel was ambitious, while others doubted him.


    "Daniel''s just riding on his old headmaster''s wealth, but that inheritance will run out eventually. When he''s out of mana stones, who''ll stick around?"


    "The academy still doesn''t have much real strength. Who''s to say no one will try to sneak in and steal something?"


    Supporters, however, saw the influx of people as a chance. They believed that among the crowds, there must be some with real potential. With careful selection, adding these people would only strengthen Crossbridge Academy.


    Regardless, opinions were divided, and Crossbridge Academy became the most talked-about topic in the area, with Daniel''s name frequently on everyone''s lips.


    The academy''s new generation of students was also drawing attention, especially groups like Dead Pink, led by Rose, and Storm Boy, led by Green.


    Though these students were still relatively weak, they''d earned a positive reputation among the townsfolk by frequently helping others.


    Aside from these two groups, a new team called the Ragtag Mercenary Squad had emerged, formed by those practicing Daniel''s new methods.


    Directly under Daniel''s orders, this team had garnered support from many students.


    Pleased with Rose''s recent performance, Daniel upgraded her constitution, pushing her to mid-tier Silver.


    She trained with the Book of the Ever-Blooming Rose, a guide Daniel tailored for her. Her awakened signature skill, Skybolt, allowed her to fight beyond her tier, capable of killing an early Tier-Gold if necessary.


    Still, Rose kept this as a last resort and wouldn''t use it lightly.


    Daniel wasn''t playing favorites; he supported any student who performed well.


    Whether a student was naturally gifted, hardworking, or had unique skills outside of traditional training, Daniel provided ample resources to help them flourish.


    Crossbridge Academy blossomed as a result.


    Not only was there impressive strength, but nearly every class of student was represented.


    Within the academy, there was no class discrimination. As Daniel put it, every class and talent had its value.


    The academy felt like a large family, its atmosphere of warmth and mutual support influencing newcomers and creating a virtuous cycle.


    About half a month later, Dragonscale Bank delivered new treasures.


    All were three-star or higher items.


    The first item was a custom-made four-star teaching rod designed specifically for Crossbridge Academy.


    When Daniel saw it, he couldn''t help but laugh. He handed it to Synapsis, the academy''s magic and alchemy master.


    Synapsis had frequently complained to Daniel recently.


    With an abundance of mana stones, many students preferred buying mana rather than studying potions and alchemy in-depth.


    "This won''t work! If they run out of potions during an adventure and can''t make their own, it''s dangerous," Synapsis grumbled. "Not recognizing a poison potion and getting killed by it would be disgraceful for me and the academy!"


    Daniel agreed wholeheartedly.


    This teaching rod could produce different effects on students when struck, such as refreshing their minds, awakening them from sleep, forcing focus, and even suspending them mid-air for a spanking.


    Highly practical.


    The second treasure was a protective magic array, which Daniel gave to Aldric.


    The final and most precious item was a seed from a Moonlight Magic Tree, a rare find on the continent.


    Once planted, it would grow into a massive tree filled with natural energy, enhancing the area''s vitality.


    Whether day or night, one''s body would naturally absorb this energy, boosting strength gradually.


    Daniel was satisfied with this transaction.


    It was clear that the "old" Elise was sincere about strengthening ties with Crossbridge Academy.


    Even with her high clearance and a fifty percent discount, the three items cost him three hundred trillion mana stones. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such an astronomical sum made no dent in his nearly limitless mana stone treasury.


    Wealth was a wonderful thing.


    He could buy as much as he liked.


    "Well done," Daniel told Claire, who had come to handle the transaction. "Keep up the good work, and feel free to send over any treasures. I''ll take them all."


    This deal solidified his relationship with Dragonscale Bank.


    Elise, having witnessed Daniel''s formidable spending power, would surely send even more valuable items next time.

 Chapter 30: Chapter30-The Scandal of the “Illegitimate Children�

    Beyond these daily matters, Daniel was also pleased with the members of the Ragtag Mercenary Squad.They practiced Genesis diligently each day.


    The progress of their leader, Kent, and the assassin, Lucy, was particularly notable.


    Both had reached the early stages of Tier-Silver, while the other members were nearing the peak of Tier-Bronze.


    The team had made a massive leap compared to before.


    Daniel, accompanied by Rose, went to visit the Ragtag Mercenary Squad''s residence, conveniently located close to his quarters so he could easily monitor their progress.


    In the courtyard, a glowing magic array was operating, and all the squad members were inside.


    Mana stones were flickering and being rapidly consumed as mana was absorbed.


    Daniel was investing resources without hesitation to boost their development as quickly as possible.


    "Father," Rose suddenly asked, "are they my brothers and sisters?"


    What a considerate daughter, thinking of all the academy''s students as her family.


    Daniel nodded.


    "I see," Rose continued. "No wonder everyone says the members of the Ragtag Mercenary Squad are actually your illegitimate children. And Lucy and I even have similar names. I''m not a kid anymore; you can tell me the truth."


    "What?" A question mark practically appeared over Daniel''s head.


    Though few things could shake him now, Rose''s words left him thoroughly confused.


    What about Lucy and Rose seemed alike? They didn''t even have the same initials!


    Could it be some old romantic affair of his predecessor?


    Daniel thought back carefully, combing through the former headmaster''s memories. He confirmed that the original headmaster only had one daughter¡ªRose.


    "Where did you get such a strange idea?" Daniel asked. "Who is ''everyone'' exactly?"


    "All the students at the academy think so." Rose blinked her big eyes innocently.


    "Otherwise, why would you treat them so well? They weren''t students you raised from the start at the academy. Unless the god of kindness inspired you, you wouldn''t be giving them so much attention."


    There was no hint of jealousy in Rose''s face, only curiosity.


    Daniel chuckled.


    He knew the academy''s youth loved to gossip, but he hadn''t expected them to gossip about him.


    Clearly, they didn''t have enough assignments and training.


    Starting tomorrow, all of it would be doubled!


    "Rose, I don''t have any illegitimate children," Daniel said. "And even if I did, I''d have no reason to hide their identity."


    "Oh?" Rose asked, "Then are the Ragtag Mercenary Squad really orphans from outside?"


    "Yes," Daniel replied, giving her a brief summary of his encounter with them. "With their self-sacrificing spirit, determination, and resilience, I have every reason to support them."


    "I see!" Rose nodded firmly. "I didn''t know they had such a touching friendship."


    "Don''t worry, Father; I''ll go set those gossipers straight."


    "I''ll also be sure to treat the Ragtag Mercenary Squad well."


    Daniel advised her, "Remember, all your groups may develop differently, but you''re all academy students. Never let internal conflicts arise."


    Rose took Daniel''s words seriously.


    She looked at the magic array with anticipation in her eyes. "Father, their training speed seems much faster in there. Can I go in too?"


    "This magic array isn''t suitable for you," Daniel explained. "While it''s fast, it has its drawbacks. I''ll design a flawless array specifically for you."


    Daniel hadn''t hidden the flaws of the magic array from the Ragtag Mercenary Squad.


    This array worked wonderfully in the early stages, rapidly accelerating training speed, but its drawbacks became apparent at Tier-Diamond.


    The members of the Ragtag Mercenary Squad expressed no concerns about this limitation.


    Kent, the leader, even said, "Daniel, without you, we probably wouldn''t have even reached Tier-Gold, and we might have died on some adventure ages ago."


    "Tier-Diamond isn''t something we ever thought we''d attain."


    "The future is distant. We just want to make the most of the present."


    Even though this array was quite effective for early growth, Daniel wouldn''t allow Rose to use it.


    Rose felt a warm glow in her heart.


    Her father really did care about her the most!


    She leaned against Daniel, as she had when she was younger, and shared stories about her recent adventures.


    Of course, Daniel already knew.


    He had someone secretly watching over her and knew how hard she''d worked and how close she''d come to danger more than once. Rose had earned her reputation among the students by helping her classmates and handling things fairly.


    Yet with Daniel, she avoided any complaints and only shared the funny, lighthearted stories.


    Daniel stroked her hair.


    She was growing into a thoughtful, caring young woman, conscious not to make him worry.


    After about an hour, the light from the magic array dimmed, and the mana stones turned to ash as their energy was fully depleted.


    The Ragtag Mercenary Squad opened their eyes.


    Seeing Daniel and Rose, they respectfully greeted them, "Headmaster, Miss Rose."


    A flicker of gold flashed in Daniel''s eyes as he scanned their progress.


    The strongest members, Kent and Lucy, had hearts radiating mana, their primary organs brimming with mana patterns, and even their secondary organs beginning to transform.


    Genesis had reshaped them entirely.


    They could now absorb natural energy faster, and their physical strength had improved significantly.


    This was the unique trait of Genesis.


    Regardless of whether one was a mage or a knight, practicing Genesis improved physical strength immediately.


    Later, depending on one''s class, the enhancements would vary.


    Compared to traditional mages and knights, they would be stronger, faster, more agile, and recover faster after healing.


    The biggest improvement was seen in Lily, the team''s priest, whose initial physical strength had been quite poor. Daniel had even doubted she could handle long-distance expeditions.


    But after a few months of Genesis, Lily was much stronger and even had a bit of muscle, rare for a priest.


    "Don''t go so far that you become a melee priest, bashing people with your staff," Daniel chuckled. "The experimental phase of Genesis is over. With a few adjustments, it''ll be ready for large-scale promotion soon."


    "Go ahead, Rose," Daniel said. "Show me who''s stronger¡ªyou or Kent."


    "Yes!" Rose responded without hesitation, drawing the greatsword on her back and walking toward Kent.


    Kent nodded and took up the weapon Daniel had given him.


    Both were knights at Tier-Silver. Kent was a few years older, with more combat experience from his time fighting alone, while Rose had caught up quickly, constantly improving through battle.


    The other members'' levels were no match for Rose. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No killing moves," Daniel instructed. "This is just a spar."


    "Yes, sir!" they replied in unison.


    As soon as the words left Daniel''s mouth, they struck simultaneously. A loud "boom!" shook the ground, kicking up a ring of dust. They locked eyes, their fighting spirit ignited.


    Kent''s strength was formidable, but Rose was faster.


    After testing each other''s moves, Rose gained the upper hand, exploiting Kent''s blind spots with her agility and striking his armor multiple times.


    "The rest of you, join in," Daniel said. "Don''t hold back!"


    "Yes!" The other members of the Ragtag Mercenary Squad leaped into action.


    Lucy, the assassin, vanished instantly.


    The mage and priest began chanting spells, while the hunter summoned his magic pet and aimed his armor-piercing bow at Rose.


    Their coordination was seamless, blocking all of Rose''s escape routes.


    "Good!" Rose laughed. "Come on! It''s been too long since I had a good fight!"


    She flickered like a whirlwind and lunged first toward the mage and priest at the rear.


    Daniel watched the battle with a smile.


    Though the fight was intense, to him, it was like watching children throwing mud at each other.


    "Not bad," he murmured. "At their level, they''re already among the top fighters."

 Chapter 31: Chapter31-Academy Adjustments

    However, as the battle went on, Rose''s weaknesses began to show.Despite her considerable progress from recent training, she still seemed somewhat inexperienced compared to Kent and his team, who had been working together for quite some time.


    The battle ultimately ended with Lucy''s dagger stopping just short of Rose.


    Rose looked a bit stunned; she hadn''t expected to lose.


    After all, during the past few months of frontier battles, she thought she''d grown quite strong.


    But facing Kent and his team, she was still defeated.


    "Miss Rose, I''m sorry," Lucy offered.


    "It''s¡­ it''s nothing," Rose replied, trying to hide her disappointment.


    Daniel approached, addressing Kent and the others:


    "I can tell you''ve all been honing your skills well. Keep absorbing mana and aim to reach the tier-gold level soon. Also, from now on, whenever Rose leaves Crossbridge Academy, I want you to guard her closely. Understood?"


    "Yes, sir!" they responded.


    Then, Daniel turned to his somewhat dejected daughter.


    "Father, I''m sorry. I¡­ I lost," she admitted.


    "There''s no need to be discouraged. Recognizing your weaknesses allows you to improve. Your next goal is to defeat all four of them. Can you do that?"


    "I absolutely can!" Rose replied, lifting her head with determination.


    ¡­


    As the Mistriver Realm''s opening approached, students from various academies finished their tasks and returned, especially those in the frontier towns who started heading back early.


    Gradually, the academy began filling up again.


    The returning students had shed their former immaturity; they were no longer the pampered greenhouse flowers they once were but now carried a sense of maturity, the result of battling spell beasts on the frontier.


    The experience had left an indelible mark on their spirits, and once they had time to settle down, they would grow even stronger.


    Crossbridge Academy was flourishing. Even Rowan, who reported these developments to the headmaster''s office, was visibly pleased.


    "Daniel, you wouldn''t believe it! Those kids who went to the frontier¡ªthey''re like entirely different people now!" he exclaimed. "The self-doubt and innocence are gone; they''ve all become steadier."


    Rowan was thrilled; he had watched these students leave the academy a few months ago, feeling a bit worried at the time.


    Now, seeing how they''d returned, he was pleasantly surprised.


    These changes proved the academy was thriving, and much of it was thanks to Daniel''s leadership.


    "Give them time to settle in," Daniel said. "After so much combat, they need a proper rest."


    Rowan nodded, understanding well Daniel''s point.


    Everything needed a balance¡ªfighting when it was time to fight and resting when it was time to rest.


    Daniel seemed to recall something and asked,


    "By the way, has everything Dragonscale Bank sent been set up?"


    "Headmaster, you needn''t worry; everything was assigned as soon as it arrived," Rowan replied promptly.


    "We''ve ensured each student has the best environment to grow."


    "The luna tree seed has matured; in a few days, the students will be able to transform their frontier experiences into personal strength," he added.


    The luna tree, a rare item procured from Dragonscale Bank, had been a source of concern for Rowan when they first obtained the seed.


    Now, seeing it thrive and the returning students benefiting, he felt a pang of envy.


    He hadn''t had such an environment when he was young; even using a mana stone had required caution.


    "Only students raised by our academy may live in the luna tree area," Daniel instructed. "Those who joined later may only be allowed if there''s extra space, as a reward for exceptional contributions."


    "This way, we can ensure a clear distinction. The students who''ve been with us from the start are our foundation; we must ensure they have the resources to advance in tier. They stuck with the academy during tough times."


    "We should reward those who contribute to the academy generously to foster their development. As for those who joined later¡­ we should select the most valuable among them to become core students, thus motivating others to feel pride in joining Crossbridge Academy."


    Crossbridge Academy had grown significantly, including the original students, orphans Rose had brought in, and the mages and knights drawn by the academy''s reputation.


    With more people came greater complexity, so distinctions had to be made.


    Those who had grown up within the academy were its core, while newcomers, drawn by fame or resources, were more like affiliates.


    Only core students were reliable for the academy''s long-term growth.


    "The headmaster''s office will keep an eye on this," Rowan assured. In the past, such concerns were irrelevant, but the academy''s growth demanded greater attention to these dynamics.


    Suddenly recalling something, Rowan turned to Daniel and said, Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Headmaster, rumors have been spreading in Riverside City lately." His face grew grim.


    "People are saying that Crossbridge Academy''s transformation was funded by using the former headmaster''s entire inheritance and borrowing a massive amount of mana stones. Some even claim the academy is barely holding together, like a house in a storm, ready to collapse at any moment. Even worse, there are accusations that we''re accepting knights and mages just to sacrifice them to demons!"


    "These rumors have been spreading quickly across Riverside City, and I''ve heard that some who were planning to join us are now hesitating." Rowan looked worried; these rumors were impacting the academy.


    "Headmaster, should we address this or investigate the source of these rumors?" Rowan asked.


    Daniel simply smiled and shook his head.


    "No need. It''s likely the work of the other two families, using these petty tactics."


    Rowan frowned. "You mean House Lunastone and House Windwhisper are behind this?"


    Daniel nodded.


    "It''s actually a good thing. We can use these rumors to help us identify those truly loyal to the academy. It''s a sort of trial in itself."


    "Yes! This way, we''re getting a preliminary screening for free!" Rowan exclaimed, realizing the strategic advantage. This turn of events repurposed these negative rumors into a beneficial filter, a perspective House Lunastone and House Windwhisper likely hadn''t anticipated.


    "They''re probably trying to gain an edge because of the Mistriver Realm," Daniel continued.


    The Mistriver Realm affected the distribution of benefits in Riverside City, with Crossbridge Academy, House Lunastone, and House Windwhisper each selecting eligible candidates to enter the secret realm.


    Benefits were then divided based on performance, fostering competition without direct conflict.


    "Also, we should start planning the academy tournament," Daniel said.


    "We''ve already prepared the structure; it can begin in a few days," Rowan responded.


    "Good. Let''s confirm the candidates for the secret realm, and then let me know¡ªI''ll help boost their strength. It''s time to show those fools just how much Crossbridge Academy has evolved."


    ¡­


    Mia and her friends had been in Riverside City for a few days since coming from Black Bear Town.


    Rose had rescued her and her brother from House Windwhisper, prompting them to join Crossbridge Academy.


    For Mia, it was beyond her wildest dreams to grow, study, and progress alongside others.


    "Mia! Something terrible happened!" A young girl rushed over in a panic.


    "Peggy, what happened?"


    "Your brother, Dane¡­ he''s been taken! They''re saying he''ll be expelled from the academy!"


    "What?!"

 Chapter 32: Chapter32-The First Batch of Core Members

    Mia never would have imagined that the news she heard from Peggy would be like this!Her brother, Dane, being taken to the Academic Affairs Office?


    Since entering Crossbridge Academy, Mia''s group had immediately noticed the academy''s strict regulations.


    Compared to Black Bear Town, Crossbridge Academy was paradise.


    They were determined to stay here permanently and strictly follow all rules.


    As for Dane, Mia knew her brother well; although he could be a bit mischievous, he''d never do anything that would get him expelled.


    There had to be a misunderstanding. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Peggy, what exactly happened? Dane wouldn''t break the academy''s rules," Mia asked seriously.


    "I just heard it from others. Apparently, Dane offended someone who joined the academy last month¡­ that''s why he was taken to the Academic Affairs Office," Peggy explained, anxious to relay what she had learned.


    "And the person Dane offended is supposedly related to the Academic Affairs Office Director. I''m afraid Dane won''t be allowed to stay in Crossbridge Academy¡­ and it might even affect the rest of us."


    "No way, Crossbridge Academy wouldn''t¡­" Mia started, though her voice grew uncertain.


    They were from a small town near Riverside City and couldn''t afford to provoke powerful figures there.


    It was Rose who had saved them from the people of House Windwhisper, and Mia had a good impression of Crossbridge Academy because of her.


    But just yesterday, Mia had overheard some troubling rumors about Crossbridge Academy, which had shaken her confidence.


    Maybe these powerful forces in Riverside City were all the same?


    Rose was probably an exception.


    People from small towns like theirs were destined to be oppressed¡­


    "Mia, maybe we could ask Miss Rose for help?" Peggy suggested.


    But Mia shook her head, replying, "Miss Rose is also a student. How could she possibly go against the Academic Affairs Office Director''s relative?"


    After all, even if Rose was powerful and popular, she was still a student and not on the same level as the faculty.


    So what could she do?


    Mia sighed. "I''ll go wait at the Academic Affairs Office and see if I can get that young master''s forgiveness."


    She regretted not preparing Dane for the reality of the world.


    In a big place like Riverside City, powerful people could crush them with a snap of their fingers.


    Mia quickly made her way to the Academic Affairs Office, with Peggy following behind.


    This incident involved a student named Elwin.


    He''d been part of Crossbridge Academy for a while and was related to the Academic Affairs Office Director, Rowan.


    Elwin was known for his arrogance, often bullying newcomers.


    This time, Dane had clashed with Elwin over a task and was captured and taken to the Academic Affairs Office.


    When Mia reached the building, she saw a figure standing there.


    "Mia, I think that''s Elwin," Peggy whispered from behind her.


    Hearing Peggy''s words, Mia lowered her head and approached Elwin.


    "Young Master Elwin, Dane¡­ the one who offended you, is my brother. I promise to discipline him so he won''t bother you again. Please show mercy¡­"


    Just as she was apologizing, someone tugged on her sleeve. Mia turned to find it was Peggy.


    "Mia, look¡­" Peggy whispered, indicating Elwin.


    Mia looked up to see Elwin, who seemed like he''d been crying and was now looking at Mia with fear. Before Mia could process this, Elwin hurriedly spoke.


    "I''m sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn''t have bullied Dane¡­" he apologized, leaving Mia and Peggy puzzled.


    At that moment, a voice called out, "Sister!" Mia turned to see Dane walking up from downstairs.


    "Dane! Are you okay?" Mia hurried over, looking him over.


    "Of course, I''m fine! I wasn''t the one who broke academy rules, so this punishment has nothing to do with me," Dane replied nonchalantly, casting a mocking glance at Elwin. "Well, some people aren''t so lucky¡­ hehe."


    Seeing Dane''s carefree attitude, Mia''s frustration flared. She slapped him lightly and then hugged him tightly.


    "Do you know how worried I was about you? Don''t ever do this again, okay? Not everywhere is like this academy¡­"


    "Yeah, not everywhere is like this academy. But one day, students from Crossbridge Academy will make other places like it," a middle-aged man said as he walked over, looking at Dane with approval.


    "Your brother is a good kid," he said.


    "Thank you for the compliment, but he''s far too prone to offending people," Mia replied humbly, then added worriedly, "I heard that Young Master Elwin is related to the Academic Affairs Office Director¡­"


    The man laughed, "Haha¡­ I forgot to introduce myself. I''m Rowan; you can call me Mentor Rowan. I am the Academic Affairs Office Director. And as for Elwin, I''ve never heard of him."


    ¡­


    The incident with Dane shocked many of the students who had recently joined Crossbridge Academy!


    Elwin''s name was well-known to them.


    They knew he claimed to have a connection to the Academic Affairs Office and had a reputation for bullying newcomers.


    The new students, mostly from small towns near Riverside City or the frontier, didn''t dare to resist.


    But this time, the Academic Affairs Office had stood up for them, leaving them feeling encouraged!


    Here at Crossbridge Academy, even ordinary students could be treated equally and feel a sense of fairness, which further fueled their enthusiasm for studying and advancing.


    There was also a recent announcement about an academy tournament to select candidates for the Mistriver Realm.


    Participation was restricted to students who were already at the academy and had experienced frontier training, excluding those who joined recently.


    This essentially limited eligibility to the original cohort of over two hundred students.


    When registration ended, the tournament began.


    Although participation was restricted, there were no limits on spectators, so the new students could observe and clearly see the gap between themselves and those in the tournament.


    Daniel watched a few matches when he had time.


    The students who returned from the frontier were noticeably more mature. Though he still saw some flaws, their progress in such a short period was commendable.


    The tournament selected twenty students in total. Rose, of course, was among them, dominating her matches with little opposition.


    Daniel''s nephew, Green, also made it in, though he struggled and even sustained some injuries.


    The remaining students had all gained considerable insight and growth from their frontier experiences, making them stand out.


    The twenty selected students gathered in Daniel''s office.


    Familiar with each of their faces, Daniel addressed them.


    "I''ll keep this brief. You''re here because of the Mistriver Realm. From today on, I''ll personally train each of you until the realm opens. No matter what you see during this period, don''t panic. Keep your questions to yourselves and focus on improving your abilities. Prepare well for the secret realm."


    "Rose, come with me. The rest of you, wait here."


    As soon as Daniel finished speaking, he and Rose disappeared from the office, leaving the other students surprised but remembering his instructions to stay calm.


    They obediently waited in the office, wondering what awaited them next.

 Chapter 33: Chapter33-Dead Zone

    In the blink of an eye, Rose found herself in a new place.The office was gone, replaced by a mountaintop with storm clouds gathering thickly overhead, as if ready to pour down rain at any moment.


    In front of them, a large pit lay on the ground.


    Rose looked at her father, Daniel, who quickly inscribed a magic array around the pit with his mind power.


    As soon as the array was completed, the clouds above split open with a violent burst, and a silver bolt of lightning struck down heavily toward Daniel''s position!


    Rose closed her eyes, but the feeling of being hit by lightning never came.


    Opening her eyes, Rose saw the silver electric currents crackling within the pit in front of her.


    Another bolt of lightning then struck down, and this time Rose watched clearly.


    The massive lightning bolt seemed to be twisted by some strange force as it descended, pulling it directly into the pit.


    More and more lightning bolts rained down from the sky, all converging into the pit, which now resembled a thunder pool¡ªa reservoir of liquid-like lightning.


    "Father, what is this place?" Rose asked.


    "This place is known as the Land of Divine Punishment, one of the Dead Zones on the continent," Daniel explained.


    "Storm clouds constantly gather here, and lightning strikes down at regular intervals. No life can survive here, hence the name Dead Zone."


    Indeed, this place was called the Land of Divine Punishment because of its relentless lightning.


    Every few minutes, bolts of lightning would strike the ground.


    But it wasn''t just the frequency that earned it its reputation as a forbidden zone; the lightning here seemed to harbor a unique malice against life.


    If any living being entered, the lightning would zero in on it, striking repeatedly without pause.


    Even a tier-sage would struggle to withstand the barrage of lightning here, and so it became known as a Dead Zone.


    The surrounding mountains were bare, scarred by the remnants of lightning strikes, with no signs of life.


    Yet, since Daniel and Rose had arrived, the lightning seemed to be redirected into the pit.


    As the lightning pooled to form the thunder pool, no more bolts struck from above.


    Rose was puzzled¡ªwasn''t this supposed to be a Dead Zone? Why didn''t it seem so dangerous?


    Daniel pulled out a magical item and said,


    "This is an artifact crafted by a master, capable of withstanding lightning."


    With that, he tossed the artifact toward the thunder pool.


    Before it even reached the pool, a tiny arc of lightning from the edge instantly obliterated the artifact, leaving no trace behind.


    The power of just a single arc was enough to destroy a master-crafted item¡ªan unimaginable force.


    "Rose, for the coming days, you''ll train here at the edge of the thunder pool, honing your finishing moves and¡­"


    Daniel stepped closer to the thunder pool.


    "Father, be careful!" Rose instinctively called out but quickly remembered that her father had created the thunder pool, so it surely couldn''t harm him.


    Daniel smirked slightly, reaching his right hand into the thunder pool.


    A tiny sapling began to rise slowly from the liquid lightning within.


    "The power of lightning here is exceptionally strong. Lightning represents both destruction and rebirth, two sides of the same coin."


    With that, Daniel withdrew his hand, and the sapling slowly sank back into the pool.


    This was rebirth from destruction. Even in the desolation of a Dead Zone, there was a glimmer of new life.


    For any tier-master, this place was a dream, a direct path toward becoming a tier-sage.


    "Stay here and train; the unique lightning here will have surprising benefits for your mind power growth."


    "Understood, Father. I''ll give it my all."


    "Good."


    With that, Daniel returned to his office. The students were still waiting there.


    "Now, each of you, tell me¡ªwhat do you want to strengthen during this special training?"


    No one replied right away.


    The students, once again, seemed shy and reserved in his presence, just as they had been at the beginning.


    Seeing no one speaking, Daniel continued,


    "As your headmaster, I must be responsible for you. If you''re unsure, let''s take another approach. What do you feel is missing in yourself that separates you from true power?"


    "No need to mention mana stones; the academy will provide as many as you need. What else do you think you lack?"


    After a pause, a student at the front spoke softly,


    "Headmaster, I feel my spear is lacking. When facing spell beasts on the frontier, it was hard to handle."


    Daniel looked at him, immediately recalling his information.


    "Reed, right? Your fundamentals are strong; just keep following your current path. As for the spear¡­ head over to see Ms. Isolde later. There are related spells; mention I sent you."


    "Thank you, headmaster!" Reed replied excitedly, preparing to leave.


    "Hold on," Daniel stopped him. "That''s academy-provided gear; it doesn''t count as my promise to you. Anything else?"


    Reed looked momentarily confused; he hadn''t considered he might ask for more.


    Turning to the others, Daniel continued,


    "You all should take a moment to think as well."


    After a brief silence, Reed spoke again,


    "From a young age, I was fascinated by the powerful figures in books. After recent battles, I realized my combat experience is lacking. If I could face an opponent of equal level with rich battle experience¡­


    "Headmaster, I want a sparring dummy at my level but with vast combat experience. I want to find out my limits!" Reed looked hopefully at Daniel.


    The other students looked curiously at their headmaster, wondering if he''d grant Reed''s unusual request.


    "I see. Follow me," Daniel replied, and with that, Reed vanished.


    They arrived in a void¡ªa place outside time and space, containing everything yet incomprehensible due to its vastness.


    This was the center of the timeline, containing all information from the world''s beginning to the present.


    Though Reed had countless questions about his surroundings, he remembered the headmaster''s words and stayed silent.


    Daniel used his mind power to create an altar-like structure nearby, along with a large arena.


    "Try it out. Stand on the altar," Daniel instructed. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without hesitation, Reed stepped onto the altar.


    In the next instant, he nearly screamed!


    He saw numerous figures appear in the vast arena¡ªno ordinary people but tier-sages!


    The closest figure, a giant sword wielder, was Eivorth, the dragon-slayer sage, who had slain a dragon a thousand years ago.


    Beside him was the Earth Tier-Sage, the only one in centuries to master earth spells to reach tier-sage, reaching the peak of humanity''s affinity with the earth.


    Reed recognized many of these faces from stories, yet here they were, right before his eyes.


    He instinctively took a step back, leaving the altar, and the figures vanished.


    "What''s wrong? Are you scared? Don''t you want to find your limits?"

 Chapter 34: Chapter34-The Tier-Sage Battlefield

    Daniel''s voice echoed in Reed''s ears, snapping him back to focus.Yes! Why was he scared? This was what he wanted¡ªto battle these legendary warriors!


    Determined, Reed''s eyes steeled with resolve.


    "Headmaster, what do I need to do to fight these powerful figures?"


    Hearing Reed''s response, Daniel knew he had recovered his composure. Reed''s strength was in his resilient character; it was what allowed him to build such a solid foundation.


    "Stand on the altar, then select the tier-sage figure you wish to battle. Their combat experience remains intact, but their levels will be equal to yours."


    "I understand, headmaster," Reed replied, stepping confidently back onto the altar.


    In the next instant, he found himself in the combat arena, facing the dragon-slayer sage.


    A spear materialized in Reed''s hand, while his opponent held a massive sword.


    A few breaths later, Reed''s form vanished from the battleground, reappearing on the altar, collapsing backward onto the ground.


    "How was it?" Daniel asked, looking down at Reed. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That was incredible. Thank you, headmaster. I loved it," Reed replied excitedly.


    Daniel had observed the entire battle. Rather than a fight, it was more a one-sided defeat for Reed.


    The intensity of the battle was far beyond what Reed could endure.


    Even with the tier-sage phantom''s level equalized, the opponent''s experience alone was overwhelming.


    Reed had been swiftly defeated.


    An ordinary person might feel demoralized by such an intense challenge, but Reed was different.


    Despite his loss, his face showed no frustration¡ªonly exhilaration.


    He had longed to fight such formidable foes, and now the opportunity lay before him.


    Reed returned to the altar once more.


    "I''ll return in a month to check on you," Daniel said before disappearing.


    Instead of returning to his office, Daniel wandered around the vast space.


    Technically, it was his first time in this place, containing all the world''s knowledge.


    Soon, he noticed something unusual¡ªan air of lifelessness in the space, which shouldn''t contain anything at all. Intrigued, he began to investigate.


    This realm was beyond conventional size, and once he pinpointed the strange sensation, Daniel appeared in another location.


    With his mind power, he sensed a rough, uneven wall ahead¡­ or rather¡­


    Unleashing his mind power further, he saw the truth of the wall before him: it was a colossal creature, resembling an enormous snake coiled in an ouroboros form, lying motionless as if it were dead.


    "Interesting," Daniel murmured.


    Encountering such a creature here suggested that it was no ordinary being, yet it seemed to have perished, bearing significant injuries.


    This world held more secrets than he had realized.


    At first, he had only given it a cursory glance, noting the creature''s injuries and absence of mind power fluctuations, assuming it was dead.


    But just then, he sensed a faint, nearly imperceptible sign of life from the snake.


    The signal was brief, yet his powerful mind caught it.


    With his mind power fully extended, Daniel examined the creature thoroughly.


    Its internal magic pattern was unlike anything he''d ever seen, exuding a feeling of "perfection"¡ªalmost divine.


    This piqued Daniel''s curiosity even more. Moving to the snake''s head, he extended his hand, intending to probe the creature''s state.


    Suddenly, his form rippled and disappeared.


    As soon as he vanished, five presences appeared nearby.


    Constructed entirely of mind power, their mere auras revealed that these figures were not weak.


    Yet, they were unaware of Daniel''s presence.


    "What''s going on? Is someone planning to break the rules?" one of the figures spoke.


    "Aren''t you just accusing yourself? Last I checked, you were close to losing," another retorted mockingly.


    "Then come fight me! I don''t care about the rules!" another voice burst out.


    "Stop! Fighting here won''t help any of us," one figure intervened, trying to calm the situation.


    "We need to figure out who touched it recently!"


    After some discussion, they confirmed that none of them was responsible, which meant someone else had entered this space.


    "What do we do now? We''ve got a new arrival," one of them remarked.


    "Who knows? Let''s wait it out. Sooner or later, we''ll see him!" They concluded, leaving the area.


    Once they were gone, Daniel''s form reappeared.


    How intriguing! This world was becoming more and more interesting.


    But for now, he''d finish handling things in Riverside City.


    Daniel returned to his office to check on the students'' requests, but found only three students left. Besides Green, only two others remained.


    "Where are the others?" he asked Green.


    "They couldn''t think of anything specific, so they decided to use mana stones for breakthroughs over the next month."


    Daniel didn''t see this as a problem.


    Sometimes, recognizing your own limits and being self-aware was a skill.


    Turning to the three remaining students, two girls and a boy, he asked,


    "What about you?"


    "Headmaster, my name is Nora," one of the girls began, appearing both troubled and shy. "I¡­ don''t know what I need. If possible, I''d like you to help me choose my path, or perhaps a goal."


    Unlike the others, Nora didn''t have a clear direction or objective.


    She''d always gone with the flow, yet her abilities were not to be underestimated, which was why she was here.


    When Daniel posed his question, it made her realize she had no answer.


    She had initially come to the academy for the previous headmaster, then followed the current headmaster''s guidance, advancing, training on the frontier, and now joining the secret realm¡­


    Nora had never made any of these decisions herself.


    "Do you truly think that the path I choose for you would be what you truly desire?" Daniel asked, his calm gaze resting on her.


    "I¡­ I don''t know, but you''re so powerful, headmaster. I thought you might¡­" Nora''s eyes showed uncertainty.


    "Your path and your future can only be decided by you," Daniel replied, his gaze steady as he looked at her.

 Chapter 35: Chapter35-Want to Experience Someone Elses Life?

    "I can offer you a direction, but the final decision is yours. Just know, you may face a very serious cost. Can you accept that?"Daniel asked Nora.


    After a moment of hesitation, Nora finally nodded.


    "I want to give it a try."


    "Good, then follow me."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the two appeared in a desolate wilderness.


    Nora noticed that the vegetation on the ground seemed different from what she''d seen before.


    The plants shimmered with an unusual glow.


    The sight was magical, especially under the sunlight, which made the plants even more vibrant, with glimmers of light flowing between their stems and leaves.


    Instinctively, Nora reached out and touched a leaf.


    The glow flowed onto her hand like water, spreading warmth through her fingertips.


    "Headmaster, is this¡­ a paradise of the gods?"


    "Remember, don''t ask too many questions."


    Nora, mesmerized by the landscape, had momentarily forgotten what Daniel had warned her about.


    But with his reminder, she quickly clamped her mouth shut.


    Daniel, too, noticed the strange properties of the plants here, though he wasn''t surprised.


    Perhaps his magical energy had seeped into the surroundings when he achieved tier-sage status here, causing this effect.


    Even a trace of power at the tier-sage level could have such an influence, but it was harmless and caused no further changes.


    Daniel had brought Nora here because he recalled the feeling he had when he reached tier-sage¡ªa glimpse of the path to godhood.


    At the time, he hadn''t wanted to become a god, so he declined. Daniel began to emit his tier-sage aura.


    Sensing his energy, a hazy glow enveloped him.


    Without hesitation, Daniel''s heartbeat intensified as mana surged from his body, merging with his mind power.


    Moments later, a small magic array appeared in the air.


    Though tiny, its intricate design gleamed brilliantly, composed entirely of Daniel''s magical and mental power alone, without any materials or prior patterns.


    Nora watched in astonishment.


    Just by his own strength, he could form such a complex magic array¡ªwhat level of power did the headmaster truly possess?


    The magic array continued to transform, shrinking until it condensed into a crystal that fell into Daniel''s hand.


    It was his opportunity to attain godhood, yet he instead transformed it into a magical artifact¡ªno, a "quasi-artifact" was more accurate.


    Daniel examined the crystal before handing it to Nora.


    "Hold onto this."


    "Headmaster, what is it?"


    "I call it the ''Regrets of Time.'' Using it, you''ll experience a life completely unlike your own, and you can make choices by following your instincts," Daniel explained.


    The Regrets of Time was like a life simulator, allowing one to live another life.


    Nora wanted to understand her path ahead, and while Daniel couldn''t give her a clear direction, he could let her experience what she truly wanted.


    "Remember one thing¡ªyou aren''t anyone else. You are yourself. You are Nora. Don''t get lost in someone else''s life."


    Nora nodded, holding the crystal, and vanished. Daniel then left the area.


    Back in his office, only Green and a girl remained.


    "Green, what about you?" Daniel looked at his nephew.


    He had rarely given Green any special attention, only occasionally checking on his situation.


    "Headmaster, I want to grow stronger. That''s my only goal."


    "Stronger, you say?" Daniel recalled that Rose had mentioned Green had gathered many orphans.


    "So, is it only yourself you want to strengthen, or also your followers?"


    "Headmaster, if possible, I want to take them with me."


    Daniel hadn''t expected Green to make that choice. Compared to his father, Green was indeed remarkable.


    "This is a hard path. Are you sure?"


    "I''m not afraid of any hardship," Green replied firmly.


    "Good." Daniel replied as he produced a book.


    It looked quite ordinary, as if he had just pulled it from a shelf.


    In the next instant, the book''s pages began to flip on their own, with words on the pages transforming.


    A few seconds later, the book closed, now radiating a strange power.


    "Take this book back and study it carefully."


    Green accepted it with some confusion.


    The moment he touched it, he felt as if he''d stepped into a world of magic.


    But the sensation lasted only a moment before he snapped out of it and hurried away.


    The book Daniel had given him contained a small portion of the knowledge he had learned in the library¡ªjust a tiny fraction, which was all the book could handle.


    To do so, Daniel had crafted a micro magic array to keep the knowledge balanced.


    So it was normal for Green to be briefly dazed; the knowledge could lead him to the highest levels of magic.


    Then Daniel turned his attention to the last girl in the office, who appeared relaxed.


    "Hello, Headmaster. I''m Nina. As for what I want¡­ I''d like lots and lots of mana stones!" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel could tell that Nina''s tone was somewhat playful, though she was serious about her wish.


    "Mana stones? The academy has plenty. Why do you still want more?"


    "The academy does provide us with mana stones, but I want an endless supply! As long as I have mana stones, I can¡­ I mean, study magic diligently!"


    Daniel chuckled. He understood¡ªNina had a playful nature, though her talent was extraordinary.


    "Alright, if you can pass the trial I give you, I''ll privately give you some mana stones."


    "What? Only some?" Nina sounded disappointed.


    "Don''t worry; even a few will be far more than what the academy supplies."


    "Okay! I''m in!" Nina eagerly agreed.


    As soon as she spoke, she found herself in another place.


    "Where¡­ is this?" She noticed that the plants around her were enormous.


    The grass, which should''ve only reached her ankles, was now like towering trees.


    "A magical realm outside our reality, a small world of imagination. Since you love fun, enjoy yourself here." Daniel''s voice echoed around her.


    "But, Headmaster, didn''t you say this is a trial? How will I know when I''ve passed?"


    "You''ll know." With that, Daniel didn''t reappear.


    "You meanie! What''s fun about this place?" Nina kicked at a nearby "sapling," only to see a rustling emerge from the gigantic grass nearby¡­


    With everyone arranged, all Daniel had to do now was wait¡ªfor the surprises they would bring him in a month.


    Among the twenty students entering the secret realm, only these five had the courage to ask for what they wanted. Sometimes, just a bit of courage is what takes someone further.


    In the Mistriver Realm, these five students from Crossbridge Academy would surely bring a small shock to Riverside City!

 Chapter 36: Chapter36-Becoming a Prime Target

    After furthering his research into the world''s magic, Daniel refined his work on Genesis and also updated the magic patterns for the Ragtag Mercenary Squad, making magic usage more efficient.This time, it took just a few days to make these adjustments, and the mercenaries successfully leveled up.


    Daniel also taught them a combined attack spell, allowing the squad to elevate their combat style.


    Together, they could now merge their mana to form a miniature magic array, making team operations more streamlined.


    This deepened their admiration for Daniel even more.


    After all, they were a mercenary group that hunted in the wilderness. Just from their name, Ragtag Mercenary Squad, it was clear they weren''t top-tier individuals.


    But since meeting Daniel, their lives had changed. Gone were the days of hardship¡ªthey now had an endless supply of mana stones and access to refined magic patterns, things they couldn''t have dreamed of before.


    Especially today, with the new combined attack spell, their combat power had greatly increased.


    For Kent and the others, this act of kindness cemented their resolve to protect Miss Rose.


    Daniel''s reasons for empowering Kent and the others were simple.


    Firstly, he wanted to test Genesis''s viability in this world.


    Additionally, the Ragtag Mercenary Squad served as sparring partners for his daughter, Rose. The stronger they became, the more pressure Rose would face.


    And with pressure comes motivation. Hopefully... Rose wouldn''t be overwhelmed.


    Soon after Kent and the others leveled up, good news spread through the academy: Ms. Isolde had advanced to tier-platinum.


    This had been Daniel''s expectation for his staff, especially with the academy''s growing influence in Riverside City and the surrounding areas, as more students enrolled and facilities improved.


    The academy had upgraded its mana absorption crystals and enriched its environment for physical and magical growth, making it easier for students and staff to progress.


    But with students improving rapidly, tier-gold was becoming insufficient for teachers.


    If they didn''t advance within the next six months, they might soon find themselves at the same level as their students¡ªa troubling situation for any instructor.


    That''s why Daniel had pushed them to advance. However, he hadn''t expected Ms. Isolde to reach tier-platinum first. Once she ascended, she promptly resumed her logistics duties as if it were nothing extraordinary. Her nonchalance motivated the other teachers at the academy, especially Rowan, who started his own intense training.


    In the days that followed, the academy''s teachers advanced one after another. The Luna Tree''s effects were remarkable; not only did the teachers make breakthroughs, but even many students experienced advancement during this period. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time flew by, and with only ten days until the Mistriver Realm opened, an unexpected visitor arrived at Crossbridge Academy: Lady Claire, the head of Dragonscale Bank in Riverside City.


    "Daniel, we meet again," Claire greeted, sitting down after Daniel gestured for her to do so. She wasted no time, stating her purpose directly.


    "This time, I''ve brought some new supplies, which you might need." Placing a storage crystal on the table, she let Daniel inspect the items within using his mind power.


    With the academy''s recent increase in enrollment, resources were being consumed rapidly. Ms. Isolde had already brought up these needs a few days prior. Although Daniel had initially bought out nearly all the supplies from Dragonscale Bank in Riverside City, and they''d sent extra shipments since, the academy''s reserves were starting to thin out.


    Daniel had even given Isolde a storage crystal filled with mana stones for new purchases. But it seemed Claire had personally come to deliver the items today, thoughtfully including an itemized list.


    Daniel glanced over the list, then looked directly at the price at the bottom: thirty-eight billion inferior mana stones. In Riverside City, few, if any, organizations could manage such a payment. In fact, even combined, they wouldn''t be able to. But Daniel barely looked at it before asking Claire for a larger storage crystal.


    Without hesitation, he filled it with the required amount of mana stones and placed it on the table.


    "Impressive! At Dragonscale Bank, we love customers like Daniel." A customer who never owed a penny and could handle any order, no matter the size, was a rare gem indeed. However, it was rather astonishing for him to have thirty-eight billion mana stones readily available.


    Claire had decided on her visit to Crossbridge Academy on a whim today, so it was hard to believe Daniel had prepared the exact amount in advance. More likely, he carried such a massive quantity of mana stones with him constantly.


    Was he secretly carrying around an entire mana stone mine? Dragonscale Bank had tried analyzing their high-profile client, only to conclude they had no answers. Maintaining a good relationship with Daniel was much more straightforward than understanding him.


    Claire pocketed the storage crystal and then added, "One more thing. Every time we transact, it''s in inferior mana stones, which makes the sums quite large. The higher-ups wanted to request if we might settle in intermediate or superior mana stones instead?"


    Each transaction required billions of inferior mana stones, which had become cumbersome to handle.


    "Of course, if you''re unwilling, it won''t affect our business," Claire added quickly, as her superiors'' suggestion was simply for convenience and not worth upsetting Daniel.


    "Oh, sure. Let me spend these inferior mana stones first, and then we''ll see," Daniel replied.


    With his recent transactions increasing in scale, Claire assumed he must be running low on inferior mana stones, which would help satisfy her superiors. Daniel then inquired,


    "Does Dragonscale Bank belong to the Free Federation?"


    Hearing his question, Claire immediately responded with a serious expression.


    "Daniel, Dragonscale Bank doesn''t belong to any organization. We are a neutral entity across the continent, never taking sides or participating in any power struggles."


    "A commercial entity as large as yours, accumulating so many mana stones¡ªwhat''s the purpose?" Daniel asked.


    "Well¡­" Claire was momentarily at a loss, unable to answer.


    "No matter, I was just curious," Daniel said. "You may go."


    "Understood, Daniel. One more thing that may interest you. This piece of news requires no mana stone payment¡ªthink of it as a perk for our valued client." Seeing Daniel reach for his mana stones again, she quickly added,


    "It''s about House Windwhisper and House Lunastone. Their team rosters for the Mistriver Realm in ten days have already been confirmed. You''re probably aware of this," Claire said.


    Daniel hesitated; he hadn''t actually seen the lists yet. House Windwhisper and House Lunastone seemed to be going all-in for the Mistriver Realm this time, and Rowan had presented him with a list a while back. However, Daniel hadn''t had time to review it.


    "These two houses have something in common in recent months¡ªtheir members have been advancing at a rapid pace! They''re putting everything they have into this round of the Mistriver Realm!"


    In other words, they were all gearing up to target Crossbridge Academy.

 Chapter 37: Chapter37-A Bustling Riverside City

    According to Claire, this time, many of the younger members on the lists announced by the two great families had only recently reached their current levels.Previously, they were not as powerful as they appear now.


    The only explanation is that these young talents were rapidly advanced by their families, with resources piled on them to push them to the peak of tier-silver.


    "So, these two families will undoubtedly target Crossbridge Academy in the secret realm!"


    In the past, the Mistriver Realm was always a contest between House Windwhisper and House Lunastone for first and second place, with Crossbridge Academy usually lagging behind.


    Only once did Daniel''s father, the old headmaster, manage to push them to a respectable ranking.


    But this year was different.


    Thanks to Daniel, Crossbridge Academy had undergone a profound transformation over the past few months. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Daniel decided to send all students to the frontier, the impact became even more apparent.


    Previously, the two families viewed Crossbridge Academy as little more than a charity home.


    If not for their numbers, they wouldn''t even be considered one of Riverside City''s top three powers.


    So, they held little regard for Crossbridge Academy.


    But their time in the frontier town had opened the eyes of both families, showing them that Crossbridge Academy was no longer the same.


    Three different forces in a border town are bound to have friction.


    In the past, Crossbridge Academy wouldn''t even have had a voice in such a situation.


    But now, everything had changed!


    The students no longer saw the two families as anything special.


    In fact, during several small skirmishes, they even had the upper hand.


    The two families were taken aback by this.


    After returning from the frontier, both families heard the news from their younger members: Crossbridge Academy had changed!


    It was no longer the insignificant third force but was beginning to overshadow them.


    This year''s Mistriver Realm became their only opportunity.


    After selecting the younger members to participate, both families poured resources into pushing their young talents'' power to the highest tier-bronze levels.


    In the complex terrain of the secret realm, the two families planned to eliminate Crossbridge Academy''s people by teaming up.


    Entering the secret realm, participants are dispersed and separated.


    If they joined forces and picked them off one by one, they had a good chance of success.


    This was their strategy for the secret realm.


    "Here''s the information on those ten individuals, which I managed to obtain through certain channels," Claire said, handing over details on the participants from the two families.


    "I thought you said Dragonscale Bank doesn''t participate in any conflicts?" Daniel asked.


    "Naturally, these insights are purely from me, personally¡ªnot representative of Dragonscale Bank. Daniel, I trust this won''t affect your cooperation with us," Claire finished, then took her leave.


    Daniel looked at the information Claire left on the table and casually set it aside with Rowan''s notes. He wasn''t about to waste time reading through it.


    ...


    The opening of the Mistriver Realm drew closer, and people from nearby cities began to arrive in Riverside City for the excitement.


    "I''d say House Windwhisper''s young Master Prins has the edge¡ªhe recently reached the peak of tier-silver! Just half a step from tier-gold!"


    "House Lunastone isn''t far behind! Miss Belin has also reached the peak of tier-silver!"


    Such discussions could be heard in the streets, and young people from nearby cities who overheard these comments were visibly impressed.


    "Who would''ve thought that Riverside City''s noble families had so many young talents nearing tier-gold¡­"


    "Hmph! They''re just tier-silver peaks. They''re still far from tier-gold. In our De''an City, we have at least a handful of young tier-gold talents!"


    These visiting youths joined in on the conversation, comparing strengths. Naturally, some grew curious.


    "Isn''t Riverside City supposed to have three major powers? Why is everyone only talking about those two families?"


    Someone nearby replied,


    "Oh, you mean Crossbridge Academy? There''s nothing to talk about¡ªthey haven''t even released their participant list."


    "Crossbridge Academy? The academy that''s been at the bottom for years? Nothing worth watching there. I''d rather see who''s stronger between Windwhisper and Lunastone this year!"


    In past years, this would be true, and there was little reason to focus on Crossbridge Academy.


    "What are you talking about? Crossbridge Academy isn''t the same this year! Neither Lunastone nor Windwhisper can even compare to Crossbridge Academy!"


    "What''s different? Those two families each have over ten young tier-silver peak talents. Crossbridge Academy? A joke!"


    ...


    The whole city of Riverside had become lively.


    Even Rowan asked Daniel about it recently.


    Daniel had spoken a month ago about special training for the students, and Rowan hadn''t followed up since.


    Daniel casually found an excuse to send Rowan away and went to the Thunder Pool, where he sought out Rose.


    Rose was seated in meditation by the thunder pool, with arcs of electricity flickering around her.


    Seeing this, Daniel knew she had succeeded.


    He sensed the magical fluctuations around Rose; her power hadn''t advanced too much, but it was enough.


    Now, if Rose used her full power, few at the tier-gold level could withstand her ultimate strike.


    Sensing the change in her surroundings, Rose stopped her meditation, and the electricity around her dissipated.


    Opening her eyes, she saw Daniel standing nearby.


    "Father!" she greeted with joy. This past month had greatly enhanced her own abilities.


    "It''s time to go."


    "Can I not come here again?" Rose asked wistfully.


    A month had passed all too quickly.


    If only she could stay here a while longer.


    "Of course, you can come back whenever you want," Daniel said, taking out a bracelet and placing it on Rose''s wrist. "With this, you can come here anytime."


    "Thank you, Father!"


    "There''s no need for thanks among family. Let''s head back."


    ...


    In the tier-sage battleground, Reed held a spear, mana flowing continuously through his patterns.


    In an instant, the spear struck forward with unparalleled force, its tip glowing with a faint yellow light.


    The thrust was like a mountain crashing down.


    But the man standing opposite him mirrored the move, also thrusting his spear with the same earthy yellow glow.


    The two spears collided.


    Daniel watched the scene with satisfaction.


    Reed had made considerable progress, relentlessly challenging himself and learning throughout the month.


    The tier-sage spear user in front of him was Reed''s chosen training partner.


    By repeatedly failing and rising to the challenge, Reed had reached a level where he could withstand a few moves from the tier-sage phantoms and even counter-attack.


    While he hadn''t yet won, that was understandable; after all, his opponent was a tier-sage.


    Reed''s figure fell from the altar, and just as he prepared to continue the fight, Daniel stopped him.


    "Headmaster? What brings you here?"


    "A month has passed. It''s time to leave."


    "But¡­ understood," Reed said reluctantly.


    "Take this." Daniel handed him a ring. "If you want to return, you can use it to come back."


    "Thank you, Headmaster!" Reed said excitedly before leaving. Inside the ring was a two-way teleportation magic array.


    "Sir¡­ don''t you fear that imprisoning us here will backfire on you?"

 Chapter 38: Chapter38-Let Her Come to See Me!

    Daniel turned to look at the phantoms, specifically the sage standing at the front, who had just fought Reed, spear in hand."Abusing time¡­ will eventually bring time''s retaliation¡­" the sage said with difficulty.


    The sage phantoms Daniel had pulled from various timelines still retained fragments of their consciousness.


    Daniel had intercepted them and turned them into this unique battlefield.


    "Time''s retaliation? Then let it come. I don''t care!"


    These sages had already died in reality.


    This situation only existed here.


    With that, Daniel ignored the phantoms and left for his next destination.


    As Daniel re-entered the mysterious realm between reality and illusion, he noticed the environment had changed again.


    Strange animals roamed along the paths, some even clearing away weeds.


    The view was now wide open, yet Nina was nowhere to be seen.


    At that moment, a ripple appeared behind Daniel, and a pig burst from the spatial rift, charging at him.


    But just before it reached him, it transformed into a swirl of vibrant clouds and disappeared.


    "It''s time to go. Stop playing," Daniel said as he effortlessly pulled Nina from the surrounding space.


    "Headmaster, you tricked me! There''s no trial here!" Nina pouted, displeased.


    "It looks like you''ve grasped some of the rules here; otherwise, you couldn''t have hidden in the space. Well done. You''ll receive tens of millions of mana stones as a reward when you return," he said.


    "Millions? Did¡­ did I hear that right?" Nina''s disappointment instantly turned to excitement.


    "There''ll be more after the Mistriver Realm is over."


    "That''s wonderful, Headmaster! You''re the best! I''m going to dominate this secret realm and crush those two families!"


    Daniel dismissed her enthusiasm.


    Listening was enough.


    He returned Nina to the academy, leaving only one person left to retrieve: Nora.


    Since Nora was within the semi-artifact Regrets of Time, Daniel simply tapped the crystal.


    In a flash of light, Nora appeared in Daniel''s office, though her expression was still slightly dazed, clearly not yet out of the life experience she''d gained within the artifact.


    Moments later, her gaze sharpened, the confusion and helplessness gone.


    Nora now exuded a special aura¡ªthe mark of time''s trials.


    "Headmaster, is it time?" Nora asked first.


    "Yes, the Mistriver Realm will open soon. So, did you find your path?"


    Nora hesitated for a moment, then nodded.


    "Headmaster, can I go back in?"


    "Of course. It looks like you gained quite a bit," Daniel said, handing the semi-artifact back to her. This item was, after all, meant for her.


    "Yes, in there, I experienced so much¡­" Nora said as her magical aura began to surge.


    Originally, she was at the early stage of tier-silver, which she had only recently reached.


    But now, her power surged past tier-silver mid-stage, tier-silver late-stage, and even reached tier-silver peak!


    Just as tier-gold fluctuations began to emerge, Nora forcefully held herself back.


    Seeing Nora''s restraint, Daniel''s eyes filled with satisfaction.


    Resisting the urge to break through to tier-gold showed that Nora had indeed grown.


    "Good choice. You''re not ready for tier-gold just yet."


    "Yes, I feel that I must complete my magic through the life simulations, refining it across different lives."


    "As long as you have your own ideas. But don''t use it again anytime soon¡ªthe secret realm is about to begin."


    "Yes, Headmaster."


    ...


    Rhine Tavern.


    This was the largest building in Riverside City.


    Despite the name, it wasn''t a simple tavern but a high-end establishment offering dining, drinks, scenic pavilions, and towers.


    Rhine Tavern had a prestigious background, with branches in several cities and was known as the pinnacle of luxury in any city.


    In the days leading up to the opening of the secret realm, Rhine Tavern had opened its doors to the young elites of the three major powers, making it a customary event for each faction to show off their strength before the competition.


    "Sitting here is so uncomfortable," Rose muttered, maintaining her expression.


    "No choice¡ªit''s a pre-Mistriver Realm ritual, and we''re the only ones from the academy who could come," Green replied.


    Reed was adjusting to his new weapon, Nora was internalizing her growth, and Nina¡­ well, she wasn''t suited for this kind of place.


    So, Rose and Green had come with their followers to represent Crossbridge Academy.


    Naturally, their presence was accompanied by the interest, comments, and stares of Riverside City''s residents.


    With the three powers gathered, it was only natural that people would be curious.


    A fight breaking out would make things even more entertaining.


    Who wouldn''t want to see that?


    With all three factions present, the main event was about to begin.


    Usually, things didn''t get too heated; it was more about raising the tension.


    Displays of power were simple: spending money or showing off followers.


    The main representatives rarely took action themselves, as everyone knew the real battle would happen in the secret realm.


    At that moment, a man strode towards Crossbridge Academy''s section, his face full of disdain as if he looked down on everyone there.


    "Who is Crossbridge Academy''s Rose? My lady wishes to see her."


    "Your lady?" Rose asked, a hint of frost in her voice.


    "Our lady is from House Goldstone of De''an City!"


    "Never heard of her," Rose replied coldly.


    She hadn''t taken a liking to the man the moment he arrived.


    Hearing his words only deepened her dislike.


    "Hmph, how could someone like you know her? Let me make it clear¡ªmy lady thinks you have potential. She''d like to make you her¡­" The man''s words stopped abruptly.


    A sharp slap had sent him sprawling to the ground.


    "You¡­ you¡­" He scrambled up, staring at Rose in disbelief.


    In a small city like Riverside, he hadn''t imagined anyone would dare be so brazen.


    He was, after all, from House Goldstone of De''an City!


    For his lady to take an interest in Rose was a rare opportunity.


    Then Rose''s clear voice rang out:


    "I don''t know anyone from De''an City. And this is Riverside City. If she wants to see me, she can come herself!"


    "You¡­ you''ll regret this," the man spat, covering his face as he hastily left.


    He returned to his lady in tears, whining,


    "My lady, you don''t understand! I mentioned your name, and she slapped me! It wasn''t just an insult to me; she was slapping House Goldstone in the face!" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "She even said that this is Riverside City and that you should go see her yourself!" he finished, clutching his face as he knelt before the girl.


    Shelly Goldstone looked down at her complaining servant with growing irritation.


    "Silence!" she commanded, and the servant immediately shut his mouth.


    "I didn''t expect such arrogance in this little Riverside City, someone who would dare make me come to her! How insolent!"


    Shelly had heard that the Crossbridge Academy girl, Rose, had quite a reputation and thought she might make a suitable personal maid.


    House Goldstone of De''an City stood leagues above any power in Riverside City, after all.


    But she hadn''t expected Rose to be so disrespectful, even humiliating House Goldstone publicly.


    In that case, Shelly saw no need to follow the rules of this small city.


    Secret realm or not¡­ anyone who slapped a member of House Goldstone had to pay the price.


    That was House Goldstone''s law!

 Chapter 39: Chapter39-Riverside City, Not a Place for Your Shenanigans!

    The moment Rose uttered the words that brought her to see me, the people around us were struck with shock.After all, that was De''an City!


    Although Riverside City and De''an City sounded similar, they were worlds apart. Riverside City was remote and far from Lakecity, fitting the description of a poor, backwater place. In contrast, De''an City was entirely different. Just the presence of House Goldstone in De''an City meant that in Riverside City, the combined might of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone wouldn''t even measure up to them.


    And now, Rose from Crossbridge Academy had the audacity to strike one of their servants and boldly demanded to meet with me. How could that not excite the locals?


    After hearing her words, they were instantly captivated by Rose''s boldness, but soon their excitement turned to concern. Wouldn''t this offend them? House Goldstone was not to be trifled with. If it were Lunastone or House Windwhisper, they might have let it slide due to the Mistriver Realm rules we established together. But House Goldstone cared little for such niceties. If they decided to retaliate¡­


    Wouldn''t Crossbridge Academy lose a significant force in this Mistriver Realm?


    Meanwhile, the younger generations of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone were enjoying the spectacle.


    "Crossbridge Academy really doesn''t know their place! How can they afford to offend House Goldstone?"


    "It looks like we won''t even need to determine a winner in the secret realm this time; the only outcome for those who offend House Goldstone is defeat!"


    Among the great families in De''an City, they could walk all over Riverside City.


    As for the upcoming secret realm, they need not worry. This year, it would still be a contest between Windwhisper and Lunastone. As for Crossbridge Academy, they better survive House Goldstone''s wrath first. The other two families were more than happy to see this unfold.


    In recent months, Crossbridge Academy''s dominance had caused both families to worry. They had even started cooperating in secret. Their younger generations were given orders to unite as soon as they entered the secret realm and eliminate Crossbridge Academy''s influence.


    And now, Crossbridge Academy had offended the most powerful of them all, House Goldstone.


    Well, they could just sit back and watch the show.


    On Crossbridge Academy''s side, Green asked, "Rose, don''t you think¡­ that might be a bit too much?"


    "Too much? Not at all! My father''s intentions are clear. This time, we, Crossbridge Academy, aim to make a name for ourselves in Riverside City. Besides, that guy''s attitude really rubs me the wrong way."


    After hearing Rose''s words, Green said no more. Since his uncle had made a decision, he would just go along with it.


    Just then, a beautifully dressed girl approached.


    "So, you''re the one who struck one of my House Goldstone''s people and now expects me to come to you?"


    Shelly confronted Rose.


    "Indeed, it was me."


    "Do you know he''s a servant of House Goldstone?"


    "Yes, and what of it?"


    Rose met Shelly''s gaze, showing no sign of backing down.


    For the first time, Shelly saw such eyes¡ªthere was no fear or respect for House Goldstone, as if she didn''t care at all.


    "Good! Very good! Originally, I planned to kill you. For House Goldstone, destroying Crossbridge Academy in a small town like Riverside City would be as easy as squashing an ant!"


    Shelly spoke with disdain, yet there was a hint of admiration in her gaze.


    "However, now I''m willing to give you a chance, and also give Crossbridge Academy a chance! Apologize to me, and¡­"


    She didn''t finish her sentence, as she realized Rose''s eyes were growing colder.


    Just that gaze made it difficult for her to say the next words.


    Shelly had a premonition that if she continued speaking, Rose really might kill her.


    But¡­ how could this be?


    She was just a girl from a small place like Riverside City¡ªwhat gave her the right to pose a threat?


    At that moment, Shelly noticed that she and her servants had somehow been surrounded by Rose''s followers.


    "Miss Rose, how should we handle these people?"


    In Kent''s eyes, those servants were already dead. They just needed Rose''s command, and they would strike.


    This time, Rose had brought the Ragtag Mercenary Squad with her to back her up at Rhine Tavern.


    "Do you dare to speak so boldly? Attack!"


    With Shelly''s order, her servants immediately charged at Kent and the others.


    Those who could enter House Goldstone and accompany Shelly were no ordinary people; every one of them was at least tier-silver early stage.


    However, in front of Kent and the others, these tier-silver opponents were no match!


    They didn''t even have to use the combined attack techniques taught by Daniel to take down Shelly''s servants.


    The battle ended in just a few breaths.


    After Shelly shouted her command, she was met with a scene of utter despair: her servants lay scattered on the ground.


    She hadn''t even seen when the enemy had struck.


    "Riverside City is not a place for your shenanigans!"


    Rose looked at Shelly and said, "By the way, I can forgive your earlier arrogance¡ªjust pay me ten thousand inferior mana stones, and you can leave."


    "You¡­ you must be dreaming!"


    Seeing her servants defeated, and the hostile gazes of Rose''s followers, Shelly panicked momentarily, her bravado fading.


    But she hadn''t lost yet!


    "Yuler, help me!"


    Shelly shouted.


    Yuler was a mage from House Goldstone and was supposed to be hidden nearby to protect her.


    As the youngest daughter of House Goldstone, Shelly certainly couldn''t be without protection.


    This was also why she could claim to destroy the entire Crossbridge Academy. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Crossbridge Academy was not just any small family, and she had chosen the wrong target.


    After hearing Shelly''s call, Kent and the others quickly surrounded Rose, ready for potential threats.


    But after a few seconds, no powerful figures appeared.


    Doubts arose in their minds:


    Could it be that this girl was lying?


    The uncertainty wasn''t only felt by Kent and his group but also by Shelly.


    Although she appeared calm, her heart raced like an ant on a hot stove.


    Where was Yuler?


    Why hadn''t he shown up?


    What if he didn''t come today?


    If he didn''t appear soon, those people would surround her again.


    Just as she thought of this, Shelly noticed Kent and the others approaching her.


    Rose then spoke directly:


    "It seems like no one is coming to save you. Since that''s the case, let''s head over to Crossbridge Academy, and whenever someone comes to rescue you, you can leave then. Take her away."


    Upon hearing Rose''s words, Kent moved to grab Shelly.


    Panicking, Shelly quickly exclaimed, "I¡­ I was wrong! I apologize! Let me go!"


    "To apologize, you need to show it properly¡ªten thousand inferior mana stones, not a single one less!"


    Rose looked at Shelly.


    With tears welling up in her eyes, Shelly hurriedly fumbled with her storage crystal.


    "I¡­ I don''t have ten thousand mana stones, but I swear the things in my storage crystal are definitely worth that much."


    Kent glanced at Rose.


    "Alright, let her go."


    Kent snatched the storage crystal and handed it to Rose.


    With red-rimmed eyes, Shelly quickly lowered her head and fled the scene.

 Chapter 40: Chapter40-The Mysterious big shot of Crossbridge Academy!

    This time, House Goldstone has really lost face. Even the locals of Riverside City could hardly believe it.The young lady from House Goldstone in De''an City collided with Miss Rose of Crossbridge Academy, and the outcome turned out to be like this!


    Not even Rose''s most fervent followers could have imagined such a result.


    After all, House Goldstone is a power that dwarfs Riverside City.


    Yet, right before their eyes, such a thing unfolded.


    The young lady of House Goldstone was completely suppressed by Miss Rose from the very beginning, without even a chance to fight back.


    Even the so-called protector did not intervene, leaving people to question: is this really the young lady of House Goldstone? How does she seem¡­ so far behind our Riverside City''s Rose?


    Just looking at the followers, Rose''s entourage swiftly dealt with the servants of the House Goldstone''s young lady in an instant.


    This disparity in strength says it all!


    In the end, the young lady of House Goldstone was made to compensate with a hundred thousand mana stones.


    This wasn''t just a simple victory; it was a blatant humiliation.


    The best part was, the other party had no way to retaliate.


    Did you see how the young lady''s eyes turned red, nearly crying by the end?


    "Rose, you were amazing!" Green said with a smile.


    "It''s nothing special," Rose replied, glancing toward a certain direction within the loft. She had a faint idea of why that girl named Shelly had mentioned Yuler, as her father hadn''t shown up either.


    By this point, the reserved segment of Rhine Tavern showcasing the three major forces flexing their muscles had already concluded.


    Who could outshine Miss Rose of Crossbridge Academy tonight?


    Forcing the young lady of House Goldstone to apologize and pay compensation?


    Could anyone from the other two families achieve that?


    Even merely apologizing on the spot would be considered having some backbone.


    Rose''s declaration, "This is Riverside City, not your playground," deeply resonated with everyone present from Riverside City!


    ...


    Since the moment Shelly was born, she had never encountered such humiliation.


    At that moment, she truly felt lost and just wanted to escape, fleeing from the heated gazes directed at her.


    In her life, she had never experienced such piercing scrutiny.


    Under the spotlight, those eyes seemed to possess an incredibly sharp lethality, as if a dagger had been plunged into her.


    Only after she had distanced herself from Rhine Tavern did that feeling fade. In its place was an overwhelming sense of grievance and humiliation.


    "Shelly, let''s go home," an elderly voice echoed.


    "Yuler, why¡­ why didn''t you come out to save me just now?" The old man named Yuler was at a loss for words.


    He had accompanied Shelly to Rhine Tavern as her protector.


    However, when Shelly sent her servant to find Rose, Yuler remained upstairs, closely monitoring the situation.


    From start to finish, he had kept an eye on the unfolding events. House Goldstone paid great attention to the safety of their children.


    This time, Yuler was Shelly''s covert guardian. Of course, he didn''t have to act as a bodyguard, solving problems for her at every turn, as that would negate the purpose of her learning.


    His presence was meant to assist Shelly when she faced insurmountable difficulties.


    When her servant was knocked down in a single blow, Yuler keenly noticed that the girl named Rose was exceptional.


    Not just her, but also the few people behind her who seemed like followers.


    Their breathing, mana fluctuations, and even mind power¡­ were all in an unusually synchronized state.


    This was extremely rare.


    At that moment, Yuler sensed that Shelly was likely to suffer a loss.


    But instead of intervening, he chose to wait for the situation to develop.


    As Shelly confronted Rose, Rose''s followers quickly defeated Shelly''s servants. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that point, Yuler believed the time had come.


    His intention was to let Shelly experience some setbacks.


    As a child of House Goldstone, Shelly had walked an easy path her whole life. Experiencing no hardships was detrimental to her growth.


    Only by realizing that there are always stronger people out there can one maintain humility and strive further.


    Now, he felt the moment had arrived.


    If it continued any longer, and Shelly was too severely impacted, it could leave a lasting shadow.


    Just as Yuler prepared to rise and teach that little girl from Riverside City a lesson, a hand landed on his shoulder.


    The moment he was touched by that hand, he felt as if he were being crushed by an invisible mountain, utterly unable to move.


    "Youngsters should resolve their own matters, don''t you think? As an elder, you should refrain from getting involved and just relax here," the hand withdrew from his shoulder.


    A handsome man appeared beside him, yet everyone around seemed oblivious to his presence.


    Daniel casually sat down and poured himself a glass of wine, saying, "The wine at Rhine Tavern is good, have some."


    After these words, Yuler felt his body regain mobility. However, he still couldn''t leave his seat, limited to only the action of sipping wine.


    Unclear about the man''s intentions, Yuler dared not act recklessly and waited until Shelly had left before feeling the spell that restrained him fade away.


    When he looked toward the man again, he found he had vanished, leaving only a wine glass on the table.


    Yuler took a deep breath.


    He never expected that in this small Riverside City, such a powerhouse could exist.


    Someone who could silently appear behind him and restrain him without him being able to take action.


    When leaving, he couldn''t even catch a glimpse of the person''s figure.


    Such a person¡­ why would they appear in Riverside City?


    Moreover, their purpose seemed to be protecting that girl named Rose, which was why they intervened to stop him.


    Thinking this through, Yuler took another deep breath. Riverside City¡­ is rather frightening! He hurriedly left, not even glancing back.


    At that moment, facing Shelly''s questioning, Yuler could only helplessly say, "Because in Riverside City, there are people far more powerful than I am, so I couldn''t help you. Shelly, this world is not short of strong individuals. Our House Goldstone, compared to the whole continent, is merely a drop in the ocean, insignificant."


    "That powerhouse is the real backing of Crossbridge Academy!"


    ...


    The Mistriver Realm is about to open. The three major forces of Riverside City have all gathered here, along with their younger generation.


    In the back, a large crowd of onlookers has gathered. Lords Lunastone, Windwhisper, and Daniel are all dressed to the nines.


    Daniel himself rejected the extravagantly ornate attire, finding it cumbersome and not to his taste. However, Rowan insisted it was necessary, so he wore the outfit to the event.


    Most people in Riverside City had never seen the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy. Especially in the past six months, Daniel had either been at the academy or off doing other things, rarely making public appearances in Riverside City.


    The impression of Daniel in Riverside City existed only in rumors.


    During the era of the old headmaster, people only remembered that he had a son who wasn''t particularly good at magic. But now, no one recalls that anymore.


    All anyone remembers is that Daniel, headmaster of Crossbridge Academy, was the one who led the academy out of crisis and restored its status as the leading force in Riverside City.

 Chapter 41: Chapter41-A Complete Turnaround!

    The Mistriver Realm has opened.The younger generations of the three major factions have successfully passed the entrance test for the secret realm and entered one by one.


    According to the rules, since Crossbridge Academy came in first last time, their people are the last to enter this time.


    First to enter was House Lunastone, followed by House Windwhisper.


    Seeing this, the heads of House Lunastone and House Windwhisper exchanged subtle glances, a slight curve forming at the corners of their mouths.


    Such minute actions were almost unnoticed by anyone else. One of the reasons their plan could proceed smoothly lies here.


    Once inside the Mistriver Realm, not all members of a faction will be together. Each person''s location upon entry is random.


    This provides an opportunity for the two families, as their members can enter the secret realm first.


    This means they have the advantage, allowing them to unite and work together to hunt down the isolated members of Crossbridge Academy.


    In the secret realm, anything can happen, including death!


    Their goal is simple: to bury the most talented members of Crossbridge Academy within this secret realm.


    If they succeed, Crossbridge Academy can be declared finished! No matter how well you nurture your students, it still takes time!


    Moreover, they have prepared other surprises for Crossbridge Academy.


    Daniel captured the subtle movements of the two family heads using his mind power.


    He knew they would resort to underhanded tactics; after all, that''s just who they are.


    But he wasn''t worried. For the past month, only he knew just how much the five individuals he trained had grown.


    ¡­


    Rose stepped through the entrance and into the secret realm.


    She had gathered some information about the Mistriver Realm beforehand, so when she found herself alone, she didn''t panic.


    She understood she had simply been randomly teleported to a different area. If she kept exploring, she would eventually encounter others.


    The secret realm was a place that humanity had yet to fully explore on the continent.


    It was known to contain many rare treasures, and with a bit of luck, an ordinary person could suddenly rise to become a tier-sage.


    Of course, such occurrences were exceedingly rare.


    With rare treasures come dangers. Most people cannot safely leave the secret realm. In this realm, danger and opportunity coexist.


    However, there is a peculiar rule in the Mistriver Realm: the ultimate victor will receive the rewards from the secret realm that they desire.


    It sounds wonderful, but it purely depends on luck.


    The secret realm randomly selects something the winner desires at a specific moment.


    For instance, someone once received a meal because they had been so engrossed in their magical studies that they forgot to eat and were extremely hungry.


    There are even stranger examples.


    Daniel''s father once obtained numerous items in the secret realm to aid the academy''s students.


    Setting aside the random rewards, the Mistriver Realm was just a typical secret realm, and it has always been controlled by Riverside City.


    Rose chose a random direction to explore.


    Suddenly, she halted, hands gripping the hilt of her sword. "I can''t believe you found me!" a voice called out from the bushes ahead. A figure emerged: Prins from House Windwhisper.


    Rose recognized him. Previously, at the border, he had tried to seize others'' spoils, leading to a confrontation where Rose intervened.


    In the end, Prins left with a threat that their conflict would be resolved in the Mistriver Realm.


    Now, just as Rose entered the secret realm, they encountered each other again. "I said our feud would be settled in the secret realm!" Prins declared without rushing to attack, his voice calm. "Rose, do you know what changes have taken place in me over these past few months?"


    As Prins spoke, a tier-silver peak mana wave emanated from him. "Tier-silver peak! That''s my strength now! My family has invested many resources in me for this moment¡ªto kill you!"


    "The secret realm prohibits killing one another," Rose stated, wielding her greatsword and recalling the agreement made by the three factions.


    After all, they were all young representatives from different factions, and the secret realm could harbor dangers.


    Thus, it was agreed that young people from the three factions were not to kill each other.


    If injured, they were to assist one another.


    These young individuals were the future of their factions; it would be a waste to lose them to infighting in the secret realm.


    From Prins''s tone, Rose could tell he intended to violate this rule.


    "Are you planning to break the rules?" she confirmed one last time.


    "Rules? What rules? Only those who survive in the secret realm matter! As for you Crossbridge Academy people, it''s only natural to die here due to your lack of strength and poor luck!" As his words fell, Prins activated the magic patterns within him.


    A torrent of mana surged through his body, surrounding him with a whirlwind.


    House Windwhisper specialized in wind magic, and this was the effect of their magic patterns.


    As mana flowed through Prins, the wind around him intensified.


    Rose''s expression remained vigilant, showing no signs of relaxing.


    Her months of experience at the border had taught her never to underestimate an opponent; one must always use their full strength, even against a rabbit. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With her greatsword held firmly, her own mana began to surge. Sensing the mana fluctuations from Rose, Prins smiled, knowing she was weaker than him.


    "Crossbridge Academy? Nothing special!" he scoffed, launching several wind blades that hurtled toward Rose.


    The air crackled with the sounds of slicing as the wind blades sped through, and Prins could already envision Rose''s demise. But in the next instant, Rose moved.


    With a swing of her greatsword, she unleashed an awe-inspiring force. Even at a distance, Prins felt a surge of fear wash over him.


    He forcibly pushed the fear from his mind, adding more wind blades to feel secure again. Rose would be killed by him¡­


    But then, in the next moment, Prins saw something he couldn''t comprehend. He watched as an arc of electricity flashed along Rose''s greatsword.


    With one powerful strike, Rose shattered all the wind blades Prins had launched, then moved with a speed that left him in disbelief, appearing right before him.


    The terrifying greatsword seemed to signal his death!


    Prins shut his eyes in despair, awaiting his demise. A sharp pain pierced his chest.


    Rose didn''t kill him outright; instead, she used the blunt edge of her greatsword to send him flying. He crashed heavily against a tree before falling to the ground.


    Rose¡­ didn''t kill him? Why?


    With great difficulty, Prins opened his eyes, meeting Rose''s calm gaze.


    It was as if defeating him was as mundane as kicking a pebble on the road¡ªthere was no tumult of emotions.


    Why¡­ I''m clearly stronger than you. Why do you look at me like that?


    Prins''s fear transformed into rage. Then, everything went dark, and he lost consciousness.


    Although Rose hadn''t directly killed him, the force of her sword strike was more than enough for someone of Prins''s tier-silver peak strength to handle.


    After defeating Prins, Rose felt no inner turmoil and turned to seek out others.


    If what Prins had said was true, the other students entering the secret realm would be in grave danger.

 Chapter 42: Chapter42-The Results of Special Training

    Outside the secret realm, Daniel used his powerful mind power to observe what was happening within it. He couldn''t help but nod in approval.His daughter truly lived up to his teachings¡ªdecisive and principled. When faced with an opponent''s decision to strike, she showed no hesitation.


    Her only flaw was that, instead of killing Prins outright, she allowed him to survive.


    This act of mercy was somewhat risky.


    Certain special magic could be released even when a foe still had a breath left. Such kindness toward an enemy could be dangerous.


    Prins''s words revealed another piece of information: House Windwhisper would fully commit to attacking Crossbridge Academy''s people.


    Combining this with Daniel''s earlier findings, it meant that the other two families in the secret realm had formed some sort of alliance.


    They were prepared to go to any lengths to harm the students of Crossbridge Academy.


    Daniel began using his mind power to scan the entire secret realm.


    It would be a significant loss if any Crossbridge Academy student died here.


    In an instant, he had grasped the positions of all the students from Crossbridge Academy within the secret realm.


    So far, Prins encountering Rose seemed to be mere coincidence.


    The other students were scattered; even with the prior agreements between House Windwhisper and House Lunastone, they would struggle to coordinate a joint attack on the students from Crossbridge Academy in a short time.


    Suddenly, Daniel noticed something interesting and smirked.


    His attention was drawn to Reed, who was currently accompanied by a woman¡ªa member of House Lunastone.


    "Feigning pity while hiding strength? How intriguing!" Daniel mused to himself.


    The woman''s mana fluctuations were expertly controlled to the early tier-silver level, as if she had just recently ascended.


    Reed was wielding a gun and leading the way.


    The woman had encountered him unexpectedly while battling a tier-bronze spell beast.


    Although she was at tier-silver, her combat experience was quite limited. If Reed hadn''t arrived in time, she would have surely been defeated.


    Reed had helped her defeat the spell beast, recalling the agreement in the secret realm to assist one another.


    The woman, recognizing the situation, expressed her willingness to share the spoils and suggested forming a team.


    However, Reed ignored her, focusing instead on his exploration, while she followed in his wake.


    Watching Reed, Roge pondered how to eliminate him.


    She was the strongest member of House Lunastone in the secret realm.


    After entering, she devised a strategy to leverage her advantages to eliminate powerful members of Crossbridge Academy, and her execution had been quite successful.


    She had some recollection of Reed, recalling him as a follower of Rose and Green, occupying third place.


    Such a person was undoubtedly not simple.


    If she could exploit his weaknesses, she could strike him down swiftly and efficiently¡ªa principle Roge always adhered to.


    Thus, she decided to attack when Reed was most vulnerable.


    A tiger''s roar echoed from the forest ahead.


    Reed gripped his gun tightly as a flaming tiger, a tier-silver spell beast, emerged from the woods.


    Even Roge frowned at the sight; dealing with the flaming tiger alone would be a considerable challenge.


    As she thought this, Reed charged at the flaming tiger.


    The beast was taken aback that a human would dare to confront it. It lunged at Reed, flames erupting behind it.


    During the past month, Reed had gained extensive combat experience against tier-sage opponents.


    He understood that tier-sage foes weren''t solely human; some retained their spell beast nature.


    Thus, he was well aware of the flaming tiger''s attack patterns.


    The tiger lunged, but Reed dodged.


    He redirected the flames at his feet with the tip of his gun and sidestepped the tiger''s claws.


    With a thrust, he aimed for the tiger''s weak point¡ªthe area around its waist.


    One shot! The flaming tiger collapsed to the ground. Roge watched in disbelief, astonished at how easily Reed had dispatched the beast.


    "Um¡­ let me help you collect the spoils from this flaming tiger," Roge offered as she stepped forward. She then dropped her mana concealment.


    As she passed Reed, she attempted to ambush him. However, Roge found her attack evaded. In an instant, she felt a cold sensation in her chest¡ªReed''s gun had pierced her body.


    Roge couldn''t comprehend why this was happening. He had just killed the spell beast, and now, at what should have been his most vulnerable moment, why could he react so quickly?


    "Why¡­ you had no defenses against me this whole time¡­" Roge murmured in confusion.


    Reed had no intention of explaining. He swiftly withdrew his gun, ready to search for others.


    Throughout the month-long battles, the tier-sages were not to be underestimated.


    Their attacks aimed directly to kill Reed, and he had learned to feel their murderous intent intensely.


    The tier-sages often struck in an instant. Initially, Reed struggled to react in time, but he eventually adapted to their rapid attack styles.


    As for Roge¡­ a tier-silver opponent, even when ambushing, couldn''t compare to a tier-sage.


    Moreover, Roge had followed closely behind Reed, making her killing intent almost instinctively trigger Reed''s response. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After enduring this struggle, Reed felt relief as Roge finally acted on her impulse. His fight ended swiftly.


    Daniel was quite satisfied with Reed''s performance but would rate the House Lunastone member poorly.


    He had expected to witness some impressive performance or narrative but had instead witnessed a lack of restraint.


    Next, Daniel turned his attention to Green, who had also encountered someone familiar¡ªMossan Windwhisper from House Windwhisper.


    "Mossan!" Green shouted angrily upon seeing him.


    "You know me?" Mossan asked, puzzled, glancing at Green.


    Noticing Green''s attire, he added, "Ah, you''re from Crossbridge Academy. I don''t recall us having met before."


    "Indeed, we haven''t, but¡­" Green didn''t previously know Mossan.


    He had merely heard the name from one of his followers, who had lost everything because of Mossan.


    His sister, parents, and family had all been destroyed by him.


    The follower had nearly fallen victim to a spell beast as well.


    Green remembered the name and the face. He didn''t understand why this member of Crossbridge Academy recognized him, but Mossan took the initiative to attack.


    For him, killing a member of Crossbridge Academy was a necessary task.


    Mana surged as Mossan unleashed a devastating magic attack that tore through Green''s body.


    "Is that all?" Mossan coldly assessed before preparing to leave. Just then, he heard a cry¡ªa girl sobbing.


    Turning around, he saw that the recently slain Green had vanished, replaced by a bloodied girl who was crying.


    Seeing her face, Mossan was reminded of the memories he wished to forget.


    "Impossible¡­ you should be dead¡­ you cannot be here!"


    Green stood beside Mossan, watching as terror spread across his face, softly saying, "The ones you killed have never truly died! They have always been watching you! Always surrounding you!"


    "No!" Mossan screamed in a frenzied voice.

 Chapter 43: Chapter43-A Double Reversal!

    Around Mossan, one figure after another began to appear.Those¡­ were the people he had once killed!


    The first figure to appear was someone from his childhood.


    One day, he met a little girl. She was beautiful.


    He would look for her to play every day. Until one day, he saw her playing with another boy.


    In that moment, Mossan felt a surge of anger.


    So, when the girl was alone, Mossan grabbed her and questioned why she had betrayed him.


    However, he didn''t notice that something was wrong with his body.


    A magic pattern appeared within him at that time.


    Unable to control his strength, he accidentally strangled the girl to death.


    In that instant of the girl''s death, Mossan felt panic, but more than that, a strange sense of pleasure.


    When he returned home, his family didn''t care about his murder; instead, they focused on the fact that his magic pattern had manifested.


    In House Windwhisper, this was seen as a talent! Everyone cheered for him.


    Eventually, killing wasn''t enough for him; he grew to enjoy the struggle of people before they died.


    Before killing a girl, he would viciously torment her, even in front of her closest ones.


    The despair, struggle, and vacant gaze in those moments before death were like poison, deeply attracting him.


    Mossan couldn''t remember how many people he had killed, much like one wouldn''t remember how many pieces of bread they had eaten.


    And now, all those girls he had once killed were standing before him!


    Even¡­ as he looked at each girl''s face, the memories he had long forgotten resurfaced.


    They hadn''t died?


    They had always been by his side?


    Always¡­ ready to kill him!


    "Impossible! You¡­ you''re all dead! You can''t still be alive!" Mossan''s voice turned frantic. "Since I can kill you once, I can kill you a second time!"


    His mana surged to full power. Magic bombarded the figures surrounding him, but they wouldn''t die! His magical attacks didn''t even cause a ripple on them.


    They were all immune to his attacks.


    Green stood nearby, watching Mossan, who was nearly losing his sanity.


    He released magic around him, avoiding the area where he stood.


    If Mossan were rational and clever enough, he might have noticed this.


    This was a deliberate blind spot left by Green.


    He didn''t want to kill Mossan in this manner; he aimed to defeat him honorably.


    Unfortunately, Mossan didn''t notice this either, nor did he see Green.


    Mossan had fallen into madness. Green sighed. He chose not to kill Mossan but instead walked away.


    A Mossan who lived forever in his own fear would be the best punishment for him!


    Of course, this relied on Mossan being able to escape from this perilous secret realm.


    Green didn''t even want to glance at him again. There was no need anymore.


    In Nora''s location, there were more students from Crossbridge Academy nearby. She quickly gathered some of them.


    After experiencing a virtual life, Nora exuded an invisible aura that inspired confidence.


    Upon encountering the Windwhisper and Lunastone families, she immediately recognized their ill intentions.


    She took the initiative to strike first, her own strength enough to crush the alliance of those two families.


    For Nora, such enemies barely sparked her desire to fight. "Be cautious when encountering the other two families in the secret realm! They want to attack us!" Nora warned the students following her.


    These students were still in high spirits after the battle.


    They had not expected these two families to be so treacherous.


    If they hadn''t met Nora beforehand, they might have truly fallen victim to those families'' ambushes.


    However, when Nora demonstrated her tier-silver peak mana fluctuations, it caused the others to hesitate.


    Even so, some were still uncertain about whether to attack.


    After all, it was a violation of the rules.


    Nora was proven right.


    Throughout the ordeal, she didn''t attack; the only thing she did was display her tier-silver peak mana, making the combined forces of the two families cautious.


    Achieving tier-silver peak was no easy feat. Over the past few months, the two families had poured substantial resources into elevating only a handful of individuals to tier-silver peak.


    Most of the others had barely even qualified for training.


    Ultimately, after much hesitation, the numerical advantage still outweighed the fear of the tier-silver peak.


    After all, if there was a fight, the tier-silver peak experts from both families would quickly arrive.


    How strong could a single Crossbridge Academy member be?


    But they didn''t anticipate that Nora wouldn''t strike at all.


    Just those other students following her were enough to deal with the combined forces of the two families.


    Although these students had not received Daniel''s special training, they had used the energy from mana stones to break through.


    Their living environment included the presence of a luna tree, making them fundamentally superior to the mages from Windwhisper and House Lunastone.


    The battle started suddenly and ended swiftly.


    The outcome was a complete victory for Crossbridge Academy. Only a few students were injured due to indecision.


    Overall, Crossbridge Academy held an absolute advantage, whether in tier-silver matchups or tier-bronze ones.


    Nevertheless, some unfortunate souls had been too close to the two families when they entered, leading to ambushes.


    Fortunately, their magical equipment was of high quality, allowing them to escape despite severe injuries. Otherwise, they might have been forever trapped in the secret realm.


    This was unavoidable.


    The two families had joined forces to stir up trouble in the secret realm, something no one had expected.


    Rose also found several other students from Crossbridge Academy, informing them of the plans of Lunastone and House Windwhisper within the secret realm.


    Those students followed Rose as they explored further.


    Outside the secret realm, others were completely unaware of what was happening inside.


    The heads of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone were extremely confident.


    They believed this time in the secret realm would lead their two families to ultimate victory.


    They could hardly wait to see how few students from Crossbridge Academy would survive.


    As for Daniel, that arrogant fellow was merely relying on his father''s legacy to hold on for a few months.


    The ultimate winners would undoubtedly be their two families!


    Crossbridge Academy would be thoroughly eliminated from Riverside City, and the entire Riverside City would return to their control.


    At this moment in the secret realm, the situation had reversed.


    Originally, the two families were jointly attacking Crossbridge Academy.


    However, now that the high-end combat power of the two families, the tier-silver peak experts, had been resolved by a few from Crossbridge Academy, the remaining members could do little.


    They could only ambush the isolated students from Crossbridge Academy.


    However¡­ Daniel had purchased too many items from Dragonscale Bank, which meant that even their ambushes would only result in severe injuries, allowing the students to escape instead.


    While recovering from their injuries, they quickly spread the word to other classmates still within the secret realm.


    Ultimately, under Rose''s call, the students gathered around her began hunting the young members of the two families who had entered.


    Indeed, it was a hunt.


    The situation had completely reversed.


    Initially, it was the two families leveraging their numbers and combat strength to encircle and kill the students of Crossbridge Academy.


    But now, with their high-end combat power neutralized and several already defeated, the remaining young members of the two families combined amounted to just over twenty.


    Yet, the students from Crossbridge Academy still hadn''t lost their anger.


    Though they had received immediate healing, they couldn''t let the two families get away after seeing their classmates seriously injured.


    These students had just returned from the battles at the border.


    They had been resting, and now, knowing about the schemes of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone, how could they not be enraged?


    In short, a large-scale operation to hunt down the two families had begun in the Mistriver Realm.


    ...


    "How is it? Is it safe here?"


    "Don''t worry, this is a natural cave. I''ve blocked the entrance with grass and stones. Those Crossbridge Academy folks will never find us here." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the dark cave, a voice responded.


    The cave had airflow coming from elsewhere, so there was no fear of suffocation.


    Inside the cave, there were five or six young members of House Windwhisper and a few from House Lunastone.


    After entering the secret realm, they hadn''t encountered anyone initially.


    Later, they met someone from House Lunastone, who warned them to hide quickly; the Crossbridge Academy students were hunting for them, and being found would only lead to death.


    Fortunately, they found this cave and hid.


    To avoid detection, they didn''t even dare to use magic to light a fire, fearing it would leave traces.


    They couldn''t understand how, having started as two families jointly hunting Crossbridge Academy, things had changed so dramatically.

 Chapter 44: Chapter44-Damn It, We’ve Been Tricked!

    They didn''t understand.Before entering, the head had confidently stated that as long as their two families united, eliminating one Crossbridge Academy would be a piece of cake.


    The students of Crossbridge Academy were nothing special.


    With both families working together, they should easily be able to wipe out Crossbridge Academy.


    But now, how was it that instead of launching an attack, they had to hide?


    And they had to endure until the secret realm ended.


    The Mistriver Realm had a time limit. They only had three days.


    Once those three days passed, everyone in the secret realm would be forcibly removed.


    If they could just hold out for three days, they would be able to safely escape outside.


    Surely, once outside, the students of Crossbridge Academy would consider their reputation and would refrain from attacking them directly.


    However, the mission entrusted to them by the head had completely failed.


    Not only had they been unable to eliminate the people from Crossbridge Academy, but they also lost contact with their own family members.


    Now, they could only hide in this cave and quietly wait for the secret realm to conclude.


    They could even imagine that those from Crossbridge Academy were surely reaping a great deal from the secret realm, while their own gains¡­ were zero.


    Given their current predicament, what more could they say? It was already good enough to be alive.


    "By the way, how did you House Lunastone find this cave?" a member from House Windwhisper asked in confusion.


    They had all entered together.


    In this concealed terrain, with ample internal space, their luck should have yielded greater rewards if they had been exploring the secret realm normally.


    As this question was raised, a young man from House Lunastone replied in puzzlement, "Isn''t it that girl from your House Windwhisper who mentioned this cave?"


    "She''s clearly from your House Lunastone!" the members of House Windwhisper insisted.


    As the two groups faced each other, they realized something was off.


    "Where is that girl who brought us here?" they simultaneously thought. If they could find her, all the truth would be revealed. But no matter how hard they searched, they couldn''t find her.


    "Wait, there must be something wrong! A living person can''t just disappear into thin air."


    "Could it be¡­ that we were set up? The situation isn''t as it seems; we''ve all been played by that girl!"


    "Oh no, if the other side could pull off such a trick, it means one thing¡­ the battle in the secret realm is actually at a stalemate, and the other side used this tactic to trick us into this cave!"


    "This is all to quickly weaken the strength of our two families."


    "Damn it, we''ve been tricked!"


    After realizing this, the group hurriedly tried to leave the nameless cave.


    "We must leave immediately; the battle may be reaching a critical point. Only we can seize Crossbridge Academy!"


    This statement instantly revitalized the confidence of everyone in the cave. They became excited.


    "Right! Absolutely!"


    "We have to leave and defeat Crossbridge Academy!"


    Then the group moved toward the cave''s entrance.


    At the entrance, there was no magic barrier; it was simply blocked by some vegetation and stones. With a little magical force, sunlight poured in.


    The feeling of seeing sunlight again was truly delightful.


    The group eagerly left the cave, wanting to join the battle. However, what they encountered next left them dumbfounded.


    Outside the cave, a variety of spell beasts were resting on the ground.


    At that moment, these spell beasts were lying still, seemingly asleep.


    The man at the front even broke out in a cold sweat.


    What the hell! Had they stumbled into a nest of spell beasts?


    Why were there so many different kinds here?


    There were not only those running on the ground but also some flying in the air.


    Those winged spell beasts were also resting in the area.


    There were gaps between the spell beasts; they weren''t too close together, maintaining what looked like a safe distance.


    This also gave the group a chance to escape.


    As long as they were careful not to disturb the resting spell beasts, they might be able to slip through the gaps and escape.


    At this moment, the group cursed the girl who had brought them there.


    They couldn''t understand why neither side had suspected her identity at the time and had taken her for someone trustworthy.


    None of them recognized the girl, so they assumed she belonged to the other family.


    Among the twenty people who had entered, they only recognized a few of the tier-silver peak experts from their own family.


    They had all been grateful when she led them to the cave. But now, all they felt was endless regret and resentment.


    How could there be so many spell beasts?


    Why hadn''t they seen this many when they arrived?


    The group moved cautiously, not daring to make a sound. If there were only one spell beast, they might have been able to unite and defeat it. Worst case, they could escape.


    But there were at least a dozen spell beasts in front of them. They wouldn''t even be enough to fill the gaps between these beasts.


    They tread lightly, trying to slip away from the edge of the spell beasts'' resting place. But fate had other plans.


    Just as they were about to leave, they spotted a girl standing between two spell beasts.


    A torrent of emotions surged through them: anger, humiliation¡­ Complex feelings flashed through their minds.


    But ultimately, their fear of the spell beasts made them realize this was not the time to take revenge on the girl. Once they were safe, they would definitely kill her!


    She was most likely a member of Crossbridge Academy.


    So the group could only cast angry and resentful glances at the girl. If glares could kill, she would have died a thousand times.


    The girl seemed completely unconcerned about waking the spell beasts. She was running back and forth in the gaps between the two spell beasts, occasionally glancing back at them with a playful grimace.


    After fully provoking their emotions, she made a shushing gesture, signaling them with her hand to keep quiet. She pointed at the surrounding spell beasts, warning them that any loud noise would wake them up.


    The group''s emotions were again doused by the fear of the spell beasts. Gradually, they ignored the girl''s taunts.


    Realizing this, the girl changed her strategy and picked up a stone from the ground, throwing it toward them.


    The first target was a man from House Windwhisper. He hadn''t expected her to throw a stone. Caught off guard, it hit him squarely on the forehead.


    In the next second, blood flowed down, obstructing his vision from one eye.


    The crucial point was that he couldn''t shout in pain or use magic to heal himself. Using magic amidst so many spell beasts would lead to a terrible outcome! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And now, with blood streaming down, he desperately wanted to kill that girl. Even if it meant being devoured by the spell beasts¡­


    But considering that he was not alone and there were others behind him, the man held back.


    The girl ran to another side, picked up another stone, and threw it again.


    The problem was, they could only use their hands or bodies to catch the stones, preventing them from bouncing onto the spell beasts, lest they wake them up¡­


    How could there be such a detestable person!

 Chapter 45: Chapter45-Kill the Demon!

    The group could only comfort themselves with this thought.As long as they could reach that place, they wouldn''t have to endure such humiliation anymore.


    They had to be cautious, using their bodies to shield against the falling rocks.


    Seeing them so careful made Nina even happier; she continued to pick up stones from the ground and throw them at them.


    Each member of the group bore various injuries.


    Faced with Nina''s stones, they had no reaction left, simply catching the rocks with their bodies and gently placing them on the ground to avoid disturbing any spell beasts.


    Their sole objective now was to escape as quickly as possible.


    Once they were free, they would find a way to exact revenge.


    However, they didn''t anticipate that the stones would stop being thrown and instead a mass of rocks would be magically fixed in the air, falling like rain upon them.


    At this sight, the group could no longer endure.


    Before, they could at least catch the individual stones to avoid waking the spell beasts, but using magic to bring down so many rocks felt excessive! Wait! Why could that girl use magic?


    Realizing this, the group looked around at the still-resting spell beasts. Nina''s magic seemed undetected by them.


    This led them to conclude that these spell beasts might be fake, or perhaps they simply wouldn''t be roused by magic.


    The realization sparked their anger, and mana surged within them, even reaching a state of overload.


    Their goal became startlingly unified: to kill the girl before them.


    Yet, unexpectedly, the nearest spell beast seemed to sense something.


    It sniffed the air, as if about to open its eyes.


    The leader of House Windwhisper exchanged confused glances with his companions.


    Why did the girl''s magic go unnoticed by the spell beasts while their own barely stirred them?


    In that moment, they found themselves trapped.


    If they continued to use magic, the spell beasts would surely wake.


    But if they didn''t act, they risked being crushed by the stones.


    They exchanged glances, reading each other''s thoughts, then unleashed massive waves of mana.


    Countless spells aimed straight at Nina, driven by the urge to tear her apart.


    Faced with their onslaught, Nina showed no sign of panic; instead, she laughed.


    "Haha¡­ this is fun! It''s a pity there don''t seem to be many from the two families in the secret realm. I wanted to play with you a little longer, but¡­"


    As she spoke, her form gradually faded away.


    The furious attacks from House Windwhisper and House Lunastone struck the empty air, exploding with a force that flattened the ground beneath them, leaving a crater.


    The spell beasts nearby began to stir. Dozens of them turned on each other, creating chaos amidst the mana fluctuations.


    As for the two families¡­ they were obliterated by the onslaught of the spell beasts.


    "Ugh, I wonder if I can find any more of House Windwhisper or House Lunastone in the secret realm¡­" Nina mused, reflecting on the effort it took to locate these few individuals.


    She had intended to role-play, blending in among them, but the contrast between the two groups had quickly revealed her true identity.


    Nina had no plan to disguise herself; she simply placed the spell beasts there in advance.


    It was their reckless use of magic that led to their demise.


    Nina was just a good kid who loved to play; she wouldn''t kill anyone. Just then, a stranger''s voice broke through.


    "Are you looking for members of our two families?"


    Nina turned to the source of the voice.


    A woman in a House Windwhisper uniform stood there, scrutinizing her.


    "Are you from Crossbridge Academy?"


    "Are you from House Windwhisper?" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both asked the same question, confirming each other''s identities.


    A smile appeared on Nina''s face. "You seem to be at the peak of tier-silver."


    Nina had thought there were hardly any left from the two families in the secret realm, yet here was another.


    It felt like a gift from nature.


    The woman gazed at Nina. "You''re looking for our members?"


    In the secret realm, the two families were supposed to cooperate to eliminate the Crossbridge Academy members.


    Now, this Crossbridge Academy member sought them out instead.


    The woman quickly guessed her intentions.


    "Remember, it''s House Windwhisper that will kill you, Eloise!"


    As soon as she spoke, the tier-silver mana erupted from her, and a small tornado materialized around Nina, attempting to trap her.


    But in that instant, Eloise sensed that the Nina who should be caught in the vortex had vanished.


    In her mind, alarms blared.


    Eloise rolled aside, glancing back to see Nina appear behind her, reaching out a hand.


    "How fast!" Eloise thought, amazed.


    How had Nina escaped her magic without a sound and ended up right behind her?


    She hadn''t sensed a thing.


    Seeing Eloise dodge quickly, Nina felt a bit disappointed. "I just wanted to say hello; is that so scary?"


    Eloise''s expression grew serious. She didn''t take Nina''s words lightly; she understood that this opponent was formidable. It seemed Nina possessed a speed that surpassed her comprehension.


    Yet, that was not enough. Eloise knew that Nina hadn''t even attacked yet. If not for her warning, Eloise would have likely been struck already.


    This time, she surrounded herself with a barrier of wind blades and prepared to cast more spells.


    Invisible winds transformed into long spears, shooting toward Nina.


    This time, Eloise refrained from trapping her in a vortex, wanting to see how Nina would evade her attack and silently appear behind her.


    The invisible wind spears were nearly upon Nina in an instant.


    As the attacks drew close, Eloise remained focused; she needed to know if this enemy could be so easily hit.


    Sure enough!


    Just as the wind spears were about to strike Nina, she vanished!


    The spears flew past, hitting the ground behind her.

 Chapter 46: Chapter46-Haha, that idiot trapped herself

    How could this happen?Seeing Nina vanish right before her eyes, even Eloise frowned.


    Why¡­


    Did the enemy just disappear like that?


    Could it be that escaping from her tornado wasn''t a matter of unimaginable speed, but rather¡­ simply disappearing?


    What kind of ability is this?


    Invisibility?


    Eloise immediately became alert to her surroundings.


    She suspected that Nina might very well do the same thing as before¡ª


    appear right behind her.


    "I mean, there''s really no need to be so nervous, right? After all, I''m the worst at attacking."


    Nina''s voice suddenly came from her right side.


    Eloise wasted no time; she unleashed a wind blade instantly.


    But it also missed.


    Nina vanished again.


    Eloise''s brow was already tightly furrowed.


    The enemy she faced this time was quite troublesome.


    Nina''s ability to appear and disappear made it impossible for her to figure anything out.


    As Nina disappeared once more, Eloise''s headache worsened.


    She wasn''t naive enough to believe Nina''s claim of not being skilled in attack magic.


    Right now, their lives were on the line.


    In this situation, it was better to believe the enemy might attack than to simply resign oneself to defeat.


    Since Nina could appear so silently beside her, a casual strike could easily kill.


    Not good at attacking¡­


    Was just a flowery lie!


    Eloise was no child; she wouldn''t fall for such nonsense.


    Then, she thought of a plan!


    Mana within her body surged rapidly.


    Wind blades formed in the air around her.


    As long as Nina dared to show herself, no matter which direction she came from, the wind blades in that direction would be fired instantly.


    Eloise didn''t believe that such an attack¡­


    Nina could withstand.


    Sure enough, after Eloise surrounded herself with wind blades, Nina''s figure never appeared again.


    But Eloise didn''t let her guard down.


    The enemy could show up from any direction.


    "Rose! Come with me!"


    "Nina? Where are we going?"


    Rose was leading a group exploring the secret realm.


    After their search, they found that the secret realm was quite large, and there were already very few survivors from House Windwhisper and House Lunastone.


    They could no longer pose a threat to the students of Crossbridge Academy.


    So, the operation was no longer continued.


    Instead, they returned to their original goal¡ª


    exploring the secret realm.


    The secret realm was full of resources.


    Taking them out would be a good choice, whether for personal use or selling to others.


    So rather than continue chasing after those from the two families, it was better to explore the secret realm more.


    At that moment, Nina suddenly approached.


    "Follow me, and you''ll see. I found a lone member of House Lunastone, and she''s at tier-silver peak. I can''t handle her alone¡­"


    Hearing Nina''s words, Rose''s expression turned grave.


    She immediately realized that there was still a tier-silver peak member among the two families who hadn''t been dealt with.


    Fortunately, Nina had encountered her.


    Otherwise¡­ if it were any other students, they might have fallen victim to that person''s malice already.


    "Nina, are you alright?"


    Rose asked with concern.


    "Me? Of course I''m fine. That guy would need to work hard to hurt me."


    Nina said as she walked ahead.


    Rose nodded.


    Although Nina often loved to play, she typically didn''t make mistakes regarding important matters.


    "You have no idea; that stupid woman was so amusing. Once she realized I could teleport, she just stood there, using magic to protect herself, not wanting me to get close."


    "And then¡­ she seemed to trap herself with her own magic, unable to leave at all. Hahaha¡­"


    Nina said excitedly, as if she had stumbled upon something incredibly fun to share with Rose.


    Rose''s expression became complicated.


    Alright, it seemed she was overthinking; Nina still prioritized fun.


    "Rose, we''re almost there. I''ll check to see if that stupid woman is still in the same spot."


    After Nina finished speaking, her figure vanished.


    Just a few seconds later, she reappeared.


    "Hahaha, Rose, that idiot seems to still be in the same spot! But you should be careful; her surroundings are filled with magical wind blades. If she sees a target, she''ll use the wind blades to attack."


    Nina reminded Rose.


    Rose nodded, signaling that she understood.


    She had already seen such a method of attack on Prins before.


    With a massive sword on her back, Rose walked toward the location Nina indicated.


    Eloise stood still, having set up the wind blades around her.


    Once a magic was released, it no longer consumed her mana.


    Eloise was not only on guard but also recovering her mana.


    As she restored her mana, she spotted two figures approaching from the distance.


    One of them was Nina, whom she had seen before.


    The other¡­


    Eloise recognized her; she was the headmaster''s daughter from Crossbridge Academy, Rose!


    Also the most popular presence within Crossbridge Academy.


    "See? I told you that idiot wouldn''t escape. She trapped herself with her own magic."


    Nina mocked, looking at Eloise, who remained stationary.


    Then, a wind blade shot toward Nina.


    However, this time, Rose stepped in front of Nina, blocking the wind blade with her massive sword. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmph, you can block one wind blade, but what I prepared for that person behind you is more than just one!"


    As Eloise''s voice fell, the wind blades she had prepared surged forth, pouring towards Rose and Nina.


    Countless wind blades swept through the air, creating a brief vacuum.


    Rose''s face remained utterly calm.


    Not a hint of fluctuation.


    With her sword held in both hands,


    her mind recalled the process of constantly releasing magic and meditating to recover beside the thunder pool.


    During her practice and recovery, the arcs of electricity from the thunder pool began to converge toward Rose.


    It was during that process that she grasped something.


    With both hands gripping the massive sword, she held it behind her.


    Her gaze fixed on the approaching wind blades.


    Suddenly, she charged at those wind blades.


    "Rose!"


    Seeing this, even Nina couldn''t help but worry.


    If it were just one wind blade, there wouldn''t be an issue.


    But those were¡­


    The wind blades had originally been released by Eloise to guard against Nina, aimed at the various angles she might appear from.


    So, it was easy to imagine the sheer number of those wind blades.


    As for their power¡­


    There was no need to mention it.


    But Rose was actually foregoing defense, not using her massive sword.


    Instead, she simply charged in¡­


    Was this not suicide?


    In an instant, Nina appeared behind Rose, wanting to use her magic to take Rose away.


    But in the next moment, a golden arc of electricity flickered around Rose.


    She became like a bolt of lightning!


    And those numerous wind blades, under the golden lightning, completely dissipated!


    Not even a hint of damage remained.


    They vanished entirely.


    Even Eloise, who had released the wind blades, was left speechless.


    As a mage, she of course understood how immense the power of such a large number of wind blades could be.


    Even a tier-silver spell beast could be challenged with such an attack.


    But¡­


    She never expected her wind blades to¡­


    Simply disappear into thin air?!!


    Upon contact with the lightning surrounding Rose, they vanished as if they had never existed.


    If it weren''t for the fact that Eloise''s mana had indeed decreased,


    she wouldn''t have believed her eyes!


    In the next moment, Rose appeared in front of Eloise.


    Her massive sword came crashing down toward Eloise!

 Chapter 47: Chapter47-A Sword to Annihilate!

    The giant sword in Rose''s hand slashed down towards Eloise.Although this strike exceeded Eloise''s imagination, her instincts kicked in, and she instinctively used her most familiar wind magic.


    In that moment, her body felt as light as a leaf, evading the overwhelming force of Rose''s strike.


    Eloise''s figure recoiled sharply, her face ashen.


    Only by facing that devastating blow could she understand how terrifying that sword truly was.


    At this point, she had completely lost the will to fight; all she wanted was to escape.


    She needed to get away from this place!


    If it weren''t for her instincts and her use of magic, she was certain that she would have been cleaved in two by that terrifying strike.


    The girl named Rose from Crossbridge Academy... was not human!


    How could a human possess such terrifying power?


    Even if she were at the peak of tier-silver, Eloise doubted she could survive facing that sword head-on.


    The only reason she was alive was due to her stronger-than-average talent and hard work.


    She had practiced wind-related magic tirelessly, embedding those spells deep within her instincts.


    Generally, she didn''t draw much attention, and even those in House Windwhisper were hardly familiar with her.


    This was the first time Eloise had shown her true strength.


    But she hadn''t expected that Crossbridge Academy would harbor such monstrous strength!


    It was insurmountable! All Eloise wanted now was to flee¡ªto find a place to hide until this secret realm exploration was over.


    What did treasure or exploration matter compared to her life?


    Only by surviving could she have everything.


    Eloise hurriedly tried to escape.


    But what she didn''t anticipate was that Rose''s sword strike was not the end!


    As the massive blade struck the ground, it did not create much destruction.


    Rose exerted force with both hands, using the sword''s tip to propel herself upwards in the direction of Eloise!


    But that wasn''t all!


    The sky was clear, the sun shining equally on every part of the realm.


    Suddenly, a bolt of lightning fell from the clear sky, targeting Rose, who was leaping into the air with her sword!


    The lightning struck Rose¡­ No!


    It should be said that she absorbed it! Golden arcs of electricity spread across the sword''s surface, swirling and flowing.


    Rose was now directly above Eloise, ready to strike down hard!


    In that moment, Eloise felt a deep sense of helplessness.


    From a young age, she had been a genius¡ªan unprecedented prodigy in her family.


    Some even claimed she would be the hope of House Windwhisper.


    When her magic pattern began to manifest, she was hidden away.


    Almost no one had heard of Eloise in House Windwhisper.


    She had always studied magic, continually practicing, with her family''s elders supporting her.


    At first, they guided her, but eventually, no elder could instruct her as her learning ability outstripped their own.


    So, she turned to self-study.


    A prodigy who possessed both talent and diligence, she practiced magic tirelessly.


    Yet now, before this sword, she realized all her efforts were meaningless!


    She wanted to unleash magic, to fight for her final chance at survival. But¡­ S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before the sword even arrived, the thunder came first!


    The electrical energy from the sword had rendered Eloise unable to manipulate her magic pattern, leaving her mana in a dormant state.


    She didn''t know what to do or what she could do.


    She felt frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the descending sword.


    A single sword strike fell.


    No sound.


    No explosion.


    Not even a shockwave.


    Nina, standing at a distance, felt the terrible aura too.


    Initially, she had worried about what might happen if they let that woman go; she could wreak havoc with her tier-silver powers.


    However, Rose''s subsequent maneuvers were beyond Nina''s imagination.


    Using the blade''s tip to jump, she quickly caught up with Eloise. The most crucial element was the lightning bolt that struck Rose.


    Nina couldn''t decipher whether that was magic Rose had unleashed herself, but she sensed an overwhelmingly terrifying aura from that lightning. It was a feeling of imminent death.


    As Rose''s sword descended, Nina felt that sense of danger once more. Perhaps¡­ this was merely magic that Rose had learned herself? Just sensing that aura was enough to send chills down her spine.


    Though she was worried about Rose''s safety, she hesitated to use her own magic to teleport closer. After Rose delivered her second strike, everything was still, as if that blow had simply vanished. Yet the air remained thick with danger.


    Only when Rose appeared, carrying her sword, did Nina finally relax. "Rose, are you okay? I was really worried about you, but... I was so scared that I didn''t dare to come over."


    In response to Nina''s concern, Rose smiled. "I''m fine. I just felt a bit exhausted after that last move."


    "Oh, I see! Let me help you get some rest! Hold on to me." Nina took Rose''s hand and placed it on her shoulder. The two vanished together.


    The other students from Crossbridge Academy had set up a temporary camp nearby, providing a place for weary explorers to rest.


    After returning to the camp, Rose laid down her giant sword and fell into a deep sleep.


    Seeing Rose so fatigued, Nina found some large leaves to cover her like a blanket. Once she was done, Nina pondered and quietly returned to the previous spot.


    She was genuinely curious about the outcome of Rose''s final strike¡ªwhat could have caused her to be so drained that she fell asleep immediately after?


    In fact, it was remarkable that Rose could hold on until then. The moment Nina spotted Rose walking towards her, she could tell Rose was utterly exhausted. Thus, Nina took it upon herself to help Rose back to camp.


    But Rose''s final strike lingered in Nina''s mind like a tickle that wouldn''t go away. After ensuring Rose was settled, she made her way back.


    The final blow hadn''t caused any commotion.


    Nina hadn''t even heard a sound. If she hadn''t seen Rose execute that strike with her own eyes, she might have doubted it even happened.


    Recalling her memory, Nina approached the spot where Rose had last swung her sword. When she reached a nearby tree, she instinctively stopped.


    For some reason, she felt an overwhelming desire to turn back. It was a strange, instinctual aversion.


    Overcoming that feeling, Nina pressed on. As she passed the tree, she found an open area before her.


    Indeed, it was an area devoid of anything¡ªnothing at all. No corpses, no grass, no trees¡­ just emptiness.


    "How strange¡­ Did Rose really kill her here?" Nina muttered to herself before leaving.

 Chapter 48: Chapter48-The Outcome Will Surprise Everyone!

    Daniel was closely monitoring the situation inside the secret realm, paying attention to Nina''s little actions, all of which he observed carefully.After entering the secret realm, Nina maintained a playful attitude; she seemed unconcerned about resource exploration or anything else.


    She resembled a curious girl, wandering around, only stopping to pick or explore things that caught her fancy.


    Of course, the things that interested Nina were rather peculiar.


    Among all the wonders in this secret realm, her greatest fascination lay with the spell beasts.


    Sometimes she would linger for tens of minutes just to watch two spell beasts fighting over territory.


    She would even follow them into their lairs to see if there were any treasures inside.


    In this trip to the Mistriver Realm, Daniel noted the growth of the other four individuals he had trained.


    Rose''s principles, Reed''s calmness, Green''s responsibility, and Nora''s decisiveness stood out.


    Yet, Nina seemed unchanged.


    Besides acquiring new spells from her training, everything appeared identical to how it had been before, with no sign of development.


    Daniel found it difficult to judge whether this was right or wrong, as everyone has their own unique path.


    However, it was clear that Nina was not capable of handling things on her own yet.


    The crowd around them had begun to thin out.


    Most had come to witness the young geniuses from the three great powers and, once they entered the secret realm, dispersed.


    Those who remained were either eager to see the outcome of the secret realm or simply wished to observe the leaders of the Riverside city''s three great powers.


    Since the results of the secret realm had yet to be announced, the heads of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone remained confident.


    Together, they had teamed up within the secret realm, and Daniel knew it would be an overwhelming advantage over Crossbridge Academy.


    Before entering, they had exhausted their resources, raising many young members from their families to the tier-silver peak and late tier-silver levels. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The combined strength of the two houses was something Crossbridge Academy could not contend with.


    Daniel couldn''t even imagine the foundation the two heads had built over the years in Riverside city.


    These were century-old families with a depth of power that a new force like Crossbridge Academy simply couldn''t match, enabling them to boost their family''s strength in times of potential crisis.


    As for Daniel, he had no worries.


    He was observing the situation closely, fully aware of what was happening inside the secret realm.


    He was certain that once it concluded, the expressions of the heads from the two families would undergo a complete reversal.


    Among the waiting crowd, the majority were women, and their eyes frequently wandered over to the area occupied by Crossbridge Academy.


    After lingering on Daniel for several seconds, they would shift their gaze elsewhere.


    Daniel''s foundation was already solid, and after achieving tier-sage, his body had been further enhanced.


    He exuded a special charm that was undeniably attractive to women.


    Given that he had been in the academy for a long time, those familiar with him now found him even more appealing than before.


    This time, Daniel made a grand appearance, exuding extra allure.


    Not all in the crowd were smitten with Daniel, however.


    A particular group stood out, radiating a unique aura that caused those around them to unconsciously give them space.


    "Senior, do you really think this small Riverside city can produce students that meet academy standards? It feels more like a backwater town. Finding suitable candidates here seems almost impossible," a young man with brown hair said impatiently.


    They had come to recruit students and scout for talent, not to dig through a dump for gold in such a poor place.


    "Don''t be hasty. I believe Riverside city is not as simple as it appears," replied an older man beside him. "Did you not notice a few promising candidates among the young people who entered the secret realm?"


    "Huh?" The young man was taken aback, clearly having overlooked that detail. "But those people were only at the tier-silver peak. How can they be considered promising candidates?"


    To him, tier-silver peak was nothing significant, and he dismissed those who hadn''t even reached that level.


    "Put away your disdain. Some people are tier-silver due to environmental constraints, while others reach tier-silver because their talent only allows for it. Our purpose in coming here is to find those with great potential who are limited by resources!"


    "Trust me, when the secret realm concludes, the results will definitely surprise everyone!"


    ¡­


    When Daniel noticed Nina encountering a girl named Eloise from House Windwhisper, he understood that Nina had found a formidable rival.


    Through observation, he recognized that Eloise was no ordinary opponent.


    Unlike those mages who had quickly ascended through vast amounts of mana stones, Eloise''s magic pattern was remarkably complete and intricate.


    Such a well-developed magic pattern could only be achieved through long-term accumulation and inherent talent.


    Eloise''s foundation and talent were both impressive.


    In a direct confrontation, Nina would struggle to gain the upper hand.


    However, Nina had spatial magic, which she had learned in that whimsical little world.


    Her only chance was to leverage this ability to create an information gap to defeat her opponent.


    What unfolded next, however, was far beyond Daniel''s expectations.


    Faced with an unknown adversary, Emily opted for the most prudent approach: she used control magic to restrain the enemy before launching her attacks.


    This method ensured her strikes would hit their target, and even if the opponent broke free, she could still pursue further attacks.


    Eloise, on the other hand, approached the situation with a traditional mage''s mindset¡ªlayered strategies and calculations.


    Nina, however, immediately played her trump card.


    She used her spatial magic to escape Eloise''s control and positioned herself behind her opponent.


    Yet, instead of attacking, she exhibited no hostility whatsoever.


    Even under Daniel''s watchful eye, Nina appeared entirely non-confrontational.


    Not only was she unthreatening to Eloise, but she also showed no obvious animosity towards the members of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone.


    It seemed she was merely interested in playing, and if someone happened to get hurt in the process, so be it.


    Nina''s decision to refrain from attacking allowed Eloise to quickly deduce that Nina possessed some kind of teleportation ability.


    Daniel had initially thought Nina would simply escape from the situation, but he underestimated the nature of both girls.


    Eloise''s cautious, traditional mage approach led her to assume Nina would strike from some hidden corner.


    Thus, she expended a considerable amount of mana to set up numerous dense wind blades around her, an expenditure that Daniel would consider excessive.


    As for Nina?


    She had already sought help from others.


    When Daniel saw that Nina had found Rose, he was curious about how the Rose he had trained would choose to handle such an opponent.


    Now, Rose was a different person compared to just a month ago.


    Daniel was eager to see what kind of abilities she would display!

 Chapter 49: Chapter49-She Did It!

    The numerous wind blades surrounding Eloise made Daniel worry for Rose.Despite her intense training, Rose''s strength had become incomparable to before.


    However, she was still his daughter, and Daniel forced himself to suppress the impulse to intervene directly.


    He wanted to see how Rose would handle the situation.


    Rose had been in the chosen place for a whole month, and she had already grasped a part of the destructive essence of lightning.


    Daniel needed to understand the extent of her mastery.


    This enemy would serve as a test for Rose.


    Daniel''s mind power was always ready to rescue her in case she faced any danger.


    After all, this was just a secret realm.


    While Rose needed to grow, Daniel was there to support her.


    He then observed the calm on Rose''s face as she prepared herself.


    Mana surged rapidly within her.


    The insights she gained from the thunder pool began to manifest.


    As golden arcs of electricity emerged around her, Daniel''s previously tense heart gradually relaxed.


    Those golden arcs represented Rose''s understanding, imperceptible to others but sensed by Daniel, who recognized the destructive aura contained within.


    When Rose could grasp and incorporate these insights into her practice, there could only be one outcome: the girl named Eloise was no match for her.


    Rose had already surpassed her. In the realm of magic, Eloise simply couldn''t compete.


    The dense wind blades shot towards Rose, even creating a temporary vacuum in the air.


    But Rose didn''t dodge; she charged straight into the wind blades.


    Daniel had no concerns at all because the outcome was already obvious.


    Those thunderbolts were far from ordinary.


    The destruction they contained spoke for itself!


    The wind blades inflicted no harm on Rose, seemingly vanishing into thin air.


    Both Nina, who was watching from the sidelines, and Eloise, who had cast the magic, were stunned.


    Rose maintained her composure, for she knew this was destined to happen.


    Now, it was time to eliminate her opponent.


    As her massive sword struck for the first time, Eloise skillfully dodged with magic.


    Rose showed no disappointment or impatience; instead, she used her battle intelligence to quickly adjust her force.


    She altered the trajectory of her sword, using a technique similar to pole vaulting, leveraging the tip of the sword against the ground.


    This allowed Rose to leap into the air for a second strike.


    Perhaps even Eloise herself didn''t expect Rose to follow up so quickly¡ªso fast that she couldn''t even run away or cast any magic.


    During the second strike, Rose seemed to enter a meditative state, a moment every mage dreams of¡ªmeditating in the midst of battle.


    Rose recalled her countless attempts and practices at the edge of the thunder pool.


    In that moment, a bolt of lightning crashed from above, striking beside her.


    Accompanied by the golden lightning, Rose brought her sword down.


    At that moment, Eloise was utterly incapable of resistance.


    Daniel watched closely. Rose''s sword strike appeared slow, as she was not very close to Eloise before swinging it.


    Even if it fell from the sky, it would take time.


    Any ordinary mage skilled in wind magic could react in time, casting a levitation spell and following with an acceleration spell to escape easily.


    Being a genius, Eloise could certainly do something similar.


    But at that moment, she couldn''t.


    Her mana felt entirely locked down, rendering her unable to move.


    Even her body was immobilized.


    Before Rose''s sword fell, the lightning had completely locked onto Eloise. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was lightning infused with a destructive essence.


    Eloise could offer no resistance.


    In truth, even before Rose''s sword struck, Eloise was already defeated.


    Rose''s sword was merely the final blow, shattering Eloise''s form.


    After the sword fell, Eloise vanished¡ªcompletely, utterly erased from this world.


    Not even a trace remained.


    Rose showed no sign of emotion, as if she had just done something trivial.


    She sheathed her giant sword and walked step by step toward Nina''s direction.


    Rose had succeeded¡ªmore than Daniel had imagined.


    It was as if he had enrolled Rose in an interest training program, expecting her to simply acquire a hobby, but instead, she returned with a grand prize.


    At that moment, Daniel felt a mix of emotions: astonishment at Rose''s talent and concern for her well-being.


    After all, she wielded a force of destruction.


    Even after eliminating Eloise, that power still lingered in the area.


    Within that space, no elements existed.


    Any mage stepping into that area would instinctively feel revulsion.


    Of course, this phenomenon wouldn''t last long; it would soon dissipate.


    There was no need to worry excessively.


    After Rose rested, Daniel used his mind power to check her condition.


    Thankfully, there were no hidden dangers.


    It seemed that Rose had fully mastered and integrated this power into her ultimate move.


    Once he confirmed this, Daniel finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    With the last tier-silver peak combatant from House Windwhisper eliminated by Rose, what remained were just minor threats.


    They would pose no significant risk.


    Daniel even used his mind power to subtly guide the remaining members of both families.


    It was likely they would soon "accidentally encounter" the students from Crossbridge Academy, and the outcome was predictable.


    In short, Daniel no longer needed to worry about the secret realm''s events.


    The final result would ultimately reflect who among the academy''s members would emerge victorious.


    There was no way the two families would come out on top.


    Oh, the two families would likely be nearly extinct soon. That was no concern.


    During the three days the secret realm was open, the three major forces would rest at temporary accommodations outside, showcasing their emphasis on the younger generation entering the secret realm.


    Daniel returned to the temporary residence, first shedding the cumbersome and ornate clothing.


    Once he changed into his everyday attire, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.


    He reflected that such public appearances were not suited for him.


    Tomorrow, he would let Rowan attend in his stead and evaluate the situation on the final day.


    Just as he thought of this, Daniel saw Rowan walk in.


    "Headmaster, I''ve discovered something!" Rowan''s expression was serious, a cloud of concern hanging over him.


    "It might be extremely unfavorable for Crossbridge Academy," he added.


    Hearing Rowan''s words, Daniel became serious as well and asked, "What did you find?"


    "House Lunastone and House Windwhisper seem to be acting suspiciously! According to my sources, they''ve been secretly selling off their family assets over the past few months."


    Rowan whispered, "For such families, their assets are everything, and it''s generally impossible to move them unless¡­"


    "Unless the family is at a critical juncture!" Daniel interrupted.


    For the two families, which had long been among the three major forces in Riverside City, what could constitute a critical moment?


    After much contemplation, Rowan realized there was only one possibility: the moment when the three forces of Riverside City would be reduced to two!

 Chapter 50: Chapter50-End of the Secret Realm!

    This was the only possible reasonable explanation that Rowan could think of after contemplating countless possibilities.Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain why these two prominent families acted so strangely.


    For these families, stability was everything!


    As long as they could continue to develop steadily, it would be the best outcome for them, as they already had a solid foundation.


    They had the capacity to handle a certain level of risk, so there was no need to make unexpected moves.


    It was like a strong adult who, after catching a cold, might endure it for a few days or take some medicine and then be fine.


    They wouldn''t consider something drastic like surgery, because an adult with a strong constitution wouldn''t worry about such minor ailments.


    In contrast, for someone weak, even a seemingly insignificant illness could be life-threatening, which is why they pay close attention to any slight changes.


    The situation before them was similar.


    The two families had no need to take such extreme actions. Logically, there was no reason to do so.


    But these two families had done just that!


    Internal troubles!


    External threats!


    These were the two possibilities that Rowan could think of.


    However, in the short term, there were no external threats to Riverside City.


    So it could only be internal troubles!


    For the two families, Crossbridge Academy had always been a thorn in their side.


    Especially under Daniel''s recent drastic reforms, this thorn had become even more pronounced.


    If they regarded Crossbridge Academy as their hypothetical enemy, then the actions of the two families made sense.


    They aimed to eradicate Crossbridge Academy completely this time.


    In this case, the ongoing sale of family assets¡ªalmost like self-inflicted injuries without regard for the future¡ªwas the only possibility!


    Having realized this, Rowan hurriedly found Daniel, who was resting, to explain his findings and suspicions.


    However, to Rowan''s surprise, Daniel seemed to take the matter lightly, as if it were just an ordinary event.


    Rowan grew anxious. "Headmaster, we must take this seriously! This time in the secret realm, those two families entered first, and our students are the last to enter. If they team up¡­"


    What if they launched a surprise attack on the students from Crossbridge Academy in the secret realm?


    How would they respond?


    Inside the secret realm, those students wouldn''t even be able to call for help!


    Their only chance of survival was to hide and avoid being discovered by the Windwhisper and Lunastone families until the secret realm ended and they could escape.


    Only then would Crossbridge Academy be able to protect them.


    After all, casualties were normal in the secret realm.


    No one could prove what actually happened.


    If both families were to agree on a narrative that the students were killed by the spell beasts of the secret realm, Crossbridge Academy would have no evidence.


    Moreover, there would be no means of resistance.


    Would they just not participate in the next secret realm?


    That would align perfectly with the intentions of the two families.


    Rowan felt like a cat on a hot tin roof, not knowing what to do.


    Meanwhile, Daniel seemed completely unconcerned.


    "Rowan, don''t worry. Everything will be clear after the secret realm ends."


    "Ends¡­ Headmaster, our students may be facing a joint attack from the two families. I can''t help but be anxious!"


    It wasn''t a matter of possibly facing such an attack; it was already happening.


    Right now, the remnants of the two families were being besieged by the students of Crossbridge Academy.


    Rowan hoped they would find peace soon, so they wouldn''t have to continue living in panic and fear.


    Daniel thought to himself.


    However, he couldn''t directly tell Rowan this. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All he could say was, "Trust our students; they have enough ability to handle everything. The secret realm will end soon. By the way, you''ll represent me tomorrow. I''ll come out on the last day."


    "I? Headmaster, I still feel that¡­"


    Rowan wanted to say more, but Daniel waved his hand, signaling for him to leave.


    The next day, Rowan stood in for Daniel, representing Crossbridge Academy.


    The heads of the other two families were present in person.


    They glanced at Rowan, seemingly puzzled about why Daniel wasn''t there.


    Did he not want to appear because he was worried about Crossbridge Academy performing poorly in the secret realm?


    At that moment, Rowan noticed the heads of the two families looking at him with ironed expressions, not giving the two old men any courtesy.


    Rowan''s demeanor was evident in their eyes.


    The heads of the two families were not very young anymore.


    They had experienced many things and could roughly guess what was happening.


    They were familiar with Rowan, who wore his emotions on his sleeve, and he showed no signs of hiding his feelings.


    Such an attitude indicated that Rowan might have figured out the intentions of the two families.


    Although their actions were conducted in secrecy, with patience, one could always find traces of their plans.


    "Where''s that little brat Daniel?" the head of House Windwhisper asked, looking at Rowan.


    "Our headmaster doesn''t want to be in the same place as you," Rowan replied coldly, then turned his head away, unwilling to engage with the two old men.


    The two heads exchanged glances, and through this round of probing, they had gleaned some insights.


    Rowan likely suspected that the two families would target the students of Crossbridge Academy during the secret realm.


    They thought that Daniel was probably sulking in his room right now, which was why he sent Rowan out today.


    Thinking about how the young generations of the two families would emerge victorious in the secret realm while Crossbridge Academy would face total annihilation, both of these older gentlemen exchanged glances that conveyed their delight.


    Standing in the area of Crossbridge Academy, Rowan anxiously gazed towards the secret realm, constantly praying for the safety of the students who had entered.


    Inside the secret realm, time was drawing to a close.


    Basically, it could be said that only the students from Crossbridge Academy remained.


    Their task was simple: to explore and gather resources.


    As for who would ultimately win, there was no need for concern¡ªit would be someone from Crossbridge Academy. It didn''t matter who got it.


    Everyone was leisurely exploring until the final day.


    Suddenly, four towering beams of light appeared simultaneously from four different directions.


    Everyone in the secret realm could see these four beams of light.


    This was a notification from the secret realm, indicating that the exit had opened.


    Those wishing to leave early could head to the locations of these four pillars of light, where a magic array awaited their departure.


    If they didn''t want to leave, they could wait until the last moment when the secret realm would expel all who had entered and announce the final recipients of the rewards.


    Today, Daniel donned his cumbersome robe again, waiting outside the secret realm.


    Meanwhile, his mind power was unleashed within the secret realm.


    According to his estimation, the items obtained in the secret realm probably carried some form of weighting.


    If translated into points, certain items might score significantly higher, making them much more valuable than several lower-scoring items combined.


    Daniel used his knowledge to make a rough judgment on the items acquired by the students in this secret realm.


    After comparing, he discovered something: perhaps the final recipient of the rewards from this secret realm would very likely be Rose.


    He wondered what wish the secret realm would fulfill for her.


    Outside the secret realm, the heads of the two families eagerly anticipated the end of the event.


    With their collaboration to defeat Crossbridge Academy, the next step would be internal competition between the two families.


    Who could secure first place would gain a degree of influence over Riverside City''s future, including¡­ swallowing most of Crossbridge Academy''s legacy!

 Chapter 51: Chapter51-Where Are Our Family Members?

    Upon seeing the towering light pillars appear in the secret realm, everyone inside understood what it meant: the secret realm was about to end.If they spotted any rare materials, they needed to harvest them quickly; time was running out.


    None of the students from Crossbridge Academy wanted to leave early.


    They were all making their final efforts to gather as many materials as possible, as the next opportunity to enter might not come to them.


    Outside the secret realm, the crowd watching was even larger than when they had entered.


    Previously, the crowd had only gathered to watch which individuals from each faction entered the secret realm, which was somewhat uninteresting.


    Today, however, was the real spectacle¡ªdeciding which faction would hold sway in Riverside City and influence its true interests.


    Even if they didn''t witness the event firsthand, they could receive updates about the happenings inside the secret realm.


    After all, others were there to see it, so they could boast about it later over drinks, recounting how they saw someone from a certain family receive special rewards from the secret realm.


    Most people were eagerly awaiting the results, with crowds packed around, except for the areas designated for the three major families.


    The watchers included not only locals from Riverside City but also outsiders curious about the grand event.


    The heads of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone were particularly anxious, like giraffes straining to see.


    They hoped their family members would return from the secret realm soon to report on what had happened inside.


    Each family had designated people responsible for leaving the secret realm first to relay the general situation back home.


    Naturally, the talented members of their families would not leave early; they intended to stay until the very last moment to secure the special rewards.


    However, there seemed to be a problem.


    The secret realm could have been exited, so why hadn''t any of their family members left?


    Could it be that they all encountered some extremely precious materials to harvest?


    Both heads independently entertained this thought since it was the only plausible explanation.


    After all, it was unlikely that both were eliminated by a spell beast inside the secret realm.


    As messengers, they would be acutely aware of their responsibilities and would prioritize their safety.


    Even if it meant receiving fewer rewards, they would still have to leave at the first opportunity to report back to their families and confirm who received the special rewards.


    Moreover, this time, there was an even more critical task: to inform them of the extent of Crossbridge Academy''s losses.


    But right now, they had not seen a single person from their families assigned to this task. What on earth had happened inside the secret realm?


    For now, they could only wait until everyone emerged to inquire what had transpired.


    Even if there had been an accident, it couldn''t be that every member of their two families encountered trouble.


    Such a scenario would be less believable than the possibility of all their members being killed by a powerful spell beast in the secret realm.


    As the two heads waited anxiously, Daniel seemed completely unconcerned. He sat there quietly, revealing no signs of agitation.


    In contrast, Rowan behind him wore a worried frown, looking quite anxious.


    As time passed, people began to leave the secret realm one by one. The first to exit was a student from Crossbridge Academy.


    Upon leaving, the student immediately rushed over to Daniel. Rowan hurried forward, concerned, asking if the student had encountered any dangers and quickly checking for injuries.


    This flustered the student, who stepped back a bit.


    Only when he confirmed that the student was unharmed did Rowan let out a sigh of relief and promptly ask about the happenings inside the secret realm.


    "I didn''t encounter any dangers, and I couldn''t find any rare materials, so I left early," the student replied. "I think Rose will be the one to receive the special reward since she''s quite formidable."


    Upon hearing this, Rowan''s expression became strange as he glanced at the heads of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone.


    Did this mean his earlier assumptions were wrong? Were the two families not planning to attack Crossbridge Academy?


    What could they possibly be up to? Were they planning to relocate?


    Rowan couldn''t make sense of it all.


    The two heads, being mages, naturally heard what the Crossbridge Academy student had said.


    Their confusion grew as they wondered why the young members of their families hadn''t attacked those from Crossbridge Academy.


    The secret realm couldn''t be that vast.


    While the area inside was considerable, it certainly wasn''t enormous.


    Even if this Crossbridge Academy student was lucky and didn''t run into members from the two families, it was hard to believe he hadn''t encountered any at all. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could it be that their family members were trapped somewhere, having never crossed paths with anyone from Crossbridge Academy throughout their time in the secret realm?


    A slew of hypotheses flooded the heads of both leaders.


    They had invested substantial resources in this endeavor to completely obliterate Crossbridge Academy.


    Was it possible that this first secret realm would end in failure?


    Both heads continued to wait anxiously.


    Daniel advised the student to take some time to rest.


    After spending three days in the secret realm, the accommodations were far inferior to those at Crossbridge Academy.


    Just being able to leave the secret realm safely was a good outcome; after all, some people didn''t have the luxury of such a choice.


    Daniel glanced at the two anxious leaders, revealing a faint smile, then turned his attention back to the secret realm.


    He had always been curious about the rewards of the secret realm and wondered if they truly fulfilled the legendary promise of granting a wish.


    As time ticked on, more and more students from Crossbridge Academy exited the secret realm.


    With each student that emerged, Rowan rushed forward to inquire about their experiences.


    The questions he posed were nearly identical to those he asked the first student. Each student reported no dangers inside, allowing Rowan to finally relax.


    It was good that they hadn''t faced any danger.


    As for the students'' guesses on who would receive the special rewards, the answers varied widely.


    However, most speculation pointed to Rose, Reed, or Green.


    Interestingly, the students from Crossbridge Academy seemed to neglect mentioning the members of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone, as if those two families had never entered the secret realm at all.


    This peculiar situation left the two heads even more puzzled. How could this be?


    But as they watched one after another of the Crossbridge Academy students exit the secret realm, it became clear: over a dozen had safely returned.


    Each faction could only send two or three people into the secret realm.


    So, it appeared that most of Crossbridge Academy''s students had already left safely, and some had even received Daniel''s approval to return to the academy for rest.


    But what about the young members of the two families? Where were they?

 Chapter 52: Chapter52-Special Reward!

    Both families sent in a total of forty people!How could it be that even the people from Crossbridge Academy are nearly out, while neither of the two families has a single person emerging?


    This is simply impossible!


    Even if there were something extremely important that prevented them from leaving early, right now¡­


    The secret realm is about to close!


    In this situation, how can not a single person have come out?


    But the reality is just that.


    When Reed, Green, and Nina appeared together, it already indicated one thing:


    The secret realm had closed.


    At this point, those still inside the secret realm would be expelled one by one, except for the one who ultimately received the reward¡ªRose.


    As for Nora, she had left early, not planning to stay until the last moment.


    Instead, Nina was the one who got caught up in the fun and was expelled from the secret realm at the last minute.


    At this time, Daniel focused his attention on Rose.


    He was curious about what kind of wish would be fulfilled for her.


    Through his mind power, he observed that Rose was currently in a dark space.


    It seemed that Rose herself didn''t know what was going to happen, standing there waiting for the final special reward.


    Just then, the surrounding darkness was swept away.


    In the sunlight, Rose appeared in another place¡ªCrossbridge Academy!


    More precisely, it was the former Crossbridge Academy.


    At that time, Daniel had not yet intervened.


    Crossbridge Academy still looked like the old place it once was.


    Rose''s gaze locked onto a tree.


    Under the tree was a familiar figure¡ªprevious Rose.


    She even recalled what she was doing at that moment. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was when the news of Daniel''s father''s death had just returned to the academy.


    Rose could not accept her grandfather''s death and sat alone under the tree, crying.


    To the past Rose, her grandfather was a very good person¡ªthe best grandfather in the world.


    But such a grandfather was about to leave her forever.


    She didn''t understand why; she only knew that she would never see her grandfather again.


    Just thinking about it made her unable to hold back her tears.


    Now, seeing this scene again, Rose felt extremely complex emotions.


    Perhaps back then, she never thought that things would turn out like this now.


    At this moment, a teacher passed by and saw Rose crying alone.


    He approached her with concern and asked, "Isn''t this Rose? Why are you crying here?"


    Rose said through her tears, "I¡­ I can never see Grandpa again; I don''t know why he left me forever¡­"


    At that instant, the scene abruptly halted.


    It seemed to freeze in time, remaining here indefinitely.


    Seeing this, Daniel understood that the special reward the secret realm gave Rose was this!


    Rose''s grandfather¡ªthe cause of Daniel''s father''s death.


    This was also why, at the end of the scene, Rose spoke the words about not knowing why her grandfather left.


    Thus, the secret realm would directly provide the reason.


    Next, the scene shifted.


    A familiar face appeared¡ªDaniel''s father.


    Due to his injuries and the impending opening of the Mistriver Realm, he decided to go to Mistwood to search for magical items that could aid in his advancement.


    The scene then shifted again to the old man discussing matters with several mercenaries.


    And just like that, the scene abruptly stopped.


    There were no images of him heading to Mistwood or how he was killed by a serpent spell beast.


    In short, it felt as if something unexpected had happened here.


    Immediately, Rose was transported out of the secret realm.


    To be honest, she felt somewhat confused by what she had just witnessed.


    Now, Rose actually knew the cause of her grandfather''s death¡ªhe was killed by a water attribute giant snake while searching for magical items in Mistwood.


    This was what those mercenaries who had barely escaped from Mistwood reported.


    She heard that her father wanted to investigate the matter some time ago, but eventually set it aside due to the impending Mistriver Realm and other reasons.


    Rose didn''t expect that the special reward of this Mistriver Realm would be this.


    However, when she actually saw those images, everything seemed normal at first.


    But when the scene shifted to her grandfather discussing with the mercenaries, something felt off.


    And the scene simply froze there without any follow-up.


    This was different from before.


    When the secret realm showed her the wish she made, after she expressed her ignorance about her grandfather''s death, that was a clear ending.


    But when showing the cause of her grandfather''s death, the pause felt very unnatural!


    It didn''t feel like a natural conclusion, but more like an interruption!


    Then Rose was transported out, leaving the secret realm.


    Even now, she was left in a fog.


    This reward was too inexplicable!


    Daniel stood up from his seat.


    His mind power was focused on Rose''s situation, and he saw what she saw.


    But when he witnessed the cause of his father''s death, he discovered something¡ªthose images were disjointed!


    It was as if they had been edited.


    Some content was omitted.


    And by the end, it was almost as if they couldn''t even be bothered to delete anything; they simply didn''t allow it to be viewed and sent Rose out of the secret realm.


    Daniel realized that perhaps the death of his father wasn''t as simple as it seemed!


    Otherwise, the secret realm''s reward shouldn''t have been like this.


    At the very least¡­


    There should have been a complete death scene, right?


    Yet now, such a suspicious situation arose.


    Since the secret realm could display the scene of Rose crying, it shouldn''t have been unable to show the death of Daniel''s father.


    This indirectly indicated one thing: his father''s death indeed had some hidden truths.


    At least, it wasn''t simply being killed by some serpent spell beast.


    Mistwood¡­


    Daniel took note of this place.


    When Rose finally emerged with her special reward, the heads of the two families completely fell into madness.


    That was twenty people!


    And they were the twenty most talented individuals in their families!


    Until the end of the secret realm, none of them had appeared.


    So there could only be one possibility!


    That is, all of them died in the secret realm!


    Only this could explain the current situation.


    Crossbridge Academy had lost no one.


    Twenty people went in, and twenty came out.


    Moreover, they had all received special rewards from the secret realm.


    Naturally, this meant that the resource distribution for Riverside City and Crossbridge Academy''s voice in decisions would be clear.


    Those who had arrived nearby early were now crowding around, gasping in shock!


    No one expected that this time, the result would be like this!


    Crossbridge Academy would be the biggest winner!


    Moreover, not only that, but all twenty individuals from Crossbridge Academy who entered the secret realm had come out completely unscathed.


    Compared to the other two families, this was a stark contrast.


    When Rose finally appeared, it also meant that the secret realm had completely closed.


    There was no longer any hope.


    Everyone understood what this meant!


    The fate of Riverside City was about to change!


    No one had anticipated that this time, the ultimate victor¡ªthe biggest winner¡ªwould be Crossbridge Academy.


    In everyone''s mind, Crossbridge Academy had always been the underdog.


    But this time, they weren''t just first; they were first without a second.


    Who could have imagined it?


    The crowd''s emotions were instantly ignited.


    Some even began to chant Crossbridge Academy''s name.


    Or Rose''s name.


    In contrast to Crossbridge Academy''s triumphant return, the other two families were left stunned.


    The two families, who had previously competed for first and second place in the secret realm, now stood frozen in disbelief.


    Not a single person had emerged alive from the secret realm!

 Chapter 54: Chapter54-Is This All You’ve Got?

    This time, Rose was not holding back at all.Now, standing behind her was her father.


    Right after Rose entered the secret realm, she had encountered that guy named Prins from House Windwhisper.


    That man had intended to kill her, attacking her with lethal intent.


    Moreover, from Prins''s words, Rose learned of the two families'' plan.


    From the start, they had intended to join forces to kill all the Crossbridge Academy members in the secret realm.


    But now¡­


    Now they were using such righteous-sounding words to accuse Crossbridge Academy of breaking the original rules and attacking them first, leading to the deaths of everyone from their two families in the secret realm.


    How could such shameless people exist in this world?


    So, Rose could not hold back any longer and directly shouted: sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Shameless bastards! It was you who wanted to eliminate us from Crossbridge Academy, and now you''re falsely accusing us?"


    Hearing Rose''s words, the two heads of the families were convinced.


    It was indeed the students of Crossbridge Academy who had killed their family members.


    Every last one of them had been killed in the secret realm.


    "It seems I underestimated Crossbridge Academy," the head of House Windwhisper said in a low voice.


    "At first, I thought a handful of tier-silver peak mages, along with other early tier-silver or near tier-silver mages, would be enough to wipe out Crossbridge Academy¡­"


    "But I never expected them to die at your hands!"


    By this point, the crowd had been driven away, so the head of House Windwhisper no longer pretended and spoke openly.


    "Those were tier-silver peak mages! Raised with immense resources to reach tier-silver peak, only to be killed so easily in the secret realm¡­"


    "Crossbridge Academy¡­ I want your entire academy to be buried with them!"


    "Attack!"


    The head of House Windwhisper shouted this command.


    Everyone at Crossbridge Academy heard it loud and clear, including Rowan, who had been worried all along.


    Now, after hearing the conspiracy of the two families firsthand, he finally felt... no, he became even more vigilant.


    He knew it¡ªthese two families were definitely up to something!


    It turned out his earlier suspicions were correct.


    However, because the students who entered were too outstanding this time, the two families'' scheme not only failed but backfired horribly.


    Not only were the students unharmed, but they also killed all the members of the two families.


    It was remarkable.


    But now, they had to face the retaliation of the two families!


    The current situation already made that clear.


    Those mages¡ª


    The mages standing behind the two heads¡ª


    It was as if the two families had mobilized all their mages.


    Perhaps only a few remained at home.


    Most of the mages had gathered here.


    And when the head of House Windwhisper uttered the word "attack," Rowan looked around warily.


    Could it be that¡­


    There was an ambush he hadn''t noticed?


    Due to his concern over the two families'' plans, Rowan had taken the time to carefully inspect the area around the academy.


    He hadn''t found any dangers.


    Or was there something set up by the two families that he hadn''t detected?


    "Blake, take action!"


    The head of House Lunastone commanded as well.


    At that moment, a man stepped forward:


    "Don''t worry. Everything is under my control."


    Everyone''s eyes turned to the man named Blake.


    They saw a blue pattern appear at his feet.


    "Is that¡­ a magic array?"


    The pattern extended outward until¡­


    Wait!


    At that moment, Rowan noticed something.


    When did that get there?


    And those people¡ª


    How did they appear right under his nose?


    One by one, mages appeared in key positions, connecting their mana to the magic pattern on the ground and extending it further.


    Eventually¡­


    The places where those mages stood formed nodes that created a massive magic array, enclosing everyone from Crossbridge Academy within it.


    When did this even begin?


    Rowan felt puzzled.


    Then he suddenly remembered something.


    It was when the head of House Windwhisper had ordered his mages to disperse the non-major faction members.


    Could it be¡­


    Was that when they began their ploy?


    Or was this all something House Windwhisper and House Lunastone had planned from the start?


    No matter the outcome of the secret realm showdown, it wouldn''t have changed their plan.


    The fact that their entire group had died in the secret realm only gave them an opportunity to act and avoid suspicion.


    As for that man named Blake¡­


    There was no doubt that he was a master of magic arrays!


    As soon as the magic array was successfully set up, everyone from Crossbridge Academy who was caught within it felt an overwhelming sense of weakness come over them.


    Some, who were less powerful, even collapsed to the ground.


    "Hahaha! Yes, that''s it! Weak, powerless! Soon, you will gradually lose your strength until¡­ you die!"


    Blake was a mage who specialized in magic arrays, particularly negative ones like this.


    Seeing members of Crossbridge Academy beginning to collapse, helpless like lambs to the slaughter, Blake burst into laughter.


    "Prepare to attack," he said.


    Outside the magic array, the mages from the two families began preparing their spells.


    To them, killing these members of Crossbridge Academy was no more difficult than stepping on an ant on the road.


    Against people who couldn''t fight back, any casual spell would be enough to kill them.


    "Do you see this, Daniel? This is why you will never be on the same level as established families like ours! You lack ruthlessness! Your father was like this, and now, so are you!"


    "We couldn''t kill him, but now, do you want to follow in your father''s footsteps? Any obstacle to our families must die!"


    "With just you¡­ what right do you have to negotiate with us over Riverside City''s resources? You are not even worthy!"


    At this moment, the people from the two families were full of arrogance.


    The head of House Lunastone even began to mock Daniel directly.


    But he did not see any trace of panic on Daniel''s face.


    Even though Daniel was standing in the magic array, where his strength and mana should have been suppressed.


    But why¡­


    Why was there no expression on his face?


    The next moment, Daniel spoke:


    "Is this all you''ve got?"


    It seemed as if Daniel was addressing Blake, the one who had set up the magic array.


    But in reality, Daniel''s words were aimed at the two family heads!


    "I thought that after spending so many resources, even selling off significant family assets, you would have prepared something to surprise me. But now, I''m disappointed in you."


    Did they really spend half their wealth just to hire this one mage?


    And for a magic array like this?


    It was¡­


    Too weak!


    As soon as Daniel finished speaking, a massive surge of mind power swept across the area!


    The links at each node of the magic array required not only the mana of the mages stationed there but also mind power.


    And Daniel''s immense mind power acted like an eraser, wiping out the entire magic array!


    In an instant, the sense of weakness that plagued the members of Crossbridge Academy disappeared.


    The mages stationed at the nodes of the array collapsed to the ground, blood streaming from their ears and nostrils.


    From the moment Daniel spoke to the instant the magic array was broken, it all happened in a blink.


    No one could have predicted that something like this¡­ would just happen like that!


    The head of House Lunastone stood there, dumbfounded.


    He never expected that after spending a fortune to hire a magic array master, setting up arrangements in the area days ago, and in such a perfect scenario with all the advantages¡ªjust when it looked like Crossbridge Academy would be annihilated¡­


    Everything¡­ had crumbled in an instant?

 Chapter 55: Chapter55-How Was It Broken?

    At this moment, the head of House Windwhisper felt a wave of dizziness, as though his vision darkened.He could not believe that, after investing so much time and preparation to set up this magic array, it could be¡­ gone in an instant.


    Wasn''t this just impossible?


    Was this all just a trick?


    The head of House Windwhisper looked towards Blake, the array master he had hired at great expense.


    Blake''s expertise in magic arrays was renowned.


    Surely, he had taken every precaution to ensure its success, hadn''t he?


    But at that moment, Blake himself frowned.


    He hadn''t been able to see exactly how his magic array had been breached.


    The magic array was maintained by multiple mages, each acting as a node in its structure.


    Blake''s design for this magic array aimed to weaken anyone trapped inside, depleting their strength, mana, and stamina until they were defenseless and completely at their mercy.


    This was a method he had researched extensively to deal with a larger number of enemies ¡ª one he considered foolproof.


    Since the secret realm''s boundaries were predetermined by the three great houses, he had only needed to set up the array materials beforehand, awaiting the arrival of prey.


    It was like a seasoned hunter laying a trap and simply waiting for his quarry to stumble in.


    The mages standing at critical nodes of the array served to ensure the smooth activation of the magic array.


    Blake held control of the array and, at his command, the mana surged through pre-established nodes, connecting the array''s patterns and forming the barrier.


    In theory, at this stage, no one should have been able to break through his magic array!


    To disrupt a magic array, there are generally only two methods: one is to understand its design and destroy the nodes to make it inoperative, and the other is brute force ¡ª using a widespread, indiscriminate magical attack to overwhelm it entirely.


    But Blake had anticipated the second method.


    He had buried the array''s magical items deep underground at varying depths to prevent any single strike from dismantling it.


    Moreover, he had set up a backup system: the mages.


    Once the array was activated, these mages could theoretically leave, as the array was sustained by the magical materials at its nodes, operating on a self-sustaining cycle after the initial mana infusion.


    To be extra cautious, Blake had instructed the mages to channel their mana as part of the array, turning them into additional nodes themselves.


    If the magical materials were destroyed, the mages'' mana would still keep the array running.


    Blake had put his heart and soul into this magic array.


    Unless someone was more familiar with his array than he was ¡ª an impossible notion, Blake thought ¡ª no one could break it in such a short time.


    Even if they tried to analyze it on the spot¡­ no mage, no matter how talented, could decipher the layout and locate the nodes so quickly.


    And even if they did, by then the array''s effects would have rendered them powerless.


    Blake was confident that only death awaited anyone trapped within.


    But to his utter shock, the magic array had indeed worked perfectly.


    Even the mages who had positioned themselves at key points were unaware of anything amiss.


    The head of House Windwhisper had deftly hidden the array''s true purpose from them.


    Once the mages were in place, House Windwhisper''s head activated the array himself, and everything proceeded as planned, flawlessly.


    The scene before him was perfect.


    The people trapped inside had already lost their only chance of escape.


    Within the array, their strength would soon drain away entirely.


    In fact, House Lunastone and House Windwhisper''s mages were now poised to start casting spells to finish them off.


    To Blake, those within the array were already dead.


    Regarding any powerful opponents inside, according to the intelligence provided by House Windwhisper and Blake''s own sources, the highest level of strength in Crossbridge Academy was held by a few platinum-tier supervisors ¡ª not even worth a second glance, in Blake''s mind.


    As for the academy''s headmaster, he was merely a child who inherited the academy after his father''s passing.


    What strength could he possibly have?


    Besides, Blake had heard of Daniel''s poor reputation in Riverside City, making him look down on Crossbridge Academy even more.


    With the array now fully activated, House Windwhisper and House Lunastone''s plan was ninety percent complete.


    The remaining task¡­ was to handle the academy''s teachers and students.


    After eliminating the academy''s gifted ones and its administrators, the rest would be easy prey.


    Even the mages of the two houses would be more than enough to suppress Crossbridge Academy''s remaining forces without Blake lifting a finger.


    Blake''s role was essentially done.


    Now, he simply waited for his payment.


    The people in the array were beginning to falter, and some had already fallen.


    The array''s effects intensified for weaker individuals.


    Blake''s gaze shifted to the finely dressed figure standing at the forefront within the array: Daniel, headmaster of Crossbridge Academy.


    It matched the information he''d received perfectly ¡ª just a young man who''d inherited his position by luck.


    Blake had seen his share of such second-generation heirs, all riding on the achievements of their predecessors.


    But¡­ why was he still standing there? And why did he appear unaffected? S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The thought crossed Blake''s mind, especially as he noticed the tier-platinum mage named Rowan behind Daniel, showing visible signs of discomfort.


    Rowan was clearly feeling his power drain away.


    But Daniel? Why did he seem unaffected?


    Blake shook off the thought.


    No one could escape his magic array; even he, as its creator, would need time to break through it.


    This array was designed to withstand even the destruction of a node or two, allowing it to continue functioning with reduced effectiveness.


    Blake was certain no one could meet such stringent conditions!


    But at that moment, Daniel spoke, his words dripping with mockery!


    His words¡­ left no doubt ¡ª this array was weak! House Windwhisper and House Lunastone''s forces were weak!


    Blake and the two heads of the great houses were incensed.


    Blake, furious, adjusted the array''s settings to intensify its effects on Daniel, determined to silence this insolent youth.


    The heads of the two houses commanded their mages to begin their assault. Kill every last one of Crossbridge Academy''s members!


    But just as they moved, the mages maintaining the array were all struck down, falling to the ground as if they had suffered a severe blow.

 Chapter 56: Chapter56-Headmaster, You Must Leave!

    In that instant, the mages responsible for maintaining the mana at the nodes of the magic array fell in unison.The eerie scene left Blake utterly shocked. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As an array master, he understood what his opponent was attempting, but he couldn''t comprehend how they still possessed such strength.


    From Blake''s perspective, Daniel had chosen brute force to break the array, assuming the mages were key to sustaining it.


    His logic was sound: by attacking these mages, he could destroy the array.


    Ordinarily, this approach would have been fine, but this wasn''t just any magic array; it was one Blake had meticulously crafted!


    Those mages were a decoy, bait to mislead anyone attempting to break the array.


    The plan was for them to waste a substantial amount of mana attacking these mages, thinking they could then escape, only to realize that defeating the mages didn''t dispel the array''s effects.


    What despair that would be!


    This was Blake''s double-layered safeguard.


    After this failed attempt, compounded by the weakening effects of the array, the opponents would only grow weaker.


    Did they still have the strength to locate the array''s nodes?


    Blake allowed himself a smirk.


    He had no idea how they managed to strike at the mages, but it was likely due to a rare mind-power magic, as he hadn''t sensed any mana fluctuations.


    So, this Daniel possessed a rare mind-power attack?


    Even better! B


    lake was internally ecstatic, though he maintained his usual composure, not wanting the two heads to notice anything amiss.


    When the time came, once Daniel was weak and helpless, Blake vowed to personally capture him and extract the secrets of this mind-power magic.


    For an array master like him, such magic was invaluable.


    But as he fantasized about obtaining Daniel''s mind-power magic, he suddenly sensed something amiss.


    Could it be¡­ that his magic array was¡­ broken?


    He could no longer feel any connection to the array he had so painstakingly set up.


    How could this be?!


    Blake looked ahead, incredulous.


    Now, the students from Crossbridge Academy, who had been on the verge of collapse, were beginning to stand.


    This could only mean one thing ¡ª the magic array he had spent so much time, energy, and dedication setting up had been broken!


    How long had it been since the mages had fallen?


    Barely a minute?


    Perhaps even less.


    Had his magic array failed to withstand even a minute against this opponent?


    Blake had once believed solely in the power of hard work.


    After years of study and countless failures, he had finally created this magic array.


    Even he would need significant time to dismantle it.


    Yet, for his opponent, it seemed effortless.


    In one moment, the mages channeling their mana had collapsed, and in the next, the magic array was gone.


    How could Blake accept this outcome? Years of effort, for this?


    At that moment, Blake even entertained thoughts of ending it all.


    Since childhood, he''d been captivated by magic and later by magic arrays.


    Their complexity fascinated him, and he had dedicated himself to their study, sacrificing much.


    "Master Blake! Where''s your magic array?"


    Blake snapped out of his stupor upon hearing the voice of the head of House Windwhisper.


    Looking around, he noticed that both the heads of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone were watching him expectantly.


    Meanwhile, the Crossbridge Academy members were now gazing at them with renewed confidence.


    Daniel stood at the front, his calm gaze unshaken, as if nothing could disturb him ¡ª not even the dismantling of Blake''s magic array.


    To him, it seemed, this was just a trivial matter.


    "My¡­ my magic array was broken," Blake admitted, his voice tinged with exhaustion and defeat.


    "It''s broken. No matter. Master Blake, do you have any other plans?" Head of House Windwhisper inquired, looking to Blake for guidance.


    Under his expectant gaze, Blake released a surge of mana.


    Array patterns reappeared beneath his feet, though this time, the magic array enveloped the people of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone rather than Crossbridge Academy.


    This new array began to contract, leaving faint patterns under each person''s feet before vanishing entirely.


    At once, each person affected by the array felt a surge of strength, and the mana within them began flowing more freely.


    "Master Blake, what is this¡­?"


    The two heads immediately sensed the change.


    "This is an enhancement array I developed. It improves mana flow and boosts the potency of magic spells. The previous array may have failed¡­" Blake said, glancing toward Daniel, "but now, we have no choice but to fight head-on. Crossbridge Academy is likely still weakened from the array''s effects, so if we strike quickly, we still have a chance!"


    Blake quickly assessed the situation.


    This Daniel was certainly not the incompetent figure described in the reports provided by the two heads.


    Clearly, he had encountered some kind of fortuitous event, explaining his unexpected power.


    But no matter; the difference in power between the two sides remained stark.


    United, House Windwhisper and House Lunastone were more than a match for Crossbridge Academy''s current forces.


    Once they defeated Daniel, they could finally learn the truth.


    Daniel''s strange mind-power magic and whatever other secrets he held would be theirs.


    Blake would still be recognized as a master of arrays ¡ª so long as Daniel and Crossbridge Academy perished here.


    The head of House Windwhisper made a swift decision: "Kill them!"


    With a surge of mana, he unleashed a massive tornado beneath Crossbridge Academy''s feet, intending to sweep them all skyward.


    The other mages began their assault as well, hurling spells of various sizes toward the members of Crossbridge Academy.


    The sheer volume of magic would overwhelm even a tier-diamond mage.


    Standing at the front, Rowan steeled himself, saying, "Headmaster, you must lead everyone away! I''ll hold them off!"


    After the earlier magic array had drained him, Rowan had less than half of his mana remaining.


    But he knew he had to protect Daniel and the students.


    If they perished here, Crossbridge Academy would be truly finished.


    Crossbridge Academy could lose a head of Academic Affairs, but it couldn''t lose its headmaster and students.


    Rowan was prepared to sacrifice his life to buy them time to escape.


    If they could reach Crossbridge Academy, he doubted these attackers would dare go too far.


    Even the two great houses wouldn''t destroy Crossbridge Academy under everyone''s watch.


    Whatever the future held, Rowan couldn''t think that far ahead.


    All he knew was that Daniel and the students couldn''t fall here.


    Even if it cost him his life, he had to ensure the others got away.

 Chapter 57: Chapter57-Daniel Strikes!

    At this moment, Rowan was ready to sacrifice himself, prepared to face death.But a hand rested on his shoulder.


    It was Daniel''s hand.


    "Headmaster!" Rowan exclaimed.


    "There''s no need for this. Step back," Daniel said, gently moving Rowan aside and stepping forward himself. His expression remained calm, serene.


    At that moment, the members of Crossbridge Academy witnessed something truly miraculous.


    The massive tornado summoned by the head of House Windwhisper, meant to sweep everyone at Crossbridge Academy into the air, never materialized.


    It was as if¡­ it had simply vanished, like a gust of wind that dissipated in an instant.


    And all the variously colored spells, hurtling like rain toward them, froze as they neared Daniel.


    They came to a complete stop, suspended in midair.


    The members of Crossbridge Academy could hardly believe their eyes.


    "These¡­ these spells¡­ why did they all stop?"


    "Yes, there are so many spells ¡ª just looking at them is terrifying."


    "Is this the headmaster''s true power?"


    The students, who had never seen Daniel in action, were awestruck.


    This was the first time they had seen him fight. Hundreds of spells suspended in midair before him¡­ it was almost unbelievable.


    Such a feat ¡ª only a tier-sage could accomplish this, right?


    What level of power did their headmaster actually possess?


    For most of them, it was their first time witnessing Daniel''s abilities, and they were astonished.


    At this moment, Daniel appeared almost godlike, hundreds of spells halted before him, as if some invisible barrier held them in place, allowing nothing to pass.


    Reed, Nina, and a few others who had trained privately with Daniel, simply nodded with calm expressions.


    This was exactly as they expected Daniel to be.


    Even in that massive, sinister magic array earlier, they hadn''t panicked. They knew that, among everyone present, Daniel was the strongest by far.


    If Daniel wasn''t worried, there was no need for them to be.


    Daniel, standing at the front, moved. With a light wave of his right hand, the spells vanished in an instant, as if they''d never existed.


    Was this truly something Daniel had done? When did he gain such immense power?


    To halt so many spells and make them disappear with a single wave¡­ the thought alone was beyond comprehension. Even if all of them joined forces, they could never hope to match this.


    In that moment, the head of House Windwhisper felt his mind grow unclouded with realization.


    This Daniel¡­ was someone they could never hope to defeat!


    In fact, even combined, their two houses couldn''t be considered worthy opponents.


    The head of House Lunastone began to panic. He pulled a scroll from his storage crystal and tore it open, letting his mana be rapidly absorbed by it.


    A terrifying wave of mana began to emanate from the scroll.


    Sensing the dreadful power, the head of House Windwhisper and Blake looked at the head of House Lunastone in shock.


    "Are you insane?! Do you realize what you''re doing?"


    This power ¡ª it had to be a forbidden spell!


    Magic that was forbidden to be recorded, written, or used¡­


    Once unleashed, it would lead to irreversible destruction!


    If this forbidden spell was cast here, it could destroy all of Riverside City!


    Had the head of House Lunastone lost his mind?


    Why would he use such a scroll now?


    At this moment, even the head of House Lunastone realized his error. As he felt the immense mana surge from the scroll, he looked first confused, then regretful.


    "No¡­ this¡­ this was only supposed to be a powerful spell¡­ how could it be a forbidden spell? He¡­ he lied to me!"


    But it was too late. The scroll had absorbed all of his mana, and the forbidden spell was ready to be unleashed.


    As the destructive mana prepared to spread outward, Daniel moved swiftly, appearing beside the scroll.


    He looked at the suspended scroll.


    The activation process had begun. Tearing the scroll and feeding it sufficient mana for a forbidden spell ¡ª now, it was only a matter of time.


    Time, which would allow the spell to annihilate everything around it. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The entire Riverside City would be destroyed.


    Daniel extended his hand and grasped the torn scroll. At that moment, the terrifying mana wave quieted, as if a mouse encountering a cat, completely subdued.


    With a slight exertion of his right hand, Daniel crushed the scroll, destroying it entirely.


    As for the forbidden spell sealed within¡­ it vanished as well.


    To a tier-sage, a forbidden spell¡­ was merely a joke.


    Forbidden spells were untouchable for ordinary mages, forbidden to learn or use due to their devastating power.


    But a tier-sage was beyond the limitations of ordinary mages. For Daniel, handling a forbidden spell ¡ª especially one sealed in a scroll ¡ª was simple.


    A single grasp, and it was destroyed in an instant!


    The head of House Windwhisper watched in disbelief, finally realizing that he and the head of House Lunastone were no match for Crossbridge Academy.


    Or for Daniel.


    Perhaps from the very beginning, Daniel could have defeated both of their houses single-handedly and taken control of Riverside City.


    But he hadn''t done so. Instead, he''d chosen to honor the rules his father had left behind.


    Although, in the end, it seemed the outcome was the same.


    Crossbridge Academy was destined to rule Riverside City.


    And their two houses¡­ had foolishly chosen to break the rules.


    In the end, all of the younger generation from both houses had perished in the secret realm.


    Now, the head of House Windwhisper felt utterly defeated. He could do nothing but despair, as Daniel alone had crushed his will.


    The head of House Windwhisper looked at Daniel and remembered a man who had come to Riverside City many years ago¡­ the one who founded Crossbridge Academy.


    "Our House Windwhisper¡­ is willing to submit to Crossbridge Academy," he said, bowing his head before Daniel.


    "Submit? I don''t need it," Daniel replied coldly. "The moment you decided to turn against Crossbridge Academy, you forfeited any chance to submit."


    The head of House Windwhisper gave a bitter smile.


    If he had known, he wouldn''t have made such a reckless decision.


    This was indeed his own doing; he had broken the rules. He had acted for his family''s future, yet he had led them into ruin.


    Unable to bear the strain, he collapsed to his knees, darkness filling his vision.


    As for the head of House Lunastone, drained by the forbidden spell''s mana consumption, already aged and reeling from anger and fear, he had long since passed out.


    Perhaps this was a mercy, sparing him from the crushing mental burden.


    The mages from the two houses looked upon their heads, one kneeling, the other unconscious. They wanted to help, but seeing Daniel standing there, they hesitated.


    The terrifying display of power replayed in their minds.


    Daniel''s strength had imprinted a deep fear within them.


    If he wished to kill them, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.


    None dared to move.


    They didn''t even dare to think of escaping.


    "The names of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone shall be erased from Riverside City!" Daniel declared. "From now on, Riverside City will have only one force ¡ª Crossbridge Academy!"

 Chapter 58: Chapter58-The Fearsome Daniel!

    Daniel''s voice echoed.More precisely, it reverberated in the ears of the mages from House Windwhisper and House Lunastone.


    The words sounded like a death sentence.


    To erase both houses from existence¡­


    They knew all too well what that meant.


    Was he truly determined to kill them all?


    More despairing was the fact that, even if they wanted to resist, there was nothing they could do.


    Against someone of Daniel''s strength, resistance was impossible. Their lives hung solely on his whim.


    The head of House Windwhisper''s face turned ashen.


    He fully understood the meaning behind Daniel''s words.


    "I¡­ as the head of House Windwhisper, am willing to offer up all of our family''s assets to Crossbridge Academy. I will also lead by example¡­ and take my own life. All I ask¡­ is to leave a single bloodline for House Windwhisper. I will seal their memory and ensure they never return to Riverside City or appear before Crossbridge Academy again," he said, voice heavy with resignation.


    This was the only option he could see ¡ª a choice born from desperation.


    Were there any other way, he would never sacrifice his family so completely.


    "Very well. I accept," Daniel replied.


    The head of House Windwhisper, who had been holding his breath in fear, seemed to relax slightly.


    Then, he saw Daniel lift his finger, pointing toward the unconscious head of House Lunastone.


    With a gentle swipe of his fingertip through the air, a change overcame the head of House Lunastone.


    The mana within him suddenly grew chaotic, threatening to tear through his magic patterns.


    Blood trickled from his mouth.


    In mere breaths, the head of House Lunastone died in his sleep.


    Then, one by one, the mages of House Lunastone began exhibiting the same symptoms.


    First, their mana turned turbulent, breaking through their magic patterns and wreaking havoc on their bodies.


    Then they stopped breathing and collapsed to the ground, lifeless. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One after another.


    All in the same way.


    The scene was both awe-inspiring and horrifying.


    Not only for the mages present, but also for those affiliated with House Lunastone elsewhere in the city, who met identical fates.


    The head of House Windwhisper realized, with a mixture of shock and dread, that Daniel must have used some form of bloodline or magic-pattern magic ¡ª something capable of killing an entire family at once.


    Thus, almost no one from House Lunastone would escape.


    All of them were doomed.


    Comparisons can be a powerful thing.


    Seeing what had happened to House Lunastone, the head of House Windwhisper almost felt relieved.


    At least he had chosen to sacrifice himself and his people to preserve a sliver of his family''s legacy.


    The head of House Windwhisper rose from the ground, turning to face the mages of his family, who stood trembling in fear.


    It broke his heart.


    "Daniel, let''s get this over with. Afterward, we''ll go to the city and turn over House Windwhisper''s remaining assets¡­" he said.


    Closing his eyes, he waited.


    Though his eyes were shut, he could still hear the sounds of each of his family members collapsing to the ground, one by one.


    Tears flowed from his eyes, tracing lines over his weathered face.


    This was the consequence of his actions, but the entire House Windwhisper would bear the cost.


    He was a sinner, the one who had brought ruin upon House Windwhisper.


    When the last body fell, the head of House Windwhisper turned to Daniel.


    "Let''s go. We''re heading to House Windwhisper."


    With that, he swiftly made his way toward Riverside City.


    Daniel turned to the others from the academy.


    "Rowan, take some of the students and go to House Lunastone. Bring all of their assets back to Crossbridge Academy," he ordered.


    "Yes," Rowan replied, though he was still in a daze. Snapping out of it, he responded and led a group toward House Lunastone.


    Although House Lunastone''s mages had been killed by Daniel''s magic, a massive family would still have many who weren''t mages or weren''t directly part of House Lunastone.


    When Rowan and his group arrived at House Lunastone, they found it in chaos.


    A large family like that would naturally include some who were not of House Lunastone by blood but were mages associated with them.


    The Crossbridge Academy members surrounded the estate, and Rowan set to work apprehending any mages attempting to loot or flee.


    In the midst of this, Nora spotted a familiar face.


    "Teacher Loren¡­ is that you?"


    Loren had once taught potion-making at Crossbridge Academy, so Nora recognized him.


    Back then, Loren had been a patient teacher, respected and admired by all his students.


    But¡­ he had been the first to leave the academy following the old headmaster''s sudden death.


    He''d declared his new allegiance to House Lunastone, reaping substantial benefits, and even encouraged other teachers to leave.


    It was Loren''s efforts that had pushed Crossbridge Academy close to the brink of closure.


    Originally, despite the old headmaster''s death, the academy would have continued easily, as long as there were teachers and students.


    The teachers had all been at Crossbridge Academy for years and considered it home.


    But with Loren''s persuasion, several teachers had been lured away by the two houses, throwing the academy into a dire situation.


    Loren had played a key role in the betrayal, exploiting his connections and knowledge of his colleagues'' struggles to tempt them with promises of better opportunities.


    In House Lunastone, seeing Loren again, Nora''s feelings were complex.


    On one hand, Loren had been a good teacher, dedicated in his lessons.


    But in dismantling Crossbridge Academy, he had been just as relentless, as if he held a deep grudge against it.


    "Oh, Nora! How have you been? I heard Crossbridge Academy managed to recover and even hired a new potions teacher! That''s wonderful," Loren said, smiling as if he had forgotten his betrayal of the academy.


    But Nora''s expression was cold.


    "Why did you do it back then?" she asked flatly.


    Loren''s smile froze, and then he replied, "Because¡­ they had leverage on me, so I had no choice. But just now ¡ª did you hear? The mages of House Lunastone, they''re all dead! That means I''m free of their control!"


    "Now I can return to the academy. I don''t even need to teach ¡ª just living there, even doing odd jobs, would be enough for me¡­ Nora, you have no idea what I''ve gone through here!" Loren''s expression grew pained.


    He stepped closer to Nora.


    "Nora, could you tell me¡­ how things have changed at the academy since I left¡­" he began, but his words were cut short as a potion appeared in his right hand, uncorked and ready.


    "Nora, my dear student, forgive me, but I have to leave. With House Lunastone''s mages mysteriously dead, I took the chance to grab a trove of rare potions. Given enough time, once I escape Riverside City, I''ll be a potions master! Although I''m not sure what happened, I assume House Lunastone''s plan to destroy the academy failed."


    "I can''t stay here. I need to leave immediately. Goodbye, Nora. Your teacher will miss you," Loren muttered to himself, readying a spell with his left hand and aiming it at Nora.


    But Nora dodged, her mana surging as she bound Loren in place.


    "Teacher Loren, you look utterly fake when you lie," she said coldly.


    The moment her words ended, the binding released, and Loren''s lifeless body fell to the ground.


    After her training in the semi-divine artifact, Nora had come to recognize the insincerity behind Loren''s words instantly.


    "If it were the old me, I might have believed you," she murmured.


    But things had changed now, just as Crossbridge Academy had become something new.

 Chapter 59: Chapter59-Rebuilding Riverside City!

    "These¡­ these are all the properties of House Windwhisper¡ªmines, shops, and everything else¡­" The head of House Windwhisper, drained and frail, handed over his family''s wealth to Daniel.He once carried himself with a spirited demeanor despite his white hair, but now he appeared no more than a withered old man, struggling even to speak.


    He seemed less like a living person and more like an empty shell, a walking corpse.


    "Thank you, Daniel, for sparing our last bloodline. Not long ago, I arranged a carriage to take him far away from Riverside City." Not even a single servant was left behind.


    The child''s memories had been partially erased, so he would grow up never knowing his surname was Windwhisper or feeling drawn to Riverside City.


    He would only distance himself further from this place.


    The name of House Windwhisper would disappear, but the bloodline would endure.


    After arranging all of this, the head of House Windwhisper took one last look at his family''s estate¡ªand ended his life.


    House Windwhisper had fallen.


    Daniel looked down at the head''s lifeless body. "Bury him." Next, he would arrange for someone to take over House Windwhisper''s assets.


    Just then, Daniel recalled something: both House Windwhisper and House Lunastone had suffered substantial financial losses over the past month.


    Part of this was due to supporting the young heirs attempting breakthroughs in the secret realm.


    Another portion had been spent to hire a master of magic arrays.


    Daniel had to admit, the magic array that had once trapped them was indeed impressive.


    Normally, he would have identified its underlying structure and made adjustments, but with his current power level, he could dismantle it by brute force.


    Mages, magic materials¡ªthey were inconsequential before tier-sage strength.


    Daniel''s strategy was straightforward: directly target the mages maintaining the mana flow and destroy the concealed magical materials.


    Only a rare level of power could break such an array so quickly.


    Any other person might have perished attempting the same.


    The heads of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone had meticulously prepared; they just failed to account for one critical element: Daniel''s strength.


    If he had been tier-platinum or even tier-diamond, they might have succeeded in their scheme.


    As for the mage, Daniel dismissed him as an insignificant nuisance.


    Fortunately, the mage had stored everything in a storage crystal: mana stones and research notes on magic arrays. Perhaps some of it would benefit Crossbridge Academy.


    With House Windwhisper''s matter settled, Daniel returned to his office, where he encountered Rowan, who had come looking for him.


    "Headmaster, I took the students to House Lunastone and collected their assets."


    "No issues?"


    "None. A few outside mages were lurking around House Lunastone, but I drove them off. Unfortunately, House Lunastone had sold off a lot of assets beforehand, so there wasn''t much left to retrieve."


    To oppose Crossbridge Academy, both families had made significant sacrifices¡ªyet, in the end, they were still outmaneuvered.


    "House Windwhisper was much the same. Now that the old powers have been swept aside, it''s time for Riverside City to enter the era of Crossbridge Academy."


    ¡­


    Daniel sat in his office, gazing at a small magic array displaying a miniature model of Riverside City.


    This model had been created by scanning the city with his mind power and recreating it using the array.


    Examining this shrunken version of Riverside City, he pondered his plans.


    Crossbridge Academy currently lay slightly south of Riverside City.


    With the acquisition of House Windwhisper''s and House Lunastone''s territories, it was time to consider how to use these areas.


    Daniel''s plan was straightforward: expansion.


    Crossbridge Academy would eventually recruit more and more people, and the current campus was already feeling cramped.


    Now, with the extended territory, it might be time to expand the academy and even make significant modifications to Riverside City.


    He observed the model, and with a gesture, buildings vanished and new ones rose in their place.


    "Headmaster, I''ve contacted the master architect you mentioned. Are we renovating Crossbridge Academy again?" Rowan asked as he entered.


    A few days earlier, Daniel had tasked him with finding a master architect, and Rowan had done so.


    Hearing it was for Crossbridge Academy, the architect had dropped everything and arrived with great respect¡ªa new experience for Rowan.


    With House Windwhisper and House Lunastone in ruins, Crossbridge Academy was the only remaining power in Riverside City.


    Most people quickly deduced what had happened.


    The academy, once caught between the two houses, had suddenly ascended, sweeping away both families in one decisive move. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was a shift difficult to process but impossible to deny.


    Rowan had felt the shift firsthand; people now treated the academy with a newfound reverence.


    Shortly after Crossbridge Academy achieved first place in the secret realm competition, word spread that House Windwhisper and House Lunastone intended to challenge the academy.


    But nothing further was heard¡ªno rumor, not even a whisper¡ªuntil Crossbridge Academy seized both families'' assets the same day.


    Now, watching Daniel transform the miniature model of Riverside City, Rowan couldn''t help but marvel.


    "I plan to rebuild Riverside City," Daniel said without looking up, his eyes focused on the model, which he continued to reshape.


    "Re¡­ rebuild Riverside City?" Rowan stammered, stunned.


    He hadn''t expected this.


    They had only just gained control of Riverside City, and Daniel was already considering reconstruction.


    Looking at the model, Rowan saw the stark differences between the current and proposed layouts.


    This must be Daniel''s vision for the new Riverside City.


    He watched as Daniel''s finger traced over the model, altering buildings, refining structures.


    Finally, Daniel stopped, pulled out several sheets of paper, and transferred the model''s details onto them.


    "Alright, give these to the architect. This is how I want Riverside City to look after the transformation."


    Rowan glanced at the plans, feeling overwhelmed.


    Yet even he could appreciate the improvements¡ªthey were vastly more impressive than the current city layout.


    And in Daniel''s blueprint for the new Riverside City, Crossbridge Academy occupied the heart of the city, in the most vibrant and central location of all.

 Chapter 60: Chapter60-Which Master Created This?

    Icarus was a master architect in Riverside City.When Rowan found him, he was understandably nervous.


    In the past, he had often neglected people from Crossbridge Academy.


    But what could he do?


    The two great houses always paid generously and promptly, often with large projects that would sustain him for a long time.


    Meanwhile, Crossbridge Academy, being a small institution, rarely needed any significant construction.


    Naturally, he prioritized the two houses, only visiting Crossbridge Academy when he had the time.


    When news of House Windwhisper and House Lunastone''s downfall reached him, Icarus panicked.


    He had offended Crossbridge Academy more than once over the years while currying favor with the two families. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now, with both families wiped out by Crossbridge Academy, would they seek revenge on him?


    For a moment, he considered fleeing Riverside City and starting anew elsewhere.


    However, in the following days, he noticed that Crossbridge Academy seemed only interested in acquiring the two families'' properties, with no signs of seeking revenge on him.


    Gradually, he breathed a sigh of relief.


    It seemed he''d worried for nothing, and he resumed his business as usual.


    But he hadn''t expected Rowan to show up so soon.


    Icarus knew Rowan well, and naturally, he was a bit on edge.


    He greeted him with utmost respect, afraid that Rowan might bring up past grievances.


    To his surprise, Rowan didn''t mention any past incidents.


    Instead, he proposed a collaboration with Crossbridge Academy.


    Crossbridge Academy had just acquired the territories of the two families.


    A collaboration¡­ it had to be related to renovating those properties, right?


    Icarus understood the situation; with Crossbridge Academy now the dominant power in Riverside City, they would likely have more students in the future.


    Expanding the academy or building a new campus was only natural.


    So, Icarus agreed readily, even offering a slight discount.


    However, when Rowan returned with a thick stack of blueprints, Icarus was taken aback.


    Weren''t they supposed to tour the properties first, discuss ideas, and then come up with a renovation plan?


    Why were they handing him the blueprints directly?


    Taking the blueprints, Icarus asked, "Director Rowan, these are¡­"


    "This is our plan for modifying Riverside City. Just follow the designs," Rowan replied nonchalantly.


    Though he was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of blueprints, he maintained composure before a master architect like Icarus.


    "No problem?" Rowan asked.


    "Of course not. This is my expertise¡­" Icarus replied confidently, taking the blueprints.


    But as he began flipping through them, his eyes widened, and he barely dared to breathe.


    A master recognizes another''s skill immediately, and Icarus knew upon seeing these blueprints that they had been crafted by a true master of architecture.


    The level of detail was something only a true architect could achieve.


    "Director Rowan, who created these blueprints?" he asked, astonished.


    "Is there an issue? Can''t you build according to them?" Rowan replied, evading the question.


    "Impossible! With plans this detailed, even my grandmother could build according to them," Icarus retorted, his face flushed with indignation.


    As a master architect, nothing stung more than Rowan''s doubt.


    This was like asking a chef if they knew how to boil water.


    "As long as you can. These blueprints are in your hands now. We''d like it done as soon as possible, but the quality has to be top-notch."


    "No worries. I won''t cut any corners on this," Icarus assured him, knowing he couldn''t afford to take any shortcuts here¡ªhe had no doubt he''d meet the same fate as the two families if he did.


    After Rowan left, Icarus eagerly examined the blueprints, page by page. As a master architect, he was highly attuned to designs.


    From the first page, he knew these were crafted by a true genius.


    His curiosity about the creator only grew, but with no answer from Rowan, he could only continue his inspection.


    The more he studied, the more he realized this was no ordinary master''s work; this was a work of an extraordinary visionary.


    The blueprints detailed everything, from the overall layout of Riverside City to the minutiae of each building.


    As he pored over each page, a clear image began forming in his mind.


    He had a premonition: if Riverside City were truly rebuilt according to these blueprints, it would be nothing short of breathtaking!


    His admiration for the creator deepened.


    The harmony between buildings, the intricate connections between structures, and the coherent city layout revealed a remarkable level of skill.


    This wasn''t something achievable through mere imagination; it required immense spatial thinking and formidable mental power.


    Riverside City¡­ since when did it gain such a terrifyingly skilled architect?


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, the architect causing Icarus such awe was seated in his office, accompanied by three other individuals.


    One was Claire, the manager of Dragonscale Bank in Riverside City.


    Unlike her usual confident self, she appeared visibly nervous.


    In contrast, the other two seemed slightly more composed: Murdoch, the head of the Rhine Tavern in Riverside City, and the overseer of all brothels in the city.


    Aside from Crossbridge Academy, these were the only non-local organizations with influence in Riverside City.


    However, their activities leaned toward commerce¡ªDragonscale Bank handled transactions, Rhine Tavern catered to high-end clientele, and, well, the brothels were self-explanatory.


    Daniel had summoned them to discuss Riverside City''s future following the demise of the two great families.


    Recently, the Rhine Tavern had seized the opportunity, expanding aggressively and even exploiting loopholes in contracts to claim some properties from the two families.


    Their actions had begun to infringe upon Crossbridge Academy''s interests, but with contracts in hand, Rowan had been unable to act directly.


    That was why the three individuals found themselves in Daniel''s office today.


    Daniel''s gaze first fell upon the woman who managed the brothels in Riverside City.


    Her name was Rowena, a woman of about forty, with an air more akin to that of a teacher than someone in her line of work.


    "Mrs. Rowena, I''d like to discuss a few matters with you," Daniel began.


    "Yes, Daniel, I wonder what you''d like to¡­"


    Before Rowena could finish, the surroundings shifted dramatically.


    She and Daniel were suddenly in a separate space, with Murdoch and Claire nowhere in sight.


    "What is this¡­?" Rowena asked, alarmed.


    "Don''t worry. I just need a private word with you."

 Chapter 61: Chapter61-You’ve Crossed the Line!

    Seeing Rowena''s panicked expression, Daniel began to explain.After hearing him, Rowena managed to calm down a bit.


    After all, being taken to an isolated space for a private conversation was unsettling for anyone.


    Rowena had nearly thought Daniel was planning to harm her.


    "I''ve heard that some of your brothels have been involved in forcibly taking young women from ordinary families and selling them elsewhere," Daniel said, looking at her.


    "That¡­ that was in the past. In recent years, I''ve stopped such activities and strictly forbidden my staff from engaging in them," Rowena quickly defended herself.


    She knew Daniel had a daughter at Crossbridge Academy, so she understood his concern.


    Rowena''s response was swift and sincere, her fear evident as she feared Daniel might act against her if she hesitated even a second.


    After speaking, she fell to her knees.


    "Stand up; there''s no need to be so afraid. As I said from the beginning, I just wanted to talk," Daniel said, gesturing for her to stand.


    He continued, "Remember what I just said. If I find anything like this happening in Riverside City, our next meeting won''t be a simple conversation."


    Relieved, Rowena quickly promised, "No, I swear nothing like that will ever happen again."


    "Good. I hope you''ll keep your word."


    As Daniel finished speaking, Rowena realized they had returned to the original office. She was still a bit shaken.


    Murdoch noticed Rowena''s unsettled expression and gave her a curious glance.


    "Mr. Murdoch, you''re next," Daniel announced.


    The next moment, Daniel and Murdoch were in a separate space.


    Unlike Rowena, Murdoch wasn''t frightened.


    He seemed more intrigued, even pleasantly surprised by Daniel''s power.


    "It seems the rumors about Daniel being unable to become a mage were false!"


    The fact that Daniel could bring him into an isolated space so effortlessly spoke volumes about his power.


    Perhaps Daniel was the real reason Crossbridge Academy had defeated Houses Windwhisper and Lunastone.


    Before this, Murdoch had speculated that maybe Daniel''s father hadn''t died, or a powerful relative had come to aid Crossbridge Academy through its hardest time.


    But now, it seemed that the so-called mysterious savior was Daniel himself¡ªthe one everyone believed had no magical talent was the one hiding the most.


    "So, what can I do for you, Daniel?" Murdoch asked, sensing that aligning himself with Daniel could only benefit Rhine Tavern.


    "I''ve heard you''ve been expanding your territory recently?" Daniel inquired.


    "That''s true, but it''s only natural, isn''t it? Rhine Tavern has been in Riverside City for years, yet its space has always been limited. Expanding is the only way to increase our profits," Murdoch explained.


    "But you''ve exploited contract loopholes to seize areas that should belong to Crossbridge Academy," Daniel said, fixing his gaze on Murdoch.


    Murdoch began to sweat.


    His actions were no more than contract manipulation in the business world, and with both houses gone, he figured he could pin everything on them.


    But he had crossed Crossbridge Academy and disrupted Daniel''s plans.


    Those areas were intended for future academy facilities.


    "Ah¡­ it must have been my people''s doing; they''re used to shady dealings. Rest assured, Daniel, I''ll make sure that all territories belonging to Crossbridge Academy are returned immediately."


    "Good. I have new plans for Riverside City, so keep Rhine Tavern as it is," Daniel instructed.


    "Of course, I''ll keep that in mind," Murdoch replied, drenched with sweat.


    He hadn''t realized such a minor transgression could almost land him in serious trouble.


    Daniel could crush him with a single finger.


    "Your business here is done. You may leave," Daniel said.


    Murdoch found himself back in the office, exchanging a glance with Rowena before they both took their leave.


    Now, only Daniel and Ms. Claire remained in the office.


    Claire''s demeanor had changed drastically.


    Usually, she carried herself with the composure of a seasoned merchant, fitting Daniel''s mental image of a shrewd trader.


    But now she seemed distracted, more like a business owner on the brink of collapse.


    Daniel was naturally curious about what could have happened to cause such a drastic shift in Claire within just a few days.


    The last time they''d met, she had shared information about House Windwhisper and House Lunastone, and she''d been her usual self.


    "Ms. Claire, has something happened with Dragonscale Bank?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    Claire gave him a complicated look, almost resentful. "Daniel, you''ve really put me in a bind this time¡­"


    "What do you mean? We haven''t even interacted recently, have we?"


    "Remember when you asked why Dragonscale Bank, a neutral organization, was collecting so many mana stones?" Claire said slowly. "After that, I asked some colleagues, but no one had answers. Out of curiosity, I decided to investigate myself, and¡­ well¡­"


    She gave a bitter laugh.


    What started as a simple inquiry had led to some startling revelations.


    Claire produced a unique box, intricately carved with fine engravings.


    Daniel recognized the patterns immediately¡ªthey weren''t mere decorations but a magic array, meaning the entire surface of the box was an array.


    Carefully, Claire input her mana.


    As it flowed through one of the patterns, the box opened to reveal a crystal emitting a pure mana aura.


    "All the mana stones Dragonscale Bank collected have been turned into this thing. They call it a magic array crystal," Claire explained.


    Just this small crystal held mana equivalent to billions of mana stones, which explained why Dragonscale Bank was so eager to accumulate them.


    Their purpose was to convert mana stones into magic array crystals using a specialized array.


    Daniel was surprised to hear this; he hadn''t expected Dragonscale Bank to be collecting mana stones to refine them into magic array crystals.


    He was familiar with these crystals, knowing they were far more valuable than mana stones.


    As Claire watched, Daniel also produced a magic array crystal, even larger than the one she had shown. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing the crystal in his hand, Claire was at a loss for words.


    She had already thought Daniel was extraordinary, like someone who carried a mana stone mine with him.


    But now, it seemed she had underestimated him.


    Did Daniel perhaps carry a crystal mine as well?


    Claire''s shock was entirely within Daniel''s expectations.


    He hadn''t realized this was known here as a magic array crystal. He''d always called it a mana crystal.


    Daniel glanced at the items in his inventory space.


    How many of these did he have again?


    How many zeroes?


    Counting them was getting a bit tricky!

 Chapter 62: Chapter62-Mana Forge!

    He hadn''t realized this was known here as a magic array crystal. He''d always called it a mana crystal.Daniel glanced at the items in his inventory space.


    How many of these did he have again?


    How many zeroes?


    Counting them was getting a bit tricky!


    "Why does Dragonscale Bank want to convert mana stones into these¡­ magic array crystals? What''s their purpose?" Daniel continued to press.


    Claire sighed. "That''s what I''m about to explain. Honestly, I''m in a real mess because of this."


    As Claire explained, she''d been curious about the magic array crystal and managed to borrow one, thinking Daniel might be interested and that it could lead to a profitable transaction¡ªa big deal, even.


    But once she had it, she realized this wasn''t just any business opportunity; it was a massive risk. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why?


    Because this small stone, called a magic array crystal, was clearly related to a magic array. But where was the array itself?


    Claire extended her hand and placed the magic array crystal into a central slot.


    Almost immediately, a small, white forge appeared in front of them.


    "This is it," Claire said with a resigned expression. "The Mana Forge¡ªit can fuse mana stones into magic array crystals, and once enough magic array crystals are gathered, it can transform into another form."


    "Apparently, using magic array crystals enables all sorts of wondrous effects. But I don''t know the specifics," Claire continued. "Daniel, I was practically signing my own death warrant at Dragonscale Bank to bring this to you."


    Claire could only hope Daniel would protect her. Otherwise, the consequences with Dragonscale Bank could be dire.


    "So, you want my protection?" Daniel asked.


    "That''s right, Daniel, I was hoping you would¡ª"


    "I understand." Daniel interrupted, letting his mind power scan the red, miniature forge.


    In an instant, he grasped its structure.


    He used mana stones to quickly set up a magic array, and soon, a half-height forge materialized in front of him.


    The white forge was designed to fuse mana stones into magic array crystals.


    Daniel simply pulled out a large number of magic array crystals and placed them in the forge.


    According to Claire, only with enough magic array crystals could the forge activate its next form.


    Daniel continued adding crystals, and within seconds, he saw the forge shift from white to red.


    Inside, the forge''s magic array began to transform.


    The crystals he''d placed inside altered the array to achieve a new effect.


    As Daniel watched the changes, he kept adding more magic array crystals.


    When the forge turned red, it produced a mana-rich liquid, which Daniel called mana liquid.


    This liquid was far superior to mana stones, with broader applications and even the potential to improve the environment of an area.


    Next came orange.


    The orange liquid seemed to have permanent physical enhancement properties.


    The yellow liquid could enhance mind power, and the green liquid had its own unique effects.


    Each color had different properties, and the number of magic array crystals required increased geometrically.


    Daniel imagined the immense potential if Crossbridge Academy students were regularly exposed to these liquids.


    Perhaps elite talents from powerful factions were cultivated this way.


    Deep in thought, Daniel didn''t notice Claire staring in stunned silence.


    She had just witnessed a life-changing scene.


    What had she seen?


    It was almost hard to believe herself.


    She''d seen Daniel throw an astounding quantity of magic array crystals into the forge as if they were worthless, watching as the forge changed colors like a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green¡­ all the way to transparent.


    Initially, she thought Daniel having just one magic array crystal was impressive, as one required billions of superior mana stones to create.


    But then¡­ he began tossing them in like they were nothing.


    Even Claire, who''d worked at Dragonscale Bank for years, couldn''t handle this level of wealth display.


    "Daniel, um¡­ I think I''m just going to stay with Crossbridge Academy from now on," Claire stammered.


    Her original intention had been to seek Daniel''s protection, but she hadn''t thought about what that would mean.


    "I promised you''d be fine, so you will be. But tell me, how did you get your hands on this box?" Daniel asked, curious.


    Such items should be rare, likely only stored at the headquarters.


    How had Claire acquired one in just a few days?


    "There''s a teleportation array near Riverside City, built specifically for¡ª" Claire trailed off, a bit embarrassed.


    The teleportation array connected to a nearby large city.


    Given the immense volume of mana stones Daniel traded, Dragonscale Bank found it easier to create a safe spot nearby to convert the mana stones into magic array crystals.


    This arrangement had inadvertently allowed Claire to borrow the box.


    Daniel was momentarily speechless; it all came back to him. "So, Claire, what will you do at the academy?"


    Claire was nervous, unsure of her role.


    All she knew was how to conduct transactions, and she didn''t know if Crossbridge Academy would even have a place for her.


    "How about this¡ªyou''ll manage the academy''s transactions with Dragonscale Bank."


    "Ah?" Claire blinked in confusion.


    "I know you''re used to Dragonscale Bank, so you''ll continue to work there, handling Crossbridge Academy''s transactions," Daniel clarified.


    "But Daniel, I¡­ I don''t think I can go back to Dragonscale Bank after this," Claire said, embarrassed. Had Daniel not heard her? She''d betrayed them; going back seemed impossible.


    "If I say it''s possible, it is. Take these items with you; someone''s been waiting nearby for quite a while. He''s probably here for this," Daniel said, handing her the box and some additional magic array crystals. "Tell him I''m handling this situation and he doesn''t need to pursue it further. Otherwise¡­ well, I''m always ready for a fight."


    Seeing Daniel''s confident expression, Claire was only half-convinced.


    "Now, hurry back. Crossbridge Academy will still need you for future transactions with Dragonscale Bank," Daniel said.


    "Alright¡­" Claire took the box and crystals, leaving the academy. But as she stepped outside, she suddenly felt disoriented.


    When she came to, both the box and crystals were gone.


    In her palm, a few large words appeared:


    "Settled. Don''t do it again!"

 Chapter 63: Chapter63-Renovations Within the Academy

    "If I say it''s possible, it is. Take these items with you; someone''s been waiting nearby for quite a while. He''s probably here for this," Daniel said, handing her the box and some additional magic array crystals. "Tell him I''m handling this situation and he doesn''t need to pursue it further. Otherwise¡­ well, I''m always ready for a fight."Seeing Daniel''s confident expression, Claire was only half-convinced.


    "Now, hurry back. Crossbridge Academy will still need you for future transactions with Dragonscale Bank," Daniel said.


    "Alright¡­" Claire took the box and crystals, leaving the academy. But as she stepped outside, she suddenly felt disoriented.


    When she came to, both the box and crystals were gone.


    In her palm, a few large words appeared:


    "Settled. Don''t do it again!"


    Daniel retracted his mind power, assured that Claire was safe.


    The note left by her superior indicated that no further punishment would befall her.


    Everything would continue as before¡­ although the person responsible for overseeing that box might not be so lucky.


    But that wasn''t Daniel''s concern.


    Currently, he was busy creating Mana Forges¡ªnot the basic white forge for fusing mana crystals, but the advanced red forges with enhanced functions.


    After several days and producing about ten thousand red forges, he finally stopped.


    Now that he had enough red forges, he needed a suitable place for them. Daniel turned his gaze toward the academy grounds.


    There was a lake on campus that could serve as a repository for the mana-rich liquid these forges produced, which could transform the academy''s mana environment and benefit the students.


    But there was one issue: the lake was too far from the dormitories, which didn''t align with Daniel''s vision.


    Observing the campus, he noticed a large empty space behind the dormitories.


    After a quick calculation, he engraved a magic array in the air and activated it.


    In an instant, students who had been strolling by the lakeside noticed something strange.


    Just a moment ago, they had been enjoying a peaceful lakeside walk, but suddenly, the lake vanished, replaced by an open field.


    Bewildered, some students walked across the new plain, confirming that the lake had truly disappeared and wasn''t just an illusion.


    Meanwhile, students in the dormitory noticed a lake had appeared behind their building, identical to the academy''s original lake.


    It was as if the lake had been relocated.


    "What happened? How was this done?" students murmured.


    "Did the headmaster do this?"


    Some students immediately sought out Rowan and Isolde.


    Rowan, surprised by the news, went to inspect the changes himself.


    After seeing the transformation, he was certain this was Daniel''s doing. But why hadn''t Daniel informed him beforehand?


    Now, students were flocking to him with questions, and he didn''t have any answers.


    It was a bit embarrassing.


    Rowan reassured the students, confirming that the headmaster was responsible and that there was no cause for concern.


    After calming the students, he set off to find Daniel.


    Daniel was currently in a hidden chamber beneath the lake, a specially crafted space stabilized by several magic arrays.


    He arranged the red forges there, setting up a magic array to channel the mana liquid they produced into the lake above.


    Originally, he''d intended for the liquid to mix gradually with the lake water, but after testing the forges'' output, he realized this plan needed adjustment.


    With such a high volume from ten thousand forges, the liquid could almost fill the entire lake.


    Daniel modified the lake setup.


    The surface was regular lake water, separated at a certain level by a magic array.


    Below this barrier, mana liquid collected.


    At intervals, a portion of mana liquid would mix into the lake, slowly enriching it.


    He also balanced the forge setup, adding various colors of forges to produce different types of mana liquids with diverse effects.


    Daniel then formulated a system: Rowan and Isolde would oversee distributing the mana drops to reward top students. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Monthly achievements would earn mana drops, while quarterly and annual accomplishments would receive more significant rewards.


    With the lake near the dormitories, students could gradually absorb mana from the environment, avoiding overwhelming surges of mana.


    As for anyone tempted to sneak into the lake¡ªDaniel''s magic arrays would be more than enough deterrent.


    With these adjustments made, Daniel returned to his office, where he found Rowan waiting.


    "Headmaster, you''re finally back. Was it you who moved the lake?" Rowan asked.


    "Yes, I felt it was in the wrong place, so I relocated it."


    "Well¡­ it''s a good change. But, headmaster, next time, could you inform me and Isolde first? That way, we can avoid looking clueless when students come to us with questions," Rowan said, his tone laced with a mix of exasperation and amusement.


    Daniel chuckled. "I understand. Actually, could you call Ms. Isolde here? There''s something important I need to discuss with both of you."


    Shortly after, Rowan and Isolde arrived in the office.


    "Headmaster, I heard you wanted to see me?" Isolde asked.


    "Yes. I''ve called you both here for an important matter," Daniel replied.


    He briefly explained his reasons for relocating the lake and mentioned the magic array beneath it that produced mana drops.


    He didn''t go into too much detail but told them that they could obtain items from the lake beneficial to students'' growth.


    These could be used to reward top-performing students, with Rowan and Isolde responsible for determining the specifics.


    He handed them the method for extracting the mana drops, a process that required both of them to perform together.


    Then, he led them to the lake, guiding them through using the magic array to extract the most basic mana drop.


    Higher-level drops would become available later.


    After giving them a few reminders, Daniel left, trusting them to handle the details.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Riverside City was undergoing rapid expansion, just as Daniel had envisioned.


    While there was some grumbling, Daniel''s generous compensation in mana stones silenced most complaints.


    With ample funding, Icarus worked efficiently; within a few days, the framework from Daniel''s blueprint was already taking shape, with finer construction and detailing to follow.


    Everything was on track, both for Crossbridge Academy and Riverside City.


    Upon returning to the academy, Daniel was greeted by a guard at the entrance.


    "Daniel, a group came by to visit you recently¡ªthey''re not from Riverside City."

 Chapter 64: Chapter64-Karea Academy

    Hearing the guard''s words, Daniel felt a surge of curiosity.Who could be visiting at this time?


    Upon returning to his office, he found Rowan already there, waiting anxiously.


    "Headmaster, you''re finally back," Rowan said quickly upon seeing Daniel. "Just after you left, a group from the renowned Karea Academy to the south arrived. They were on their way to Lakecity for student recruitment but happened to pass through Riverside City¡ªand they took an interest in our students." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel quickly understood the situation.


    Karea Academy was famous, a prestigious institution boasting the Free Federation''s best educational resources.


    Compared to Crossbridge Academy, it was a well-established powerhouse.


    While Crossbridge Academy had great potential, it was still in its early stages.


    Given more time, it might one day rival Karea Academy. But for now...


    In a few words, Daniel got a clear picture of what was happening.


    A group of young people dressed in standard uniforms entered his office, led by a young man named Murray.


    Daniel noted that the group''s oldest member, Murray, looked barely over twenty, and the rest were about the same age.


    Their abilities were impressive, with the weakest among them at tier-gold peak, while Murray himself was tier-platinum.


    This level of strength was a testament to Karea Academy''s rigorous training.


    "Murray from Karea Academy. A pleasure to meet you, Daniel," Murray began, his demeanor respectful, which raised Daniel''s opinion of him.


    "We had planned to visit Crossbridge Academy right after the secret realm event, but you seemed quite busy lately, so we thought this would be a better time."


    Murray had been observing Crossbridge Academy''s students at the secret realm, especially five who seemed particularly gifted.


    He''d suspected that Crossbridge Academy would prevail in the competition.


    Despite the strong contenders from Houses Windwhisper and Lunastone, Murray felt that those five students would carry the day.


    When the results came out, Murray was surprised¡ªnot only had Crossbridge Academy won, but they had won overwhelmingly, with no survivors from the other two houses.


    Clearly, something monumental had happened.


    As House Windwhisper''s head vented his anger and drove away the crowd, Murray understood that change was coming to Riverside City, possibly through a major conflict.


    Murray chose not to intervene, preferring to return to Riverside City with the crowd and wait.


    If Crossbridge Academy had fallen to the combined assault, he would have left, as there would be no reason to stay.


    While Crossbridge Academy''s young talents were promising, they hadn''t yet reached the level that would warrant Karea Academy''s protection.


    After all, an unfulfilled talent was no different from an ordinary person.


    Once the dust settled and Crossbridge Academy began to take over the two houses'' assets and rebuild Riverside City, Murray was astonished by their decisiveness and boldness.


    Seizing the moment, he brought his juniors to visit, with recruitment as the primary goal.


    "Karea Academy, I''ve heard of it. So, what brings you to Crossbridge Academy?" Daniel asked.


    "Since you know of us, Daniel, I''ll get straight to the point. We''re here to recruit some of your students to join Karea Academy," Murray replied, making his intentions clear.


    "Which students, exactly?"


    "The five who stood out in the secret realm."


    "Those five?" Daniel understood immediately whom they were referring to.


    "Yes, I believe you must realize that those five are exceptionally talented. They could thrive much better at Karea Academy," Murray said confidently.


    Compared to Karea Academy, Riverside City and Crossbridge Academy were far too small to nurture true greatness.


    "I see. I''ll need to speak with them first, then I can give you an answer," Daniel replied.


    "Joining Karea Academy is a dream come true for many. Who could possibly refuse? Headmaster, let''s not waste everyone''s time," said a young man with brown hair behind Murray, his tone arrogant.


    "Yark! Silence!" Murray scolded, turning to glare at him.


    Yark glanced at Murray and fell silent.


    "Apologies, Daniel. My junior was rude. I''ll ensure he learns his lesson. But as for consulting your students, are they currently in the academy?" Murray asked.


    "They aren''t in the academy at the moment. When they return, I''ll inform them of your visit. If they''re interested, I''ll have someone let you know," Daniel replied coolly.


    Murray could sense the dismissal in Daniel''s tone. "In that case, we won''t impose any longer. However, we can only stay in Riverside City for three days. If there''s no response by then, we''ll have to leave."


    "Understood."


    Murray bowed, then led his group out of Crossbridge Academy.


    Once outside, Yark couldn''t contain his frustration. "Senior Murray, that headmaster was clearly brushing us off! He''s just the headmaster of some backwater academy¡ªhow dare he disrespect us? Joining Karea Academy should be a privilege they''d be lucky to get¡­"


    "Yark! Enough!" Murray interrupted.


    "What? Am I wrong?" Yark asked, genuinely confused.


    After all, joining Karea Academy was an honor for anyone familiar with its prestige.


    Who would refuse?


    And as for claiming the students weren''t in the academy¡ªclearly a lie.


    They had been in Riverside City the past few days and had never seen those students leave.


    So why was Daniel giving them the runaround?


    But since Murray had silenced him, Yark kept his thoughts to himself.


    Just then, Yark suddenly lost his balance and fell face-first to the ground, his forehead scraping against the pavement and drawing blood.


    His companions looked on in surprise.


    Yark was a tier-platinum mage; how could he just trip while walking on flat ground?


    "Strange¡­ what tripped me?"


    Turning around to inspect where he had tripped, Yark found nothing¡ªno dips, no rocks, just a flat, smooth surface.


    "Yark, falling on flat ground? Watch your step next time!" one of his classmates teased, as the rest laughed.


    After all, they were all fine, and he was the only one who tripped.


    Who else would they laugh at?


    Even if Yark wanted to be angry, he couldn''t; he''d genuinely fallen on flat ground, and it was his classmate who cast the healing spell for him.

 Chapter 65: Chapter65-A Minor Punishment

    Turning around to inspect where he had tripped, Yark found nothing¡ªno dips, no rocks, just a flat, smooth surface."Yark, falling on flat ground? Watch your step next time!" one of his classmates teased, as the rest laughed.


    After all, they were all fine, and he was the only one who tripped.


    Who else would they laugh at?


    Even if Yark wanted to be angry, he couldn''t; he''d genuinely fallen on flat ground, and it was his classmate who cast the healing spell for him.


    Resigned, he chuckled along with them, and they continued on their way.


    Murray, however, glanced back at Crossbridge Academy thoughtfully.


    He suspected that Yark''s stumble had something to do with his lack of restraint earlier, though he had no evidence.


    As for Daniel''s actual strength, Murray had no idea.


    He couldn''t sense any mana from him at all, as if Daniel were a normal person.


    But as Crossbridge Academy''s headmaster and the one responsible for wiping out two powerful families, how could he possibly be ordinary?


    It was impossible to think that Daniel hid behind others while his subordinates did all the fighting.


    If that were the case, the real decision-maker would have met them instead of Daniel.


    There was only one other possibility: Daniel''s strength was so profound that it was beyond Murray''s perception, like a fish unable to comprehend the vastness of the ocean.


    To Murray, both Crossbridge Academy and its headmaster were far from simple.


    In Riverside City, he''d heard two distinct views on Daniel: some saw him as a talentless figure who only survived by relying on his father, while others thought he was a hidden genius, only revealing his potential after the former headmaster''s death.


    After meeting Daniel in person, Murray was inclined to believe the latter.


    Daniel''s calm demeanor seemed unaffected by external events, not even reacting to the mention of Karea Academy, as though it were unimportant to him.


    For anyone who had heard of Karea Academy, joining would be a dream come true.


    So the only explanation was that Daniel found the idea of joining the academy inconsequential.


    What kind of person would think like that?


    Either someone clueless or someone powerful enough to consider Karea Academy merely ordinary. Was Daniel the latter?


    Murray didn''t know but would await the final answer.


    Meanwhile, Daniel, having administered a minor punishment to the insolent young man, turned his attention back to more pressing matters.


    Though he considered himself broad-minded, he wasn''t a pushover; disrespect warranted a small consequence.


    Of the group, the only one who left a favorable impression was Murray.


    Karea Academy¡­ not a bad institution.


    Shortly after, Daniel summoned five students.


    Over the past few days, their abilities had advanced significantly.


    Nora, in particular, had broken through from tier-silver peak to tier-gold.


    After checking her foundation and ensuring it was solid, Daniel felt reassured; she had evidently fully digested her experiences in the semi-divine realm.


    "Good. It looks like you haven''t wasted your time these past days. Riverside City and the secret realm matters are resolved, so what do you plan to do next?" Daniel''s question took the students by surprise, but they quickly realized he was asking about their futures.


    After all, they couldn''t stay in Crossbridge Academy forever.


    Daniel had already provided them with so much during their training.


    For mages, growth required not just mana but personal experience.


    Riverside City could no longer meet their needs.


    Those Karea Academy students had a point; compared to other regions, Riverside City was indeed a backwater.


    Seeing them silent, Daniel continued, "Karea Academy representatives visited recently. They''d like you to join them. Karea Academy is one of the Free Federation''s largest academies. It''s located in the southern federation, where you would encounter more talented peers and have more opportunities for growth."


    The students understood Daniel''s meaning.


    "Father, what about you? Would you come with us?" Rose asked.


    "Me? Why would I go there? It''s a place for young people like you," Daniel replied, looking at Rose.


    "If Father''s not going, then I won''t go either!" Rose declared.


    "Rose, you can''t stay under my protection forever. Now that you''ve gained strength, you need to venture out¡­" Daniel said sternly.


    "No, Father, that''s not what I meant," Rose interrupted. "If you were going, I''d consider it. But since you''re not, I want to pursue my own goals."


    "Oh?" Daniel asked, intrigued. "What do you plan to do?"


    "I want to lead my followers and make Crossbridge Academy known throughout the Free Federation," Rose replied, her gaze unwavering.


    Daniel looked at his daughter in admiration.


    When he first arrived at Crossbridge Academy, Rose had been timid and insecure, barely able to speak up. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now, she was brimming with confidence. Her transformation filled him with pride.


    "Headmaster, I feel the same as Rose. But I want to make it on my own," said Reed.


    "Great! In that case, why don''t we split up? I''ll head east to De''an City¡ªHouse Goldstone''s girl mentioned it''s a hub for talented individuals," Rose suggested.


    "Perfect, and the western cities are known for constant battles," Reed replied.


    The western region of the Free Federation was notorious for its lawlessness, where strength ruled. Reed''s plan was simple: to fight, keep fighting, and become the strongest.


    Daniel was pleased with their ambitions and turned to Nora, curious about her choice.


    "Headmaster, I want to try Karea Academy," Nora said, surprising Daniel.


    "I''m not forcing anyone to go there. You can make your own choice," he assured her.


    "No, Headmaster. I truly want to go to Karea Academy," Nora replied seriously. "Perhaps only there can I fully develop my magic."


    "Karea Academy, as the largest magical academy in the Free Federation, must have a wealth of resources. That''s why I want to go there," Nora explained.


    Hearing her reasoning, Daniel realized that Nora had made this decision independently rather than waiting for someone else to guide her.


    Satisfied, he had no further questions.


    He then turned his gaze to Green, curious about his nephew''s choice.

 Chapter 66: Chapter66-Individual Choices

    "Karea Academy, as the largest magical academy in the Free Federation, must have a wealth of resources. That''s why I want to go there," Nora explained.Hearing her reasoning, Daniel realized that Nora had made this decision independently rather than waiting for someone else to guide her.


    Satisfied, he had no further questions. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He then turned his gaze to Green, curious about his nephew''s choice.


    "I want to stay here, in Riverside City, and remain at Crossbridge Academy," Green replied. "During our last adventure, I gathered several young children. I want to watch over them and help them grow, just as Grandpa once did."


    Daniel nodded. He hadn''t expected everyone to leave for new experiences; if Green chose to stay and follow this path, Daniel would support him.


    "Then go ahead and pursue it," Daniel encouraged, giving Green an approving look. "By the way, stay behind; I have some things to discuss with you." The others took this as their cue to leave.


    Nina, who had been overlooked, couldn''t contain her impatience. "Headmaster, what about me? I want to go to Karea Academy too!"


    It was clear Nina was in a hurry¡ªshe hadn''t even remembered Karea Academy''s name correctly.


    "You? I''ll be going out for a bit, so you''ll be coming with me," Daniel replied.


    Nina looked baffled.


    Why was everyone else allowed to pursue what they wanted, while she had to follow Daniel around?


    Staying with him seemed far less interesting than staying at the academy, like Green.


    "Headmaster, you can''t be unfair!" she protested.


    "This isn''t unfair at all. They all have clear goals. What about you? What do you want?" Daniel asked.


    "I¡­ I want to study magic! I want to become a powerful tier-sage!" After a long pause, Nina finally blurted it out, but her statement caused the others to laugh, even Green, who raised an eyebrow skeptically.


    It was hard for anyone to take Nina''s words seriously given her playful nature.


    "Alright, you''ll stick with me," Daniel concluded firmly.


    "Oh, and I have something for all of you." Daniel pulled out several red forges and handed them to the group, along with some magic array crystals.


    "I''ve marked instructions inside; you''ll understand how to use them as you go. Try it here, so I can answer any questions you may have."


    The four of them immediately tested the forges, while Nina, watching eagerly, cast a longing glance at Daniel.


    Not daring to speak up, she looked away reluctantly.


    After successfully refining a mana drop, they realized the forge''s immense value and turned to Daniel in awe.


    He merely smiled and advised, "The mana drop will dissipate over time, so it''s best to use it immediately after refining."


    Following his suggestion, they each consumed the drop and felt an immediate change¡ªthe magic patterns within them flowed more freely.


    The mana drop''s effects were instantaneous, and the prospect of even more potent drops for physical strength, soul enhancement, or innate talent excited them all.


    After the others left, Nina looked up at Daniel with puppy-dog eyes, trying to squeeze out a tear but failing miserably.


    "Headmaster, I¡­ I want one too! If you don''t give me one, I''ll¡­ I''ll cry until I die right here in your office!"


    "Take it," Daniel said, handing her a forge. "You''re coming with me, so you''ll have plenty of chances to use it. You saw how the others operated it, right?"


    "Of course! Thank you, Headmaster, you''re the best!" Nina grinned, leaving his office in high spirits.


    ¡­


    A few days later, the group stood at the gates of Crossbridge Academy.


    From today onward, each would set off in their own direction.


    After exchanging farewells, they parted ways.


    Green stayed behind at the academy to see each of them off.


    Nora headed to meet the Karea Academy representatives, who were also leaving that day.


    Standing apart from the group, Nora looked calm and composed.


    Yark, however, wore a sullen expression, clearly displeased.


    Only one out of five had chosen to join Karea Academy.


    How could they be so indifferent to the opportunity to join such a prestigious institution?


    It baffled him.


    In a display of silent hostility, Yark kept his distance from Nora, showing neither respect nor warmth.


    He avoided making any snide remarks, but his dislike was obvious.


    "Nora, hello. I''m Eileen," a girl in the group approached Nora with a friendly smile.


    "Hello," Nora replied.


    "Don''t mind Yark. He''s always like that. Most people at Karea Academy are friendly," Eileen reassured her.


    "It''s just that¡­ this is my first time leaving Riverside City. Going somewhere so far feels¡­" Nora said softly.


    "I understand. I felt the same way the first time I left home. But you''ll get used to it. The academy is a wonderful place, and once you settle in, you''ll feel more comfortable," Eileen said kindly.


    "Is there a library at the academy?" Nora asked.


    "Of course! I''ve even worked there. The collection is huge¡­" Eileen''s animated descriptions gradually eased Nora''s nervousness.


    A simple carriage rolled out of Riverside City.


    "Headmaster, where are we going this time?" Nina asked excitedly, watching the familiar scenery pass by.


    "We''ll head north first."


    "North? I could teleport us there to save on mana stone costs, and then you could give the savings to me¡­" Nina began calculating with her fingers.


    Daniel sighed. "Think about the distance from Riverside City to the northern border. Calculate how much mana it would take, and consider where we might end up if we need to recharge along the way. Honestly, with all the mana stones I''ve given you, isn''t that enough?"


    "Mana stones are never enough!" Nina mumbled, casting an envious look out the window.


    Her obsession with mana stones was apparent.


    Just then, Daniel noticed another carriage approaching from behind.


    A familiar presence emanated from it.


    He signaled the driver to pull over.


    Moments later, Claire stepped out of the carriage. "Thank goodness, I caught up with you, Daniel," she said, sounding relieved.


    "What brings you here?" Daniel asked.


    "Well, Daniel, I have a young relative who''s quick-witted and capable. I thought if she traveled with you, it might make the journey smoother."

 Chapter 67: Chapter67-Changes in Black Water Town

    Claire looked at Daniel and spoke.This young man was a junior member of her family.


    Initially, Claire had planned to strengthen ties with Crossbridge Academy and hoped to send a family member there.


    Daniel''s recent solution to a mysterious box only reinforced Claire''s determination to build a good relationship with him.


    Later, Claire learned that Karea Academy was planning to recruit students at Crossbridge Academy.


    From a few hints, she deduced that Daniel might soon leave Riverside City.


    So, she hastily found her niece, Sif, and personally brought her to Crossbridge Academy, hoping Sif could accompany Daniel.


    After all, it was an opportunity to get closer to him. However, to her surprise, upon reaching Crossbridge Academy, she was informed that Daniel had already left.


    Claire hurried, and eventually caught up with Daniel on the road. After hearing Claire''s words, Daniel glanced at the girl standing behind her.


    The girl kept her head down, seemingly lost in thought.


    "Claire, I can''t say when I''ll be back from this trip.


    If something happens along the way, I can''t guarantee¡­" Daniel intentionally spoke in this manner, hoping to dissuade her.


    "Daniel, please don''t worry. Sif can take care of herself. Besides, I''ve watched her grow up; she''s clever and can cook many dishes¡­" Hearing this, Daniel perked up. Although he had reached the pinnacle of tier-sage, he still couldn''t resist good food.


    Rumor had it that one time, due to a disappointing dish in the cafeteria, Daniel had dismissed the chef the very next day.


    The reason given was that the chef had entered the school with his left foot first. Naturally, this was an exaggerated tale.


    Daniel wasn''t one to fire someone over which foot they used to enter; he was a reasonable person.


    The only reason he let that chef go was due to the poor quality of his cooking.


    Since then, the food in the cafeteria had been excellent, as they hired a chef from a nearby major city.


    It was clear Claire had made thorough preparations, and useful ones at that.


    So, Daniel decided not to refuse any further.


    After all, he already had Nina, who was always looking to play, tagging along; adding another girl wasn''t much of an issue. And so, it was decided.


    ¡­


    Black Water Town.


    This was a small town located on the border.


    In the past, very few people stayed here due to its unique location¡ªsituated at the base of a mountain and dangerously close to dense forests.


    Occasionally, a spell beast would wander down from the mountain, creating a disturbance. More often, mages from other regions would pass through on their way to train or explore the mountains, staying for a few days.


    The local residents survived by catering to these passing mages.


    However, Black Water Town had changed.


    It had become more prosperous than ever before.


    A few months ago, Crossbridge Academy students had come to resist a beast tide.


    With so many people staying, eating, and drinking, money flowed, attracting businesses that opened branches here.


    After several months, these businesses had settled in, and the town''s population grew.


    Now, many came to Black Water Town to buy spell beast materials, which were more affordable here.


    As Daniel drove the carriage into Black Water Town, Nina and Sif sat inside.


    The original driver had left earlier; he was reluctant to journey to the border, as his family lived in Riverside City and he feared the risks.


    Also, with Daniel and the two girls inside, the carriage was cramped.


    So, Daniel let the driver go and purchased the carriage, deciding to drive it himself.


    His reason for visiting Black Water Town was rather impulsive.


    After hearing about the beast tide, he had sent students to train, and those who returned had indeed changed. Curious, he decided to see for himself.


    After all, the beast tide was indirectly his doing¡­


    Daniel''s only purpose here was to take a look.


    As the carriage slowly entered the town, Daniel was surprised to see the bustling streets. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had only intended for his students to gain experience, yet this had indirectly revitalized the town.


    Now, specialized mages even ventured into the mountains to hunt spell beasts for mana stones, and others were hurrying into the forest to fulfill missions.


    The atmosphere was lively.


    In one part of town, Daniel even spotted a collective statue of Crossbridge Academy students.


    "To honor the children who helped us in difficult times!" read the inscription below the statue, which bore the Crossbridge Academy emblem.


    "Headmaster, look, that''s me! I''m standing behind Reed!" Nina eagerly pointed out.


    Though the statue was a group depiction and individual faces were hard to discern, Nina immediately recognized herself.


    When the townspeople decided to commemorate them, each student''s position had been fixed.


    "Mm." Daniel nodded.


    Though the statue lacked specific facial features, it captured the students'' spirit.


    Daniel guessed that a professional sculptor had made it; otherwise, they couldn''t have achieved this level of likeness.


    "The place has changed so much since we left," Nina remarked. Black Water Town had already transformed when the students first left, but now it was even more different.


    "All right, we''ll stay here for the night," Daniel said as he parked the carriage outside an inn.


    "Great! Sif, let''s go explore! I haven''t been here in a while, but the mountains are super interesting!" Nina exclaimed.


    "Ah¡­ I¡­" Sif hesitated, but Nina had already dragged her along.


    Nina and Sif had grown close over the past days, and Sif, initially shy and reserved, had gradually opened up, showing signs of the lively girl she truly was.


    Initially, she had been cautious, perhaps due to things Claire had said, but she had now started acting her age.


    Claire was right about one thing: Sif''s cooking skills were indeed impressive.


    When they couldn''t reach the next resting point, Sif would prepare meals, and the food was delicious.


    This was one reason Daniel was glad to have her along.


    Now that they''d reached Black Water Town, he could let the two kids enjoy themselves, knowing Nina was with Sif.


    Daniel left the carriage in the inn''s courtyard and followed a servant to his room.


    The inn''s environment was surprisingly good for a small town.


    From his window, he could see the distant mountains. Gazing at the mountains, Daniel felt the uncertainty he''d been grappling with intensify.


    In fact, he had been wrestling with it for days.

 Chapter 68: Chapter68-Mistwood

    For Daniel, this was something he had to face. Yet, instinctively, he wanted to avoid it, unsure of the mindset he should adopt.So, over the past days, he hadn''t used any special means to hurry but had instead driven the carriage slowly toward this place.


    Although Black Water Town was quite far from Mistwood, for Daniel, it was merely a matter of will. Now that he had reached Black Water Town, it was time to put an end to this issue¡ªsomething related to his predecessor''s father.


    This matter had always troubled Daniel, leaving him perplexed.


    He had not yet decided how to handle it. Previously, Rose had received a reward in the Mistriver Realm: the knowledge of her grandfather''s cause of death.


    However, the Mistriver Realm had only revealed part of the truth, stopping at a certain point, leading Daniel to suspect that his predecessor''s father might not actually be dead.


    Could that be the reason behind the incomplete answer?


    This was part of the reason Daniel had left Crossbridge Academy¡ªto seek answers.


    Over the journey, he had wrestled with how to approach the matter and what identity or mindset to adopt.


    If his predecessor''s father were indeed alive¡­


    Upon reaching Black Water Town, Daniel seemed to gain some clarity: rather than worrying and hesitating, it would be better to face the situation directly.


    Around sunset, Nina returned to the inn with Sif.


    "Get some rest; we''ll continue our journey tomorrow," Daniel instructed them before heading to his own room.


    The night passed quickly, and the three resumed their journey.


    This time, however, the carriage moved toward the mountains.


    Some mages noticed this unusual scene and called out:


    "Hey, you there! Don''t go any further! The mountains are filled with spell beasts; it''s dangerous! Turn back!"


    But the carriage driver appeared unfazed, guiding the horse deeper into the forest.


    The horse itself seemed immune to the ominous aura emanating from the spell beasts, continuing its path forward.


    In the next instant, the carriage vanished. The mage who had warned them rubbed his eyes in disbelief.


    The carriage had indeed disappeared. After double-checking, he still couldn''t understand what had just happened.


    Had he seen a ghost?


    Daniel had, of course, heard the mage''s warning but ignored it, using mana to quicken their pace.


    As the horse sped forward, the scenery changed.


    They had left the ground, yet the horse galloped as though it were still on solid earth, undeterred by the unfamiliar surroundings.


    "Wow! It''s so beautiful!" Nina exclaimed, peering out the carriage window at the mountain peaks and the sea of clouds.


    "Sif, come and look!"


    The two girls pressed their heads together at the window, marveling at the view. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sif remembered her aunt Claire''s words: following Daniel, she would see sights ordinary people would never witness in a lifetime. After all, Daniel''s power was unfathomable. Sif silently gazed at the clouds, holding Claire''s words close to her heart.


    Soon, the carriage descended from the sky, coming to a stop at the edge of Mistwood, a relatively safe area.


    Daniel turned to the two girls in the carriage:


    "I have something to take care of; I''ll be back soon." With that, he headed into the misty forest.


    Recalling the information he had gathered, he thought of the mercenaries who had escaped from Mistwood.


    They had claimed that his predecessor''s father ventured into Mistwood in search of a leveling-up item known as Dewcrystal. However, during his search, he encountered a water-element snake spell beast and was killed by it.


    The mercenaries managed to escape, supposedly thanks to his predecessor''s father.


    This story was plausible enough, especially given his predecessor''s fire-based magic, which would be at a disadvantage against a water-element snake in Mistwood''s damp environment.


    However¡­ Daniel glanced around. Mistwood was named for its perpetual white mist, which rendered the forest cold and damp.


    The temperature here was never high.


    A water-element snake spell beast¡­ would it really appear here?


    Daniel wasn''t sure.


    So, he expanded his mind power to search for the snake spell beast throughout Mistwood.


    After a few minutes, Daniel retracted his mind power, having found no trace of any snake spell beast, let alone a water-element one.


    Instead, he discovered a patch of Dewcrystal.


    Approaching, he noticed the moist soil sinking slightly beneath his feet. He looked back at the footprint he left, lost in thought.


    The ground in Mistwood remained wet due to the constant mist, meaning footprints would persist if left undisturbed by spell beasts or others.


    With this in mind, Daniel realized he might be able to uncover past events.


    Daniel walked toward the Dewcrystal area without encountering any spell beasts, which he found odd.


    Typically, treasures like these would be guarded by spell beasts. Dewcrystal wasn''t only useful to humans; it was originally used by spell beasts, and when mages discovered that Dewcrystal-using spell beasts were stronger, they began experimenting with it themselves. This spread Mistwood''s reputation as a dangerous place. Only those confident in their abilities or desperate to take risks ventured here.


    His predecessor''s father had come with such desperation, only to meet his end.


    Soon, Daniel arrived at the Dewcrystal site.


    The ground around it was smooth and firm, unaffected even as he walked over it. This area seemed different from others he had seen before.


    Moving closer to the Dewcrystal, Daniel expanded his mind power again but found no clues, leaving him to doubt whether his predecessor''s father had even died here.


    Just then, Daniel noticed a faint ripple on the ground in the distance. The source of the ripple was below the surface.


    As he looked down, the ground suddenly gave way with a crash!


    A giant maw appeared¡ªa circular mouth ringed with sharp, spike-like teeth, as if intending to swallow Daniel whole.


    Instantly, Daniel conjured an ice blade in front of him, its massive edge positioned at his feet. Should the spell beast try to bite down, the blade would pierce its mouth.


    Sensing the cold, the spell beast abandoned its attack, retreating into the ground.


    But Daniel wasn''t about to let it escape.


    In the next moment, the soft ground transformed into an earthen wall, blocking the spell beast''s path despite its attempts to gnaw through.


    Daniel observed the spell beast from above. It was a soft-bodied creature, similar to a giant worm. Could this be the snake spell beast the mercenaries had described?

 Chapter 69: Chapter69-Time, Erased!

    Daniel quickly dismissed his initial theory.This spell beast was using earth magic, not water. Had he come to the wrong place? But then another thought crossed his mind. If this spell beast was similar to a worm and lived underground, then perhaps the entire area had been reshaped by its movement.


    The ground might have been churned up multiple times.


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    With that in mind, Daniel let out a surge of mana, and an idea of a spell he had once studied came to him:


    "Rewind!"


    Using the Rewind spell, he could view the past events here, like watching a movie from a third-person perspective.


    The surroundings began to rewind, with the soil churning as he had suspected.


    This spell beast had indeed been altering the ground.


    Soon, bloodstains appeared in the area, and Daniel paused the rewind, watching intently.


    He could see the Dewcrystal growing in its spot, but there was no sign of any water-element spell beast.


    Could it be that the spell beast lived in water?


    Daniel briefly considered this but shifted his focus back to the scene.


    The bloodstains on the ground eventually faded, indicating that the critical moment was approaching.


    In the distance, Daniel saw a group of people moving cautiously through the forest.


    Most wore mercenary gear, while an elderly man was dressed in a mage''s robe.


    They moved carefully, and one of them noticed the Dewcrystal with excitement.


    The group approached cautiously, with the old man carefully picking a piece of Dewcrystal and putting it away, ready to leave.


    Suddenly, the scene froze¡ªjust as it had when Rose had tried to view the event in the Mistriver Realm.


    Everything halted. Daniel sensed something was wrong.


    He was using a Rewind spell to recreate past events; how could it stop like this?


    Time seemed to pass in silence. When the scene resumed, only blood remained on the ground, with no sign of people.


    Time quickly moved forward again, but everything appeared normal.


    When the Rewind ended, Daniel''s confusion only deepened.


    This interruption during a crucial moment was highly abnormal!


    If the Mistriver Realm had stopped the vision, he might have chalked it up to the realm''s quirky nature.


    After all, the rewards from Mistriver Realm were sometimes strange and unpredictable.


    But this time, he was using a Rewind spell.


    The only explanation he could imagine was that someone had deliberately erased that part of time.


    They had not only erased the cause of his predecessor''s father''s death but also meticulously wiped away any trace of their involvement.


    Daniel''s curiosity grew. In his memories, his predecessor''s father hadn''t been particularly powerful; he was even embroiled in conflicts with the two main families in Riverside City and had come to Mistwood out of desperation to advance.


    How could he have provoked someone capable of erasing time itself? This was no ordinary person.


    With that thought, Daniel returned to the carriage.


    "Headmaster, what were you doing?" Nina asked as she saw Daniel come back.


    "Nothing important. I have another matter to attend to, but I''ll be back shortly. Stay here and be careful," Daniel replied. He then left a few protective magic arrays in place.


    "Remember, don''t leave the magic array''s boundaries." With that, Daniel vanished again. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Voidland.


    Daniel had returned here, seeking out the Sacred Time River.


    If someone had erased the evidence in the real world, could they also erase it from Voidland''s Sacred Time River?


    Using his immense mind power, he delved into the Sacred Time River, sifting through its records.


    A year ago, in Mistwood¡­ He quickly found the relevant moment. But then¡ªthe worst possible result occurred.


    Even in the Sacred Time River, that part of history had been severed. No one could now know what had happened during that lost time.


    Daniel fell into deep thought. He began to suspect that his predecessor''s father might have had a hidden identity.


    Otherwise, why would someone go to such lengths, using such extraordinary means to kill him? If even time couldn''t reveal the truth, then¡­ could bloodline-related fate uncover it?


    As Daniel prepared to explore this idea, the Sacred Time River suddenly vanished, and mystical doorways appeared around him, enclosing him in a circle.


    The moment he saw the doors, Daniel knew he had walked into a trap!


    The mysterious enemy had left this trap specifically for anyone who might attempt to uncover the truth. The trap was the array of doors.


    Voidland was a nexus between worlds, and each doorway represented a path to a different world, holding the unique power of that world.


    Without hesitation, Daniel launched a powerful spell at the doors, casting magic akin to forbidden spells at them.


    But it was ineffective. These doors seemed immune to his attacks, absorbing all his energy as if his magic were useless.


    Examining the doors closely, Daniel noticed that they weren''t only imbued with the power of other worlds; they also held a fragment of the Sacred Time River''s energy.


    That was why his magic had no effect.


    "Time, huh? My apologies," Daniel muttered as he drew upon a vast reserve of mana stones he had collected over time, surrounding himself with them.


    "I declare: time shall decay, and all things return to their end¡­" Daniel''s power increased exponentially as he began his chant, releasing an invisible force from within¡ªa force of death and despair.


    This was the ultimate death, representing the end of time.


    The force swept over the doors, weakening the time-bound energy that protected them.


    The doors themselves began to wither, crumbling into dust.


    Daniel dared not overuse this power, quickly retracting it once the doors were destroyed.


    This was a force representing the end of all things; in Voidland, an error could result in a world''s destruction.


    Turning to the Sacred Time River, Daniel noticed signs of decay along its flow under the influence of his power.


    However, the Sacred Time River would soon heal with the world''s continued evolution, as he hadn''t directly attacked it¡ªhis target had only been the doors, and the river was merely affected indirectly.


    As he inspected the Sacred Time River, he suddenly noticed¡­ a black shadowy mass had appeared on its surface?

 Chapter 70: Chapter70-What! Can’t Go Back?

    The shadow on the Sacred Time River began as a small spot, but as soon as Daniel''s gaze fell upon it, he noticed that it was expanding at an astonishing speed."Wait, this is¡­"


    Before Daniel could react¡ªcrack! It was as if something had shattered. No¡­ Daniel wanted to intervene and stop it, but it was already too late.


    The shadow had spread over a large area of the Sacred Time River, and then¡­ it broke into fragments, scattering everywhere.


    Daniel tried to salvage the Sacred Time River, but all he managed to recover was a single fragment.


    "Well, I tried my best. If it can''t be saved, there''s nothing I can do," he muttered to the fragment in his hand, seemingly forgetting that he himself had caused this state of the Sacred Time River.


    Daniel now felt almost certain that whoever erased everything was likely not after his predecessor''s father.


    Nor his mother, for that matter. In his memories, his parents had been ordinary mages with no emotional bond; they had married only to fulfill their families'' needs.


    Then why would someone go to such lengths, erasing this part of time in the Sacred Time River and setting up traps afterward¡­ Could it be that they were after him?


    A glint of murderous intent flashed in Daniel''s eyes.


    Whoever it was, he would find and kill them!


    After storing away the fragment of the Sacred Time River, Daniel prepared to leave Voidland and return to his world. However, he quickly discovered a problem.


    To use the power of "finality," he had drastically increased his strength. As a result, he could no longer return. In his world, tier-sages were rare but not unheard of.


    The last time Daniel had come to Voidland, he had encountered many hidden tier-sages. They avoided public appearances because their very presence created stress on the world.


    If they moved freely in the world, even ordinary actions would increase this stress, potentially destabilizing or even destroying it.


    This was why tier-sages stayed hidden and disconnected from the outside world.


    The world couldn''t endure their presence, nor could it bear the consequences of their actions. In his recent power surge, Daniel had intensified his strength to an extreme, creating a dilemma¡ªhe was now too powerful to return.


    Even if he merely set foot in the world, it would crack under the pressure.


    "What¡­ what am I going to do now?"


    ¡­


    Outside Mistwood.


    Nina sat at the edge of the carriage, staring idly at her surroundings.


    This was the fifth day since the headmaster had said he needed to leave temporarily, but he still hadn''t returned.


    At first, Nina had been waiting eagerly for Daniel to return and tell her about what had happened, especially after she felt powerful magic waves coming from Mistwood.


    But after Daniel had left without a word, she had simply waited for him to share whatever exciting story he had encountered.


    But¡­ no one expected the wait to last five days. Nina and Sif were left wondering how much longer they would have to wait.


    Thankfully, their storage crystals held enough food to last for ten days or more, but¡­ they couldn''t just stay here forever!


    Nina would rather die than spend ten or more days like this.


    Over these five days, she had thought about leaving more than once.


    But each time, she thought about Sif waiting alone in the carriage, and in the end, she stayed.


    After all, if she left, Sif would be bored to death alone, wouldn''t she?


    Although every time she asked, Sif insisted it was fine, Nina believed Sif was only comforting her. Sweet Sif, how could she leave her behind?


    But if they both left and encountered danger, Nina couldn''t guarantee she could protect Sif. So, it seemed better to wait for Daniel to return. That stubborn headmaster, keeping them waiting for five whole days!


    "Headmaster, please come back¡­ I''ve been waiting for five days and thirteen hours now¡­" Nina muttered as she lay on the carriage, bored out of her mind. Sif, having witnessed this scene countless times in the past few days, merely smiled without saying anything. She, too, could do nothing but wait.


    Outside the World.


    Daniel was at his wit''s end. Over the past few days, he had tried countless ways to return, but nothing worked.


    Even after depleting all his mana, each attempt to step into the world resulted in immediate destabilization.


    The world would begin to collapse, forcing him to retreat. Then, the world would start to repair itself.


    "This isn''t working; I can''t go back at all!" He remembered that he had left Nina and Sif waiting for him outside Mistwood. It had already been several days; if they didn''t see him soon, what if they left the magic array to search for him? Mistwood was full of dangers. Though Nina could escape with spatial magic, Sif had no such power. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And then there was his daughter¡­ if she discovered he had vanished, how heartbroken Rose would be!


    Anxious to return, Daniel''s strength was simply too great. Even without magic, his physical power alone was enough to destabilize the world.


    He needed a better solution. Searching his mind, he thought of various ways to solve this problem.


    Then, an idea struck him. Since his immense power was the issue, why not become one with the world itself?


    He reasoned that because he was an "external" entity, the world''s immune system rejected him, much like the human body rejects foreign organs. In such cases, measures are taken to trick the immune system into accepting the transplant.


    Daniel wanted to achieve a similar effect¡ªto become the world''s strongest "organ." Metaphorically, of course, but that was the general idea.


    He decided to try. Taking out the forge he had received from Dragonscale Bank, he used a magic array crystal to refine it into its final form: a colorless, transparent forge.


    According to Dragonscale Bank, the final drops from this forge might contain essence-level power.


    It was precisely what he needed! One forge alone wouldn''t be enough, so Daniel created thousands. Working quickly, he refined countless droplets and collected them.


    Using his mind power, he shaped the droplets into a ring, which he named the Ring of Origin.


    "Let''s hope this works," Daniel murmured, slipping on the Ring of Origin.


    He then attempted to enter the world again.


    This time, as his hand passed through the world''s barrier, there were no disturbances, and his hand slipped inside.


    Of course, this was only his hand¡ªthe one wearing the Ring of Origin.


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    Now the real test: could the rest of him enter as well?


    With cautious optimism, Daniel attempted again.


    This time, his entire body entered the world.


    Sighing in relief, Daniel hurried toward Mistwood.

 Chapter 71: Chapter71-The Return

    Outside Mistwood, the carriage was still parked where it had been left.Nina held a carrot in her hand, feeding it to the horse.


    "Here, good horse, eat up; this is your dinner for today."


    Within the boundaries of the magic array, there wasn''t much for Nina to do, and feeding the horse had become one of the few enjoyable activities for her.


    Watching the horse chew the carrot bit by bit, Nina smiled.


    "Sif, don''t you want to feed the horse? It looks really funny when it eats."


    Sif, sitting on the carriage, shook her head.


    "You''ve already fed it, so I don''t need to."


    It seemed that feeding the horse was Nina''s main pastime for the day. Initially, she''d tried feeding it every few minutes until Sif convinced her otherwise.


    If Nina continued like that, she''d probably overfeed the poor horse!


    Sif knew that if not for her, Nina might have already ventured into Mistwood to search for Daniel.


    Yet, she had chosen to stay and keep Sif company.


    It had been days now, and still, there was no sign of Daniel. Fortunately, they had enough food in the storage crystal to last at least ten more days.


    Just then, a figure appeared in front of them. Nina squinted and realized it was Daniel.


    "Headmaster, you''re finally back!" she said, relieved. "It''s been almost two weeks. You said you''d only be gone for a short while!"


    Daniel gave a sheepish smile.


    "Sorry, some unexpected things came up. I''m sorry to have worried you."


    Sif nodded silently, while Nina continued,


    "Headmaster, next time something like this happens, you need to tell us how long you''ll be gone. Otherwise, we''ll worry."


    Daniel nodded.


    "Yes, this was my fault. Let''s go, then."


    With that, he dismissed the surrounding magic array. The moment the array was gone, the rustling sounds of footsteps echoed from Mistwood.


    It seemed something had been watching them all along. Daniel looked toward the forest, where two glowing red eyes peered out from the shadows.


    "Headmaster, what is that? I''m going to check!" Nina exclaimed, noticing the eyes as well. She vanished in an instant.


    "Eh?" Sif watched with a puzzled look.


    She''d always thought Nina was like her but hadn''t realized she had this kind of ability, something she hadn''t shown before. Within seconds, Nina reappeared.


    "Headmaster, it was just a spell beast, and not a very cute one. Let''s go."


    "Alright. Hop in," Daniel replied.


    Once inside the carriage, Nina excitedly described the spell beast she had seen to Sif.


    She didn''t feel superior because of her skills; in her mind, Sif was simply her good friend. Daniel glanced briefly in the direction where the spell beast had appeared and scanned it with his mind power.


    The spell beast was eyeing the bushes warily, as if expecting an enemy to jump out. With a single thought, Daniel shattered its soul, eliminating it instantly.


    He then climbed into the carriage, and they set off northward.


    As they traveled, the temperature steadily dropped.


    "Headmaster, where are we going? Everything below us is just white, and I can''t tell what it is," Nina asked as she and Sif looked out the window, watching the landscape change. Sometimes they passed mountains, sometimes rivers, or grasslands.


    But as they continued, the scenery grew monotonous, mostly white with some green patches.


    "A snowy mountain," Daniel replied. Since they had headed north, they had now entered the snowy mountain range.


    Hearing this, Sif curiously stuck her hand out the carriage window but felt nothing.


    She couldn''t even feel the motion of the carriage.


    Noticing her movements, Daniel chuckled.


    "The carriage has a magic array, so it''s normal that you don''t feel the cold outside. We should get you some warmer clothing soon." Discover exclusive tales on §Þ??


    With the magic array insulating the carriage, neither girl felt any cold.


    However, their clothing wasn''t suited to the harsh environment outside; without protection, they would freeze in just a few hours.


    Daniel thought about stopping at a town to buy them warmer clothes.


    "There''s no need, Daniel. My aunt put various clothes in my storage crystal," Sif offered from inside the carriage.


    As the manager at Dragonscale Bank, Claire had ensured Sif was well-prepared, providing everything from cooking ingredients to clothing.


    "Nina, do you need one? I have extras," Sif offered.


    "Yes, please! Give me one!" Nina replied happily.


    Listening to their conversation, Daniel smiled. Since both girls had warm clothing, there was no need to worry.


    ¡­


    At the summit of a snowy mountain, near a cold spring, a spell beast resembling a white bear sat by the water''s edge. Its white fur rippled slightly in the cold breeze from the spring.


    Suddenly, the bear opened its eyes and looked toward the sky.


    Despite its large size, it was far from clumsy; its senses were exceptionally sharp, and it quickly spotted a shadow approaching from afar.


    The bear recognized the familiar aura emanating from the figure in the sky¡ªit was an "old rival," a snow eagle.


    Living in nearby mountains, they frequently clashed over control of the cold spring. The last time, the white bear had won.


    Given the time that had passed, it seemed they were due for another showdown.


    This time, the bear felt even more confident, having grown stronger from spending so much time near the spring. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As it braced itself for the snow eagle''s attack, a small figure suddenly appeared before it, reaching only half its height.


    A human?


    Just as this thought crossed the bear''s mind, the figure vanished, and a tremendous wave of mana surged before it.


    The next instant, the bear lost all sensation, its massive body collapsing to the ground.


    After dispatching the bear, Daniel looked up.


    "Alright, you can come down now."


    Two heads peeked over the side of the snow eagle, one belonging to Nina and the other to a slightly trembling Sif.


    "Headmaster, is this the ''formidable foe'' that Snowy warned us about? It doesn''t seem that impressive!" Nina said, sliding off the eagle''s back.


    Sif quickly jumped down, clearly eager to get off the snow eagle as soon as possible.


    "It was just two spell beasts fighting over territory," Daniel replied. "Sif, why don''t you take a look at the bear?"


    Sif ran over to examine the white bear, wondering if it could be used as cooking material.

 Chapter 72: Chapter72-It’s Good to Be Alive

    Even Daniel had to admit that Sif''s talent for cooking was remarkable.Claire''s praise had even been an understatement.


    Sif hadn''t just learned how to make a variety of dishes; she constantly innovated, sometimes determining the best cooking method based on a spell beast''s texture and flavor.


    This was a talent Daniel himself did not possess. Now, whenever they killed a spell beast, Daniel would ask Sif if it could be eaten, and if so, how to prepare it.


    Sif ran over to the white bear''s corpse, pulled out a knife, and expertly sliced through its thick fur, exposing layers of fat and firm muscle beneath.


    She quickly carved off a small piece and began testing the texture.


    "So cruel¡­" Nina murmured from her perch on the snow eagle''s back.


    Though she''d seen Sif do this several times, she still found it hard to watch.


    These spell beasts were already dead, yet now they were being dissected.


    But later, she''d be the first to dig in.


    At that moment, Nina noticed that the snow eagle she was sitting on was quietly whimpering. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Snowy, what''s wrong?" she asked.


    "It''s nothing¡­ I was just feeling sentimental," the snow eagle replied. "That white bear¡­ we''ve known each other for years. You could say we were friends, if only barely.


    But then we discovered a cold spring here¡­"


    The rest of the story was predictable.


    Snowy and the white bear had quarreled over the cold spring, fighting to claim it for themselves.


    Over time, they''d developed a rivalry, trading victories back and forth¡ªuntil now.


    Originally, the snow eagle had come prepared to battle the white bear for the spring.


    But as it took flight, it noticed a carriage in the sky.


    Snowy recognized it as a human vehicle, but¡­ why was it in the sky?


    And how could horses run in midair without wings?


    Curious, Snowy decided to follow, only to be captured.


    Before it knew what was happening, Nina had appeared on its back, warning it not to move.


    But the snow eagle, as a strong spell beast, wasn''t about to listen to a human child.


    It was, after all, the king of these snowy mountains¡­ or so it thought.


    Just as it prepared to shake her off, another aura appeared¡ªa terrifying one.


    Snowy instinctively understood that if it tried to harm the little girl on its back, it would die instantly.


    Choosing to trust its instincts, the snow eagle complied. In hindsight, it had made the right choice.


    Otherwise, it would be lying dead on the ground, like the white bear, whose body was now being prepared for cooking.


    The snow eagle sighed. Sometimes, choices were everything. At least it was still alive.


    Just then, it felt a sudden tug of pain as Nina plucked several feathers from its back.


    "Snowy, your feathers are so pretty.


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    How about I make you a nice headdress? Have you heard of the phoenix? It has a feathered crest on its head. Want me to make one for you?" Nina asked, her hands not stopping as she fashioned the feathers together with magic, placing them on the snow eagle''s head.


    "It does look like a phoenix, but something feels off¡­ What could it be?" Nina mused.


    The snow eagle remained silent.


    It thought about mentioning that what it lacked was a phoenix bloodline, as its own was too thin, but would that even help?


    What if she decided to try using something else''s blood for the crest? Just imagining the scene filled the snow eagle with dread.


    For a brief moment, it almost envied the white bear.


    At least now, it had nothing to worry about, while the snow eagle still had to cater to Nina''s whims.


    After feasting on the white bear''s meat, they set off once more.


    This time, Nina didn''t stay in the carriage with Sif. Instead, she practiced her teleportation magic, jumping between the carriage and the snow eagle''s back, claiming it helped her improve her magic control.


    When she finally tired herself out, she returned to the carriage to rest.


    The snow eagle sighed in relief. Nina''s magic required it to stay close to the carriage, matching its speed without getting too far ahead or falling behind.


    Fixed flight was no easy task for a spell beast accustomed to roaming freely, but it bore the inconvenience out of necessity.


    As Nina napped in the carriage and Sif stayed by her side, Daniel noticed that they were nearing their destination.


    When the Sacred Time River shattered in Voidland, he had recovered a small fragment, and within that fragment, he had seen a mysterious symbol that resembled one found in the northern snowy mountains.


    He suspected this symbol might be connected to whoever had laid these traps for him, prompting him to journey here.


    Daniel was not the forgiving type. Anyone who dared to plot against him would have to be prepared for his revenge.


    His eyes narrowed as he spotted a small town¡ªor rather, a settlement¡ªbelow.


    Guiding the carriage down, he landed at its edge. The landing jolted Nina awake.


    "Headmaster, are we there?" she asked groggily.


    "I''m not sure. Let''s go in and ask around," Daniel replied, heading toward the town.


    The town was shielded by high walls to keep out the bitter wind.


    Daniel observed it as they approached.


    Figures appeared atop the wall, alerted by the carriage''s approach.


    After all, in weather like this, a pristine carriage coming from the distance without a speck of snow on it was an unusual sight.


    The guards on the wall looked on curiously, and one of them called out in a language unfamiliar to Nina.


    "Headmaster, what are they saying? Are they talking to us?" she asked from the carriage.


    With a wave of his hand, Daniel cast a magic array to translate their speech, turning their beast-like language into comprehensible words.


    "Who are you? What business do you have here? Stop right there, or we''ll shoot!" the guard warned, arrows drawn and ready.


    "Headmaster, let me handle this!" Before Daniel could respond, Nina vanished, reappearing on the wall where the guards stood.


    Within moments, the guards around her had slumped to the ground, unconscious. Nina reappeared in the carriage with a proud smile.


    "All done!"


    "Well done. Let''s go inside and see if we can find any useful information," Daniel replied.


    The three of them entered the peculiar town.


    The streets were almost empty, and the buildings were all short, none exceeding the height of the wall.


    As they walked, Daniel observed the surroundings until they stopped in front of a particular building.

 Chapter 73: Chapter73-I Don’t Want Trouble, So Leave

    Above the entrance, a sign displayed lettering that resembled the word "Tavern." To gather information, a place like this was ideal. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.In these cold climates, people loved their hot drinks, and such taverns were perfect melting pots of travelers and locals alike.


    Daniel pushed open the door and stepped inside, with Nina and Sif close behind.


    As they entered, the person at the door quickly closed it, sealing off the cold outside. Inside, it was warm, the air filled with the smell of alcohol.


    The lively tavern went still for a moment at their entrance. Curious whispers broke out, and many turned to look at them with expressions of curiosity, suspicion, and greed.


    Strangers were rare in this frozen region, and even rarer were people who looked like them.


    Merchants who traveled through these mountains typically bore the weary look of constant travelers.


    But Daniel and his companions were different.


    Their presence exuded a refined elegance. Daniel''s bearing was naturally imposing, Sif had a dignified aura from her upbringing under her aunt Claire, a manager at Dragonscale Bank, and Nina, dressed in Sif''s warm clothes, looked around with wide-eyed curiosity, clearly finding the tavern amusing.


    To any observer, these people were unmistakably wealthy.


    Daniel found a seat and ordered some food and drinks.


    As they settled in, the atmosphere gradually returned to normal, and patrons resumed eating, drinking, and talking.


    Yet, Daniel noticed that their conversations seemed subtly directed toward him and his companions.


    "Big Brother, those people over there look pretty loaded," one voice murmured.


    The bartender brought the food and drinks to their table, and Sif handed him a small piece of mana stone as payment and tip.


    The sight of even a small inferior mana stone caught everyone''s attention, and the surrounding gazes intensified with interest.


    The bartender gleefully took the mana stone and hurried to the back, where he spoke to the pub keeper.


    "Don''t bother them. They''re important people. Let''s mind our business," the pub keeper said, glancing at Daniel, before returning to his work.


    The bartender glanced at his brother in surprise; he''d expected a different reaction. But his brother offered no further explanation.


    As the bartender looked around, he noticed a few people who couldn''t sit still. The Wild Dog Gang.


    The Wild Dog Gang was a gang of petty criminals known for their thievery. T


    ownsfolk looked down on them, and they were tolerated only because of the harsh weather.


    On a normal day, people would avoid them.


    The gang members exchanged glances, making a decision and rising from their seats, moving toward Daniel''s table with smirks on their faces.


    Daniel, of course, had noticed them long before.


    Nothing annoyed him more than interruptions while he was eating.


    The gang approached, sneering. Daniel''s gaze turned cold, and the gang members felt a wave of pressure descend upon them, freezing them in place.


    "Leave. I don''t want to cause a scene," Daniel''s voice echoed in their ears.


    Normally, anyone would recognize this as a warning to back off.


    But the Wild Dog Gang was different.


    They interpreted Daniel''s words as a sign of weakness, thinking he was bluffing.


    They had five or six men on their side, while Daniel seemed alone¡ªhe wasn''t counting the two girls as combatants.


    "Kid! Let me tell you¡­" one of the gang members started, but before he could finish, he was gone.


    A person-shaped hole appeared in the tavern''s wall, letting in a blast of freezing wind. The icy gusts jolted several patrons from their drunken stupor.


    What¡­ just happened?


    The pub keeper quickly rushed out and addressed Daniel,


    "Honored guest, please don''t mind them¡­ those guys are from the Wild Dog Gang.


    They act like that often, and today they foolishly tried to bother you.


    Our tavern has nothing to do with it."


    The pub keeper''s words were part flattery, part disclaimer, distancing the tavern from the gang''s behavior.


    Daniel looked at him, appreciating the pub keeper''s tact.


    "I have a question for you. Answer it honestly."


    "Of course! Please, ask whatever you''d like, honored guest," the pub keeper replied, his voice shaking slightly, though whether from the cold or from fear was unclear.


    Daniel used magic to raise an earthen wall, seamlessly patching the hole in the tavern wall. Then, he conjured a symbol in mana on the table in front of the pub keeper.


    "Have you seen this symbol before?" Daniel asked.


    Upon seeing the symbol, the pub keeper''s eyes went wide with shock¡ªhe clearly recognized it.


    "What does it represent?"


    "Winterrealm! That''s the symbol of Winterrealm!" he whispered, startled.


    He hadn''t expected that Daniel was seeking Winterrealm.


    Now it all made sense. Winterrealm was a powerful force within the snowy expanse, so powerful that even knowing of its existence was rare.


    "Where is Winterrealm located?"


    "It''s¡­ about ten thousand miles north of here. It''s very far," the pub keeper replied.


    Though he knew of Winterrealm''s symbol, he had never been there and knew very little.


    "Thank you." Daniel placed a larger piece of inferior mana stone on the table and rose to leave.


    After they exited, the pub keeper let out a breath of relief.


    "Big Brother, what was that about? What''s Winterrealm, and who were those people?" the bartender asked, as several patrons leaned in, eager to hear.


    The series of events that had just transpired had far exceeded their understanding, leaving them filled with questions. Your journey continues on M V L


    "Don''t ask. Just mind your own business.


    Sometimes, knowing too much is worse for you. Now, go clear the table," the pub keeper said, quickly pocketing the mana stone and retreating to the back.


    The bartender cleared the table and noticed that barely any food or drink had been touched.


    "Guess those big shots didn''t like our food," he thought, happily tucking into the leftovers himself.


    "Headmaster, what was that bear-like symbol?" Nina asked as soon as they got back in the carriage. The symbol Daniel had shown the pub keeper was a fierce-looking bear''s head.


    "It''s the reason we''re heading into the snowy mountains this time. Alright, no more questions; we still have a way to go," Daniel replied, giving an evasive answer.

 Chapter 74: Chapter75-Legend of the Tree of Origin(Chapter74 is the next chapter)

    Ronan looked at the powerful stranger in front of him, blinking repeatedly to signal that Daniel had not released him from the invisible restraint.Daniel glanced at Ronan and noticed this, then lifted the binding on him.


    "Thank you, sir. May I ask what brings you to Dragonscale Bank? I am Ronan, the manager of Dragonscale Bank here," Ronan said, his voice carrying a trace of unease.


    For someone to appear silently in his office and be immune to his instant-cast spells, binding him effortlessly¡ªit revealed a significant power gap.


    Now, Ronan could only hope that this visitor wouldn''t kill him.


    "If there is anything in Dragonscale Bank that has caught your eye, I could offer it to you directly," Ronan added, gritting his teeth.


    A person of such strength entering Dragonscale Bank could only want one thing. However, being the Winterrealm branch, his vault didn''t hold anything truly exceptional.


    Even the most valuable item in storage was something Ronan could pay for out of his own pocket.


    Daniel didn''t respond immediately.


    He prepared to take out the Sacred Time River fragment when he noticed something strange¡ªthe fragment had transformed into a leaf-like shape here in Winterrealm.


    In the snowy mountains, it had remained in its fragment form, but now it looked like a leaf. This could only mean one thing: that figure might have a significant connection to Winterrealm!


    Upon seeing the leaf in Daniel''s hand, Ronan''s face turned astonished. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He genuinely recognized the object in Daniel''s hand.


    "Sir, are you here to inquire about this leaf?" Ronan asked in surprise.


    Daniel hadn''t expected such a reaction from the Dragonscale Bank manager, Ronan, just from taking out the leaf.


    "You recognize this object?" Daniel asked, looking at Ronan.


    "Yes, if I''m not mistaken, this item should be¡­" Ronan began, then stood up and started searching his bookshelf.


    The books looked distinctly Winterrealm in style, some even bound in leather.


    Noticing Daniel''s gaze, Ronan explained, "Sir, these are books I''ve collected over the years in Winterrealm. They record significant events in Winterrealm, though mostly folklore."


    "I found it!" Ronan exclaimed as he retrieved a leather scroll from the shelf. "Sir, if I''m not mistaken, there''s a record of the leaf in this parchment."


    Ronan unrolled the scroll, and Daniel''s mind instantly scanned the content, absorbing all the information on the parchment. Sure enough, he found the details he needed.


    "Please look here, sir!" Ronan pointed, excitement in his voice. "I was right! This leaf is related to the Tree of Origin!"


    In the beginning, everything was chaos until the World Tree grew and spread, forming the heavens and earth, thus shaping the world.


    With the formation of the world, the World Tree lost its primary purpose, withered, and fell.


    However, it didn''t disappear entirely; instead, it transformed into saplings that continued to propagate.


    The Tree of Origin is one of those saplings.


    Legend has it that Bear Prime, who founded Winterrealm, grew up under the Tree of Origin.


    Later, he came to this frozen land, shattered the ice mountains with his broad hands, and created a place where life could flourish.


    Daniel''s leaf was likely a leaf from the Tree of Origin, with a 90% chance of being authentic.


    "Is there any other record about the Tree of Origin?" Daniel asked Ronan.


    After reading the stories, he was now almost certain that finding the mastermind required locating the Tree of Origin¡ªor perhaps the legendary Bear Prime.


    Ronan''s face showed hesitation at Daniel''s question: "Sir, this parchment is the only record we have of the Tree of Origin.


    I''ve searched through my entire collection, and this is the only source."


    Fearing that Daniel might be dissatisfied with this, Ronan added, "These books and records about Winterrealm are things I''ve spent years gathering, and I''ve read almost every one of them.I''m sure none of the other books mention the Tree of Origin. I wouldn''t deceive you."


    "It''s just a little hobby of mine. If you''re willing to wait, my team is always searching, so there might be new findings in the future," Ronan suggested.


    "I don''t have that much time," Daniel replied. He knew breaking the Sacred Time River couldn''t stay secret for long. Sooner or later, someone would notice if they ventured into Voidland.


    He needed to find the figure behind it quickly but without causing a commotion.


    Depending on Ronan''s uncertain timeline¡­ wasn''t practical. "Never mind. In Winterrealm, there should be people who know about Bear Prime or the Tree of Origin, right?"


    "Indeed, the people at Winterkeep Citadel should know," Ronan replied.


    Winterrealm was a vast empire built within an icy world, with Winterkeep Citadel connected to Bear Prime, thus maintaining control over Winterrealm.


    If Daniel wanted to learn about Bear Prime, Ronan believed the royal family of Winterrealm would be the best source.


    "Half a month from now, there will be a Trial of Gods event, during which Bear Prime''s consciousness is said to descend upon Westwind Pass," Ronan added, seemingly recalling something.


    Trial of Gods? This wasn''t Daniel''s first time hearing the term.


    When he entered Westwind Pass, he vaguely overheard people in the long line outside discussing it, with the phrase ''Trial of Gods'' mentioned frequently.


    "What is the Trial of Gods?" Daniel inquired.


    "It''s a special Winterrealm event held every three years," Ronan explained.


    The trial, he continued, was supposedly a selection process by Bear Prime, seeking individuals who meet certain criteria.


    Held every three years, participants had to be under sixteen, and even outsiders from non-Winterrealm transcendental systems could join.


    After rounds of selection, those who performed well received blessings from Bear Prime, with the top-ranked individuals granted entry into Bear Prime''s god realm.


    This has only heightened people''s desire for the god realm, turning it into a legend.


    And this year happened to be the year of the Trial of Gods. Soon, the trial would commence, with five slots available at Westwind Pass for Bear Prime''s selection.


    "Have those who entered the god realm ever returned?" Daniel asked, looking at Ronan.


    "Well¡­" Ronan hesitated, unable to answer.


    "Never mind. I have a general idea," Daniel said, surmising that those taken into the god realm had likely never been seen again; otherwise, Ronan wouldn''t have hesitated to answer.


    Setting aside the mysterious god realm, Bear Prime''s blessings were still highly prized.


    Stay updated with M V L


    Many people cared more about the blessings than the enigmatic god realm itself.

 Chapter 75: Chapter74-Winterrealm!

    "Headmaster, what was that bear-like symbol?" Nina asked as soon as they got back in the carriage. The symbol Daniel had shown the pub keeper was a fierce-looking bear''s head."It''s the reason we''re heading into the snowy mountains this time. Alright, no more questions; we still have a way to go," Daniel replied, giving an evasive answer. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He didn''t plan to tell Nina too much, so he brushed her question aside.


    Nina didn''t dwell on it and happily settled into the carriage, pulling out the miniature snow eagle from her hood.


    "Snowy, why didn''t you tell me you could shrink like this?" she asked with an eager glint in her eye, like she had just found a new toy.


    The snow eagle, feeling a little uneasy under her intense gaze, muttered,


    "You¡­ never asked, did you?"


    ¡­


    Winterrealm. To many who lived among the snowy mountains and frozen plains, this place was nothing more than a legend.


    On the western edge of Winterrealm stood a massive gateway¡ªa door made of pure light, designed to keep out anyone unworthy of entry.


    But Daniel didn''t bother with any formalities; he simply drove the carriage directly into Westwind Pass, the main entry to the city.


    Once inside, they immediately felt warmth radiating from all directions.


    Though it was called Winterrealm, it didn''t feel like winter here.


    This was the domain of a powerful force, and the streets were filled with people. Nina marveled at the crowds lining the roads.


    "So many people¡­" she murmured, noticing that some looked like spell beasts in human form.


    They had thick fur covering their bodies, sometimes even obscuring their faces, and some had other beastly features as well.


    Nina watched, fascinated, while Sif gazed out the window, her eyes bright with excitement and curiosity.


    The townspeople, in turn, looked curiously at the carriage. Horses weren''t rare in Winterrealm, but they were usually majestic and otherworldly creatures, chosen specifically for such a land. To see an ordinary horse here was quite unusual, and many wondered what kind of people could have brought such a plain horse through the snow-covered wilderness into Winterrealm.


    As the novelty wore off, the townsfolk''s attention shifted back to their daily lives.


    After all, powerful individuals weren''t uncommon here, and many people in the streets bore animalistic traits themselves.


    A mere horse wasn''t that interesting.


    "Headmaster! I see it! I see it!" Nina called from the carriage window, pulling back the curtain and leaning toward Daniel, pointing to a flag along the roadside.


    "Look, Headmaster! Isn''t that the bear symbol you were talking about?"


    As she spoke, she realized the awkward truth. She had only noticed the single flag to the side, but now that the curtain was open, she could see ahead as well¡ªevery shop in sight displayed the bear-head symbol!


    This emblem was clearly woven into Winterrealm''s identity.


    While driving the carriage, Daniel extended his mind power, probing for information about Westwind Pass.


    Soon, he learned that people here held the bear-head symbol in high reverence, calling it the "Bear Venerable."


    According to legend, the Bear Venerable had used its mighty form to shield the people from the harsh elements and create the Winterrealm.


    Of course, Daniel didn''t put much stock in these tales.


    The light barrier that protected Winterrealm from the cold was created by a magic array.


    He could even tamper with certain components to deactivate the array if he wanted to, but such petty acts weren''t his style.


    He realized he wouldn''t find meaningful information about Winterrealm or the Bear Venerable from ordinary people.


    He''d need to speak to someone more knowledgeable.


    Then, he noticed a familiar name¡ªDragonscale Bank! He immediately steered the carriage toward it.


    Dragonscale Bank was, as always, located in a prime area.


    Only bustling locations attracted the volume of trade Dragonscale Bank required, with its need for mana stones.


    Daniel hadn''t expected to find a branch even here in Winterrealm.


    Upon entering, he found this branch was twice as large as the one in Riverside City and far more spacious, yet it was still crowded with customers. Scanning the inventory, Daniel noticed something interesting.


    Compared to other branches, this one had fewer potions and more materials like spell beast mana cores and blood.


    This shift in stock indicated that such items were particularly valuable in Winterrealm.


    This brought to mind the beastly people he''d seen earlier.


    They resembled animals but were essentially human, although their mana waves were odd¡ªcloser to spell beasts than to humans.


    Perhaps this was a unique class of extraordinary individuals found only in Winterrealm. He made a mental note to look into it later.


    "Alright, you two stay here and look around for a bit. I have something to take care of and will be back within half a day. Here, take these mana stones," Daniel said, handing Sif a storage crystal filled with mana stones before leaving.


    As soon as Daniel left, Nina let out a sigh of relief and grabbed Sif by the arm.


    "Sif, hurry! I saw a ton of interesting things!"


    The two quickly disappeared into the crowd.


    On the top floor of Dragonscale Bank, a well-dressed man was reviewing the accounts. Suddenly, he looked up, realizing a figure was now standing before his desk, silently watching him.


    The man''s gaze flicked to his ledger¡ªthese were Dragonscale Bank''s secrets, never to be seen by outsiders!


    Continue reading at M V L


    Mana surged through his body, and the ten rings on his fingers began to glow in various colors.


    Instantly, he unleashed a barrage of powerful spells and curses at Daniel. Yet, in the next moment, every spell vanished into thin air.


    The man stared in disbelief, checking the rings on his fingers.


    Each ring stored a powerful, instantaneous spell, ready to cast at the slightest input of mana.


    The only limitation was that they could each be used only once every twelve hours.


    He confirmed that the spells had indeed been cast, yet the man before him was unharmed.


    "Relax. I mean no harm. I''m just here to inquire about something," Daniel said calmly, trying to ease his fear.


    The man remained skeptical but realized he had no choice.


    With a simple gesture from Daniel, he found himself paralyzed, unable to move.


    "Now, let''s have a chat," Daniel said. "You''re the manager of the Dragonscale Bank branch in Westwind Pass, correct?"

 Chapter 76: Chapter76-Trial of Gods

    In every Trial of Gods, only a select few are chosen by Bear Prime to enter the god realm.No one truly knows what lies within that god realm, as those who have entered never return.


    For most, tangible rewards from Bear Prime hold greater value than the elusive god realm itself. Your next chapter awaits on M V L


    These rewards are genuine and substantial benefits, proven by past trials.


    However, for the more traditional faction in Winterrealm, the chance to enter the god realm remains the ultimate prize.


    "Are you certain that Bear Prime''s consciousness will descend at Westwind Pass in half a month?" Daniel asked Ronan for confirmation.


    "I''m certain, sir. I''ve spent many years in Winterrealm and even witnessed a few past Trials of Gods in person," Ronan replied, then added with an awkward smile, "It''s just a shame I''m too old now; otherwise, I''d try to participate myself."


    Ronan''s attempt at humor fell flat, so he coughed and continued, "Each time, I felt Bear Prime''s powerful presence¡ªjust a trace of his aura was overwhelming! Powerful, fierce¡­ At one point, I thought I saw a giant bear covering the sky."


    These descriptions, though subjective, matched Daniel''s expectations.


    He worried he might come up empty-handed, but Ronan''s experiences confirmed his understanding of Bear Prime''s presence.


    Perhaps Bear Prime''s consciousness held the answers he sought.


    "By the way, does Dragonscale Bank have any books on fatecasters and bloodline warriors?"


    Ronan was momentarily puzzled.


    Why would a powerful figure like this be interested in such things? Fatecasters and bloodline warriors were unique classes within Winterrealm, unlike the mages of the Free Federation.


    Daniel was curious and wanted to study them.


    He had previously seen people with beast-like features, who he assumed were bloodline warriors.


    As he was already at Dragonscale Bank, he figured he might find some basic resources here.


    With a foundational understanding, Daniel could deconstruct the class''s structure, enhance it with his own knowledge, and integrate it into his "Genesis."


    Mages should seek out knowledge across systems, absorbing and assimilating it.


    Most mages could not achieve this level of integration, but Daniel was no ordinary mage.


    Ronan sensed trouble. It seemed his earlier offer¡ªof gifting anything Daniel wanted from Dragonscale Bank¡ªwas about to be tested.


    But could an immensely powerful figure like Daniel genuinely need these materials?


    Still, Ronan dared not refuse.


    "Please wait a moment, sir," he said, returning shortly with a storage crystal.


    "These are the items you requested," Ronan handed the crystal over, and Daniel quickly inspected it.


    Everything seemed fine, but there were more resources than expected.


    Ronan had clearly gone above and beyond, likely at great personal expense.


    Daniel, not unreasonable, asked, "How much does all this cost?"


    "Uh¡­" Ronan was taken aback. He hadn''t expected Daniel to pay.


    Most powerful figures would simply take what they wanted.


    After calculating, he cautiously replied, "Five trillion inferior mana stones¡ªis that acceptable?"


    This price was discounted generously to ensure Daniel wouldn''t feel deceived, yet high enough to avoid seeming too lenient.


    Watching Daniel''s reaction, Ronan prepared to lower the price if necessary. However, Daniel merely asked for an empty storage crystal and, before Ronan''s astonished eyes, filled it with the full five trillion inferior mana stones.


    Ronan was utterly shocked. A transaction of this scale was rare, and Daniel''s nonchalance suggested he might carry an entire mana stone mine with him.


    After a moment of stunned silence, Ronan took the storage crystal, tucking it carefully into his coat. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How does one participate in the Trial of Gods? Where does one sign up?" Daniel asked, now having obtained the materials he wanted. He figured he''d give Nina something interesting to do, a legitimate reason to stir things up rather than wandering aimlessly.


    Ronan''s expression turned awkward. "The selection spots were filled a month ago¡­"


    "I see. Could one of those spots be purchased?" Daniel asked, undeterred.


    Seeing Daniel''s immense wealth, Ronan no longer had any objections. "How many spots do you need, sir?"


    Dragonscale Bank, being well-established in Winterrealm, had reserved spots available for internal use.


    "Just one¡ªfor my student," Daniel replied. He considered Sif, but her abilities were lacking for this trial, as her talents lay more in culinary arts.


    Nina, however, seemed to fit the requirements perfectly.


    "If it''s for your student, sir, that''s easy to arrange. Simply have your student report here at Dragonscale Bank. We have ten spots this year, and adding your student won''t be an issue."


    "But won''t this affect those already selected?" Daniel inquired.


    "No problem at all," Ronan assured him. "Truthfully, Dragonscale Bank lacks strong candidates this year. Since strength takes precedence, I''m happy to make space for your student¡ªperhaps they can even bring honor to Dragonscale Bank."


    "A win-win situation, how could I refuse?" Ronan said with a smile, genuinely pleased at the arrangement. A student of Daniel''s would likely have both talent and power.


    This was a stroke of good fortune for Dragonscale Bank.


    With Ronan''s cooperation assured, Daniel left without another word, leaving Ronan alone in his office.


    "Sir? Are you still here?" Ronan called out into the empty room.


    Receiving no answer, he finally exhaled in relief, sinking into his chair with sweat soaking his back.


    The chair''s cool leather sent a chill through him, prompting him to stand.


    "Someone, bring me a change of clothes," he ordered.


    Ronan sighed in relief. Being in the presence of such a powerful figure, unsure of his temperament, had been nerve-wracking.


    He had thought that Westwind Pass would be peaceful. Luckily, this encounter had ended well.


    "What?" Nina''s mouth dropped open as she stared at Daniel in shock.


    "Headmaster, did you say¡­you want me to compete in some contest?"


    "It''s called the Trial of Gods," Daniel explained briefly, even outlining the rewards.


    As expected, Nina''s eyes sparkled with interest when she heard about Bear Prime''s blessings and the opportunity to enter the god realm.


    The god realm! Just hearing the name made it sound fun!


    "Headmaster, how strong are the people here? What if I run into someone really powerful and can''t beat them?" Nina wondered.


    "If you can''t win? Then just surrender¡ªit''s just a contest," Daniel replied.

 Chapter 77: Chapter77-Why Her?

    "What?" Nina''s mouth dropped open as she stared at Daniel in shock."Headmaster, did you say¡­you want me to compete in some contest?"


    "It''s called the Trial of Gods," Daniel explained briefly, even outlining the rewards.


    As expected, Nina''s eyes sparkled with interest when she heard about Bear Prime''s blessings and the opportunity to enter the god realm.


    The god realm! Just hearing the name made it sound fun!


    "Headmaster, how strong are the people here? What if I run into someone really powerful and can''t beat them?" Nina wondered.


    "If you can''t win? Then just surrender¡ªit''s just a contest," Daniel replied.


    "No way! I want to win!" Nina said determinedly, glancing at Sif with an apologetic look.


    "Sorry, Sif. I probably won''t be able to hang out with you for a while. I need to study magic seriously!"


    Seeing Nina''s rarely serious expression, Daniel was slightly surprised. It seemed signing her up for this trial was a positive move!


    "By the way, if you''re worried about the competition, there''s a gathering tonight at Dragonscale Bank. Many of your opponents will be there. You can check out what they''re like," Daniel suggested.


    "A gathering?" Nina''s eyes lit up at the mention of the event.


    Seeing her expression, Daniel knew she was more excited about the gathering itself than observing her opponents.


    "Perfect! I''ll definitely attend seriously."


    "Don''t mess around. I want you to observe the strength of your opponents tonight, understand?" Daniel warned, sensing she might not be taking things too seriously.


    "Remember, if you place high enough, you''ll have a chance to explore the god realm! Who knows, that deity might be powerful enough that even I wouldn''t be able to enter the god realm¡­" Daniel muttered.


    The more Nina listened, the more her eyes sparkled.


    What? If her headmaster couldn''t enter the god realm, then if she managed to get there, no one could stop her from doing whatever she wanted!


    This was too good to pass up.


    In that moment, Nina made one of the most important decisions of her life.


    "Remember, Winterrealm isn''t like our Riverside City. There are many powerful figures here," Daniel cautioned as he noticed Nina''s excitement.


    "Got it! I won''t forget. I''m already a mature fourteen-year-old girl now, long past the days of naive childhood," Nina replied confidently, standing tall.


    Daniel said no more.


    This was her chance to experience something new¡ªsome challenges were necessary for growth.


    After speaking with Nina, Daniel returned to his room, took a book from his storage crystal, and began reading.


    ¡­


    At Dragonscale Bank.


    "What? Why? Why was Lev''s spot taken away? Wasn''t that decided a month ago?" a boy exclaimed angrily.


    "Kiril, sit down," an older person among them snapped.


    "But¡­that spot belonged to Lev! He''s done a lot for Dragonscale Bank over the years. How could they just strip him of it?" Kiril protested, still upset.


    "Ronan has the final say on these matters. Besides, Ronan said there would be compensation for Lev," the older man replied, his face showing some impatience.


    His tolerance for Kiril''s behavior had reached its limit; if Kiril continued causing a scene, he wouldn''t hesitate to take action.


    Seeing the shift in his expression, Kiril mumbled, "Compensation? What could be more valuable than Bear Prime''s essence drop? And¡­what if he was chosen to enter the god realm¡­"


    "Hmph," someone nearby scoffed. "The god realm? Keep dreaming. You''re not concerned about Lev''s spot¡ªyou''re worried that without it, you won''t get any essence drops yourself, right?"


    No one had much affection for Kiril, especially since he frequently hung around with Lev, the one who had lost his spot.


    Although Lev considered Kiril his best friend, Kiril saw Lev as nothing more than a useful fool. Over the years, he had often exploited Lev''s resources in the name of friendship.


    If Lev had managed his own resources, he''d likely be much stronger now.


    Everyone knew about Kiril''s behavior.


    They''d tried advising Lev before, but he was a straightforward, honest person who never took their warnings seriously.


    "If this newcomer has real strength, then I have no objections," a girl playing with a dagger commented. She seemed intrigued by whoever had replaced Lev and had no fondness for Kiril''s cocky attitude.


    "Yeah, right. I heard the new kid only got in through Ronan''s backdoor connections¡­" Kiril muttered, repeating rumors he''d overheard.


    Just then, a knock sounded on the door. A girl entered and looked around at everyone.


    "This¡­is the gathering place for Dragonscale Bank, right? Sorry if I''m late."


    "No worries. We just got here early. Take a seat and rest," the older man said to Nina, his face expressionless.


    The others turned their gaze toward Nina, their expressions ranging from suspicion and indifference to disdain.


    Nina calmly found a seat, sitting next to the girl playing with the dagger.


    "Oh, right. Here''s my token. Ronan said to show this to you," Nina said, handing over her token.


    The older man took a deep breath, his face looking even more strained, and replied, "Allow me to introduce myself. I''m Kolman, the team leader for Dragonscale Bank in this Trial of Gods."


    "Hello, I''m Nina," she responded, slightly nervous as she formally spoke to strangers. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If I may ask, how old are you?" Kolman inquired, noting how young Nina looked, which made him question her combat abilities.


    "I¡­thirteen¡­no, fourteen," Nina corrected, adding a year to boost her confidence.


    However, to the others, this only made her seem less capable.


    A fourteen-year-old transcendent?


    They couldn''t help but think back to themselves at that age, barely capable and easily overpowered by their current selves.


    Their initial judgment of Nina was that she must be here just to fill a spot. Your adventure continues at M V L


    "I knew it¡­she must have used a backdoor to get in! Why should we sacrifice our achievements to let this young lady play around? That spot was Lev''s chance to get an essence drop from Bear Prime!" Kiril sneered under his breath.


    "To replace Lev with someone like her¡­all I can see is us forfeiting."

 Chapter 78: Chapter78-Can Anyone Really Do That?

    Kiril could no longer hide his disdain and openly mocked Nina. Originally, Lev''s spot was replaced, costing him a chance at the essence drop.And now, a mere fourteen-year-old girl had shown up¡­unless she was some kind of genius, Kiril could see no way they''d gain any rewards from this trial.


    He had prepared extensively for this opportunity.


    If he could secure two shares of Bear Prime''s essence drop, he might advance even further.


    Now, not only had he lost out on two shares, but he might not get any at all. This thought made him furious.


    Kiril''s talent was the lowest among the group.


    The only reason he managed to reach a moderate level was due to Lev''s resources, which he exploited under the guise of friendship.


    Without an essence drop this time¡­he couldn''t bear to think of what would become of him, reduced to his original state. He simply couldn''t accept that outcome.


    And he wasn''t alone. Though the others stayed silent, they shared similar thoughts.


    They had all prepared for this trial for a long time, taking full advantage of their age, having just turned sixteen¡ªthe maximum age allowed.


    If they didn''t get an essence drop, wouldn''t all their hard work be in vain?


    In this moment, the Dragonscale Bank group, even Kolman, their leader, felt an unusual sense of unity. Explore more stories at M V L


    "If you ask me, we should all go together and confront Lord Ronan! We''re here to compete for an essence drop, not to babysit some spoiled little lady¡­" Kiril''s voice trailed off as he noticed the group''s attention shifting toward him.


    Why were they all looking at him? Shouldn''t they be focused on that little lady who had just¡­vanished. She must have left to cry alone somewhere after being scolded so harshly.


    Surely, she now understood her place.


    Then he could rally everyone to convince Ronan to restore Lev''s spot.


    That way, he''d still have a chance for those two shares of essence drop¡­


    As Kiril daydreamed, his vision suddenly went dark, and he collapsed to the floor. Standing behind him was Nina, looking furious.


    "I hate it when people talk about me like that! Say it again, and I''ll get really angry!" she warned.


    Nina had held back¡ªalthough this guy was annoying, he seemed somewhat weak.


    She didn''t want to hurt him too severely. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, she was here to compete, not to kill.


    She had promised the headmaster she was no longer a child and would act with restraint, like an adult.


    Glancing at the others, Nina noticed their strange looks. But as a grown-up, she could handle such stares.


    She''d seen Dean Isolde look at the headmaster this way back at the academy.


    Now, she was receiving the same respect as him¡ªproof she wasn''t just a kid anymore!


    Enjoying the attention, Nina returned to her seat.


    The room was silent; everyone was shocked by her quick action.


    Nina had moved behind Kiril almost instantly, casting her spell without giving him any chance to react.


    They still hadn''t fully processed what had happened until Nina returned to her seat.


    Finally, Kolman, the group''s leader, spoke up, "Someone¡­take Kiril to the medical ward. Check if his injuries will interfere with the upcoming¡­"


    "He''ll be fine! I was only trying to scare him! I''m not a child; I know my limits, so it won''t affect the trial," Nina stated seriously.


    Kolman blinked, then replied, "Alright. Let him lie here until he wakes up."


    From her actions, Kolman and the others could see that although Nina might have used connections to enter, she wasn''t here to play around.


    Or perhaps¡­she just saw the Trial of Gods as a game.


    Even Kolman couldn''t have defended himself against her sudden attack. Appearing silently behind someone and releasing a spell that quickly¡ªwho could guard against that?


    "I like this new kid," said the girl with the dagger, looking at Nina. "She''s interesting."


    "At least she''s better than that blockhead Lev," she added.


    Nina, curious, looked at the girl and asked, "Who''s Lev?"


    "Don''t worry about him; he''s a fool. Name''s Sarra," the girl replied.


    "Hi, I''m Nina," she repeated, shaking Sarra''s hand.


    "Why don''t I show you around the venue?" Sarra offered.


    "Sure!" Nina replied enthusiastically. She nodded eagerly at the chance to see the gathering place and quickly followed Sarra out of the room.


    "So¡­what about Kiril?" someone asked after a long silence in the room.


    "That fool can stay there. Let him wake up on his own and realize his mistake," Kolman replied, clearly uninterested.


    ¡­


    The gathering venue was lavish, as expected for an event hosting Trial of Gods participants.


    Two figures walked in through the entrance¡ªSarra, tall and confident, and Nina, who looked around, taking in everything.


    Just then, a young man spotted Sarra and approached her eagerly. "Sarra¡­"


    "Scram," she said coldly, ignoring him. Startled, he forced an awkward smile and walked away.


    Sarra led Nina to a corner of the hall. "Two Firebloods," she ordered at the bar. Those who didn''t enjoy the regular drinks could order specialty cocktails here.


    "Please wait a moment," the bartender replied. Shortly after, two drinks that looked as if they were aflame were set in front of them.


    Nina stared at the drinks without blinking.


    "So? Can you handle it?" Sarra asked.


    "Of course! I''m not a kid anymore!" Nina declared, grabbing her glass and taking a big gulp.


    Instantly, the drink''s flavors burst in her mouth, giving her an intense, strange sensation.


    Seeing Nina''s momentary daze, Sarra chuckled. Fireblood was no ordinary drink¡ªit was brewed using spell beasts and magical potions unique to Winterrealm.


    The drink held intense energy, and even Sarra could only take small sips. But Nina had just taken a huge gulp to prove herself. She must be feeling awful right about now¡­


    Hic! A long hiccup escaped Nina''s lips before she finished the rest of her Fireblood in one go. Looking at the bartender, she asked, "One more, please!"


    Sarra''s eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn''t believe it¡ªNina had taken just a moment to absorb the drink''s intense energy.


    And by the second sip, she didn''t even pause, as though the Fireblood offered no resistance to her at all.


    Was that¡­even possible?

 Chapter 79: Chapter79-Wait, How Much Do You Want?

    Even Sarra couldn''t quickly absorb the energy in Fireblood Wine. The power within it was steadily being absorbed and processed by her body after just one sip.Although she had experience with this drink, allowing her to hide the effects better, she still couldn''t match Nina''s frightening speed in metabolizing it.


    Initially, Sarra planned to tease Nina a bit, thinking she''d struggle with the drink.


    However, to her surprise, Nina had completely absorbed the first sip in just a few seconds.


    For Sarra, who had built up a tolerance over many times drinking Fireblood Wine, each sip still took time to handle.


    This was Nina''s first time drinking it, yet she handled it with ease¡ªa sign that something unusual was at play.


    But the real shock came afterward. Nina, having processed the first sip quickly, downed the entire glass in one go.


    And now, she was ready for more, asking for another.


    Fireblood Wine was potent, containing spell beast blood and medicinal herbs that made it a drink best consumed in moderation.


    But Nina''s eagerness for a second glass left Sarra utterly astonished.


    The server, unfazed, prepared another glass as requested. Soon, Nina held the new glass in her hands and drank it down, even letting out a satisfied hiccup and licking the remaining drops from her lips.


    "Sarra, is there sugar in this drink? It tastes kind of sweet!" Nina remarked, delighted.


    Sarra was at a loss for words.


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    Couldn''t Nina feel the immense energy within the drink¡ªthe raw, potent spell beast blood coursing through it?


    Even after two glasses, Sarra would need to find a quiet place to absorb the energy or risk it overwhelming her body.


    But Nina showed no signs of concern or strain, as if the energy had no effect on her.


    "Excuse me, could I get another glass?" Nina called to the bartender.


    "Are¡­are you sure?" the bartender asked, slightly hesitant. Drinking one or two glasses of Fireblood was normal, but a third glass? He was tempted to advise against it.


    "It''s fine! This drink is really good. If possible, I''d like to buy some to take with me," Nina replied cheerfully.


    Good¡­? The bartender glanced at the glass, verifying it was indeed Fireblood Wine. How could this young girl drink two glasses and show no reaction?


    Sarra, now deeply curious, watched Nina finish the third glass and asked, "Nina, what level are you exactly?"


    Nina thought for a moment before answering, "I''m around mid-tier-3 as a Destiny Mage¡­pretty low among the group I''m with."


    In her group of five, Nina ranked the lowest in power.


    She hadn''t focused entirely on magic, with her highest-level companions being Nora, followed by Rose and Reed, with Green slightly stronger than herself.


    Through Sarra, she had also learned that Kolman, the Dragonscale Bank team leader, was the strongest in their group, followed by Sarra herself.


    Both were fourth-tier. The others were around Nina''s level.


    Hearing Nina''s response, Sarra fell silent, not knowing what to say.


    As a mid-tier fourth-level bloodline warrior, she couldn''t handle more than two glasses of Fireblood at once without risking an overload. But Nina¡­


    Nina turned to the bartender. "Excuse me, do you have more of this wine? I''d like to buy some to take back with me."


    "I''m sorry, but if you want to take some with you, you''ll need to purchase it," the bartender replied.


    "How much does it cost?" Nina asked.


    The bartender smiled and replied, "We only accept mana stones here. A glass of Fireblood costs 3,000 mana stones, but a barrel is a better deal at 500,000 mana stones per barrel."


    "Alright, then I''ll take¡­" Nina considered and then pulled out her storage crystal, calculating how many barrels to buy.


    "Nina, it''s your first time here¡ªyou shouldn''t pay. I''ll cover it for you," Sarra quickly interjected.


    She noticed that Nina hadn''t seemed aware that mana stones were the currency here, which made sense for a fourteen-year-old girl who probably didn''t have many on her.


    "No, it''s fine, Sarra. I''ll pay myself," Nina replied.


    "Let me get this as a welcome gift! So, how many barrels do you want?" Sarra insisted.


    "One hundred!" Nina announced, leaving both Sarra and the bartender stunned.


    ¡­


    "Sif, headmaster, I brought something awesome from the gathering!" Nina said excitedly as she returned.


    Daniel looked up. "Did you observe your opponents, as I instructed?"


    "Of course! I found out that most of them are around the fourth tier, while I''m only mid-tier-3 in their ranking system. So I need to work hard to improve quickly!" Nina said earnestly.


    Daniel nodded, satisfied that she''d taken her task seriously.


    "Headmaster, look! This is what I found that can help boost my strength!" Nina said, taking a barrel of Fireblood Wine from her storage crystal.


    "This is Fireblood. It''s made from spell beast blood and some rare herbs. Drinking it regularly can improve one''s strength!" she explained, almost word-for-word repeating Sarra''s earlier description, with a slight adjustment.


    Indeed, Fireblood had some strengthening effects thanks to its ingredients, though its benefits were exaggerated. Daniel glanced at the barrel, understanding what Nina meant.


    "If that''s the case, then focus on building your strength. I expect to see you in the finals," he replied.


    "Would you like some, headmaster?" Nina asked, pouring him a glass.


    Daniel took a sip. "This juice seems well-suited for you and Sif. You both can enjoy it at your leisure."


    "Great! I''ll go find Sif. We''ve got enough to last us a while!" Nina replied, delighted.


    Daniel then asked, "How much did you buy?"


    "Oh, just a hundred barrels. Since this is a gift from my new friend, I didn''t want to take too much," Nina said, a bit embarrassed.


    "Your new friend?"


    "Yes, she''s also a contestant from Dragonscale Bank. She''s the one who introduced me to this delicious drink."


    "How much did a barrel cost?"


    "Around 500,000 mana stones. Sarra must be really rich¡­" Nina replied, marveling.


    After a moment, Daniel said, "Nina, find your friend and send her a return gift.


    Also, your monthly allowance is cut off for this month and will be halved from now on."


    "Huh? Why?" Nina asked, surprised. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Think it over and come back to me when you understand," he replied.


    "Oh¡­" Nina muttered, disappointed, as she left the room. The news weighed on her so much that she forgot to take the barrel she had left with Daniel.


    Daniel held up his glass of Fireblood, the crimson liquid swirling within. "This is nice for an occasional sip."

 Chapter 80: Chapter80-You’re Nothing Special

    As Daniel sipped his drink, his thoughts drifted to Rose. Perhaps she would also enjoy something like this Fireblood Wine.It had been a while since he''d seen her, and he felt a slight urge to check in.


    However, he dismissed the thought. Rose needed to grow on her own without interference, even if that interference was only a distant watchful eye.


    As a bearer of the Ring of Origin, Daniel represented the world''s essence.


    Even a glance could cause unforeseen ripple effects. His presence in this world was already monumental.


    ¡­


    In De''an City, at the central arena, Rose stood with her arms crossed, coldly scanning the crowd below.


    "Anyone else?" she called out.


    The people below, those who had either been defeated by her or who lacked the courage to challenge her, lowered their heads, unable to meet her gaze.


    "I heard De''an City was full of young geniuses. Is there really no one who can put up a fight?" Rose mocked.


    Her goal was clear. Almost immediately after leaving Riverside City, she had come straight to De''an City.


    Learning of the arena at the city''s center, she had smiled.


    Such a platform saved her a lot of trouble¡ªshe could challenge all sorts of so-called geniuses in one place. She wanted everyone to know the name of the Duheng Academy!


    For several days now, Rose had been coming to the arena by day and returning to the inn at night. Every opponent she faced fell without forcing her to even draw her sword.


    She could still recall the girl from House Goldstone boasting that De''an City was far bigger than Riverside City, with talents Riverside could never hope to match.


    Rose didn''t believe it.


    She knew that, under her father''s teaching, she and her four companions were no less than any so-called prodigies. That was why she had come to De''an City¡ªto prove her point.


    But in these days of continuous victories, her opponents were far too weak, unworthy of the title "young genius." Could that girl from House Goldstone have been lying?


    "So this is the best De''an City has to offer?" Rose looked at the defeated, or those too fearful to challenge her, with a mix of disappointment and disdain.


    "''Young genius?'' You''re nothing special¡­" She sighed, turning to leave.


    "Rose¡­you''re too arrogant!" A young man from the crowd shouted. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "And what of it? If you can defeat me, I''ll be humbled. But do you even have the courage to try?" Rose replied, looking directly at him.


    "You¡­you''re going too far!" The man raised his voice, calling out, "People of De''an City, are we going to let an outsider shame us like this?"


    "Yes, we''ve lost to her these past few days, but that doesn''t mean we should suffer such humiliation! We can die, but we will not be shamed!" With that, he rushed onto the stage.


    "Master!" Several guards from the crowd rushed to his side. At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted, "This witch has gone too far! Forget the rules¡ªlet''s teach her a lesson!"


    The onlookers, stirred by the guards and the young man''s defiance, began to move toward the stage.


    Rose''s expression turned icy. "So this is the extent of De''an City''s honor? Unable to stomach my victories, you resort to such tactics because none of you can beat me?"


    Rose no longer held back. She drew her massive sword and plunged into the crowd swarming onto the stage.


    She moved like a human whirlwind, cutting down anyone who approached.


    Those who faced her seemed to lose all sense, forgetting how to fight and even how to summon their magic.


    They stood like stunned civilians, only realizing the danger when Rose''s blade was upon them. But by then, it was too late.


    Her sword was no ordinary weapon. Under her strikes, each opponent fell with serious injury, if not worse.


    Rose was precise, only targeting those who dared to step onto the stage, sparing the bystanders below. Enjoy new tales from M V L


    After a thorough sweep, the stench of blood filled the arena, and the crowd snapped out of their daze, horrified by the grisly scene.


    They realized that Rose had been holding back all these days. The giant sword she carried wasn''t for show¡ªit was her true weapon.


    Until now, she had only relied on magic to fight, yet no one in all of De''an City had been able to force her to draw her blade.


    They began to question: was De''an City really so lacking, or was this girl simply too powerful?


    "Don''t be too arrogant! The real geniuses of De''an City aren''t here. They''re all tier-gold level! Defeating you would be child''s play for them."


    "Oh? Then where are these so-called geniuses now?" Rose asked.


    No one had an answer. Glancing at the bodies around her and the blood soaking the stage,


    Rose decided it was time to leave and find a place to wash up. Why did these people insist on violating the arena''s rules?


    "Stop! You''ll pay for harming my son!" a powerful voice called out just as Rose was about to leave.


    A middle-aged man approached, his eyes scanning the crowd, looking for his son. When he reached the stage, his gaze fell upon a familiar figure among the fallen.


    "Son! Son, wake up! Why did you kill my son?" the man roared, looking at Rose.


    "He broke the arena''s rules, so I killed him," Rose replied coldly.


    "Rules? I don''t care about your rules! You''ll die for this and join him in the afterlife!" The man''s mana flared, a murderous intent directed squarely at Rose.


    A few figures appeared behind Rose.


    "Miss Rose!"


    "No need¡ªyou don''t need to help. Let me handle this," Rose said to Kent and the others. Gripping her greatsword tightly, she faced the man before her, who was undoubtedly a powerful opponent.


    But she also knew¡­this was her chance to push herself to the next level.


    "You¡­will die!" the man shouted, summoning a massive fireball from the sky.


    He continued to unleash a barrage of magic aimed directly at Rose, meant to disrupt her movement and prevent her from dodging.


    The true threat, however, was the fireball above.


    Rose didn''t retreat. She swung her greatsword, slashing through the oncoming magic spells one by one, each swing bringing her closer to her target.


    "Do you really think you can defy me?" the man sneered, conjuring a wall of flames in front of him. From within the wall, torrents of fire surged toward Rose.

 Chapter 81: Chapter81-The Terrifying Girl! A Single Strike Kill!

    Rose knew that to get close to the middle-aged man, she first had to bypass the flames and then break through the fire barrier.However, if she managed to accomplish all that¡­ the man would likely have escaped by then.


    Meanwhile, the enormous fireball in the sky seemed to be inching ever closer.


    Rose had no intention of gambling on the fireball''s potential damage.


    With her current tier-silver strength, she was far inferior to the middle-aged man.


    Regardless of the fireball''s power, Rose understood that passively waiting for an attack would leave her at a severe disadvantage.


    There was no room for hesitation; she had to take the initiative.


    The middle-aged man''s barrier unleashed a torrent of flames, forming an inferno that engulfed the area and left Rose no path forward.


    To attack him, she would need to cross this sea of fire.


    Rose''s face remained calm as she recalled a similar encounter during her time in the secret realm.


    Taking a deep breath, she gripped her greatsword and charged into the flames without hesitation.


    This decision caught even her companions¡ªKent and the others¡ªoff guard.


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    They were members of the Ragtag Mercenary Squad, who had pledged to protect Rose after receiving Daniel''s grace.


    Earlier, Rose had instructed them to stay put, insisting on fighting this battle on her own.


    Reluctantly, they had stayed back to observe, but when they saw Rose charging directly into the sea of fire, they could no longer sit idle.


    "Those flames¡­ charging into them is no different from courting death!" Kent shouted, preparing to rush forward and stop her.


    His duty was to protect Rose, after all.


    Yet, just as Kent was about to act, he witnessed something utterly inconceivable.


    The moment Rose stepped into the fiery ocean, the flames surrounding her seemed to recoil, as though they had a will of their own.


    They avoided her entirely, leaving her unharmed.


    Kent''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Was it possible for magic to intentionally avoid someone after being cast? It defied everything he knew.


    Even after witnessing the event firsthand, he struggled to understand it.


    But then he remembered¡ªRose was Daniel''s daughter.


    For someone with such a remarkable lineage, perhaps this miracle wasn''t so unbelievable.


    Daniel had, after all, saved Kent and his comrades from certain death, an act that still felt like an impossible wonder.


    If Rose possessed a similar miraculous power, it was only natural.


    Lucy, standing beside Kent, had a sharper eye for detail and noticed something unusual.


    The flames weren''t avoiding Rose of their own volition¡ªthey were being extinguished.


    Surrounding Rose was a mysterious energy that eradicated the mana-fueled flames, creating a protective void around her.


    As Rose continued her charge, this energy left a trail of extinguished flames in her wake.


    Behind her, the fire left no trace, as though it had never existed.


    Meanwhile, the middle-aged man, secure behind his fire barrier, remained oblivious.


    Confident in his apparent advantage, he failed to notice anything amiss until it was too late.


    Suddenly, he felt a drastic depletion of his mana.


    His reserves were draining at an alarming rate, something he had never experienced before.


    The realization hit him: his fire barrier consumed mana proportionate to the force it resisted.


    While it had always been an efficient spell, this time, the mana drain was unprecedented.


    He quickly looked at his barrier, finally noticing the cracks spreading across it.


    Crack! Crack!


    In a split second, the barrier shattered into nothingness.


    "What''s happening?!" the man exclaimed, his confidence giving way to panic.


    Before he could fully grasp the situation, he saw Rose descending from above, her greatsword gleaming as it arced downward.


    "Why¡­ why couldn''t my fire barrier stop her?" That was the last coherent thought in his mind.


    Paralyzed by shock, he didn''t even attempt to evade.


    In one swift strike, Rose''s sword cleaved through him, ending his life.


    To the end, the middle-aged man couldn''t comprehend how he had been defeated by a tier-silver opponent.


    He died with his eyes wide open, unwilling to accept his fate.


    From a distance, Kent and the others watched the scene unfold in stunned silence. Rose''s movements were calculated and deliberate.


    She had used the man''s fire barrier as a platform, launching herself into the air to destroy the approaching fireball.


    Then, with her momentum unbroken, she descended upon her enemy, delivering the final blow.


    The sheer destruction of Rose''s assault left no doubt in their minds¡ªthis was no ordinary attack.


    It wasn''t that the flames had avoided her, as they had initially thought.


    It was Rose''s terrifying, annihilating power that obliterated everything in her path.


    The fireball, the fire barrier, and the flames themselves¡ªnone of them could harm her.


    As long as Rose wielded this overwhelming power, no magic from her opponent could touch her.


    The outcome of the battle had been decided the moment she chose to act.


    Kent and the others hurried to her side, their faces filled with concern. "Miss Rose, are you alright?" Kent asked.


    "I''m fine. Let''s head back," Rose replied curtly.


    She sheathed her greatsword and began walking toward the inn without another word.


    Her companions followed closely behind, worry etched on their faces.


    Though Rose claimed to be fine, they could sense a stark difference in her demeanor. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gone was the carefree and relaxed aura she usually exuded.


    Now, she seemed tense and hurried, as if desperate to reach the inn as quickly as possible.


    It was clear that the attack had taken a toll on her.


    Once they reached the inn, Kent asked again, "Miss Rose, is there anything we can do for you?"


    "No, I just¡­ I think I''ll sleep for a long time," Rose said before retreating to her room. She collapsed onto her bed, utterly exhausted.


    Back at the battlefield, the once-crowded arena was now in ruins.


    The flames had long since died out, and the spectators, who had kept their distance during the fight, began to cautiously approach.


    They had witnessed the entire battle and were deeply shaken.


    The girl named Rose had not only defeated a tier-gold mage but had done so in a way that inspired fear.


    Even if she was now likely at her limit, none of the onlookers dared to challenge her.


    The memory of her devastating power was too fresh, too vivid.


    "Who is this terrifying girl?" someone murmured, their voice trembling.


    No one had an answer.


    But one thing was certain¡ªRose had left an indelible impression on all who had witnessed her one-hit kill.

 Chapter 82: Chapter82-The Strange Spear Master

    To the west of the Free Federation lies Sandfall City, a town where martial prowess is valued above all else.Its people are fiercely combative, and even children grow up revering battle.


    Magic here serves only as a supplement, with physical strength being the true measure of a warrior. Combat is an everyday part of life.


    Sandfall City is home to numerous arenas of varying sizes, all built for those who live for the thrill of battle.


    The largest of these is the Sandstone Arena, where spectators gather to watch the most intense fights, and skilled fighters often compete to prove themselves.


    Recently, a peculiar figure had emerged in the Sandstone Arena¡ªa man wielding a simple spear.


    He would buy a new spear outside the arena before each match and would break it during the fight, buying a fresh one for the next.


    Normally, someone who switches weapons constantly wouldn''t be taken seriously, as it doesn''t allow time to familiarize oneself with the weapon''s nuances.


    Yet this strange man won every single battle, proving his skill with the spear.


    Today, the strange man was up against Sandstone Arena''s top spear user.


    "This spear has been with me for ten years. It''s forged from enchanted iron and tempered for eighteen days. I''ve never met an equal in the Sandstone Arena," the spear master declared.


    "And this spear I just bought outside. You''ll be its first opponent," the strange man replied.


    Upon hearing this, the crowd cheered. Facing Sandstone Arena''s best spear master and still talking so boldly? That was impressive!


    "Go, strange guy!"


    "You''re the true number one!"


    "Show him your unstoppable ''Shattering Spear'' move!"


    Since he always broke a spear in each fight, fans had come up with a humorous nickname for his technique.


    "You¡­are you mocking me?" the spear master asked, angered. "Today, I''ll show you the real difference between our skills with the spear!"


    The moment he finished speaking, the spear master vanished, moving at blinding speed.


    The strange man''s spear moved like a serpent, darting in rapid succession toward the direction of his opponent.


    Clang! Clang!


    The two spears clashed repeatedly. The audience could hardly follow the spear master''s movements before the two fighters separated again.


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    "I didn''t expect you to keep up with my speed," the spear master admitted. "But what about strength? True spear skills come down to strength!"


    The master''s spear was specially crafted, while the strange man''s spear was just an off-the-shelf weapon.


    If they clashed forcefully, the strange man''s spear might shatter, leaving him weaponless and essentially defenseless.


    Was this the end of the strange man''s winning streak?


    This time, the spear master didn''t rely on speed but charged directly, attacking with full force. Such an attack could only be countered with equal power. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reed, the strange man, could feel his spear nearing its breaking point; it wouldn''t last much longer.


    His opponent, however, seemed capable of continuing the fight indefinitely.


    Remembering a move he had once witnessed from a tier-sage spear user, Reed changed his approach.


    Until now, he had been using techniques to deflect his opponent''s attacks to prolong his spear''s durability.


    But now, he shifted to a fully offensive stance, even if it meant destroying his weapon.


    His opponent was baffled. Was this strange man planning to break his own spear on purpose?


    The crowd was enthralled by their intense exchange, the spectacle delivering on all expectations.


    "Go, strange man! Just a bit more, and he''s yours!"


    "What? No way! Look at his spear¡ªit''s about to snap!"


    In the crowd, some knowledgeable spectators noticed that Reed''s spear was nearly spent. His opponent, Sloane, naturally noticed too.


    Why, then, was the strange man still pressing forward?


    Unable to understand his motive, but too engaged to stop, Sloane continued his attack.


    At last, after another fierce clash, Reed''s cheap spear finally broke.


    The spearhead flew into the air, leaving Reed with only a staff in his hands.


    Sloane frowned. "Your spear''s broken. Do you still want to continue?"


    "The battle isn''t over," Reed replied.


    "Good!" Sloane resumed his attack.


    Without the spearhead, Reed''s weapon was considerably less effective. It looked as though he was gradually being pushed back, and it seemed like his defeat was inevitable.


    However, a flash of determination appeared in Reed''s eyes as the spearhead, which had been flung into the air, began to fall.


    With a burst of strength, Reed struck with his spear shaft. In a swift, seamless motion, the falling spearhead locked back onto the shaft, and Reed thrust it toward Sloane''s throat.


    Caught off guard by the unexpected move, Sloane couldn''t avoid it. Yet Reed''s strike veered at the last moment, sparing Sloane''s vital points and instead piercing his shoulder.


    The battle was over¡ªReed had won.


    "Congratulations. You''re now Sandstone Arena''s top spear user," Sloane said, holding out his hand. "My name is Sloane. May I know yours?"


    "Crossbridge Academy, Reed," he replied.


    ¡­


    At the southernmost point of the Free Federation, a vast mountain range surrounded a colossal academy.


    "Karea Academy" was written above the gates.


    "Finally, we''re back," Eileen said with a sigh of relief as she gazed at the academy.


    "Come on, I''ll take you inside," she said, looking over at Nora.


    Nora nodded, and Eileen led her to a door.


    "This is as far as I can go with you. Beyond this door is a magic array that will test both your talent and your character. Your talent will determine how far you can go in theory, while your character will shape your ultimate potential," Eileen explained.


    Nora took a deep breath, encouraged by Eileen''s reassurance.


    "Don''t worry; I believe in you," Eileen said softly as Nora stepped into the array.


    Nearby, an official recorded, "Student Nora, from Riverside City. Testing begins."


    Eileen watched the magic array anxiously.


    Talent was graded from one to nine, with each level assigned to a different academy branch.


    She hadn''t told Nora this, fearing it would only make her more nervous.


    Now, she could only pray for Nora''s success.


    Good luck, Nora!

 Chapter 83: Chapter83-Astonishing Talent!

    Eileen was praying for Nora, hoping she would successfully pass the test and gain admission to a prestigious academy.She firmly believed that Nora possessed remarkable talent.


    After all, on their journey back to Karea Academy, Nora had effortlessly advanced a minor tier, which was proof enough that she was a genius.


    Now was the time for Nora to showcase her talent.


    In Karea Academy, students were granted resources based on their abilities.


    The better one''s talent, the more resources they received¡ªbe it learning materials or superior instruction.


    Conversely, those with average talent were treated like mere tourists, receiving little attention.


    After all, Karea Academy prided itself on cultivating exceptional individuals.


    If one wasn''t a genius, they wouldn''t be taken seriously.


    Eileen didn''t want Nora to end up in an ordinary academy.


    Time ticked by, and Nora''s test results were about to be revealed.


    Suddenly, a nearby examiner exclaimed in shock, "Impossible! This has to be a mistake!"


    Eileen turned to see the crystal ball used for talent assessment glowing with a brilliant array of colors.


    As a student of Karea Academy, Eileen knew exactly what this meant.


    The more colors the crystal displayed, the higher the tested talent.


    And Nora''s result?


    It wasn''t just colorful¡ªthe colors kept shifting and changing.


    There could only be one explanation: Nora''s talent was extraordinary.


    Then, something unprecedented occurred.


    The dazzling colors within the crystal ball vanished entirely, plunging it into complete darkness.


    "Who broke the testing crystal? Do you have any idea how troublesome it is to repair?" an elderly voice boomed.


    A wizened old professor, looking slightly disheveled, stormed into the room with an irritated expression.


    "Professor, the crystal ball¡­ it broke on its own," the examiner replied, clearly distressed.


    The professor frowned in confusion. "On its own? Is someone currently undergoing the test?"


    "Yes, a student just entered. The crystal ball initially turned colorful, shifting constantly, and then it extinguished itself¡­" the examiner explained.


    The professor''s anger faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.


    He turned to Eileen and asked, "Is the student in question the one you brought in?"


    "Yes, Professor," Eileen responded respectfully.


    "Impressive. Once she finishes, bring her to my academy," the professor instructed, nodding approvingly.


    "Yes, Professor."


    Although the testing crystal was now useless, no one could deny Nora''s exceptional talent.


    Breaking the crystal during the evaluation?


    That was something only someone extraordinary could achieve.


    "Tell me more about this new student," the professor continued, but before he could finish, Nora emerged from the magic array.


    The professor''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    The mindset test, unlike the talent test, was typically a lengthy process.


    Students had to navigate a series of illusions.


    Failing to break free from these illusions often led to rejection by the academy, as it was considered a fundamental test of character and resolve.


    The academy''s mindset test wasn''t overly harsh; most students passed without issue.


    However, Nora''s performance was astonishingly fast¡ªalmost incomprehensibly so.


    To the professor, it seemed as though Nora had barely stepped into the illusion before escaping it effortlessly.


    Such resilience and clarity of mind were rare, especially in someone with immense talent.


    This was exactly the kind of genius Karea Academy sought¡ªsomeone with unparalleled ability and an equally strong heart.


    The professor''s gaze on Nora was filled with fiery enthusiasm.


    Meanwhile, in Riverside City, Green stood before the academy''s central plaza, smiling at the grand statue of Daniel.


    A year ago, no one could have imagined that the once-fragile Crossbridge Academy would rise to its current prominence.


    Now, it was one of the most influential forces in Riverside City.


    Green had chosen not to travel but to stay at the academy, which he considered his home.


    Someone needed to stay behind and care for it, watching over the new students as they grew and waiting for family members who had ventured out to return.


    Back in Winterrealm, Nina had just received her badge for the trial, which was about to begin.


    Each participant was assigned a unique number and would compete according to their sequence.


    Looking at her badge, Nina was surprised to find her number in the 800s.


    "Are there really this many participants?" she wondered aloud.


    This was just one of the trials at Westwind Pass.


    Considering the many cities and strongholds across Winterrealm, she couldn''t imagine how many competitors there were in total.


    "How''s it going, Nina?" Sarra asked as she approached.


    "I got my number. Sarra, what''s your number?"


    "Mine? Thirty-five."


    "What?! Why is your number so low while mine is over 800?" Nina complained, feeling as though the organizers were targeting her.


    "It''s not unfair," Sarra explained. "The participants are sorted by strength. Since your tier is only tier-3, you''ve been placed accordingly. There are over two thousand participants this time."


    Hearing Sarra''s explanation, Nina''s resentment subsided somewhat. She then took out a small box from her storage crystal.


    "Sarra, I wanted to thank you for buying all that wine for me last time. I got scolded for it afterward, so I found this for you as compensation," Nina said, handing over the box.


    Sarra was taken aback.


    At the gathering, she had spent nearly all her mana stone savings from Dragonscale Bank to buy wine for Nina.


    It had been a significant financial hit, but Sarra had reluctantly gone through with it, unwilling to go back on her word.


    "Thank you," Sarra said, accepting the box.


    "Don''t open it here. Too many eyes around," Nina cautioned.


    Clearly, Nina had learned a lesson from Daniel about discretion.


    She had shared her experience with Sif, who had helped her understand the importance of not flaunting wealth in public.


    Nina now realized that Daniel''s roundabout way of teaching had been deliberate.


    Still, she found it frustrating.


    Find adventures at M V L


    "Hmph, bad headmaster!" Nina muttered to herself.


    Just then, a voice called out, "Number 835! Report to platform three immediately!"


    Nina glanced at her badge¡ªit was her turn.


    "I''m off, Sarra. Remember, open the box later," Nina said before hurrying toward the platform.


    The arena was specially designed to ensure an equal viewing experience for all spectators.


    Stepping onto the platform, Nina felt a surge of nervousness.


    She glanced toward the audience and noticed an empty seat in a prominent location¡ªDaniel''s designated spot, reserved for him by Ronan, the overseer.


    However, Daniel hadn''t shown up.


    S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 84: Chapter84-Can This Little Girl Win?

    "Headmaster, are you really not going to watch Nina''s fight?" Sif asked Daniel.She knew that deep down, Nina wanted Daniel to witness her progress.


    Today marked the start of the trial, and Sif couldn''t help but wonder if Nina might be disappointed by his absence.


    "No need," Daniel replied calmly. "This is just the preliminary round. There are many more rounds ahead. I''ll watch her later performances. For now, rest assured¡ªthere''s hardly anyone in this trial who can pose a challenge to Nina."


    Daniel had closely observed Nina during her preparation over the past few days.


    She had been relentless, using every spare moment to delve into the mystical realm, refining and perfecting her magic.


    Moreover, thanks to the upgrades Daniel had provided through his forge, Nina''s overall abilities had reached a whole new level.


    While she had only advanced by a minor tier, her comprehensive power far surpassed her peers.


    Most notably, Nina had mastered spatial magic. Such an ability was undeniably overpowered among the current crop of participants.


    Instantaneous spatial movement, combined with rapid spellcasting, was a nearly unbeatable combination.


    Few, if any, could withstand such an assault.


    "At least for the first few rounds, Nina is practically invincible," Daniel mused. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He knew Nina''s fights would likely end in mere seconds, which left him uninterested in watching.


    Instead, he preferred to spend his time studying two intriguing systems: fatecaster and bloodline warrior.


    The materials he had acquired from Dragonscale Bank included books on these extraordinary paths, but Daniel hadn''t yet had the chance to fully explore them.


    The fatecaster system involved a unique method of connecting with one''s fate star¡ªa process akin to inheriting destiny from the stars.


    The strength of a fatecaster was heavily reliant on innate talent, as only those with exceptional aptitude could even dream of following this path.


    For those lacking the required talent, there was the alternative class of bloodline warrior.


    As the name implied, this path relied on harnessing bloodlines, not necessarily through noble ancestry but via the blood and cores of spell beasts.


    By infusing themselves with the essence of these magical creatures, bloodline warriors could gain a portion of their power.


    This approach allowed for rapid early growth, but it came with significant limitations.


    As one advanced, the requirements for stronger spell beast blood and cores grew exponentially.


    Eventually, to progress further, a bloodline warrior might need to hunt creatures far beyond their capabilities, often resulting in their demise.


    For some, there was another way forward: receiving blessings from Bear Prime or entering Bear Prime''s god realm.


    Despite the risks, the appeal of early strength made bloodline warriors a popular choice for those unwilling to rely solely on talent.


    In comparison, fatecasters had a more predictable trajectory but were limited by their natural aptitude.


    Both systems had their strengths and weaknesses, offering Daniel much to study and consider. Enjoy more content from M V L


    "Your Excellency, I''ve brought you some additional books on fatecasters and bloodline warriors," Ronan, the Dragonscale Bank overseer, said as he entered Daniel''s study.


    "You''ve been diligent. Here is your reward," Daniel replied, handing Ronan a peculiar fruit.


    Ronan accepted it with curiosity, examining the fruit closely.


    After a moment, his eyes widened in shock.


    "This¡­ could it be¡­ a Lifeheart Fruit?" he stammered, leaning in to take a deep breath of its fragrance.


    Instantly, he felt his fatigue vanish, replaced by a profound sense of vitality.


    Indeed, it was the legendary Lifeheart Fruit, as described in countless texts.


    Such a treasure was exceedingly rare in Winterrealm, found only in far-off lands.


    "Your Excellency, are you truly giving this to me?" Ronan asked, barely able to contain his astonishment.


    "Yes, it''s yours. Take it and go. The trial should have started by now, and as the Dragonscale Bank overseer, you should make an appearance," Daniel said dismissively.


    "Of course, Your Excellency. When will you grace the arena with your presence?"


    "I''ll attend the finals," Daniel replied.


    "Understood. I''ll await your arrival," Ronan said, bowing deeply before leaving.


    His excitement was palpable.


    ...


    Ronan made his way to the arena, where a seat had been reserved for him. The event''s host, Cyre, greeted him upon arrival.


    "Ronan, you''re finally here! Any later, and you would''ve missed the opening!" Cyre joked.


    "My apologies, I was delayed by some matters," Ronan replied with a smile as he took his seat. Beside him was an empty chair.


    "By the way, Ronan, who is this seat reserved for?" Cyre asked, glancing at the unoccupied spot.


    "It''s for an esteemed guest of Dragonscale Bank," Ronan explained. "However, they won''t be attending the earlier rounds and will only show up for the finals."


    "I see. I''ve heard about this guest," Cyre remarked.


    Rumor had it that this mysterious individual''s influence had prompted Dragonscale Bank to remove one of its own participants from the trial roster, replacing them with the guest''s prot¨¦g¨¦.


    ...


    "Number 835 versus Number 823!"


    The announcer''s voice echoed through the arena as a young girl stepped onto the platform.


    She appeared nervous, her small frame seemingly out of place in the grand setting.


    Her opponent, however, was a bloodline warrior infused with the essence of a bear-like spell beast.


    His towering stature exuded raw power and speed¡ªtraits that made bloodline warriors notoriously difficult to counter.


    Against a mage like the girl, who resembled a fatecaster, the match seemed one-sided.


    "Doesn''t she know how terrifying bloodline warriors are?" Cyre muttered, shaking his head.


    Bloodline warriors specialized in overwhelming their opponents before they could cast a single spell.


    For most fatecasters, surrender was the only viable option in such situations.


    Yet, the girl stood her ground, her determination evident despite the odds stacked against her.


    The question lingered in everyone''s minds: Could this little girl possibly win?


    Lord Cyre kept his eyes on the match, carefully observing both combatants.


    He already knew the basic details about each participant.


    In his view, this young girl named Nina had no chance of winning unless she had some hidden trump card.


    The only option for her seemed to be surrender.

 Chapter 85: Chapter85-The Terrifying Power Within!

    Lord Cyre observed the battle attentively.He already knew quite a bit about the combatants involved.


    In his eyes, the girl named Nina had no chance of victory unless she was hiding some incredible trump card.


    Surrender seemed to be her only viable option.


    Mage challengers from outside Winterrealm were not unfamiliar to him.


    Every year, plenty of outsiders participated in the trial.


    As such, he had a decent understanding of mages.


    Mages, in some ways, were somewhat similar to fatecasters.


    When facing bloodline warriors of the same level, they had no advantage to speak of.


    The best option was simply to surrender.


    Yet, the confident demeanor of the girl and the mysterious guest accompanying her piqued Cyre''s curiosity.


    How could a mage possibly defeat a bloodline warrior of equal rank?


    Out of the corner of his eye, Cyre glanced at Ronan, sitting beside him.


    He noticed that Ronan, too, was fixated on the unfolding fight.


    The battle commenced.


    As Cyre initially anticipated, the constraints of the arena made it impossible for a mage to exploit their strengths.


    The boy had already closed the gap, appearing beside the girl in an instant.


    He was enormous in stature, and his fist was hurtling toward the girl.


    Some of the audience members in the front row even turned away, unable to bear watching what they assumed was an imminent defeat.


    The disparity between the two was simply too vast.


    How could the girl ever hope to stand against the boy?


    They were on entirely different levels¡ªcompletely incomparable!


    As soon as the referee announced the start of the match, the boy instantly charged at the girl.


    Perhaps she hadn''t even had time to prepare her first spell.


    How could she possibly fight back?


    It seemed utterly hopeless.


    Even the referee kept a close watch on the fight.


    The moment the girl surrendered or was on the verge of losing consciousness, he would be ready to intervene and call the match.


    After all, she was just a young girl.


    Participating in the trial at her age was overly ambitious.


    But then, under the watchful eyes of all, the boy''s attack missed!


    Even Lord Cyre was astonished by what unfolded next.


    Just as the fist of the giant-bear-bloodline warrior was about to connect, the girl vanished!


    The boy''s strike hit nothing but air.


    Even he seemed bewildered.


    With the power of the giant bear bloodline, bloodline warriors possessed exceptional speed and defense.


    The boy''s confidence stemmed from his ability to unleash explosive speed, overwhelming any mage before they could cast a single spell.


    Yet now, before his very eyes, the girl had disappeared.


    Not run away¡ªshe had vanished outright!


    Why¡­ how could this happen?


    The boy looked up at the referee, puzzled.


    Since the girl had disappeared, didn''t that mean he should be declared the winner?


    He gestured toward the referee, signaling for a decision.


    But the referee shook his head.


    The match was still ongoing.


    How could it not be over? The girl had clearly vanished!


    At that moment, gasps erupted from the audience.


    Not just one person¡ªseveral were exclaiming in surprise.


    The boy''s beast instincts flared, alerting him to danger from above.


    He instinctively looked up, and there she was¡ªthe girl who had vanished moments before, holding a massive spiked mace.


    The wolf-like teeth on the mace gleamed ominously under the light.


    To the boy, it felt as if a wolf was pouncing toward him.


    Even the bloodline within him quivered in fear.


    Nina''s spiked mace struck the boy''s head, but he had already passed out before the blow landed.


    The referee stepped onto the arena, examined the fallen boy, and declared,


    "Trial number 835 is the winner! Advancing to the next round!"


    "Ronan," Cyre said excitedly, "you must introduce me to that mysterious guest of yours from Dragonscale Bank after the trial ends!"


    Despite watching the entire battle, Cyre felt as though he had gleaned nothing substantial.


    The fight had been surprisingly straightforward:


    The boy attacked, Nina dodged, Nina counterattacked, and won.


    Simple.


    Deceptively simple. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet Cyre couldn''t ignore two peculiarities:


    Nina''s sudden disappearance and the bizarre spiked mace she wielded.


    The wolf-like teeth on the mace weren''t metallic but appeared to be genuine teeth from a wolf spell beast. Explore more stories at M-V-L


    Moreover, the boy had fainted before Nina''s attack even landed, suggesting that the mace was far from ordinary.


    Could it be that the original owner of those wolf teeth had been a formidable creature?


    Bloodline warriors had one notable weakness: bloodline suppression.


    It was almost impossible to defeat a stronger opponent unless the foe was a specific type of spell beast.


    Nina''s spiked mace was no ordinary weapon.


    And that disappearing act¡ªwas it spatial magic?


    To master such magic¡­


    Cyre''s mind raced. Nina, and by extension her mysterious guardian, were connections he absolutely needed to establish.


    Ronan responded to Cyre with a noncommittal hum, his eyes fixed on Nina.


    As the manager of Dragonscale Bank, Ronan had seen much of the world outside Winterrealm.


    With his experience, he immediately recognized the source of Nina''s mace.


    It had to be the wolf king of the northern mountains, beyond Westwind Pass.


    Recently, there had been reports of wolf packs scattering in disarray, with the wolf king rumored to be missing or dead.


    That wolf king had ruled the northern mountains for years, its strength undisputed.


    Given Nina''s performance and the recent influx of wolf spell beast materials sold to Dragonscale Bank, Ronan had no doubt:


    The teeth on Nina''s mace came from the wolf king.


    That was why the weapon looked so unusual¡ªall the teeth on it were from the same wolf king.


    As for Nina''s sudden disappearance, Ronan immediately recognized it as spatial magic.


    What kind of prodigy could master such magic at her age?


    Still, considering the lifeheart fruit in his storage crystal, perhaps it wasn''t too surprising.


    Nina withdrew her spiked mace and left the arena, smiling to herself.


    This thing was incredibly effective!


    All she had to do was brandish the mace, and her opponent was halfway to defeat from sheer intimidation.


    "Well done, Little White. You''ll get a reward when we get back!" she whispered.


    Hidden within her hat, her snow eagle puffed up with pride.


    "Don''t worry, Miss Nina. The championship is as good as yours! Though, later rounds will require actual combat."


    The snow eagle had suggested this strategy to Nina.


    It had only taken a minor release of its aura to discover a critical weakness in bloodline warriors.


    Leveraging this knowledge, they had crafted a plan: a one-size-fits-all strategy to deal with lower-level opponents while keeping Nina''s true abilities under wraps.


    To that end, Nina had scouted for powerful spell beasts in the vicinity, ultimately targeting the northern mountains'' wolf packs.


    With the snow eagle''s help and her own magic, killing the wolf king had been straightforward.


    The spiked mace was crafted from its teeth, and nothing went to waste¡ªwhat wasn''t needed was sold.


    As for the wolf king''s mana core, Nina had gifted it away.


    After the first day''s battles, Sarra returned to her quarters and retrieved a gift Nina had given her earlier.


    She hadn''t expected much¡ªa small girl''s gift was likely something trivial or girlish.


    But when Sarra opened the box, a chill filled the room!

 Chapter 86: Chapter86-Isn’t This What We Use for Bathwater?

    Sarra couldn''t believe her eyes.Right in front of her was a mana core!


    The cold energy radiating from it chilled the room noticeably.


    From its features alone, it was clear that this was no ordinary mana core¡ªit had come from a powerful spell beast.


    What''s more, Sarra felt a peculiar resonance between the mana core and her own bloodline.


    This could only mean one thing: the mana core came from a spell beast of the same type as her bloodline.


    Sarra had never told Nina about her class.


    In fact, Sarra was a bloodline warrior, and the bloodline she had fused with was that of a wolf.


    Now, the mana core Nina had given her was clearly from a wolf!


    Judging by the energy fluctuations and other characteristics, it must have been a formidable wolf king. Continue reading at M-V-L


    Otherwise, Sarra wouldn''t have felt this strong a connection.


    She never imagined Nina would give her such a precious gift.


    Mana cores of this level were incredibly rare and difficult to come by.


    All Sarra had done was trade some mana stones, yet Nina had surprised her with such an extraordinary present.


    At this moment, Sarra felt even more indebted to Nina.


    ...


    "Sif, will the Headmaster come to watch?" Nina asked, looking at Sif.


    "I''ve asked him. Daniel said he''ll come to see your final match."


    "The final match? I didn''t expect the Headmaster to have such faith in me! I absolutely won''t let him down. When the time comes¡­ he''ll get to see my latest ultimate move!"


    As the days passed, the Trial of Gods continued to progress.


    Soon, the final thirty contestants were determined.


    These thirty individuals would each receive a reward from Bear Prime.


    Of course, this was just the initial reward¡ªa level 1 essence drop.


    This unique treasure could benefit any class or system, enhancing the recipient''s growth in a tangible and noticeable way.


    It was the very reward that had drawn countless participants to the trial.


    Being chosen directly by Bear Prime was an honor reserved for only a select few.


    But for most, the essence drop itself was the ultimate goal.


    And this was only the level 1 essence drop.


    As the trial continued, level 2 essence drops would also be distributed!


    On the day the top thirty were decided, Lord Cyre of Westwind Pass personally handed out the level 1 essence drops.


    The drops were contained in exquisite little bottles, and everyone who received one was elated, carefully tucking their prize away.


    Naturally, Nina was among those who received a bottle.


    As she watched the other recipients celebrate with uncontrollable joy, she turned to Sarra with a puzzled expression.


    "Sarra, what''s so special about this thing?"


    Sarra leaned in close and whispered,


    "This isn''t just any treasure. No matter what class you are, once you take it, you''ll immediately feel its effects. Your mana will flow more smoothly, your body will grow stronger¡­ all sorts of wonderful changes."


    "And this is just the level 1 essence drop. When it gets down to the top ten, they''ll hand out the level 2 essence drops, which are even more powerful!"


    After hearing Sarra''s explanation, Nina nodded, indicating that she understood.


    That evening, Nina returned to her quarters.


    She debated whether to save some of the essence drop for Sif.


    After all, Sif''s progress hadn''t been as fast as her own.


    Thinking of this, Nina took out the small bottle and opened it.


    She sniffed the liquid inside.


    The scent was strangely familiar, though she couldn''t quite place it.


    Logically, she shouldn''t have encountered anything like the Bear Prime''s essence drop before.


    This was her first time in Winterrealm, after all.


    But the smell¡­ it was unmistakably familiar.


    Curious, she tasted a small sip. The flavor, too, was oddly familiar.


    What could it be?


    A short while later, Sif entered the room.


    "Here it is, freshly boiled hot water! Congratulations on making it to the top thirty, Nina!"


    "A hot bath is perfect right about now," Sif said cheerfully.


    As she stepped inside, she noticed Nina sniffing and tasting from the bottle in her hand.


    "Nina, what are you doing?" Sif asked curiously.


    Nina gestured for her to come closer.


    "Here, Sif, try this. Doesn''t it seem familiar? I can''t shake the feeling that I know this smell."


    Sif took the bottle, sniffed it, and immediately set it down with a surprised expression.


    "This is just bathwater! You used this yesterday to wash your feet!"


    "What?"


    Nina froze in shock.


    Then, as she thought about it carefully¡­


    Could it be true?


    She quickly went over to the wooden tub, dipped her finger into the water, and tasted it.


    Her expression changed instantly.


    It was exactly as Sif had said!


    This stuff was no different from their regular bathwater.


    ...


    "Oh?"


    Daniel wore an amused smile as he examined the bottle.


    The Bear Prime''s level 1 essence drop was, in fact, nothing more than diluted mana droplets.


    For some time now, Daniel had been using diluted mana droplets for everyday tasks, from cooking to bathing, to subtly enhance the physical conditions of both Sif and Nina.


    This explained why Nina found the essence drop so familiar¡ªshe had been using it daily!


    People tend to overlook the extraordinary in their daily routines, and Nina was no exception.


    Daniel found it fascinating that the Bear Prime was using a similar method.


    It suggested that the Bear Prime also had access to significant forge resources to produce these droplets.


    It seemed that all major powers employed such methods to cultivate talent.


    Fortunately, Daniel had left behind a similar setup at Crossbridge Academy, ensuring that Rose and others wouldn''t fall too far behind the elites from larger factions.


    "I also heard from Sarra that after the top three are determined, a projection of Bear Prime himself will appear to personally select them," Nina said.


    She knew Daniel was interested in Bear Prime, so she shared the information.


    "Excellent. After waiting so long, we finally have something concrete. All right, you should go rest now. If I''m not mistaken, your next battle is tomorrow. And¡­ I''ll be there to watch your final match," Daniel replied.


    With that, Nina left the room.


    "Phew¡­" Nina let out a sigh of relief.


    It seemed Daniel hadn''t noticed that the liquid in the bottle was slightly less than before.


    And, thankfully, he hadn''t realized she had drunk some of it.


    She felt foolish¡ªhow could she not recognize something she used every day?


    Still, she managed to resolve the situation perfectly by acting quickly.


    If Sif had gotten to Daniel first, she might have let slip that Nina had been drinking something she didn''t even recognize.


    The Headmaster would never let her hear the end of it!


    In hindsight, Nina couldn''t help but admire her own quick thinking.


    This was how adults handled problems!


    ...


    The next day, the trial resumed.


    This time, Nina''s opponent was a fatecaster.


    Daniel arrived at the venue, taking a seat in the area Ronan had prepared for him.


    With only thirty participants remaining, Lord Cyre wanted to expedite the matches to bring the trial to a close.


    For Daniel, this was a chance to observe a fatecaster in action and perhaps gain new insights.


    As the referee announced the start of the match, Nina once again wielded her spiked mace.


    The wolf king''s teeth had proven incredibly durable, showing no signs of wear even after repeated use. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Facing me means your trial ends here!" Fesya, the fatecaster, declared.


    She had heard of Nina''s unique abilities but had come prepared.


    With her fate star, she believed she had the perfect counter to Nina.

 Chapter 87: Chapter87-You’re Bound to Lose!

    The battle began!As usual, Nina relied on her spatial abilities, vanishing from her original position to teleport.


    This had been her consistent strategy throughout the trials, and by now, everyone was aware of her preferred method of attack. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nina saw no reason to hide it anymore.


    If her opponents couldn''t evade her initial ambush, defeat was inevitable.


    Only those who managed to dodge her assault would stand a chance of continuing the fight. Your next read awaits at M-V-L


    As Nina disappeared, a strange light enveloped Fesya.


    A unique energy wave belonging to a fatecaster spread across the arena.


    From the audience, Daniel observed intently.


    This was the power of the fate star, a distinctive class ability of fatecasters.


    For Daniel, this was an eye-opening experience.


    Fesya''s fate star emitted energy that enveloped the entire arena.


    Under normal circumstances, she wouldn''t dare to unleash her power on such a large scale, as it consumed an enormous amount of energy.


    But this was the arena, and her opponent was a particularly tricky adversary.


    To ensure victory, she had no choice but to go all out.


    As Fesya''s power flooded the arena, Nina''s figure appeared above her, holding a massive spiked mace poised for attack.


    However, just as Nina was about to swing her weapon, something unexpected happened.


    Instead of striking Fesya, the spiked mace slipped from Nina''s grasp, falling to the arena floor along with Nina herself.


    Confused, Nina glanced around.


    The moment she had tried to attack, she''d suddenly felt an overwhelming weight, as if heavy stones were pressing down on her.


    Even the spiked mace in her hands had become unbearably heavy.


    For a moment, Nina was at a loss.


    When she landed, Fesya quickly withdrew her fate star''s influence, concentrating it solely around Nina.


    This adjustment allowed her to conserve her energy.


    "This time, I''m destined to win!" Fesya declared confidently.


    Seeing Nina grounded, Fesya could already envision her victory.


    She had studied every participant who made it to the top thirty, especially Nina.


    Nina, a young dark horse who had carved her way through the competition with her bizarre attack method, had caught everyone''s attention.


    The first time Fesya witnessed Nina''s ambush tactic, she knew she was the perfect counter to Nina.


    If the two of them faced off, Fesya was certain she would emerge victorious!


    This confidence was rooted in her fate star''s unique ability¡ªgravity.


    Her power allowed her to manipulate gravity, increasing its pull on her enemies.


    In this fight, Fesya had used her ability to amplify the gravity around Nina, forcing her to the ground.


    Even Nina''s weapon, the spiked mace, became too heavy to lift.


    Now, Nina was completely under Fesya''s control.


    All Fesya needed to do was push her opponent out of the ring to secure her win.


    Fesya approached Nina cautiously.


    Meanwhile, Nina struggled to find a solution.


    She needed to do two things: escape the gravitational field and figure out a way to counter Fesya''s power.


    The first task was simple¡ªshe could use her teleportation ability to break free.


    But resisting the gravity was an entirely different challenge.


    If she didn''t find a way to counter it soon, defeat was inevitable.


    Could she accept such an outcome?


    Absolutely not!


    Which left her with only one option.


    "I was planning to save this for the finals, but it looks like I''ll have to use it now!" Nina said.


    Hearing Nina''s declaration, Fesya grew wary.


    As expected, a young girl capable of wielding such peculiar abilities wouldn''t rely on just one trick.


    The reason Nina had been using her teleportation attack so consistently was that no one had been able to stop it.


    It was simple and effective.


    But now that Fesya had neutralized the ambush, it was obvious Nina had something else up her sleeve.


    Still, Nina was trapped within the gravitational field, seemingly powerless to resist.


    What kind of hidden attack could she possibly unleash?


    As Fesya kept her guard up, Nina vanished once again.


    Without hesitation, Fesya extended her fate star''s influence, covering the arena.


    No matter where Nina reappeared, she would immediately be subjected to intense gravity, grounding her again.


    If Nina couldn''t counter this power, Fesya was certain of her victory.


    In the audience, Daniel watched with curiosity.


    How would Nina overcome Fesya?


    Based on their abilities, Fesya''s gravity was a perfect counter to Nina''s teleportation.


    No matter the angle of attack, Nina''s ambush would fail as soon as she materialized within the arena.


    Daniel recalled how Nina often spent hours in the fantastical world she frequented.


    He was eager to see what surprises she had in store.


    Ronan, seated nearby, glanced nervously at Daniel.


    He worried about what might happen if Nina accidentally lost.


    Would this mysterious and powerful figure lose his temper?


    Hopefully not.


    Then, something changed in the center of the arena.


    Yellow snowflakes began falling from the air.


    Normally, snowflakes were white, especially in Winterrealm.


    Everyone knew that snow was white.


    But now, for some unknown reason, yellow snow was drifting down from the sky.


    The snowflakes fell gently, unaffected by Fesya''s gravitational field.


    Gradually, the yellow snowflakes accumulated, forming a vague silhouette in the arena.


    At that moment, someone in the audience shouted in alarm,


    "The Yellow Plague! This is The Yellow Plague!"


    In Winterrealm, snow was always white.


    However, a prophecy had long circulated in the realm:


    When the snow turns yellow, and yellow snow blankets the land,


    A figure will emerge from the plague to overthrow the kingdom.


    This apocalyptic prophecy had been buried in the minds of Winterrealm''s people.


    But now, as yellow snow fell and the term The Yellow Plague was uttered, panic spread through the crowd.


    A haunting melody began to echo across the arena.


    Cyre frowned, realizing he had to act quickly.


    If he didn''t intervene, the spectators would soon be in chaos.


    He stepped into the center of the arena.


    By then, Fesya had already fainted, her face pale and contorted as if she''d suffered severe mental trauma.


    Meanwhile, the silhouette in the yellow snowflakes became clearer.


    It was Nina.


    Cyre sighed in relief.


    Fortunately¡­ it was just an illusion.


    But judging by the state of the two contestants, it was clear who had won.


    "I declare Nina the winner!" Cyre announced.


    "Yay!"


    The moment her victory was declared, Nina deactivated her ability.


    The yellow snowflakes disappeared instantly, as did the silhouette, the melody, and everything else.


    It was as if nothing had ever happened¡ªlike a figment of everyone''s imagination.


    By the time the next match began, the audience had mostly recovered, shaking off the strange scene as if waking from a dream.

 Chapter 88: Chapter88-Nina’s Ultimate Move!

    From the audience, Daniel watched the unfolding scene with great interest.He knew exactly what had just happened.


    The Fantasia Realm was a world filled with every imaginable fantasy¡ªbeautiful creations but also horrifying nightmares that people preferred to avoid.


    What Nina had done was to pull the most dreaded elements of the Winterrealm inhabitants'' fantasies into reality.


    This was a power Nina had discovered and developed after arriving in Winterrealm.


    The Fantasia Realm seemed to have undergone subtle changes upon her arrival, prompting her to research and unlock this new ability.


    She could now drag illusions into the real world¡ªor pull people into the illusions themselves.


    This match marked the first time Nina had tried using this power.


    Sure enough, it was devastating.


    Not only had it overwhelmed Fesya on the arena floor, but it also affected many of the spectators.


    With this technique, Daniel was confident that Nina would make it to the finals.


    But Nina''s demonstration had also revealed something new to Daniel.


    For instance¡­


    When the yellow snowflakes had begun to fall on the arena, he had sensed an unusual aura approaching.


    Was it a passing powerhouse?


    However, under the current circumstances, it didn''t seem likely that anyone could simply pass through Westwind Pass unnoticed.


    Daniel sent a sliver of mind power to monitor the mysterious presence.


    He noted that from start to finish, the stranger had shown no intention of leaving.


    ...


    The battle ended swiftly, and after two more rounds, it was time for the distribution of the level 2 essence drops.


    At this stage, only a handful of contestants remained.


    Daniel noticed something peculiar¡ªthe source of the level 2 essence drops seemed to be that mysterious presence¡­


    Could it be that this individual was one of Bear Prime''s subordinates, responsible for distributing the essence drops?


    Daniel didn''t think it likely that Bear Prime itself would bother with such a trivial task.


    Perhaps the true Bear Prime would only appear when the final victor was decided.


    Daniel had waited this long and had no shortage of patience.


    ...


    When it was her turn to receive the level 2 essence drop, Nina quietly asked Sarra,


    "Sarra, have you used the essence drop from before?"


    "Not yet," Sarra replied. "I''m saving it for when I really need it. I haven''t hit a bottleneck yet."


    "I see¡­" Nina murmured.


    Then, she slyly pulled out a small bottle and handed it to Sarra.


    "Here, Sarra, take this. It''s way better than the level 2 essence drop."


    "What¡­ what did you say?"


    Sarra couldn''t believe her ears.


    Had Nina just claimed that what she handed over was better than a level 2 essence drop?


    How was that possible?


    The level 2 essence drops were personally bestowed by Bear Prime, a treasure countless people dreamed of obtaining.


    How could Nina have something even better?


    Sarra doubted herself for a moment, wondering if she had misheard.


    She knew Nina wouldn''t lie to her, but it was hard to believe.


    Essence drops from Bear Prime were treasures that surpassed all others.


    ...


    After the event ended, Sarra returned to her room.


    Mindful of her previous experience opening the box containing a mana core, she carefully checked her surroundings this time.


    Mana cores were rare but not entirely unattainable¡ªevery adventurer had their share of lucky finds.


    But essence drops¡­


    Those were something else entirely.


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    Only during Bear Prime''s trials could anyone acquire them.


    Compared to mana cores, they were far rarer.


    This time, Sarra was extra cautious.


    Ensuring no one would interrupt her, she opened the small bottle Nina had given her.


    A rich, almost overwhelming fragrance wafted out, instantly filling the room.


    Startled by the intensity of the aroma, Sarra quickly sealed the bottle again.


    The scent was incredibly potent.


    Sarra had previously opened a level 1 essence drop, just to sniff it, even though she didn''t plan to consume it yet.


    Even that had given her a sense of deep comfort.


    But the aroma from Nina''s bottle was far stronger¡ªso strong that it made the level 1 essence drop pale in comparison.


    Curious, Sarra opened her level 2 essence drop for comparison.


    The result was disappointing.


    The level 2 essence drop was indeed superior to the level 1 drop, offering a slightly stronger feeling of comfort.


    But compared to what Nina had given her¡­


    The essence drop from Bear Prime didn''t even come close.


    It wasn''t just weaker¡ªit didn''t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath.


    The disparity was staggering.


    As Sarra pondered the miraculous quality of Nina''s bottle, a new question emerged in her mind:


    Who exactly was Nina?


    ...


    The trial continued in full swing.


    As expected, Nina''s subsequent battles were easy victories.


    Her go-to teleportation ambush remained an unbeatable strategy.


    Aside from Fesya, no one had been able to force Nina to reveal her new ability.


    And so, Nina advanced to the finals.


    Her opponent in the final match? Sarra.


    Sarra''s strength was already impressive. Among fourth-tier competitors, she was considered one of the best.


    Under normal circumstances, she would have comfortably secured a spot in the top thirty.


    However, advancing further would have posed significant challenges.


    But before the trial began, Nina had given Sarra a mana crystal.


    It was the mana crystal from the wolf king of the northern mountains near Westwind Pass.


    For Sarra, a wolf-bloodline warrior, the crystal''s effects were explosively powerful, elevating her abilities exponentially.


    Thanks to this boost, Sarra had overcome all obstacles and reached the finals.


    Standing on the final stage, Sarra felt a deep sense of satisfaction.


    Winning first place or gaining access to Bear Prime''s god realm didn''t matter to her.


    She knew her own limitations.


    Her current success was entirely thanks to her friend, Nina. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Sarra stood on the arena, she entertained the thought of throwing the match to let Nina claim first place.


    But Nina seemed to sense her intention and spoke up,


    "Sarra, let''s have a proper fight! Don''t hold back."


    "Nina¡­"


    "My guardian is watching from the audience. This time, I want to showcase the new ability I''ve learned. So, Sarra, give it your all and show me your full strength!"


    Hearing Nina''s words, Sarra realized how foolish her idea had been.


    Nina didn''t need her to hold back.


    She wanted to win fair and square, to earn the recognition of her guardian.


    For Nina, this trial was a test, a chance to prove herself.


    "Nina, get ready!"


    As Sarra spoke, a wave of cold energy radiated from her body, instantly coating the arena in frost.


    This was Sarra''s newest ability, unlocked after absorbing the wolf king''s mana core.


    The frost transformed the arena into a battlefield tailored to her strengths.


    Two daggers appeared in Sarra''s hands as she dashed toward Nina with incredible speed, a palpable bloodthirst emanating from her.


    As a bloodline warrior, Sarra had been steeped in bloodshed since childhood.


    Her fusion with a wolf spell beast made this inevitable.


    She had also witnessed Nina''s fight against Fesya.


    Unlike others, Sarra wasn''t fazed by the legend of The Yellow Plague.


    The yellow snowflakes and eerie song didn''t affect her in the slightest.


    She would strike decisively, aiming to eliminate her opponent as efficiently as possible.


    "Nina, your illusions won''t work on me!" Sarra declared, slashing with her daggers.


    But in the next moment, the surroundings abruptly shifted.


    Sarra froze in place, stunned.


    Nina wasn''t limited to dragging illusions into reality¡ªshe could also pull people into the illusion itself.


    Now, Sarra stood motionless, occasionally twitching her hands, signaling that she still had the will to fight.

 Chapter 89: Chapter89-Are You Kidding Me?

    The referee watched the scene unfold without any reaction.At this moment, Sarra had merely fallen into an illusion.


    She hadn''t been completely incapacitated, nor had Nina made any direct attacks or thrown her out of the ring.


    Only when Sarra lost her combat ability entirely, or when Nina forced her out of the arena, would the referee announce the result.


    For now, he simply waited silently for the outcome.


    Meanwhile, Nina had vanished entirely.


    A little girl being held in her mother''s arms looked around, her eyes filled with confusion.


    Why was she here?


    Was her mother¡­ not dead?


    Sarra remembered this day vividly. It was the day her talent as a bloodline warrior was discovered.


    She had been branded a disaster.


    Under pressure from the villagers, they had decided she must be executed.


    Her father had remained silent, while her mother had comforted her, saying everything would be alright.


    Then, the moment came.


    The villagers broke down the door of her home and rushed inside.


    Her parents stood in front of her, shielding her¡­


    This was a memory Sarra could never forget and never wished to revisit.


    It was on this very day¡­


    However, what happened next was completely unexpected to Sarra.


    Her talent had been exposed, catching the attention of a powerful figure from Dragonscale Bank who happened to be passing by.


    That figure intended to take Sarra away from the village to train as a bloodline warrior.


    Her parents were also invited to come along and take care of her.


    When the villagers learned of this, they quickly changed their tune, flocking to her home with enthusiastic greetings.


    They nearly broke down the door again, but this time it was out of eagerness to celebrate.


    Sarra was now hailed as the hope of the village.


    But Sarra, the very center of this unfolding drama, knew the truth.


    It was all a lie.


    None of this could be real.


    In reality, her parents had been killed, and Sarra herself was about to be executed.


    It was only then that the Dragonscale Bank figure had arrived in time to save her.


    This was the reality she had lived through.


    How could she forget? S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And yet, even knowing this was an illusion, Sarra couldn''t bring herself to shatter it.


    This kind of illusion offered a glimpse into a deeply buried hope within her heart.


    Even knowing it wasn''t real, so what?


    Had she never fantasized about such a scenario?


    If only that person from Dragonscale Bank had come a little earlier¡­ perhaps none of it would have happened.


    Perhaps¡­


    Sarra had lost all will to resist.


    In the real world, Nina had approached Sarra.


    With one hand, she grabbed Sarra and gently placed her outside the ring.


    "I declare Nina the winner!" the referee announced.


    Nina glanced down at Sarra, now lying outside the ring, and addressed the crowd:


    "Let her rest. She deserves a good sleep."


    The trial ended.


    Nina emerged as the first-place winner.


    At this point, the Trial of Gods reached its conclusion.


    The final phase was to summon Bear Prime, informing it that the trial at Westwind Pass had concluded, and requesting it to guide the champion to their ultimate destination.


    As Cyre began the ritual, Daniel once again sensed a familiar presence.


    It was the same powerful aura he had felt before¡ªbriefly appearing during Nina''s previous summoning of the yellow snowstorm.


    Now, as Cyre''s ceremony unfolded, that presence returned.


    This made Daniel highly alert.


    Could their objective be the same as his?


    Were they also after Bear Prime?


    Daniel had no intention of giving up this opportunity.


    No matter who it was, if they dared to make a move, Daniel would show no mercy.


    However, as events progressed, Daniel''s expression grew increasingly strange.


    Above the altar, an ethereal figure began to take shape.


    It was the image of a giant bear.


    "Great Bear Prime, the trial''s results have been decided!" Cyre declared reverently.


    The enormous bear silhouette extended its paw toward the ground.


    A massive white paw appeared in the arena, almost covering half the space.


    From the paw emanated three circles of light.


    "Now, the top three contestants of the trial, step into the circles to be guided into the god realm," Cyre instructed.


    Sarra, now fully awake, was the first to step forward.


    Nina, however, remained motionless, glancing toward the audience where Daniel was seated, as if seeking his opinion.


    Daniel''s expression was complex as he stared at the colossal bear figure above the arena.


    It looked impressive enough¡ªa towering figure, a massive paw¡ªeverything about it gave the illusion of a divine presence.


    But Daniel, who had been meticulously scanning the surroundings with his mind power, knew better.


    There was no powerful entity here.


    Everything was an elaborate ruse crafted by the mysterious figure he had detected earlier.


    That "mysterious figure," in truth, was no more than a tier-master, a far cry from a tier-god.


    What a show they had put on¡­


    Daniel had originally assumed Bear Prime''s consciousness would at least carry the status of a tier-god.


    Now it seemed¡­ the farce could come to an end.


    "Your Excellency, do you see? That is Bear Prime''s divine consciousness! Look at its towering form and massive paw¡­" Ronan eagerly explained from the side.


    "Yes, I see," Daniel replied nonchalantly, rising to his feet.


    "By the way, Your Excellency, Bear Prime will escort your descendants to the god realm. You might want to¡ª"


    Before Ronan could finish his sentence, Daniel vanished.


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    He reappeared in midair, his voice ringing out:


    "Why bother with this charade? Show your true form."


    The giant bear seemed enraged and retracted its paw as if preparing to strike Daniel.


    "Your Excellency, you¡­" Ronan gasped in shock.


    He could hardly believe it¡ªDaniel''s target was Bear Prime itself!


    While Daniel had not made any overt moves against Dragonscale Bank, this was different.


    Bear Prime was the very faith of Winterrealm!


    Was Daniel being too reckless?


    The spectators, still in the arena to await the distribution of essence mist¡ªa customary post-trial blessing¡ªwere equally stunned.


    Someone was actually challenging Bear Prime?


    Was this person tired of living?


    That was Bear Prime, for heaven''s sake!


    All eyes turned to the sky.


    A lone figure stood defiantly against the massive bear projection.


    And then¡­ that figure attacked!


    What?!


    The bold challenger was actually making a move against Bear Prime?


    What kind of lunatic was this?!


    What happened next would be etched into their memories forever.


    A massive paw descended from the sky, aiming to crush Daniel.


    "Hmph, such theatrics!" Daniel sneered.


    Mana surged around him, and a radiant beam of light shot forward, piercing through the descending paw and dissolving it.


    "Now, are you ready to talk properly?" Daniel asked, his voice calm as he launched another strike.


    In the blink of an eye, the bear projection vanished.


    What replaced it was a small, clawing cub.


    Before it could react, Daniel grabbed it by the scruff of its neck, rendering it utterly powerless.


    Daniel was as surprised as anyone.


    He had expected Bear Prime''s consciousness.


    Instead, all this fuss had been over¡­ a cub?


    Holding the cub by its neck, Daniel disappeared from view.


    The onlookers were dumbfounded.


    What had just happened?


    All they had seen was Bear Prime''s paw being countered by a beam of light.


    Then both the mysterious figure and Bear Prime vanished.


    Even the other top contestants destined for the god realm were left bewildered.


    As for Nina¡­


    She had made her escape the moment Daniel vanished.


    For her, Daniel''s actions meant one thing: the goal was achieved.


    Nina had never doubted Daniel''s strength.


    Bear Prime? It was nothing he couldn''t handle.


    Her curiosity now lay elsewhere¡ªwhat exactly was Bear Prime?


    She couldn''t wait to find out!

 Chapter 90: Chapter90-Arrival at Winterkeep Citadel

    "Headmaster, you''re back? Has Sister Nina''s battle already ended?"Sif asked curiously.


    At the same time, she noticed that Daniel was holding a small bear in his hand.


    It looked¡­ unexpectedly cute.


    "Headmaster, is this¡­ tonight''s dinner?" Sif asked while licking her lips.


    This scene gave the little bear an instant psychological shadow.


    The small bear, who had been silent all the way, suddenly blurted out,


    "I¡ªI''m not tasty! Don''t eat me! I taste awful!"


    Daniel casually tossed the little bear onto a chair and asked,


    "Are you Bear Prime?"


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    Hearing the question, the small bear tilted its head in confusion and asked,


    "Bear Prime? What''s Bear Prime?"


    "You don''t know Bear Prime?" Daniel frowned slightly.


    "I''ve never heard of it!"


    "Then why did you show up to escort those children to the so-called god realm?"


    "Oh, that! It''s something the Winterrealm royal family asked us to do. It''s part of a contract with our clan. We''re just responsible for escorting people from different regions of Winterrealm. As for what happens after, we don''t know."


    Daniel understood after hearing this explanation.


    It seemed¡­


    This small bear was simply one of a group living in a secret realm near Winterkeep Citadel.


    They had a long-standing agreement with the Winterrealm royal family.


    Whenever the Trial of Gods was held and the results determined, the bears would be sent to different parts of Winterrealm to collect those eligible to enter the so-called "god realm."


    In essence, they were couriers¡ªtasked with transporting the chosen candidates to Winterkeep Citadel.


    What happened next was beyond their knowledge or concern.


    In reality, the Trial of Gods had always been orchestrated by the Winterrealm royal family, having nothing to do with the bear clan.


    As for Bear Prime¡­ it was likely a title fabricated by the Winterrealm royal family.


    At that moment, Nina hurried into the room.


    "Headmaster! Headmaster! Where''s Bear Prime? Did you catch it? Can I see it?"


    Nina''s face was full of excitement, as if she''d stumbled upon something immensely entertaining.


    Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any peculiar sights.


    The only thing that stood out was the small bear in the room, which could barely be connected to Bear Prime in any way.


    "Headmaster, did Bear Prime escape? Are we heading to Winterkeep Citadel next to find it?"


    "Nina, did you come back just to ask this?"


    "Of course! They say Bear Prime is a god!"


    Daniel said nothing, but Sif glanced at the small bear.


    Was this¡­ really a god?


    "Nina, Sister Nina," Sif spoke up.


    "What''s up, Sif? Did you see the god?"


    "No, but¡­ if you''re talking about the Bear Prime the Headmaster captured, I think it''s probably that one."


    Sif pointed at the small bear.


    Nina looked at the bear, blinking in confusion.


    Her brain clearly wasn''t processing the situation.


    "Headmaster, is this little thing¡­ Bear Prime?"


    "More or less," Daniel replied.


    He then asked Sif to explain the circumstances to Nina.


    After hearing the full story, Nina looked back at the small bear. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This is the huge projection I saw on the stage? It doesn''t look anything like it!"


    As she spoke, Nina boldly reached out to touch the small bear''s head.


    Its fur was soft and fluffy.


    The small bear didn''t resist; in fact, it seemed to enjoy the attention, behaving more like a pet.


    "It seems that Bear Prime is just a name concocted by the Winterrealm royal family, possibly tied to the fabricated Trial of Gods," Daniel concluded.


    Then, as if remembering something, Daniel pulled out the fragment he had obtained in Voidland¡ªnow shaped like a leaf¡ªand handed it to the small bear.


    "Have you seen this before?"


    "Of course I have! It''s a leaf from a tree near my home, in the secret realm not far from Winterkeep Citadel. If you want, I can take you there," the small bear offered sincerely.


    Looking at the bear''s forthrightness, Daniel fell silent.


    ...


    A few days later, Daniel and his group left Westwind Pass.


    This time, they gained not just the small bear but also another companion: Sarra.


    Nina had insisted on bringing Sarra along, claiming she had great potential and would one day become one of her followers, just like Green and Rose before her.


    Daniel didn''t object, thinking Nina was merely copying trends.


    He did, however, make an agreement with her: Sarra could join them, but since she followed the bloodline warrior path¡ªa system notoriously difficult to progress in¡ªDaniel would not be responsible for her resources. All of Sarra''s future advancement would be Nina''s responsibility.


    To his surprise, Nina readily agreed.


    With that settled, the group now included the small bear and Sarra.


    However, this time, they didn''t travel by carriage.


    The reason was simple: their horse had died from exhaustion not long ago.


    Instead, the group now traveled on the back of a snow eagle, an enormous spell beast.


    Even Sarra was taken aback.


    She had initially assumed the small white bird perched on Nina''s shoulder was merely decorative.


    Who could have guessed it was a powerful spell beast?


    Seated on the snow eagle, the group enjoyed a smooth ride thanks to the magic array Daniel had set up.


    The array shielded them from the cold winds, making the journey as comfortable as traveling in a carriage.


    Sarra, however, sat upright and stiff, occasionally sneaking glances at the small bear out of the corner of her eye.


    Nina had only shared part of the truth about the small bear with Sarra, mentioning it was the consciousness of Bear Prime.


    This made Nina even more fascinated by the bear.


    After all, this was Bear Prime!


    She had almost stepped onto its paw and been escorted to the god realm.


    But now, here it was¡ªadorably drinking milk.


    Feeling Sarra''s gaze, the small bear raised its head and asked,


    "Do you want some too? It''s quite good."


    The milk had been taken from Nina''s storage crystal.


    On their travels, Nina would shop incessantly, buying everything she could, regardless of necessity.


    Her storage crystal was now filled with all sorts of odd items, including the milk the bear was currently enjoying.


    "N-no, I don''t need any," Sarra stammered nervously.


    Nina turned to the bear.


    "How old are you, anyway? Haven''t you been weaned yet?"


    "In human years¡­ I haven''t reached weaning age yet!" the bear replied proudly.


    Nina was speechless.


    Daniel, meanwhile, gazed into the distance toward Winterkeep Citadel.


    After chatting with the small bear, he had learned more about its clan.


    It seemed likely that Bear Prime was a real entity¡ªperhaps an ancient ancestor of the bear clan.


    The Winterrealm royal family had exploited this legend to fabricate the Trial of Gods, gathering young talent for some unknown purpose.


    But that wasn''t Daniel''s concern.


    His goal was to enter the secret realm, seek out the elders of the bear clan, and uncover the secrets of the Sacred Time River.


    ...


    Before long, the group arrived near Winterkeep Citadel.


    This city was far larger than Westwind Pass, its towering walls visible from a great distance.


    Daniel also noticed an invisible barrier surrounding the citadel, isolating it from the outside world.


    At this moment, the small bear spoke up:


    "We''re here. Up ahead is Winterkeep Citadel. But around the citadel, there''s a powerful magic array. If you''re visiting for the first time and don''t know about it, you might run into trouble."


    "For those traveling by ground, it''s fine¡ªthere are signs and guards to provide warnings.


    But if someone tries to force their way in from the sky¡­ they''re in for a bad time."

 Chapter 91: Chapter91-Who Dares Trespass on Winterrealm!

    The magic array protecting Winterkeep Citadel had been designed from the outset to repel powerful adversaries.Its strength was immense.


    For ordinary practitioners attempting to enter Winterkeep Citadel from the air, there was only one likely outcome: instant obliteration by the magic array.


    To safely enter Winterkeep Citadel, one either had to walk in from the ground or possess a special permit allowing aerial passage.


    Otherwise¡­ death was almost certain.


    "No need to worry," the small bear said, holding a permit. "I have a token that allows passage. With it, we can safely traverse the magic array and enter Winterkeep Citadel."


    Pausing for a moment, it mumbled to itself,


    "Though¡­ this time I didn''t bring anyone back with me. I wonder if they''ll say something¡­"


    However, Daniel had no patience to wait.


    Standing on the back of the snow eagle, he gazed at the massive magic array ahead.


    With a surge of mind power, he tore a gap open in the array, allowing the snow eagle to carry the group over Winterkeep Citadel.


    This act of brute force triggered an immediate alert within the array.


    ...


    In the royal court of Winterrealm, the Grand Duke of Winterrealm was busy attending to state affairs when he received the alert:


    An unauthorized individual had forcibly breached the magic array.


    "Impossible!"


    The Grand Duke''s first reaction was disbelief.


    How could anyone accomplish such a feat?


    The array''s defenses were so powerful that any attempt to breach it would normally result in the intruder being obliterated by its automatic countermeasures.


    But this time¡­


    The array had not launched a single attack.


    Instead, the alert was merely notifying the Grand Duke of an intrusion.


    If the intruder was moving quickly, they were likely already nearing Winterkeep Citadel.


    The Grand Duke immediately refocused his attention.


    This was no ordinary trespasser!


    For someone to bypass the array''s attacks, they either possessed an artifact specifically designed to counter the array or had somehow learned its inner workings.


    Either way, the Grand Duke knew one thing:


    Winterkeep Citadel was under threat.


    Without delay, the Grand Duke activated a crystal orb to take direct control of the magic array while heading out of the royal court.


    He boarded a warship and ascended to the skies above Winterkeep Citadel.


    "Who dares trespass on Winterkeep Citadel!"


    His voice boomed across the area enclosed by the magic array.


    The Grand Duke used the imposing presence of his warship to intimidate the intruder, whoever they might be.


    He hoped this display would cause the trespasser to hesitate, buying him time to assess the situation.


    Moreover, by maintaining a vantage point in the air, the Grand Duke could respond instantly if the intruder made any sudden moves.


    He also had another plan in motion:


    He had discreetly sent for the bear clan''s powerful warriors from their secret realm.


    Bound by an ancient agreement, the bear clan was sworn to assist the Winterrealm royal family in times of dire need.


    For now, the Grand Duke aimed to draw the intruder''s attention and keep them occupied.


    ...


    Below, the people of Winterkeep Citadel began to notice the commotion in the skies.


    At some point, a warship had risen above the city, with none other than the Grand Duke of Winterrealm standing at its prow.


    "Is that¡­ the Grand Duke himself?"


    "It must be! Only the Grand Duke wears those ceremonial robes."


    "What could be happening? Why was the Grand Duke so furious earlier?"


    "Could it be that someone is attacking Winterkeep Citadel?"


    "I hope not¡­"


    The residents speculated, some retreating to their homes, while others stood watching the skies, eager to see what would unfold next.


    It didn''t take long for their questions to be answered. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Grand Duke spotted a figure appearing directly in front of him.


    "Who are you, and why have you trespassed into Winterkeep Citadel?" the Grand Duke demanded, his voice heavy with authority.


    "Bring out the true ruler of Winterkeep Citadel. I need to speak with them," Daniel replied coldly, his tone dismissive.


    He had no intention of wasting time.


    His objective was clear: to find the one behind the ambush he had encountered in the Sacred Time River.


    Daniel had no interest in dealing with minor figures.


    To him, the Grand Duke of Winterrealm, while reasonably powerful, was clearly not the kind of figure capable of orchestrating such a scheme.


    That meant someone else was involved, possibly someone connected to the so-called god realm.


    "I am the true ruler of Winterkeep Citadel!"


    The Grand Duke''s voice dripped with fury.


    He was the ruler of both Winterkeep Citadel and the entire Winterrealm, yet this outsider treated him as a mere nobody, ignoring the might of the city''s magic array and dismissing his authority outright.


    "Outsider, you''re far too arrogant!"


    The Grand Duke raised the crystal orb in his hand, activating the magic array.


    Mana surged around Winterkeep Citadel as the array began preparing its full arsenal of attacks.


    "Outsider, I will make you understand that the dignity of the Grand Duke of Winterrealm is not to be insulted!"


    Daniel remained unfazed, his mind power scanning the surroundings.


    Yet he found no trace of the figure he was seeking.


    Could he have been wrong?


    As the Grand Duke prepared to launch his attack, the mana within the array reached a critical mass, ready to unleash destruction upon Daniel.


    But in the very next moment, the mana dispersed. Your next journey awaits at M-V-L


    The array fell silent.


    The Grand Duke of Winterrealm stared in disbelief.


    Why wasn''t the array functioning?


    The attacks had been seconds away from completion¡ªwhy had they suddenly stopped?


    He couldn''t comprehend it.


    But one thing was certain: this phenomenon was tied to the man standing before him.


    Panicking, the Grand Duke attempted to re-engage the array using his crystal orb.


    To his horror, he realized something shocking:


    The magic array''s control had been wrested from him!


    No matter how hard he tried, the crystal orb no longer responded.


    It was as if the array had completely severed its connection to him.


    "What¡­ what have you done?"


    The Grand Duke looked at Daniel in terror, his voice trembling.


    His primary means of defense had been rendered useless.


    The Grand Duke''s confidence began to waver, and fear crept into his heart.


    Daniel had directly seized control of the magic array.


    Using his mind power, he had overridden the system, transferring control from the Grand Duke''s crystal orb to himself.


    Now, Daniel was the true master of the array.


    The Grand Duke stumbled back a few steps, his legs weak.


    "What¡­ what do you want?"


    He no longer dared to address Daniel disrespectfully, switching to a deferential tone.


    Daniel didn''t respond. His gaze shifted to a distant point.


    A young man was hurrying toward them.


    "Your Excellency, please forgive this man," the newcomer said, bowing respectfully.


    "My mentor is waiting for you not far from here."

 Chapter 92: Chapter92-The One Waiting for Daniel

    "Your mentor?"Daniel glanced at the young man, his voice calm yet probing.


    If this mentor knew Daniel would eventually come here, then¡­ Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Enjoy exclusive chapters from M-V-L


    They were likely connected to the bear in some way.


    "I am Ryze Winterrealm, the Ninth Prince of the Winterrealm royal family," the young man introduced himself. "As for my mentor, his name cannot be spoken here. But if you''re willing to meet him, please follow me."


    Daniel noticed that ever since Ryze had appeared, the previously terrified and flustered Grand Duke of Winterrealm seemed to have regained his composure, glancing repeatedly at the young prince as if seeking reassurance.


    However, Ryze paid no attention to the Grand Duke.


    "Is your mentor the ancestor of this bear?"


    Daniel asked, voicing his suspicion.


    It seemed logical¡ªeverything pointed back to Bear Prime.


    Upon seeing Ryze, the small bear immediately cried out,


    "Ryze, save me!"


    Ryze, visibly surprised to see the bear, shifted his gaze to Daniel.


    "You misunderstand," Ryze replied. "My mentor is not related to the ancient bear clan. He is, like us, human. However, due to certain circumstances, my mentor is confined to the secret realm and cannot enter the main world."


    "Take me to him," Daniel said decisively.


    The leaf had been used to lead him here, and now the mentor''s disciple was here to welcome him at Winterkeep Citadel.


    Whether this was a trap or something else, Daniel intended to uncover the truth.


    At that moment, the snow eagle landed with the rest of the group, who quickly fell in behind Daniel.


    ...


    Behind the royal palace of Winterrealm lay a vast mountain range, its peaks piercing the heavens.


    From the midpoint upward, the mountains were cloaked in perpetual snow and ice.


    Ryze led the way to the foot of the mountains and turned to Daniel.


    "This is the entrance to the secret realm," he explained before stepping through.


    Daniel adjusted his Ring of Origin slightly before entering.


    His power was immense¡ªwithout moderating it, his mere presence could devastate the secret realm.


    Once inside, they found themselves on a vast plain.


    In the center of the plain stood a single, towering tree, unmistakably eye-catching.


    Daniel immediately recognized the leaves on this tree¡ªthey were identical to the one he held.


    In fact, it was clear that his leaf had come from this very tree.


    Under the tree, a few bears were playfully wrestling.


    However, upon noticing Ryze and the group behind him, they scampered off.


    Daniel observed that the bears hadn''t gone far; they lingered nearby, keeping a cautious eye on the newcomers.


    One more thing caught Daniel''s attention:


    In the lake near the tree, he spotted a mana forge.


    This forge was all too familiar to Daniel, a device used to produce various specialized magical liquids.


    "Your Excellency, the bear didn''t truly offend you, did it? Now that you''ve arrived here, could you consider letting it go?" Ryze cautiously asked.


    Without a word, Daniel released the small bear, allowing it to scurry away.


    The bear didn''t hesitate, shouting as it ran off,


    "Ryze, you''re too good to me! I''ll treat you to my favorite honey next time!"


    Its speed made it clear that the encounter had left it deeply traumatized. It would likely take a long time for the bear to recover from the experience.


    ...


    Daniel followed Ryze to the base of the tree.


    Now closer, Daniel saw something he hadn''t noticed before: beneath the tree sat an elderly man.


    The man was emaciated, his skin clinging tightly to his bones.


    He appeared to be on the verge of death, leaning against the tree trunk as if the slightest breeze could topple him forever.


    "You''ve come¡­"


    The old man''s weak voice broke the silence as he heard their approach.


    Daniel noticed that the man''s eyes seemed impaired¡ªthey didn''t open.


    "Is this yours?"


    Daniel tossed the leaf toward the old man.


    It floated gently into the man''s lap. He reached out with trembling hands, his fingers brushing against the leaf.


    "Yes¡­ it''s back. It''s finally back," the man murmured. "Which means I''ve finally found you. After all these years¡­ I''ve finally waited long enough!"


    The man''s lips curled into a faint smile, but his frailty quickly overtook him, and he began coughing.


    "So it was you," Daniel said coldly, his voice dropping into an icy tone. "You killed my father and laid the trap in the Sacred Time River, intending to kill me there, didn''t you?"


    "What? Such a thing happened?"


    The old man seemed genuinely puzzled, his reaction one of genuine confusion.


    Daniel scrutinized him closely, searching for any sign of deceit.


    His mind power scanned the surroundings, ready to strike at the first hint of duplicity.


    But the old man''s expression remained sincere¡ªhe truly seemed unaware of what Daniel was accusing him of.


    "You didn''t do it?"


    If the man wasn''t responsible for his father''s death, then why had he been waiting here? And what was the significance of the leaf?


    "I am an oracle," the old man began weakly.


    Oracles¡ªlunatics obsessed with glimpsing the future.


    They weren''t individuals but a collective.


    Now, it seemed, this old man was the last of them.


    When he had inherited the mission of his predecessors, he had uncovered a grave secret.


    The world was doomed.


    It was a truth the oracles had foreseen ages ago, driving their relentless search for a way to avert this fate.


    To others, they seemed mad.


    But they knew they weren''t insane¡ªor perhaps they were, in a deeper way than anyone realized.


    The old man had spent countless years on his mission, and finally, he had noticed a faint glimmer of hope.


    It was something his predecessors had never seen.


    A star¡ªcapable of reversing everything.


    From that moment, his vision was taken. He had gone blind, not just physically but conceptually.


    His sight had been stripped away in its entirety, a cruel price for peering into the future.


    No new eyes could restore his vision.


    But to the old man, the sacrifice had been worth it. He had glimpsed the world''s salvation.


    He had cast the leaf into the Sacred Time River and waited.


    There was nothing more he could do but hope that fate would lead the right person to him.


    Now, he had found Daniel.


    But Daniel seemed to have come with entirely different intentions.


    "I''ve been blind for a very long time," the old man said weakly. "How could I have killed your father? It took everything I had just to cast that leaf into the river. There''s no way I could have set any traps there."


    His frailty made it clear that he was at the end of his strength.


    Had Daniel not arrived, the old man would have passed his mission on to Ryze, his chosen successor, to await the one who might save the world.


    Daniel realized now that the old man was not connected to the attack in the Sacred Time River.


    But then the old man spoke again, his words reigniting Daniel''s focus:


    "If someone in this world could have done what you described¡­ it could only be them."


    "Them? Who are they?" Daniel asked sharply.


    "They are¡­ beings who have transcended the limits of this world. If it were them, they could easily enter the Sacred Time River and do as you''ve said," the old man replied, his tone heavy with the weight of the revelation.

 Chapter 93: Chapter93-The World Is on the Brink of Destruction

    Every world has its inherent limits.Once those limits are surpassed, the world itself cannot sustain such entities.


    Daniel knew this all too well. Without his Ring of Origin, he likely would have been forced to remain outside this world, unable to reenter.


    The world Daniel currently inhabited, as the old man described, was once a battlefield.


    A battlefield of mighty beings known as gods and devils.


    On this battlefield, countless gods and devils had perished.


    The world itself had been shattered repeatedly by the immense clashes, only to be reforged each time.


    Amid this chaos, something strange occurred.


    At the center of the battlefield, in a place where blood and flesh of gods and devils were strewn about, a seed appeared.


    No one knew why the seed had emerged there.


    No one paid it any mind.


    But the seed, surrounded by the remains of gods and devils, absorbed the rich nutrients around it.


    To a tiny seed, the flesh and blood of gods and devils were the ultimate nourishment.


    With this sustenance, the seed sprouted and grew.


    It grew into a towering tree.


    Could such a tree, nourished by the remnants of gods and devils, be ordinary?


    Of course not.


    Its vast root system stretched far beyond the battlefield.


    Over time, the gods and devils began to notice something strange.


    On this battlefield, once littered with the indestructible corpses of their kind, the remains had vanished.


    The corpses of gods and devils, which should have been eternal even in death, had completely disappeared.


    Even their blood, which defied the passage of time, was nowhere to be found.


    All that remained¡­


    Was the immense tree.


    It was only then that the gods and devils realized something was extraordinary about this tree.


    They began observing it closely.


    And they discovered something even more shocking:


    Around the tree, the faint outlines of a new world had begun to form.


    The tree had given birth to the laws of a complete world.


    In time, a fully formed world emerged.


    The gods and devils retreated, leaving the battlefield behind.


    What remained was a new and complete world.


    But this world was fundamentally tied to the flesh and remnants of gods and devils.


    And within it, traces of those beings lingered.


    The beings of this world, driven by their wisdom and curiosity, began to uncover these traces.


    And they grew stronger.


    Eventually, this insatiable pursuit of power plunged the world into chaos.


    A war swept across the land as all intelligent beings sought the remnants of gods and devils to gain unparalleled strength.


    In the course of this great war, the Tree of World was severed.


    The destruction of the Tree of World spelled doom for the world it had created.


    But in this critical moment, the Will of the World intervened.


    The world''s consciousness eradicated all traces of gods and devils.


    However, this act drained its vitality, leaving the world unable to evolve further.


    Though the world was saved, it could no longer advance.


    The pathways to higher tiers of power were severed, ensuring the world''s survival at the cost of its potential.


    The Will of the World was gravely weakened.


    ...


    "The ones you speak of¡­" Daniel turned to the old man. "Who are they?"


    "They are the survivors of that great war," the old man replied.


    When the Will of the World unleashed its power, it wiped out every remaining trace of gods and devils.


    And yet, among those who had gained immense strength from these remnants, some were so powerful that even the Will of the World could not destroy them.


    Unable to kill these beings, the Will of the World was forced to let them remain, barely managing to preserve the world''s core.


    "But now, because of those individuals, our world is once again on the brink of destruction," the old man said gravely.


    "They are no longer satisfied with the slow growth of their power. This time, their goal is the Will of the World itself. At the end of that ancient calamity, they witnessed its terrifying might."


    "After the calamity, they went into hiding, but they have secretly plotted against the Will of the World. Their aim is to seize the Source of the World''s Power."


    "The greater their influence, the faster they can drain the Source of the World. And now¡­ our world is nearing its breaking point."


    The consequences were clear:


    Once the world was destroyed, only the individual who obtained the Will of the World would survive. It would be a winner-takes-all scenario.


    As the old man spoke, his frail body hunched further, and his voice grew weaker.


    "So¡­ the ones who manipulated the Sacred Time River must have been them?" Daniel asked.


    "That''s my best guess," the old man replied. "It''s hard to imagine anyone else capable of such a feat."


    "I see. It seems I''ll have to deal with them," Daniel said, preparing to leave.


    Though he had not yet found the ones responsible for his father''s death, he now had a direction.


    If those who had gained the power of gods and devils were involved, Daniel would track them down one by one.


    Besides, this world¡­


    Daniel glanced at the Ring of Origin on his hand. Read exclusive chapters at M-V-L


    Weren''t they trying to take what belonged to him?


    For that alone, they deserved to die.


    "You''re leaving?" the old man asked weakly.


    "Of course," Daniel replied.


    "The world¡­ the world still needs you to save it," the old man implored.


    "As long as I kill them, won''t the world be saved all the same?" Daniel responded matter-of-factly.


    "They are deeply hidden. You may not be able to find them all. And unless you can kill them all at once¡­ the last one standing may destroy everything," the old man warned solemnly.


    "You have a point. So, what do you suggest I do?" Daniel asked.


    "They are using the remnants of gods and devils to corrupt and pollute the world. The only solution is to help the Tree of Origin grow once more. It can cleanse the world of their influence."


    The original Tree of World had long been destroyed. The Tree of Origin was a chance to replace it, to take its place in purging the lingering corruption. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "And how do I help it grow? By planting trees?" Daniel asked, incredulous at the notion of saving the world through gardening.


    "Yes," the old man replied calmly. "I cannot do it myself. Once the Tree of Origin reaches a certain size, it will attract those individuals. You won''t need to search for them¡ªthey will come to you."


    "How do I make it grow?" Daniel asked.


    "You''ll need the special forge at the bottom of the lake. It produces drops of liquid that can nurture the tree over time¡­"


    Before the old man could finish, Daniel pulled out a transparent forge from his storage crystal.


    This forge was a result of Daniel refining a large number of mana crystals.


    The moment he produced it, the old man was stunned.


    He hadn''t expected Daniel to possess such an advanced forge.


    The old man''s blind eyes couldn''t see its intricacies, but the aura it emanated was far superior to the one in the lake.


    "Amazing¡­ truly amazing¡­" the old man murmured, coughing from excitement.


    "Your forge is far superior to the one in the lake," he said between wheezing breaths. "With two forges¡­ the Tree of Origin''s growth can be accelerated greatly. Perhaps¡­ perhaps it won''t even take millennia¡­"


    The old man''s words trailed off as his breathing became labored.


    Ryze quickly moved to steady the old man, helping him regain control of his breathing.


    The old man was overwhelmed. Daniel''s arrival had already filled him with joy, but now, the prospect of saving the world seemed within reach. How could he not be elated?

 Chapter 94: Chapter94-How Is This Possible… Does That Actually Work?

    What? Ten thousand years?Hearing the old man''s words, Daniel frowned deeply.


    Ten thousand years¡­


    That was far beyond the limit of what he could tolerate.


    If that were the case, he might as well spend those ten thousand years tracking down every one of those individuals hiding in the world and wiping them out.


    But then Daniel reconsidered.


    That didn''t seem realistic either.


    As the old man had mentioned earlier, if Daniel truly hunted them down one by one, what would the remaining ones do?


    A desperate counterattack?


    Perhaps even taking the entire world down with them?


    That outcome¡­


    Would go entirely against Daniel''s intent.


    While it was true he wanted to annihilate those individuals, he didn''t wish to cause further harm to the already fragile world.


    As the old man had pointed out, the world was teetering on the edge of collapse.


    Perhaps even the slightest nudge¡ªa gust of wind, a fragile straw¡ªcould plunge it into an abyss of irreparable destruction.


    Daniel didn''t want to be the cause of that.


    If he did, there would''ve been no need to exhaust himself creating the Ring of Origin in the first place.


    He could''ve simply stepped into the world and ended everything right then and there.


    So, considering everything¡­


    The old man''s suggestion seemed the most reasonable.


    But ten thousand years?


    That was going to drive Daniel insane.


    At that moment, an idea struck him.


    "Tree of Origin grows by absorbing the liquid produced by the forge, right?" Daniel asked.


    The old man paused, realizing he hadn''t fully explained yet. Slowly, he replied,


    "Yes, the higher the quality of the forge, the more beneficial it is to the Tree of Origin''s growth."


    "What about quantity? If we had enough forges, could we shorten the growth time of the Tree of Origin?" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This¡­"


    The old man hesitated before slowly nodding.


    "That is indeed possible. The original Tree of World grew rapidly because it was rooted in the blood and bodies of gods and devils."


    A being like the Tree of Origin couldn''t be measured by conventional logic.


    Theoretically, the more liquid it absorbed, the faster it could grow.


    But the old man had never tested this himself.


    The forge beneath the lake was a creation of generations of oracles who had poured all their resources into its construction.


    Yet, even with their combined efforts, it wasn''t the highest grade; it remained at the purple level.


    So the old man could only cautiously agree with Daniel''s hypothesis based on his own conjecture.


    "I see. So, as long as we have enough forges, we can keep shortening the growth time. That''s good," Daniel said casually.


    The old man, puzzled by Daniel''s lighthearted tone, asked,


    "Forges aren''t easy to create. They require a massive amount of magic array crystals¡­ and naturally occurring crystals were depleted long ago."


    This knowledge had been passed down through generations of oracles.


    In fact, it was the oracles themselves who had mined all the naturally occurring magic array crystals to construct the forge.


    When the natural supply ran out, they eventually developed a magic array capable of converting mana stones into magic array crystals, solving the shortage problem.


    However, the oracle lineage was passed down through a single successor each generation.


    They lacked the manpower and resources to form a large organization.


    This limitation meant that after countless generations, they still had only a single purple-grade forge.


    Even that single forge represented the culmination of unimaginable effort.


    The old man was about to caution Daniel against underestimating the difficulty of forging, but he suddenly stopped.


    He felt it.


    Countless forges.


    Not only that¡ªevery single one of these forges was far superior to the purple-grade forge that represented the oracle lineage''s greatest achievement.


    How¡­ how could this be possible?


    Had Daniel discovered a previously unknown vein of magic array crystals?


    If not, how could such a thing even be explained?


    "These¡­ these forges¡­ how did you get them? Natural magic array crystals no longer exist¡­" The old man''s voice trembled with emotion.


    "Oh, those? I made them myself," Daniel replied nonchalantly. "I had some free time, so I made a few hundred of them. Though it seems I might still need more."


    Then, almost as an afterthought, Daniel muttered,


    "By the way, if I increase the number of Tree of Origin saplings, will it grow faster?"


    The old man was utterly dumbfounded.


    A few hundred forges?


    How many magic array crystals would that require?


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    And Daniel said he had casually made them.


    This meant¡­


    Daniel could create even more!


    If he fully committed¡­


    Wait, where was he getting so many magic array crystals?


    Before the old man could process what he had just heard, Daniel''s question reached him.


    What did he mean by "increase the number of Tree of Origin saplings"?


    The old man instinctively nodded, only to realize too late what Daniel intended to do.


    The world''s only existing Tree of Origin¡ªthe one the old man had painstakingly nurtured for so long¡ªwas behind him.


    Daniel planned to revert it into numerous seeds¡­


    "This Tree of Origin has taken countless years to grow to this state. Reverting it to seeds will mean starting from scratch¡­ it will take a very long time for them to grow again," the old man tried to dissuade Daniel.


    While Daniel''s logic was sound¡ªmore saplings would mean faster purification of the world¡ªthe time required to grow those saplings from seeds was staggering.


    The old man wanted to continue persuading him, but Daniel had already acted.


    The old man suddenly felt the space behind him empty out.


    He realized that the fully grown Tree of Origin had already been dismantled into numerous seeds by Daniel.


    "It''s fine. I have plenty of forges," Daniel said casually as he scattered the seeds across the ground.


    Using earth magic, he buried each one.


    Next, he began meticulously inscribing magic arrays, preparing an enormous area to house the forges.


    When the transparent forges started producing liquid, Daniel ensured it would be evenly distributed to every seed, promoting their healthy growth.


    Though the old man''s eyes could not see, he was aware of everything happening.


    Whether it was Daniel planting the seeds, inscribing magic arrays, or summoning hundreds of forges, every action left the old man in awe.


    For a moment, he even wondered¡ªcould Daniel truly be a god?


    How else could someone possess such overwhelming power and so many crystals?


    Still¡­


    The result brought the old man peace.


    ...


    "M-Mentor¡­"


    Ryze, who stood nearby, could clearly see everything Daniel was doing.


    After hearing the earlier conversation, Ryze understood the monumental scale of Daniel''s actions.


    "Ryze, what is it?"


    "Your Excellency¡­ he''s forging transparent forges¡­"


    The old man gasped sharply, nearly collapsing onto the grass.


    "What¡­ what did you say?"


    "One after another¡­ colorless forges are being forged by Your Excellency. He''s placing them within the magic arrays he just inscribed. The seeds are already beginning to sprout!" Ryze exclaimed, his voice brimming with astonishment.


    Hearing this, the old man felt a wave of regret that his blind eyes could not witness such a scene.


    Transparent forges!


    The elusive colorless forges!


    The entire oracle lineage had poured everything into their purple-grade forge, yet Daniel was producing colorless forges in bulk before their very eyes.


    How absurdly theatrical could fate be?


    The old man''s unseeing eyes filled with tears.


    After countless years of waiting, the dream of the oracle lineage had finally been realized.


    They had found a way to save the world.


    And they had found the person capable of doing it.


    Mentor, I''ve done it!


    Generations of effort, endless inheritance, and unyielding hope¡­


    All of it had culminated in this moment.


    The world could be saved!

 Chapter 95: Chapter95-Arrangements and Changes

    With a wave of Daniel''s hand, the seeds were planted into the soil and began to sprout slowly.To the old man and his disciple Ryze, it was nothing short of a miracle.


    It felt like a dream¡ªone they never wanted to wake up from.


    "Ryze, go¡­ go check on the seeds," the old man said, his voice trembling with emotion.


    "Yes, mentor," Ryze responded, inspecting the Tree of Origin seeds buried in the ground.


    Under the nourishment of the liquid from the forges, the seeds were bursting with vitality.


    It felt as if they could break through the soil at any moment, growing into towering trees.


    Daniel approached the old man and observed him quietly. Find more adventures on M-V-L


    "You look like you''re about to die."


    "I am," the old man replied without hesitation.


    For a long time, the old man had been hovering on the brink of death, sustained only by a single, unyielding resolve.


    Without that determination, he would likely have passed away long ago.


    But now, he had met Daniel.


    He had "seen" a glimmer of hope for the world''s salvation.


    The crisis he had spent his life preparing for¡ªthe mission passed down through generations of oracles¡ªwas nearing resolution.


    With that, his final thread of resolve was beginning to unravel.


    Without it, the end of his life was near.


    The old man understood this well. He knew his time was short.


    Hearing Daniel''s blunt observation, he didn''t shy away from the truth. Instead, he nodded and said calmly,


    "Yes, my life has long been a flickering candle in the wind, soon to be extinguished. I won''t live to see the day when the Tree of Origin restores the world, but that''s fine. Ryze will witness it for me."


    "We oracles have always passed our mission from one generation to the next. My mentor entrusted it to me, and now I''ll entrust it to Ryze. But I''m fortunate¡­ fortunate to have met you before the end of my days."


    At this point, the old man addressed Daniel with a tone of reverence.


    Though blind, his heart was sharp.


    Despite Daniel''s youth, the strength he displayed left no doubt in the old man''s mind that he deserved such respect.


    Daniel recognized that the old man had come to terms with his fate and said no more.


    ...


    After a moment of silence, the old man asked,


    "Could I ask you for one favor?"


    "What is it?" Daniel replied.


    "I want Ryze to follow you."


    "Why?"


    "We oracles have always dreamed of seeing the individuals destroying this world punished, their schemes shattered. I know you have the strength to make this happen, and I believe you will.


    "So I want Ryze to follow you. Only by being at your side will he see more of the world, more of its possibilities."


    The old man smiled, his expression serene.


    Though his sight had been gone for many years, it seemed as if, for the first time, he could truly see the future.


    "I can agree to that, but I won''t force your disciple to follow me. Whether or not he chooses to come is up to him," Daniel replied.


    "I understand. I wouldn''t impose such a burden on you. But I believe he will choose to follow you."


    ...


    Daniel sought out Nina, who was playing with a group of bears.


    "Headmaster, are we leaving?" Nina asked.


    "No, we''ll be staying here for a while¡ªperhaps quite some time," Daniel replied.


    "What for?" Nina inquired.


    "To save this dying world," Daniel said matter-of-factly.


    Nina was stunned.


    "To save¡­ the world?"


    "Yes."


    "How are we going to do that?"


    Daniel glanced at the seeds he had planted.


    He needed to wait until the Trees of Origin in the small world had grown sufficiently before transplanting them into the main world.


    Once that happened, those who sought to corrupt and destroy the world would be caught off guard.


    Corrupt the world?


    How dare they!


    Daniel left the small world with Nina and the small bear.


    Since the Trees of Origin were growing in the small world, there was no need for him to stay there constantly.


    Compared to the barren plains, he preferred the liveliness of the outside world.


    ...


    "Master."


    Not long after leaving the small world, Ryze followed Daniel out.


    "How is your mentor?" Daniel asked.


    "He passed peacefully," Ryze replied, a trace of sadness in his expression.


    However, he seemed more composed than distraught.


    Perhaps those like him had long accepted such inevitabilities.


    "Did your mentor leave you with any final words?"


    "Yes. Mentor told me to follow you," Ryze answered honestly.


    "And what about you? What do you think? I don''t force anyone to follow me," Daniel asked.


    If Ryze chose to follow him solely out of obligation to his mentor, Daniel would rather let him go.


    It would be better to clarify things now than to let Ryze suffer the burden of such a choice later.


    "Actually, I want to follow you. I want to see the Trees of Origin take root in the world, to see it revived with my own eyes."


    For generations, the oracles had strived for this moment.


    Now, in Ryze''s time, the ancient mission was finally nearing completion.


    It left him feeling lost¡ªuntil his mentor''s words awakened him.


    If you don''t know what to do, then go and see the world.


    Following Daniel meant witnessing more than he ever imagined.


    How many could casually produce hundreds of transparent forges, after all?


    Ryze''s decision was clear.


    Daniel nodded and let the matter drop.


    ...


    "The Grand Duke of Winterkeep Citadel¡­" Daniel said, briefly mentioning the man.


    He remembered how Ryze had shown little regard for the Grand Duke, even though he was Ryze''s father.


    "Master, the Grand Duke is the nominal ruler of Winterrealm. In truth¡­ my father holds that position because I became an oracle''s disciple," Ryze explained calmly.


    Daniel understood.


    "In that case, can you obtain some advanced techniques for fatecasters and bloodline warriors?"


    With the Tree of Origin issue temporarily resolved, Daniel turned his attention back to his original purpose.


    The resources provided by Dragonscale Bank were limited, and Ryze''s influence in Winterrealm''s royal family might grant him access to more useful materials.


    "If that''s what you need, I''ll arrange for them to be delivered immediately," Ryze said.


    "Good. I want all the advanced techniques for both class systems. Also¡­" Daniel glanced at Sif.


    "Provide her with ingredients daily so she can practice cooking."


    "Understood."


    For Ryze, these requests were hardly difficult. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    "What about me, Headmaster? You''re reading, Sif''s cooking, but what do I get to do?" Nina interjected, eager for a role.


    "How long are we staying here?"


    Daniel looked at her, momentarily forgetting about her presence.


    After calculating the growth time of the Trees of Origin, he replied,


    "We''ll likely stay here for four or five years. You should focus on improving your level. By the time we return to the academy, you might still be the weakest one."


    "Don''t worry, Headmaster! I''m working hard! Maybe I''ll surpass Nora by then!" Nina declared confidently.


    Daniel chuckled at her enthusiasm, saying nothing further.


    Rose, Green, Reed, Nora¡­


    I wonder how they''re doing, he thought.


    "Master," Ryze interrupted, "there are places in Winterrealm well-suited for training."

 Chapter 96: Chapter96-Five Years Later

    At that moment, Ryze spoke up."In Winterrealm, there are quite a few secret realms. Within these realms, one can find many opportunities¡­"


    Ryze hesitated, realizing that he might have misspoken.


    After all, Nina had been following Daniel, and with a mentor like him, what opportunities could she possibly lack?


    Quickly, Ryze added,


    "They''re also great for improving one''s combat skills and overall strength."


    Hearing this, Daniel realized that it might indeed be a good option for Nina.


    With her restless nature, sending her to explore the secret realms could keep her busy¡ªand spare him a fair bit of trouble.


    He then gave Ryze another appraising look.


    Only now did Daniel fully recognize Ryze''s potential.


    Young and talented, Ryze was not only the current successor of the oracle lineage but also someone the old man had handpicked as a disciple.


    The oracle lineage had always passed from one individual to the next, so selecting an unworthy successor could risk ending the tradition altogether.


    Ryze''s abilities were beyond question, and this gave Daniel an idea.


    "Nina," Daniel said, "here''s one more task for you. While we''re staying here, you need to be able to defeat Ryze."


    "If you can''t, you might as well stay here rather than returning to Riverside City and embarrassing me."


    At present, Nina was only Tier-Silver, while Ryze was a Tier-Diamond.


    Not only that, but Ryze was no ordinary Tier-Diamond¡ªhe had also inherited the oracle''s knowledge and legacy.


    To anyone else, Daniel''s challenge to Nina would seem impossible.


    Even Ryze himself found it excessive.


    He knew his own strength. As a genuine Tier-Diamond with the oracle''s teachings, he doubted Nina''s ability to surpass him in just a few years, no matter how talented she was.


    To Ryze, the goal Daniel had set for Nina was nothing short of a fantasy.


    He assumed Daniel must have been joking.


    But after Daniel finished speaking, Ryze immediately felt a wave of hostility directed at him.


    There was no need to guess¡ªit was coming from Nina.


    Ryze turned to Nina and offered her a gentle smile.


    "Do your best, Nina."


    He meant to be encouraging, but to Nina, it was pure provocation.


    What was this smile supposed to mean? Was he underestimating her?


    "I will defeat you!" Nina declared, her eyes blazing with determination.


    "Then good luck," Ryze replied, unfazed.


    Daniel, observing their exchange from the sidelines, said nothing.


    He simply hoped for a different outcome by the time he left Winterkeep Citadel.


    ...


    For the next five years, Daniel resided in Winterkeep Citadel.


    He spent his time researching the two class systems, savoring the meals Sif prepared, and occasionally wandering around the city.


    Compared to the endless, barren voids he had experienced, the bustling life in Winterkeep Citadel made him feel alive again.


    During his stay, Daniel made some modifications to the city''s magic array before ultimately transferring control of it to the newly appointed Grand Duke of Winterrealm.


    As for the former Grand Duke, the man who had once confronted Daniel, he had been deposed.


    Now, he lived a quiet life akin to that of a retired emperor.


    The new Grand Duke was the former Grand Duke''s son, someone with a close relationship with Ryze.


    The dramatic events surrounding the change in leadership at Winterkeep Citadel had seemingly been forgotten.


    The former Grand Duke''s outraged declarations, the fall of the magic array, and his display of cowardice had all faded into obscurity.


    Under the new Grand Duke''s leadership, Winterkeep Citadel thrived.


    Only in the city''s pubs did rumors still linger.


    Some whispered that the former Grand Duke had been deposed after a powerful individual came seeking vengeance, prompting his son to take his place.


    Such tales became topics of casual conversation, perhaps to be regarded as fanciful history in years to come.


    What was clear, however, was that Winterkeep Citadel had changed.


    Soldiers often returned from expeditions carrying the bodies of spellbeasts.


    The prices of mana cores had dropped slightly, as had the cost of spellbeast materials.


    For bloodline warriors, this was a boon.


    For merchants traveling to and from Winterkeep Citadel, especially those associated with Dragonscale Bank, it was a golden opportunity.


    Materials purchased cheaply in Winterkeep Citadel could be resold elsewhere for a hefty profit.


    Occasionally, someone even claimed to have caught a glimpse of Bear Prime roaming the city.


    ...


    Five years passed.


    Two figures appeared in Winterkeep Citadel.


    "Father, are you sure about this?" one of them asked.


    Cyre, the Lord of Westwind Pass, gazed at Winterkeep Citadel''s most opulent palace and nodded solemnly.


    "Yes. There are things I must do."


    With that, Cyre resolutely headed toward the royal court.


    It had been five years since the new Grand Duke ascended the throne.


    During that time, much had changed.


    Most people agreed that the new Grand Duke was far better than his predecessor.


    Your next chapter is on M-V-L


    As the lord of Westwind Pass, Cyre was not permitted to leave his post without a critical reason.


    Yet for the past five years, he had wrestled with a question¡ªone that had driven him to make this decision.


    He was here to find answers.


    Cyre''s son, Nossa, accompanied him.


    Partly to support his father, but also because he had his own ambitions.


    Over the past five years, Nossa had worked tirelessly to improve his strength.


    Back then, he had narrowly missed being chosen by Bear Prime.


    Now, returning to Winterkeep Citadel, he hoped for another chance.


    Five years later, what had become of those who had surpassed him back then?


    ...


    "Cyre, Lord of Westwind Pass? You know the rules. Without an emergency, you are not permitted to leave your post," the new Grand Duke said, fixing Cyre with a stern gaze.


    "I am aware," Cyre replied calmly.


    "Very well. Considering your service, I''ll overlook this transgression. But let''s address another matter. Two years ago, during the Trial of Gods, you were absent. Is that correct?"


    "Yes, Grand Duke. And that is why I''m here today¡ªto ask a question. Why¡­ was Bear Prime a small bear?"


    This question had haunted Cyre for years. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only a few had seen Bear Prime''s true form after Daniel intervened, and Cyre was among them.


    How could the being he had revered as a symbol of faith turn out to be¡­ that?


    "The rules are the rules. Regardless of what you saw, as a lord, it is your duty to oversee the Trial of Gods," the Grand Duke replied firmly.


    "My apologies, Grand Duke, but I cannot continue as a lord," Cyre said.


    During his journey here, Cyre had made up his mind.


    He could no longer lie to himself or carry on this charade.


    "Are you certain? I''ll give you one last chance to reconsider."


    "My decision is final."


    The Grand Duke sighed.


    As far as Bear Prime and the Winterrealm royal family were concerned, Cyre was too insignificant to warrant an explanation.


    "Very well. A new lord will assume command of Westwind Pass in a few days. You may assist with the transition or do as you please."


    "I understand," Cyre replied, leaving the royal court with heavy steps.


    ...


    "You''re far kinder than he was," Ryze remarked, stepping into the room.


    Allowing such dissent, Ryze noted, could undermine the royal family''s authority.


    Yet the Grand Duke had taken no punitive action against Cyre and had even offered him a chance to change his mind.


    Hearing Ryze''s words, the Grand Duke gave a bitter smile.


    "Kindness? Perhaps a firmer hand would be better."

 Chapter 97: Chapter97-Coven

    Sitting in the position of the Grand Duke of Winterrealm often required difficult decisions. Mercy, as noble as it seemed, frequently complicated matters unnecessarily.On the other hand, resolute and ruthless actions could sometimes provide the simplest, most direct solutions.


    These were some of the lessons Ryze''s elder brother had learned after assuming the mantle of Grand Duke.


    Their father had been a ruthless man.


    "Perhaps," Ryze said, patting his brother on the shoulder. "But at least in my eyes, you''ll become the greatest Grand Duke Winterrealm has ever known."


    "The Grand Duke¡­" his brother sighed. "Doesn''t he still depend on the whims of people like you?"


    Ryze didn''t respond to this jab but instead allowed the conversation to drift elsewhere.


    The Grand Duke shifted topics. "You''ve been scarce lately. Is there something you need my help with?"


    "No," Ryze replied with a faint smile. "Perhaps¡­ I''ll be leaving Winterrealm soon."


    "Leaving? Why?" The Grand Duke''s confusion was evident.


    "Honestly, if not for certain matters keeping me here, I might have left years ago," Ryze said, meeting his brother''s gaze. "But now¡­ things are finally wrapping up. Brother, take good care of Winterrealm. I hope it thrives under your rule."


    With those words, Ryze turned and left, leaving the Grand Duke alone in the cold, unwelcoming chamber. A long while later, the Grand Duke sighed heavily.


    ...


    Cyre, meanwhile, had been drowning himself in drink ever since he left the royal court.


    Afraid that alcohol might loosen his tongue and cause him to say things better left unsaid, he had locked himself in his quarters for days.


    His son, Nossa, had tried to talk some sense into him, but Cyre refused to listen to anyone.


    Left with no other choice, Nossa wandered the halls of Winterkeep Citadel aimlessly, unwilling to leave his father completely alone.


    As Nossa meandered, he began to pick up fragments of conversations. The pub, as always, was lively with chatter.


    It was a place not just for drinking but also for trading news, and today the talk revolved around a new and formidable faction rising in Winterkeep Citadel: Coven.


    The emergence of Coven had shaken the foundations of the old order. The once-prestigious Winterrealm Guild, a group made up of elite talents, had found itself overshadowed and struggling under Coven''s growing dominance.


    Rumor had it that the Winterrealm Guild was now being forced to recruit new members¡ªsomething they had rarely, if ever, done before.


    Traditionally, joining the Winterrealm Guild required a strict nomination process, followed by grueling tests and evaluations.


    Now, however, desperation seemed to be rewriting those rules.


    This sudden change was proof enough for many that the guild was buckling under the pressure exerted by Coven.


    Voices in the pub buzzed with speculation, some mocking the guild''s decline, others lamenting its fate.


    "Coven''s already unstoppable," one patron declared. Experience tales at M-V-L


    "Winterrealm Guild? It''s nothing but scraps at this point," another added, shaking his head.


    Supporters of the guild tried to argue otherwise, but every defense faltered under the weight of undeniable facts. Coven was winning¡ªdecisively.


    The pub door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. The lively chatter died instantly. Even the staunchest defenders of the Winterrealm Guild averted their gazes, unwilling to meet the newcomer''s eyes.


    The figure¡ªa woman¡ªapproached the bar counter, placing something heavy on the surface.


    "Please wait a moment while I record this," said the pub keeper, leaning over to examine the items. The bar, it turned out, wasn''t just for drinking but also served as a hub for accepting and completing tasks.


    The items on the counter were trophies¡ªproof of powerful spell beasts slain.


    Each head represented a beast that had once roamed outside the Winterkeep Citadel''s magic array, dominating its own territory. And now, they were all dead, thanks to this woman.


    Her attire bore the unmistakable emblem of Coven, drawing everyone''s attention.


    Nossa watched her from the corner of the room. His breath caught as recognition dawned.


    It was her. Sarra.


    As the pub keeper logged the kills, the scoreboard on the wall lit up, displaying Coven''s dominance in stark numbers.


    Their points surged far beyond those of the Winterrealm Guild, cementing their position as the undisputed rulers of Winterkeep Citadel. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before leaving, Sarra''s gaze swept briefly across the room, lingering for a moment in Nossa''s direction. That single glance left him frozen.


    It''s really her, Nossa thought, his mind racing.


    As Sarra left the pub, the crowd exploded back into chatter.


    "That must''ve been someone high up in Coven, right?" someone asked.


    "Of course! Didn''t you see what she brought in? And alone, no less! Coven must have plenty more like her!"


    "She''s definitely the Ice Maiden of Coven!" another chimed in. "No wonder¡ªI felt a chill as soon as she walked in!"


    "What''s her role in Coven, anyway? I don''t know much about their hierarchy," a curious patron asked.


    "Well, Coven isn''t just for women, if that''s what you''re thinking," a seasoned drinker replied. "The name comes from its founder¡ªa little girl, of all things! I was there the day it all started, right here in this pub. The Ice Maiden was the second to join, and now she''s one of their top figures."


    "Really? You saw it happen?" someone asked, eyes wide. "Tell us more, and this round''s on me!"


    "Gladly!" The man leaned in, ready to recount the tale. "It was years ago. I was sitting right over there¡­"


    ...


    Nossa left the pub, Sarra''s image still vivid in his mind. Coven. The name lingered on his lips as he walked, its weight heavy with implication.


    If he wanted to find the two people he sought, Coven seemed like the only place to start.


    But could he?


    The gap between him and Sarra had been painfully clear the moment she stepped into the pub.


    Despite five years of relentless effort, Nossa realized he was still no match for her¡ªand that didn''t even account for Nina, who had been even stronger than Sarra back then.


    His determination faltered as he approached Coven''s headquarters. He hadn''t even realized where his feet had carried him until he stood before their doors.


    Why am I here? he thought. Anger? Resentment? Something else?


    A voice interrupted his thoughts. "I didn''t think you''d come."


    Looking up, Nossa saw Sarra standing before him, her expression a mix of surprise and nostalgia.


    "Honestly, I didn''t think we''d ever meet again," Sarra said, her tone laced with genuine emotion. "But here we are."


    "Yeah," Nossa replied, unsure of what else to say. The bitterness in his voice was hard to miss.


    Five years ago, during a fateful trial, he had lost to Sarra by the narrowest of margins. And now, seeing her again, the difference between them was staggering.


    For her part, Sarra couldn''t help but reflect on their past. Back then, she had won only because Nina had lent her a mana core. Without it, Nossa might have bested her.


    "You''ve made a lot of progress these past years," Sarra said, her tone genuine.


    "Don''t mock me," Nossa muttered bitterly.


    "I''m not mocking you," Sarra insisted. "Your talent is undeniable. Even here in Winterkeep Citadel, you''d rank above average. If only you had¡ª" She stopped herself before finishing the thought. If only you hadn''t stayed in Westwind Pass.


    Instead, she changed the subject. "Come on, let''s go see some old friends. The head might even offer you a chance."


    With that, Sarra turned and walked into Coven''s stronghold.


    Nossa hesitated, her words echoing in his mind. A chance. The opportunity to prove himself. Steeling his resolve, he followed her inside.

 Chapter 98: Chapter98-Nina’s Victory

    Upon entering Coven''s headquarters, Nossa couldn''t help but notice the many members greeting Sarra along the way.It was clear that Sarra held a prominent position within Coven. This only solidified Nossa''s assumption: the head of Coven must be Nina.


    Nossa''s mind wandered back to the past. Nina had been the ultimate dark horse during the trials.


    At the time, most people believed she was simply a flash in the pan¡ªan underdog who might stir up some excitement but would ultimately fade away.


    Yet here she was now, having established a formidable faction within Winterkeep Citadel.


    The complexity of Nossa''s emotions grew as he processed this reality.


    As these thoughts swirled in his mind, a sudden movement caught his attention. A massive bear lumbered out of one of the nearby rooms. Nossa froze.


    That bear¡­


    It was the very same Bear Prime that had appeared above Westwind Pass five years ago.


    Could Bear Prime also be a part of Coven?


    Nossa''s thoughts raced back to that day, to the lone figure who had taken down the enormous Bear Prime and captured a small bear.


    According to his father, that figure was said to be one of Nina''s elders.


    "Rikki, where are you off to?" someone called out.


    Rikki? That''s its name? Nossa thought in surprise.


    "Oh, just heading to the pocket realm to deliver something to the elder," the bear replied nonchalantly before ambling off with surprising speed.


    The towering figure of the bear passed directly by Nossa, who stood rooted to the spot.


    By the time Nossa gathered his wits and turned around to say something, Rikki had already disappeared from sight.


    "That''s Rikki," Sarra said casually. "Though you probably know it better as Bear Prime¡ªthe same one responsible for the guidance ceremony five years ago. Don''t be so shocked; Bear Primes aren''t singular entities."


    "They''re a whole tribe," she continued. "Sometimes, you can even spot them in the royal court''s architecture."


    Sarra''s nonchalant tone made the revelation feel almost mundane, but Nossa found it utterly astonishing.


    How had he missed so much over the past five years?


    He had been training in Westwind Pass, not isolated from the world, yet it felt as though he was completely out of touch with reality.


    "Whitey, where''s the head?" Sarra asked, interrupting Nossa''s thoughts. "I just saw Rikki¡­"


    "The head went looking for Ryze again," replied a young woman nearby, who was referred to as Whitey. "I think it''s because that deadline he mentioned is almost here. She''s been searching for him constantly these past few days."


    Whitey then turned her attention to Nossa. "Who''s this? A friend of yours? He seems familiar¡­ I feel like I''ve seen him somewhere before."


    Nossa instinctively took a step back from the sudden attention of this stranger.


    "He''s someone I know from Westwind Pass," Sarra explained. "The head knows him too. He''ll be joining us."


    "Fine," Whitey shrugged. "Another recruit for us to babysit. This is going to be the death of me. Ever since¡ª"


    "Whitey, are you volunteering to be Sif''s next meal?" Sarra interrupted with a smirk.


    "I didn''t say anything!" Whitey exclaimed. Before anyone could react, she transformed into a small white bird and flew off in haste.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the royal court of Winterrealm, Ryze sat alone in the garden. A wave of drowsiness swept over him, but instead of resisting, he muttered to himself, "Here we go again¡­"


    As his eyes closed, the world around him changed.


    When he opened them, he found himself in an unfamiliar place surrounded by strange and exotic plants. He instantly knew who was responsible for this.


    "I heard you just got back to Winterkeep Citadel," Ryze said aloud, his voice tinged with mild exasperation. "Couldn''t you at least take a break?"


    Before he could say more, the peculiar plants around him began to attack. Ryze responded swiftly, summoning intricate runes that encircled him. The runes deflected the attacks, reducing the aggressive plants to withered husks.


    Above him, the sky split open to reveal a massive, blood-red eye with a violet pupil. Simultaneously, the ground cracked, opening deep fissures like wounds across the earth.


    The blood-red eye stared unblinking at Ryze as a humanoid figure, cloaked in magma, emerged from the depths. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In its hands, it wielded an ancient and sinister greatsword. Waves of relentless attacks rained down on Ryze from all directions.


    Yet, the runes around Ryze held firm, shielding him from every assault.


    "Nina, your attacks have improved significantly since last time," Ryze remarked with a hint of amusement. "But they''re still not quite enough."


    As his words faded, the runes surrounding him blazed with intense light. The strange world around him began to crumble, breaking apart into fragments.


    Moments later, Ryze awoke in the royal garden, letting out a long breath.


    Nina''s attacks had grown stronger¡ªundeniably so.


    When Daniel had first warned him about Nina''s potential, Ryze had dismissed it as a joke. He hadn''t believed that Nina could ever narrow the gap between them.


    Yet over the years, he had watched her grow, step by step, until she was now nearly his equal.


    Still, Ryze had a unique advantage: his oracle class and its distinct abilities. Nina''s attacks, powerful as they were, relied heavily on illusions and psychological manipulation. Against most foes, these techniques were devastating. Against Ryze, however, they were far less effective.


    His protective runes not only safeguarded his mind but also shattered illusions, forcing him awake from even the most insidious dreamscapes.


    Nina had tried many times to best him in this way, only to fail repeatedly.


    This time, though, something was different.


    Just as Ryze was beginning to relax, a sudden sense of danger overwhelmed him. Before he could react, the world around him shattered once more.


    He hadn''t escaped the illusion at all. What he thought was reality was merely another layer of the dreamscape.


    Nina had trapped him in a second layer of illusion without him realizing it.


    As the illusion crumbled, Ryze found himself face-to-face with Nina in the real world.


    The intense sense of danger he had felt moments ago was proof of her proximity¡ªclose enough to strike him directly.


    This revelation shocked Ryze. Nina''s mastery over her abilities had reached an extraordinary level, advanced enough to deceive even him. If she hadn''t chosen to reveal herself, he might never have realized the truth.


    "How about that?" Nina said with a triumphant grin. "This is my latest trick! Fooled you, didn''t I?"


    Ryze couldn''t help but laugh. "I''ll admit, it''s impressive. Even I couldn''t distinguish the second layer of illusion from reality without activating my runes."


    He paused before adding, "Congratulations, Nina. You''ve won."


    Ryze spoke with genuine admiration. He hadn''t expected Nina''s progress to be so rapid.


    Her illusion had been flawless¡ªif she had chosen to strike instead of revealing her presence, she could have defeated him.


    And now, with the second layer of illusion perfected, who was to say she wouldn''t create a third?


    Ryze''s gaze lingered on Nina, a mixture of respect and unease in his eyes. Perhaps the abilities she had shown so far weren''t the full extent of her power.


    "Ha! I finally did it!" Nina exclaimed, her joy spilling over. "I''m going to tell the headmaster¡ªI''m ready to return with him!"


    Nina''s excitement was infectious. Daniel had given her this challenge, and it had been anything but easy. Over the years, she had fought spell beasts, explored secret realms, and honed her abilities relentlessly.


    Now, at last, she could claim her victory¡ªand her reward: the chance to accompany the headmaster back to Riverside City. Stay updated through M-V-L

 Chapter 99: Chapter99-Success!

    In the miniature world, Daniel sat cross-legged by the edge of a serene lake.Not far from him stretched an area filled with the saplings of Tree of Origin, their growth supported by a network of intricate magic arrays.


    Nutrient-rich droplets, produced by a series of forges, continuously flowed through the arrays, feeding the young trees.


    Everything was progressing just as Daniel had envisioned.


    The forges, powered by high-grade magic crystals, efficiently generated the droplets essential for nurturing the trees.


    These Tree of Origin saplings, unlike ordinary trees, grew at an astonishing rate under this nourishment¡ªfar surpassing his initial expectations.


    Seated by the lake, Daniel''s mind was immersed in a flood of thoughts and ideas.


    He had been reviewing the books Ryze had brought him, which offered profound insights into advanced magical systems.


    These texts sparked significant updates to his ongoing project, Genesis¡ªa foundational book of magic designed to be accessible to all.


    With the addition of concepts inspired by Fatecasters and Bloodline Warriors, Daniel had made numerous refinements to Genesis.


    In this world dominated by magic, he saw limitless potential for further advancements.


    Of course, the revised contents of Genesis were not solely for his benefit. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel intended for Kent and his companions to use these lessons to strengthen themselves while under Rose''s leadership. This was crucial for the success of their shared goals.


    Letting out a deep breath, Daniel opened his eyes. The final chapter of this stage of Genesis was complete.


    Compared to its initial version, the book now featured significantly expanded content, reflecting Daniel''s evolving understanding of the extraordinary class systems within this world.


    He envisioned a future where Genesis would continue to grow, perhaps one day becoming a standard text for magic practitioners across the continent.


    For now, though, his work was done. Daniel packed the updated version of Genesis and sent it directly to Kent and the others.


    Their connection to him, established through their previous studies of Genesis, allowed this transfer to happen seamlessly.


    He could only hope the sudden influx of knowledge wouldn''t overwhelm them.


    After completing this task, Daniel turned his attention to the fields of Tree of Origin.


    He could sense the profound changes these trees were bringing to the miniature world.


    If allowed to continue growing, this world might one day transform into something akin to a main world, with its own unique ecosystem and magical balance.


    This extraordinary potential stemmed from the mere presence of so many Tree of Origin saplings.


    Even so, Daniel knew this was merely a possibility, not a certainty. Much would depend on the choices and circumstances that lay ahead.


    Realizing it was time to act, Daniel decided to transplant these saplings to the main world.


    They were nearly mature enough to function as independent entities, capable of combating the forces of corruption that plagued the larger realm.


    With this decision made, Daniel stood up. It was time for him to return.


    ...


    Elsewhere, Kent and his group stood behind Rose, their leader. Today marked an important moment¡ªtheir mission to negotiate the surrender of the final faction within this city.


    Over the past few years, Rose''s forces had reclaimed numerous cities, steadily expanding their territory.


    Her grand vision was now on the verge of becoming reality.


    The faction they were meeting today wasn''t insignificant. Their resistance was not born of disdain but rather a cautious desire to test Rose''s strength.


    If she proved capable, they might willingly submit. If not, a battle would be inevitable.


    Years of hardship and conflict had sharpened Rose''s demeanor.


    Her expression was cold and imposing, her presence so commanding that even a mere glance from her made most people instinctively look away.


    Leading her followers, Rose entered a grand pavilion where the meeting had been arranged.


    "So, you are Rose of the Death Legion?" one of the faction''s representatives asked, his tone wary.


    "That''s me," Rose replied coolly. "Submit or fight."


    Her blunt words hung heavy in the air.


    Once known as Dead Pink, the Death Legion had earned its current moniker during the beast tide at a border town years ago. Initially, Rose hadn''t cared much about the name.


    Over time, however, she stripped away the "pink" and adopted Death Legion as a reflection of her unyielding approach.


    To weaker factions, the name itself was enough to inspire fear. But the representatives of today''s faction were not so easily intimidated.


    "You''re awfully arrogant," one of them said, his voice tinged with irritation. "Do you truly see us as so insignificant?"


    Many of those present were torn. Some had long been inclined to surrender, recognizing the inevitability of Rose''s dominance. Others, however, resisted, unwilling to abandon generations of effort that had built their position in the city.


    This internal divide had led to today''s negotiation.


    Yet Rose''s uncompromising demand¡ªsubmit or fight¡ªshattered any illusion of diplomacy. Her words were a direct affront to those who valued their pride above all else.


    "You Death Legion people are unbelievable!" one representative shouted.


    "We may not be the strongest, but we''ve held our own in this city for generations. Do you really think you can just crush us?"


    "Even if it means death, we won''t bow to such arrogance!"


    Their voices rose in a chorus of defiance, but Rose remained unmoved.


    She knew the truth: strength was the ultimate arbiter. Words meant nothing when she had the power to back her demands.


    Her hand tightened around the hilt of her greatsword.


    If they chose to fight, she would unleash a swift and decisive assault to show them why she had the confidence to speak as she did.


    Suddenly, a shift in the atmosphere caught her attention. Behind her, Kent and the others began to stir, their breathing becoming uneven.


    "An ambush?" Rose muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing as she turned her gaze back to the representatives.


    Her suspicion seemed to confuse the faction leaders. They exchanged glances, alarmed by her accusation.


    "An ambush? What are you talking about?" one of them asked, bewildered.


    "You set this up, didn''t you?" another demanded, glaring at his companions.


    "I didn''t do anything! Are you trying to get us all killed?"


    "Are you insane? Ambushing the head of the Death Legion is a death sentence for all of us!"


    Panic rippled through their ranks as they realized the gravity of the situation.


    Rose''s reputation preceded her¡ªshe was known for leaving no trace of her enemies.


    Those who fell to her blade didn''t simply die; they were obliterated, their very existence erased.


    The representatives, who had been posturing moments earlier, now faced the reality of Rose''s power. They had no desire to provoke her wrath. Their resistance had been about negotiation, not war, and now they feared they had gone too far.


    "Please, let me explain!" one of them said hastily. "We''ve set no ambushes here! If we had, we wouldn''t still be standing here ourselves! And besides¡­ you''re unharmed, aren''t you, Lady Death Goddess?"

 Chapter 100: Chapter100-An Unexpected Coincidence

    The faction leaders'' words weren''t entirely unreasonable, but Rose remained wary.Her gaze, sharp and full of hostility, stayed fixed on them.


    It was clear from her stance that if anything happened to Kent or his companions, she would not hesitate to strike.


    Rose''s unrelenting demeanor only added to the faction''s anxiety.


    They had no desire to fight her, especially after their investigations into the Death Legion''s exploits.


    Many factions stronger than their own had already fallen to the Death Legion, particularly under the command of its most formidable member¡ªRose herself.


    "Perhaps we could bring in some of our healers to examine them?" one of the faction leaders tentatively suggested, glancing nervously at Rose.


    She did not respond, but her lack of objection was response enough.


    Her silence carried a clear message: she didn''t trust them. If Kent and the others'' condition worsened, Rose would treat it as an act of aggression and retaliate immediately.


    Kent and his companions began to show visible signs of pain, their faces contorted in discomfort.


    Rose tightened her grip on the hilt of her greatsword, ready to unleash a devastating attack at a moment''s notice.


    Kent had been entrusted to Rose by Daniel himself. Over the years, he and his team had protected her from countless life-threatening situations.


    With their combined strength, enhanced by the magic arrays taught by their mentor, they had faced foes far stronger than themselves and emerged victorious.


    Without them, the Death Legion''s rapid rise might never have happened.


    The Death Legion''s name alone had invited hostility from various groups, yet their power and unity had kept them standing strong.


    Losing Kent and his team here would be a blow Rose could not tolerate.


    To her relief, the pained expressions on Kent''s face began to ease. The group slowly recovered, their breathing steadying as their complexion returned to normal.


    Seeing this, Rose exhaled deeply. "Are you alright? What just happened?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of barely restrained anger.


    Kent, still catching his breath, replied in a low voice, "We''re fine, miss¡­ it was just something sent by the headmaster¡­"


    At the mention of the headmaster, Kent lowered his voice further, ensuring that the faction leaders wouldn''t overhear.


    Rose''s icy demeanor softened slightly as understanding dawned.


    So it was him¡­ Rose thought, a flicker of warmth crossing her usually stoic expression. Memories of her father, Daniel, stirred within her, making her briefly consider returning home.


    But the fleeting moment of vulnerability passed, replaced by her commanding presence. Turning her attention back to the faction leaders, she repeated her ultimatum: "Submit, or face annihilation."


    The leaders exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsettled by her unwavering resolve.


    Meanwhile, a peculiar expression crossed Kent''s face, followed by those of his companions.


    Before anyone could react, one of them suddenly broke through to a higher level of power.


    Daniel''s delivery of the revised Genesis to their minds had triggered this.


    The updated content not only provided knowledge but also restructured their internal mana flows and magic patterns.


    The result was a significant increase in mana efficiency, acting like a direct upgrade to their magical abilities.


    Though they tried to suppress their reactions given the tense situation, the sudden breakthroughs were impossible to hide.


    Each of Kent''s team members ascended by at least one level.


    The faction leaders were stunned. What had been a delicate negotiation now felt like the prelude to an inevitable battle.


    "What¡­ what are they doing? Are they preparing to attack us?" one of them whispered, his voice trembling. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Another chimed in, "Why would they choose now, of all times, to advance? This can''t be a coincidence!"


    Their fear escalated with every passing second until one of the leaders, a middle-aged man seated at the head of the group, raised his pale face and declared, "We¡­ we surrender! We choose to submit."


    With that, the negotiation was over. The faction had fallen under the Death Legion''s banner, and Rose was satisfied.


    Another city added to her growing dominion, another victory secured. Yet, her thoughts drifted elsewhere.


    Five years had passed. Perhaps¡­ it was time to return home.


    ...


    In the miniature world, Daniel was unaware of the unintended effects caused by sending the updated Genesis. At that moment, he was dealing with Nina''s eager insistence.


    "Headmaster, I''ve defeated Ryze now! Isn''t it time for me to return with you?" Nina said excitedly. "I''ve been out here for five or six years already. Who knows how much stronger I''ve become compared to everyone else? I bet they couldn''t even keep up with me!"


    Hearing her confident boasting, Daniel chuckled. "Don''t forget, when you first left, you were the weakest of the group."


    "That''s different!" Nina shot back. "I''ve worked harder than anyone these past five years! I''m sure I''ve surpassed them by now!"


    Despite his teasing, Daniel was genuinely impressed.


    Nina''s victory over Ryze was no small feat. Her abilities had been uniquely countered by Ryze''s class and capabilities, and her strength had originally been far inferior to his.


    Overcoming such odds was a testament to her dedication and growth.


    "You''ve done well," Daniel admitted. "And your Coven¡­ that''s impressive too. What are you planning to do about it?"


    Daniel had been aware of Coven''s formation but had refrained from interfering.


    Initially, he thought it was just a passing fancy, something Nina had done on a whim to emulate Rose.


    But over the years, Coven had grown into a legitimate power, which left Daniel wondering about its future.


    The Tree of Origin project in the miniature world was nearly complete, and Daniel''s departure was imminent. If Nina planned to leave Winterrealm, what would become of Coven?


    "I¡­ I don''t know yet," Nina admitted, clearly conflicted.


    "Sort it out," Daniel said gently. "We''ll be leaving soon."


    "Understood," Nina replied before departing.


    ...


    Back at Coven''s headquarters, several key members had gathered, their expressions filled with curiosity and unease.


    "Why did the chief call us here so suddenly?" one of them asked.


    "I have no idea. I just arrived myself," another replied.


    "What about you, Ice Maiden? Do you know anything?" someone turned to Sarra, who shook her head. She was just as in the dark as the others.


    Sarra had been speaking with Nossa about Westwind Pass when the summons came.


    She hadn''t returned there in five years, and the two had been reminiscing.


    But Nina''s urgent call had interrupted their conversation, leaving Sarra no choice but to rush over.


    As more people gathered, Sarra''s thoughts began to drift. A realization crept into her mind¡ªa possibility she had considered but never fully entertained.


    Before she could dwell on it further, Nina appeared from a spatial rift and addressed the crowd.


    "I see everyone''s here," Nina began. "Good. I have an announcement: I''m going home."


    The room fell silent as confusion spread among the group. "Home?" one person asked, their voice uncertain.


    Nina nodded. "I''m leaving Winterrealm and returning to my homeland in the south. Who wants to come with me?"


    Her words left most of the crowd stunned, unsure of what to make of them. Only Sarra seemed to fully understand the implications.


    "I''m going!" the snow eagle declared instantly, its loyalty unwavering.


    For Sarra, Nina''s words confirmed her suspicion.


    For five years, Nina had pushed herself relentlessly, challenging Ryze again and again, battling spell beasts, and honing her skills with single-minded determination.


    It was as if something had been driving her, chasing her toward an unseen goal.


    And now, that goal had been reached. Nina was going home.

 Chapter 101: Chapter101-Preparing to Return

    Sarra knew the truth¡ªwhat Nina truly enjoyed was playing.However, over the past five years, the majority of Nina''s time had been dedicated to improving her abilities.


    As for leisure time?


    It was almost nonexistent.


    All of this stemmed from one single thing.


    That person had once told Nina there was only one condition for going home with him: defeating Ryze.


    For this reason, Nina had pushed herself tirelessly over the past five years, honing her skills and sharpening her combat prowess.


    And now, as Nina declared this momentous news, it could only mean one thing¡ªshe had won.


    Additionally, that person had finished his business in Winterrealm and decided it was time to return.


    "I''ll go with you, Nina," someone said resolutely.


    As for Rikki¡­


    Wherever Nina went, Rikki was sure to follow. That much was certain.


    Then there were the two others left in the room, who awkwardly realized that, apart from themselves, everyone else had already decided to follow the chief and leave.


    Wait, what?


    When did you all decide this? Why wasn''t anyone informed ahead of time?


    "Chief, why make such a sudden decision about this?" one of them asked.


    "Because the time has come, and it''s time for me to go back," Nina replied.


    "Honestly, I brought this up just to ask for your opinions."


    She continued, her gaze calm yet resolute.


    "If you''re willing to leave with me, we''ll set out together. If not, you can stay here in Winterkeep and look after the Coven. The truth is, as you''ve probably noticed, with the Coven''s expansion in recent years, we''ve already hit our limit."


    Winterrealm was, after all, a limited space.


    In such a finite place, the Coven''s growth had naturally reached its ceiling.


    Influence, talent¡­


    Everything.


    With the decline of the Winterkeep Guild, this stagnation had become increasingly apparent to everyone.


    What should they do next?


    They didn''t have the answers.


    But now, Nina''s words seemed to present them with a new choice.


    Leaving Winterkeep to follow Nina southward.


    "Even without the matter of going home, I was already planning to take the Coven out of Winterkeep. If we can''t continue to grow, decline is inevitable," Nina stated firmly.


    One of them hesitated. "Chief, what about the other members of the Coven? What happens to them if we just up and leave?"


    Surely, there would be some who wouldn''t want to leave. What about them?


    If left behind in Winterrealm, the Coven could very well plummet from its current heights to rock bottom.


    So much effort had gone into building the Coven¡ªwere they really going to let it fall apart just like that?


    "I''ve already spoken with the Winterkeep royal family," Nina reassured them.


    "They''ll look after things in our absence."


    Her words left them stunned. They had never expected that Nina had connections to the royal family.


    The Winterkeep royal family¡­


    That explained why, during the Coven''s rise, the Winterkeep Guild hadn''t resorted to any underhanded tactics.


    It was well-known that older, established powers¡ªespecially one bearing the very name of Winterkeep¡ªwouldn''t willingly accept being overshadowed.


    No seasoned power would allow another to rise unchecked in their territory.


    Yet, the Winterkeep Guild had done exactly that.


    They hadn''t obstructed the Coven''s growth in the slightest. Instead, they had simply watched as the Coven grew, step by step.


    Now, it all made sense¡ªit was because the chief had ties to the royal family.


    "So, Chief, one more question¡ªif we all leave, who''s going to manage things here? Are we really going to leave it in the hands of the Winterkeep Guild?"


    That was indeed a pressing concern.


    At this point, Sarra interjected.


    "If that''s the issue, I''ve got the perfect candidate in mind!"


    ¡­


    Nossa dragged a drunken Cyre out of his room.


    "What do you want now? I was in the middle of drinking," grumbled Cyre.


    The man who had once been the proud and commanding lord of Westwind Pass was now nothing more than a shabby, disheveled drunkard.


    "Father, do you remember the Trial of Gods from five years ago?" Nossa asked.


    "Of course, I remember. What about it?" Cyre replied, his tone tinged with impatience.


    Cyre vividly recalled how, during that trial, a figure had torn through Bear Prime''s disguise, exposing the truth beneath.


    Since then, he had grown increasingly withdrawn and disheartened.


    "Father, there''s an opportunity now," Nossa said, his voice filled with excitement.


    "What opportunity?"


    "You remember that strong figure''s prot¨¦g¨¦, Nina? She founded the Coven at Winterkeep Citadel. But now that they''re leaving Winterkeep for the south, they need someone to manage the Coven in their absence¡­"


    Before Nossa could finish, Cyre had already understood his son''s intentions.


    "You''re suggesting¡­ that I manage this Coven?" S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Exactly, Father. This is an opportunity," Nossa affirmed.


    For the first time in a long while, clarity returned to Cyre''s eyes. He looked at his son and asked,


    "You said ''we''? Are you going south too?"


    "Yes, Father. I''m going to follow the chief and leave Winterkeep," Nossa replied.


    "Good, good, good!" Cyre exclaimed, repeating the word three times.


    "When you''re down south, take care of yourself¡­ and be careful."


    ¡­


    "Is he really up to the task?" someone in the Coven''s leadership asked skeptically.


    Cyre''s lingering stench of alcohol and his unkempt appearance made it hard to believe he was capable.


    Sarra, however, defended him.


    "This man was once the lord of Westwind Pass. His abilities are beyond question."


    Hearing this, the doubts began to dissipate.


    After all, anyone who had been entrusted with ruling a major stronghold like Westwind Pass would surely surpass them in administrative capabilities.


    "And can he be trusted? What if he betrays the Coven?"


    "There''s no need to worry about that," Sarra reassured them.


    "His only son will be traveling south with us."


    With those words, the room fell silent.


    After all, with his only son joining their journey, there was little reason to doubt his loyalty.


    ¡­


    Within the mini world, Daniel stood aloft, surveying the many Trees of Origin below.


    The time had come.


    A vast surge of mana erupted from his body.


    The first task was to reclaim the forges, taking back the majority while leaving a select few to nourish the Trees of Origin that had yet to be planted.


    As the magic arrays were dismantled, the Trees of Origin instinctively began altering the mini world itself.


    Streams of light radiated from the trees, resonating with the mini world.


    Daniel swiftly severed the connection.


    These Trees of Origin were meant for the main world. The mini world would have to wait.


    Due to their unique properties, the Trees of Origin couldn''t be stored in standard spatial storage.


    Fortunately, Daniel discovered they could be placed in his system space without issue. This allowed him to recover all the trees while leaving behind a few forges to sustain the unplanted ones.


    Only once this was done did Daniel leave the mini world alongside Sif.


    Outside, the Coven members were waiting.


    "Nervous?" Sarra asked Nossa, who seemed uneasy.


    "A little," he admitted.


    "This will be my first time leaving Winterkeep. I''ve only heard stories about the world outside Winterrealm, but now¡­ I''m about to see it for myself."


    "Don''t worry," Sarra said reassuringly.


    "With the chief, you''ll be fine."


    Meanwhile, Nina turned to Rikki.


    "Aren''t you going to say goodbye to your kin?"


    "They''ve already sent me off," Rikki replied with a hint of exasperation.


    "They told me to bring back lots of food and fun things¡ªor not to come back at all."


    Rikki, technically the first warbear to leave Winterrealm, found itself bearing these peculiar expectations.


    At that moment, a powerful presence descended.


    A man appeared, silencing everyone.


    They all knew who he was¡ªthe chief''s elder and someone of unfathomable strength.


    No one dared to speak out of turn.


    Daniel gazed at the gathered members of the Coven, feeling a surge of pride.


    Nina had done well.


    To have so many people willing to follow her¡ªshe had truly grown over the years.

 Chapter 102: Chapter102-Changes in Riverside City

    "Are you ready to set out?" Daniel asked, turning to Nina."Of course! I''ve already packed everything," Nina replied confidently.


    "And with so many people, how are you planning to take them all?" Daniel asked.


    "Leave it to Whitey," Nina said with a grin. "Headmaster, you wouldn''t believe it¡ªWhitey''s power has grown tremendously over the past few years. Carrying a few hundred people? Piece of cake."


    Daniel smiled but said nothing.


    Meanwhile, Snow Eagle, standing nearby, seemed a little sullen.


    Sure, everything Nina said was true.


    Over the years, following Nina, Snow Eagle''s power had grown considerably. With the help of liquid mana drops and the high-end magical beast dishes prepared by Sif, not improving its strength would have been nearly impossible.


    Carrying a few hundred people would indeed be easy.


    But being treated like a glorified carriage? That was still a bit upsetting.


    "Well, since you''ve got it all arranged, let''s get going," Daniel said.


    Snow Eagle transformed into its spell beast form, and members of the Coven climbed onto its back. Meanwhile, Daniel boarded a ship crafted from the Tree of Origin, accompanied by Nina, Ryze, and a few others. Slowly, they set sail.


    ...


    In De''an City, a man wrapped in layers of clothing tried to blend into the crowd, attempting to leave unnoticed.


    At the city gate, in addition to the usual guards, several mages stood watch. Each bore an identical insignia¡ªthe mark of the Death Legion.


    The man kept his head down, moving among ordinary travelers. To his surprise, he managed to slip past the gate without issue.


    Once he was clear of the city, he discarded his coverings and let out a deep sigh of relief. Finally, he had escaped.


    "Going somewhere?" a voice suddenly asked from behind him.


    Startled, the man spun around, recognizing the figure behind him: Rose, the head of the Death Legion.


    "Who are you? I don''t know you!" he stammered.


    "Don''t know me?" Rose said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.


    "For weeks now, while I''ve been away from De''an City, someone has been spreading lies about us and attacking Death Legion members. That wouldn''t happen to be you, would it? Quite the effort, I must say. You even managed to hire some skilled mercenaries¡­"


    Rose''s sharp gaze locked onto the man, her curiosity growing. She couldn''t fathom why he had targeted her organization.


    A grudge? Perhaps. But if it was such a deep-seated hatred, why run away now?


    His contradictory behavior puzzled her.


    "Others may not know, but I do! Death Legion expanded from Riverside City, part of Crossbridge Academy''s influence!" the man spat.


    Rose''s eyes narrowed. "You know about Crossbridge Academy?"


    "Of course! I even know that the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy is a man named Daniel. He''s nothing but a¡­"


    The man''s voice quivered with rage, but he stopped short of finishing his sentence.


    "In short, he''s a greedy bastard! Everything I had¡ªmy businesses, my livelihood¡ªwas taken by him! You''re loyal to Crossbridge Academy now, but mark my words, you''ll end up just like me!"


    The man''s fury stemmed from his experience with the Rhine Tavern, which he once managed under Crossbridge Academy''s jurisdiction. As Riverside City expanded, he had not only been excluded from profiting but was forced to relinquish many of his holdings. This led to his removal from managing the Rhine Tavern, fueling his hatred for Daniel and Crossbridge Academy.


    Unable to confront the academy directly, he had turned his frustrations on the Death Legion, one of its affiliated organizations in De''an City.


    Rose shook her head.


    "You don''t believe me?" the man sneered.


    "Fine! Just wait and see! One day, you''ll fall just like¡­"


    Before he could finish, Rose silenced him with a cold, deadly glare. His eyes widened in terror as he felt the overwhelming weight of destruction in her gaze.


    To Rose, this man was little more than a deranged fool.


    Her father? Behaving like this?


    Unthinkable. Even if someone offered him endless mana stones, he wouldn''t stoop so low.


    Perhaps¡­ it was time to return and see for herself.


    Her father should have returned to Riverside City by now.


    She had kept the promises she made to him all those years ago.


    These cities now belonged to the Death Legion.


    Still, she couldn''t help but wonder how everyone else was faring.


    ...


    Back in Riverside City, the changes were evident.


    Before Daniel had left, he had outlined plans for the city''s expansion, designating a vast area for development. Over the years, this space had been gradually filled by incoming residents. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On this day, nearly every household had placed jars and basins outside in their courtyards, as if participating in a sacred ritual.


    As the bells of Crossbridge Academy rang, people gathered with their families in their courtyards, gazing eagerly at the sky.


    It was time for the Holy Rain, an event that occurred once every three months.


    Bathing in the rain was believed to enhance physical health and strengthen the body.


    For those without magical talent, the rain brought a fleeting warmth to their bodies, leaving them stronger. For those who could wield magic, the rain provided a tangible boost to their mana reserves.


    This unique phenomenon was orchestrated by Crossbridge Academy, contributing to Riverside City''s growing population and the influx of people from surrounding areas.


    ...


    In a lakeside pavilion, Green watched the raindrops ripple across the water''s surface. Fish swam to the surface, drawn by the rain.


    Over the years, Green had gradually taken over the management of Crossbridge Academy. Isolde and Rowan had also excelled in their respective roles, making significant contributions.


    "Acting Headmaster Green! There you are¡­"


    A young girl approached.


    Green turned. "What''s the matter?"


    "Rowan sent me to find you. This year''s three ''lucky ones'' have arrived at the academy."


    Green nodded. Each year, as part of a plan Daniel had devised, three rare spirits would randomly bond with three young individuals of the right age, improving their constitutions.


    Every five years, however, a spirit capable of enhancing magical talent would appear.


    "This year is one of those special years," the girl continued. "Rowan wants to know if we should intervene. When the talent-enhancing spirits appear, things always get chaotic. Should Crossbridge Academy step in?"


    Green paused, remembering Daniel''s instructions.


    "This is Daniel''s design. We should follow his guidance. However, keep things within a controllable scope."


    "You mean we shouldn''t interfere with normal competition, but we must stop any foul play, right?" the girl asked.


    "Exactly. These spirits exist to foster new talent for Riverside City and Crossbridge Academy, not to provoke unnecessary bloodshed," Green explained.


    He hesitated, then added, "It''s already been five years¡­ Maybe the headmaster will return soon. I don''t want him to come back to chaos."


    The girl smiled. "Maybe he''ll be so impressed with your work that he''ll remove the ''acting'' from your title and make you the official headmaster!"


    "That won''t happen," Green said firmly. "That position belongs to him alone."


    Green knew how much effort his uncle Daniel had poured into transforming Crossbridge Academy into what it was today¡ªa sanctuary admired by many.


    Riverside City had grown into a small kingdom of its own, spanning thousands of miles.


    All of this was thanks to Daniel.


    Green saw himself not as the head of the household, but as its caretaker, waiting for the family to return.


    He wondered how Rose and the others were faring.


    And as for Nora¡­


    Crossbridge Academy now rivaled even Karea Academy.


    Surely, it was a place worth returning to.

 Chapter 103: Chapter103-Please, Don’t Kill Me!

    Karea Academy.A prestigious institution admired by countless prodigies across the land.


    It stood as one of the most renowned academies in the entire Free Federation, an unparalleled beacon of excellence.


    At its peak, eight out of ten famed geniuses in the Free Federation were alumni of Karea Academy. This alone spoke volumes about its caliber.


    For those rare few lucky enough to gain admission, the reality of the academy was both thrilling and daunting.


    The institution was filled with talent so exceptional that even those considered "one in a thousand" elsewhere were merely ordinary here.


    Karea Academy operated with a singular philosophy: to gather talent relentlessly, nurturing brilliance to its fullest potential.


    If you had the ability, the academy would open a path for you¡ªno matter how late your talents might manifest.


    The academy divided its students into six houses based on their aptitude:


    - F-Level (the lowest)


    - E-Level


    - D-Level


    - C-Level


    - B-Level


    - A-Level (the highest)


    These houses represented different levels of potential, with A-Level housing the most gifted individuals.


    But placement wasn''t set in stone. Students in the lower-ranked houses could climb the ladder through exceptional performance.


    Karea Academy prided itself on fairness and never withheld resources from those who demonstrated worth.


    However, those lacking both talent and drive faced inevitable expulsion.


    Despite their local fame in some cities, they simply weren''t what Karea Academy sought.


    The academy aimed to nurture talents capable of shaking the entire continent, bolstering its reputation further.


    This approach resembled raising a crop of champions¡ªletting them compete fiercely until only the strongest emerged.


    After all, untapped potential was no different from mediocrity.


    ...


    A-Level House, the crown jewel of Karea Academy, was where the cr¨¨me de la cr¨¨me gathered. Yet today, it was eerily quiet.


    Normally bustling with students immersed in studies or research, the building now stood deserted, an unsettling silence hanging in the air.


    The A-Level House boasted superior facilities, far surpassing the other houses.


    Whether it was experimenting with new magic or delving into rare texts, students usually flocked here, supported by the academy''s substantial investment.


    But now, not a soul could be found.


    In the corners of the building, faint red threads seemed to flicker in and out of sight.


    Hidden within the architecture, they were almost imperceptible, blending seamlessly with their surroundings.


    A figure dashed into the building¡ªa girl, her expression filled with curiosity as she observed the unusual stillness.


    "This¡­ What is this?"


    Her eyes landed on the crimson threads, hidden yet distinct. These weren''t physical objects but rather pure manifestations of mana.


    The girl paused, her thoughts racing. Among those she knew, there was only one person capable of using such a technique. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Could it be¡­"


    Her suspicion sent chills down her spine. Reaching out hesitantly, she touched the threads.


    In an instant, the serene atmosphere of the A-Level House shattered.


    ...


    What had once appeared calm and peaceful transformed into a scene of utter carnage.


    Blood.


    Corpses.


    The brilliant students who had once been the pride of A-Level House¡ªthe geniuses admired in cities across the land¡ªwere now strewn lifeless across the ground.


    Blood had long since congealed on the floor, staining it dark red. In the distance, faint cries for help and agonized screams echoed.


    The girl raced toward the sounds, her heart pounding in dread.


    ...


    Yark knelt in terror, his eyes fixed on Nora.


    His body trembled uncontrollably, and a foul stench emanated from him.


    Blood and tears streaked his face, and his voice quivered with a mixture of fear and desperation.


    "Nora, please! I''m begging you! Spare me! I''ll do whatever you say!" he wailed.


    "I''ll swear a soul contract¡ªI''ll serve you forever, never disobeying!"


    For someone to be in A-Level House meant they were a prodigy, someone with unshakable pride. Yet Yark, faced with imminent death, had discarded all dignity.


    Kneeling on the ground, he pleaded for his life.


    He didn''t regret his actions; he simply feared his fate.


    Nora sighed, her expression cold as ice.


    "You''re right. Murray and I had no relationship.


    His death had nothing to do with me. But what you should never have done¡ªwhat you must never have done¡ªwas drag me into this mess."


    Her voice was calm, yet it carried a deadly edge.


    "It''s my fault! I admit it! Please, make me your servant! Just spare me¡ªI''ll do anything!"


    "You can''t kill me," Yark stammered, his words growing frantic. "You''ve already killed so many here. Their families are influential. If they band together, they''ll seek revenge, and you''ll have no way out!"


    "The headmaster won''t let this go either! Karea Academy won''t risk offending so many people for you!"


    "Nora, if you''re going to do it, just do it! I''ll be waiting for you in hell¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Yark''s voice was silenced.


    With a flick of her hand, Nora ended his life in an instant.


    "Annoying," she muttered, glancing dispassionately at his lifeless body.


    ...


    In the corner, Eileen stood frozen, her mind reeling from the scene before her.


    "Nora¡­ Was this really necessary?"


    Eileen had known about Murray, the senior who had recruited Nora into Karea Academy.


    A kind and supportive figure, Murray had taken care of Nora when she first arrived.


    But a short while ago, Murray was killed while on a mission.


    His death had sparked rumors that he was targeted for a treasure he possessed¡ªan heirloom he had rarely shown, except once during an academy recruitment trip.


    The rumors took a darker turn, accusing Nora of murdering Murray to steal the treasure.


    As absurd as the claims were, the academy couldn''t ignore them.


    Nora was called in for questioning, and the headmaster himself had to step in to clear her name, declaring the rumors baseless slander.


    But Nora''s response was blunt¡ªshe directly accused Yark of spreading the rumors and even claimed he was responsible for Murray''s death.


    With no evidence to support her claims, no one believed her.


    Nora didn''t care about convincing others. She only cared about one thing: action.


    ...


    Earlier that day, Nora had sealed off the A-Level House, using her own unique magic to trap everyone inside.


    Her actions infuriated many of the house''s students. Prodigies themselves, they refused to tolerate her behavior.


    Personal grudges were one thing, but blocking access to their house crossed the line.


    However, Nora didn''t care about their opinions or their outrage. She had made her choice, and nothing would deter her.


    ...


    "Eileen," Nora said softly, turning to her friend.


    "I know what you''re going to say. But I don''t regret it."


    Eileen sighed. She had tried to involve the academy to resolve the matter, but Nora had refused, choosing to handle it her way.


    Now, as Eileen surveyed the aftermath¡ªthe lifeless bodies of geniuses and the rivers of blood¡ªshe felt an overwhelming sense of futility.


    "I just hope you know what you''re doing, Nora. Because this¡­ this won''t end here."

 Chapter 104: Chapter104-A True Genius!

    Some of Yark''s original friends began attacking Nora in retaliation.Others, unaware of the truth, joined the fray simply because others did.


    Still, many remained indifferent, unwilling to involve themselves in the chaos.


    But when the attacks reached Nora, everyone finally witnessed the extent of her true power.


    Nora had always kept a low profile. Most of her time was spent reading or working on her magic, often with the help of the semi-divine artifact Daniel had given her.


    To most of her peers, she was just a girl from a small, insignificant place¡ªsomeone with a bit of talent but hardly worth noticing.


    What kind of power could someone like her possibly have?


    Surely, against the collective might of so many students, a girl from nowhere couldn''t possibly stand a chance.


    Yet reality struck them like a resounding slap in the face.


    Nora moved.


    The entirety of the A-Level House was suddenly enveloped in a vast web of mana threads she summoned.


    It was as if the building had been transformed into an enormous magical array, completely sealed off from the outside world.


    Within this space, no one could escape unless they possessed power capable of breaking through the barrier.


    Anyone outside who touched the mana threads was instantly pulled into this inescapable domain.


    This was a space of no return.


    And in this space, Nora was the absolute ruler.


    The mana threads deflected the students'' attacks with ease.


    In the next moment, those same threads pierced through their bodies, one by one, ending their lives almost instantly.


    To Nora, these people were insignificant.


    To her, the entirety of the A-Level House was insignificant.


    "How is this possible? How could you¡­ possess such overwhelming power?"


    Yark attempted to flee, but the sealed space left him with no escape.


    Nora''s actions drew a mix of reactions¡ªdisgust from some, intrigue from others.


    After all, everyone in the A-Level House was a genius. Every student carried pride in their abilities and status.


    Yet Nora''s display of power and her utter disregard for them was an affront to their egos.


    Several students, infuriated by her behavior, launched attacks to challenge her.


    But the outcome was the same: all of them were effortlessly defeated in a single move.


    Nora''s expression remained cold and detached. To her, these people were all the same.


    This was why she chose to envelop the entire A-Level House in her mana threads.


    Why had Yark been able to act so recklessly in the first place?


    Because in a place like the A-Level House, the relationships between geniuses were precarious at best.


    They could be friends one day and enemies the next. With fewer people, there were more resources to go around.


    If given the chance, these students wouldn''t hesitate to turn against one another.


    Nora didn''t bother distinguishing between them. She simply wiped them all out in one fell swoop.


    Years of relentless study, access to academy resources, Daniel''s semi-divine artifact, and the forge he left her had propelled Nora''s strength to terrifying levels.


    There wasn''t a single student in the A-Level House who could withstand even one of her attacks.


    Nora moved casually through the battlefield as though she were out for a stroll, methodically eliminating everyone.


    Yark was left for last.


    As she struck down the final person standing in her way, Yark''s terror reached its peak.


    He grovelled, his voice trembling as he begged for his life. He promised servitude, swore to do anything she asked, but Nora didn''t spare him a glance.


    Her goal had always been clear: to ensure Yark died in agony.


    When all his pleas failed, Yark descended into madness, hurling curses at her until Nora silenced him permanently.


    With Yark''s death, it was over.


    The mana threads vanished, revealing the scene to the outside world.


    Bodies littered the floor of the A-Level House. The once-proud geniuses were now lifeless corpses.


    ...


    "Nora, run! The headmaster and the others are coming to arrest you!"


    Eileen rushed to Nora''s side, her voice urgent.


    "There''s no need," Nora replied calmly, her gaze fixed in a particular direction.


    A group of figures had already arrived.


    Their faces were a mix of shock, fury, and disbelief.


    As teachers and the headmaster of Karea Academy, they were trained to keep their emotions in check.


    But the carnage before them was too much to process.


    Nora stood amidst the bodies, her clothing stained with faint traces of blood from Yark''s final moments.


    Around her lay the remains of the A-Level House students¡ªgeniuses who once held the academy''s highest expectations.


    Remarkably, even after killing so many, Nora''s clothing bore only a few bloodstains. It was as if the slaughter hadn''t fazed her in the slightest.


    The headmaster''s face darkened, his fury barely contained.


    "Nora¡­ why did you kill them?"


    "I only wanted to kill Yark," Nora replied flatly. "But since they stood in my way, I had no choice but to kill them too."


    Her tone was so calm it was unnerving, as though she were discussing something trivial.


    "But¡­ but you didn''t have to kill them all! Do you realize who these people were?"


    "I don''t know, and I don''t care," Nora said, her voice unwavering.


    "You¡ª"


    The headmaster was so enraged he nearly lost control. Mana swirled violently around his staff as he prepared to strike her down. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nora, unflinching, summoned her mana threads once again, forming a shield in front of her.


    "Enough," a voice said, calm yet commanding.


    The mana surrounding the headmaster''s staff dissipated instantly.


    The headmaster looked up in disbelief. Above them, a figure hovered in the air.


    Nora followed his gaze, her own mana threads still poised to defend.


    "Why, my lord?" the headmaster asked, his voice trembling.


    "Let her live."


    "But¡­ she killed so many A-Level House students. Do you know the forces backing them? Their families¡ª"


    "I said, let her live," the figure repeated, its tone leaving no room for argument.


    The headmaster clenched his fists but lowered his head. "Yes, my lord. I understand."


    "Those so-called geniuses you speak of¡ªare they the corpses lying here?" the figure asked pointedly.


    "It seems you''ve forgotten something: a corpse cannot be a genius."


    The headmaster froze, the weight of the words sinking in.


    This was the doctrine Karea Academy had always upheld. A talent that failed to mature was no different from mediocrity.


    Karea Academy didn''t seek ordinary talent; it sought true geniuses.


    Not just a team of them, but the one who stood above all others.


    "Do you understand?" the figure continued, its presence exuding pressure so immense that sweat formed on the headmaster''s brow.


    "Yes, my lord," he replied hastily.


    "Good. Then you know what to do."


    The figure''s gaze shifted to Nora.


    Nora felt its scrutiny, like an all-encompassing force that stripped away every layer of her being.


    She stood still, her mana threads unwavering.


    Just then, the semi-divine artifact on her glowed, blocking the invasive gaze.


    The overwhelming pressure eased, and the figure chuckled softly.


    "You''re impressive, young one. I look forward to seeing what you''ll bring to Karea Academy."


    With those words, the figure vanished.


    Nora bowed her head, silent.


    The pressure the figure had exerted on her was immense.


    It made her feel utterly powerless, as though a single glance could have ended her.


    Clearly, she still wasn''t strong enough.


    She would need more time¡ªmuch more time¡ªto truly stand on her own.

 Chapter 105: Chapter105-Leaving the Snowy Mountains

    At the foot of the snow-covered mountains, lush green grass stretched out, and a few deer were drinking from a crystal-clear lake.In a single moment, their heads suddenly dropped into the water, their bodies remaining upright as if unaware of what had happened. .Only after a brief pause did they collapse onto the ground.


    Sarra retrieved her dagger and efficiently tied up the deer, carrying them back to camp.


    This was something she had done many times over the past few days¡ªnot just her, but the entire group.


    With the sheer number of people in the Coven, and the journey seemingly dragging on endlessly, their food supplies had started to run low.


    It had already been days, and they still hadn''t left the snowy mountains.


    What food they had brought initially was now running short.


    As a result, the high-tier spell beasts inhabiting the snowy mountains had become their primary source of sustenance, hunted by members of the Coven and prepared by Sif back at camp.


    When Sarra returned with her catch, she saw Ryze, carrying several rabbits in his hands.


    "We''re close to leaving the snowy mountains," Ryze said, his tone laced with excitement. "I just saw green plains in the distance."


    After days of crossing frozen tundras and treacherous mountain passes, Ryze had grown sick of the endless white expanse. The sight of grass and water brought a rare smile to his face, a genuine expression of joy.


    ...


    "Master," Ryze said quietly as he approached Daniel, having handed the rabbits to Sif. "I''ve noticed something strange about our route."


    "You think we''ve been taking a detour?" Daniel asked, his expression calm.


    "Yes," Ryze replied. His instincts as an oracle, with their acute sensitivity to direction and time, told him that something was amiss.


    By his calculations, the group should have left the snowy mountain range days ago.


    In fact, they should have already arrived near Riverside City.


    Yet here they were, only now catching glimpses of grasslands.


    "You''re right," Daniel admitted. "I deliberately took a longer route. I wanted to clear out some of the spell beasts in the mountains and, at the same time, observe Nina''s subordinates."


    Daniel had intentionally avoided the most direct path, choosing instead to loop through areas that needed to be purged of dangerous beasts.


    "I see¡­ Understood."


    Ryze hesitated briefly before asking, "Master, about the Tree of Origin¡­"


    "No rush. There''s still some preparation to be done."


    "I understand," Ryze said, though his voice betrayed a hint of unease.


    While he trusted Daniel''s judgment, he couldn''t shake his concern.


    His teacher had warned him that those plotting against the world were wasting no time in their efforts to corrupt it.


    Was it really wise for them to proceed at this leisurely pace?


    Still, since his teacher had entrusted everything to Daniel, Ryze chose to believe that Daniel had his reasons.


    ...


    After Ryze left, Daniel turned his focus inward to his spatial storage.


    Within it, thousands of Trees of Origin stood tall and vibrant, their surroundings filled with countless colorless forges producing nutrient-rich mana droplets.


    At the same time, new forges were continuously being crafted.


    A quick mental scan revealed that their total number had reached a staggering 90,000.


    Over the years, Daniel had discovered a limitation to the growth of the Trees of Origin.


    Initially, he believed their development could be endlessly accelerated as long as there were enough forges to supply them.


    But his experiments revealed otherwise.


    Each Tree of Origin could only absorb nutrients from up to ten forges at a time.


    Any additional supply would simply be wasted.


    This realization meant that Daniel had to continue crafting more forges, ensuring that all the tree saplings received adequate nourishment.


    Once every tree reached its growth limit, his plan could finally commence.


    At that point, with the Trees of Origin fully grown and deployed, they would purify everything in their path, wiping out all corruption.


    ...


    As Daniel pondered, Nina approached him.


    "Headmaster, this doesn''t seem like the route to Riverside City," she said.


    After hearing that they had left the snowfields and seeing the green plains for herself, Nina realized they weren''t on the familiar path leading back to the city.


    "You''re right. I intentionally chose a different route," Daniel explained. "We''ve already cleared out the spell beasts along the other path, so I thought we''d take a new one this time."


    "I see," Nina replied, nodding. "I thought we''d be back soon¡­"


    Her tone carried a trace of impatience. She was eager to return to the academy and show everyone the powerful organization she had built.


    ...


    After the group finished their meal, they set out once more.


    But not long after, Daniel ordered Snow Eagle to halt, and he began guiding the ship to land.


    "Headmaster, what''s going on? Why are we stopping?" Nina asked, puzzled.


    "There''s a group of people on the ground heading in the same direction as us. I want to take a look," Daniel replied.


    "Oh, I see," Nina said, nodding in understanding.


    Daniel''s curiosity stemmed from a desire to learn more about the state of the academy and Riverside City during his six-year absence.


    Observing and speaking with travelers could provide valuable insight.


    ...


    On the ground below, two distinct groups of people were walking in the same direction.


    Despite sharing a destination, the two groups maintained a clear distance from one another.


    One group was led by Kaylyn, the leader of a small organization from a northeastern border nation.


    Kaylyn had made an extraordinary decision: to abandon their homeland and lead her people toward a fabled sanctuary near Riverside City.


    She believed this move would secure a better future for her organization.


    Her boldness stemmed from a promise made to her long ago¡ªif she could reach the area near Riverside City, her people would find safety and support.


    The other group, however, was also familiar to Kaylyn. Their leader, Siso, was someone she had dealt with in the past.


    Both groups came from the same nation but represented different factions.


    While they had occasionally interacted, Kaylyn had never liked Siso, finding him deceitful and hypocritical.


    When Kaylyn began her migration, she was frustrated to find Siso leading his group in her wake.


    Though they hadn''t crossed paths much during the journey, the two groups inevitably encountered each other at this point.


    "Kaylyn? What a coincidence to meet you here!" Siso said with a feigned smile, his tone overly friendly.


    Kaylyn recognized the insincerity immediately.


    As always, his words were steeped in false warmth.


    "If you have nothing important to say, let''s part ways here. I need to keep moving," Kaylyn replied coldly, clearly uninterested in conversation.


    "Kaylyn, with that attitude of yours, you''ll run into trouble in the sanctuary. Let me warn you¡ªthere are plenty of powerful people there, and one wrong step could cost you your life. Don''t say I didn''t warn you!"


    "That''s none of your business," Kaylyn said dismissively. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She glanced briefly at Siso and the group behind him before urging her people to pick up the pace, eager to leave him far behind.

 Chapter 106: Chapter106-Siso’s Reckless Gamble

    Kaylyn couldn''t believe it when she noticed Siso catching up to her group again. It seemed he had no intention of letting them go without a confrontation."What exactly do you want?" Kaylyn asked, her voice sharp with irritation.


    Siso, however, appeared unfazed. With a grin, he replied, "We''ve known each other for years, Kaylyn. Must you be so cold-hearted?"


    "If you keep spewing this nonsense¡­" Kaylyn warned.


    "Fine, let''s get to the point," Siso said, feigning a serious tone. "We''re both from the same nation, and we''ve known each other for a long time. When we reach the sanctuary, it would only make sense for us to support each other, wouldn''t it? Strength in unity, after all!"


    His words sounded noble, as if he were acting entirely in Kaylyn''s best interest.


    "And how exactly do you propose we ''support each other''?" Kaylyn asked, her eyes narrowing.


    Siso''s face lit up as he proudly patted his chest. "I''ve been in touch with some people at the sanctuary, and they''ve assured me they can make proper arrangements for my group when we arrive. But¡­"


    His voice lowered slightly, "¡­they''re the kind of people who prefer incentives. If we pool some treasures together, they''ll expedite our settlement."


    At that moment, Kaylyn understood exactly what Siso was after.


    She let out a cold laugh. "Don''t think I don''t know what''s going on, Siso. You had a falling out with the other leader of your faction, didn''t you?"


    Siso''s faction wasn''t unified; in fact, it had more than one leader.


    If Siso were still in good standing, he would have had far more people with him.


    It was clear to Kaylyn that he had either quarreled with or been expelled by his faction''s other leader.


    Siso''s current proposition was nothing more than an attempt to secure resources for himself under the guise of mutual support.


    Kaylyn was certain that once things settled, Siso''s first betrayal would be aimed squarely at her group.


    "You''ve got it all wrong, Kaylyn!" Siso blustered, though his voice betrayed his embarrassment. "I thought we could work together as allies, but if you''re going to be so heartless, don''t blame me for what happens next! When your people are left homeless, don''t come crying to¡ª"


    Before Siso could finish his threat, Kaylyn calmly pulled out a token from her belongings.


    The sight of it stopped Siso mid-sentence. His bravado vanished as he stared at the token in shock.


    "T-That''s¡­ That''s¡­" he stammered, his words faltering.


    It was an iron token from the Death Legion.


    Although it was the lowest tier of Death Legion tokens, it still represented a powerful promise.


    Everyone knew that the Death Legion had close ties to the sanctuary.


    With that token, Kaylyn could easily secure land near the sanctuary for her people.


    Siso''s earlier threats were now laughable, his grand words returning to slap him in the face.


    "You¡­" Siso''s face twisted in anger and humiliation.


    ...


    Before he could say anything further, a group of people suddenly emerged from the surrounding area.


    Their presence was imposing, their auras wild and untamed, reminiscent of spell beasts.


    These individuals, likely hailing from Winterrealm, were noticeably larger in stature than most.


    Many of them were bloodline warriors, their spell beast-like energy practically radiating from their bodies.


    Their arrival silenced both Kaylyn and Siso.


    The two groups remained on high alert, unsure of the newcomers'' intentions.


    From among the group, a young woman stepped forward. Her voice was firm, though her language was somewhat halting.


    "I¡­ have questions. You¡­ answer." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Siso sneered, his disdain evident. "Mountain savages? A bunch of wildlings! Stand aside, or else¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Sarra punched him.


    Siso was sent flying backward, landing heavily on the ground.


    He gasped for breath, feeling as though his chest had been struck by a boulder.


    Blood filled his mouth, and he struggled to stay conscious.


    ...


    "Sarra, weren''t you supposed to talk to them? Why did you attack? That guy looks like you beat him half to death," Nina''s voice echoed in Sarra''s mind.


    Sarra had volunteered to communicate with the group, eager to test her growing proficiency with the outside world''s language.


    "He insulted me," Sarra replied matter-of-factly. "I was only testing his strength. I didn''t expect him to be so weak."


    Nina sighed. "Fine. Bring the other one over. The headmaster wants to speak with her."


    Sarra turned to Kaylyn.


    Kaylyn tensed, her guard immediately going up. Considering the strength of Sarra''s earlier strike, it was clear these people weren''t ordinary.


    "You¡­ come. Someone¡­ see you. Questions." Sarra turned and began walking back.


    Kaylyn hesitated but eventually followed.


    These people didn''t seem hostile¡ªat least not toward her.


    As for Siso, it was clear his sharp tongue had earned him the punch.


    ...


    Kaylyn was led to the group''s leader. The man at the forefront looked remarkably young and carried an air of quiet authority.


    "What is your name? Where are you going?" Nina asked bluntly.


    "I''m Kaylyn," she replied. "I''m leading my people to migrate to the sanctuary."


    "What is this sanctuary?" Nina asked, frowning.


    Kaylyn looked at her, confused. "You don''t know about the sanctuary? It''s the Crossbridge Sanctuary, of course."


    "Crossbridge?" Nina repeated, her brow furrowing further. "Headmaster, doesn''t that sound suspiciously like Crossbridge Academy? Who came up with that name?"


    Kaylyn froze, alarm flashing across her face. "Crossbridge Sanctuary¡­ It used to be called an academy," she explained carefully.


    "What?" Nina''s eyes widened in shock.


    Her academy¡ªCrossbridge Academy¡ªhad somehow transformed into what people now called the Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    Unlike Nina, Daniel seemed unsurprised. He had anticipated such changes, likely a result of the systems and policies he had left in place before departing.


    Kaylyn continued, "I''m heading there because someone from the Death Legion promised that my group would be given land outside the sanctuary. I have this token to prove it."


    She held up the iron token, and Nina examined it with a critical eye.


    "Ugly," Nina remarked bluntly.


    "Please watch your words," Kaylyn replied cautiously. "This is a Death Legion iron token. Within their territory, it holds significant weight."


    The name Death Legion stirred a faint memory in Nina''s mind. Suddenly, she reached into her storage crystal and pulled out a token of her own.


    It was a silver token, far more refined and valuable than the iron one.


    Kaylyn''s eyes widened in disbelief. "That¡­ That''s a Death Legion silver token! The highest-ranking token!"


    Nina frowned, holding the two tokens side by side. The stark contrast between the polished silver and rough iron made the latter seem even uglier.


    "Why did Rose make these tokens so ugly? Mine was so much prettier when I first designed it!" Nina complained.


    Kaylyn''s jaw dropped. "You¡­ designed it?"


    The realization struck her like a thunderbolt.


    The young woman standing before her wasn''t just any member of the Death Legion¡ªshe was deeply connected to its very foundation.


    Kaylyn suddenly felt as though she had underestimated the true strength and influence of the people she had encountered.

 Chapter 107: Chapter107-The Current Black Water City

    "What? Death Legion? Silver token?"The words Kaylyn spoke left Nina somewhat confused. She felt like she couldn''t quite follow Kaylyn''s train of thought.


    What were all these terms about?


    From Nina''s storage crystal, she took out a token. This was something Rose''s followers had created when they founded an organization. Rose had thought of needing a token as a symbol.


    So, Nina had approached one of the alchemists at the academy to design it, and the alchemist completed the crafting. In the end, it was this token.


    Nina had kept a few for herself, and handed the rest to Rose.


    Unexpectedly, this person named Kaylyn was now saying that this was the highest-level token of the Death Legion?


    Moreover, the dark iron token she held was almost identical to the silver token in Nina''s hand, except for the material.


    So, that meant¡­ the Death Legion Kaylyn spoke of was actually founded by Rose?


    Nina listened carefully to what Kaylyn had to say about the token.


    Within the Death Legion, there were several types of tokens issued.


    The lowest level was the iron token Kaylyn held, and the silver token, like the one Nina had, was only given to the founding members of the Death Legion or those who had made significant contributions to the Legion.


    Nina nodded thoughtfully.


    She had never imagined that the token she designed back then would evolve into a whole system under Rose''s leadership.


    Back then, she had created quite a few silver tokens, and even one colored token.


    But it seemed Kaylyn didn''t know about those.


    "So, from what you''re saying, this Death Legion is quite powerful?"


    "Naturally. The eastern part of Lakecity is mostly under the control of the Death Legion now."


    When Kaylyn said this, Daniel couldn''t help but smile.


    This was the path Rose had chosen for herself.


    Over the years, Daniel had refrained from interfering in any way. He hadn''t even looked into how Rose''s progress was going.


    As expected, his daughter had succeeded!


    Daniel felt a deep sense of satisfaction.


    As for Nina, she had mixed feelings. On one hand, she was genuinely happy for Rose, because she had achieved what she set out to do.


    But on the other hand¡­ Nina had also built her own influence over these years.


    To say that she had no feelings about it would be impossible. She couldn''t just let it slide, could she?


    But then, looking at her Coven¡­


    It seemed like they were no match for the Death Legion.


    Apart from Nina herself, the strongest member of the Coven was Rikki the bear.


    But Rikki, well, how should she put it?


    His personality was a bit naive, and one jar of honey could probably lure him away.


    Also¡­ she wondered just how powerful Rose had become now.


    When they all left back then, Rose''s strength had already been impressive.


    That destructive strike Nina had witnessed was unforgettable. Now¡­ Rose must have become even more terrifying.


    With that thought in mind, Nina walked up to Ryze and whispered,


    "Ryze, I have a question for you."


    "What''s up?"


    Ryze looked at Nina in confusion.


    "Have you ever considered joining us in the Coven? You would be part of the management team, like Sarra and the others."


    Ryze didn''t immediately respond. He was thinking about why Nina would ask such a thing, and what the consequences might be if he refused.


    Meanwhile, Daniel was conversing with Kaylyn:


    "Are you planning to bring everyone from your organization to Riverside City?"


    "Yes, that''s the plan, senior."


    Kaylyn noticed that the person who spoke was clearly the one with the highest prestige, and also the most handsome among them, so she adjusted her tone and address.


    "Was the person who got injured one of your people?"


    "No, that person¡­ was from an organization that opposes mine. Thankfully, your people helped injure him."


    "No problem. Let me correct you though¡ªhe wasn''t just injured, he''s dead," Daniel said casually.


    Kaylyn was stunned.


    She never expected that such a simple-looking strike from him would kill Siso instantly, and it made her realize just how terrifying true strength could be.


    "Then, these people are now part of your organization?"


    "Do you have any objections?"


    Daniel looked toward the back of Kaylyn''s group, where the former subordinates of Siso stood.


    Kaylyn also turned her gaze.


    This senior of theirs spoke in such a casual tone, as if it was a normal conversation. Could those people hear them?


    As Kaylyn turned around, even though her strength wasn''t that high, she could still see.


    The people who had once followed Siso were all nodding, a look of relief on their faces, as though they had narrowly escaped.


    What? Those people¡­ they all heard this?


    She had never imagined that this could even be possible.


    Moreover, her lifelong rivals, the people who had once been her enemies, were now under her command.


    It felt like a dream.


    At this moment, Kaylyn knew she had to establish herself in the sanctuary.


    Only by gaining a foothold there could she consider the future.


    It was said that within the sanctuary, there were occasional fortuitous encounters that could help enhance one''s qualifications.


    As long as one could stand firm in the sanctuary, there was a chance for greater strength in the future.


    In the following days, Daniel''s group traveled together with Kaylyn and her people.


    Along the way, he learned more about the changes Riverside City had undergone over the past few years.


    Now, Riverside City was no longer the obscure, impoverished town it once was. It had truly become a holy city!


    Countless people were flocking to Riverside City, hoping to settle nearby.


    They also encountered many other groups along the way, all traveling from various places.


    Their goal was the same.


    Like Kaylyn, they all hoped to establish a foothold near Riverside City.


    But unlike Kaylyn, they weren''t as fortunate to have received the iron token.


    They could only leave their futures to fate and hoped they would be able to carve out a future for themselves.


    Soon, they arrived at a place where a crowd had gathered. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking around, many newly built houses could be seen: taverns, inns, and numerous small vendors doing business.


    It looked like a city, but this wasn''t actually a city.


    There were no walls, and it could only be considered wilderness.


    Despite that, it was bustling with life.


    According to Kaylyn, this place was still some distance away from Riverside City.


    Nina looked at the people around her. Even at Winterkeep Citadel, she didn''t see so many people.


    Whenever Nina went to Winterkeep Citadel for task exchanges, the streets there weren''t this prosperous.


    "Just a little farther ahead, and we''ll reach Black Water City," Kaylyn explained to Nina.


    "Black Water City?"


    Nina''s face showed confusion.


    Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind.


    "Could this so-called Black Water City be¡­ the same as Black Water Town?"


    Hearing Nina''s question, Kaylyn shook her head, indicating that she didn''t know.


    She had only gathered information about Riverside City, and didn''t know much about the other towns.


    "Black Water City wasn''t always this big. It''s only developed in recent years," a passerby explained to the group.


    "Back then, it was indeed called Black Water Town. It was just a small village. The market used to be frequently attacked by spell beasts, and everyone was preparing to move away."


    "Then, one day, that leader from the Death Legion came, and together with her companions, they drove off the spell beasts. After that, Black Water Town slowly began to prosper."


    "Later, as more and more people started traveling from here to Riverside City, the town eventually grew into what is now Black Water City."


    "In Black Water City, there are even statues of that leader from the Death Legion and her companions when they first founded the Legion. You can go see them; they''re free to visit now, no mana stone required."


    "Thank you, sir," Nina said, grateful.


    She hadn''t expected Black Water Town, originally just a small village, to become such a place.


    Now, she couldn''t help but wonder¡ªwhat would Riverside City look like in the future?

 Chapter 108: Chapter108-Ryze’s Shock!

    Upon hearing this, Nina was truly shocked.She hadn''t expected that this so-called Black Water City was the same one she and Daniel had passed through a few years ago¡ªBlack Water Town.


    Back then, it was just a prosperous little town.


    And now... it had turned into a massive city. Even the streets outside Black Water City had become this bustling and prosperous?


    Nina couldn''t understand why everything had changed so drastically after just five years of her absence.


    She had lived in Riverside City for over ten years, and even though she hadn''t left in all that time, the changes there hadn''t been nearly as huge. So, what exactly was going on?


    In contrast to Nina''s complete bewilderment, Daniel didn''t seem as surprised. Everything happening around him was pretty much within his expectations.


    The arrangements he had made before leaving Crossbridge Academy were now coming to fruition.


    It was because of the plans he put into place that Crossbridge Academy had reached its current state. All of this was developing according to his wishes.


    However, there was still something about it all that felt faster than anticipated.


    Some changes even surprised Daniel himself.


    But overall, it was a good thing¡ªthe increasing population was a sign of growing potential.


    As more and more people started flocking toward Riverside City, or rather, spreading outward from it, the potential was clear.


    After all, with such a large population, talent would surely emerge, right?


    What''s more, with Daniel''s methods, Crossbridge Academy would never lack for talent.


    When the time came, who would care about Karea Academy?


    "By the way, aren''t these people afraid of spell beasts attacking?" Nina asked, looking at the elderly man who had earlier introduced them.


    "Spell beasts? Hahaha, little girl, you must be joking. A few years ago, the spell beasts in the mountains stopped coming out. And once in a while, powerful mages would enter the mountains.


    Now, the spell beasts¡­ we don''t even see them anymore."


    "Ah, I see¡­"


    "Elder, let''s continue on our way. With my iron token, we should be able to find a nice place to settle outside the holy city," Kaylyn suggested, looking at Daniel.


    "An iron token can get us a good place? Just how big of a place can it buy?" Nina asked, taking two silver tokens out of her storage crystal.


    Seeing the silver tokens in Nina''s hands, Kaylyn wasn''t as surprised as before.


    Instead, she hurriedly said, "Please put them away, don''t let anyone see them."


    At first, Kaylyn had indeed been shocked. But after thinking about it, she realized that Nina seemed to know very little about sanctuaries and had asked her about things like the Death Legion.


    But then the question arose: how did Nina come by these silver tokens? The Death Legion never gave them out. How could Nina have two of them?


    Kaylyn started to put the pieces together and guessed that Nina had probably seen her own dark gold token and used some special ability to forge two identical silver tokens.


    However, this didn''t help her much. After all, someone would eventually inspect the tokens.


    Two silver tokens¡­ were you the death goddess of the Death Legion or something? How could anyone have so many?


    Kaylyn figured the tokens were likely fake, which is why she was so eager to advise Nina to put them away.


    If someone from the Death Legion saw them, they might take action. Forging tokens¡ªespecially silver ones¡ªwas a crime almost impossible to survive.


    "Nina, please put the tokens away. Let''s see what''s going on first," Daniel said, causing Nina to reluctantly store the tokens. She had wanted to tell Kaylyn about the tokens'' origins, including a colorful one above the silver ones...


    Daniel was planning to personally experience what challenges an outsider would face when trying to integrate into this world. Observing from different perspectives would give him a more well-rounded understanding.


    If he just showed up at Crossbridge Academy and relied on others'' reports, it wouldn''t be nearly as interesting. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group continued onward from Black Water City and into the outskirts.


    At this point, Ryze suddenly gasped. He couldn''t believe what he was seeing! He had never expected Black Water City to be so formidable.


    Ryze was holding a formation plate in his right hand.


    They were now in a relatively remote area of Riverside City, and he had intended to use the formation plate to remotely observe the city.


    But upon looking, he was completely taken aback.


    Before, when he had studied under his teacher, he used Winterkeep Citadel as a reference for practice, constantly monitoring its trends.


    At that time, he had seen some trends related to Winterkeep Citadel, including the Winterkeep Guild and others.


    But now, when he looked at Riverside City through the same lens, he was utterly stunned.


    Ryze admitted that he had been blind.


    When he saw the trajectory of Riverside City, it was as if he had been blinded by its brilliance. He had never seen such an extraordinary sight before.


    Even Winterkeep Citadel had never had anything like this. Riverside City truly deserved to be called the holy city¡ªit was something else entirely.


    Now, Ryze felt like a young man from a small town who had just arrived in a big city.


    "This place¡­ it feels like the perfect location to plant the Tree of Origin..." Ryze muttered unconsciously.


    This remark made Daniel nod. Initially, Daniel had planned to plant the first Tree of Origin at Crossbridge Academy.


    The Tree of Origin''s purpose wasn''t just to expel the foreign forces corrupting the world, but it had numerous other benefits as well.


    Planting it at Crossbridge Academy would only bring positive results.


    Now, Daniel had accumulated 100,000 colorless forges, and the tree-planting project could begin at any time.


    When Ryze saw Daniel nod, he froze for a moment.


    He had casually commented about planting the Tree of Origin, never seriously considering it, but now Daniel seemed to be acknowledging it. Was this saying the tree could really be planted now?


    "My lord, didn''t you say we''d need more time to prepare?" Ryze asked, confused.


    "This has already been several days. Even if it were slow, everything should be ready by now," Daniel replied with a tone that almost sounded like a joke.


    Ryze stood frozen in place. Everything seemed so effortless. Had Daniel really been preparing for this for so long? It felt so surreal.


    If only his teacher had met someone like Daniel years ago, perhaps things wouldn''t have ended the way they did.


    Ryze had been the teacher''s disciple from the beginning.


    He often heard the elder speak about the legacy and responsibility of the Oracle, a heavy burden to bear.


    It was to protect the Tree of Origin''s growth, ensuring that their world would not be destroyed.


    Every time the elder spoke about it, his tone was solemn, and Ryze could feel the weight of that responsibility.


    Now, as Daniel made his preparations to fulfill this very mission, Ryze couldn''t help but feel a strange sense of lightness, as if this monumental task was no longer as heavy as it once seemed.


    "No need to rush. It won''t be long before I take care of this matter. I don''t plan to spend too much time on it," Daniel said.


    "Understood..." Ryze responded, still in shock.


    At the gates of Black Water City, Nina glanced up, a bit disdainful. "It doesn''t look very impressive."


    At that moment, a loud, gruff voice came from behind: "Who do you think you are, walking around here like you own the place? You outsiders think you can act however you want? This is Black Water City! The outermost part of the holy city!"


    Upon hearing this, everyone turned around to see Kaylyn in a confrontation with someone.


    The man, dressed in authoritative clothes, seemed to be a high-ranking official of Black Water City, exuding a domineering presence.


    What was going on?

 Chapter 109: Chapter109-Catch These Fraudsters!

    Just as Nina was wondering what was happening, the steward suddenly slapped Kaylyn across the face."Who do you think you are? Look at all these people! Black Water City isn''t some refugee camp!" he sneered.


    The iron token that Kaylyn had been holding fell to the ground. Kaylyn bent down, picked it up, and carefully brushed off the dust.


    "This iron token was given to us by the Death Legion as thanks for helping suppress a rebellion," Kaylyn said, her voice steady despite her reddened cheek. "With this token, we''re supposed to have a place of our own outside the holy city."


    She repeated the words told to her by the one who had given her the token. Holding the token firmly in her hand, she looked at the steward, seeking some semblance of acknowledgment.


    However, the steward only smirked, his disdain apparent. He held no respect for Kaylyn, even though his level was far lower than hers.


    If it came to a fight, he would undoubtedly lose¡ªperhaps even lose his life.


    But that didn''t matter. Right now, he held the power.


    Behind Kaylyn stood a group of people who depended on her for survival. She couldn''t afford to act recklessly or let her pride dictate her actions. She had to bow her head, even to someone weaker than herself.


    The steward relished this dynamic.


    Forcing stronger individuals to submit was exhilarating.


    So many people seeking entry to the holy city had been made to kneel before him.


    Their power, their status¡ªnone of it mattered. In the end, they all had to grovel.


    This wasn''t the first time the steward had enjoyed this power trip.


    Usually, if people humbled themselves and handed over some mana stones, he''d let things slide.


    But this time, the situation was different.


    This time, the person in front of him was clutching a token tied to


    that name


    .


    The steward knew of the Death Legion. He was also aware of their connection to Riverside City.


    But these outsiders didn''t know the intricacies of Black Water City politics.


    A bit of pressure, and they''d hand over what he wanted.


    After all, they were the ones desperate to get into the holy city.


    "Sure, you have an iron token. But have you thought about this? You''ve got a lot of people with you. The holy city doesn''t have space for all of them," the steward said, feigning concern. "How about this? I''ll allow fifty people entry. You can decide who gets to stay."


    "Fifty?" Kaylyn''s voice trembled.


    Fifty places weren''t nearly enough¡ªnot for the people she had brought with her, let alone the additional forces from Siso who had joined them.


    "I can''t help you with that," the steward said, shrugging. "You''ve got fifty spots. The rest? That''s your problem. Send them back if you must."


    As he spoke, his eyes kept drifting to the storage crystal in Kaylyn''s hand. The greed in his gaze was unmistakable.


    Kaylyn, though reluctant, understood his unspoken demand. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The storage crystal contained the resources she had intended to use to help her people settle once they had a place. But under the current circumstances, she had no choice.


    Clenching her jaw, she handed the storage crystal to the steward. "Sir, this is all I have. I hope you''ll honor your promise and ensure my people are taken care of."


    "No problem, I''ll¡ª"


    Before the steward could finish his sentence, the storage crystal vanished from his hand.


    "What? Where''s my storage crystal?" He looked around in confusion.


    "You mean this?" Nina''s voice rang out. She held the crystal in her hand, her tone icy.


    "Nina, give it to him," Kaylyn pleaded. "We can''t afford any more trouble. Just handing it over will solve the issue."


    Kaylyn didn''t want to escalate the situation. As outsiders, they had no leverage here and could only strive for peace.


    "Oh?" Nina said mockingly, ignoring Kaylyn''s plea. "You said this iron token is only good for fifty spots? Then what about these?"


    Nina reached into her belongings and pulled out


    two silver tokens


    and a


    rainbow token


    .


    The surrounding crowd erupted in astonished murmurs.


    "Two silver tokens? Isn''t that a rank reserved for Death Legion officials?"


    "And that rainbow token¡ªwhat even is that? I''ve never heard of it!"


    The steward, initially panicked at the sight of the silver tokens, regained his confidence when he noticed the crowd''s confusion.


    Surely, these tokens were fake.


    After all, who could produce two silver tokens at once? And the rainbow token? It was unheard of. This girl had to be a fraud, preying on desperate outsiders.


    "You''ve got some nerve, little girl," the steward sneered. "Forging Death Legion tokens? Do you have a death wish? Guards, seize her!"


    His men advanced toward Nina.


    The crowd, believing the tokens to be fake, looked at Nina with pity. How could she have been so gullible?


    But before anyone could react further, Nina disappeared.


    In the blink of an eye, the steward''s guards were lying on the ground, groaning in pain.


    "What¡­ what just happened?" The steward''s voice trembled as he stared at his incapacitated men.


    Nina reappeared before him, her gaze sharp and unyielding.


    "You¡­ you dare attack Black Water City''s law enforcement?!" the steward stammered.


    "Why wouldn''t I?" Nina retorted. "Should I have let them attack me first?"


    "Do you realize what you''ve done?!" the steward roared. "You''ve made an enemy of Black Water City, the Death Legion, and the holy city itself! There''s no escape for you now!"


    Nina smirked, unimpressed. "I''d love to see how you plan to stop me."


    "Fine! You''re finished! I''ve already sent word to the Lord of Black Water City. He''ll deal with you personally! Our lord comes from the legendary Crossbridge Sanctuary. Prepare to die!"


    The mention of Crossbridge Sanctuary caused even Daniel to narrow his eyes.


    "Oh?" Nina said coldly. "So your lord is aware of everything you''ve been doing here?"


    "Of course!" the steward snapped. "You''re doomed!"


    Nina rolled her eyes. "No need to wait. I''ll bring him out myself."


    Turning to the gates of Black Water City, she smirked.


    "That eyesore? I''ve wanted to deal with it for a while now."


    With those words, a powerful surge of mana erupted around Nina, racing toward Black Water City like an unstoppable tide.

 Chapter 110 Chapter110-Who Do You Think You Are?

    In the next moment, the once-imposing gates of Black Water City collapsed with a deafening crash.The protective magic arrays that had been etched into the gates were torn apart by Nina''s mana, reduced to nothing.


    The grand signboard bearing the city''s name lay shattered amidst the ruins.


    Nina''s attack was precise.


    She destroyed only the gates, leaving the surrounding buildings and people unharmed.


    Witnessing this, the steward was struck dumb. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling.


    This woman was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with¡ªa true powerhouse.


    To destroy Black Water City''s magic arrays and gates in a single blow was far beyond what the steward could comprehend, much less challenge.


    The onlookers, too, took several steps back.


    The tension in the air was suffocating.


    A clash of epic proportions seemed inevitable.


    For years, the


    sanctuary''s


    prestige had remained unchallenged.


    Yet, here was someone brazen enough to obliterate the gates of Black Water City, a key border city of the holy city.


    This was unprecedented.


    In the last five years, conflicts around the holy city weren''t uncommon.


    Many powerful individuals had descended upon the sanctuary to seek justice or settle grievances.


    But none of them had ever achieved anything.


    Most of these so-called challengers ended up joining the sanctuary, pledging allegiance to it or relocating their families to the holy city.


    The sanctuary''s mysterious and powerful reputation remained intact, untarnished.


    Never before had anyone dared to destroy a city gate, effectively slapping the sanctuary in the face.


    Black Water City, located on the outskirts of the holy city, wasn''t an especially important location. But now everyone was watching to see how the sanctuary would respond to this blatant provocation.


    Dez: The Lord of Black Water City


    The lord of Black Water City, Dez, was a man of questionable fortune. Born an orphan, he eventually gained entry to the prestigious Crossbridge Academy.


    His life was a series of unexpected twists.


    Shortly after he enrolled, the academy''s old headmaster died unexpectedly, leaving Dez on the brink of returning to his life of poverty.


    Then, a new headmaster arrived, bringing stability and improvements to the academy.


    Dez''s life improved dramatically¡ªbetter food, accommodations, teachers, and classrooms.


    But even with all these advantages, Dez lacked magical talent.


    Despite the academy''s ideal conditions, which most mages could only dream of, Dez remained unremarkable.


    While others hunted spell beasts and rapidly advanced, Dez wandered aimlessly in the nearby mountains.


    He rarely challenged himself, opting instead to hunt low-level spell beasts that posed no threat.


    When even those beasts became scarce, Dez joined his peers on deeper excursions into the mountains. But he always returned empty-handed.


    While his classmates quickly ascended the ranks, Dez remained stagnant, taking over a year to barely reach the gold tier.


    By that time, even students who had enrolled after him had surpassed him.


    It was during this period that Crossbridge Academy and Riverside City underwent significant upheaval. Dez seized the opportunity to apply for a post in a remote region, managing affairs there.


    The academy, eager to fill gaps in staffing, approved his request immediately.


    Had Dez dedicated himself to his work, his status as a Crossbridge Academy alumnus would have allowed him to rise swiftly in a place like Black Water Town.


    Instead, Dez squandered the opportunity, fading into obscurity.


    Even so, his status as an academy alumnus eventually earned him the title of Lord of Black Water City.


    Once in power, Dez began leveraging his position for personal gain, enabling his subordinates to act with impunity.


    Chaos in Black Water City


    As Dez enjoyed his usual leisurely routine, a law enforcer burst into his chambers in a panic.


    "Lord Dez, something terrible has happened! Someone is attacking us!"


    Dez blinked, confused.


    "Attacking Black Water City? Impossible!" he scoffed.


    Anyone with grievances against the Crossbridge Academy would go straight there, not waste time on a border city like Black Water.


    Black Water City was merely a waypoint for those lacking the power to fly directly to the holy city. No one dared stir up trouble here.


    But before Dez could process the report, a thunderous sound echoed across the city. The ground trembled violently as if an earthquake had struck.


    "What''s going on?" Dez demanded.


    A servant rushed in, pale-faced.


    "Lord Dez, the city gate¡­ it''s been destroyed!"


    "What?" Dez roared, leaping to his feet.


    He quickly dressed and stormed out.


    While he wasn''t particularly remarkable back at the academy, in Black Water City, Dez was untouchable.


    Anyone passing through was beneath him, and his magical artifacts, provided by the academy, ensured his survival even in dire situations.


    His confidence unshaken, Dez hurried to the ruined gates.


    Nina vs. Dez


    "Who dares cause trouble in my Black Water City?" Dez bellowed. "Do you know where you are? This is the holy city''s border! To defy the holy city is to court death!"


    His voice carried authority, earning murmurs of admiration from the crowd. Enjoy exclusive content from empire


    "Impressive! No wonder he''s a lord from the sanctuary."


    "Exactly! Even his words exude power!"


    "The fool who challenged the sanctuary is doomed now."


    Kaylyn, standing among the crowd, looked pale and worried.


    Dez landed near the ruins, surveying the scene.


    "I am Dez, Lord of Black Water City! Who dares challenge the sanctuary? State your name!" he demanded.


    From the crowd, Nina stepped forward, her expression calm but sharp. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "My name is Nina," she said. "Who do you think you are?"


    Before Dez could respond, Nina delivered a devastating punch to his face.


    The force sent him flying into the rubble.


    For someone like Dez, who had tarnished the reputation of Crossbridge Academy, Nina didn''t even bother using magic. A physical blow was far more satisfying.


    Dez crashed into the debris, his head ringing.


    The crowd was stunned.


    "Wait¡­ isn''t he supposed to be from the Crossbridge Sanctuary? How is he this weak?"


    "Maybe she used some kind of advanced magic?"


    As Dez staggered to his feet, he retrieved a magical artifact from his storage crystal, prepared to retaliate.


    But then he saw Nina''s face and froze.


    Nina¡­ he remembered her.


    She had been one of the most promising students of their cohort, second only to the dazzling Rose.


    During the beast tide in Black Water Town, Nina had stood out, her skill and determination leaving a lasting impression.


    Dez''s confidence faltered.


    And then he saw someone else.


    Standing not far away, exuding an overwhelming aura, was Daniel¡ªthe very headmaster who had transformed the academy.


    Everything Dez had¡ªthe position, the resources, the opportunities¡ªwas owed to Daniel.


    At the sight of Daniel, Dez''s legs gave out, and he fell to his knees.


    "H-headmaster¡­ I¡­"


    He opened his mouth to speak, but terror clouded his mind, rendering him speechless.

 Chapter 111 Chapter111-A Pie from the Sky?

    Dez''s mind was consumed by sheer terror as he knelt on the ground, unable to muster a coherent thought.Kaylyn, watching from the side, was filled with confusion.


    What was happening?


    This entire conflict had begun because of her, yet it now seemed to have nothing to do with her at all.


    As an outsider, Kaylyn had resigned herself to swallowing her pride and enduring humiliation to secure a future for her people. This was the norm for newcomers seeking to establish themselves.


    But never had she seen anything like this.


    That girl, Nina, was truly extraordinary.


    Her strength far surpassed Kaylyn''s own, and while Kaylyn felt immense gratitude for Nina standing up for her, she couldn''t help but worry.


    Such actions were bound to provoke the powers that be, especially given that the Lord of Black Water City was associated with the mysterious and powerful Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    If the sanctuary learned that the city gate had been destroyed, their reaction would surely be severe.


    Kaylyn feared for Nina.


    After all, Nina''s intervention was entirely for her sake, and the weight of that left Kaylyn feeling uneasy.


    But what happened next exceeded even her wildest expectations.


    When the Lord of Black Water City, Dez, finally appeared, Nina''s power was on full display. Stay updated via empire


    Without hesitation, Nina attacked.


    In a single blow, Dez was sent flying, utterly defenseless against her strength.


    Kaylyn was shocked.


    She had known that Nina and her companions were powerful, but she had never imagined that a figure like Dez¡ªsomeone from the renowned Crossbridge Sanctuary¡ªcould be so thoroughly defeated in an instant.


    It was as if he had no ability to resist.


    Kaylyn was grateful she had heeded Nina''s words and refrained from offending her during their journey.


    But now, Kaylyn was faced with a new dilemma.


    Her original plan was to settle her people within the sanctuary, but Nina''s actions had effectively shattered that possibility.


    Destroying the gates of Black Water City and humiliating its lord would surely invite the sanctuary''s wrath.


    For years, the sanctuary had cultivated an image of mystery and strength.


    While it rarely demonstrated its power openly, that was likely because it had never encountered a worthy challenge.


    The mere association between the Death Legion and the Crossbridge Sanctuary was enough to keep most people in awe.


    Surely, Nina and her group would now face the sanctuary''s harshest retribution.


    As the one who had inadvertently caused all of this, Kaylyn knew her dreams of settling in the sanctuary were over.


    Despair set in as Kaylyn reflected on the situation.


    She had led her people here with the hope of securing a better future.


    Now, it all felt like a fleeting dream.


    If they couldn''t establish themselves in the sanctuary, what options remained? S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kaylyn had once considered settling in the surrounding wilderness, dangerous as it might be. At least there, they could begin building a new home, step by step.


    But as she contemplated these grim possibilities, an unbelievable scene unfolded before her eyes.


    Dez, the Lord of Black Water City, did something no one had expected¡ªhe knelt.


    Why?


    Why would he kneel?


    Had he seen something that terrified him?


    Kaylyn wasn''t the only one baffled.


    The onlookers, who had been following the events closely, began whispering amongst themselves, struggling to make sense of what they were witnessing.


    Initially, they had thought they understood everything¡ªthe cause, the conflict, the outcome.


    But now, it was as though the entire situation had flipped on its head.


    "Are you the Lord of Black Water City?" Daniel asked, his voice calm but commanding as he looked down at the kneeling Dez.


    "Yes¡­ Headmaster, I¡­ I''m Dez," Dez stammered, his head bowed low.


    Sweat poured down his face as Daniel approached.


    His voice trembled, each word harder to speak than the last.


    "As the lord of this city, you must be aware of the actions of your subordinates," Daniel said, his tone sharp.


    "I¡­ I know¡­ I don''t know!" Dez stuttered, utterly incoherent in his panic.


    "It seems their actions were carried out under your orders, weren''t they? Look at me," Daniel commanded.


    Instinctively, Dez raised his head, meeting Daniel''s gaze.


    In an instant, Dez''s eyes clouded over, his will subsumed by Daniel''s power.


    "Yes¡­ They were all recruited by me. Their actions were under my instructions," Dez confessed robotically.


    For several minutes, Daniel questioned Dez, extracting every detail he needed.


    Once satisfied, Daniel turned and walked away, leaving Dez kneeling in the dust.


    Dez blinked, as though waking from a dream, and watched Daniel''s retreating figure in stunned silence.


    "Return to the academy and accept your punishment," Daniel said over his shoulder.


    Realizing what had just happened, Dez''s face turned pale.


    Unaware that he had just confessed everything, Dez hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground.


    "Thank you¡­ Thank you, Headmaster!" he cried before scrambling away in the direction of Crossbridge Academy.


    Nina followed behind Daniel, sensing his displeasure.


    "Headmaster, Black Water City can''t go without a leader," Nina said. "If no one manages it, the situation could spiral out of control, especially with so many people gathered here today."


    Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "You''re right. We need someone capable to stabilize the city."


    "Headmaster, I think I have someone in mind," Nina said, a glint of determination in her eyes.


    Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who?"


    "Kaylyn," Nina replied confidently.


    Hearing her name, Kaylyn, who had been standing nearby, looked up in astonishment.


    "I''ve gotten to know her over the past few days, and I think she''s a good candidate for the role of Lord of Black Water City," Nina continued.


    "And your reasons?" Daniel asked.


    "First, she has leadership experience. Second, she''s already proven capable of organizing and integrating disparate groups, such as those who joined her from enemy factions. Third, she has a good understanding of Black Water City''s situation," Nina explained.


    "But most importantly," she added, "Kaylyn, like many of the people here, is an outsider. She understands their struggles and what they need most."


    Nina''s argument was persuasive, and Daniel found himself agreeing.


    Given the circumstances, Kaylyn seemed the most suitable choice.


    Moreover, Daniel wasn''t overly familiar with anyone else in Black Water City.


    So long as Kaylyn avoided the pitfalls of her predecessor, she would be a fine leader.


    "Very well," Daniel said. "We''ll proceed as you suggest."


    Kaylyn was stunned.


    Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined this outcome.


    The leadership of a major city¡ªa critical gateway to the sanctuary¡ªhad just been handed to her.


    Two people had casually decided her fate with a simple conversation.


    "Kaylyn," Nina said, smiling, "you''re now the Lord of Black Water City. You''ll be responsible for managing this city. Do you have any objections?"


    "I¡­ But I¡­ What about the sanctuary?" Kaylyn stammered, still overwhelmed.


    "Don''t worry," Nina reassured her. "With the Headmaster''s approval, the academy won''t raise any issues."


    "I¡­ Yes!" Kaylyn said, finally finding her voice.

 Chapter 112 Chapter112-Return to the Academy

    In a quiet study, Green sat in a chair, his gaze fixed on the book before him.From the outside, it appeared to be an ordinary book, the kind you could pick up in any bookstore.


    But Green''s furrowed brows, focused expression, and the beads of sweat forming on his forehead told a different story.


    This book was anything but ordinary.


    After a long pause, Green exhaled deeply, his fatigue evident.


    The book had been left to him by Daniel. Green made it a habit to study it whenever he had free time.


    Five years had passed, yet he still felt as though he had only scratched the surface of its knowledge.


    The contents of the book were vast, like an endless ocean.


    The more he delved into it, the more he realized how little he truly understood.


    Back when Green had told Daniel of his desire to grow stronger, Daniel had given him the book.


    At first, Green had devoured its pages day and night, completely absorbed.


    But it wasn''t long before he discovered that what he had read was only the tip of the iceberg.


    The deeper he went, the more expansive and complex the knowledge became.


    "Vice Headmaster, it looks like you''ve been pulling another all-nighter!"


    A playful voice broke the silence. Green looked up to see a girl entering the room.


    "It''s you, Leah. Is something the matter?"


    "Nothing serious," Leah replied, setting a cup of tea on the table. "I just came to check on you."


    "How''s the background check on those three new students coming along?" Green asked.


    "All clean. One''s a local from Riverside City, and the other two recently relocated here. No records of any misconduct."


    Green nodded, rubbing his tired eyes.


    "This is a critical time," he said. "I suspect the Headmaster will be returning soon. We can''t afford any mistakes."


    "You''ve done an excellent job! When the Headmaster sees your hard work, he''ll be pleased for sure," Leah said, stepping behind Green to massage his shoulders. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Green felt the tension in his body begin to ease. Leah was unusually bold today¡­


    But suddenly, Green snapped out of it.


    His mind power flared, shattering the illusion around him.


    The surrounding space cracked like glass, and Green''s eyes flew open.


    A moment ago, he had been in some kind of dream.


    Realizing this, he immediately became alert.


    Who would infiltrate Crossbridge Academy to cast an illusion on him?


    An enemy?


    Before Green could ponder further, a familiar figure appeared in the room.


    "Nina? When did you get back? Is the Headmaster here too?"


    "I just returned, and the Headmaster arrived at nearly the same time. By the way, Green, are you dating someone?" Nina teased, grinning mischievously.


    Green frowned, the realization dawning on him.


    "That dream¡­ was that your doing?"


    "No, no! That wasn''t an illusion," Nina said with a laugh. "Although I


    can


    create illusions, I have to clarify¡ªthat wasn''t one of them. I simply noticed how tired you were and helped you have a relaxing nap."


    Nina leaned closer, still smiling.


    "To be precise, what you experienced wasn''t an illusion¡ªit was your own dream. Everything in it was under your control."


    "That''s impossible!" Green protested, refusing to accept her explanation.


    "Speaking of which," Nina said, her curiosity piqued, "who was that girl in your dream? Is she someone you like? Have you confessed yet?"


    Nina''s barrage of questions left Green exasperated.


    After six years, he had hoped Nina would have matured, but she was still as childlike and playful as ever.


    He sighed, deciding to change the subject.


    "Where''s the Headmaster now?"


    "In his office, of course," Nina replied. "Isolde and Director Rowan are probably with him right now. He''s really angry, you know."


    "Angry? Did something happen on your way back?" Green asked, his anxiety growing.


    He had worked tirelessly over the past few years to ensure that everything in Riverside City and the academy ran smoothly for Daniel''s return.


    But it seemed his efforts hadn''t been enough.


    From the moment Nina mentioned Daniel''s anger, Green knew something serious had occurred.


    "On our way back¡­ we encountered quite a few problems," Nina admitted. "The Headmaster''s anger is justified."


    "But," she added with a reassuring smile, "it has nothing to do with you. The state of Riverside City and the academy''s development¡ªhe''s satisfied with your work."


    Hearing this, Green breathed a sigh of relief.


    "In fact, the Headmaster even said you''ve done an excellent job as Vice Headmaster," Nina added.


    Green nodded, though he didn''t respond. Instead, he shifted the topic.


    "When did you put me to sleep?"


    He recalled Nina''s abilities back during the Mistriver Realm expedition.


    At the time, she could only perform basic spatial manipulations and illusions.


    Now, it seemed she had advanced to the point of seamlessly pulling him into a dream without him noticing.


    "When you closed your book," Nina said with a sly grin.


    Green thought back, replaying the moment in his mind. Even in hindsight, he couldn''t pinpoint when it had happened.


    "By the way," Nina continued, "the Headmaster is planning something big in the next few days. You might want to prepare yourself."


    "What kind of big?" Green asked.


    "Saving-the-world big," Nina replied with a straight face.


    Green raised an eyebrow but nodded.


    When it came to Daniel, even a claim as grand as saving the world didn''t seem far-fetched.


    Meanwhile, Nina''s group from Coven had entered Crossbridge Academy.


    Among them, Ryze stood out with his unbridled curiosity, gazing around like a wide-eyed villager visiting the city for the first time.


    His constant exclamations of amazement made him seem like a country bumpkin.


    Yet, beneath that unassuming demeanor lay the truth: Ryze was a member of Winterrealm''s royal family and the sole inheritor of its oracle lineage.


    His mission was nothing less than to save the world.


    As he explored the academy, Ryze began to understand why his earlier attempts to scry Riverside City through his divination plate had shown such a grand vision.


    The answer lay in the heart of Riverside City: Crossbridge Academy.


    The


    sanctuary.


    Ryze could feel the academy''s unique energy.


    Even the trees and grass seemed to radiate faint mana waves¡ªan extraordinary phenomenon.


    Intrigued, Ryze wandered the grounds, seeking answers.


    Eventually, he arrived at a tranquil lake behind the dormitories.


    Sarra happened to be there as well.


    "Does this lake have a name?" Sarra asked aloud, glancing around.


    She stepped closer to the water''s edge to get a better look.


    "Stop! Don''t go any further!" Ryze called out urgently.


    Sarra turned, annoyed. "I''m not a child. Do you think I''m going to fall in?"


    Ignoring his warning, she continued toward the lake.


    But as she approached, a sudden sense of danger gripped her¡ªa primal instinct inherited from her bloodline as a warrior.


    Like a spell beast sensing peril, Sarra froze in place, uncertain of the source of the threat.


    Danger¡­ But why?

 Chapter 113 Chapter113-The Extraordinary Crossbridge Academy

    Sarra was just as puzzled.She was, after all, within the grounds of Crossbridge Academy.


    How could there possibly be any danger here?


    As she took another step forward, her body reacted before her mind could catch up, instinctively flipping backward.


    She landed gracefully, but her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the spot where she had just been standing.


    A thin, vine-like strip of paper had lashed out from a willow tree, striking the ground where her feet had been.


    If not for her body''s reflexes, Sarra was certain she would have been struck down.


    Her heart raced, adrenaline surging as she replayed the near-miss in her mind.


    "I warned you not to get too close," Ryze said, approaching with a look of exasperation. "Why didn''t you listen? At least you''re unharmed..."


    "What is this place? Why did the tree attack me?" Sarra asked, still catching her breath.


    "The tree didn''t attack you," Ryze explained, gesturing toward the willow. "It was protecting the lake."


    Sarra followed his gaze, realizing the tree wasn''t alone.


    A ring of willows surrounded the lake, their long, slender branches swaying lightly despite the lack of wind.


    When Ryze had followed the mysterious energy that had led him here, he had immediately noticed something unusual about the lake.


    The water was saturated with mana, its surface shimmering faintly with magical energy.


    After a closer look, Ryze discovered the lake was situated at the center of a massive magic array.


    It wasn''t hard to guess who had created it.


    Ryze had witnessed Daniel designing magic arrays at Winterkeep Citadel, and this one bore the same hallmarks.


    Beneath the lake, Ryze suspected there were forges¡ªcountless magical forges tirelessly producing mana-infused liquid.


    What surprised him most was that these forges hadn''t been placed recently.


    They had clearly been set up long ago, likely before Daniel had even departed for Winterrealm.


    The forges'' work had been so abundant that they had altered the lake itself, suffusing it with mana.


    Over time, even the plants and soil of Crossbridge Academy had absorbed traces of this energy.


    The environment was rich with mana, accelerating the students'' magical growth and understanding.


    No wonder Crossbridge Academy was known as the


    sanctuary.


    With such an environment, it wasn''t just a sanctuary¡ªit was a paradise for any mage.


    "The lake has changed everything around it," Ryze continued, explaining to Sarra. "The plants, the soil, even the air¡ªit''s all been infused with mana. The willows are the most affected, which is why they react aggressively to outsiders approaching the lake."


    "So the trees aren''t attacking out of malice. They''re just protecting the lake," Sarra mused, her awe slowly replacing her fear.


    "Exactly," Ryze confirmed.


    Sarra''s earlier bravado faded, replaced by a newfound respect for the academy. "No wonder Lord Daniel and the Headmaster are so powerful," she muttered. "If someone like me could grow up here, I''d probably be far stronger too..."


    Ryze chuckled. "Daniel''s strength has little to do with this place. After all, this sanctuary exists because of him."


    The sheer scale of the magic array, the forges, and the mana-saturated environment left no doubt in Ryze''s mind. Daniel had built it all.


    "So you''re saying... the entire Crossbridge Academy, even Riverside City, owes its existence to Daniel?" Sarra asked, incredulous.


    "That''s not an exaggeration," Ryze replied, shaking his head. Even he found it hard to fathom Daniel''s capabilities.


    The sheer number of forges Daniel had deployed would be impossible for even the most powerful factions on the continent to assemble in such a short time.


    But Daniel had done it alone.


    "Maybe Daniel truly is here to save our world," Ryze said, a hint of reverence in his voice.


    After seeing Riverside City and Crossbridge Academy firsthand, Ryze no longer doubted that as long as Daniel remained, the world would never fall into ruin.


    Just then, a voice interrupted his thoughts.


    Crying and shouting, Rikki ran toward them, clearly distressed.


    "What''s going on?" Ryze asked, noticing the injuries on Rikki''s body. "Did you get into a fight with someone?"


    This could spell trouble.


    While they were traveling with Nina, none of them were officially affiliated with Crossbridge Academy yet.


    The willows'' earlier attack on Sarra had already demonstrated how precarious their position was.


    If Rikki had gotten into a conflict with a student, resolving the matter could be challenging.


    Their only option might be to seek Nina''s help.


    Between sobs, Rikki recounted the events.


    Earlier, it had wandered near the lake, drawn by the calming energy emanating from it.


    Unlike Sarra, Rikki hadn''t been attacked by the willows and had entered the water without issue.


    The lake''s mana-rich environment felt incredibly soothing, and Rikki had happily splashed around.


    But before long, it had attracted the attention of a group of fish.


    At first, Rikki didn''t think much of them. In fact, it had considered catching one to see if it was edible.


    To its shock, the fish turned out to be far stronger than they appeared.


    One-on-one, they were already a match for Rikki, but as a group, they overwhelmed it completely.


    In the end, Rikki had been forced to flee, its pride bruised and its body battered.


    "Ryze, you''ve got to help me! I can''t let a bunch of fish humiliate me like this!" Rikki pleaded, its voice filled with desperation.


    Ryze couldn''t help but feel exasperated.


    So this was about revenge?


    Rikki had gotten beaten up by fish and was now seeking help to even the score.


    Ryze sighed. "I can''t help you with this. You''ll have to handle it yourself. Or... you could try asking the chief for help."


    Hearing Ryze''s refusal, Rikki grumbled but didn''t press the matter further.


    "This place really is something else," Sarra said, her voice tinged with awe. "Even the lake is full of powerful creatures. No wonder they call this place a sanctuary."


    Rikki, a member of the mighty battle-bear clan, had been defeated by mere fish. It was a humbling experience.


    Sarra couldn''t help but feel a new sense of humility. She had underestimated the academy and its surroundings. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Initially, she had thought the people outside Winterrealm weren''t as formidable as Nina had claimed.


    But now, she realized how wrong she had been.


    This was Riverside City.


    This was Crossbridge Academy.


    Even a seemingly ordinary lake held secrets and power beyond her imagination.


    "What about the students here?" Sarra wondered aloud. "If the environment is this extraordinary, the students must be even more impressive..."


    But she smiled, her competitive spirit igniting.


    "Good," she said. "The stronger the opponents, the more exciting the challenge. This will be the perfect place to grow stronger!"

 Chapter114-Change

    In Daniel''s office, a sense of familiarity washed over him as he returned to the place he hadn''t seen in years.Despite spending more time in Winterrealm than here, deep down, Daniel never truly considered Winterrealm his home.


    This office, however, felt like home.


    Everything in the office was just as he had left it.


    It was clear that someone had been cleaning it regularly; otherwise, a thick layer of dust would have covered everything.


    News of Daniel''s return had spread quickly, drawing several visitors to his office, including Isolde and Rowan.


    In front of Daniel lay several books¡ªrecords documenting the changes and developments in the academy and Riverside City over the past few years.


    These records had been meticulously compiled by academy staff.


    With a quick sweep of his


    mind power,


    Daniel absorbed the contents, gaining a clear understanding of how the academy had evolved in his absence.


    The academy''s development closely mirrored his original vision.


    Crossbridge Academy was indeed transforming into the


    sanctuary


    that people spoke of with reverence.


    However, Daniel noticed a problem: the perspective in the reports was too narrow.


    The records reflected only a single viewpoint, making it easy to overlook deeper, systemic issues.


    This was precisely why Daniel had chosen not to return directly to the academy but to journey alongside Kaylyn instead.


    He wanted to observe things from an outsider''s perspective, and his efforts had yielded unexpected insights.


    After finishing the records, Daniel looked at Rowan and said, "Overall, you''ve done well."


    As he had envisioned, the academy''s foundation was built upon its homegrown students, with newcomers integrated as affiliates.


    This strategy had been executed effectively.


    "But there are some issues I hope you''ll pay closer attention to," Daniel said, pointing to Rowan.


    "Yes, Headmaster," Rowan replied, standing at attention.


    "There''s a student named Dez. Has he returned to the academy?"


    "He returned recently and confessed his wrongdoings in detail. I''ve already imposed punishment in accordance with academy regulations¡ª" Rowan began but was interrupted by Daniel.


    "That''s enough. I don''t need the details," Daniel said, waving a hand. "Let me be clear: Crossbridge Academy has grown too quickly. In just a few years, we''ve become what people call a


    sanctuary.


    "But a true sanctuary requires decades¡ªcenturies¡ªof gradual development. By accelerating the process, we''ve likely introduced unforeseen issues.


    "We can''t let ourselves be blinded by the title of ''sanctuary.'' Instead, we must remain vigilant, uncovering and resolving problems. Being complacent and indulging in our reputation will only lead to our downfall."


    Daniel''s tone sharpened. "Outside these walls, millions of people are living like refugees, and the situation is on the brink of spiraling into chaos. These issues need immediate attention."


    Rowan stepped forward. "Headmaster, we''ve been preparing for this. We''ve been waiting for the right moment."


    He went on to explain the academy''s expansion plans.


    Rose, leading the Death Legion, had extended their influence across much of the eastern region, while Reed had established a growing following in the west.


    The two forces were steadily forming a dual-front structure, east and west.


    Rowan believed it was time for Crossbridge Academy to expand its influence further.


    Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "I don''t have much to say about your expansion plans. But I''ll need to handle a very challenging task soon, and it will require mobilizing a significant number of students."


    "You needn''t worry about that, Headmaster," Rowan assured him. "Over the past few years, Crossbridge Academy has cultivated plenty of exceptional students."


    Daniel''s


    colorless forges


    were ready. The


    Trees of Origin


    he had safeguarded in his personal space had also waited long enough.


    Now was the time.


    As the academy expanded its influence, Daniel could kill two birds with one stone: restore the endangered world and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.


    He was particularly curious to see the so-called


    god-like beings


    he had heard about and confront the enemy who had ambushed him in the Sacred Time River.


    The meeting didn''t last long. Daniel''s primary goal was to highlight the overlooked issues within the academy and Riverside City.


    For the most part, Rowan and the others had done an excellent job, and Daniel saw little need to intervene. Explore more stories at empire


    Over the six years of his absence, they had grown into capable leaders, no longer reliant on him to manage every detail.


    Now, Daniel only needed to provide overarching direction, leaving the rest to his trusted team.


    Soon, the office emptied, leaving Daniel alone.


    Suddenly, his gaze shifted to a corner.


    "You can come out now," he said.


    Nina emerged from a spatial pocket, grinning sheepishly.


    "You noticed me? I guess I''m not as sneaky as I thought," Nina admitted.


    "I''ve known you were there for a while," Daniel replied. "You''ve never been one to sit still."


    "Well, I just wanted to observe and learn how you handle management," Nina said, feigning innocence.


    "And what did you learn?"


    "I learned everything! As the chief of Coven, I just need to make the key decisions and let Sarra and Ryze handle the rest!" Nina declared proudly. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel sighed. "You''ve been managing that way all along, haven''t you?"


    From the beginning, Nina had delegated most responsibilities to others, starting back in Winterrealm.


    Still, Daniel couldn''t help but smile.


    While Nina might not be the most hands-on leader, she surrounded herself with capable people like Sarra, who kept things running smoothly.


    "By the way, didn''t you say you wanted to go home? How do you have time to be here at the academy?" Daniel asked, recalling her earlier plans.


    "I did go home! My parents were so happy to see me," Nina said, her eyes lighting up. "But when they heard about everything I''ve been doing, they told me to hurry back to school. They think I''m still a child."


    "You don''t say," Daniel said with a chuckle.


    "Headmaster, there''s something else!" Nina suddenly looked conspiratorial.


    "What is it?"


    "It''s about Green," she said, lowering her voice. "I think he''s in love¡ªwith someone from the academy!"


    Daniel blinked in surprise, then smiled.


    Green had done an excellent job over the years, and the academy''s progress owed much to his efforts.


    If he had found someone special, Daniel had no objections.


    A few days later, Daniel stood at the edge of the academy''s tranquil lake.


    The time had come to plant the first


    Tree of Origin.


    This spot, near the students'' dormitories and surrounded by


    colorless forges,


    was perfect.


    The


    Tree of Origin


    would undoubtedly bring transformative changes to both the academy and the world.


    Daniel lingered for a moment, contemplating the future.


    Behind him, Nina''s voice broke his thoughts.


    "Headmaster, we''re here!"


    Daniel turned to see Nina leading a group toward him.


    Behind her were the Coven members, as well as Green, who stood beside a shy-looking girl.

 Chapter115-The Transformation of the Tree of Origin

    Daniel looked over the assembled group.Nina and Green were essential attendees, as this would become their responsibility in the future.


    Ryze had also been invited, as this moment marked the culmination of something he had been waiting for his entire life.


    Planting the first


    Tree of Origin


    in the main world was as much a symbolic act as it was a practical one, and Daniel felt it was only right for Ryze to witness it.


    As for the other Coven members following Nina, it was her decision to let them observe and learn from the experience.


    Then there was Leah, the young woman accompanying Green.


    Daniel had invited her mainly out of curiosity, wanting to see her in action.


    Once everyone had gathered, they bowed respectfully to Daniel, who nodded in acknowledgment.


    Green, in particular, was visibly emotional. It had been years since he last saw Daniel, and the reunion filled him with excitement.


    Meanwhile, Leah curiously studied Daniel, as if trying to understand why Green held him in such high regard.


    "Come closer," Daniel said, gesturing for the group to step forward. "Today will be my first time attempting this in the main world. Watch closely¡ªyou may need to perform this task yourselves one day."


    With that, Daniel extended his right hand, and a small sapling of the


    Tree of Origin


    materialized in his palm.


    The sapling began to grow larger, eliciting a gasp from Ryze, whose eyes glistened with tears.


    Finally, it was happening.


    The


    Tree of Origin


    was about to be planted in the main world, far sooner than he had ever dared to hope.


    Generations of responsibility borne by oracles might finally come to an end.


    "This¡­ this is the


    Tree of Origin


    Nina mentioned? The one capable of saving the world?" Green asked, his curiosity evident.


    Daniel glanced at him. "Yes, this is it. As for why it can save the world, you''ll understand once I demonstrate the process of planting it in the main world."


    The sapling in Daniel''s hand floated toward the lakeside, where it gently descended to the ground.


    The group watched intently as the sapling settled and began to take root, its presence immediately standing out from the surrounding vegetation.


    Even without understanding the intricacies, the onlookers could sense the unique aura of the


    Tree of Origin.


    Beneath the surface, unseen by most, the tree''s roots delved deep into the soil, extending toward the world''s core.


    This was the tree''s innate ability¡ªto anchor itself deeply within the world.


    Suddenly, arcs of electricity appeared, crackling through the air and connecting to the small sapling.


    "Headmaster, will this¡­" Nina began, worried that the lightning might harm the fragile tree.


    Before she could finish, the arcs of electricity began spreading outward, like roots of energy weaving into the surrounding space.


    The air around the tree grew tense, as if the space itself was being reshaped.


    "Headmaster, the space around the


    Tree of Origin


    is undergoing significant changes," Nina observed. "Teleportation is currently impossible in that area."


    Daniel nodded, seeing far more than the others.


    In his eyes, the sapling had fully anchored itself into the world and was now harmonizing with its rules, establishing a connection as natural as breathing.


    This interaction allowed the sapling to grow rapidly. Enjoy new stories from empire


    Before the group''s astonished eyes, the tiny tree expanded, maturing into a towering tree several meters tall within moments.


    Its branches spread outward, sprouting vibrant green leaves that shimmered with mana.


    The tree''s massive canopy stretched over the lake, casting a vast shadow across the water.


    The group stood in awe of the spectacle.


    "So this is the


    Tree of Origin


    ¡­" someone murmured. "It''s incredible."


    In truth, Daniel''s role was minimal.


    All he needed to do was place the sapling on the ground.


    From there, the


    Tree of Origin


    would grow independently, adapting to its environment and thriving in the most suitable manner.


    For Daniel, the most fascinating aspect was how the tree integrated with the world''s rules.


    It created a perfect cycle: the tree influenced the world, and the world, in turn, nurtured the tree.


    This interaction wasn''t just restorative¡ªit had the potential to evolve the world itself.


    Daniel recalled the elder''s words: the original


    Tree of the World


    had been severed during a great conflict, leaving the world stagnant.


    The


    Tree of Origin


    could serve as a new


    Tree of the World,


    reigniting the world''s growth and evolution.


    Daniel''s gaze shifted to the surrounding landscape.


    The


    Tree of Origin


    now covered a vast area, encompassing Crossbridge Academy and much of Riverside City.


    However, its immediate effects would be most noticeable within the academy grounds.


    Ryze, overcome with emotion, fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.


    As an oracle, he had carried the burden of this mission for as long as he could remember. Now, seeing the S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tree of Origin


    standing tall, his heart was filled with a mixture of relief and gratitude.


    "This tree¡­" Green said, breaking the silence. "It seems to be transforming its surroundings, strengthening the world itself. Does this mean it will make the world stronger?"


    Daniel smiled. "Exactly. It seems you''ve been studying the book I gave you."


    The book Daniel had given Green contained profound magical knowledge. Though Green had barely scratched the surface, his dedication was evident.


    Nina turned to Green with a grin. "Can I borrow that book sometime?"


    "That''s not possible," Green replied. "The book only works for me."


    "Really? Or are you just making that up?" Nina said, skeptical.


    Daniel interjected. "Green is telling the truth. The book was a reward specifically for him. Besides, even if he gave it to you, would you read it?"


    "Hey, don''t underestimate me!" Nina protested. "Sure, I don''t like reading, but maybe the knowledge will just¡­ jump into my brain? Headmaster, you must have a spell for that, right?"


    Daniel ignored her and turned his attention to Ryze, who was still kneeling.


    "Stop crying," Daniel said gently. "There''s still work to be done. You''ll plant more trees like this one, and only after we''ve purged the world of those with


    god power


    can you afford to celebrate."


    Though the


    Tree of Origin


    was immensely powerful, its influence was currently limited to a specific radius.


    For the world to be fully restored, many more trees would need to be planted.


    Daniel looked at Nina and issued his next command.


    "Nina, I have a task for you."


    "Got it! Where do I start planting trees?" Nina asked eagerly.


    "Not yet. First, you''ll need to summon Rose, Reed, and Nora back to the academy."


    "Just those three?" Nina confirmed.


    "Yes, just them. The next phase is to plant more


    Trees of Origin


    throughout the continent."


    Nina nodded, her excitement returning. "Headmaster, can my Coven join in on this mission?"


    "That''s up to you," Daniel replied. "But for now, go and notify the others."


    "Yes, Headmaster!" Nina said, already preparing to leave.

 Chapter116-Negotiation

    Bluecrystal City, Eastern Free FederationIn the Lord''s Mansion of Bluecrystal City, tension filled the room as the lord of the city, a stern middle-aged man, glared at his son, Tony, his voice booming with rage.


    "So, this is your decision?" the lord demanded.


    Tony, the younger man standing before him, was unfazed by his father''s fury.


    Years ago, he had left Bluecrystal City to explore the world, a decision his father had supported in the hopes that Tony would gain valuable experience.


    But now, Tony had returned¡ªnot as the carefree son who had left but as a high-ranking member of the Death Legion.


    His purpose was to negotiate Bluecrystal City''s integration into the Death Legion''s growing dominion.


    "Father, why are you so stubborn¡ª"


    Slap!


    The sound of the lord''s hand striking Tony''s face echoed through the chamber, leaving a red mark on the younger man''s cheek.


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    "Stubborn? Is that what you think this is?" the lord roared. "What happened to you during those years you were away? This city, this


    Bluecrystal City,


    was built by the blood and sweat of your ancestors! And now you want to hand it over with a few words? Have you lost your mind? Or have you been bewitched by some woman?"


    "Father, it''s not like that¡ª" Tony began, but his father cut him off, his fury undiminished.


    "You''re no son of mine! Get out of my sight! I will not hand over Bluecrystal City, not to you, not to anyone. You tell that Death Legion woman this: if she wants war, she''ll have it!"


    Tony, struggling to remain calm, tried again. "Father, this isn''t about surrender. You need to open your eyes! Almost every city in the east has already joined the Death Legion. As lord, you''d still retain your title and authority under their protection!"


    Tony took a deep breath and continued, "The Death Legion is closely tied to Crossbridge Sanctuary. Joining them might even grant us the opportunity to become part of the sanctuary itself! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"


    But the lord''s face remained hardened, his disdain evident. His son''s arguments fell on deaf ears.


    "Opportunity? Ha!" the lord spat. "You''ve been brainwashed, boy. This city belongs to the bloodline of our forefathers. To bow down now would be to spit on their sacrifices. Leave, Tony, before I regret letting you stand here."


    The men and women in the room¡ªveterans who had fought to defend Bluecrystal City from


    spell beasts


    ¡ªnodded in agreement.


    To them, the idea of surrendering their home to an external power was unthinkable.


    Tony sighed deeply, frustration and sorrow mixing in his voice. "Father, do you not understand? Bluecrystal City stands no chance. The Death Legion''s strength cannot be stopped by sheer numbers."


    "Enough!" the lord barked. "If you''re so loyal to them, go back and tell them this: Bluecrystal City will never kneel. Not to them, and not to you."


    Tony''s shoulders slumped as he turned to leave, the lord''s angry shouts and curses following him out of the mansion.


    ...


    Outside the Mansion


    Walking through the streets of the city he had once called home, Tony felt a deep sense of helplessness.


    He had hoped to resolve this matter peacefully, to save Bluecrystal City from unnecessary destruction. Yet his father''s stubbornness left no room for compromise.


    Tony had witnessed the power of the Death Legion firsthand during his time with them. He knew their strength, their unity, and their determination. Bluecrystal City, for all its defenses, was nothing more than a fragile castle of sand in the face of a rising tide.


    He paused, looking around at the familiar streets and faces.


    "Fresh pastries! Want some, big brother?" a young boy called out, holding a tray of warm, fragrant treats.


    Tony shook his head and forced a smile. "Not today, little one."


    The sight of the boy stirred memories of his own childhood, playing in these very streets.


    He couldn''t bear the thought of this city being reduced to ruins.


    But what choice did he have?


    If he returned to the Death Legion empty-handed, the outcome would be inevitable.


    War would come, and it would be a massacre.


    For a moment, Tony felt a surge of resentment toward himself.


    Perhaps he never should have gone to Riverside City, never should have joined the Death Legion.


    If he had stayed, none of this would be happening.


    But regret couldn''t change the past.


    Suddenly, an idea came to him¡ªa desperate, final attempt to prevent the city''s destruction.


    ...


    Death Legion Encampment


    In the Death Legion''s camp, Rose sat at a table, her brow furrowed as she reviewed the map.


    "Bluecrystal City must fall today," she said, her voice resolute. "Once it''s under our control, the entire eastern region will be ours. Time is of the essence."


    Kent, one of her commanders, entered the tent with a somber expression.


    "Tony''s back?" Rose asked, her tone sharp.


    "Yes¡­ but he failed. Bluecrystal City''s lord refuses to join us."


    "Then it''s time for action. Gather the forces," Rose commanded, rising to her feet. "We''ll take the city by force."


    But Kent hesitated.


    "Rose," he said quietly, "there''s¡­ been a development."


    "What is it?" Rose asked, her tone impatient.


    Kent handed her a bloodstained letter. "Tony returned, but not alive. He¡­ took his own life. His body now lies at the gates of Bluecrystal City." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Rose''s breath caught as she read the letter, written in Tony''s blood. His final plea was simple: spare his mother and the innocent citizens of Bluecrystal City.


    The paper trembled in her hands as an overwhelming wave of guilt and sorrow washed over her.


    "Why?" Rose whispered. "Why did it come to this?"


    She had only wanted to negotiate, to resolve things without unnecessary bloodshed. How had it spiraled into this?


    Tony had been with her for six years, a loyal and dependable ally. And now, he was gone.


    "This is my fault," Rose muttered, her voice shaking.


    The camp fell silent as an oppressive aura emanated from her.


    Rose, usually a symbol of strength and determination, seemed on the verge of collapsing under the weight of her grief.

 Chapter117-Inner Demon

    Kent hurried to support Rose, keeping her from collapsing immediately.However, the moment he touched her, he realized something was amiss. Rose''s current state was unusual, radiating a dangerous aura.


    Kent quickly glanced at Lucy and the others. The four of them, with years of camaraderie, understood his intent with just a single look.


    "Miss Rose, are you all right?"


    "I¡­ I never wanted him to die! I just¡­ I just¡­"


    Before she could finish, an indescribable aura surged from Rose''s body. The overwhelming pressure instantly blew open the tent.


    Fortunately, Kent had anticipated this. The four of them had already prepared their combined magic array, which activated immediately to contain the force erupting from Rose.


    Without it, the entire temporary camp might have been destroyed.


    "What''s happening?" Kent muttered uncertainly, then speculated, "Could it be¡­ an Inner Demon?"


    Mages not only relied on mana but also on mind power.


    If one''s mental fortitude wasn''t strong enough, it was easy to lose oneself in their power, creating an Inner Demon.


    Once controlled by an Inner Demon, a person would gradually lose their consciousness, eventually becoming a hollow shell.


    Now, it seemed Rose was in just such a state.


    Tony''s death had unsettled her mind, and combined with other factors, her Inner Demon had surfaced.


    "An Inner Demon¡­ How do we deal with it?" someone asked.


    "I have no idea," Kent replied helplessly. "I''ve only ever heard of Inner Demons. How could I know how to resolve one?"


    For now, their only option was to hold out, hoping to endure Rose''s outbreak and see if a solution presented itself.


    As the sinister aura emanated from Rose, Kent and the others hesitated, considering whether they should temporarily retreat. Just then, a finger lightly pressed against Rose''s forehead.


    In an instant, Rose collapsed to the ground, unconscious.


    Nina appeared, letting out a sigh of relief as she confirmed Rose was unharmed. Luckily, she had arrived in time.


    Had she been even slightly late, the growing influence of Rose''s Inner Demon could have made the situation irreparable¡ªand Daniel would have been furious with her.


    Now, in the early stages of the outbreak, there was still hope.


    To protect Rose from further harm, Nina immediately sent her into a dreamscape. However, Nina felt uneasy, so she entered the dreamscape alongside her. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Within Rose''s dreamscape, Nina found herself witnessing Rose''s childhood.


    She was the granddaughter of the old headmaster, a position that should have guaranteed her affection and care. Yet, her mediocre talent cast a shadow over her life.


    "What? You''re the old headmaster''s granddaughter? How are you so useless?"


    "You can''t even use basic magic? Most people learn that in half a day! Who takes three whole days like you?"


    Those jeers and taunts pierced Rose like daggers.


    Over time, they shaped her personality, turning her increasingly introverted and quiet. As she grew older, Rose became more withdrawn, isolating herself from others.


    Eventually, no one even mentioned her connection to the headmaster anymore.


    But Nina knew those experiences had left deep scars in Rose''s heart. Scars that only Rose herself could shatter.


    "I¡­ I can''t disappoint my father anymore! I¡­ I must prove myself to him!"


    Rose''s angry shout echoed through the dreamscape. Nina looked in the direction of the sound and saw Rose wielding a massive sword, striking down from above.


    Nina''s face went pale, but fortunately, she didn''t need to maintain the dream any longer.


    Rose opened her eyes and immediately saw Nina in front of her.


    "Nina? What are you doing here? Wait¡­ if you''re here, that means my father¡­"


    Still pale from her efforts, Nina replied, "Rose, don''t talk about that now. That sword you swung in your dream¡ªno wonder you triggered an Inner Demon."


    "Inner Demon? What Inner Demon? Nina, what are you talking about?" Rose was utterly confused.


    "Fine, let me explain," Nina said. "You just experienced an Inner Demon outbreak."


    "An Inner Demon¡­"


    Hearing the term, Rose began to recall what had happened before her memory lapsed. Slowly, the events came back to her.


    "Tony¡­ It''s a pity. My constant pressure drove him to his death," Rose said regretfully.


    "I think, Rose, that your urgency to prove yourself stems from your childhood experiences," Nina observed.


    For the children who had mocked her, their words might have been casual, something they forgot the next day.


    But for Rose, those words cut deeper than any weapon. That lingering pain made her Inner Demon almost inevitable.


    Tony''s death had been the final trigger, unleashing the suppressed negative emotions within her and allowing the Inner Demon to take hold.


    Thankfully, Nina had intervened. Through the dreamscape, she helped Rose regain control.


    "Rose, listen to me," Nina said solemnly. "Don''t dwell on these thoughts for now. It''s the only way to prevent another outbreak of your Inner Demon."


    Rose nodded, understanding the severity of Nina''s warning.


    Maintaining Rose''s dreamscape had been an arduous task for Nina, especially during Rose''s final sword strike.


    That destructive force had nearly shattered the dreamscape before it even landed. Thankfully, Nina had ended the dream in time, and Rose had successfully regained control over her body.


    But the effort had taken its toll on Nina. The vast amount of mana she''d expended left her visibly pale and weakened. Still, the outcome was worth the cost.


    "I''m sorry, Nina, for causing you so much trouble¡­"


    "It''s nothing, Rose. You''ve always looked out for me. This time, I was just returning the favor."


    "Did you come here specifically to find me?"


    "Yes. Well, to be precise, the headmaster sent me."


    "My father?"


    Hearing this, Rose''s tone grew somber. She had yet to fulfill her promise to him. The last remaining city, Bluecrystal City, still stood outside the Death Legion''s control.


    As Rose''s emotions began to shift again, her aura showed signs of another change. Alarmed, Nina hurriedly said, "Stop thinking about that, Rose. Right now, you need to return to Crossbridge Academy and consult the headmaster about resolving your Inner Demon. He also has other tasks for you."


    "Other tasks?"


    "Yes. Now go back, Rose. Remember what I said¡ªdon''t dwell on this."


    Nina prepared to leave.


    "Nina, aren''t you coming back with me? We haven''t seen each other in years," Rose said, trying to stop her.


    "No, I have other matters to attend to. Besides you, the headmaster also needs Reed and Nora back. Once I''ve gathered everyone, we''ll have a proper reunion. The headmaster''s task requires all of us."


    Rose noticed how frequently Nina mentioned Daniel and his instructions. Her curiosity about what could require them all to return deepened.


    Still, Rose longed to return to the academy. It had been six years since she last saw her father. With that thought, Rose opened her eyes again.


    "Miss Rose, are you all right?" Kent asked.


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    "Where am I?" Rose replied.


    "This is our temporary camp," Kent explained. "You had an Inner Demon outbreak not long ago. Fortunately, Miss Nina was here. Before she left, she told us to let you rest."


    Rose felt a headache coming on.


    So, her recent encounter with Nina had only been within the dreamscape?


    When had Nina''s dreamwalking technique become so advanced? It seemed she wasn''t the only one who had been growing stronger these past years.

 Chapter118-Imprisoned Nora

    After a long silence, Rose finally asked, "Where is Tony''s body?" S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality."Tony''s body has already been taken by the people from Bluecrystal City," Kent replied.


    "Have someone keep an eye on them to ensure they actually bury Tony''s body properly. Also, make arrangements to place Tony in the Hall of Heroes of our Death Legion."


    "One last thing¡ªtell our people to withdraw," Rose said, her tone calm and composed as she gave her instructions.


    Kent stood to the side, jotting down everything Rose said. It wasn''t until Rose was ready to leave that he looked up, surprised.


    This campaign had almost reached its conclusion, with only Bluecrystal City remaining. Victory was so close, yet Rose was now ordering a retreat?


    "Miss Rose, are we really withdrawing?" Kent asked, uncertain and in disbelief, needing to confirm her decision.


    "Yes, withdraw," Rose said firmly, glancing at Tony''s final letter. There was no point in attacking Bluecrystal City now. It was better to retreat early. Besides, her father had sent for her, and she couldn''t afford to be late.


    In Bluecrystal City, a body covered in a white sheet lay in the center of the Lord''s Mansion.


    "You¡­ You''re so cruel! Tony was your own son! Why¡­ Why did you push him to his death?" a weeping woman cried, her voice heavy with accusation.


    The lord of Bluecrystal City, a middle-aged man, sat silently, his face devoid of expression.


    He let the woman''s scolding wash over him without uttering a single word in response. His eyes were dull and lifeless, as though his mind had drifted far away.


    At that moment, a soldier rushed in. "Lord of the city, the Death Legion has withdrawn."


    "Withdrawn?" The lord''s voice was tinged with disbelief. Why would the Death Legion retreat so easily? Could this be a trap?


    Another soldier hurried in and added, "Lord, the Death Legion has completely departed."


    The lord sighed deeply, finally accepting the truth. "What a tragedy¡­ such a tragedy¡­" he murmured, casting a glance at his son''s lifeless body.


    "No matter what Tony may have done in the past, now¡­ lay him to rest in the family tomb. It was his actions that compelled the Death Legion to leave."


    In a desert, a group of people was trudging through the blustering winds and sandstorms. The violent tempest made it nearly impossible to determine their location. These were no ordinary travelers¡ªthe aura emanating from them was powerful.


    "Milord, we''re almost there. The Darkwind Beast should be just ahead," one of them said.


    In the western regions, violent storms often ravaged the cities.


    While some storms were natural, others were caused by magical beasts. The black sandstorms plaguing these lands were the work of such creatures, known locally as Darkwind Beasts.


    Darkwind Beasts were capable of unleashing massive black sandstorms, which locals saw as harbingers of bad luck.


    Whenever the black sand rose, people avoided going outside.


    But this group was an exception. They moved purposefully through the desert, undeterred by the storm.


    The Darkwind Beast, known also as the Calamity Beast, had plagued the region for decades. This group had already slain several Darkwind Beasts, and this last one was their final target.


    Reed, holding a long spear, led the group. Years ago, he had risen to fame as the first Spear King of the arena, earning a reputation so fearsome that challengers became scarce.


    The thrill of combat in the arena faded, and Reed turned his sights to hunting magical beasts instead.


    His first solo hunt had been a Darkwind Beast. Over time, his feats attracted followers who admired his strength and charisma.


    Now, with only one Darkwind Beast remaining, they were close to completing their mission.


    The group reached the area where the Darkwind Beast was located.


    Reed''s sharp gaze immediately locked onto the creature. Without hesitation, he raised his spear and charged.


    Sensing danger, the Darkwind Beast ceased spewing its black sandstorm and turned to attack Reed.


    Fierce winds carrying sharp sand lashed at Reed, cutting into his skin. Yet Reed pressed forward, breaking through the beast''s wind-based defenses to close the distance.


    With a single, thunderous thrust of his spear, Reed struck the Darkwind Beast. The creature, which had terrorized the region for decades, fell to the ground, lifeless.


    "Reed! Reed!" The group erupted in cheers, chanting his name with unbridled enthusiasm. Their voices echoed across the desert like a thunderous roar.


    Amid the rough cheers of the men, a distinctly softer voice called out, "Amazing! Reed is incredible! He''s so cool!"


    Reed immediately identified the source of the voice and turned his gaze. Sure enough, it was Nina, who grinned at him upon being noticed.


    "Nina?" he asked, surprised.


    "Yes, Reed, it''s been a while," Nina said, waving casually.


    "It has been a while. Last I heard, you left with the headmaster. Where have you been all this time?" Reed asked.


    "We went north, across the snow-capped mountains and the icy plains, to the Winterrealm. It was a fascinating place," Nina replied with a smile. She recounted her journey, filled with intriguing encounters and new friendships.


    "Sounds like quite an adventure," Reed remarked, visibly impressed. Then, as if remembering something important, he asked, "Wait, since you''re here, does that mean the headmaster has returned to the academy?"


    "Yes, the headmaster returned long ago. I''m here on a mission to find you," Nina explained.


    "A mission?" Reed inquired.


    "Exactly. The headmaster wants all of you to return to the academy. There''s an important matter that requires everyone''s attention."


    Hearing Nina''s serious tone, Reed nodded. "Understood. I''ll leave this afternoon."


    "Wait, aren''t you going to organize your forces before you leave? From what I''ve seen, the cities in the western region are all incredibly loyal to you," Nina said, surprised.


    Reed shrugged. "No need. They''re adults, not children. A simple message will suffice."


    Nina was momentarily stunned by his nonchalant response. Even her Coven couldn''t command such loyalty with so little effort. Reed''s personal charisma, it seemed, was a league above.


    "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you," Nina added with a teasing smile. "When we get back, we''ll likely be traveling with the headmaster to plant trees all over the world."


    "Plant trees all over the world?" Reed repeated, utterly perplexed.


    Noticing his confusion, Nina quickly said, "Don''t worry about it. You''ll understand when you return. Anyway, I need to find Nora next. See you later!"


    With that, Nina vanished, leaving Reed watching enviously. "What a convenient ability," he muttered.


    In the underground prison of Karea, Nora sat silently in one of the cells, dressed in her signature red attire. She had been there for some time, her expression unreadable.


    "She still refuses to represent Karea Academy in battle? Stubborn woman!" an elderly voice grumbled.


    "No kidding! If it weren''t for the higher-ups forbidding us from using force, this would''ve been resolved long ago," another voice replied.


    "Have you investigated her family or friends? Perhaps we can use them as leverage," the elder suggested. Experience exclusive tales on empire


    "We''re working on it. Results should come in soon¡­"

 Chapter119-Noras Discovery

    "No kidding! If it weren''t for the higher-ups forbidding us from using force, this would''ve been resolved long ago," another voice replied."Have you investigated her family or friends? Perhaps we can use them as leverage," the elder suggested.


    "We''re working on it. Results should come in soon¡­"


    Imprisoned in the underground dungeon of Karea Academy, Nora seemed entirely unbothered. Her calm demeanor suggested that being held captive here had no effect on her at all.


    Once, she had single-handedly slaughtered all the students from an A-level academy, an event so shocking that even the academy''s high-ranking officials were alarmed.


    Despite the uproar, they refrained from punishing Nora at the time, valuing her immense power.


    A person capable of wiping out all the students from an A-level academy was seen as a rare and irreplaceable asset. Her strength could prove invaluable in the right situations.


    However, those same high-ranking officials were now sorely disappointed. Nora refused to participate in any battles or competitions as they had planned.


    Frustrated, they locked her in the academy''s infamous underground dungeon, a place known as the most inescapable prison in Karea.


    There was only one way out for Nora: agreeing to fight on behalf of Karea Academy. Otherwise, she was doomed to remain there indefinitely, deprived of the outside world.


    Yet, Nora''s unchanging calm unsettled her captors. They had hoped that her imprisonment would serve as a threat, breaking her will.


    Instead, she remained as composed as ever, as though the dungeon''s isolation was merely a minor inconvenience.


    Days turned into weeks, and the academy''s leaders grew increasingly anxious.


    The decisive battle that would determine territorial dominance in the region was fast approaching, yet they had no worthy candidate to represent them.


    Nora, who had wiped out their original team of top talents, remained steadfast in her refusal to fight.


    Desperate, the academy leaders began to consider more extreme measures.


    "My lord, we''ve investigated Nora''s background. She comes from a small place called Riverside City. Interestingly, the city has undergone significant changes in recent years. People have started referring to it as¡­ Sanctuary."


    "Sanctuary?" The elder leading the discussion sneered. "What a laughable name. A backwater like that, calling itself a sanctuary? Ridiculous and ignorant."


    Another subordinate added, "It gets even more amusing. The students from that little city are also called ''Sanctuary.''"


    "Hah! If time weren''t so tight, I''d personally destroy that arrogant little place!" the elder exclaimed.


    "Indeed, my lord. Shall we bring her family here to make her understand that her only option is to fight for Karea Academy?"


    "Do it. Quickly."


    "Yes, my lord!"


    Unbeknownst to the academy leaders, Nora had overheard the entire conversation.


    She sat in her cell, her expression unreadable as their words echoed through the dungeon corridors.


    The exchange was deliberate¡ªa ploy to intimidate her into compliance. Yet Nora knew their plan would fail.


    It was true she couldn''t defeat the powerful elder leading the academy, but she also knew Riverside City wasn''t defenseless.


    Daniel, the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy, had left safeguards in the city. Nora was confident that if Karea Academy dared to target Riverside City, they would face dire consequences.


    Suddenly, Nora''s sharp instincts picked up a subtle shift in her surroundings. Something was different. Moments later, a figure appeared before her.


    "Nina? What are you doing here?" Nora asked, her calm demeanor unshaken.


    "I came to find you, of course, Nora. Honestly, I didn''t expect you to be in such a miserable situation," Nina replied with a mix of concern and amusement.


    Nina had been in the dungeon for some time, hidden while the two academy members discussed their plan.


    She hadn''t dared move or make a sound during their conversation, as one of them exuded an aura of immense power.


    Even with her ability to teleport, Nina didn''t take the risk. Powerful individuals could influence spatial magic, and a failed teleportation attempt could be catastrophic.


    Nina was there to deliver a message, not to fight. She was well aware of her limits.


    Looking at Nora''s predicament, Nina couldn''t help but compare it to the lives of their other friends.


    Green, who had stayed at the academy, had earned Daniel''s approval and even found someone who liked him.


    Rose and Reed were thriving in their respective endeavors, achieving the goals they had set for themselves before leaving the academy.


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    But Nora''s situation was vastly different¡ªtrapped in a dungeon, her captors threatening to harm her family to force her compliance.


    The stark contrast made Nina uneasy. She silently thanked her luck for leaving with Daniel when she did; otherwise, she might have ended up sharing a cell with Nora.


    "What happened here, Nora? Why are you locked up?" Nina asked. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I killed Karea Academy''s most promising talents. That ruined their plans, so now they want to force me to fight in their place," Nora said matter-of-factly.


    Nina was momentarily at a loss for words. She hadn''t expected such an explosive explanation. "Wait¡­ you killed all their top students? No wonder they''re desperate. Honestly, it''s surprising they didn''t execute you and instead just imprisoned you."


    "They need me for some battle," Nora replied. "Apparently, it''s tied to the control of the Free Federation region. I overheard them say it involves several major powers."


    Nina frowned. "The Free Federation''s territory? Why would that be decided by these hidden players? With Rose and Reed expanding east and west, Crossbridge Academy should already dominate the region. What does this broken Karea Academy have to do with it?"


    Nina''s dislike for Karea Academy was palpable, and her indignation only grew. "I''ll report this to the headmaster immediately. He''ll deal with these arrogant fools. By the way, Nora, do you want to leave with me? The headmaster sent me to bring everyone back."


    Nora shook her head. "No, I''m staying here for now. I need you to inform the headmaster about something."


    "Why not? I can get you out of this dungeon easily!" Nina insisted.


    "It''s not about that," Nora replied. "I''ve discovered something in this academy."

 Chapter120-Rose’s Return

    Nora''s face turned serious as she spoke.Those who believed they had trapped her in Karea Academy''s underground prison were gravely mistaken.


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    In truth, Nora had chosen to remain in the academy because of a critical discovery she had made.


    If she truly wanted to leave, she could have done so at any time. She possessed a semi-artifact gifted to her by Daniel.


    Although the artifact''s primary function was simulation, over the years, Nora had discovered that it had additional abilities Daniel had never explicitly mentioned.


    She knew she could rely on it to escape if necessary.


    But leaving wasn''t an option¡ªnot yet. Nora had uncovered something within Karea Academy, something she needed to investigate further.


    "So, what did you discover, Nora?" Nina asked, her curiosity piqued.


    "It''s something extraordinary," Nora began. "Or rather, a power that doesn''t seem to belong to our world. It''s an incredibly terrifying force."


    She paused, then added, "I suspect that if this power were unleashed, it would have catastrophic consequences for the entire world."


    "And that so-called battle? I believe it''s directly tied to this force," Nora explained. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her vague descriptions left Nina bewildered. Nora''s words seemed to explain everything and nothing all at once.


    Nina decided it was best to leave the analysis to the headmaster back at Crossbridge Academy.


    Seeing Nina''s confusion, Nora elaborated. "This power resides somewhere in the back mountain of the academy. I first sensed it by chance. I''ve already asked a friend to investigate, so I should have more information soon."


    The friend Nora referred to was Eileen, the only person she trusted within Karea Academy.


    The so-called impenetrable dungeon wasn''t an obstacle for Nora.


    Her imprisonment was merely a cover, a means to avoid drawing attention to her true purpose.


    Using her abilities, she had maintained contact with Eileen, ensuring the investigation continued.


    "I see¡­ Maybe I should just tell the headmaster directly. He might already know something about this," Nina suggested.


    Nora nodded. "That''s a good idea."


    "By the way, Nora, are you coming back with me?" Nina asked.


    "No. I can''t leave just yet. If I were to leave now, it might alert them. Instead, tell the headmaster what I''ve discovered, and take my friend with you to the academy," Nora said after some thought.


    She knew she needed to stay behind to stabilize the situation and keep her captors unaware of her findings.


    For now, the academy leaders were too preoccupied with trying to coerce her into fighting for them to suspect her deeper motives.


    Nina agreed and nodded. Nora then conjured a holographic image of Eileen. "This is my friend. Take her and leave the academy as soon as possible."


    Initially, Nora had planned for Eileen to continue the investigation.


    However, now that Nina was involved, she realized it would be safer to have Eileen leave with her.


    With Daniel''s support, they could uncover the truth without risking Eileen''s safety.


    If Eileen stayed in Karea Academy, Nora feared she might be used as leverage¡ªor worse, face life-threatening danger.


    Better to have her out of harm''s way at Crossbridge Academy, where the headmaster''s presence ensured her safety.


    With their plan finalized, Nina disappeared, leaving Nora alone in the cell. Her expression remained calm as she sat in silence, waiting for the next stage of her plan to unfold.


    Meanwhile, in the academy''s back mountain, Eileen was following Nora''s earlier instructions, searching the area under the guise of completing an official academy assignment.


    This cover allowed her to investigate without arousing suspicion.


    Eileen wasn''t sure if she was being watched, so she acted with extreme caution.


    Until she reached the precise location Nora had described, she avoided any behavior that might seem out of place.


    To anyone observing, she appeared to be a student diligently carrying out a standard task.


    However, luck wasn''t on her side. Despite her careful efforts, she hadn''t yet found what she was looking for.


    But with each attempt, she ventured closer to the area Nora had pinpointed.


    Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. Startled, Eileen spun around, only to see a girl standing there with a cheerful smile.


    "You are¡­?" Eileen asked, confused.


    "It''s you!" the girl exclaimed, as though confirming something.


    Before Eileen could react, the girl grabbed her hand. In the next instant, the surroundings blurred, and the scenery changed.


    Eileen found herself high above the ground. Clouds rushed past as she realized she was moving at great speed.


    Looking down, she saw a massive white snow eagle carrying her through the sky.


    "What''s happening?" Eileen muttered, glancing at the girl beside her¡ªthe one who had brought her here.


    Had she been exposed? Was this a trap?


    Nora had warned her that the back mountain was likely under surveillance, and she had taken great care not to reveal anything. What had gone wrong?


    "Who are you?" Eileen asked cautiously.


    "I''m Nina," the girl replied directly. "Nora asked me to take you out of Karea Academy."


    Eileen''s confusion began to clear, but new questions arose.


    Before she could voice them, Nina continued, "Nora has her reasons for staying behind. She''s worried that remaining at the academy might put you in danger, so she sent me to bring you to a safe place. As for her, you don''t need to worry¡ªshe''s perfectly fine. We''re heading to Riverside City. It''s safe there."


    "Riverside City¡­" Eileen repeated. She remembered the place vividly. It was where she had first met Nora, boarding the same carriage to Karea Academy.


    But the thought of returning to Riverside City made her uneasy. "The situation surrounding Nora is incredibly dangerous.


    If I go to Riverside City, I might bring trouble with me. Maybe it''s better if you let me go somewhere else instead," Eileen said, her face filled with concern.


    Though Nina was reluctant to repeat herself, she reassured Eileen. "Don''t worry. Riverside City is completely safe. As long as the headmaster is there, no harm will come to anyone."


    At Crossbridge Academy, Daniel sat by the lakeside, leaning against the Tree of Origin. Beside him lay a fishing rod, its line cast into the water.


    The fish in the lake were far from ordinary. Known for their ferocity, they were capable of driving Rikki, the battle bear, into retreat.


    But in Daniel''s presence, the fish acted no differently than common fish, circling the rod without daring to bite.


    Footsteps approached from behind. Daniel didn''t need to look to know who it was¡ªRose.


    Her steps were hesitant, lacking the confidence and cold demeanor of the famed "Daughter of Death." Each step seemed a struggle, as though she had to summon all her courage to take it.


    "Father," Rose called softly, knowing Daniel had already noticed her.


    "Come, sit with me," he said gently.

 Chapter121-Resolving the Inner Demon

    Daniel stared out at the lake before him and spoke to Rose, who stood quietly behind him."Yes," Rose replied softly. She quickly walked to his side and sat down next to him.


    Looking at her, Daniel frowned. "How did you end up in this state?" he asked.


    It didn''t take Daniel long to notice the lingering effects of her condition.


    Rose had recently experienced an outbreak of her Inner Demon during her time in Bluecrystal City.


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    Although Nina had been there to suppress it, the issue was far from resolved. Suppression was only a temporary fix, a dam holding back a growing flood.


    As Rose''s strength grew, her Inner Demon would grow alongside it, becoming even more dangerous.


    Short-term solutions were meaningless in the face of such an escalating threat. When the Inner Demon erupted fully, it would be nearly impossible to contain.


    Daniel, understanding this, decided to address it directly. He reached out and lightly touched Rose''s forehead.


    As his finger pulled away, a faint, shadowy figure began to emerge from within her, slowly peeling itself away.


    This was her Inner Demon.


    Under the sunlight, the figure appeared fragile, as though a single touch could disperse it.


    But Daniel knew better. It was merely a fa?ade.


    An Inner Demon''s true power and resilience far surpassed ordinary understanding. It thrived in the cracks of one''s psyche, exploiting any emotional weakness it could find.


    For most, even brief contact with an Inner Demon could expose their inner flaws, leaving them vulnerable to possession.


    However, in Daniel''s hands, the demon could do nothing but squirm feebly.


    "Father! Are you going to kill me? I''m your daughter!" the Inner Demon suddenly cried out, its voice indistinguishable from Rose''s.


    Even Daniel, for a fleeting moment, felt a twinge of hesitation. But he knew better.


    Without hesitation, he clenched his fist, and the Inner Demon disintegrated into ash, scattering in the breeze.


    In that moment, Rose felt a tremendous weight lift from her body, as though an immense burden had been removed. Her entire being felt lighter, freer.


    "Thank you, Father," Rose said gratefully.


    Daniel gazed at her with warmth. "Don''t thank me. You''re my daughter. But tell me¡ªwhat happened to you over these years to push you to this point?" His voice was gentle yet firm. "Don''t forget, I''m here for you."


    "Father¡­" Rose''s eyes welled with tears. She suddenly leaned into Daniel''s arms, seeking comfort.


    "It''s all right now. You''re home. Tell me everything," he said softly, his tone filled with reassurance.


    "I¡­ I failed to conquer all the cities in the East," Rose admitted, her voice tinged with frustration and sorrow.


    Daniel chuckled. "Is that all? Rose, even if you didn''t succeed in taking all the cities, I wouldn''t be disappointed.


    Do you know how many stories I''ve heard about you along the way? To many, you''re already a legend." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So don''t put so much pressure on yourself. You''ve done remarkably well, Rose."


    Encouraged by his words, Rose continued hesitantly, "But¡­ I''ve killed so many people."


    "That''s just a means to an end," Daniel replied calmly. "If it doesn''t sit well with you, be more mindful in the future."


    He didn''t judge her choices. After all, not everyone could take the same path as Reed, whose charisma and leadership inspired loyalty rather than fear.


    "And¡­ because of my selfishness, I pushed a companion to their death."


    "If you recognize your mistake, then learn from it. What''s done is done; the past cannot be undone," Daniel said gently.


    "I feel like¡­ like I''m just an executioner," Rose whispered, her voice trembling.


    Daniel sighed softly, finally understanding the depth of the pressure she had placed on herself. Over the years, the Death Legion''s name had spread far and wide in the East, but that reputation came at a cost.


    Rose had chosen the most direct approach to achieve her goals¡ªdominate or destroy. And that burden had taken its toll on her.


    "Rose," Daniel said firmly, "you don''t need to bear this weight alone. Remember, I''m your father. This is your home, and I am more than strong enough to support you. So don''t push yourself so hard."


    "I understand, Father," Rose said, her voice steadier now.


    As he spoke, Daniel cast a subtle spell of gentle hypnosis, allowing her mind to fully relax.


    The setting by the Tree of Origin, which he had chosen deliberately, further amplified the effect.


    The tree''s aura promoted growth and renewal, helping Rose regain her balance.


    Daniel noticed something extraordinary as Rose breathed deeply.


    A faint resonance formed between her and the Tree of Origin, its essence intertwining with her own understanding of the world.


    It reminded him of their journey to the Land of Divine Punishment, where he had explained that lightning symbolized not only destruction but also rebirth.


    The Tree of Origin, embodying creation and renewal, mirrored that same principle.


    The resonance suggested that Rose was beginning to internalize this truth on a profound level.


    Satisfied, Daniel leaned Rose against the Tree of Origin and allowed her to sleep peacefully. In Crossbridge Academy, she was safe.


    Hours later, Rose woke feeling completely rejuvenated. She didn''t see Daniel nearby but felt deeply refreshed, as though a heavy exhaustion had been lifted.


    The Inner Demon that had haunted her was gone, and her body felt subtly transformed.


    Though she couldn''t quite grasp the changes yet, she resolved to explore them later in a more appropriate setting.


    As Rose left the lakeside, she ran into Reed, who had just returned.


    "Rose, you''ve won. I never expected you to bring all the cities in the East under your control in just a few years.


    Even in Riverside City, the name of your Death Legion is widely known," Reed said with a smile.


    In comparison, Reed''s conquests in the West had been more modest, limited to a few major cities. His influence, while significant, was quieter.


    "No," Rose said humbly. "I''m not like you. You''ve earned your followers'' loyalty and admiration. I relied on fear and bloodshed to impose my will."


    "That''s not true," Reed replied seriously. "If we were to fight right now, I believe I''d lose."


    "You''re joking," Rose said, surprised.


    "I''m not," Reed insisted. "Your presence feels completely different now. I can''t sense any weakness or openings. You''re¡­ complete, seamless. There''s no way for me to counter you."


    Rose thought for a moment, then smiled slightly. "If that''s true, then Nina must be the strongest among us."


    "Nina? What do you mean?" Reed asked, puzzled.


    "At Bluecrystal City, she caught me completely off guard and plunged me into a dream. I didn''t even have time to react!" Rose said, shaking her head with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

 Chapter122-Arriving at the Academy, Eileen’s Shock

    "I never expected Nina to be this strong now," Reed remarked, clearly surprised by what Rose had just told him.He had interacted with Nina recently but hadn''t sensed any extraordinary power from her.


    However, hearing it from Rose, he couldn''t simply dismiss it as exaggeration.


    "If you don''t believe me, you can test her yourself when she gets back," Rose said with a faint smile.


    "Wait, Nina isn''t in the academy right now?" Reed asked.


    "No. She''s probably off fetching Nora," Rose replied.


    Riding on the back of the massive snow eagle, Eileen cast a doubtful glance at Nina. She had a nagging feeling that she had seen this girl before.


    Then it clicked¡ªyears ago, during the Mistriver Realm expedition in Riverside City.


    This girl had been there, accompanying Nina as a representative of Crossbridge Academy.


    If Eileen remembered correctly, Nina had ranked among the top participants of the secret realm.


    Reflecting on how Nora''s life had unfolded since joining Karea Academy, Eileen couldn''t help but wonder: had it been a mistake to push Nora toward joining Karea? Would things have turned out better for her if she hadn''t joined at all?


    Nina''s claims about Crossbridge Academy being safe also left Eileen skeptical.


    After the events of the Mistriver Realm years ago, the other two major families had been pushed out of Riverside City, leaving Crossbridge Academy as the sole significant power in the area.


    But how could a single academy, no matter how strong its headmaster might be, ensure safety against the might of Karea Academy?


    Karea''s ranks were filled with powerful instructors and an even more formidable headmaster.


    If they decided to act, what chance did Crossbridge Academy¡ªor Riverside City, for that matter¡ªhave?


    These doubts gnawed at Eileen''s mind as she resolved silently to protect Riverside City in her own way.


    Once she reached the academy, she planned to leave quietly, ensuring her presence didn''t bring danger to the place Nora considered home.


    As the snow eagle descended upon Riverside City, Eileen was stunned by what she saw.


    The city had transformed entirely. In just a few short years, it had become unrecognizable.


    The bustling streets and vibrant surroundings now rivaled, if not surpassed, the grandeur of cities like Lakecity.


    Even the outskirts of Riverside City were dotted with smaller but well-constructed buildings, creating an air of organized prosperity that left Eileen in awe. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such developments were things she''d only ever seen in imperial capitals or royal cities.


    How had this small city changed so drastically in just a few years?


    The snow eagle landed smoothly in the academy, its massive body shrinking and morphing into a human form. This transformation shocked Eileen even further.


    A spell beast capable of taking on human form signified immense power. Yet, judging by Nina''s casual demeanor, this formidable creature seemed to serve her willingly.


    How was this possible? Wasn''t it in the nature of powerful spell beasts to possess unyielding pride?


    Eileen turned her gaze to Nina, reevaluating the young girl''s strength. For someone to command such a spell beast, what kind of power did Nina possess?


    "Nora told me it wasn''t safe for you to stay in Karea Academy, so she asked me to bring you back here. You''ll stay here for now, and I''ll take you to see Lady Isolde shortly," Nina said, interrupting Eileen''s thoughts.


    Unable to suppress her worry, Eileen asked, "What about Nora? She''s still in the underground prison, unable to escape. Shouldn''t we prioritize rescuing her first?"


    Her concern for her friend was genuine. The underground prison of Karea Academy was notorious for its impenetrability. Very few, if any, had ever escaped its confines.


    Nina, noting Eileen''s worry, couldn''t help but feel admiration for Nora''s friend. Even now, her primary concern was for Nora''s safety.


    "You don''t have to worry about Nora. She chose to stay there on purpose. The situation she''s dealing with requires the headmaster''s guidance," Nina explained calmly.


    With that, Nina led Eileen to Daniel''s office.


    As they walked through the academy grounds, Eileen found herself repeatedly astonished.


    The path was lined with exotic plants, the likes of which she had only ever seen in Karea Academy.


    These plants, invaluable to mages for their magical properties, were thriving everywhere she looked.


    Eileen had assumed that only a well-established institution like Karea Academy could cultivate such rare specimens. Yet here they were, flourishing in Crossbridge Academy.


    Even more surprising was the atmosphere.


    The environment felt even more conducive to magical growth than Karea Academy, something she would have considered impossible.


    "How could a small academy like this achieve such a transformation in just a few years?" Eileen wondered aloud, her skepticism battling with the evidence before her eyes.


    The Crossbridge Academy she remembered from her last visit was entirely unremarkable, yet now it seemed to rival¡ªor even surpass¡ªthe prestigious Karea Academy.


    At Daniel''s office, Nina turned to Eileen and said, "Wait here for a moment. I''ll go speak with the headmaster."


    Nina entered the office and recounted her journey, including her conversation with Nora and everything she had learned about the hidden dangers in Karea Academy.


    Daniel''s brow furrowed as he listened. The mention of a power "not belonging to this world, filled with danger" struck a chord with him. It sounded eerily familiar.


    It had to be the remnants of the god-like force capable of corrupting the world itself.


    If Nora''s observations were correct, then Karea Academy was deeply entangled with the same entities that sought to destroy the world.


    This revelation troubled Daniel greatly. He had suspected hidden enemies operating in the shadows, but he hadn''t expected them to emerge in such a way.


    "This is exactly what Nora told me. I didn''t change a single word," Nina emphasized, worried she might not have conveyed the gravity of the situation.


    She continued, "There''s also the matter of that strange battle Nora mentioned. Apparently, it''s meant to decide the fate of the Free Federation, and she''s been asked to participate. For now, she hasn''t agreed."


    Hearing this, Daniel''s thoughts solidified.


    If the Free Federation was the target, it was clear that Karea Academy was working on behalf of those seeking to corrupt the Source of the World.


    "Nina," Daniel said decisively, "go back and tell Nora to agree to represent Karea Academy in this battle."


    "What?" Nina exclaimed, confused.


    "Don''t worry," Daniel added with a faint smile. "I''ll be there to see for myself who''s pulling the strings behind this."


    Realizing Daniel''s plan, Nina nodded enthusiastically. "Got it! I''ll head back immediately."


    Though initially puzzled by his command, she understood his intent as he elaborated.


    The headmaster was going to take action himself. Things were about to get very interesting.

 Chapter123-Nora Takes the Field!

    The reason Daniel chose to act personally this time was quite simple.According to Nora''s description, since there was an alien force in the so-called Karea Academy that could erode the world,


    the next Tree of Origin planting would begin there.


    Daniel had made his decision.


    "By the way, Headmaster, the friend that Nora sister asked me to bring back is outside. Do you need to meet her?"


    "No need, you go find Lady Isolde and settle her in first. We''ll go to Karea Academy together in a few days."


    "Okay."


    Nina agreed, but as she was about to leave, she seemed to remember something and turned back again.


    "Headmaster, um¡­ could you give me something too?"


    Nina said vaguely.


    "What do you mean?"


    Daniel was a bit confused.


    "Well¡­ something like what Nora sister has¡­ or Rose sister¡­ Or if not, you can just give me that ring you''re wearing!"


    Nina said without being picky.


    Daniel just waved his hand, signaling her to leave.


    "But they all have one... I don''t have anything..."


    "Do you really want one?"


    "Yes, yes."


    "Then go notify Nora, and I''ll give you a gift."


    Daniel said.


    Upon hearing this, Nina''s eyes brightened instantly:


    "Really? What will it be? A half-divine artifact like Nora sister''s, or something as powerful as Rose sister''s..."


    Daniel waved his hand again, and Nina found herself outside the office without even finishing her sentence.


    She didn''t even feel how she had gotten out.


    She found herself staring at Eileen, who was also waiting outside the office.


    "Let''s go, I''ll take you to find a place to stay."


    Daniel said as he looked at where Nina had disappeared.


    A gift?


    It was pretty simple. He would just give her a book on magical theory, slightly worse than Green''s book.


    Oh, and maybe some practice exam questions too.


    A surprise?


    For Nina, who didn''t like reading, it would indeed be a huge surprise!


    ...


    A few days later, Riverside City received a major announcement.


    A series of assessment standards were released.


    Those who met the standards would be allowed to enter Riverside City.


    And if they excelled, they could even go to Crossbridge Sanctuary for further study.


    Though the assessment criteria were extremely strict, and some conditions were almost exclusively for the next generation,


    the people here were still very satisfied.


    It meant that there was now hope for their lives here.


    Perhaps their next generation could enter the holy city.


    In addition to this, there were new plans for the residential areas outside the city.


    New cities began to rise on the ground.


    Four cities were planned in the north, south, east, and west.


    The most special one was in the north, as it was designated for spell beasts.


    For powerful and intelligent ones like the snow eagle, stricter assessments would be required.


    With a series of new regulations, Riverside City and the surrounding areas became much more organized.


    This scene brought Daniel some comfort.


    This time, he had only suggested the idea,


    and the rest had been thought out and modified by others, gradually leading to the final measures.


    The ongoing implementation would also involve adjustments according to local conditions.


    With this, Crossbridge Academy appeared to be more complete.


    For Daniel, this was a good thing.


    It meant that he no longer had to worry about academy matters.


    Snow Eagle had already transformed into its original form and was stationed at the academy.


    According to the information from Nora, the so-called battle would take place in about half a month. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel was preparing to go there.


    He couldn''t just show up on the day of the battle, could he?


    This time, it wasn''t just Daniel alone.


    Rose, Reed, and others would also be participating.


    In the past few days, Rose and Reed had arranged their respective forces'' next moves.


    Once the internal situation stabilized, they would go into battle again.


    Daniel looked at these people, and aside from Nora,


    the people he had once guided back in Mistriver Realm had all undergone significant changes.


    Soon, Snow Eagle took off, heading toward Karea Academy.


    ...


    Karea Underground Prison


    Nora sat there just as before, her expression calm,


    without any awareness of being imprisoned.


    Suddenly, there was a hint of joy in Nora''s eyes.


    She immediately contacted the high-ranking officials of the academy.


    "Headmaster, I''m willing to fight for Karea Academy."


    Almost immediately after Nora made contact, the prison doors were opened.


    A large warship rose from Karea Academy and flew south.


    On the deck,


    an elderly man stood, his gaze indifferent as he looked ahead.


    "Lord, she''s coming."


    Nora walked up from behind.


    As soon as she had contacted the academy, she was released from the underground prison and brought aboard this ship.


    It seemed that the academy was eager for her arrival.


    Looking at the old man''s back,


    Nora knew that he was likely a high-ranking figure within the academy.


    Even the A-level headmaster would seem quite respectful in his presence.


    "Fighting for the academy is your opportunity. If you win, even the headmaster will personally meet you.


    So don''t let everyone''s expectations down."


    "Headmaster?"


    Nora was confused.


    Logically, Karea Academy should have a headmaster.


    But in the years she had spent at Karea Academy, she had never heard of such a person.


    Daily management was handled by different House heads.


    "Yes, but that''s something for later, not something you need to deal with now.


    Do you know who the people you killed in the A-level House were?"


    The old man continued, still facing forward, his back turned.


    "I don''t know who they were. I only know this: they were all pretty weak."


    "Hahaha..."


    Upon hearing Nora''s answer, the old man burst into laughter.


    "Good! That''s the spirit!"


    A true genius should have this kind of domineering attitude, of course, strength is part of it.


    "But those you killed were no ordinary people. Every one of them was from a major family. Some even had tier-sage ancestors!"


    The people who entered Karea Academy, especially those from A-level Houses,


    were mostly descendants of well-established families.


    These families had ancestors who were tier-sages¡ªor even more than one.


    That was why these families had continued to thrive.


    And because of that, they possessed resources beyond the imagination of a mage from a small place.


    Even those with average talent among these families could reach levels far beyond an ordinary person''s potential.


    The younger generation from these families would enter Karea Academy to study,


    using its more abundant resources to make breakthroughs.


    And Nora had just directly killed the best talent of several families.


    It could be said that she had made deadly enemies with many prestigious families.


    As long as Nora was alive, these families would surely seek her death.


    The old man said this to make Nora understand that outside Karea Academy, no force could withstand the wrath of these great families.


    Therefore, fighting for Karea Academy was a wise choice.


    A genius like her could only fully realize her potential within Karea Academy!

 Chapter124-The Tier-Sage Family

    "For example, that person from the Boson family whom you killed. He was the most talented child of their family in nearly a hundred years.""He had the potential to become a Tier-Sage."


    "And now, with that child dead by your hands, you''ve effectively cut off the hope of their family."


    "Then there''s House Ponton, a very ancient family. Recently, one of their own became a Tier-Sage, and currently, they have quite a few masters in their ranks. Do you think you can handle their wrath?"


    "I know, you may think you''re strong enough to escape from them, even if you can''t defeat them. But what about your family and friends?"


    "You came from Riverside City, right? If they want, they can easily find out these things about you. Your friends and family living in Riverside City¡ªdo you think they can withstand the anger of these noble families?"


    The old man spoke slowly.


    Unbeknownst to him, Nora was holding back laughter.


    If these so-called powerful families dared to go after Riverside City, that''s when they would learn who the real danger was!


    "So, the only thing that can ensure your safety, as well as that of your family and friends, is Karea Academy. Win this upcoming duel, and everything will be fine," the old man continued.


    Nora understood why the old man said these things now.


    After all the roundabout talk, he was really just trying to emphasize the power of Karea Academy, and that she had to win this fight.


    Nora didn''t say anything.


    The truth was, she wasn''t even sure if the battle would happen at all. She had already received a message from Nina¡ªthe headmaster himself was coming. It was bound to be interesting.


    The old man, with his back to Nora, didn''t know what she was thinking.


    Nora was led away, but before she left, the old man spoke again:


    "Next, we need to go to House Ponton."


    A few days later, House Ponton.


    The battle ship from Karea Academy landed here.


    Naturally, Nora followed the old man down.


    "This is House Ponton, the very powerful family I told you about."


    Hearing the old man''s words, Nora looked at the magnificent buildings before her, her fists clenching.


    Maybe¡­ she would have to slaughter them all here?


    "Don''t worry, you won''t encounter any accidents here."


    The old man seemed to notice Nora''s tension and reassured her:


    "Because the message that was sent to them said that it was in the secret realm that their son died, and you had nothing to do with it. As long as you win the upcoming battle, it will never concern you again."


    Nora nodded.


    So that was how Karea Academy was handling this.


    They were outright deceiving these powerful families.


    But when she thought about it, it made sense. If the truth were told, it would tear the mask off and leave no room for reconciliation.


    What Karea Academy was doing was actually a necessary measure.


    After all, Nora had wiped out an entire A-level House.


    Because of that, Karea Academy had no choice but to let Nora fight in the duel.


    Otherwise, if they found someone else at the last minute¡­ they''d be openly admitting that Karea Academy was weak.


    They couldn''t even find someone suitable to fight.


    Furthermore¡­ so many students had died at the academy. The word would get out, and that would be disastrous for the academy''s reputation.


    Therefore, the academy was slowly releasing information about the students'' deaths.


    This way, they could cushion the blow. At least they''d have some time to recover.


    "Although they don''t know the truth, according to House Ponton''s head, he will only create a little trouble for you."


    The old man looked at Nora and said.


    House Ponton''s head was a person with a small mind and a protective nature.


    His beloved son had been killed in the academy.


    Originally, he had hoped that his son would be selected by the academy to fight in the secret battle, but now¡­


    It was Nora who was chosen, and his son died in that secret realm.


    How could he possibly accept that?


    So it was inevitable that House Ponton''s head would come after Nora.


    But thinking about this, a smile appeared on the old man''s face.


    If he still cared about his reputation and wanted the younger generation of his family to try, that would be interesting.


    The old man knew Nora''s strength well.


    If House Ponton didn''t have any hidden genius, then even if all the young members of their family teamed up, they wouldn''t be able to defeat Nora. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That was how strong Nora''s talent was.


    Otherwise, Karea Academy wouldn''t be protecting her like this.


    If she were slightly weaker, the academy would have killed her the next day or taken her family hostage.


    They wouldn''t have wasted so much time thinking about it, and the threats to her family would have been more than just words.


    After all, Karea Academy wanted students, not enemies.


    They only had to subdue the most powerful House Ponton, and the other families wouldn''t dare to question the academy''s choices.


    Because anyone sent to the academy was surely hoping for that coveted spot.


    But since the most powerful House Ponton had nothing to say, the others would be too embarrassed to protest.


    "I can''t guarantee that those who come to provoke me will stay alive," Nora said flatly.


    "That''s fine. As a genius, it''s your privilege. Provocation always comes with the awareness that death could be the consequence."


    "Once this matter here is settled, I''ll take you to familiarize yourself with the battle grounds. The reason we''re here is that House Ponton is very close to the location of the upcoming fight," the old man explained.


    They had come here not only to shut the families up but also because the battle would take place in a secret realm near House Ponton.


    "So who will my opponents be?" Nora suddenly asked.


    "Your opponents are all from superpower factions. In total, six factions are competing. They are Karea Academy, the Dawnlight Empire, the Dark Empire, the Cult of Calamity, the Dragonscale Bank, and the Sanctuary of Extension."


    "The real Sanctuary. By the way, there''s also a self-proclaimed Sanctuary that has recently appeared in your hometown."


    The old man even casually mentioned Riverside City, dropping a hint that they had been keeping an eye on the city. If Nora hadn''t caught the implication¡­


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    "Why is Dragonscale Bank involved?" Nora asked, confused.


    She wasn''t unfamiliar with Dragonscale Bank. After all, Daniel used to love trading with them.


    Almost everything she used came from Dragonscale Bank.


    In Nora''s mind, Dragonscale Bank was just a giant store. She never expected them to be involved in something like this.


    "Yes, Dragonscale Bank doesn''t usually involve themselves in ordinary conflicts, but¡­ they are just as much a superpower as we are at Karea Academy. Their ambitions are not small!" the old man said slowly.


    "Don''t underestimate them. In this battle, the greatest threat to you could very well come from Dragonscale Bank."


    The old man spoke with a mysterious air.


    Dragonscale Bank was practically everywhere on the continent.


    Even the old man himself didn''t know how many geniuses Dragonscale Bank had quietly recruited.


    And considering their terrifying ability to make money¡­


    They may have been preparing for this battle for a long time.


    Nora nodded.


    The closer they got to the truth, the more she realized the secrets surrounding it.


    "The world is far beyond your imagination. Many great beings hide just beneath the surface. Once you mention them, it''s like throwing a stone into the water¡ªthe ripples are quickly noticed by them."


    "Being noticed by such great existences is inherently dangerous."


    "And here, when I mention these things, it won''t draw their attention."


    The old man said, glancing upwards.


    An invisible barrier appeared in the sky.


    They were now at the edge of the barrier.


    Because of this upcoming battle, the barrier had appeared to block many gazes.


    Even House Ponton was fortunate to be partially shielded by this barrier.


    So, only in this place, the old man could speak freely.

 Chapter125-Little Moves

    "Once we''re here, there are very few entities that can pry into this place."This was a shared understanding.


    After all, when it came to participating in battles here, there were certain pieces of information that needed to be explained to the younger generation in advance.


    So, this place was relatively safe.


    As soon as they entered the barrier, Nora also felt a familiar aura¡ªan energy she had once felt in the academy.


    It was a power capable of causing a significant impact on the world. The reason Nora had stayed at Karea Academy was precisely because of this power.


    She wanted to investigate what this strange energy was all about.


    Later, when Daniel''s message came through, Nora learned that this unusual power had another name.


    The foreign energy had the potential to wreak great havoc on the world, which was why Daniel had intended to come in person.


    And now, here, Nora felt that strange force once again.


    "There is almost no one who can spy on us here," the old man said slowly.


    Just then, Nora noticed a figure behind the old man. It was Nina, seemingly preparing to sneak attack him.


    Seeing this, Nora quickly coughed twice to stop Nina.


    Nora was aware of the dangers of this place. While she believed Nina had the confidence to go unnoticed by the old man, there was no need to take risks now.


    Once the headmaster arrived, these people would be as powerless as grasshoppers after the autumn harvest.


    There was no need to be reckless at this time.


    Nora could sense that the old man was strong, so she didn''t want Nina to take any unnecessary chances.


    The old man showed no signs of noticing Nina''s little move, seemingly unaware of it at all.


    "Let''s go, we''ll head inside," he said.


    With that, they walked toward House Ponton.


    The servants at the door of House Ponton were naturally very perceptive.


    They quickly welcomed the old man and Nora inside, especially since the large Karea Academy insignia on the nearby ship couldn''t be easily faked.


    Due to the location of House Ponton, these days, the reception duties for the major factions had been entrusted to them.


    But mostly, they were just resting here.


    The real action was still happening in the secret realm.


    House Ponton was large and luxurious.


    After walking for a while, they finally arrived at the reception hall.


    At that moment, the current head of House Ponton, the father of the student Nora had killed, came out to greet them.


    His attitude was extremely respectful, even a bit fearful:


    "My lord, I didn''t expect you would come in person¡­"


    It seemed that House Ponton''s head knew the old man, and from his tone, it was clear he was surprised to see him here.


    Behind him stood several young people, likely the younger generation of House Ponton. It was unclear how they compared to the genius from House Ponton who had been killed by Nora.


    The young people watched the old man curiously, having never seen the head behave so humbly.


    "As for the unexpected death of the student, we at the academy are deeply regretful. After all, such an event is also a loss for the academy. Please accept our condolences," the old man said to House Ponton''s head.


    Although the head believed the academy''s explanation, some formal words were still necessary.


    What if House Ponton produced another genius?


    "Thank you for your sympathy, my son was indeed unlucky. There''s nothing to blame anyone for," Lord Ponton said, almost resigned.


    Tier-sages were not easily attained; if they were, the most recent tier-sage would have come from House Ponton.


    The path to becoming a tier-sage was fraught with danger, and untimely death¡­ that had already happened. Complaining to Karea Academy at this point would be futile.


    Lord Ponton then turned his gaze toward Nora. Enjoy new chapters from empire


    Given that she had been brought here by the old man, he guessed that this girl was the one chosen to replace Karea Academy in the battle.


    However¡­


    Lord Ponton''s gaze toward Nora was far from friendly.


    Although he couldn''t gauge Nora''s true strength, he couldn''t help but feel that she was no match for his son.


    If his son hadn''t died, it would have been him representing Karea Academy in this battle.


    Even though Lord Ponton had accepted his son''s death, it didn''t stop him from looking down on Nora.


    She was too pretty¡ªwhat kind of strength could she possibly have? He wondered if she had received this spot simply because of her looks.


    Lord Ponton thought to himself, but of course, he only dared think it.


    "I''ll introduce her. This is Nora, the one representing Karea Academy in the battle," the old man said.


    He noticed that Lord Ponton wasn''t pleased with Nora, so he decided to give the man an opportunity to quiet his objections. This way, others could keep their opinions to themselves.


    "However, Nora has spent most of her time in the academy, so why not let someone show her around House Ponton?"


    Upon hearing the old man''s words, Lord Ponton''s face immediately brightened, and he quickly responded:


    "Zero, take this young lady around the grounds, let her see what House Ponton is all about."


    At Lord Ponton''s command, a young man stepped forward.


    "Nora, please follow me."


    Nora nodded and followed Zero as they left.


    The young people behind Lord Ponton quickly left as well.


    As for these little moves, the old man merely observed without reacting.


    Nora''s strength was such that she wasn''t afraid of any of the younger generation. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have caught his eye in the first place.


    There was no need to worry.


    And if House Ponton''s people could offer him a surprise, he would be happy to replace the current candidates on the spot¡ªit wouldn''t be a problem at all.


    For him, there was no rush; he could afford to wait.


    ¡­


    "Nora, this is the place where one of our ancestors achieved tier-sage. He understood his path to tier-sage here and ascended," Zero said, showing Nora around.


    House Ponton was an old tier-sage family, so there were many such places scattered around. These locations were preserved for the descendants to visit.


    If any of them could comprehend the path to tier-sage, it would be ideal.


    Therefore, these areas were generally open to the younger generation of House Ponton and their guests.


    Zero led Nora here for a tour, a common practice whenever they had guests or friends.


    It served to foster goodwill and showcase House Ponton''s foundation.


    Just as Zero was giving Nora a brief introduction, his expression suddenly changed. He whispered: S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Nora, I know your strength is considerable, but be cautious. Something might happen soon¡­"


    Zero''s warning caught Nora off guard. Before entering, the old man had already mentioned that House Ponton might have some tricks up their sleeve.


    But she didn''t expect him to actually warn her, which made her view Zero more favorably. If things escalated, she''d go easy on him.


    "I understand, no worries," Nora said with a smile.


    Just as Zero was about to say something else, a voice suddenly came from outside:


    "Zero, what are you doing here? Head sent me to find you, something important has come up."


    Hearing this, Zero gave Nora an apologetic look and quickly left with the person.


    Before long, a stranger appeared and shouted:


    "Who are you? Why are you trespassing in House Ponton''s forbidden area?! This is where our ancestor became a tier-sage. How dare someone like you just waltz in!"


    With that, a group of young men and women appeared behind the stranger, surrounding Nora.


    Nora didn''t bother to explain.


    If it was a fight they wanted, she was more than ready.

 Chapter126-A Breeze to Defeat!

    Nora scanned the young people surrounding her, and a smile tugged at her lips.It seemed like they had underestimated her¡­


    The people in front of her, even those so-called talents she had killed back in the A-level House, were weaker than even the weakest of them.


    She really couldn''t understand what gave these people the confidence to do such a thing!


    At this moment, Nora actually felt a bit bored.


    How could she be bored by people so far beneath her?


    It was like how an adult wouldn''t feel proud of solving an easy addition or subtraction problem.


    That''s exactly how Nora felt now¡ªthese people were so weak that she didn''t even feel the need to engage.


    She sighed at the sight.


    Then, her gaze turned to the pond in the yard, a place once owned by a tier-sage of House Ponton.


    The fish in this pond had even evolved into spell beasts.


    And their strength wasn''t weak.


    Perhaps because of the environment, she hadn''t noticed the fish right away.


    She walked directly to the pond.


    To her surprise, none of the House Ponton members dared to stop her.


    They just watched as she walked over.


    Then, Nora took a fishing rod out of her storage crystal and tossed it into the pond.


    It seemed she was about to casually start fishing.


    This action immediately angered the young generation of House Ponton.


    At first, they thought she was going to attack,


    perhaps intending to test them, but no, she completely ignored them and simply sat by the pond to fish? Fishing?!


    This was the most direct insult they could imagine.


    She''d rather fish than give them even a glance.


    Even if she was a genius from Karea Academy, she shouldn''t behave like this!


    It was clear she looked down on them!


    So, many of the young people from House Ponton began to attack Nora.


    The air was thick with mana as numerous spells shot toward Nora.


    However, in the next instant, Nora''s body seemed to blur.


    Then, their attacks all missed!


    Nora remained seated, still fishing, as if she hadn''t been affected at all.


    "Everyone, attack together! No more holding back! This person is clearly looking down on us!"


    One of them shouted.


    Suddenly, several figures appeared beside Nora.


    Tall, rock-like bodies.


    They had used petrification magic to turn their bodies into stone, making them as tough as rock.


    Normal spells couldn''t break through this stone-like skin.


    And their attacks were as powerful as giant boulders.


    A single strike from them would seriously injure or even kill an average mage.


    The question now was whether this chosen one from Karea Academy could still fish so casually!


    Just as this young man''s attack was about to land on Nora,


    suddenly, a red line appeared around her.


    These fine red mana threads were so thin


    that the people from a distance couldn''t even tell what had happened.


    They only saw the person who used petrification magic collapse to the ground.


    He hadn''t even touched Nora, nor had she attacked him directly. How did he¡­ fall down just like that?


    So, the others began a new round of attacks!


    And this time, they finally saw the reason why their attacks had failed.


    Countless red mana threads surrounded Nora,


    forming a red barrier that blocked their magic.


    At the instant the magic was neutralized, the red threads rapidly expanded and spread toward the attackers!


    The threads passed across their bodies,


    and the next moment, they all collapsed to the ground.


    Nora hadn''t even turned around to look.


    Soon, the yard returned to normal.


    Nora continued to focus on the Fish King in the pond, radiating a powerful aura. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in the water, and a dagger was thrust straight toward Nora.


    But before the dagger could get anywhere near her,


    the red mana threads had already wrapped around the person''s body.


    "I thought you might be smarter, but it seems there are very few clever people in House Ponton."


    Nora sighed.


    This woman had been lurking in the water for quite a while. If she hadn''t intended to act, Nora would''ve simply ignored her.


    But unfortunately, she made a foolish choice.


    "Why do you think you can take my cousin''s place? That position will always be his! We, House Ponton, will never forgive you!"


    The woman said, before promptly passing out.


    Yes, that was Nora''s doing.


    She had no interest in listening to such foolish words.


    Instead, her attention was focused on the Fish King in the pond, which piqued her curiosity.


    As for the young people from House Ponton, Nora didn''t go too far.


    She simply made them faint for now and left small wounds as a warning.


    If they dared to come again, those small wounds would turn into fatal injuries.


    That was her warning to them.


    "Nora sis! I didn''t expect you to act so quickly!"


    In Nina''s eyes, Nora had dealt with everyone almost instantly.


    "Hmm, their strength isn''t impressive."


    Nora said quietly.


    "By the way, Nora sis, what''s that red thread you used? Is that your magic? Can I learn it?"


    Nina asked, full of interest in Nora''s magic.


    The red threads seemed to be very useful!


    They looked way cooler than the space and illusion magic she mastered.


    Nora shook her head:


    "Just like I can''t learn your space or illusion magic, you can''t learn mine."


    "Well, that''s a shame¡­"


    Nina said with some disappointment.


    Then, her gaze shifted to the Fish King in the pond.


    "Nora sis, are you going after that fish? It looks pretty strong. We have some like it at the academy, and they''re pretty powerful."


    Nina licked her lips.


    "I wonder what it tastes like. I''ve always wanted to try, but I''m scared I won''t be able to beat it."


    Nina still remembered how badly Rikki had been beaten.


    Though if she used illusion magic, she''d probably catch one too.


    But after that¡­ she''d probably never dare to walk near the pond again.


    Here, there were no restrictions. If these people were offended, so be it.


    By the time the headmaster arrived, whether they''d even be alive was uncertain!


    So, Nina was becoming more and more curious about what the Fish King tasted like.


    But as time passed, Nina noticed something.


    Nora, from beginning to end, hadn''t used any mana. She was just fishing normally.


    How could she possibly catch the Fish King like that?!


    "Nora sis, this isn''t fishing! There''s no way you''ll catch the Fish King like this! Look, it''s still in the pond mocking us!"


    Nina pointed to the Fish King in the water and said:


    "How dare it mock us like this! This Fish King is as good as dead!"


    "Nora sis, leave it to me! I''ve fished all my life in Winterrealm. No fish can escape my grasp!"


    Seeing Nina so confident, Nora handed her the fishing rod, eager to see her performance.


    But to her surprise, Nina vanished with a flash.


    When she appeared again, she was directly in the pond.


    Her fishing rod swung down hard!


    It struck the Fish King on the head.


    At that moment, even Nora by the pond was stunned.


    Then, they saw Nina quickly tie up the still-dazed Fish King with the fishing line.


    She appeared back on the shore.


    "Heh heh! Leave it to me! See? I told you I''d catch the Fish King in no time! Nora sis, look, this Fish King is really big!"


    At this point, Nora was dumbfounded.


    Wait, this is your version of fishing?!

 Chapter127-The Terrifying Snow Eagle!

    The Snow Eagle quickly flew across the sky.Standing on its back were a dozen or so figures from Crossbridge Academy.


    At the forefront was Daniel.


    This time, their target was the back mountain of Karea Academy.


    "Daniel headmaster, the academy is in that direction,"


    Eileen said, looking at the mountains below from the Snow Eagle''s back.


    Eileen had been specially brought along this time. Without her, they wouldn''t have known the location of Karea Academy.


    "It should be due to the magic array," Eileen continued. "That''s why the academy is nearly invisible from the sky. But I can confirm that it''s between those two mountains."


    Looking down, Eileen explained.


    From above, there had been no sign of any academy buildings¡ªjust endless mountains.


    Upon hearing Eileen''s words, Daniel signaled the Snow Eagle to stop.


    It then descended slowly.


    Sure enough, Daniel immediately sensed the presence of the magic array.


    With a small adjustment, he removed the magic array''s disguise effect.


    Suddenly, Karea Academy was fully visible to the group.


    However, despite seeing this legendary and supposedly powerful magical academy, everyone was unimpressed.


    After having seen Crossbridge Academy, they didn''t feel much awe toward this so-called renowned academy of the continent¡­


    It seemed nothing special.


    Eileen had always thought Karea Academy was the best on the continent.


    But after staying at Crossbridge Academy for the past few days, she felt that her own Karea Academy seemed¡­ rather ordinary.


    Whether in terms of environment or other aspects, Karea Academy was only slightly better than Crossbridge Academy.


    But the problem was, how many years had Crossbridge Academy even existed?


    Almost all the improvements had been made in the past six years.


    But Karea Academy?


    It had been around for much longer, and in just six years, Crossbridge Academy had already caught up.


    If this continued, wouldn''t Crossbridge Academy surpass Karea Academy in just a few years?


    And they dared to claim they were the best on the continent? After a few more years, it might not even be the best in the Free Federation!


    After observing this so-called famous Karea Academy for a few moments, the group was uninterested and unimpressed.


    "Eileen, tell me where the back mountain is?"


    "Okay, Daniel headmaster, it''s over there!"


    Eileen pointed toward the direction.


    Inside Karea Academy, below the mountain:


    The students and teachers were all startled by the recent event. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Originally, they had thought a powerful spell beast was merely flying over the academy.


    But they didn''t expect that the huge spell beast would actually stop right above the academy, as if it wasn''t planning to leave.


    This scene immediately drew the attention of many students.


    The teachers noticed as well, and soon reports were sent up to the house heads.


    The house heads hurried outside and saw the scene.


    However, even though a spell beast had stopped there, it didn''t cause immediate panic.


    After all, the academy had its own protective magic array.


    Any spell beast that came near wouldn''t be able to discover the academy''s location.


    But just as the house heads were considering this, suddenly¡­


    The entire academy''s magic array became completely ineffective!


    The spell beast, which had been circling above the academy, now detected the academy''s location!


    The house heads immediately ordered:


    "All students, quickly return to your dorms! The remaining teachers, come with me to fight!"


    One of the A-level house heads said, his face grim.


    Only they could stop this spell beast now.


    The aura of the spell beast was incredibly strong, capable of breaking through the academy''s magic array.


    It seemed to be a formidable opponent.


    The strongest combatants in the academy now were the house heads.


    A powerful figure had already left the academy with Nora.


    The entire academy descended into chaos.


    Several house heads immediately made their move.


    Each unleashed their most powerful magic without holding back.


    In situations like this, there was no need for restraint.


    Whatever the spell beast''s intentions were, they had to take the brunt of the attack.


    When they saw the combined attacks coming from below, the Snow Eagle was furious.


    It hadn''t even done anything yet, and the academy had already taken the initiative to attack.


    With Daniel on its back, the Snow Eagle flapped its wings.


    A powerful gust of cold wind poured from the Snow Eagle''s wings.


    Having spent years with Nina, it had eaten many special things.


    This cold wind was a power it had awakened in Winterrealm.


    In an instant, the magic attacks flying toward the Snow Eagle were all instantly frozen into ice sculptures.


    They fell to the ground and disappeared.


    The cold wind didn''t stop there¡ªit continued, sweeping down toward the house heads.


    In an instant, a layer of frost appeared on the heads of the house masters.


    Although the frost was quickly dispelled, the chilling wind left a deep impression on them.


    The fact that this wind could freeze their magic so easily made them realize the strength of this beast.


    Just a gust of wind, and they were already frozen, even if it was only a little. Could they stop this creature?


    But now, only they remained.


    The A-level house head was the highest-ranked individual present.


    At this moment, he knew that only he could try to block the spell beast.


    Just as he was preparing to sacrifice himself to stop the beast, suddenly, the spell beast flapped its wings again.


    A multitude of ice spikes fell from its wings, heading straight for the group below.


    "These mere ice spikes¡ªbreak!"


    One house head shouted, stepping forward.


    He was most skilled in fire magic.


    Mana surged through his body, and a giant fire barrier appeared in front of him.


    It stopped the ice spikes.


    But something utterly unexpected happened.


    The ice spikes, upon hitting the fire barrier, actually froze the flames on the barrier!


    "How¡­ how is this possible?!"


    The headmaster gasped in disbelief.


    Normally, some spell beasts had bloodline abilities that humans couldn''t match, but these ice spikes were clearly magic cast by the spell beast.


    Did its magic have the power to freeze even other magic?


    One ice spike pierced through the fire barrier and struck the headmaster''s chest.


    He hadn''t even realized it before he collapsed, breathless, onto the ground.


    The remaining house heads were shocked, unable to comprehend what had just happened.


    They never expected such a thing.


    At this point, the spell beast in the sky didn''t continue its attack.


    Instead, it flew toward the direction of the back mountain.


    This relieved everyone present.


    They hadn''t expected the beast to be so powerful.


    It could freeze magic itself!


    Fortunately, the spell beast seemed to have no intention of attacking them further.


    They all breathed a sigh of relief.


    But then they remembered that one of the house heads had been pierced by an ice spike.


    "I know healing magic; I''ll check on him!"


    "I''ll help!"


    Several teachers stepped forward, offering their help.


    At this moment, it was the only thing they could do.


    The A-level house head, still watching the spell beast''s departure, noted that it was heading toward the back mountain.


    The back mountain¡­


    It should have nothing of importance, right?


    As long as the spell beast didn''t harm any more students, it would be fine.


    Earlier, when Nora had killed all the A-level students, it had already caused a severe crisis for Karea Academy.


    Now, they couldn''t afford any more accidents.

 Chapter128-The Secret of the Back Mountain

    Because Nora had already killed all the students from the A-level House.These students came from various prominent families.


    Their deaths were being covered up by the academy.


    The academy would inform one family at a time, after some time, minimizing the incident''s impact, almost unnoticed.


    Moreover, the students of the A-level House seldom interacted with students from other academies, which allowed the academy to pull this off.


    However, if there were any more attacks on students...


    The days ahead for Karea Academy would be extremely difficult.


    Fortunately, this spell beast didn''t land within the academy but instead chose the back mountain, a relatively insignificant place.


    This could be considered a stroke of luck in an unfortunate situation.


    The only one who was truly unlucky was the teacher who was injured by the fire barrier.


    Eileen had just witnessed this scene while riding on the back of a snow eagle, leaving her deeply shocked.


    It was Nina who had brought her to Crossbridge Academy on the back of the snow eagle.


    Now, it was the same snow eagle that had brought them back to Karea Academy.


    Eileen initially thought that this snow eagle was merely a tool for traveling.


    She hadn''t expected the snow eagle to possess such terrifying power!


    Not to mention the icy winds capable of freezing magic!


    Such a spell beast¡­


    It behaved so obediently in front of Nina, a girl who seemed so small and unthreatening.


    This was beyond Eileen''s imagination.


    At the back mountain of the academy, there was a clear spring.


    This was the place where Nora had once mentioned to Eileen that she had felt an unusual power.


    At that time, Nora hadn''t had much opportunity to investigate further.


    So, she had handed the matter over to Eileen.


    But before Eileen could reach the spring, Nina had already taken her away.


    This was Eileen''s first time at this place.


    However, it seemed perfectly ordinary.


    Eileen immediately looked toward Daniel.


    She thought, the headmaster of the academy must have a way to deal with this.


    Upon seeing the spring, Daniel immediately began observing it closely.


    Around the spring, there were numerous intricate magic arrays.


    Naturally, it didn''t take long for him to deduce that the power of gods and devils was likely contained here, corrupting the world''s essence.


    Daniel didn''t say much but immediately began breaking the magic arrays one by one.


    When the last array was destroyed, the hidden anomalous power began to radiate its energy.


    Even the people behind Daniel could feel the difference in the atmosphere.


    "This power¡­ doesn''t feel like something from our world."


    Reed frowned and said.


    "Even the rules¡­ seem vastly different."


    Rose instinctively felt a deep aversion to this energy.


    As for Ryze, he immediately realized that this sensation and aura were likely what their teacher had described: the power from the gods and devils.


    A dark hole appeared before them.


    "Let''s go in," Daniel said, leading the way into the cave.


    After a while, they reached the end of the cave.


    The walls were covered in black patterns.


    In the center, there was a stone platform, upon which rested a substance that looked like black sludge.


    "Is this the power the headmaster spoke of, the one that''s corrupting our world?"


    Reed asked, looking at the object on the stone platform.


    He stepped forward to take a closer look.


    However, as soon as Reed''s foot touched the ground, black fur began growing on his leg.


    The fur seemed to sway in the wind.


    Reed felt no sensation at all from the sudden appearance of these strange things on his body.


    If Daniel hadn''t warned him, he might have continued to walk forward.


    The fur... No!


    They seemed more like tentacles.


    They moved around on Reed''s clothes, as if trying to burrow into them.


    They were surprisingly active.


    As Reed pulled his leg back, the black fur seemed to leave its comfortable position and quickly withered, turning into dust.


    At that moment, Reed suddenly exclaimed:


    "Headmaster, these things¡­ they seem to be absorbing the mana in my body!"


    Explore new worlds at empire


    Reed had done nothing, yet the brief contact with these strange tentacle-like creatures had caused him to feel that part of his mana had been drained away.


    So¡­ was it these black things that consumed his mana?


    "Did those people use such disgusting things to corrupt our world?"


    Rose''s expression was more disgusted than before.


    Daniel reached out and touched the area near the stone platform.


    He watched as black fur began growing on his hand.


    These things were absorbing his mana to strengthen themselves.


    This was an existence from another world.


    Thus, the living beings of this world found it difficult to resist.


    That''s why those beings from another world had succeeded.


    This kind of power corrupted the Source of World, and the Source of World couldn''t fight back.


    Just like Reed, if he hadn''t withdrawn in time, these creatures would have drained all his mana.


    But the world couldn''t withdraw. It was simply being corrupted.


    That''s why the oracle group planned to save the world. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Father, are you alright?"


    Rose asked with concern.


    "I''m fine."


    Daniel replied lightly, as if the matter wasn''t a threat.


    In the next moment, Daniel''s hand produced a sprout of the Tree of Origin.


    The black fur seemed to sense the power of the Tree of Origin and immediately recoiled from Daniel''s hand.


    Daniel walked toward the center of the stone platform, where the strange object was kept.


    As Daniel approached, the black sludge-like substance bizarrely disappeared, revealing the true object within the stone platform.


    It was a broken pen.


    From its aura, it was clear that it contained a powerful energy.


    The pen was imbued with significant power.


    From its aura, it was evident that this was an item left behind by the gods and devils.


    It carried a power that did not belong to this world.


    This interaction with the world''s energies had led to this result.


    The power of the gods and devils began to corrupt the world.


    Daniel immediately planted the Tree of Origin.


    As soon as the Tree of Origin touched the ground, the broken pen reacted violently.


    It was as if the pen''s original owner had never died and was still fighting with their final will.


    The black force, like sludge, resisted the Tree of Origin.


    The Tree of Origin, which had been called the world''s savior by the elders, had the power to resist this corruptive force.


    Through Daniel''s special perspective, it was as if the two forces were in combat.


    At first, the broken pen held the upper hand.


    But as time passed, the black energy emanating from the pen began to be absorbed by the Tree of Origin.


    Each time a part of the energy was absorbed, the Tree of Origin grew taller.


    The absorption rate also increased.


    This process surprised Daniel.


    Through this method, the Tree of Origin was growing even faster than when it was nurtured by the colorless forge.


    Eventually, the Tree of Origin completely absorbed the remaining power of the gods and devils from the broken pen.


    The Tree of Origin took the place of the pen on the stone platform.


    However, the cave was too small.


    Daniel wanted to set up a magic array to allow the Tree of Origin to grow freely.


    He hadn''t forgotten how the Tree of Origin at Crossbridge Academy had grown from a sapling into a towering tree in such a short time.


    Now, either the cave needed to be enlarged, or the surroundings of the Tree of Origin needed to be altered to accommodate its immense height.

 Chapter129-The Changes of the Tree of Origin

    However, this time, Daniel noticed something special.This time, the Tree of Origin didn''t grow into a towering tree like before, but remained as it was¡ªa small tree. It stood there without any changes.


    It seemed like the situation that had occurred at Crossbridge Academy didn''t happen to this tree.


    The only difference was that this Tree of Origin had absorbed the residual power of gods and devils.


    Could it be that these powers are limiting the Tree of Origin?


    After thinking for a while, Daniel found the answer.


    It wasn''t that the Tree of Origin was limited, but that it had undergone a new change.


    This was the new change Daniel discovered on this Tree of Origin.


    Because he always felt that this Tree of Origin was far stronger than the one at the academy. But why did it appear like this?


    Daniel began to think deeply.


    Soon, he realized something: the world''s rules around the small tree had subtly changed.


    All of Daniel''s small trees were grown by him, and there was no case of one tree having something that another didn''t.


    The only explanation for this situation was that the residual foreign powers of the gods and devils had caused the Tree of Origin to absorb forces and rules from other worlds.


    This led to the Tree of Origin inadvertently absorbing the rules from other worlds during its cleansing process.


    Afterwards, the Tree of Origin absorbed and adapted to these rules, better integrating them into the world.


    So¡­ this was why this phenomenon occurred.


    It wasn''t that bigger meant stronger.


    This was especially true for plants.


    Being tall often meant carrying more risks.


    The current form was better suited to the Tree of Origin''s growth environment.


    As Daniel looked at the Tree of Origin, he could clearly feel that the tree seemed to be welcoming him. The leaves on the tree started to flutter.


    After confirming that the Tree of Origin wouldn''t cause any further incidents, Daniel left behind ten colorless forges, then led everyone away.


    For now, the strange powers at Karea Academy could be put on hold.


    Later, Daniel would be able to make contact with the Tree of Origin at Crossbridge Academy''s lakeside and work together to eradicate the foreign powers that were corroding the world!


    The snow eagle took off, leaving Karea Academy.


    Upon seeing this, the headmaster let out a sigh of relief.


    Finally, this thing was leaving.


    Otherwise, anyone would instinctively feel fear if such a spell beast were to remain in the academy''s back mountains.


    Thankfully¡­ everything was fine now.


    At this moment, the headmaster remembered that he should inform that important person. Now that such a spell beast had appeared, capable of breaking through the academy''s protective magic array¡­


    The days ahead would certainly be more difficult.


    "Headmaster, what exactly is the purpose of such a terrifying spell beast coming to our academy?"


    Some students, of course, had also noticed the snow eagle''s situation. They expressed confusion.


    After all, how could such a terrifying spell beast come and do nothing? It just wandered around the back mountains for a while before leaving?


    This matter had to be reported to that important person. Otherwise, if the academy''s magic array were to be broken again by the spell beast, it would be troublesome.


    The direction that the snow eagle had attacked was where Nora had gone, the very place where the battle had begun.


    Before leaving, Daniel had already restored the magic arrays around the spring.


    Now, unless someone went in to check personally, everything would appear as it was before.


    The key point was that the battle with Nora was imminent.


    Even if the enemy managed to return to Karea Academy in time, the most they could do was check the magic arrays.


    To break through these complex magic arrays, there were time constraints and the issue of power leakage¡­


    In short, Daniel believed no one would discover that the Tree of Origin he had planted had already started to purify this place.


    The reason Daniel didn''t want this matter to be discovered for now was mainly because Nora was still preparing for that battle organized by those other people.


    Now was not the time to alert the enemy.


    When the time comes¡­


    If possible, Daniel might just clean everything up in one go.


    ...


    House Ponton. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Master, the Karea Academy''s base at Fire Abyss Secret Realm is ready."


    Lord Ponton looked at the old man and said.


    "That''s good. Tomorrow, I''ll take her to familiarize herself with the environment there."


    "Master, I have a question that''s been bothering me. I really need to ask you."


    Lord Ponton lowered his status and asked.


    "Today, I''m in a good mood. Feel free to ask."


    "Master, why did you choose that girl from a remote area to be a candidate for the academy?"


    Lord Ponton had been thinking about this question ever since he met Nora.


    In fact, he had always believed that the position should have gone to his son.


    But after his son''s accident, he couldn''t understand why a girl from such a far-off place would be chosen.


    After all, there were plenty of geniuses at Karea Academy. Why pick someone like her?


    It didn''t seem to make sense.


    The old man smiled and replied:


    "If you think it''s unreasonable, then let your young ones from House Ponton¡­ No, I should say those who are qualified, try. If they can defeat Nora, then it won''t be a problem to change the candidate."


    Hearing the old man''s words, Lord Ponton''s smile couldn''t be contained. He became excited and said:


    "Really, Master? As long as someone defeats Nora, the House Ponton candidate will be chosen for the academy?"


    The old man had expected such a reaction from Lord Ponton.


    "Yes, but I believe you''ve already tried to do this. But let me remind you, Nora is not someone who can be easily dealt with. If your young ones from House Ponton are too weak¡­ it might be a one-way trip."


    The old man subtly warned.


    At this moment, Lord Ponton wasn''t paying attention to the old man''s caution.


    He was already immersed in the thought that his family might once again become the chosen ones of the academy¡­


    Winning everything, gaining attention from important figures.


    Just then, two figures hurried over.


    One was Zero, who had previously accompanied Nora on the tour, and the other was the old man''s subordinate from Karea Academy.


    Both had urgent expressions, as if something important had happened.


    "Master, something unexpected has happened at the academy."


    "Headmaster, there''s been some trouble¡­"


    The old man quickly led his subordinates to a secluded area and asked:


    "What happened? What could possibly go wrong at the academy?"


    The old man knew that since he wasn''t at the academy, if something truly happened at this time¡­


    "The academy''s protective magic array was breached by a spell beast."


    "What? Are you sure it was a spell beast?"


    The old man couldn''t believe it.


    Enjoy new tales from empire


    "Yes, after the spell beast broke through the magic array, it fought with the headmasters. In the end, one of our teachers was injured. But strangely, the spell beast left on its own. After spending some time in the back mountains, it just left."


    When the old man heard "back mountains," the disinterest on his face turned into serious concern.


    He knew very well what precious items were stored in the back mountains.


    Even if something happened at the academy, the back mountains absolutely couldn''t be compromised!


    To him, the back mountains were a place no student would willingly visit.


    Let alone the numerous magic arrays he had laid out to ensure safety.


    Everything should be fine. But for some reason, the old man suddenly had an uneasy feeling, as though something bad was about to happen.

 Chapter130-You Shall Die!

    "Has there been any change in the back mountains?"The old man asked carefully.


    "Sir, according to what the headmasters said, there has been no change in the back mountains."


    Even though the answer was like this, the old man still decided to return and check for himself. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Otherwise, there would always be an uneasy feeling in his heart.


    "Let''s head to the academy as quickly as possible, and return before tomorrow."


    "Yes!"


    ...


    Elsewhere, Zero was telling Lord Ponton the specifics of the situation.


    It was about those people who went to provoke Nora and the result¡­


    Naturally, they were all wiped out.


    Now, according to some people''s estimates, they were probably still unconscious and hadn''t woken up.


    "What?!!!"


    Lord Ponton exclaimed in disbelief.


    It was hard for him to accept what Zero was saying.


    The younger generation of his own family, they were completely no match for Nora?


    Even worse¡­


    A large group of them were easily defeated by her?


    How could such a thing happen?


    No matter how strong she was, it shouldn''t have been possible for her to eliminate so many of the House Ponton people in one go!


    "What is she doing now?"


    "Well, she''s probably eating the Fish King from the Tier-Sage residence¡­"


    "What?!!!"


    ...


    At that moment, at the Tier-Sage residence,


    A group of young members of House Ponton were lying on the ground, unconscious.


    By the pond, a fish was roasting on a fire.


    The Fish King, now only giving off a tempting aroma.


    Nina couldn''t wait to taste it.


    After taking a bite, she frowned.


    "It doesn''t seem that tasty¡­ If only Eve were here, she could make this Fish King taste so much better."


    "You really are hard to please," Nora said as she glanced at Nina, who was complaining about the taste but still eating greedily.


    Nora couldn''t help but smile.


    In her opinion, such a high-quality dish didn''t need any complicated cooking method to be good.


    "Wait until you try Eve''s cooking, Nora, and then you''ll understand the difference."


    After speaking, Nina looked around and then asked:


    "Nora, it seems like those guys aren''t coming back, are they? Are they scared of us now?"


    Earlier, when Nina was about to cook the fish, some people came to stop her, but all of them were knocked out and now lay unconscious like the others.


    Now, it had been a long time and there was no sign of them returning.


    "Don''t be careless. There''s a strong presence heading our way," Nora said, sensing the presence approaching them.


    It wasn''t as strong as the ones lying on the ground, but still formidable.


    "Oh, I see. Be careful, Nora, if anything happens, just call me, I''ll step in!"


    Nina said, vanishing in a flash.


    Leaving Nora to face the approaching threat alone.


    Just as Nina disappeared, a figure landed nearby.


    It was Lord Ponton.


    Seeing the scene in front of him, Lord Ponton immediately exploded with rage!


    All that was left near the fire was the skeleton of the Fish King¡­


    This Fish King had been cared for by House Ponton for many years.


    Every member of House Ponton regarded it with great care, making sure no harm came to it.


    But he never expected that today¡­


    Nora would just eat it like that?


    How could he swallow this insult?


    And then there were these young members of House Ponton, lying unconscious all around him¡­


    Lord Ponton was furious.


    He had sent them to besiege her, not to humiliate themselves here!


    At this moment, he felt like his entire body was about to explode with rage.


    "Nora¡­"


    Lord Ponton growled, his teeth clenched in fury.


    Nora looked at him calmly.


    "Lord Ponton, I am an elected representative of the academy. Your family members attacked me without cause, and even attempted to ambush me while I was cooking the fish. What exactly are you trying to do?"


    Lord Ponton never expected Nora to turn the tables and accuse him like this, playing the victim.


    "Child, you are too arrogant! Do you know how many years we''ve taken care of this Fish King in House Ponton?"


    "I don''t know, but it tastes alright." Experience exclusive tales on empire


    Nora responded calmly.


    "Alright?!!! You are asking for death!"


    Lord Ponton shouted.


    He no longer cared about the academy or the election.


    He only wanted to punish this little girl and teach her what the real world was like.


    In the next instant, a massive surge of mana erupted from Lord Ponton.


    His right hand transformed into a claw, quickly reaching out toward Nora.


    Nora sensed that a massive mana hand, made entirely of mana, was rapidly closing in on her.


    Nora wasn''t going to just sit there and wait to die.


    Around her, faint red mana threads began to appear.


    These mana threads began to counter the massive mana hand that was approaching.


    Nora stood still, her eyes looking up at Lord Ponton, floating in the air.


    "Is this all the strength House Ponton''s head has?"


    Her words were light, but they immediately sent Lord Ponton into a fit of rage.


    "I will kill you!"


    Lord Ponton roared, his voice echoing throughout the entire family.


    Others in the family, hearing this roar, began to wonder what was going on.


    Wasn''t that the head''s voice?


    What happened?


    Who could have made the head this angry?


    "What, are you so arrogant? Do you think you can kill me?"


    Nora''s voice rang out coldly.


    As soon as her words fell, the mana threads quickly spread out around her!


    In that instant, both Nora and Lord Ponton vanished from sight.


    Lord Ponton found himself surrounded by an entirely red world.


    "Small tricks! No matter what illusion you''re using, it''s nothing against true power!"


    Lord Ponton exclaimed, about to attack Nora.


    At this point, even Nina, who had been hiding, couldn''t help but laugh.


    This so-called Lord Ponton really didn''t understand at all!


    He actually thought the space Nora had created was an illusion¡­


    She had completely underestimated Nora!


    Nina, who was proficient in spatial magic, knew that this wasn''t an illusion at all!


    It was something far more powerful.


    Just as Lord Ponton''s magic was about to land on Nora, she finally moved!


    In the next instant, Nora dodged Lord Ponton''s attack.


    Red threads of mana began to envelop Lord Ponton''s body.


    Moments later,


    The two figures reappeared in the courtyard of the Tier-Sage residence.


    Nora still stood there, seemingly unaffected by the battle.


    To her, it was just a minor affair.


    And on the ground, there was a new addition¡ªLord Ponton!


    Now lying there, bloodied and battered, he stared in disbelief at Nora.


    "You¡­ you''re dead! Even if he''s here, he won''t be able to save you!"


    Lord Ponton said, barely able to speak.


    He reached into his robes and pulled out a scroll.


    The scroll burst into flames as it was activated.


    At the same moment, four ancient and powerful auras appeared deep within House Ponton''s underground vault!


    These auras were far stronger than Lord Ponton himself.


    In the next instant, four elderly figures appeared in front of Lord Ponton.


    "You must be the current Lord Ponton?"


    "Your power is weak¡­"


    "Why did you summon us? We can only exist for a short time before we must return to our slumber."


    "¡­"


    "Elders, this woman attacked our family, even eating the Fish King from the Tier-Sage residence! Please, I beg you to avenge our family!"


    At this point, Lord Ponton didn''t care about anything else.


    He just wanted Nora dead.

 Chapter131-Why Is This Happening?

    "What?""How could such a thing happen?"


    "Do they really think House Ponton has no one to fight back?" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Attack! Teach this girl the cost of her actions!"


    "..."


    The four figures were filled with intense rage.


    In their minds, House Ponton was the undisputed powerhouse in the area. It was a prestigious family that had produced multiple Tier-Sages throughout its history. And now, someone had dared to provoke them? They couldn''t accept this.


    These four people had once been part of House Ponton. After stepping down from their positions as heads, they chose to go into seclusion within the family. As an old-tier-Sage family, House Ponton had many ways to temporarily preserve their lives, waiting for the right moment to rise again. This was the depth of the family''s heritage¡ªsomething smaller families could never compare to.


    At this moment, Lord Ponton thought this was the most crucial time. This girl, Nora, had to die! Otherwise, the family''s reputation would be completely ruined.


    If they let Nora leave here unharmed, it would mean House Ponton had been humiliated in its own home. They could never allow such a thing to happen. Most importantly, Lord Ponton was now the head of House Ponton. If an outsider could be so arrogant within the family without consequences, he would be the one branded with disgrace.


    Around them were the younger generation of House Ponton. These young people had all been easily defeated by Nora. Lord Ponton could not let this continue.


    At this moment, Lord Ponton was entirely consumed with these thoughts. He didn''t even realize that these events were all the result of his own orders. If not for his instructions, would these young people have gone out of their way to provoke a complete stranger?


    Four terrifying auras locked onto Nora. The overwhelming mana aura enveloped the surroundings. Nora coldly watched the figures, as though their presence brought her no real trouble.


    "I can''t believe House Ponton has fallen so far as to be bullied by a little girl!"


    "Damn it!"


    As these words fell, the mana waves surrounding the four figures grew more and more intense, sending ripples through the air. Some of the unconscious people around began to show signs of waking up.


    Then, the four figures appeared in different directions around Nora, seemingly trying to encircle her. Nora knew she couldn''t allow them to close in on her. If they managed to form a battle formation, she would be at a severe disadvantage.


    So, before they could completely surround her, Nora quickly fled the area. She arrived at another location.


    Seeing Nora move, the four figures exchanged looks that showed satisfaction. They had intentionally revealed their plan, hoping to drive Nora away from the Tier-Sage estate. Otherwise, attacking here would cause too much of a loss to House Ponton.


    Just as Nora left the Tier-Sage estate, the magic they had been preparing for a long time, locked on her position.


    In that instant, four terrifying magical attacks shot towards Nora. If she were hit by these, even with the protection of a half-divine artifact, she would still suffer serious injuries.


    Nora did not expect them to be so decisive.


    Red mana threads quickly spread out, engulfing the four magical attacks. In the space covered by the mana threads, the four attacks detonated.


    Nora''s expression changed slightly, but she could still withstand the attack.


    After the explosion, the four figures were a bit surprised. They had just used about seventy percent of their power in the attack. Normally, such an attack should have easily killed this little girl, especially since it was a combined effort of four.


    But¡­


    This little girl had used a very unique magic to temporarily create a space that swallowed their attacks, rendering them completely ineffective.


    This magic¡­


    It amazed them. Continue reading at empire


    From this magic alone, they could tell that this girl was not simple. But this didn''t justify provoking House Ponton.


    The four began gathering their magic again, preparing to attack Nora once more.


    At that moment, the red threads appeared again, enveloping everyone. They found themselves transported to a different space.


    This space was similar to the Tier-Sage estate but different in that the people who had previously been knocked out were no longer there.


    Moreover, in this new space, only the four of them were present. No other figures.


    The four could feel that Nora''s strength seemed to have been amplified in this space. Her aura was now much stronger than before.


    The four''s expressions immediately became serious.


    "This kind of magic¡­ no ordinary family could achieve this!"


    "Indeed. It must come from a family at least as powerful as House Ponton, a Tier-Sage family."


    Magic was infinite.


    Each person had a unique magic pattern inside them, which determined what kinds of magic they excelled at.


    The magic the girl was using, however, seemed to have no known origin. They couldn''t identify any inheritance behind it. It could have been something that only appeared after they had died.


    One thing was clear: the magic was powerful.


    Facing such an opponent¡­


    It was clear that whoever stood behind her must be a force to be reckoned with.


    But¡­ was it worth it?


    Before they could consider the answer, Nora''s figure appeared right before them.


    The mana threads around her shot out, attacking the four figures.


    Naturally, they wouldn''t just let Nora attack. They quickly cast their own magic to counter hers.


    But all of their spells were blocked by the mana threads surrounding Nora.


    Instead of attacking, the threads had transformed into a defensive barrier.


    Seeing this, the four decided to strike immediately. If they didn''t defeat the girl now, who knew what other attacks she might unleash?


    Especially since this special space was controlled by her.


    Remaining here could very well lead to unfavorable conditions for them.


    The four acted without hesitation, each casting their most familiar spell.


    At that moment, they unleashed a combined attack on Nora.


    There was no room for her to dodge. If their magic hit, she would be dead. No chance for survival.


    Nora''s face turned pale, and she even showed signs of fear.


    It seemed that she couldn''t fully avoid their magic.


    Time passed slowly.


    Four different magical attacks hit Nora simultaneously.


    The four figures smiled, believing that Nora was done for. With such an overwhelming attack, they were sure she had no chance of survival.


    But then¡­


    The four''s expressions changed drastically. They suddenly coughed up blood.


    The space around them shattered, and the mini-world they were in vanished.


    Instead, they found themselves facing the aftermath of their own magical attacks.


    The ground around them had been destroyed, and the four of them were all injured to varying degrees.


    These injuries weren''t caused by Nora''s mana threads.


    They were injuries caused by their own magic!


    In other words, they had ended up wounding themselves with their own spells.

 Chapter132-Who Exactly Are You?

    The four individuals were completely unable to understand the current situation.Why... is this happening?


    According to their logic, they had just attacked the girl, but why...


    In the end, their attack had landed on themselves instead?


    "Could it be... an illusion?" one of them suggested.


    "How could that be?"


    If everything they had just experienced was an illusion, then how powerful could this girl be?


    These four individuals had all been heads of House Ponton at one point. They were no strangers to illusions. And with their strength, what kind of illusion could possibly trap them?


    It seemed impossible!


    Yet everything before their eyes suggested that


    this


    was the only reality!


    Because no other explanation could fully account for what had just happened.


    Their spells, which were meant to hit the girl, ended up hitting their own team members instead.


    Fortunately, none of them were seriously injured, and they still had fighting strength.


    However, this situation had completely shattered their morale. How could they keep fighting like this?


    Who knew when their own attack might turn against them, becoming a blade aimed at their teammates?


    Perhaps... the allies they relied on would end up being their enemies?


    At this point, the four of them began to entertain the thought of retreating.


    In fact, when they thought about it, the girl hadn''t really done anything excessive. She had eaten a


    fish king


    and knocked out the younger generation¡ªnothing too serious.


    She hadn''t even harmed them.


    With this in mind, the four of them began to feel that maybe continuing the fight wasn''t necessary after all.


    In the distance, Nora stood calmly.


    No one noticed that Nina was standing right behind her.


    "Thanks for earlier, Nina," Nora said.


    Although Nora''s mana threads could have withstood the four''s attacks, if she kept this up, it would soon become impossible to block all their spells.


    Moreover, with four opponents of such strength, even Nora, as powerful as she was, couldn''t recklessly attack without concern. If they countered, she would be left defenseless and likely seriously injured.


    In a one-on-one situation, this wouldn''t be an issue. But with four opponents, no matter which one she attacked, the others would retaliate.


    If she decided to strike at all of them, her attacks would likely be ineffective, and her defense wouldn''t be able to keep up.


    Luckily, Nina had stepped in and pulled them all into an illusion.


    Inside the illusion, their senses were disrupted, and they mistook each other for Nora. By the time they realized something was wrong, their spells had already hit their own teammates.


    This tactic had not placed much of a burden on Nina. She had only slightly scrambled their perception, simple but effective.


    Seeing the look of fear on their faces, Nina couldn''t help but smile.


    ...


    Zero had noticed the heads of House Ponton storming off in anger and sensed that things might take a turn for the worse.


    He quickly followed them.


    Just as he was nearing the tier-sage''s residence, a massive shockwave from four powerful spells obliterated the area. Rocks and debris flew in all directions.


    Zero could only cast a defensive spell to shield himself. But he hadn''t expected the force of the blast to be so great.


    Even though he had cast his defensive magic, he was still buried beneath the rubble.


    When the shockwave finally subsided, Zero used magic to clear the stones from on top of him and stumbled out of the debris.


    What he saw before him left him in disbelief.


    Most of the ground had been destroyed. Several deep craters had appeared in the center.


    "This... is the aftermath of a battle? It''s terrifying!" Zero exclaimed.


    He couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. It was a good thing he had arrived late. Otherwise, he might not have just been buried under the rubble, but rather deeply entombed in it.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Zero decided to move forward.


    He wanted to understand what had actually happened.


    ...


    "Do you know who stands behind House Ponton?"


    One of the older men among the four stepped forward and addressed Nora.


    "If you continue to fight today, Karea Academy won''t let you off easily!"


    Karea Academy, in the mind of this former Lord Ponton, was the most powerful force.


    He was certain that, upon hearing the name of the academy, Nora would hesitate or even retreat. Discover more stories at empire


    After all, he didn''t want to continue fighting against such a formidable opponent. The chances of victory seemed slim.


    But after hearing those words, Nora simply smiled.


    "So you''re saying... if I keep fighting, Karea Academy will intervene on your behalf?"


    "Exactly! House Ponton has always had a good relationship with Karea Academy. Many of our young generation have already joined Karea Academy," the man explained.


    "So¡­"


    "Then do you know who I am?"


    Nora interrupted him, looking directly at the four men.


    At this point, the four men froze, realizing the gravity of their situation.


    They had never considered her identity when they were summoned by Lord Ponton. They were focused only on dealing with whoever dared provoke House Ponton, planning to kill her immediately.


    But now, it was clear that this girl was no ordinary opponent.


    Her strength was terrifying, and it was one against four.


    At first, when they were summoned by Lord Ponton, they weren''t told anything about the girl''s identity.


    So when Nora asked that question, the four of them were left dumbfounded. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    None of them could answer her.


    They turned to look at Lord Ponton, then back at Nora.


    "Sorry, we haven''t been active for a long time. We didn''t know your identity, miss."


    "My name is Nora. I''m the chosen representative of Karea Academy and will be entering the Fire Abyss Secret Realm to fight."


    Upon hearing Nora''s brief introduction, the faces of the four men turned pale with shock.


    They had never expected her to have such an identity!


    ...


    On the Karea Academy''s spaceship, Hayes stood on the deck, uneasy.


    "How long until we arrive?"


    "Lord Hayes, we''ll be there soon."


    "Mm."


    Hayes nodded. He was anxious because the spell beast that had arrived at the academy hadn''t seemed to be there for destruction or slaughter.


    Its first move was to head for the back mountain.


    The back mountain, however, was no ordinary place.


    Hayes had always treated it as just another area within the school, advertised as nothing special. Over time, only those looking to complete tasks showed any interest in it.


    But Hayes knew that the most dangerous places were often the safest.


    That''s why he had left things exposed, making the area seem like an open secret.


    He hadn''t expected the magic array at the academy to be destroyed by a spell beast.


    If the spell beast had come to the academy''s back mountain with no specific purpose, even Hayes wouldn''t be able to understand such a scenario.


    He was deeply concerned.


    He feared the spell beast had discovered something.


    Even though the headmaster of the academy assured him that nothing unusual had happened, Hayes still felt that something was off.


    That''s why he was rushing back to the academy.


    ...


    Soon after, Hayes arrived.


    Even before the airship had fully landed, Hayes was already flying off toward the academy. His goal was simple¡ªhe needed to check if there were any problems with the area.

 Chapter133-Do You Plead Guilty?

    Hayes quickly made his way to the spring.He took a glance at the surrounding magic arrays.


    Noticing that the magic arrays showed no signs of being broken, he let out a long breath.


    Fortunately¡­ there had been no accidents.


    All the magic arrays around the spring were intact, with no signs of damage.


    This meant that the spell beast had really just come to rest for a while?


    Had it simply flown away after doing nothing?


    "Lord Hayes, there''s nothing unusual here."


    The person following Hayes spoke up. He seemed a bit puzzled at Hayes'' rush to return.


    With so many headmasters in the academy, it was almost impossible for anything major to happen here.


    Moreover¡­


    There were so many magic arrays here.


    Now that there were no signs of any traces, it was clear that they had returned for nothing. There had been no incidents.


    Even the alert magic arrays hadn''t been triggered.


    Everything seemed just as the headmaster had said. The spell beast had only stayed briefly in the back mountain and then left.


    If Hayes weren''t right in front of him, the man might have wanted to complain about the wasted time.


    Hayes didn''t respond, instead pulling out a box from his storage crystal.


    Inside the box were the keys to activate the magic arrays.


    Hayes placed the keys into the spring.


    Soon, the magic arrays began to open one by one.


    The spring''s waters also dissipated, revealing a dark hole.


    The familiar power emanated from the cave once again. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only then did Hayes relax.


    He retrieved the keys and put them away.


    The spring was once again restored to its previous appearance.


    Hayes'' previously furrowed brow finally relaxed.


    "Good, it seems I was overthinking. But this matter is significant, so it''s better to be cautious."


    After speaking, he led the person behind him away.


    Hayes did not enter the cave, and thus failed to notice that after he left, the residual power from the gods and devils was absorbed by the Tree of Origin. It continued to purify the power.


    ¡­


    Karea Conference Room


    Hayes sat in the main seat, surrounded by headmasters and teachers.


    "How are the academy and students? Has the spell beast attack caused any major damage?" Hayes asked, looking at everyone.


    The headmaster of the A-level House stood up to answer:


    "Only one teacher was injured, but he has already recovered, so there''s no need to worry. The students weren''t heavily hurt because they reacted quickly, and most of them managed to avoid the attack."


    Only that one unlucky teacher had taken the brunt of the spell beast''s strike, resulting in the injury.


    As for Karea Academy, aside from some damage to the protective magic arrays, there was almost no other harm.


    It could be said they were just unlucky.


    No one expected such a powerful spell beast to appear over Karea. It was probably because of the unique nature of that beast that it noticed them due to the Kareamagic arrays.


    After attacking a few times, the spell beast flew off from the back mountain.


    After clarifying the details of the spell beast attack, Hayes immediately boarded the battle ship to leave the academy and head for House Ponton.


    "Lord Hayes, is it really necessary to rush this much?"


    The secret realm war was still several days away.


    Originally, returning hastily had already consumed a lot of energy, and now they had to rush again.


    Hayes said in a low voice:


    "We must hurry. I remember that the man from House Ponton is planning to attack Nora before we leave. He really might go through with it."


    "What? That can''t be possible! How could he dare to attack a junior?"


    "You think so? He''s always been a man with a short temper and a narrow mind. People like that don''t care about face," Hayes replied and fell silent, fully using mana to speed up the ship.


    He hoped Nora could hold on until they got back.


    ¡­


    Soon after, the battle ship landed outside House Ponton.


    Hayes immediately entered the House Ponton estate.


    At this moment, the upper echelons of House Ponton were gathered in the meeting hall, including the four former headmasters who had been summoned with a secret technique.


    However, the current head of House Ponton, Gurei, was kneeling on the floor, looking defeated.


    Nora sat at the top, watching this scene.


    After learning of Nora''s background, the four former headmasters were shocked.


    They hadn''t expected that Nora was from Karea Academy!


    Moreover, she was the chosen one for this event.


    The four former headmasters, who had once been the heads of House Ponton, were familiar with what being "the chosen one" meant.


    But they were equally shocked by Gurei''s stupidity.


    How¡­ how dare you?


    How dare you attack the chosen one? And worse, use the family''s foundation to summon their spirits to deal with Karea Academy''s chosen one?


    More importantly, House Ponton had no reason to be involved from the beginning.


    They started this matter, they made the first move, and it was a group attack.


    The most embarrassing part was that they still lost.


    Every young person involved had been knocked out by Nora.


    And Nora had been holding back, not going all out. The others were just knocked out.


    But Gurei?


    Even after the opponent showed restraint, he still used his strength against Nora. And he lost.


    And then, he resorted to using the family''s legacy?


    But the real problem was, why did he even dare do this?


    Why did he think he could attack Karea Academy''s chosen one?


    Was he trying to drag House Ponton into hell?


    At this moment, the four former headmasters were furious and wanted nothing more than to skin Gurei alive.


    If it weren''t for Gurei''s deception, they would never have attacked Nora without reason.


    In this entire incident, Nora was undoubtedly the victim, but House Ponton was also a victim!


    Everyone''s interests aligned¡ªexcept for Gurei. This fool was the mastermind behind it all!


    "Gurei! You are no longer the head of House Ponton, and from now on, you have no relation to the house! How dare you harm Miss Nora? What were you trying to achieve by endangering House Ponton?"


    "I¡­ I¡­" Gurei raised his head, staring blankly at everything.


    Originally, as the head of House Ponton, he had been proud and full of vitality.


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    But now, he looked like a beggar on the street.


    This change was something Gurei couldn''t accept.


    "Bold Gurei, do you still not plead guilty?"


    "It''s my fault! I¡­ I was deceived! I was¡­"


    Before Gurei could finish speaking, he suddenly lost all signs of life.


    It was as if some hidden force, fearing the truth would be revealed, had taken his life prematurely.


    "Someone, go check on the situation!"


    "Old Ancestor, the¡­ Gurei is already dead."


    "What? Dead?"


    The elder first showed confusion, then stepped forward to examine the body.


    He then turned around to report:


    "Miss Nora, this traitor has been killed. There''s something suspicious behind this matter. It seems Gurei was killed right when he was about to reveal the truth!"


    "Please allow House Ponton some time. We will certainly catch the person who tried to frame you! In this matter, both you and House Ponton are victims!"


    With these words, House Ponton distanced itself from the incident. They made it clear that the mistreatment of Nora was not their fault. It was all due to a hidden mastermind who manipulated Gurei to harm Nora.


    House Ponton had been wronged in this matter and was a victim as well. They would now work to investigate who was behind the attempt to harm Nora.

 Chapter134-Sunken City

    "Miss Nora, what do you think?"Anyway, Gurei was already dead.


    With no evidence, anything could be said. After all, there was no need for proof.


    Nora glanced coldly at the deceased Gurei, her expression as emotionless as ever.


    This made everyone else nervous.


    This was the best solution they could think of.


    What if Nora didn''t accept it? What should they do then?


    After all, they had truly offended the chosen one of Karea Academy this time.


    "Let''s leave it at this. The mastermind behind it, I''ll leave it to House Ponton. I just hope that there won''t be any more strange disruptions from here on."


    After a brief pause, Nora said indifferently.


    "Rest assured, Miss Nora, there won''t be such things again!"


    Once those words were spoken, Nora vanished from the scene.


    The scene that had just unfolded was, to Nora, very real, very ironic, and also very absurd.


    At that moment, she realized that only those with strength could speak to others with calm reason.


    Nora left just like that, and no one dared to say anything.


    Even though she had spoken in a blatantly rude manner, they didn''t dare to retort in the slightest.


    Only after Nora left did the people in the council hall breathe a sigh of relief.


    Luckily, Nora didn''t choose to pursue the matter further.


    If the Karea Academy''s higher-ups had come, things would''ve been much harder to resolve.


    It was nothing like now, where they had only lost a foolish head, and the issue could be easily resolved, sparing House Ponton from a major crisis.


    Because if they hadn''t done this, if Nora had failed in any way, they would never doubt the methods of Karea Academy.


    Nora sat in the courtyard of Tier-Sage''s old residence.


    It seemed like she was deep in thought.


    "Sister Nora, those words you said just now were really cool! Even those stronger than you were too afraid to breathe."


    Nina appeared beside Nora, speaking enthusiastically.


    Nora shook her head.


    "They''re not afraid of me, but of Karea Academy."


    "Is that so? But it''s all the same. If you weren''t so strong, Karea Academy wouldn''t have chosen you. If the Headmaster were here, I feel like they wouldn''t have even dared to speak those words."


    Nina took out a token from her storage crystal, sighing as she spoke.


    "I wonder when Rose will bring the Death Legion here. Then I can use her name to have some fun."


    Nina had a silver token and a rainbow token in her hand.


    Nora smiled and didn''t say anything.


    "By the way, Sister Nora, what exactly did you experience inside that half-divine artifact? I feel like¡­ you''ve changed so much since before."


    Upon hearing Nina''s question, Nora hesitated for a moment before responding.


    "Actually¡­ I didn''t find any answers. Back then, I deceived the Headmaster."


    "What do you mean?"


    Nina was confused.


    "I had asked the Headmaster about my future path, and he told me that it was up to me to choose my own way. So he gave me the half-divine artifact. But at that time¡­ I still couldn''t make a choice."


    Nora looked at the sky and continued,


    "But I also realized something: only those with great strength have the right to make their own choices! If you''re weak, even if it seems like you have choices, you really have no right to make any."


    "I see¡­ No wonder I feel like you''re a bit like the Headmaster sometimes."


    Nina placed her hand on her head and said.


    "Yes, because the Headmaster is my goal."


    Nora replied.


    ¡­


    A massive pit was located at the center of a mountain range.


    It was so deep that it seemed to lead directly to the earth''s core.


    From time to time, hot air would billow from the pit.


    If someone happened to be near the pit at that moment, their skin would probably be scorched.


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    Around this enormous pit were buildings.


    A small city surrounded the pit.


    Thanks to the magic array, the pit''s presence didn''t harm the people living in the city; in fact, it provided a special form of energy for the city.


    A snow eagle flew across the sky.


    On the back of the snow eagle were dozens of figures.


    "If I hadn''t seen it from above, it''s hard to imagine that this city is built entirely around this deep pit."


    Rose commented.


    "This is the place of the battle, right?"


    "Pretty much, the real battle will take place in the secret realm beneath the pit. This city is just the entrance."


    Daniel looked at the city ahead and the magic array covering it.


    This magic array was quite interesting; he had almost figured out how it worked.


    "Then let''s stay here for a few days. We can head down when the time comes."


    Rose suggested.


    "Alright."


    The three large characters,


    Sunken City


    , were hanging at the city gate.


    The gate was bustling with people coming and going.


    The city was far from lacking in people.


    Because rare metals would occasionally appear near the edge of the giant pit, many gold seekers had come here.


    In another direction of Sunken City, there was a designated area to accommodate guests arriving from the sky.


    Airships, spell beasts, and so on¡­


    Suddenly, a spell beast quickly descended from the sky.


    The wind generated by its wings made it hard for anyone to keep their eyes open.


    The crowd murmured about which major family this person came from. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the back of the spell beast, a young lady in gorgeous attire jumped down.


    She scanned the surroundings, and people quickly avoided her gaze.


    "A bunch of idiots, like they''ve never seen the world."


    The young lady sneered.


    "Ina, don''t bother with those fools. They''re just pathetic gold seekers looking for an opportunity here in Sunken City."


    An elderly man stepped forward and advised in a low voice.


    "Hmph, what''s there to fear? Even if something happens, Brother Garr will protect me!"


    After hearing this, the elderly man sighed helplessly.


    In fact, Ina''s background wasn''t all that impressive, but the reason she was able to act so recklessly was mostly because of the person she called "Brother Garr."


    He was one of the chosen ones of a major faction.


    Not even the older generation could confidently claim victory against him, let alone the younger generation.


    Such a prodigy was the only one eligible to participate in this kind of battle.


    However, rumors said that Ina''s relationship with him wasn''t all that great, and it wasn''t as deep as she claimed.


    But¡­


    Who knows what the temper of this prodigy is like?


    "By the way, Band Uncle, I heard that Karea Academy is also sending someone over?"


    Ina asked.


    "Yes, Miss Ina."


    The old man confirmed.


    After hearing this, Ina''s eyes seemed to sparkle.


    "That''s great!"


    Ina smiled.


    "If she comes, it will be even better! I''m sure that when that person sees my relationship with Brother Garr, she''ll be so jealous that she''ll want to die!"


    The elderly man named Band said nothing.


    He shouldn''t even be here.


    Including Ina, they really shouldn''t have come.


    But¡­ because Ina insisted on coming, and due to certain reasons, he had to accompany her to protect her.


    He just hoped nothing would happen here, or things would be troublesome.


    Now, Band finally understood.


    Ina''s true purpose for coming here wasn''t just to meet Garr, but more importantly, to show off in front of that girl from Karea Academy.


    Ina probably came with the intent of flaunting herself.


    "I really hope I can see that bitch soon! This time, I''m going to show her that everything she cherishes belongs to me!"


    "She will be waiting in that place, just waiting to die!"

 Chapter135-Why Should She? This Must Be Fake!

    At that moment, an extremely terrifying aura suddenly descended from the sky.Band instinctively looked up.


    He saw a huge white figure diving towards their location.


    It was only then that Band remembered this place was used to receive spell beasts.


    More specifically, he and Ina hadn''t even left the spell beast landing area yet.


    So, the only thing that could be coming here now would be a spell beast!


    Such a terrifying presence...


    Band immediately grabbed Ina, and the two quickly moved a hundred meters away.


    At this point, Ina had no idea what was going on. To her, it felt like one moment, she was standing there, and the next, Band was pulling her aside. She felt somewhat bewildered.


    The snow eagle landed on the ground, and all the spell beasts nearby immediately sensed an overwhelming pressure.


    They all lowered their heads, afraid to look directly.


    Even the spell beast that Ina had been riding on did the same.


    It trembled, not daring to move.


    After a brief moment, Daniel and the others dismounted from the snow eagle''s back.


    The snow eagle then transformed into human form.


    Such a scene left even the managers here in stunned silence.


    After all, it was the first time they had witnessed a spell beast of this caliber in Sunken City over the years.


    Just as the snow eagle landed, the manager instinctively felt fear.


    In fact, if the snow eagle had wanted to strike at him in that moment, he would have had no time to react.


    The people around them shared the same feeling.


    They all felt as though they had narrowly escaped a disaster.


    Once the fear subsided, curiosity took over.


    Who could possibly be riding such a powerful spell beast?


    And... did the spell beast actually transform?


    Dozens of figures appeared in front of the crowd.


    Upon seeing these unfamiliar faces, everyone began to speculate.


    Who exactly were these people?


    "I didn''t expect Whitey to cause such a big stir around here¡­"


    Rose remarked as she observed the reactions of the crowd.


    Whitey¡ªthis was the name Nina had given to the snow eagle back then, and it had been used ever since.


    Hearing Rose''s words, the snow eagle, now in human form, proudly lifted its head.


    The group prepared to leave.


    However, when they turned to check on Eileen, they noticed she hadn''t followed.


    Instead, she was standing still, staring in a certain direction.


    There, an old man was holding a young girl, who was also staring at Eileen.


    "Band Uncle..."


    Eileen muttered softly.


    "I¡­ it''s me!"


    Band never expected to see Eileen here. He had just heard about her from Ina not long ago.


    The last time he saw Eileen was many years ago, when she was forced to leave the family and go to Karea Academy. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Back then, she was just a little girl.


    He couldn''t help but wonder how Eileen had fared over the years...


    At this moment, Band had completely forgotten that Ina was still beside him.


    "What''s this? Familiar faces?"


    Daniel asked, looking at Eileen.


    Eileen hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.


    "No, Daniel Headmaster, I... I have nothing to do with them anymore."


    After saying that, she rejoined Daniel and the others.


    Daniel only glanced back at the elderly man and young girl before saying nothing.


    After all, it was their personal matter.


    The group moved on toward the exit.


    Band stood there, gazing in the direction where Eileen had vanished, sighing deeply.


    Years had passed...


    Eileen seemed just as he remembered her, as if nothing had changed.


    But... he knew it was no use.


    The past could never return.


    Eileen was no longer part of the family.


    Standing beside Band, Ina stared at this scene in a daze.


    She couldn''t understand. How could it be? How could someone who was abandoned by their family and sent to Karea Academy rise to such power?


    How could she possibly encounter such powerful individuals?


    And that terrifying spell beast...


    Ina even remembered that when that spell beast descended from the sky, her mind had gone completely blank.


    If it hadn''t been for Band pulling her away, she probably would''ve been crushed by that spell beast.


    Why?!!!


    Why did that wretched person get such good luck?


    Was she supposed to be bullied at Karea Academy, living with regret for being cast out of her family?


    Why...


    Why was she now fine, even following such powerful figures?


    Ina couldn''t understand.


    She turned around and looked at the spell beast she had arrived on.


    Initially, she had been quite satisfied with this beast, even a little proud of it.


    When it landed, she had looked at the others around them as though they were nothing.


    But now, with Eileen as the comparison, it seemed like a joke.


    When Ina looked at her spell beast, she saw it cowering on the ground.


    It was trembling, not even daring to breathe.


    And there was a stench in the air¡ªclearly, it had been so scared it had urinated.


    "Impossible! No! This must be fake!"


    At that moment, Ina lost all the confidence and arrogance she had felt when she first arrived here.


    Only rage and doubt remained.


    Band, seeing Ina''s reaction, sighed and said nothing.


    ¡­


    Outside House Ponton, Hayes hurriedly arrived from the academy.


    He just hoped Nora hadn''t gotten into any trouble.


    When he stood on the deck and looked down at House Ponton, he immediately knew something had gone wrong.


    From the air, it was clear that a portion of House Ponton''s buildings had been completely destroyed.


    There was even a crater on the ground.


    From these marks, Hayes could clearly see that part of the damage had been caused by Nora, but more of it was likely due to the magic of the House Ponton members.


    That meant Nora must have fought with House Ponton.


    And the scale of the battle was definitely not small.


    After all, for House Ponton to be damaged like this, it could not have been a minor skirmish.


    Both sides must have gone all out.


    Hayes had no doubt that the fool named Gurei had likely called upon House Ponton''s full force.


    Just thinking about it, Hayes was filled with fury.


    Originally, he thought he could still control the situation, but after returning from the academy, this was the scene he was faced with.


    He didn''t even want to imagine what would happen if Nora had been injured and couldn''t participate in the upcoming battle.


    "What the hell, Gurei! Get out here!"


    Hayes shouted angrily.


    He used an amplified voice spell to ensure that Gurei could hear him inside House Ponton.


    Normally, at this point, Gurei would have already rushed out, kneeling and begging Hayes for mercy. Explore more at empire


    But today, for some unknown reason, Gurei didn''t appear.


    Instead, other members of House Ponton emerged from the family building.


    Upon seeing Hayes, they all remembered that he was the prominent figure from Karea Academy who had visited a few days ago.

 Chapter136-The Silent Hayes

    A few days ago, this influential figure arrived at House Ponton.He left the elderly lady in House Ponton and hurriedly departed himself.


    Therefore, no one dared to show disrespect to Hayes.


    "Greetings, my lord!"


    After leaving the family, the people all bowed to Hayes.


    Hayes glanced at them, but did not see the person he had hoped to find.


    His anger rose.


    "Where is Gurei? Why hasn''t he come to see me?"


    Upon hearing Hayes''s voice full of fury, the people exchanged glances, hesitating, as if they were torn between whether or not to speak.


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    Seeing their reactions, Hayes became curious.


    It seemed like there was something he didn''t know about.


    "What exactly happened?"


    Hayes asked the group.


    In a hurry, they responded,


    "Reporting to you, my lord, Gurei... has been executed."


    "Executed?"


    Hayes became even more puzzled.


    "What exactly happened? Where is the current head of House Ponton?"


    "My lord, I am the current head of House Ponton," the leading man replied.


    "Enough, tell me about Gurei. What happened?"


    "Gurei was a traitor hidden within House Ponton. Not long ago, he conspired with others to secretly harm a chosen one from Karea Academy. He also used this opportunity to sow discord and tried to pit House Ponton against Karea Academy."


    "Eventually, our ancestors discovered this, and Gurei committed suicide on the spot. House Ponton is still investigating the enemy who was secretly in contact with Gurei."


    After hearing this, Hayes immediately understood that the true situation was likely quite different.


    However, this version of events was much easier to accept.


    It also absolved House Ponton.


    In the end, Gurei was the sole culprit.


    It was a very clever choice.


    This way, all the blame could be pinned on Gurei alone, and House Ponton could continue its good relationship with Karea Academy without any issues.


    For Hayes, this version of events was acceptable.


    As for the truth...


    Hayes knew very well that Gurei''s child had always been at Karea Academy, and with his personality, he wouldn''t dare to target Karea Academy.


    As for the idea that Gurei had been hiding his treachery for so long, Hayes didn''t believe it.


    And when it came to the matter involving Nora, Hayes was well aware of what had happened.


    If not for the sudden accident, Hayes would never have left House Ponton.


    This meant that if Hayes had been there, the final outcome would likely have been the same.


    Because of Gurei''s personality, once he found out that none of the young members of House Ponton could defeat Nora, he would have likely fought her himself.


    He would have then realized he was no match for Nora and ultimately called upon their ancestors.


    After a big fight, Gurei would have discovered that Nora was the chosen one from Karea Academy.


    Everything was Gurei''s fault.


    It was because of him that the entire family came into conflict with Karea Academy''s chosen one.


    So Gurei''s death was inevitable.


    As for the so-called betrayal...


    It was simply an excuse for appearances.


    House Ponton needed to rely on Karea Academy.


    They didn''t have a tier-sage of their own.


    The so-called tier-sage families were just a name.


    And Karea Academy also needed House Ponton, so their relationship could not deteriorate.


    In the end, this was the outcome.


    Once Hayes had figured all this out, he entered House Ponton and began looking for Nora.


    When Hayes found Nora, she was resting in the ancestral home of the tier-sages.


    Upon seeing Hayes, she merely cast a brief glance at him.


    "Well, well... I didn''t expect that, just on the first day, House Ponton would replace its head..."


    Hayes looked at Nora and said.


    "They wanted to make a move against me, I just defended myself. Moreover, I didn''t kill anyone. I''ve been very restrained this time."


    In fact, Nora had indeed said the truth. She hadn''t killed anyone.


    She had no particular enmity with these people.


    Nor did she feel that anyone deserved to die.


    So Nora had only lightly punished them, leaving them all unconscious.


    Gurei could be considered as having committed suicide.


    As for the other young members of House Ponton¡­


    To be fair, they were all killed by the magical aftermath of the four ancestors.


    Looking at the whole situation, in fact, Nora hadn''t done much. It was mostly House Ponton''s people who had acted.


    If the four ancestors reflected on this later, they would probably regret it deeply, wishing they could slap themselves.


    After Nora finished speaking, Hayes fell silent.


    He didn''t know what to say.


    It seemed like everything was exactly as Nora had said.


    "If there''s nothing important, please don''t disturb me while I rest. By the way, the battle for the secret realm should be starting soon, right? I need to rest well these days."


    Nora said coldly to Hayes.


    It seemed that Hayes''s visit to talk about these trivial matters had begun to annoy her.


    Upon hearing Nora''s words, Hayes''s expression stiffened.


    He hadn''t expected Nora to speak to him like this.


    It had been a long time...


    A very long time since anyone had dared to speak to him like that!


    This little girl was threatening him!


    Hayes stared at Nora.


    He saw no trace of fear in her eyes.


    Taking a deep breath, he said,


    "Rest well. The battle in the secret realm will begin soon, and the enemies you will face will be very powerful."


    If it weren''t for the fact that he still needed Nora in the upcoming battle, Hayes would have struck without hesitation.


    It was the first time in many years that someone had made him feel threatened.


    "Hmph."


    Nora scoffed, then chose to leave.


    Nina came out from beside Nora.


    "Nora, this guy isn''t even that strong, yet his attitude is so arrogant. The headmaster could crush him with a finger..."


    She muttered, watching Hayes''s retreating figure.


    He''s much weaker than the headmaster, yet so full of himself.


    "By the way, the headmaster should have arrived by now, right?"


    When Nina said this, Nora suddenly remembered.


    Daniel, the headmaster, should have finished handling things at Karea Academy and would likely be here soon.


    It was the headmaster who had encouraged Nora to participate in this battle, and Nora felt that this was probably a test from Daniel.


    After all, those fighting in this battle came from major forces.


    To defeat them would prove that Nora hadn''t wasted her years.


    Compared to Lucy, Reed, or even Green, Nora hadn''t shown anything particularly remarkable in the past few years.


    So let this battle in the secret realm be her answer.


    "Right, if we calculate the time, the headmaster and the others should have arrived. I''m going to look for him. They''re new here, and who knows if someone might deceive them."


    Nina said, but Nora smiled and shook her head.


    You just want to go play, don''t you?


    Nina had stayed with Nora out of concern that something might happen while she was alone, but now that Daniel and the others were here, there would be no problem.


    If anything unexpected happened, Daniel would definitely take action right away.


    So there was no need for Nina to stay. She might as well go and enjoy herself for a while.


    She still hadn''t fully explored Sunken City!


    Sunken City, Dragonscale Bank.


    "Dragonscale Bank is everywhere!"


    Reed exclaimed, looking at the sign.


    He had been in the West for years, and in every major city, Dragonscale Bank was present.


    He hadn''t expected to find one in this city built around a giant pit.


    And it looked even more splendid than usual.


    "Let''s go inside and take a look." S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel said to the others.


    If you wanted to quickly understand a place, Dragonscale Bank was the place to go.


    They not only had goods from other regions, but also stored treasures from the pit itself.


    "Father, don''t tell me¡­ you plan on emptying this place too?"


    Rose teased, looking at Daniel.


    "Do you really think of me like that? Fine, let''s go inside and see if there''s anything worth getting."

 Chapter137-Fire Crystal

    Dragonscale Bank.The group entered the establishment.


    Perhaps due to the unique terrain of this location, the Dragonscale Bank here was far larger than the one in Riverside City or even Lake City.


    It was also much more luxurious.


    When Daniel and his party of more than ten entered, they caused hardly any disturbance.


    The interior was vast, allowing numerous people to browse and make purchases.


    The variety of items was immense, divided into two distinct sections: one for goods transported from elsewhere to Sunken City, and the other for local products.


    Moreover, it wasn''t uncommon to encounter individuals with peculiar appearances in the Dragonscale Bank.


    Some people even bore features resembling those of Winter Realm bloodline warriors.


    Their bodies retained only partial human traits, with the rest being spell beast limbs, creating a jarring contrast.


    However, the surrounding crowd seemed accustomed to such figures, bargaining with them without displaying any surprise.


    This likely represented a similar class system.


    At least in Sarra''s perception, these individuals didn''t belong to the bloodline warrior category.


    The class system in the Winter Realm seemed to have external counterparts, albeit with significant differences.


    "This place¡­ is fascinating," Reed remarked as he observed the surroundings.


    In the western cities he''d been to, sights like these were nowhere to be found. Sunken City had truly broadened his horizons.


    "Perhaps this is due to Sunken City''s unique geography," someone replied.


    This city partially relied on the energy from a massive sinkhole for its development, using a magic array to periodically absorb the energy within the pit to sustain its operations.


    The sinkhole itself was anything but simple.


    From Daniel''s perception, the pit contained at least one secret realm. As for the rest, further exploration would be needed to uncover its mysteries.


    ¡­


    Daniel walked straight to the first-floor counter and requested an inventory list.


    This was provided for customers with specific purchasing goals.


    Every branch of the Dragonscale Bank had such a feature.


    Scanning the first-floor items, Daniel found that apart from a few unfamiliar things, most of the goods weren''t of interest to him.


    For the most part, they were no different from what other branches of the Dragonscale Bank offered.


    Daniel called over an attendant.


    "What is a fire stone?" he asked.


    The attendant replied calmly, "This must be your first visit to our Sunken City, correct? Fire stones are a special product of our city and are extremely rare across the entire continent."


    "Oh?" Daniel''s interest was piqued. "Do you have any here?"


    "Please wait a moment; I''ll bring one over immediately."


    Shortly after, the attendant returned with a dark red stone, placing it in front of Daniel.


    "Sir, this is a fire stone."


    Daniel picked up the fire stone and examined it.


    His mind power quickly probed the stone, revealing its secrets.


    The fire stone contained the power of subterranean flames, likely mined from the bottomless pit.


    Its dense underground aura made that clear.


    It was a decent choice for tempering mind power and the physical body.


    However¡­


    Daniel frowned.


    The fire stone exuded a turbulent energy, far from pure. Overuse in a short time could result in harmful side effects due to the chaotic and mixed energy within.


    For Rose, however, this stone would be perfect.


    Daniel looked back at the attendant.


    "Do you have higher-quality fire stones?"


    "Of course. Our fire stones are categorized into four grades: inferior, intermediate, superior, and pure. The one you''re holding is inferior. The price, naturally, varies with the quality," the attendant explained with a smile.


    "Bring me the pure one," Daniel instructed.


    He had no intention of wasting time on intermediate or superior stones.


    The inferior fire stone in his hand had already provided enough information.


    The classification seemed to be based on purity. The inferior fire stone contained too much chaotic energy, making it potentially dangerous for training.


    The pure version, on the other hand, likely had much higher energy purity.


    "Please follow me," the attendant said, leading Daniel to another room.


    "Please wait here. A pure fire stone requires approval from our general manager. I don''t have the authority. Thank you for your understanding."


    "No problem," Daniel replied, sitting down.


    ¡­


    Shortly after, the general manager entered the room.


    Just as he was about to speak, Daniel cut him off.


    "Let''s skip the formalities. Show me the item. If it''s suitable, I''ll buy it."


    The general manager paused, then nodded. "Understood. Here it is."


    He retrieved a box from his pocket.


    Inside was a crimson crystal-like stone, radiating heat that seemed to raise the room''s temperature. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sir, please be cautious. The fire energy within is extremely volatile and could¡ª"


    Before the general manager could finish, Daniel picked up the pure fire stone.


    What should have been a volatile energy source felt like an ordinary rock in Daniel''s hand, devoid of any reaction.


    The general manager, observing this, immediately realized that Daniel was no ordinary customer.


    Anyone who could request a pure fire stone outright and handle it as if it were nothing must be immensely powerful.


    Daniel analyzed the stone. Its energy was indeed far superior to that of the inferior version, pure enough to incite fierce competition among others.


    But¡­


    For Daniel, it still wasn''t enough.


    This level was more suited for cooking with Sif.


    "Do you have a higher grade?" Daniel asked the general manager.


    Typically, if a pure stone was this easily accessible, there must be something even more valuable hidden away.


    "You''re¡­ not satisfied with this?" the general manager asked, surprised.


    "I asked if you have it," Daniel replied flatly.


    "Well¡­ we do, but the price¡­" The manager hesitated.


    "Price is not an issue. Do you understand?"


    Daniel released a surge of powerful energy, causing the manager to hurriedly apologize and leave, promising to retrieve the item immediately.


    ¡­


    When the manager returned, he carried a black box.


    "Sir, due to the immense energy within the fire crystal, it''s sealed in tungsten iron to contain it," he explained as he placed the box on the table.


    "Also, please be cautious when opening¡ª"


    Before the manager could finish, Daniel opened the box.


    A surge of pure heat swept through the room, nearly overwhelming.


    From within the box, a fiery bird formed of flame energy shot toward Daniel with a sharp cry. Continue your saga on empire


    Daniel casually swatted it back into the box and closed the lid.


    "Just name the price," he said.

 Chapter138-A Valued Customer!

    Hearing Daniel''s words, the general manager''s face lit up with joy.Initially, when Daniel casually opened the box, the manager had been ready to call for help. However, to his astonishment, the fire crystal, which had already manifested a physical form, was effortlessly slapped back into the box by Daniel.


    Just as the manager worried that Daniel might not want the item after seeing it, the latter directly asked for the price.


    The general manager quickly replied,


    "A single fire crystal costs one billion superior mana stones.


    "Of course, at Dragonscale Bank, we also accept other treasures as a form of trade. We always provide the fairest valuation."


    He explained that very few people could carry such an enormous amount of mana stones, so Dragonscale Bank offered a bartering option.


    The bank''s reputation for fair evaluations had remained impeccable over the years.


    Daniel, however, waved his hand dismissively.


    "I''ll use mana stones."


    Over the years, Daniel hadn''t had many opportunities to spend mana stones, and forging didn''t consume much.


    "How many of these¡­ fire crystals do you have here?"


    The general manager promptly answered,


    "We currently have thirty-one fire crystals in stock."


    "Only that many?" Daniel frowned.


    If that was all they had, it wouldn''t be enough for Rose.


    The general manager was momentarily stunned. He hadn''t expected Daniel to think that thirty-one fire crystals were "too few."


    Thirty-one fire crystals¡­ Thirty-one billion superior mana stones...


    How could that be considered a small amount?


    Any organization capable of purchasing so many mana stones in one go must be immensely powerful.


    In his mind, the general manager began silently listing prominent forces, trying to associate Daniel with one of them.


    "Sir, the truth is, most people who acquire fire crystals keep them for personal use rather than selling them to us. These thirty-one pieces are already hard-won treasures!"


    "If you truly need more, you might consider heading to the Fire Abyss. The abyss is currently experiencing a flame tide, which causes a surge in fire crystals."


    "However¡­" The general manager hesitated, looking embarrassed.


    "Many powerful mages have recently returned to compete for those fire crystals due to their immense value."


    Hearing this, Daniel understood.


    "Here''s what we''ll do: pack up all the fire crystals you have, along with every pure fire stone. I''ll take them all."


    The general manager froze for a moment, then his face broke into an uncontrollable grin.


    "Understood, sir! Please wait a moment¡ªI''ll fetch everything right away."


    He could no longer contain his excitement. Never in his career had he encountered such a generous customer.


    The pure fire stones and fire crystals had been sitting in Dragonscale Bank for a long time, with few willing to spend such exorbitant sums to buy them. But today, a single customer had swept them all up.


    The general manager couldn''t help but feel a thrill of satisfaction, smiling all the way as he walked to retrieve the items.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Daniel returned to the first floor, where Rose and the others had dispersed to browse items of interest.


    Even Rikki, the bear, was happily munching on honey-based treats it had picked up.


    Suddenly, two hands covered Rikki''s eyes. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bear instinctively glanced around but found itself in total darkness. Shoving the rest of the snack into its mouth, it panicked and shouted,


    "Brother Ryze! I can''t see! There must be an enemy nearby! Save me!"


    As Rikki shouted and ran blindly, the darkness remained.


    Daniel sighed and waved his hand, causing Nina to drop from a spatial fold.


    Ryze, looking exasperated, glanced at Nina while reassuring the bear.


    "It''s fine now. See? You''re okay."


    Rikki lifted its head and looked around. Its vision was restored, and it laughed happily¡ªuntil it noticed Nina, who was just getting up from the ground nearby.


    "President? When did you get here? I didn''t see you!"


    "I just arrived. I heard you were here, so I came to visit," Nina replied before walking over to Daniel.


    "Headmaster! Everything over there is settled, so I came to have some fun."


    "Fine, just be careful," Daniel replied.


    For the past few days, Nina had been guarding Nora. If there had been any danger, Nina would have evacuated her immediately. Her presence here indicated that Nora was safe.


    Letting Nina explore Sunken City for a while seemed harmless.


    ¡­


    From the entrance, a commotion arose as Dragonscale Bank guards entered, maintaining order in the area.


    "This is Dragonscale Bank¡ªno disturbances allowed! Who is causing trouble here?"


    The guards scanned the crowd sternly.


    All eyes turned to Rikki, who had been shouting earlier and even bumped into several customers while running around.


    Fortunately, Ryze had been there to prevent any damage; otherwise, Rikki might have smashed into the counters.


    Ryze glanced at Nina, seemingly blaming her for teasing the bear and causing it to get caught by the guards.


    "What are you doing here? Return to your original spots!"


    At that moment, the general manager descended from upstairs, reprimanding the guards.


    "What''s going on here?"


    "General Manager, someone was causing a disturbance in Dragonscale Bank!"


    The guards reported, their eyes fixed on Rikki.


    Sensing their hostility, Rikki quickly ran behind Daniel, clinging to his leg for protection.


    Seeing this, the general manager immediately understood.


    "It''s fine. There''s nothing for you to handle here. Return to your posts."


    "Yes, sir."


    The guards retreated to their positions.


    "Esteemed customer, here are the fire crystals and pure fire stones you requested. They''ve been carefully packaged."


    The general manager handed a storage crystal to Daniel.


    After confirming its contents, Daniel left with Rose and the others.


    Watching Daniel''s departing figure, the general manager turned and ascended to Dragonscale Bank''s upper floors.


    A customer so mysterious and powerful, who could casually produce such an astronomical number of mana stones, must belong to a significant force. This had to be reported to the administrator. Your journey continues with empire


    ¡­


    At the highest level of Sunken City''s Dragonscale Bank, the administrator''s office managed all affairs of the bank in the city.


    Had Daniel been present, he would have immediately recognized someone in the room¡ªElise.


    The same Elise who had once disguised herself as a diamond knight, fooling even Daniel.


    Currently, she stood before the Sunken City Dragonscale Bank''s head administrator.


    The meeting room''s atmosphere was tense, verging on explosive.


    Bang!


    A middle-aged man slammed the table with his palm.


    "Elise, what is the meaning of this?" he demanded.


    The man, Reno, was the head administrator of Dragonscale Bank in Sunken City. Years ago, he had been assigned here to prepare for the upcoming Battle for Dominance.


    After years of planning, the battle was now imminent, and victory seemed within reach.


    But now, Elise had arrived, demanding they abandon the fight.


    "Do you even know what you''re saying?" Reno asked angrily.


    "I know exactly what I''m saying, Administrator Reno," Elise replied calmly. "Lake City is not a place worth pursuing¡­ I''m thinking of Dragonscale Bank''s best interests."

 Chapter139-Are You the Chosen One?

    "You? You claim you''re thinking about the interests of Dragonscale Bank? Do you even know why headquarters sent me here over a decade ago? Do you think that all the effort of these years can simply be dismissed with a single sentence from you?""Elise, you must think quite highly of yourself!"


    Faced with Reno''s scathing words, Elise remained calm.


    "Lake City¡ªwe cannot act rashly there!"


    Having interacted with Daniel, Elise understood his terrifying strength.


    The upcoming Battle for Dominance was, in her eyes, meaningless.


    No matter which force emerged victorious, what would it achieve?


    Who would dare provoke Daniel under his watchful eye?


    Absolutely no one.


    Currently, two individuals from Crossbridge Academy were spreading their influence across the Free Federation''s eastern and western regions.


    Lake City had already fallen into Crossbridge Academy''s grasp.


    With Daniel''s temperament, how could he tolerate interference there?


    After all, even in the past, Daniel had stormed the Lake City headquarters simply because a single academy guard had been killed.


    Now, things had escalated far beyond that.


    "So, you''re suggesting we abandon the Battle for Dominance?" Reno''s sharp gaze bore into Elise.


    "Yes," Elise replied firmly.


    "You think I''m a fool? You expect me to abandon a plan over a decade in the making just because of your words?!" Reno rose from his seat, his towering figure looming over Elise.


    "Listen, boy, just because you''re a steward doesn''t mean you can throw your weight around in Sunken City. This is my territory. You don''t have that authority!" S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the tension in the room escalated, threatening to erupt into violence, an elderly man entered.


    "Enough! Calm down, both of you! You are both indispensable to Dragonscale Bank, so why let such matters spark conflict?"


    The old man stepped between Elise and Reno, his voice steady and authoritative.


    Reno retreated to his seat, though his anger lingered.


    "Grand Steward, I cannot accept this! We''ve spent over a decade preparing for this moment, and now this boy wants me to back down?!" Reno protested.


    "The boy built Dragonscale Bank''s second forge, while I only have this Battle for Dominance to rely on! This is Dragonscale Bank''s strategic plan for Lake City¡ªI must see it through! If not, I''ll be the one held accountable!"


    Dragonscale Bank''s plans in Lake City were multifaceted.


    One aspect was Elise''s mission to collect mana stones and construct a forge.


    The other was the Battle for Dominance in Sunken City.


    Only by securing both could the next phase of the plan proceed.


    Elise had already completed her task, which was why she had come to Sunken City.


    However, rather than assisting Reno, she was here to halt him.


    This was a directive from headquarters, and Reno couldn''t simply take Elise at her word. If headquarters later placed the blame on him, it wouldn''t affect Elise, who had already fulfilled her role.


    That was what frustrated Reno the most.


    "You completed your task, but now you''re telling me not to complete mine? If something goes wrong, will you take the blame for me?"


    "No, the forge has already been sent back to headquarters. Thousand-Household City''s setup is complete," Elise stated calmly.


    "What?!"


    Both the Grand Steward and Reno were stunned by her revelation.


    The Grand Steward even exclaimed aloud.


    If the forge had been sent back, it could only mean one thing: the plan for Thousand-Household City was being abandoned.


    But the forge was a critical component of Dragonscale Bank''s strategy.


    "Is what you''re saying true?" The Grand Steward asked, needing confirmation.


    "Yes, it''s true," Elise confirmed with a nod.


    "Why would you do such a thing? The layout for Thousand-Household City was decided by the higher-ups! Aren''t you afraid of being held accountable?" the Grand Steward asked.


    "Grand Steward, as I''ve said many times, a formidable force has emerged in Thousand-Household City. The area is now under their control, and even the Free Federation is gradually falling into their hands," Elise explained.


    Experience exclusive tales on empire


    "You mentioned something about a place called Crossbridge Academy?"


    "Yes. Over the past few years, I''ve witnessed Crossbridge Academy''s growth firsthand."


    Elise had seen enough to understand the terrifying strength of Crossbridge Academy.


    A few years ago, it was just Daniel. Now, Crossbridge Academy was no longer the same.


    The younger generation had grown stronger. Elise had no doubt that given more time, Crossbridge Academy would become a superpower.


    "What they''ve achieved is beyond ordinary. The headmaster of Crossbridge Academy¡ªI can''t even discern his true strength. If you don''t believe me, Grand Steward, you can investigate for yourself," Elise suggested.


    She recounted witnessing Rose''s sword strike, which had nearly destroyed half a city when she was just Tier-Silver or Tier-Gold.


    Now, a few years later, how much stronger had Rose become?


    And Daniel? Elise dared not imagine.


    This was why she was determined to stop this plan. Dragonscale Bank could not afford to provoke such a powerful enemy.


    "If that''s the case, why haven''t you reported this to headquarters?"


    "I''ve tried, but received no response," Elise replied.


    She knew that headquarters wouldn''t believe her.


    Even she wouldn''t have believed it if she hadn''t seen it with her own eyes.


    The room fell silent. Reno began to weigh the validity of Elise''s claims.


    If the forge had already been sent back, even victory in the Battle for Dominance would be pointless, as the next phase required the forge to proceed.


    The Grand Steward was also deep in thought.


    Was this Crossbridge Academy Elise spoke of real?


    If her account was true, a near-destroyed rural academy transforming into a first-rate force¡ªor even a superpower¡ªin just five or six years was inconceivable.


    Normally, the Grand Steward would have dismissed such claims as nonsense.


    But Elise''s determination, risking her career to make this case, gave him pause.


    Perhaps it was worth investigating.


    Seeing the wavering expression on the Grand Steward''s face, Elise pressed her point.


    "Grand Steward, there are still four days until the Battle for Dominance begins. We can make a round trip in that time. If you see Crossbridge Academy''s development for yourself, you''ll understand that I''m telling the truth!"


    "Elise, have you grown so timid over the years? What a disgrace to the family name!"


    A scornful voice came from the doorway.


    Elise turned to see a familiar figure.


    "Imora¡­ What are you doing here?"


    "Miss Imora, please have a seat," Reno said respectfully, signaling her importance.


    Elise immediately understood.


    "You¡­ You''re the chosen representative for Dragonscale Bank this time?"

 Chapter140-Helplessness

    The woman called Imora sat down with a look of disdain directed at Elise.In fact, she was Elise''s younger sister, both hailing from the same family.


    Elise had never expected that her own sister would become Dragonscale Bank''s chosen representative for this Battle for Dominance.


    "Imora returned from a special secret realm, inheriting a primordial artifact. With her participation, Dragonscale Bank is determined to win this Battle for Dominance," the Grand Steward explained, glancing at Elise.


    As his words fell, Elise''s expression shifted into one of deep complexity.


    After a moment of thought, she resolutely declared,


    "No! Imora, you absolutely cannot participate in this battle! Come back with me now! The forge has already been sent to headquarters. Continuing with this is¡­"


    Elise reached for Imora''s hand, intent on taking her away.


    But Imora deftly evaded her grasp.


    "I''ve already had the forge recalled. I became aware of your actions through the family and couldn''t believe you would go this far! This plan has been over a decade in the making for Dragonscale Bank; it cannot end here!"


    If the plan succeeded, not only Imora but also her entire family would receive immense rewards. Imora herself might even secure her path to tier-sage.


    "In a few days, the forge will arrive in Sunken City," Imora said, looking directly at Elise.


    "I never imagined, Elise, that after all these years, you would become so timid and weak!"


    "Are you seriously frightened by some small, insignificant force? Have you forgotten the honor of our family?"


    Imora''s words dripped with contempt, as though she were speaking to a stranger rather than her sibling.


    Elise clenched her teeth, unsure of what to say.


    "If you''re that scared, go back to the family and stop embarrassing yourself here!" Imora sneered, her expression brimming with disdain.


    The Grand Steward, who had been wavering, decided not to interject. Reno also remained silent.


    Clearly, Imora''s appearance had diminished the weight of Elise''s warnings in their eyes.


    Dragonscale Bank had invested too much in this endeavor.


    With Imora''s presence, victory seemed assured.


    Elise glanced at the others, her eyes filled with profound disappointment.


    Everything she had said was true, yet no one was willing to believe her¡ªnot even to the point of verifying it themselves.


    What more could she say?


    After a moment of silence, Elise quietly left the meeting room.


    She knew there was nothing she could do.


    Elise could only hope now that Daniel was unaware of these events and that no one from Crossbridge Academy had been dispatched here.


    After this battle concluded, no matter what, she would take her sister away to ensure Imora didn''t remain in this dangerous situation.


    Dragonscale Bank was bound to make a move on Thousand-Household City in the future.


    When that time came, they would have to face Daniel''s wrath.


    Shaking her head, Elise left the building.


    ¡­


    In a hallway corner, Elise passed by a general manager of Dragonscale Bank. The manager greeted her enthusiastically, his demeanor full of cheer.


    However, Elise wasn''t in the mood and simply nodded in acknowledgment before quickly leaving.


    "Good news, everyone!" the general manager announced upon entering the room.


    "Oh? What news?"


    "Not long ago, someone came to Dragonscale Bank and bought all the pure fire stones and fire crystals. Every single one, paid for entirely in mana stones."


    "Hahaha, now


    that


    is excellent news!" Reno exclaimed, clearly pleased.


    To Dragonscale Bank, nothing was more valuable than mana stones.


    Furthermore, with the forge''s arrival, its operation would require massive amounts of mana stones.


    "Miss Imora''s presence has already brought us luck!"


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Elise was unaware of these developments.


    Had she stayed and heard this, such a familiar extravagance¡ªbuying everything with mana stones¡ªwould have immediately brought a single name to her mind.


    ¡­


    At the center of Sunken City lay a massive pit.


    From above, it appeared bottomless, though in reality, it wasn''t.


    The pit contained numerous winding paths, allowing one to descend deeper.


    It wasn''t a straight drop; its twists and turns made it feel like navigating a rocky and uneven plain.


    Occasionally, subterranean flames and molten lava would erupt, showcasing the world''s violent power.


    During major flame tides, weaker mages often perished in such natural disasters.


    Despite the risks, the pit remained a magnet for mages, drawn by the lure of fire stones.


    During a flame tide, even fire crystals could emerge in abundance.


    For many, acquiring even a fire stone was enough to exchange for valuable treasures at Dragonscale Bank.


    ¡­


    Daniel and his party arrived at the pit.


    Their goal wasn''t fire stones but fire crystals.


    The fire crystals purchased from Dragonscale Bank were insufficient for Rose, just as Daniel had expected.


    Thus, they decided to gather more here, with Rose in tow. Enjoy exclusive content from empire


    Others joined simply out of curiosity.


    Daniel, however, had his own agenda: he wanted to investigate the rumored secret realm at the bottom of the pit, as Nora would need to venture there for the upcoming battle.


    "Rose, I''ll help you find fire crystals!" Nina exclaimed before dashing off ahead.


    Daniel didn''t stop her. A place like this was a fine playground for Nina to explore.


    No harm could come from it¡ªor so he thought.


    Nearby mages smiled upon hearing Nina''s words. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A little girl looking for fire crystals?


    Fire crystals weren''t something one could just stumble upon. Even finding them wasn''t enough; acquiring them required more than luck.


    The moment a fire crystal appeared, every mage in the vicinity became a competitor.


    Suddenly, a shout echoed from the front.


    "Fire crystal!"


    The crowd''s eyes snapped to attention. Where?


    A blinding, searing light burst forth, so intense it seemed to burn their eyelids.


    A fiery red bird streaked into the air.


    The crowd immediately recognized it: only a fire crystal could emit such intense heat and even take on the form of a bird in flight.


    Quick-thinking mages began casting spells, preparing to capture the fire crystal.


    But before anyone could act, the fiery bird seemed to collide with an invisible force and plummeted from the sky.


    Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd, but their eyes stayed locked on the fire crystal as it fell.


    Before anyone could reach it, the crystal landed neatly in Daniel''s hand, transforming into a solid, fiery-red gem.


    The crowd''s initial envy and greed were quickly quelled by an overwhelming chill.


    An invisible aura radiated from Daniel, suppressing the fiery ambitions in their eyes.


    It was as if they had been thrust from a boiling cauldron into a frozen tundra.


    Some still entertained the notion of challenging him, unwilling to believe his luck.


    One such mage cast a spell and charged toward Daniel.


    The crowd didn''t even need to guess what happened next.


    The mage met an immediate and unequivocal end.

 Chapter141-The Source of the Fire Abyss Secret Realm

    Seeing the outcome, the surrounding mages instinctively took a step back.In that fleeting moment, they had all witnessed the scene: a mage attempted to ambush the man who had seized the fire crystal, only to meet instant death.


    No one even noticed how it happened¡ªthe attacker simply collapsed lifelessly.


    At this moment, the crowd fully understood that the man who casually caught the fire crystal was no ordinary individual. He was a top-tier powerhouse, someone capable of feats beyond their imagination.


    Those who had been watching from afar quickly averted their gaze, fearing that this formidable figure might direct his ire toward them.


    Daniel calmly stored the fire crystal in his possession.


    "It seems that only common fire stones are present here. To find better fire crystals, we''ll have to delve deeper," he remarked, beginning to move forward.


    The others followed behind him, treading carefully.


    ¡­


    As the group ventured deeper, the heat grew increasingly unbearable.


    Sparks ignited on the ground wherever their footsteps landed, prompting Daniel to halt and address the group.


    "This isn''t a place you should venture further into. Stay here for now."


    Leaving the others behind, Daniel proceeded alone.


    Reed turned to the rest of the group.


    "Let''s search for fire crystals in the nearby area," he suggested.


    The others agreed and began to spread out in search of the elusive crystals.


    ¡­


    As Daniel continued his descent, he noticed that the environment grew harsher.


    For mages, the extreme conditions posed a severe risk of losing control over their magic. The violent forces in the area influenced the flow of mana, causing it to accelerate uncontrollably or become tainted with volatile energies.


    The oppressive heat intensified, creating an environment unfit for low-level mages, who would likely be incinerated by the sheer temperatures.


    For Daniel, however, the conditions posed no threat. He pressed on, moving faster and faster, his figure becoming a blur.


    ¡­


    After some time, Daniel detected an unusual area ahead, one radiating spatial energy.


    "A secret realm?"


    Upon further inspection, Daniel confirmed that it was indeed a secret realm.


    "This must be the site of the battle," he mused.


    He hadn''t expected the secret realm to be so deep within the pit. Even at his full speed, it had taken him a significant amount of time to reach it.


    Given the average strength of the participants in the Battle for Dominance¡ªmost of whom were on par with or slightly weaker than Nora¡ªit would be nearly impossible for them to reach this location unaided.


    "There must be another entrance," Daniel speculated.


    Otherwise, very few competitors would survive the journey.


    Examining the secret realm more closely, Daniel discovered something intriguing: it wasn''t a single unified space but rather divided into five distinct regions.


    Each region corresponded to one of the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth.


    The rules governing each region varied, forcing any mage entering to adapt to its unique conditions.


    Within each region resided a powerful spell beast, perfectly attuned to the elemental properties of its domain. These creatures could fully leverage the advantages of their respective areas, making them formidable opponents.


    "Interesting," Daniel remarked, intrigued by the secret realm''s design.


    The concept sparked an idea: perhaps he could create a similar secret realm near Crossbridge Academy. By crafting elemental domains and sealing them with magic arrays, he could introduce spell beasts¡ªor even, as Reed had once done, extract entities from the


    Sacred Time River


    ¡­


    "Oh, wait. The Sacred Time River was destroyed by me, wasn''t it?" Daniel chuckled at the thought.


    Fortunately, he had retained a backup in Reed''s possession. He could replicate tier-sage phantoms and place them in the elemental domains, giving students a chance to hone their skills against diverse opponents.


    This, however, was a matter for the future. For now, Daniel chose not to interfere with this secret realm.


    "I''ll let the so-called geniuses from other superpowers showcase their talents first," he thought with a smirk.


    ¡­


    As Daniel delved further, the number of fire crystals increased significantly. With a mere sweep of his hand, he collected a dozen fire crystals.


    His curiosity grew as he neared the pit''s depths, eager to uncover what lay at its very bottom. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After about half an hour of descending, Daniel finally reached the lowest level of the pit.


    The world here was a sea of crimson, the oppressive heat kept at bay by Daniel''s aura. Despite his resistance, he could still sense how uninhabitable this place was, saturated with an overwhelming aura of destruction and desolation.


    Not far away, a river of molten lava flowed slowly, its surface occasionally bubbling and releasing bursts of energy.


    When these bubbles burst, the resulting fire stones were carried upward by thermal currents.


    More potent creations, resembling living entities, became fire crystals. While some fire crystals shot upward, most lay quietly along the riverbed.


    Curious, Daniel moved toward the river''s source, wondering where the lava originated.


    To his surprise, he found the answer at the river''s end¡ªa flower.


    A fiery red flower, vibrant and glowing as if aflame, was the source of the lava.


    As Daniel approached, he realized that the flower was not alive but had long since turned to stone.


    The lava flowed from its petals like blood, creating the river and the fire crystals it spawned.


    "A single flower gave rise to this entire landscape¡­ The lava river, the bottomless pit, fire stones, fire crystals, and even Sunken City itself," Daniel marveled at the phenomenon.


    ¡­


    Reaching out, Daniel placed his hand on the petrified flower.


    In an instant, his surroundings transformed.


    It felt as though he had entered another world.


    Daniel had encountered such a phenomenon before¡ªwhen using the


    Ring of Origin


    to observe the universe''s underlying structure.


    From the flower, countless


    rules Explore more adventures at empire


    radiated outward, connecting to unknown destinations.


    Daniel extended his vast mind power along these rules, tracing their paths.


    He discovered other petrified flowers in distant locations, each transformed into a unique state.


    The flower before him, however, appeared to be the central hub, connecting all the others like a trunk to its branches.


    "What exactly is this?" Daniel wondered aloud, delving deeper with his mind power.


    Soon, a massive map materialized in his mind, showing a network of lines formed by the connections between the dead flowers.


    This network outlined an enormous domain.


    As he studied the map, realization dawned on Daniel.


    This was a


    world node


    , once a part of the world''s consciousness¡ªa remnant of its lifeblood.


    The flowers had once bloomed in radiant glory. But with the death of the world''s consciousness, this place had withered into desolation.


    The death of the flowers had given rise to these unique, perilous regions.

 Chapter142-A Ravaged World

    This place could be described as the physical manifestation of a dying world consciousness.It was essentially a part of the world''s corpse, continually dissolving and integrating into the world''s rules.


    The oracles, wielding the residual powers of gods and devils, were eroding the world, becoming its primary agents of destruction.


    What they didn''t realize was¡­


    This place was equally significant.


    If these lotus flowers were allowed to fully dissolve¡­


    Even without the corruption of foreign powers, the world''s demise would be inevitable.


    Of course, the powers of gods and devils posed a far more immediate threat, their devastation plainly visible.


    But the slow decay here couldn''t be ignored either.


    "This world¡­ is truly tragic," Daniel murmured, a rare moment of sentiment escaping him.


    Without him, this world¡ªwith its mounting internal and external crises¡ªwould have long been doomed to destruction.


    Fortunately, he was here. The worst could be averted.


    Perhaps, as Ryze''s teacher had once said, his arrival in this world was no accident. Maybe he was destined to save it.


    Daniel shook his head, dispelling such thoughts.


    Looking at this region, he conceived a bold idea.


    The lotus flowers were continually dissolving, and one day their energy would be completely depleted, signaling the start of the world''s collapse.


    But what if¡­


    He replaced these flowers with something else capable of sustaining the rules of this place?


    It just so happened that Daniel had the perfect solution.


    In his hand appeared a small sapling¡ªthe


    Tree of Origin


    .


    Based on his calculations, planting the Tree of Origin here would perfectly fulfill the required function.


    The rules¡­


    That was precisely the Tree of Origin''s intended purpose.


    Without hesitation, Daniel tossed the sapling toward the spot where the flower stood.


    The sapling gently landed beside the petrified lotus and immediately began to grow at an astonishing rate.


    Within moments, it had transformed into a towering tree, much like the one Daniel had planted in the mountains of Karea.


    At that moment, Daniel felt the node resonate as if awakened by the Tree of Origin.


    The rules that had once emanated from the dead lotus now began to graft themselves onto the Tree of Origin, flowing seamlessly into its structure.


    Though the tree initially seemed strained under the weight of the rules, it quickly adapted, using the energy to fuel its continued growth.


    The essence of life emanated from the Tree of Origin, gradually revitalizing the area.


    Not long after, the Tree of Origin dimmed, becoming inconspicuous. It had fully assumed the node''s function, camouflaging itself in the process.


    Even a


    tier-sage


    would struggle to detect its presence now.


    ¡­


    Daniel estimated that a single Tree of Origin was sufficient for one node.


    But there were thousands of these nodes spread across the world.


    If he planted Trees of Origin at all of them¡­


    Could the world''s consciousness be revived?


    After all, the Tree of Origin possessed properties akin to life itself.


    Daniel dismissed the thought for now. His priority was clear: plant the trees and eradicate the lingering powers of gods and devils.


    Once the Tree of Origin replaced the node, the lotus flower lost its original function, becoming ordinary.


    Even as Daniel held the stem, he could no longer see the surrounding rules. It was now no different from any other flower.


    "Since it''s useless now, I''ll take it," Daniel said, plucking the dead flower and storing it in his


    storage crystal


    .


    Perhaps Rose could find a use for it later.


    As Daniel collected the flower, the lava river began to flow more slowly. Without the flower, the pit, along with its fire stones and fire crystals, would fade into history in the coming years.


    Sunken City¡­ might eventually be abandoned.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Rose and the others were still searching for fire crystals.


    Occasional bursts of flame erupted around them.


    Seeing Daniel casually catch a fire crystal with a simple gesture had made it seem effortless, but the reality was far different. Fire crystals weren''t so easily obtained, which explained their exorbitant price at Dragonscale Bank.


    Fire crystals, in many ways, behaved like living creatures, resembling agile, aggressive birds.


    Within this unique environment, they used their fiery powers to toy with mages attempting to capture them.


    What''s more, if not caught swiftly, fire crystals would self-destruct.


    That''s right¡ªself-destruct.


    Reed, thinking he could outsmart them with brute force, decided to use his spear. With a precise strike, he hit a fire crystal directly.


    However, just as he was about to claim his prize, the fire crystal exploded. Continue your saga on empire


    A surge of searing heat engulfed Reed, leaving him scorched. Though he instinctively erected a barrier in time, he emerged from the incident covered in soot and ash, his clothes singed.


    Seeing Reed''s mishap, the group quickly realized brute force was not the way to handle fire crystals.


    Once they adapted their approach, capturing fire crystals became significantly easier, and their efforts were rewarded with a decent haul.


    ¡­ Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elsewhere, a group of powerful mages was also hunting for fire crystals.


    Clad in matching uniforms, it was clear they belonged to the same organization¡ªone of the six superpowers participating in the Battle for Dominance:


    Sanctuary of Extension


    .


    Their leader was a young man with a cold demeanor.


    Other mages, recognizing their attire, had wisely steered clear. No one wanted to provoke a force as formidable as the Sanctuary of Extension.


    The young leader, Garr, was their chosen representative for the battle.


    At this moment, Garr and his group were attempting to capture a particularly large fire crystal, much larger than the average ones. Its enhanced properties made it especially valuable.


    Catching a fire crystal required patience and precision. Too much force would trigger an explosion, and the process demanded both physical endurance and perfect timing to exploit the crystal''s vulnerabilities.


    Garr watched silently as his team carefully worked to corner the fire crystal.


    But then, without warning, the crystal vanished.


    "What just happened?"


    "Where did it go?"


    "This doesn''t make sense!"


    "I''ve never heard of fire crystals disappearing like this¡­"


    The group was baffled. After all their effort, the crystal had vanished without explanation.


    Garr, standing apart, had witnessed the entire event. His voice cut through the confusion:


    "Stop discussing. The fire crystal didn''t disappear¡ªit was intercepted."


    His tone was cold, carrying an edge of anger.


    Moments before the crystal was within his team''s grasp, a hand had reached out, snatched it, and vanished in an instant.


    "Spatial abilities," Garr said, his expression darkening.


    He was certain the person who took the fire crystal had used spatial magic.


    And they were close.


    "What?! Lord Garr, are you saying someone


    stole


    the fire crystal from us?"


    "Stealing from Sanctuary of Extension, in broad daylight?!"


    "The audacity! Who dares to disrespect us like this?!"


    Garr''s icy gaze locked onto a specific direction, where he had sensed the spatial distortion.


    "Pursue them. Whoever took the fire crystal is in that direction!" he ordered.

 Chapter143-Saint of Extension!

    Garr''s icy gaze locked onto a specific direction, where he had sensed the spatial distortion."Pursue them. Whoever took the fire crystal is in that direction!" he ordered.


    "Rose! Look, I caught such a big fire crystal!"


    Nina appeared in front of Rose with a triumphant grin, holding a fire crystal the size of a fist.


    This size of fire crystal was indeed rare. Among the ones Rose had recently captured, none came close to this one.


    "Here, it''s for you," Nina said, handing the crystal to Rose.


    "Thank you, Nina."


    "You''re welcome. It wasn''t much trouble¡­" Nina muttered, her tone nonchalant.


    Rose, however, sensed something amiss. Moments later, she felt a powerful aura rapidly approaching, laced with hostility.


    Stowing the fire crystal away, Rose gripped her greatsword tightly and turned to face the newcomers.


    A group from


    Sanctuary of Extension


    was approaching aggressively.


    At the front, Garr''s gaze was fixed on Nina, full of menace.


    He had already deduced that the girl before him was the one who had snatched their fire crystal.


    A crystal that had been within their grasp, only to be intercepted¡ªhow could he tolerate such an affront?


    "Hand it over!" Garr demanded coldly, his piercing gaze shifting between the two girls.


    "What hand over? You say it''s yours, so it''s yours? I could just as easily say the fire crystal belongs to me!" Nina retorted, glaring at the intruder.


    She didn''t recognize him¡ªwhy would she care about his claims?


    "Very well. I didn''t expect to encounter someone bold enough to provoke Sanctuary of Extension today. Prepare to die!" Garr declared, wasting no time.


    Had the opposing side admitted their fault and returned the fire crystal immediately, he might have spared them. But instead, they outright denied everything.


    To Garr, this was an unforgivable insult¡ªnot just to him but to the reputation of


    Sanctuary of Extension


    .


    The moment Garr spoke, he unleashed his mana, his voice echoing powerfully:


    "Sanctuary of Extension is acting. All unrelated parties, clear the area!"


    The name


    Sanctuary of Extension


    struck fear into the hearts of those nearby, who promptly distanced themselves from Rose and her group.


    This was


    Sanctuary of Extension


    , one of the six superpowers about to battle in the Fire Abyss secret realm. No one in their right mind would dare provoke them.


    With the announcement of the upcoming


    Battle for Dominance


    , whispers about the six superpowers had begun circulating in Sunken City. Everyone knew better than to involve themselves in disputes with these forces.


    As the bystanders scattered, Reed and the others gathered around Rose. They couldn''t stand idly by when it was clear the intruder intended to harm her.


    Garr observed the gathering group with a flicker of disbelief. Even after hearing the name of


    Sanctuary of Extension


    , these people dared to approach.


    "Rose, what''s going on?" Reed asked, his gaze sweeping over Garr with a hint of hostility.


    "That unreasonable guy is accusing me of stealing his crystal and is trying to attack me. Seriously, how can a fire crystal that hasn''t even been claimed yet be considered his?" Nina replied indignantly.


    Reed''s expression darkened as he turned his gaze toward Garr. No matter the truth, this was a time for solidarity.


    The rest of the group shared the same resolve.


    Garr''s sharp eyes scanned the group.


    "Good, very good. Even after learning who I am, you dare to oppose me¡­"


    He could sense that the individuals before him weren''t weak. When had Sunken City gained such a force? Were they affiliated with another superpower?


    "And who are you?" Rose asked, unfazed.


    "


    Sanctuary of Extension


    , Saint Garr!" Garr announced proudly, his voice dripping with arrogance.


    However, his title didn''t elicit the reaction he expected.


    "


    Crossbridge Sanctuary


    , Rose," she replied evenly, without a hint of intimidation.


    If he could call himself a saint, why couldn''t she? After all, in recent years,


    Crossbridge Academy


    had grown to the point of being recognized as a sanctuary. Rose could just as easily call herself a saintess if she wanted to.


    Hearing her response, Garr paused, momentarily taken aback.


    Crossbridge Sanctuary


    ? What was that?


    Among the six superpowers, no such force existed. If he hadn''t heard of it, it must mean one thing¡ªthis so-called sanctuary wasn''t truly powerful. It likely adopted the name sanctuary without the strength to back it up.


    "Hmph. A sanctuary, is it? Let''s see if you have the power to justify the name!"


    With that, Garr conjured a flurry of spells around him.


    Sanctuary of Extension


    was renowned for its mastery of magic, considered among the best even within the superpowers.


    In an instant, dozens of spells formed around Garr, ready to strike. He unleashed them toward Rose, overwhelming in their scale and power.


    Outnumbered? Garr didn''t care. The strength of


    Sanctuary of Extension


    lay in its ability to deploy vast amounts of magic simultaneously, capable of overwhelming any number of opponents.


    Those watching from a safe distance whispered among themselves:


    "As expected of the saint from Sanctuary of Extension. Look at that power!"


    "A dozen spells at once¡ªif it were me, my mana would be gone in an instant."


    "Such dazzling magic. That''s enough to turn anyone into ash."


    "Those fools had no idea who they were messing with. What a pathetic way to die."


    Amidst these whispers, Garr sneered. He was certain of victory. How could anyone withstand such overwhelming magic?


    But Rose remained unmoved. She held her greatsword before her, her expression cold and focused. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the spells descended, a subtle barrier of energy formed around her, causing the magic to dissipate the moment it made contact.


    "What?! How is this possible?!" Garr''s shock mirrored that of his comrades.


    Even the spectators stared in disbelief.


    Rose advanced steadily, her barrier nullifying every spell Garr had unleashed. To him, it seemed as if her magic rendered his attacks powerless.


    Was this truly the same girl who had stolen his fire crystal?


    "What kind of magic is this?!" Garr demanded, unable to comprehend what he was witnessing.


    Before he could react further, Rose closed the distance, raising her greatsword to strike.

 Chapter144-Crushing Defeat!

    This scene, apart from those fromCrossbridge Academy


    , was beyond everyone''s expectations.


    The Saint of


    Sanctuary of Extension


    had unleashed a powerful attack.


    Yet¡­


    Why was the girl able to nullify those spells entirely?


    And more astonishingly, how had she closed the distance to the Saint in such a short time?


    How could this be possible? Were they all seeing things?


    How could an unknown girl possess such strength?


    No one could believe their eyes.


    At the center of the chaos, Garr, the Saint of Sanctuary of Extension, felt a surreal disbelief.


    He was the


    Saint of Sanctuary of Extension


    .


    How could his magic fail to affect his opponent?


    Could she be using some kind of treasure?


    Garr couldn''t comprehend what he was witnessing. But there was no time to dwell on it¡ªRose had already reached him.


    With her greatsword raised, she was ready to strike.


    In desperation, Garr cast a flurry of defensive spells, erecting dozens of barriers around himself in an attempt to block her attack.


    Rose''s sword slashed horizontally, cleaving through the barriers with ease.


    One after another, the barriers shattered like glass.


    However, the momentary resistance they provided allowed Garr to retreat to a safer distance.


    Panting slightly, Garr kept his distance, his mind racing.


    How could she nullify all his magic?


    Even if she had some anti-magic item, it couldn''t possibly counteract every element. Yet all his spells¡ªcovering nearly every attribute¡ªhad been neutralized.


    This was unprecedented.


    Faced with such an opponent, Garr realized this battle would not be easy.


    ¡­


    Seeing their Saint pushed back, the other members of Sanctuary of Extension sprang into action, ready to join the fight.


    But Rose''s allies weren''t about to let that happen.


    A spear embedded itself in the ground at the center of the Sanctuary of Extension group.


    Reed appeared, sweeping his spear in a wide arc, scattering several opponents instantly.


    Meanwhile, Green activated a series of magical patterns across his body. His spells clashed with and neutralized incoming attacks, ensuring that no spell could harm their group.


    With the pit''s unique terrain as his ally, Green cast a fire spell that summoned magma to engulf the ground, creating a barrier of flames that isolated Rose and Garr from the rest of the battlefield.


    This move made one thing clear:


    This was a duel between Rose and Garr. Any interference would have to go through them first.


    ¡­


    Garr took note of these developments, recognizing that this group was no ordinary force.


    This so-called


    Crossbridge Sanctuary


    ¡ªwhat exactly was it?


    Why had he never heard of them before?


    But this wasn''t the time to ponder such questions.


    Garr pushed aside his doubts and focused on the battle at hand.


    He had only one option: defeat Rose.


    Abandoning large-scale spells, Garr turned inward, casting a series of self-enhancement spells to bolster his body.


    Sanctuary of Extension wasn''t just known for their spellcasting prowess but also for their research into the synergy between magic and the mage themselves.


    Against opponents who could neutralize magic, mages could still rely on self-enhancement to dominate.


    With multiple buffing spells active, Garr''s aura surged.


    Even Rose acknowledged,


    "You''ve improved compared to before."


    Garr took a step forward, the ground beneath his feet cracking slightly under his weight. His physical prowess had grown terrifying.


    With a powerful stomp, Garr launched himself toward Rose, aiming a devastating punch at her.


    Rose raised her greatsword to block the blow, sliding back a few steps before stabilizing herself.


    The sheer force of Garr''s strike surprised her.


    "So, you''re not just talk," Rose muttered.


    The exchange forced her to take him seriously.


    A destructive aura emanated from Rose as she charged forward again.


    Garr, startled by her resilience, couldn''t believe that his full-strength punch had only forced her to retreat a few steps. Now, she was already coming at him again.


    Their clash intensified, with sword meeting fist in a series of violent collisions.


    The shockwaves from their battle radiated outward, sending ripples through the surrounding area.


    The onlookers, keeping a safe distance, could feel the terrifying power of the confrontation.


    "So this is the true strength of a Saint from Sanctuary of Extension¡­"


    "Incredible. Even the aftershocks are this devastating?"


    "I can''t imagine what it''d be like at the center of their fight."


    "Who''s that girl fighting the Saint? She''s evenly matched with him!"


    "She must be from another superpower. Look at how her allies are easily handling the other Sanctuary of Extension members!"


    ¡­


    On the sidelines, Green and Reed had nearly cleared out the remaining Sanctuary of Extension members.


    Reed''s spear moved unpredictably, making him unstoppable in close combat.


    Any long-range spells aimed at him were intercepted by Green, allowing Reed to focus entirely on his opponents. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Within moments, the rest of Sanctuary of Extension''s members were incapacitated, leaving only Rose and Garr still fighting.


    ¡­


    As Rose''s greatsword clashed repeatedly with Garr''s fists, the Saint of Sanctuary of Extension began to falter.


    Despite his enhanced physique, cracks were starting to appear.


    The sword carried a strange, sinister energy that seemed to erode the magical enhancements Garr had placed on himself.


    Crack!


    A faint sound signaled the shattering of Garr''s magical buffs.


    Staggering back, his body drenched in sweat, Garr found Rose''s blade pressed against his throat.


    "Now it''s your turn to die," Rose said coldly, raising her sword to strike.


    Garr closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.


    He hadn''t expected to lose to someone whose name he''d never heard of.


    He had believed himself capable of holding his own against any opponent from the other superpowers.


    ¡­


    At that moment, Reed stepped forward and placed a hand on Rose''s blade.


    "Rose, there''s no need to kill him here."


    "Why not?" Rose asked, her gaze icy as it turned to Reed.


    "He''s already a defeated foe. Besides¡­" Reed glanced around.


    The remaining Sanctuary of Extension members lay scattered, incapacitated.


    "He''s not our real opponent. He''s part of the Headmaster''s plan¡­" Reed didn''t finish, but Rose understood.


    Sanctuary of Extension was one of the superpowers participating in the


    Battle for Dominance


    . Garr would inevitably face Nora.


    Daniel intended for this to be a test of Nora''s growth, so eliminating Garr now served no purpose.


    Without another word, Rose withdrew her sword and said flatly,


    "You may leave."

 Chapter145-Divergence

    Discover stories at empireGarr stood frozen, struggling to believe what had just transpired.


    He had never imagined being dismissed in such a condescending manner, with the words,


    "You may leave,"


    spoken as if his life was worth nothing.


    Even as Rose said it, her greatsword hadn''t fully withdrawn from his neck, leaving him with an overwhelming sense of humiliation.


    Who was he?


    He was the Saint of


    Sanctuary of Extension


    !


    Yet today, someone had placed a blade to his throat and spared him with an air of disdain.


    The shame burned within him.


    "You''re not leaving? Do you want to die after all?" Rose said coldly, her sword once again pressing against Garr''s neck.


    She noticed the resentment and fury etched across his face. If she let him go now, it felt like sparing an enemy who wouldn''t think twice about retaliating.


    The sharp edge of her sword pricked his neck, drawing a trickle of blood.


    "Rose! Enough!" Reed intervened, grabbing hold of her blade once more.


    In this moment, Garr was genuinely frightened. He could feel that she wasn''t bluffing¡ªshe was ready to end his life without hesitation.


    Did she truly have no fear of Sanctuary of Extension?


    Looking at her expression, Garr realized that she might genuinely not care. If not for the man stopping her, he was certain he''d already be a corpse.


    Reed tightened his grip on the blade.


    "Letting him go isn''t releasing a tiger back into the mountains," he said calmly, "Not unless he''s a real tiger¡ªand one capable of returning to the mountains."


    He added, "Besides, the Headmaster will be here soon. Let''s leave it at that."


    Hearing this, Rose hesitated before lowering her sword. Without another word, she turned and said, "I''m tired. I''m going back."


    She walked off, heading toward the exit.


    Reed let out a resigned sigh and followed after her.


    Green, too, exhaled in relief. At least the situation hadn''t escalated into a full-blown fight between the two of them. That would have been a spectacle nobody wanted to see.


    The group vanished from Garr''s sight, leaving him standing there alone.


    As their silhouettes faded, Garr''s body trembled, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. His legs nearly gave out beneath him.


    For the first time, the reality of his injuries set in.


    The sensation of having his life completely under someone else''s control was harrowing, as was the chilling closeness to death he had just experienced.


    Never in his life had Garr imagined that, as the Saint of


    Sanctuary of Extension


    , he would one day find himself in such a predicament.


    "Saint!"


    Several of his subordinates managed to get back on their feet and rushed over to him.


    Though Green and Reed had held back, only injuring rather than killing them, some injuries were severe enough to take weeks to heal. Those less hurt moved swiftly to their Saint''s side.


    "Are you alright, Saint?" one asked anxiously.


    "We should go find Lord Rod! He''ll definitely¡­"


    Rod was the elder accompanying Garr to the


    Battle for Dominance


    . His purpose was to ensure Garr''s safety and oversee post-battle negotiations, much like Karea Academy''s Hayes.


    His strength was unquestionable.


    The suggestion to seek Rod''s help was meant to enlist his aid in seeking justice for their humiliation.


    But upon hearing this, Garr turned to the speaker with fury blazing in his eyes. Without a word, he slapped the man hard across the face, sending him sprawling.


    "Do you think I haven''t been humiliated enough already?"


    This loss had been a complete defeat. There were no excuses¡ªhe had been outmatched.


    To lose was one thing, but to remain ignorant of his own shortcomings would be an even greater failure.


    Garr glared coldly at the man he had struck, who now lay on the ground.


    "No one is to speak of this incident. If we encounter that group again, avoid them at all costs. Do you understand?"


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Daniel emerged from the depths of the Fire Abyss, reuniting with Rose and the others. Together, they returned to their rented residence in Sunken City.


    On the way, Nina whispered to Daniel about what had transpired earlier between Rose and Reed.


    "Headmaster, they were both terrifying. I was so scared they were going to start fighting," Nina said softly.


    If a fight had broken out, Nina wasn''t sure what she would''ve done. While she felt compelled to side with Rose, the thought of attacking Reed left her feeling conflicted.


    Luckily, it hadn''t come to that.


    Daniel smiled slightly.


    "Disagreements are normal. They''re both adults now, not children. A simple argument won''t lead to an all-out brawl. Everyone has their own perspective."


    "And in the end, didn''t they both step back?"


    Nina nodded thoughtfully.


    "So, in the Headmaster''s eyes, they''re not kids anymore. That''s why they knew to compromise. Then¡­ who''s the kid?"


    It can''t be me, right?


    Nina shook her head, dismissing the thought.


    I''m an adult now.


    The kid must be Rikki the bear. Definitely.


    ¡­


    The


    Battle for Dominance


    began.


    In Sunken City, there were no public announcements or fanfare. Most residents remained oblivious, speculating about when the superpowers would finally clash and hoping to secure a good spot to watch.


    But the truth was, only a select few had the privilege to witness the event.


    The superpowers had no intention of turning themselves into spectacles for the masses. Access to the battle was strictly controlled, limited to notable factions.


    Naturally, Daniel and his group wouldn''t miss such an event.


    Nina held a token gifted by the elders of


    House Ponton


    to placate Nora''s anger. This token allowed unrestricted access throughout Sunken City, including the battle''s viewing area.


    The audience sat in a magically created space, much larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside. At its center, a projection displayed real-time events from within the secret realm.


    Daniel chose a quiet corner and sat down, awaiting the battles with some anticipation.


    He was eager to see how much Nora had grown in recent years. He also wanted to gauge the strength of the superpowers'' so-called prodigies¡ªand determine whether these factions were connected to the lingering forces of gods and devils.


    Karea Academy


    , for instance, clearly had ties to such powers. What about the others?


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Nora was seated in an ancient residence belonging to one of House Ponton''s tier-sages, with Hayes at her side.


    "We''ve managed to gather some intel on your opponents," Hayes began.


    "


    Dawnlight Empire''s Yesar


    , a light magic user."


    "


    Dark Empire''s Deguro


    , a necromancer."


    "


    Cult of Calamity''s Fedrick


    , skilled in curses and calamities."


    "


    Sanctuary of Extension''s Garr


    , adept at their signature magic, Derivation of All Spells and Unified Arcana."


    "As for


    Dragonscale Bank''s S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    chosen representative, we''ve only learned her name: Imora. Dragonscale Bank has sealed all other information about her."


    After listing the opponents, Hayes warned,


    "Especially be cautious of Dragonscale Bank''s representative. They''ve been preparing for this battle for a long time."

 Chapter146-The Battle for Dominance Begins!

    This matter was something Hayes took care to remind Nora about.According to his investigation, the current administrator of the Dragonscale Bank in Sunken City had been transferred there abruptly over a decade ago. The man named Reno, once a rising star within Dragonscale Bank, was suddenly reassigned to such a remote location¡ªa move that was certainly unusual.


    Later, the major factions decided that the final battle would take place there.


    It could only mean that Dragonscale Bank had its own plans. However, Hayes had found no concrete information about them.


    Now, the sudden emergence of a woman named Imora left Hayes perplexed. He couldn''t even trace her origins; all he knew was that she had been chosen for the battle¡ªand that she was immensely powerful.


    "Perhaps¡­ she is the only one who could pose a real threat to you."


    Although Hayes had confidence in Nora, the mysterious Imora made him deeply uneasy.


    Nora merely nodded. She had little interest in her opponents. The only reason she was participating in this battle was because the headmaster had instructed her to. That was it.


    She was also curious to see how her strength, honed over the past few years, compared to the prodigies of the major factions.


    "I know you don''t feel much of an attachment to Karea Academy," Hayes said, "but I hope you understand this: if you win this battle, all your past actions will be forgiven. No one will trouble you anymore. Your family, your friends, even your former academy will fall under Karea Academy''s protection. They''ll be safe. That''s my promise to you."


    Nora glanced at Hayes, nodding without a word.


    She stifled a laugh. If the headmaster were here, she wondered, would Hayes dare speak with such arrogance?


    The rules of the competition were clear: six participants, each scattered across five elemental fields.


    Each field held a fragment of treasure, hidden and protected by a powerful spell beast.


    The task was to defeat the spell beast and claim the treasure.


    Afterward, participants could enter other fields to take treasures from others.


    Ultimately, the one who fused all the fragments would be the victor.


    Naturally, there was a catch: with six participants and only five fields, one person would be randomly assigned to a field with another.


    This person could either cooperate with their fieldmate or eliminate them to take their place. Both strategies were allowed under the rules.


    The five fields¡ªwood, fire, earth, metal, and water¡ªeach differed from the main world, with unique environmental laws that made crossing between fields a formidable challenge. It was a comprehensive test for the participants.


    ¡­


    At Dragonscale Bank, Reno, Imora, and Elise were gathered in a room discussing the competitors.


    "The other factions'' representatives are more or less predictable," Reno said. "But Karea Academy¡­ There''s no information at all about this Nora. It''s as if she appeared out of nowhere, completely disrupting our initial expectations."


    Indeed, the major factions often speculated about who would be chosen, as young geniuses tend to garner attention¡ªunless they had been trained in secrecy.


    Dragonscale Bank, for instance, had groomed Imora from a young age, much like Elise, though Imora was considered even more valuable.


    Karea Academy, by contrast, recruited students from all over, and their talents were usually easy to discern. But this Nora, who had appeared so suddenly, had thrown their predictions into chaos. Reno had initially assumed that the academy''s candidate would be Gurei, the son of House Ponton''s head, but instead, they got Nora.


    This uncertainty worried Reno. What if something unexpected happened?


    "It doesn''t matter who they are," Imora said with unshakable confidence. "They''ll all die at my hands."


    ¡­


    "Ina, I''m sure you''ll win! You''re the strongest!" Ina said with a look of adoration as she gazed at Garr.


    But Garr ignored her, his expression serious and pensive. His thoughts lingered on the day Rose defeated him¡ªher enormous sword breaking through his pride, blow by blow.


    Still, Rose wasn''t affiliated with one of the five major factions, so he wasn''t afraid.


    ¡­


    As the bells tolled, the


    Battle for Dominance


    officially began.


    As Daniel had anticipated, the chosen participants entered the secret realm through various means. Nora found a door appear before her, and Hayes urged her to step through while reminding her to be cautious. Without hesitation, Nora crossed the threshold.


    Simultaneously, the other participants also entered the realm.


    In the viewing area, a central projection lit up, showing the status of the six participants. They had successfully entered the secret realm.


    The projection revealed five distinct landscapes:


    A battlefield littered with broken weapons.


    Towering trees that blocked out the sun.


    An endless icy plain.


    A volcano filled with molten lava.


    A vast desert swept by sandstorms.


    Each of the six participants was assigned to a field, their images appearing on the screen for all to see.


    When Elise saw one of the figures, she froze, utterly stunned.


    "Who is this?" Elise asked quickly. "Which faction is she from?"


    Elise had once thoroughly investigated Daniel and Crossbridge Academy, particularly after the transformative events in Riverside City and the Mistriver Realm.


    During that incident, Daniel had trained five students: Rose, Reed, Green, Nina, and¡­ Nora. The five had made such an impression that their names were still remembered by their peers.


    And now, Elise was seeing something unbelievable: Nora, one of those five, had appeared in the


    Battle for Dominance


    .


    Did this mean Daniel was aware of this battle? Or worse, that he was watching it unfold from somewhere?


    ..


    Daniel observed the participants scattered across the fields:


    In the


    Fire Field


    was Yesar from the Dawnlight Empire.


    The Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Metal Field


    held Garr from the Sanctuary of Extension, who had previously clashed with Rose.


    In the


    Earth Field


    was the enigmatic Imora from Dragonscale Bank.


    The


    Wood Field


    featured two participants: Deguro from the Dark Empire, exuding a deathly aura, and Fedrick from the Cult of Calamity, radiating the power of curses. Read new chapters at empire


    Lastly, in the


    Water Field


    , was Nora.


    The


    Water Field


    was a world of snow and ice. As Nora entered, a bone-chilling cold greeted her. Despite her current strength, which rendered her immune to ordinary temperatures, the cold here managed to affect her.


    "So this is what the headmaster meant by the ''rules,''" Nora murmured. She reached out, catching a snowflake in her palm as it melted into water, sending a sharp chill through her hand.


    The five fields were extremes of their respective elements¡ªfar removed from the main world. This singular focus made them unique, but it also confined them to their roles as part of a secret realm.


    Nora''s task was clear: comprehend the field''s rules, master them, and perhaps even control them.

 Chapter147-Opening Move—Invasion!

    Nora was in the process of comprehending the rules.This so-called


    Battle for Dominance


    Find more chapters on empire


    wasn''t about direct combat at the outset but rather navigating the unique environments of the five elemental fields. The competition considered many factors.


    Each of the five fields corresponded to certain natural attributes, and participants had inherent affinities¡ªor lack thereof¡ªfor them. If someone was assigned to a field that didn''t suit them and they couldn''t comprehend its rules, they''d face immense difficulties. It would almost guarantee elimination.


    Then there was the sixth participant, who could be randomly assigned to any of the five fields. This added an element of luck to the competition.


    Next came adaptability. Even if a participant was assigned to a less favorable field, they would still need to understand its rules. The rules of the fields differed significantly from those of the


    main world


    . Each field had rules that were extreme, focusing on a single aspect of magic or nature to its utmost. Such specificity imposed significant constraints on those from the main world.


    Participants needed to adapt to these rules to maintain functionality within their assigned fields. Even when invading other fields, they would have to relearn and adjust to entirely new rules.


    Finally, it would all come down to combat. The ultimate victor would be determined through battle for control of the treasures.


    Nora closed her eyes and began attuning herself to the rules of the


    Water Field


    . She wasn''t in a rush¡ªshe preferred to deal with challenges as they arose.


    "Good luck, Sister Nora!" Nina whispered from the viewing area, her voice filled with quiet encouragement.


    On the projection, the six participants were shown, each focused on understanding the rules of their respective fields. Their methods varied, sparking lively discussions among the spectators.


    "This doesn''t look good! Yesar excels in light magic from the Dawnlight Empire, which overlaps with fire magic. If he''s in the


    Fire Field


    , he''s probably completely in his element!"


    "I think the two in the


    Wood Field


    will have issues. They might start fighting before they even grasp the rules."


    "That Nora girl seems unimpressive. There''s no information about her¡ªshe might just be here to make up the numbers."


    "What about Garr in the


    Metal Field


    ? Isn''t he supposed to be a standout from the Sanctuary of Extension? He doesn''t seem all that remarkable."


    "..."


    "And then there''s the Dragonscale Bank''s participant. All we know is her name, but she might very well end up being the winner."


    "At this stage, it''s hard to gauge their abilities."


    "Not true!" an elder interjected. "At this stage, we can see it clearly. True geniuses are defined by their talent, and their comprehension of the rules is the most direct indicator. The faster they adapt, the greater their talent¡­"


    Before he could finish, gasps erupted around him. Everyone turned their attention to the projection.


    One figure was already moving through their field!


    "Who is that? They''ve already comprehended the rules and are moving through the field?"


    "That''s the participant from Dragonscale Bank¡ªImora!"


    How could she be so fast?


    While the other participants were still immersed in understanding the rules of their respective fields, Imora was already on the move. The gap between her and the others was obvious¡ªand it had been less than half an hour since the competition began.


    In the


    Earth Field


    , Imora moved swiftly. A faint white aura surrounded her, shielding her from the wind and sand. This alone revealed her proficiency in water magic. If she had been assigned to the


    Water Field


    , she would likely have thrived even more.


    However, she had started in the Earth Field. Despite this, she had already grasped the rules of her environment faster than anyone else.


    Imora''s rapid movement left many spectators wondering what her objective was. Was she searching for the treasure hidden within the Earth Field?


    But her unwavering direction, with no hesitation or course corrections, raised questions. How could she be so confident that she was heading toward the treasure''s location?


    "No, that''s not it! She''s heading for the


    field node


    !"


    The fields contained a node¡ªessentially a transit point connecting the five elemental zones. Through these nodes, participants could invade other fields.


    "Does she intend to bypass the treasure in the Earth Field and invade another area instead?" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her decision puzzled many. It would require immense confidence to skip obtaining her field''s treasure¡ªan asset that could enhance her strength¡ªand invade another field instead.


    This choice demonstrated one thing: absolute self-assurance. Imora believed that none of the other participants had yet comprehended their respective field''s rules, let alone claimed their treasures. By invading now, she ensured the battle would occur under equal conditions¡ªpurely a test of strength.


    Imora was certain that no matter which field she invaded, she could quickly adapt to its rules and defeat its participant. This confidence drove her decision:


    to fight without hesitation or preparation


    .


    ¡­


    In the Dragonscale Bank''s observation room, the grand steward smiled as he watched Imora''s bold actions.


    "As expected of her! To make such a decisive move in so little time."


    At this stage, the other participants were still grappling with understanding their respective fields'' rules. Imora''s speed meant she could engage her opponents before they had fully adapted. Her talent was extraordinary.


    "She''s going to catch them completely off guard. This is exactly the kind of confidence Dragonscale Bank stands for! The final victory will be ours!" the grand steward declared confidently.


    Elise, however, looked deeply worried.


    Imora had reached the node connecting to the


    Water Field


    . From here, she could choose to invade another field or return to the Earth Field. Elise knew that Imora''s natural affinity was ice magic, making the Water Field the most compatible with her abilities.


    But the Water Field was where Nora was.


    If Imora chose to invade the Water Field, Elise couldn''t imagine how things would end for her sister. Even though Nora appeared to be still comprehending the rules, Elise couldn''t shake her unease.


    The students from Crossbridge Academy were anything but ordinary. Rose and Reed had made their mark after the Mistriver Realm incident, and even the unassuming Green exuded an increasingly oppressive aura. Elise had often felt that Green could sense her presence, even when she was in hiding.


    And Nora? Just how strong could she be?


    ¡­


    Imora stood at the node leading to the Water Field, hesitating briefly before stepping forward.


    "No! Don''t go in!" Elise said nervously.


    At that moment, Nora had already finished comprehending the rules of the Water Field and was on her way to find its treasure. If Imora entered now, she might encounter Nora directly.


    A battle between the two seemed inevitable.


    With Nora already attuned to the Water Field''s rules, Elise doubted her sister''s chances.

 Chapter148-This Girl Clearly Lacks Experience!

    Meanwhile, at House Ponton, Hayes was closely observing the situation within the secret realm.Imora''s rapid progress left him stunned.


    It was too fast!


    While the others were still in the process of comprehending the rules, Imora was already preparing to invade another field. This made Hayes uneasy, especially since Nora was still in the midst of understanding the rules.


    Moreover, from Imora''s movements, it was clear that her expertise lay in water magic. And the field Nora was in just happened to be the


    Water Field


    .


    From Hayes'' perspective, if Imora decided to invade, the


    Water Field


    would be her easiest and most successful target.


    Imora, adept at water magic, had grasped the rules of the


    Earth Field


    so quickly. If she entered the


    Water Field


    , Hayes couldn''t imagine the consequences.


    If Imora successfully invaded, her proficiency with water magic would allow her to comprehend the


    Water Field''s


    rules even faster. At that point¡­


    Nora would lose any advantage she had. Her only option would be to fight. But Imora? She could retreat at any time, return to the


    Earth Field


    , or even invade another field.


    This inherent disparity would only magnify Imora''s advantage.


    Fortunately, Hayes noticed one key detail: Imora seemed to be hesitating about which field to invade. This bought time, during which Nora had already awakened.


    ¡­


    Within the


    Water Field


    , Nora had no way of knowing someone outside was debating whether to invade her domain. She was focused on searching for the treasure hidden within her field.


    Though she had awakened, the situation was far from optimistic.


    If Imora chose to invade the


    Water Field


    , there was a high chance that by the time Imora fully understood the rules, Nora would already be engaged in battle with the spell beast guarding the treasure. That would make things even worse.


    Hayes kept a close watch on the scene, his expression tense.


    But in the end, the result brought Hayes a sigh of relief. Imora did not choose to enter the


    Water Field


    . Instead, she headed for the


    Fire Field


    .


    This decision temporarily spared Nora from immediate danger. Hayes exhaled, grateful for the reprieve.


    Now, it was up to Nora to perform.


    ¡­


    At Dragonscale Bank, Elise also sighed in relief. Thankfully, her sister Imora didn''t choose to enter Nora''s


    Water Field


    , opting for another target instead. Otherwise¡­ Elise didn''t dare imagine the consequences.


    ¡­


    In the viewing area, Daniel chuckled as he watched Nora.


    "This girl... How can she be so unbothered at a time like this?"


    "Father, what do you mean?" Rose asked curiously.


    "Haven''t you noticed? After Nora woke up, her aura changed slightly. This girl isn''t just understanding the rules; she''s integrating them into her magic."


    To not only comprehend the rules but also incorporate them into her magic system while in a field¡­ This wasn''t just bold; it bordered on recklessness.


    Nora hadn''t even secured the


    Water Field''s


    treasure yet. Attempting to integrate the rules into her magic meant she was essentially upgrading and reinventing her abilities on the spot.


    Such endeavors often had no clear time frame. Even Daniel couldn''t predict when she might finish. It could take the entirety of the competition¡ªor beyond.


    Yet Nora dared to attempt it, and not only that¡ªshe succeeded.


    This only heightened Daniel''s expectations.


    "That half-divine artifact she has seems to suit her well," he mused. Without it, such a rapid grasp of the rules would have been impossible. Achieving this level required an extraordinary understanding and mastery of the rules.


    Had Imora invaded during Nora''s comprehension process and forcibly interrupted her, it would have been devastating. But thankfully, Nora had prevailed.


    As for Imora, she was undoubtedly formidable. To grasp the rules of the


    Earth Field


    , an environment that countered her natural element, in such a short time, was no small feat.


    ¡­


    Nora continued deeper into the


    Water Field


    , heading toward its core. The environment grew increasingly harsh.


    If the outskirts of the


    Water Field


    resembled a snowy landscape, this area was a frozen wasteland¡ªan icy world of extreme cold and unforgiving conditions.


    But for Nora, who had already grasped the rules, it was manageable.


    As she advanced, the surrounding ice began to crack.


    Massive figures emerged from the frozen ground¡ª


    ice giants S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    , their entire bodies made of solid ice.


    Continue reading stories on empire


    Under the unique rules of the


    Water Field


    , these ice giants were significantly empowered.


    How would Nora face such powerful enemies?


    ¡­


    The ice giants'' massive steps caused the ground to tremble. There wasn''t just one of them¡ªthere were several, each towering over the diminutive Nora.


    One giant stooped down, pulling an enormous ice mountain from the ground and hurling it toward Nora.


    Everyone in the viewing area watched this scene intently.


    While the other participants were still comprehending their respective fields'' rules, and though Imora was moving swiftly, Nora was the only one already battling the spell beast guarding her field''s treasure. This drew nearly all the spectators'' attention.


    The contrast between Nora and the colossal ice giants was striking, leaving many worried.


    How could she evade such an attack?


    This was an entire mountain of ice! Even the fragments from its impact would cover a vast area, making it almost impossible to avoid.


    Nora would need extraordinary speed to dodge not only the mountain but also the explosion of ice shards that would follow.


    ¡­


    As the massive ice mountain hurtled toward her, Nora pulled out a harp.


    Plucking its strings, an invisible wave of energy erupted into the air.


    The mountain shattered into countless pieces, transforming into a cascade of ice shards that rained down on the ice giants instead.


    This move took everyone by surprise.


    This girl¡ªsecond only to Imora in comprehending the rules¡ªhad just destroyed an entire mountain in a single strike!


    But the shock soon turned to unease.


    The shards that rained down on the ice giants didn''t harm them. Instead, the fragments merged with their bodies, making them even larger and more formidable.


    The ice giants, now even more imposing, advanced toward Nora.


    One of them prepared to strike with its massive fist.


    Nora, undeterred, lifted her harp again. Her slender fingers plucked the strings, and this time, a barrage of ice spikes materialized.


    The spikes encircled her, then shot toward the ice giants.


    ¡­


    In the viewing area, many frowned.


    "This girl¡­ Clearly, she lacks combat experience! How can she attack like this?"


    "Those ice giants are made of ice. Doesn''t she realize that attacking them with ice magic will only make them stronger?"


    "Didn''t she notice that the shattered mountain made the giants grow larger? This attack is just going to make things worse."


    "Ah¡­ It seems she''s either too inexperienced or panicking after seeing the giants get too close."


    Many nodded in agreement.


    To them, Nora seemed like a novice¡ªlacking experience and composure in battle.

 Chapter149-Astonishment!

    At Dragonscale Bank, Reno couldn''t help but laugh out loud as he watched the scene unfold.Then, noticing the stern expression of the grand steward beside him, he quickly stifled his laughter, forcing a serious demeanor.


    He simply hadn''t expected such an absurd moment in this competition.


    Was Karea Academy not even trying to select qualified participants? Or did they just send someone random to embarrass themselves?


    Attacking an


    ice giant


    with ice magic? Even the most inexperienced fighter could have seen the effect of the earlier ice mountain striking the giants¡ªit had only made them stronger.


    Yet here was this mysterious participant, responding with more ice magic. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reno could barely contain himself. How could anyone watch this and not laugh?


    Initially, he thought Karea Academy''s mysterious chosen competitor might pose a real challenge. But now¡­ she was just a joke.


    Still, Reno quickly restrained his laughter again after glancing at the grand steward, understanding the need to maintain respect for their opponent.


    The grand steward, however, had also begun to relax. A smile crept onto his face.


    "It seems¡­ this Karea Academy participant isn''t much after all."


    Before the competition began, their greatest concern had been Nora, the mysterious chosen one from Karea Academy. They couldn''t find any information about her, not even how she had been selected. This made them suspect Karea Academy might be their toughest rival this time.


    But now, it seemed¡­ she was no threat at all.


    With the grand steward smiling, Reno finally let himself laugh freely.


    The only one still watching intently was Elise.


    In her eyes, it was impossible for someone trained under Daniel to be so incompetent. If that were the case, she wouldn''t have been so concerned to begin with.


    After all, neither Rose, Reed, nor Green were ordinary talents.


    And Nora? Could she really be this terrible?


    Elise chose to keep watching in silence.


    ¡­


    At House Ponton, Hayes could barely contain his frustration.


    Before the


    Battle for Dominance


    began, he had repeatedly reminded Nora of the stakes¡ªjust win, and everything could be negotiated.


    But now¡­


    What was she doing?


    Hayes knew Nora''s capabilities. These


    ice giants


    should have been no match for her. She even had a spell capable of creating a localized spatial trap, which would have easily dealt with the giants.


    But instead, she was using ice magic to


    strengthen


    the enemies? Was she trying to make the battle more challenging for herself?


    ¡­


    In the spectator area, even Rose, who trusted Nora, frowned.


    Would this kind of attack really work?


    Unlike Rose, who had years of experience battling outside the academy, Nora had spent most of her time at Karea Academy.


    "Just keep watching," Daniel said calmly. "Nora may not have fought much in the outside world¡­"


    But in the half-divine artifact, her experiences surpassed those of Rose and Reed combined.


    Reassured, Rose continued watching.


    The ice spikes launched from Nora''s harp hit their mark, embedding themselves in the


    ice giants


    . As expected, the spikes merged seamlessly with the giants'' bodies, just as everyone had anticipated.


    But then¡­


    The giants, who had been preparing to attack, suddenly froze.


    They stood motionless, as if someone had hit a pause button on their massive bodies.


    When did this happen?


    Moments earlier, the giants had been advancing on Nora. Now, they were utterly still.


    Nora lowered her harp and continued walking forward, passing beneath the towering giants without so much as a glance.


    The


    ice giants


    , for their part, appeared oblivious to her presence. They remained frozen in place.


    Only after Nora had walked past them did they begin to move again. But as they moved, their bodies began to crumble.


    Ice fragments fell from their frames, followed by their limbs and heads.


    In the end, these towering


    ice giants


    collapsed into piles of ice chunks on the ground.


    The scene stunned everyone.


    The viewing area, which had been buzzing with chatter moments before, fell into an eerie silence.


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    The spectator who had earlier dismissed Nora as inexperienced and inept now sat with his head lowered, avoiding eye contact with anyone.


    ¡­


    Daniel wasn''t surprised by the outcome. Had Nora failed to do this,


    that


    would have shocked him.


    After all, Nora possessed a half-divine artifact.


    ¡­


    At Dragonscale Bank, the silence in the room was deafening.


    The grand steward''s expression had grown serious, and Reno''s smile was frozen in place.


    He couldn''t fathom how the attack he had found so laughable¡ªa seemingly ineffective ice spell¡ªhad obliterated the


    ice giants


    so completely.


    This was no ordinary feat.


    The


    Water Field


    operated under unique rules. The


    ice giants


    , born from these rules, were immensely powerful. Earlier, even shards from a shattered ice mountain had been absorbed by the giants, enhancing their strength.


    Yet Nora had destroyed them with ice magic¡ªmagic that should have


    strengthened


    them.


    What did this mean?


    For most participants, initial comprehension of a field''s rules allowed them to move freely within its constraints.


    Advanced comprehension enabled them to learn and use the field''s rules to their advantage in battle.


    But Nora¡­


    She had achieved mastery.


    She had fully integrated the


    Water Field''s


    rules into her own magic system.


    Only by mastering the rules could she so effortlessly destroy creatures born from them.


    After all, her mastery of the rules meant her power superseded theirs.


    Once Reno grasped this, his earlier laughter felt like a distant memory. His expression turned grim.


    The grand steward, having realized this earlier, wore a solemn look as well.


    "When did Karea Academy produce such a prodigy?" the grand steward murmured.


    At such a young age, Nora had already achieved this level of mastery over a field''s rules in mere moments.


    It was worth noting that Nora had awakened only slightly later than Imora.


    The grand steward knew Imora''s capabilities well. From her movements, it was clear that she had only grasped the basics of the


    Earth Field''s


    rules¡ªenough to move freely without being hindered by the field''s unique environment. She hadn''t even begun utilizing the rules to her advantage.


    But this girl, Nora, had not only mastered the rules but had also incorporated them into her magic.


    ¡­


    In the spectator area, whispers of awe filled the air.


    "So strong¡­"


    Everyone was amazed by Nora''s performance.


    They all understood the strength of the


    ice giants


    , especially after one spectator had spent so much time explaining how foolish Nora''s actions were and how powerful the giants were.


    And now¡­


    Nora had used ice magic to destroy the


    ice giants


    ?


    What kind of monstrous talent and power was this?

 Chapter150-Battle of the Chosen Ones!

    In theFire Field


    , Yesar had successfully comprehended the rules and was quickly making his way toward the treasure''s location.


    To him, obtaining the treasure as soon as possible was essential.


    In the


    5 Fields


    , the rules were everything.


    These treasures were unique manifestations of the fields themselves, and obtaining them was the key to gaining the power to invade other realms.


    Yesar already had a clear plan.


    The


    5 Fields


    , based on the five elements, naturally adhered to the principles of elemental interaction and counteraction.


    If he acquired the treasure in the


    Fire Field


    , his next target would be the


    Wood Field


    ¡ªfire''s natural counter.


    Even if he encountered resistance, he would have a clear advantage.


    Being assigned to the


    Fire Field


    Enjoy new chapters from empire


    was a stroke of luck for Yesar.


    His expertise in light magic overlapped with fire magic, making this field the perfect match for him.


    This affinity allowed him to grasp the rules of the field much faster.


    As he advanced, Yesar easily dispatched the


    fire-aligned spell beasts


    along his path.


    Yesar''s combat style was distinct from that of other mages.


    His physique was exceptionally robust, his muscles well-defined, and his weapon of choice was a massive


    holy hammer


    .


    Every swing of the hammer emitted radiant holy light that burned through the surrounding spell beasts.


    After comprehending the


    Fire Field''s


    rules, even the radiant energy from Yesar''s hammer began to take on faint fire attributes.


    One by one, powerful spell beasts fell before him as he steadily approached the treasure''s location.


    ¡­


    Suddenly, Yesar stopped in his tracks and turned around.


    He sensed an aura behind him, drawing closer.


    "Is it the sixth person who entered the


    Fire Field


    with me?" he wondered. "Or¡­ an invader?"


    His mind raced as he tried to assess the situation. Soon, the figure came into view¡ªa woman.


    "Are you from Karea Academy or Dragonscale Bank?" Yesar asked first. He could tell she lacked the aura of necromancy or curses, ruling out the


    Dark Empire


    and


    Cult of Calamity


    .


    As for the


    Sanctuary of Extension


    , their current generation was rumored to include a saint, who was male. That left only


    Karea Academy


    or


    Dragonscale Bank


    .


    The woman smiled faintly. "With such strong holy energy, you must be the chosen one from the


    Dawnlight Empire


    . My name is Imora, chosen by


    Dragonscale Bank


    ."


    "Yesar, chosen of the


    Dawnlight Empire


    ," he replied, a hint of delight in his voice. "It seems my luck isn''t too bad! Since you''re not from the


    Dark Empire


    or the


    Cult of Calamity


    , we can safely cooperate!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Imora frowned slightly, then asked, "What are you talking about?"


    "Don''t you know? In the


    5 Fields


    , each area is meant to have only one participant. Since we''re both in the


    Fire Field


    , one of us must be the free agent. We can cooperate!" Yesar explained, assuming Imora was unfamiliar with the rules.


    "You''ve only just grasped the rules here, haven''t you?" Yesar added, noting the faint chill still lingering on Imora''s aura. "This is the


    Fire Field


    . If we work together, it''ll be the best choice for both of us!"


    Yesar smiled warmly, exuding an air of reliability.


    Imora, slightly dumbfounded by his enthusiasm, clarified, "I''m not from the


    Fire Field


    . I came from another field."


    "Oh, I see! Smart move. If you partner with me, the remaining fields won''t have treasures that counter your ice magic¡ª"


    "I''m here to


    invade


    !" Imora interrupted, rolling her eyes.


    This man had completely misread the situation. She was here to invade, yet he thought she was here to cooperate?


    Even the spectators didn''t know how to react to Yesar''s misplaced enthusiasm.


    Why had the


    Dawnlight Empire


    chosen someone so naive as their representative? He showed no caution at all.


    Back at the


    Dawnlight Empire''s


    observation room, their officials were equally exasperated. They had repeatedly warned Yesar to be wary of other participants, and here he was, openly offering cooperation.


    Fortunately, Imora seemed uninterested in trickery. She wasn''t one to stoop to deceit.


    Imora drew her longsword, her voice laced with killing intent.


    "I came here to kill you, not to cooperate."


    "Only the weak seek allies. This


    Battle for Dominance


    is for the strong. Only the strongest will survive and claim victory. Don''t you understand that yet?"


    With those words, Imora slashed her sword toward Yesar.


    ¡­


    By now, Imora had fully adapted to the


    Fire Field''s


    rules. As she launched her attack, her goal was clear: Yesar''s arm.


    She knew his massive hammer required immense strength. If she could disable one of his arms, the battle would be halfway won.


    Clang!


    Yesar''s hammer intercepted Imora''s blade, unleashing a massive energy shockwave. The surrounding rocks began to crack under the pressure, a testament to the intensity of their clash.


    Though it seemed like a simple exchange of blows, both combatants were giving it their all.


    "It seems cooperation isn''t an option," Yesar muttered, but before he could finish, Imora''s next strike came, forcing him to block again.


    Realizing further talk was futile, Yesar focused all his attention on the fight, swinging his


    holy hammer


    with full force.


    ¡­


    Their battle unfolded as a clash of extremes.


    Imora''s movements were fluid and agile, evading each of Yesar''s heavy swings with grace. Even the fiery remnants of his hammer strikes were effortlessly dodged, leaving her unscathed.


    Yesar''s attacks, on the other hand, were a display of raw power. Each swing of his hammer roared with ferocity, shattering the ground into dust with every impact.


    The spectators were riveted. Compared to Nora''s earlier calculated precision, this duel of strength versus agility was far more exhilarating.


    ¡­


    Daniel, however, lost interest quickly.


    He had already predicted the outcome.


    Though Yesar''s attacks were undeniably powerful, they were meaningless if they couldn''t land.


    Every swing of his hammer drained his stamina further, while Imora continued to evade with ease. If this continued, it wouldn''t be long before Imora secured the victory.


    ¡­


    In the projection, Imora nimbly avoided Yesar''s relentless strikes.


    "Is that all you''ve got?" she suddenly taunted, her words ringing in Yesar''s ears.


    A moment later, he saw a flash of sword light¡ªan icy gleam that seemed to envelop him completely.


    ¡­


    Boom!


    The clash triggered a massive explosion, shrouding the battlefield in smoke and dust.


    "What happened?"


    "Who won?"


    "..."


    The spectators leaned forward anxiously, eager for the dust to clear.


    When the smoke finally dissipated, a glowing barrier appeared in the center of the battlefield.

 Chapter151-Phantom Bloom!

    The radiant barrier completely blocked Imora''s strike.Imora stood still, seemingly at a loss as to how to bypass the shield. She had no choice but to wait for it to dissipate.


    When the barrier finally disappeared, it revealed Yesar within.


    At that moment, the


    holy hammer


    in Yesar''s hands began to transform. The hammer''s head unfolded to the sides, and brilliant white light emanated from its center.


    Yesar gripped the weapon with both hands, aiming its tip directly at Imora. A sphere of white holy light rapidly formed and launched toward her.


    Imora quickly dodged as the light ball exploded behind her with a thunderous


    boom


    , spreading flames across the ground like a miniature sun. The once-dark terrain of the


    Fire Field


    now glowed as if a new sun had risen.


    ¡­


    "Headmaster, is this person also capable of integrating the S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fire Field''s


    rules into his magic, like Sister Nora?" Nina asked Daniel, watching the spectacle unfold. Worry tinged her voice as she considered whether Nora might face a similarly powerful opponent in the future.


    Daniel shook his head calmly and replied, "He''s not like Nora. This Yesar hasn''t integrated the rules into his magic system. His magic already happens to align with the


    Fire Field''s


    rules, allowing him to leverage them."


    Unlike Nora, who had seamlessly merged the field''s rules into her own magic, Yesar was merely


    utilizing


    the rules. His natural magic system happened to overlap with the


    Fire Field''s


    properties, enabling him to enhance his attacks.


    Observing Yesar''s transformed hammer, Daniel''s suspicions deepened.


    Something about Yesar''s weapon felt off.


    Earlier in the battle, his attacks had left plenty of openings for Imora to exploit. Now, the mystery was resolved¡ªthe weapon wasn''t a simple hammer but a transforming one, capable of shifting into a heavy artillery cannon.


    The previous cannon blast, though augmented by the


    Fire Field''s


    rules, would have been devastating even without them. With the rules'' amplification, it had become an attack akin to a blazing sun.


    Imora, relying on her agility, narrowly avoided the blast. Her instincts had saved her, keeping her far from the point of impact. Any closer, and she would have been consumed by the explosion.


    ¡­


    But Yesar wasn''t done.


    As Imora steadied herself, a barrage of holy light spheres shot from the cannon, filling the sky and raining down toward her location.


    The audience gasped in shock at the overwhelming display.


    "Just one of those light spheres caused so much devastation, like a miniature sun¡­ And now there are


    dozens


    of them?"


    "The entire


    Fire Field


    is going to be obliterated at this rate!"


    "How is the Dragonscale Bank participant supposed to survive this?"


    "She''s done for. There''s no way she can withstand this. If she hadn''t invaded and just focused on the


    Earth Field''s


    treasure, she wouldn''t be in such a predicament now."


    Most spectators assumed Imora had no chance of survival. Yesar''s attack left no room for escape. Unless she could instantly teleport to the


    Fire Field''s


    node, she would be forced to endure the full brunt of the assault¡ªa barrage powerful enough to obliterate her several times over.


    ¡­


    Daniel observed the attack with a thoughtful expression.


    The nature of this power¡ªits rules and intensity¡ªseemed foreign to this world.


    Was Yesar, and by extension the


    Dawnlight Empire


    , a remnant of the god-and-devil forces?


    ¡­


    Within the


    Fire Field


    , the colossal explosions destabilized the entire realm.


    The projection displayed nothing but blinding white light, obscuring the battlefield entirely. Spectators could only speculate about what was happening.


    If such an attack had landed in the


    main world


    , it would have caused unimaginable devastation. The thought alone sent chills through the audience.


    This was the power of a superpower''s chosen representative.


    ¡­


    As the light and explosions subsided, the


    Fire Field


    came back into view. The ground was riddled with craters, and the once-solid rocks had been reduced to rubble. The scene reflected the sheer destructive power of Yesar''s assault.


    Yet, despite this devastation, Yesar didn''t relax.


    Hovering midair, he scanned the ground below, his brow furrowed.


    Yesar was certain his attack hadn''t harmed Imora. Her presence could still be felt within the


    Fire Field


    .


    But where was she?


    He searched in vain, unable to spot her figure among the wreckage.


    ¡­


    Just then, a ripple of mana disturbed the air above him.


    Yesar''s gaze snapped upward, and he noticed subtle ripples spreading across the sky, like water disturbed by a single droplet.


    Drip.


    The serene sky seemed to ripple like the surface of a tranquil lake.


    Then, Imora appeared.


    "Your attack was impressive," she said with a smirk. "But it''s useless if it doesn''t hit."


    "How is this possible?! What kind of power is this?" Yesar demanded.


    "


    Phantom Bloom.


    "


    The spell mirrored the way a moon reflects on a water''s surface¡ªclose enough to touch, yet forever out of reach.


    Imora had used the sky as her "water surface," hiding herself within its reflective illusion. The explosions on the ground couldn''t reach her sanctuary above.


    As Imora stood before Yesar, unharmed, the audience erupted into cheers and astonishment.


    "How did she do that?!"


    "That attack should have been inescapable! How did the Dragonscale Bank participant survive?"


    "Even ten of me couldn''t have survived that! What kind of power does this Imora have? I can''t wrap my head around it!"


    "Hah! If you could understand it, you wouldn''t be sitting here with us watching. That''s what makes her a genius¡ªa level beyond ordinary comprehension."


    ¡­


    Even Daniel was intrigued by what he saw.


    "Interesting," he muttered.


    He hadn''t anticipated that water-element rules could be used to create an effect resembling an illusion. Imora''s talent was undeniable.


    However¡­


    Her mastery of the rules, like Yesar''s light-element abilities, seemed foreign to this world¡ªanother remnant of the god-and-devil powers.


    So, Dragonscale Bank was also connected to these ancient forces?


    Daniel couldn''t help but feel that attending this


    Battle for Dominance


    was the right decision. In one fell swoop, he had identified two factions tied to the remnants of gods and devils.


    ¡­


    As for the outcome of the battle?


    It was now evident which way the scales would tip.

 Chapter152-My Rule Surpasses Yours!

    Between the two combatants, Yesar had already exhausted all his methods. Even his most powerful attack, one he believed would destroy Imora, had failed to harm her.Meanwhile, Imora had only shown a fraction of her strength. Even the


    Phantom Bloom


    she had just used incorporated only a minor portion of her mastery over the rules.


    Yesar had played all his cards, while Imora hadn''t even begun.


    As expected, the projection now showed Yesar''s grim expression.


    He knew it was now his opponent''s turn. As the chosen one of the


    Dawnlight Empire


    , he couldn''t simply concede, even if he had nothing left to force his opponent to reveal her true strength.


    Yesar launched another holy light cannon toward Imora.


    This time, waves of water materialized around Imora, completely absorbing the power of the blast. Even the


    holy flame


    seemed ineffective. As the flames touched the water, the water itself began to burn.


    Seeing this, Yesar smirked. This wasn''t ordinary fire; it was enhanced by the


    Fire Field''s


    rules. Nothing could extinguish it unless one had mastered the


    Water Field''s


    rules.


    However, the next moment left Yesar dumbfounded.


    The burning water waves split apart, and once the water was consumed, the holy flame extinguished on its own. It posed no threat to Imora whatsoever.


    "You''re out of tricks," Imora declared, her voice cold. She charged directly at Yesar.


    Seeing her approach, Yesar stood his ground, his cannon transforming back into a massive hammer in an instant. He swung it with full force toward her.


    This time, Imora didn''t evade. Instead, she met his strike head-on, her sword clashing with the hammer.


    The resulting impact filled the


    Fire Field


    with an intense light, far brighter than anything Yesar''s holy light cannon had produced earlier.


    The projection was overwhelmed, forcing spectators to avert their gaze to other screens. The clash was so fierce that both fighters were clearly using their full strength, holding nothing back.


    After some time, the blinding light began to fade.


    The projection revealed Yesar''s massive figure standing still, completely blocking Imora from view.


    Then, the truth became clear: a sword had pierced through Yesar''s back, emerging from his chest.


    Blood soaked Yesar''s robes, staining them deep red.


    Imora withdrew her sword, and Yesar collapsed to the ground, falling into a pool of magma exposed by their destructive battle. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The surrounding terrain, shattered by their fight, had revealed the molten rock beneath. Yesar''s body was consumed by the magma, leaving no trace behind.


    Imora glanced at her sword as the blood quickly dripped off its surface, leaving it pristine. She sheathed it and turned to head toward the treasure''s location.


    Having followed Yesar earlier, she knew the treasure wasn''t far. Once she claimed it, she could even move on to secure the


    Earth Field''s


    treasure.


    ¡­


    At the


    Dawnlight Empire''s


    observation room, outrage filled the air.


    "Those Dragsonscale Bank scoundrels! How could they kill him like this?"


    "Yesar shouldn''t have died. He was a genius of our


    Dawnlight Empire


    , kindhearted and brilliant¡­"


    Many lamented Yesar''s death, feeling it was a tragic waste of his potential.


    In the


    Battle for Dominance


    , unless one chose to withdraw, there was only one outcome: victory or death.


    Yesar had no chance to surrender and had been killed in a single strike by the


    Dragonscale Bank''s


    chosen.


    "We must demand an explanation!"


    "Yes, we need to confront Dragonscale Bank! How dare they do this?"


    The room buzzed with furious calls for retribution.


    "Enough!"


    A commanding voice silenced the crowd.


    An elderly figure stepped forward, his presence alone calming the room. Everyone turned to him, awaiting his words.


    "What do you intend to accomplish? Demand an explanation? Do you want others to see the


    Dawnlight Empire


    as sore losers? We chose to participate in this battle, fully aware of the risks. Do you understand?"


    The elder''s voice resonated through the room.


    "What would such demands achieve? We are not a faction that cannot accept defeat. Yesar''s loss must be remembered, and next time, we will win. Do you understand?"


    "Yes!" the crowd responded, bowing their heads.


    Having received the elder''s directive, the calls for retribution subsided.


    "Furthermore, let there be no resentment. In truth, it''s no surprise Yesar lost to that girl. The


    Dragonscale Bank''s


    chosen is exceptionally strong," the elder remarked, his gaze fixed on the projection.


    ¡­


    "Father, did the


    Dragonscale Bank


    fighter use a rule for her final attack?" Rose asked Daniel.


    "Indeed," Daniel replied.


    It was beyond question. Without utilizing a rule, Imora wouldn''t have been able to kill Yesar so decisively.


    "But¡­ aren''t the


    5 Fields


    governed by distinct rules? Imora has never entered the


    Water Field


    ¡­" Rose wondered aloud.


    "That''s because the water rule she wields isn''t from this world," Daniel explained.


    Imora''s mastery of the water rule originated from the residual powers of gods and devils, a force far superior to the


    5 Fields'' Discover more stories at empire


    rules.


    Even in a field that countered her abilities, like the


    Fire Field


    , her water rule was of a higher order.


    Yesar''s light-based rule was similarly extraordinary, but his grasp of it was inferior to Imora''s control over her water rule. This disparity explained why Yesar''s seemingly powerful attacks had no effect on Imora.


    Her rule simply surpassed his.


    This outcome had been entirely predictable to Daniel.


    ¡­


    In the spectator area, shock rippled through the crowd.


    The


    Dawnlight Empire''s


    Yesar¡ªa prodigious talent¡ªhad been slain.


    He had been discovered early and carefully nurtured by his faction, destined to become one of their most powerful assets.


    Meanwhile, Imora had remained virtually unknown until this battle, having been secretly trained by the


    Dragonscale Bank


    specifically for the


    Battle for Dominance


    .


    ¡­


    "Who would have thought? Such a promising genius is gone."


    "Yes¡­ A loss like this is heartbreaking. He could''ve become a tier-sage one day."


    "But the one who killed him is also a genius. In the world of prodigies, there''s always a hierarchy."


    "Still¡­ what a waste."


    To many, Yesar''s death was a sobering reminder of the stakes involved. These extraordinary talents, capable of shaping nations, were here to fight to the death.


    ¡­


    At


    House Ponton


    , Hayes narrowed his eyes as he watched.


    It was just as he had anticipated.

 Chapter153-A Familiar Feeling

    Before theBattle for Dominance


    began, Hayes had anticipated the challenges ahead.


    With Nora''s strength, achieving ultimate victory wasn''t out of reach. After all, she had wiped out all the geniuses of the


    A-level academy Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    in Karea Academy, proving her unparalleled power. Explore hidden tales at empire


    In this competition, Hayes believed Nora was undoubtedly among the top three contenders.


    Yet, the reason he couldn''t guarantee her victory lay in the


    Dragonscale Bank''s


    chosen one.


    Of all the major factions, only Dragonscale Bank had the resources and secrecy to pour everything into cultivating a single, formidable fighter specifically for this battle.


    The other factions¡ª


    Dawnlight Empire


    ,


    Dark Empire


    ,


    Cult of Calamity


    , and


    Sanctuary of Extension


    ¡ªhad no such need or capability for such covert specialization.


    For instance, the


    Sanctuary of Extension''s


    participants were often their saints, figures well-known to the world.


    The same was true for other superpowers, whose chosen were prominent figures.


    Even Karea Academy, though somewhat more secretive, couldn''t entirely hide its participants since the


    A-level academy


    ''s geniuses were involved in various endeavors, making their existence widely known.


    Nora, however, was a complete exception.


    No one had anticipated how quickly her strength would grow or that she would annihilate the entire


    A-level academy


    .


    Originally, Hayes had his eyes on other candidates, but Nora''s actions left him no choice but to select her.


    As the


    Battle for Dominance


    began, Karea Academy''s participants remained a mystery to other factions.


    This secrecy gave Nora an edge¡ªthough it was nothing compared to the enigma that was Dragonscale Bank''s Imora.


    Dragonscale Bank maintained an absolute veil of secrecy over their chosen. Hayes had no way of discovering her capabilities or methods.


    After witnessing Imora''s battle with Yesar, his concerns deepened.


    Imora''s mastery of the water rule was so refined that even Yesar, who wielded light and fire rules and had the home-field advantage in the


    Fire Field


    , was no match.


    Hayes was certain: Imora would be Nora''s greatest opponent in this battle.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Nora had arrived at the treasure location within the


    Water Field


    .


    After swiftly dispatching the


    spell beast


    guarding the treasure, she ascended an icy platform. Floating above the platform was a crystalline ice orb¡ªthe


    Water Field''s


    treasure.


    Nora approached it, gazing closely at the ice crystal.


    For some reason, it felt strangely familiar, as though she had encountered something similar before. But where?


    From the spectator stands, the audience could only see Nora''s back, unable to discern what she was doing.


    "She''s just standing there, headmaster! Why isn''t Sister Nora taking the treasure and moving on to steal from others? The two in the


    Wood Field


    are still trying to grasp the rules. If she hurries, she could easily take their treasures first!" Nina exclaimed.


    "Be patient," Daniel replied. "Nora has her own considerations. Besides, the two in the


    Wood Field


    are hardly worth worrying about."


    The


    Wood Field


    participants had yet to grasp their rules, putting them at a clear disadvantage.


    As for the participant in the


    Metal Field


    ¡ªsomeone who had clashed with Rose before¡ªDaniel dismissed him entirely.


    ¡­


    Nora stood motionless before the ice crystal, lost in thought.


    What no one else could see was that she now held another ice crystal in her hand¡ªone identical to the treasure before her.


    At that moment, she realized why this crystal felt so familiar.


    The ice crystal in her hand was created using liquid refined through the


    forge


    Daniel had gifted her and her peers years ago before she left


    Crossbridge Academy


    .


    The highest-tier


    colorless forge


    could produce a liquid imbued with extraordinary power.


    The resonance between this liquid and the


    Water Field''s


    ice crystal was unmistakable.


    Infusing the


    Water Field''s


    rule into the liquid had formed an identical crystal.


    With a flick of her wrist, the crystal in her hand vanished. Then she retrieved the floating treasure from the platform and departed.


    Nora made her way to the edge of the


    Water Field


    , preparing to invade another field.


    ¡­


    In the


    Metal Field


    , the


    Sanctuary of Extension''s


    saint, Garr, had just defeated numerous constructs.


    These constructs, made from discarded battlefield weapons, were designed for defense. Yet for someone like Garr, they posed no challenge.


    The constructs lacked intelligence, making them trivial opponents for a saint of the


    Sanctuary of Extension


    .


    After effortlessly destroying them, Garr approached the treasure¡ªa small sword embryo¡ªhovering on a platform.


    As Garr reached out to claim the sword embryo, a surge of destructive energy erupted from it.


    Unlike the other fields, the


    Metal Field


    was an ancient battlefield. The sword embryo, forged over countless years, had absorbed the battlefield''s lingering power. As such, it was highly aggressive.


    To claim it, Garr had to subdue it in battle.


    Without hesitation, Garr unleashed a barrage of spells, each aimed at depleting the sword embryo''s energy and intelligence.


    Around him, runes began to appear.


    The


    Sanctuary of Extension''s


    strength lay in its ability to derive new techniques.


    The sword embryo''s every move and trajectory unfolded clearly in Garr''s mind. It seemed a straightforward task: intercept the sword''s path with overwhelming magic.


    But just as he believed victory was assured, Garr noticed something unusual.


    Though he had predicted the sword embryo''s movements and deployed his spells perfectly, none of them connected.


    Every spell dissipated just before striking the sword.


    This scene felt hauntingly familiar to Garr.


    A few days earlier, in the


    Fire Abyss


    , he had encountered a similar situation. A girl wielding a massive sword had charged at him, utterly unaffected by his magic.


    Despite calculating her every move, his spells had been useless.


    Panicked, Garr switched strategies, ceasing his attempts at interception. Instead, he concentrated all his magic on fortifying himself.


    Unlike that girl, this was just a sword embryo. It couldn''t possibly¡ª


    As the sword embryo hurtled toward him, Garr''s mind involuntarily replayed that moment from the


    Fire Abyss


    :


    The girl''s massive sword bearing down on him, stopping just at his neck.


    At that moment, Garr could feel a chilling sensation around his neck.


    The sword embryo''s blade was so close that blood began to trickle down.


    Everyone watching was utterly baffled.

 Chapter154-Forfeit!

    At that moment, Garr could feel a chilling sensation around his neck.The sword embryo''s blade was so close that blood began to trickle down.


    Everyone watching was utterly baffled.


    Moments ago, the sword embryo seemed to be struggling against Garr''s attacks. Yet now, Garr had stopped his offense entirely, channeling all his magic into reinforcing his defenses.


    But even then, he remained frozen, motionless¡ªstanding there as if he were inviting the sword embryo to strike him.


    "What is he doing? Why isn''t he fighting back?"


    "This doesn''t make any sense. Is he just waiting to be hit?"


    The crowd erupted in murmurs of confusion and disappointment.


    Even among those watching, some began mocking Garr.


    "All the other fights have been so thrilling, and now we get this? He looks like an idiot just standing there."


    "Is he really a saint of the


    Sanctuary of Extension


    ? This is embarrassing!"


    ¡­


    Back in the


    Metal Field


    , something about Garr''s condition clearly wasn''t right.


    His face had gone pale, and his body trembled slightly.


    "What''s happening? Is the


    Metal Field''s


    treasure too powerful, even for a saint?"


    "Could the ancient battlefield here be far more dangerous than the other fields?"


    "It might be! Don''t forget, the


    Metal Field


    is the only one where the treasure actively attacks participants. None of the other treasures have done that."


    "Maybe it''s more than just a battlefield. Could this place be tied to an ancient war of gods? It might be why the treasure here carries such destructive power!"


    ¡­


    While the audience speculated wildly, Daniel watched with quiet amusement.


    Having previously explored the


    Fire Abyss


    , he was familiar with the inner workings of the


    5 Fields


    . While the


    Metal Field


    was indeed unique in its aggression, it was far from capable of trapping participants in ancient battlefield illusions or carrying the lingering power of gods.


    No, Garr''s state had nothing to do with the


    Metal Field''s


    power.


    It was personal¡ªsomething within himself.


    ¡­


    The projection revealed the sword embryo darting toward Garr.


    Its blade struck his neck, but Garr didn''t flinch or react. His defenses, bolstered by powerful magic, were so strong that the sword left only a faint white mark on his skin.


    Despite being unharmed, Garr''s mind was elsewhere.


    He wasn''t facing the sword embryo.


    In his mind, he was reliving that day¡ªwhen the girl with the giant sword held him at her mercy.


    She was overwhelmingly strong, so much so that he couldn''t even muster the strength to resist. The memory of that encounter suffocated him, making it hard to breathe.


    Now, even though it was just a sword embryo before him, the weight of that memory froze him in place.


    All he had to do was reach out and grab it, and the treasure would be his.


    But his body refused to move, as though it were shackled by fear.


    Finally, Garr let out a long, shaky breath and retreated, stepping out of the sword embryo''s attack range.


    Once Garr moved away, the sword embryo returned to its platform, seemingly dormant without a target.


    Despite being unscathed, Garr reached into his pocket and pulled out a


    forfeit token


    . Crushing it in his hand, his figure was enveloped in white light and vanished from the


    secret realm


    .


    This token, provided to participants of the


    Battle for Dominance


    , allowed them to forfeit and leave the secret realm. Using it meant forfeiting their qualification for the competition.


    ¡­


    "What?! He just forfeited?!"


    "Why would he do that?"


    "We''ve been speculating all this time, and it turns out to be nothing?"


    "He could''ve tried a few more times. The sword embryo didn''t even scratch him!"


    ¡­


    The audience was abuzz with confusion and criticism.


    Garr was supposed to be the saint of the


    Sanctuary of Extension


    . How could he give up so easily?


    "Look at Yesar from the


    Dawnlight Empire


    ! He fought to the bitter end, even dying in the process. This Garr just ran away! What a disgrace!"


    ¡­


    "Nina, do you think this might have something to do with Rose?" Nina teased, glancing slyly at Rose.


    That day, when Rose had held her greatsword to Garr''s neck, he had worn the same expression of terror.


    Now, it seemed as though that fear had resurfaced.


    Daniel turned to Rose thoughtfully. Nina had told him about that incident before. If Garr''s forfeit was connected to that memory, then his actions made sense.


    The sword embryo carried a faint aura of destruction¡ªnot as potent as Rose''s¡ªbut enough to awaken the terror Garr felt that day.


    To have a giant sword pressed against your neck with no ability to resist¡ªsuch an experience could shatter anyone''s confidence.


    ¡­


    In truth, the sword embryo posed no real threat to Garr. It couldn''t penetrate his defenses, as it had already demonstrated.


    Yet, Garr''s fear and lingering trauma paralyzed him. He couldn''t even muster the courage to grab the sword.


    All he could do was forfeit.


    ¡­


    "Garr! Do you realize what you''ve done? You''ve disgraced the


    Sanctuary of Extension


    !" an elder roared as Garr appeared outside the realm.


    "I''m sorry¡­ I''ve failed you," Garr murmured, bowing his head deeply.


    "You¡­" The elder''s anger flared, but he could only sigh in frustration.


    "Return to the sanctuary. When we''re back, I''ll speak with the saint lord about whether you''re even worthy of your title as saint!"


    With that, the elder stormed off, leaving Garr alone.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, the other members of the


    Sanctuary of Extension


    left in silence, their faces filled with disappointment.


    Ina, who had always admired Garr, hesitated. Normally, she would''ve gone to comfort him, but this time, she felt a deep sense of irritation. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She had devoted so much to supporting Garr, yet he had never reciprocated. Now, with his failure, he might lose his title as saint.


    What was the point of staying by his side anymore?


    For the first time, Ina felt clarity. Without even glancing back at Garr, she turned and left.


    ¡­


    Garr stood motionless, head bowed, lost in thought.


    In the


    Wood Field


    , two chosen participants from major factions were present:


    Fedrick


    from the


    Cult of Calamity


    and


    Deguro


    from the


    Dark Empire


    .


    Fedrick had transformed into a massive tree, enhancing his ability to attune himself to the


    Wood Field''s


    rule.

 Chapter155-An Unexpected Alliance

    In theWood Field


    , two chosen participants from major factions were present:


    Fedrick


    from the


    Cult of Calamity


    and


    Deguro


    from the


    Dark Empire


    .


    Fedrick had transformed into a massive tree, enhancing his ability to attune himself to the


    Wood Field''s


    rule.


    By this point, he had already gained a basic understanding of the rule and reached the heart of the


    Wood Field


    , where the treasure lay. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the center of a cursed tree, a grotesque face with distorted features¡ªbearing faint traces of Fedrick''s appearance¡ªemerged.


    The tree''s expansive roots moved across the forest floor with ease, blending so seamlessly with the surroundings that the guardian dryads didn''t recognize him as a threat.


    Unchallenged, Fedrick approached the treasure: a seed-like object radiating an aura of life. This life force starkly contrasted the cursed energy emanating from Fedrick.


    Using a branch-like tendril, Fedrick reached toward the seed.


    ¡­


    Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, severing the tendril with a dagger. The blade didn''t stop there¡ªit continued toward the trunk of the cursed tree, piercing the grotesque face.


    The assailant was none other than


    Deguro


    , who had also entered the


    Wood Field


    .


    ¡­


    Deguro had hidden himself in the shadows after grasping the


    Wood Field''s


    rule.


    He had waited for someone to locate the treasure, knowing their focus would waver once they found it.


    That moment of distraction would be his opportunity to strike.


    Though he had anticipated an invader, it was Fedrick who stumbled upon the treasure.


    Seeing Fedrick in his tree form, Deguro remained concealed, waiting for the perfect chance to launch a lethal strike.


    When Deguro''s dagger stabbed into Fedrick''s tree form, the twisted face contorted in agony. From the wound, green liquid resembling blood began to ooze out.


    Deguro, however, sensed something off. The liquid exuded an intense, cursed aura and seemed to inch toward him, as if alive.


    Reacting swiftly, Deguro retreated, even abandoning his dagger. Within moments, the cursed liquid corroded the weapon completely, leaving no trace behind.


    The liquid itself then vanished, as if it had never been there.


    ¡­


    Deguro''s expression grew serious.


    This confirmed his suspicion: none of the chosen participants in the


    5 Fields


    were easy opponents.


    "Is this some kind of sacrificial curse from the


    Cult of Calamity


    ?" he wondered.


    Before he could dwell on it further, Fedrick reappeared¡ªthis time in his human form.


    The two locked eyes. No words were exchanged, but their identities were immediately clear to each other.


    Having witnessed Deguro''s stealthy attack, Fedrick realized that only someone from the


    Dark Empire


    , with its expertise in shadows, could manage such a feat.


    ¡­


    From the spectator stands, the crowd buzzed with excitement and speculation.


    "Are they going to fight?"


    "I thought the


    Dark Empire


    specialized in necromancy. How is he so skilled with shadows too?"


    "Darkness encompasses shadows as well¡ªit makes sense."


    "This is going to be thrilling. Curses versus shadows¡ªI can''t wait to see how it plays out!"


    "This fight will be different from the others. Imora could choose to leave when she faced Yesar, but these two have no way out. One must fall for the other to succeed."


    ¡­


    The audience anticipated an epic showdown between the two combatants.


    After all, Deguro had already attacked Fedrick, aiming to kill him. It seemed inevitable that they would fight to the bitter end.


    ¡­


    But then, something completely unexpected happened.


    Deguro spoke:


    "Let''s form an alliance."


    ¡­


    What?!


    The crowd was stunned.


    What kind of strategy was this? First, Deguro launched a sneak attack, and now he wanted to work together? Why would Fedrick agree to such a proposal?


    ¡­


    To everyone''s shock, Fedrick didn''t hesitate to accept.


    The two approached the treasure together, each extending a hand toward the seed.


    ¡­


    The crowd erupted with disbelief.


    On closer thought, their decision made sense. If the two fought, it would only weaken both of them, leaving the treasure vulnerable to an opportunistic invader. By cooperating, they maximized their chances of survival and success.


    Even so, the scene left many spectators scratching their heads.


    ¡­


    Earlier, when Yesar had proposed cooperation to Imora, he had been met with nothing but hostility. Imora''s determination to kill him had been unshakable.


    Now, however, Deguro and Fedrick¡ªwho had exchanged no pleasantries and even fought briefly¡ªmanaged to strike an agreement without issue.


    The contrast was baffling.


    If Yesar were alive to witness this, one could only imagine his reaction.


    ¡­


    At this stage, only three factions remained in the


    5 Fields


    :


    Nora from


    Karea Academy


    Imora from


    Dragonscale Bank


    The newly allied Deguro and Fedrick.


    ¡­


    Nora had already reached the central node of the


    5 Fields


    , ready to choose her next destination.


    The


    Metal Field


    , left unattended after Garr''s withdrawal, still held its treasure.


    Imora had taken the


    Fire Field''s


    treasure and returned to the


    Earth Field


    .


    ¡­


    Where would Nora go next?


    The crowd eagerly watched as she made her choice.


    Nora selected the


    Wood Field


    .


    ¡­


    Her decision caused an uproar among the spectators.


    To them, the


    Wood Field


    was the worst possible choice.


    Not only did it house two opponents¡ªDeguro, who could blend into the shadows, and Fedrick, who could transform into a cursed tree¡ªbut Nora was also unaware of their alliance.


    If the two chose to play dirty, one could distract Nora while the other ambushed her. In such a scenario, Nora''s defeat seemed inevitable.


    "It seems Karea Academy''s journey ends here," one spectator remarked.


    Many shared the sentiment.


    Nora''s earlier feats, such as her decisive victory against the


    Ice Giants


    , had been impressive. However, the


    Wood Field


    posed an entirely different challenge.


    Here, she would need to first attune herself to the


    Wood Field''s


    rule while constantly guarding against two potential ambushers.


    Worse still, Nora didn''t even know there were two enemies waiting for her.


    The odds seemed overwhelmingly stacked against her.


    In the


    secret realm


    , there was no room for regret.


    Nora had entered the


    Wood Field


    , a stark contrast to the icy expanse of the


    Water Field


    she had just left.


    Here, the atmosphere was much more pleasant, with towering trees stretching endlessly across an ancient forest, their canopy blocking out the sun.

 Chapter156-Shadows Frozen

    In thesecret realm


    , there was no room for regret.


    Nora had entered the


    Wood Field


    , a stark contrast to the icy expanse of the


    Water Field


    she had just left.


    Here, the atmosphere was much more pleasant, with towering trees stretching endlessly across an ancient forest, their canopy blocking out the sun.


    The area teemed with life, and the air was rich with vitality.


    Nora began moving toward the central region.


    From her experience in the


    Water Field


    , she knew that the treasure in each


    5 Field


    was typically located near the center.


    Since her current position at the edge of the field was just the starting point, she needed to venture further in.


    As she walked, she focused on attuning herself to the


    Wood Field''s


    rule.


    ¡­


    Unbeknownst to her, her every move was already being monitored.


    Fedrick, in his tree form, used his extensive root network to detect Nora''s exact location.


    Her every step was under his control. Meanwhile, Deguro was lurking in the shadows, ready to strike with a lethal blow at any moment.


    Nora appeared unaware of the danger and approached a massive tree stump in the field.


    She soon noticed that the surrounding environment seemed¡­ unusual. The area carried the residual energy of a fierce battle.


    Amid the dense vitality of the forest was a faint, disharmonious trace of curses.


    Nora deduced that the


    Cult of Calamity''s


    chosen participant must have been here before. However, the treasure remained untouched, still hovering in place as if no one had tried to claim it.


    ¡­


    Suddenly, a dagger emerged from the shadows, aiming straight for her back.


    There was no warning, no disturbance in the air. The dagger was about to strike when a crystalline shard of ice appeared behind Nora, intercepting the attack. The icy power exploded outward, freezing the dagger and the hand that held it in an instant.


    ¡­


    "I knew there''d be an ambush," Nora said calmly, turning to face her attacker. The icy shard from the


    Water Field


    floated protectively at her side.


    From the shadows, a figure began to emerge, revealing himself: Deguro. His right hand was encased in ice.


    "Shadow magic¡­ So you''re Deguro of the


    Dark Empire


    ? Everyone thought you specialized in necromancy, but your real strength lies in shadows," Nora remarked.


    If it were anyone else, they might have been caught off guard. But not Nora.


    ¡­


    "I didn''t expect you to recognize me so quickly," Deguro said, his frozen hand turning into a shadowy mist. The ice fell away as his hand reverted to its original form.


    "Are you from the


    Dragonscale Bank


    , or¡­


    Karea Academy


    ?" he asked.


    "My name is Nora," she replied, not revealing her allegiance. Still, Deguro assumed she must be from


    Karea Academy


    .


    "You''re strong," he admitted.


    "And your stealth could use work," Nora countered bluntly.


    Deguro chuckled. "I see. Let''s try again, then."


    ¡­


    Deguro vanished into the shadows once more.


    A moment later, Nora felt a gust of wind behind her. Instantly, her icy shard scattered in all directions, freezing a massive shadowy fist that had appeared out of nowhere.


    The


    Water Field''s


    ice shard was potent enough to freeze even shadows, illustrating the extreme focus of the S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    5 Field''s


    rules.


    But in the next instant, the frozen shadow fist dissipated, leaving only shattered ice on the ground.


    "Freezing shadows? What a joke!" Deguro sneered.


    Shadows, by nature, were intangible. Only by imbuing them with power could they take form¡ªwhether as fists or something else.


    Suddenly, a beast entirely made of shadows emerged in front of Nora.


    "Shadows have no true form! Your ice is useless against me!" Deguro''s voice rang out.


    ¡­


    Nora''s response was to pull out her harp.


    With a single stroke of her fingers across its strings, an invisible wave of power emanated from her, sweeping through the area.


    Deguro, hidden within the shadows, was instantly forced into visibility. His shadowy concealment had been disrupted, and the sonic attack caused visible damage to his body.


    His greatest advantage¡ªhis ability to meld into the shadows¡ªwas nullified.


    With no way to hide, Deguro was forced into a direct confrontation.


    Summoning shadow beasts from the surrounding darkness, he sent them charging toward Nora.


    But Nora''s expression remained calm.


    She plucked her harp strings once more, unleashing a barrage of icy spikes from her shard, which froze the approaching beasts.


    Immediately after, another wave of sound energy shattered the frozen forms.


    ¡­


    Deguro stood in shock.


    All the shadow beasts he had summoned were completely destroyed.


    Unlike before, when frozen shadows could revert to their original form and regroup, these were utterly annihilated.


    To summon more would now cost him a significant amount of energy¡ªenergy he no longer had.


    "I¡­ I''ve lost," Deguro muttered, lowering his head in resignation.


    ¡­


    But unnoticed by everyone, a dagger embedded in a nearby tree began to drip with a faint, translucent liquid.


    The droplet fell silently, with no malice or killing intent to betray its presence.


    And below, directly in its path, stood Nora.


    If that drop landed on her, it would spell the end.


    This was Fedrick''s doing¡ªa subtle and deadly curse, his


    rule-forged creation


    .


    ¡­


    Yet in the critical moment, Nora seemed to sense the danger. With a quick sidestep, she avoided the falling droplet.


    Her ice shard shot toward the tree, freezing it instantly.


    The droplet froze mid-air, transforming into a green crystal before shattering on the ground.


    Even as a frozen crystal, the cursed droplet''s power was evident: it drained the vitality from nearby plants and blackened the earth upon impact.


    This showcased the terrifying nature of Fedrick''s attack.


    ¡­


    Despite its lethality, Nora had avoided it entirely.


    The combined attacks of


    Deguro


    and


    Fedrick


    left the spectators utterly stunned.


    To be fair, despite this being their first collaboration, their tactics were flawless.


    Using their mastery of the


    Wood Field''s


    rule and their ambush setup, any intruder would have been caught in their trap.


    Fedrick, with his root network, could monitor every move within the


    Wood Field


    , while Deguro lay hidden in the shadows, ready to strike with lethal precision.

 Chapter157-The Mysterious and Powerful Nora!

    The combined attacks ofDeguro


    and


    Fedrick


    left the spectators utterly stunned.


    To be fair, despite this being their first collaboration, their tactics were flawless.


    Using their mastery of the


    Wood Field''s


    rule and their ambush setup, any intruder would have been caught in their trap.


    Fedrick, with his root network, could monitor every move within the


    Wood Field


    , while Deguro lay hidden in the shadows, ready to strike with lethal precision.


    The synergy between the two was seamless, seemingly leaving no room for failure.


    But then came Nora.


    Nora''s appearance completely overturned expectations.


    She quickly neutralized Deguro''s shadow abilities, dismantled his combat effectiveness in just a few minutes, and barely gave him time to respond before declaring victory.


    Fedrick''s ambush, carefully prepared and timed to exploit a lapse in her vigilance after Deguro''s surrender, came far too late.


    ¡­


    What shocked the audience even more was that Nora dodged Fedrick''s stealthy attack.


    It was an attack executed without malice, a mere droplet of cursed liquid falling from a tree branch, designed to be utterly untraceable.


    Under normal circumstances, even the most vigilant would have been caught off guard.


    But Nora managed to avoid it, showing an exceptional level of awareness.


    And yet, unlike the audience who had a bird''s-eye view of events, Nora had no knowledge of the situation.


    She didn''t know there were two enemies lurking in the


    Wood Field


    .


    Her sharp instincts alone kept her safe.


    ¡­


    Nora examined the spot where the cursed droplet had fallen.


    She felt the faint yet distinct presence of a cursed aura, completely out of place within the vitality-filled


    Wood Field


    . It was this unease that kept her alert even after Deguro surrendered.


    The droplet was no ordinary liquid. Its curse was potent, strong enough to taint the surrounding earth and wither nearby vegetation even after being frozen.


    Only one faction among the participating superpowers specialized in curses:


    Cult of Calamity.


    Nora immediately realized that someone else was in the


    Wood Field


    with her.


    The cursed aura and the nature of the attack left no doubt.


    ¡­


    Suddenly, the ground began to tremble violently.


    Nora rose into the air, but a massive worm shot up from underground with terrifying speed, aiming straight for her.


    In an instant, the worm swallowed the spot where Nora had been.


    It crashed back to the ground, leaving Fedrick smirking as he stepped into view.


    "If you had held her off just a bit longer, I could have refined something even more powerful," he said to Deguro.


    Fedrick wasn''t just a master of curses¡ªhe was also skilled in manipulating parasitic creatures.


    When he discovered the vibrant life within the


    Wood Field


    , he captured and cursed it, creating the enormous underground worm.


    The creature was filled with layers of curses so potent that anyone swallowed by it would be doomed.


    ¡­


    Deguro, leaning against a tree to rest, responded wearily, "If you''d faced her yourself, you''d understand her strength. That woman is the most formidable opponent I''ve ever encountered."


    In Deguro''s mind, the


    Battle for Dominance


    had reached its peak with Nora. No one else could possibly match her level.


    But just as he was about to settle in for a moment of respite, he noticed something unusual.


    The ground, the trees, and even the sky around him were suddenly veiled in crimson mana threads. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He instinctively turned to Fedrick, suspecting treachery.


    "Is this your doing?" Deguro asked sharply.


    Fedrick''s confusion was evident. "Of course not! Why would I target you?"


    Deguro replied, "Then who else in this


    secret realm


    could¡ª"


    Their eyes simultaneously shifted toward the worm''s previous location.


    ¡­


    The


    Wood Field


    had three participants: Deguro, Fedrick, and Nora.


    Could it be¡­?


    Both men froze as the realization struck them.


    Nora wasn''t dead.


    ¡­


    From the worm''s remains emerged a figure.


    Nora stepped forward, unharmed, while the cursed worm lay lifeless behind her.


    Fedrick''s confidence crumbled into sheer terror.


    How?


    How had Nora escaped the worm''s cursed stomach?


    What had happened to the layers of deadly curses he had infused into the creature?


    Fedrick''s instincts screamed at him that his attacks would be utterly ineffective against her. Both his ambushes had failed completely.


    Even his last resort¡ªa swarm of cursed insects¡ªfelt pointless now.


    Unlike Deguro''s shadow beasts, which could reform, his insects would die permanently.


    To resist further seemed not only futile but reckless.


    ¡­


    "I surrender," Fedrick declared, his voice tinged with resignation.


    To his surprise, the crimson mana threads surrounding the area dissipated within mere seconds.


    It was clear now that the threads were Nora''s doing¡ªand that she was no longer interested in fighting.


    Fedrick exchanged a glance with Deguro. Both men saw the same astonishment mirrored in each other''s eyes.


    ¡­


    "You''re free to leave," Nora said calmly.


    "Thank you," they replied in unison, shattering their


    tokens


    and leaving the


    Wood Field


    .


    ¡­


    With the


    Wood Field''s


    seed in her possession, Nora had triumphed.


    Now, only two participants remained in the


    5 Field


    :


    Nora


    and


    Imora.


    ¡­


    Imora was an unstoppable force, ruthless and deadly. She had slain Yesar with a single strike, giving him no chance to withdraw from the realm.


    Nora, on the other hand, remained a mystery.


    Her strength seemed unassailable, but her methods were enigmatic.


    Even the audience couldn''t comprehend how she had escaped the cursed worm''s stomach.


    Surely Fedrick, the


    Cult of Calamity''s


    chosen, had prepared his creature meticulously.


    But Nora had emerged victorious.


    And now, the final clash was imminent.


    The


    Cult of Calamity


    , as its name suggests, brings disaster in its wake.


    Their expertise in curses and parasitic creatures is infamous, and


    Fedrick


    , the Cult''s chosen participant, was no exception.


    The audience could hardly believe that the worm sent against


    Nora


    didn''t have some deadly curse woven into its body.


    To think that a single creature would be enough to eliminate one of the superpower''s champions seemed absurd.


    It was certain: the worm had been imbued with Fedrick''s sinister handiwork.


    And yet¡­


    Nora emerged from the worm''s cursed innards, unscathed and composed, as if its deadly traps had no effect on her whatsoever.

 Chapter158-The Encounter Between Two Titans!

    Her strength seemed unassailable, but her methods were enigmatic.Even the audience couldn''t comprehend how she had escaped the cursed worm''s stomach.


    Surely Fedrick, the


    Cult of Calamity''s


    chosen, had prepared his creature meticulously.


    But Nora had emerged victorious.


    And now, the final clash was imminent.


    The


    Cult of Calamity


    , as its name suggests, brings disaster in its wake.


    Their expertise in curses and parasitic creatures is infamous, and


    Fedrick


    , the Cult''s chosen participant, was no exception.


    The audience could hardly believe that the worm sent against


    Nora


    didn''t have some deadly curse woven into its body.


    To think that a single creature would be enough to eliminate one of the superpower''s champions seemed absurd.


    It was certain: the worm had been imbued with Fedrick''s sinister handiwork.


    And yet¡­


    Nora emerged from the worm''s cursed innards, unscathed and composed, as if its deadly traps had no effect on her whatsoever.


    Her calm and mysterious display left the spectators in awe.


    Even more puzzling was the appearance of the


    red mana threads


    during her escape.


    Their exact purpose remained unclear since Nora''s opponents¡ªDeguro and Fedrick¡ªsurrendered before the threads'' potential could be revealed.


    ¡­


    As Nora made her way out of the


    Wood Field


    , her name became shrouded in mystery.


    In the


    Water Field


    , she had used its


    rule


    to dismantle her opponents with icy precision.


    Against Deguro, she wielded both


    Water Rule


    and her melodic sound-based attacks with effortless grace.


    And though the cursed worm forced her to reveal her mana threads, it still wasn''t clear how she had nullified Fedrick''s trap.


    It seemed to the audience that Nora had yet to display her full strength.


    The answer to this mystery, they thought, could only lie in her inevitable battle with


    Imora


    . S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Imora


    , having already claimed the


    Earth Field''s


    treasure, ventured into the


    Metal Field


    , where she swiftly obtained its


    Sword Embryo


    treasure.


    Returning to the central node, Imora contemplated her next move.


    The


    Water Field


    or the


    Wood Field


    ?


    Before she could decide,


    Nora


    emerged from the


    Wood Field


    , their eyes locking in mutual recognition.


    ¡­


    For a moment, silence reigned as both observed each other.


    The treasures each had collected appeared around them:


    Imora was surrounded by a flaming bird from the


    Fire Field


    , a lethal


    Sword Embryo


    from the


    Metal Field


    , and a clump of fertile soil from the


    Earth Field


    .


    Nora, in comparison, had only two treasures: a crystal of ice from the


    Water Field


    and a sprouting seed from the


    Wood Field


    .


    Imora''s advantage seemed clear, her three treasures overshadowing Nora''s two.


    ¡­


    "Looks like you''ve already dealt with the others," Imora remarked.


    "Seems the same for you," Nora replied coolly.


    "Nora, is it? You''ve been lucky to make it this far. But your luck ends here. Prepare to die!" Imora''s voice carried a provocative edge, her confidence unshaken.


    "Try if you can," Nora answered calmly.


    Imora''s eyes gleamed with cold resolve as the treasures around her launched forward.


    The


    flaming bird


    hurtled toward Nora, its blazing form radiating deadly heat.


    In response, the seed near Nora''s side suddenly sprouted, transforming into a towering tree rooted in the void.


    Hidden within its trunk, the


    ice crystal


    shimmered faintly before releasing its frosty power.


    The flaming bird froze mid-flight, encased in ice, and plummeted to the ground as a lifeless chunk.


    The audience collectively gasped.


    ¡­


    No one had expected this outcome.


    Imora, with her three treasures, was supposed to have the upper hand.


    Surely the treasures of the


    5 Fields


    followed rules of counterbalance and dominance.


    Nora, having fewer treasures, should have been at a disadvantage.


    But the first blow landed squarely against Imora.


    Her flaming bird¡ªher prize from the


    Fire Field


    ¡ªwas completely neutralized by Nora''s ice crystal from the


    Water Field


    .


    ¡­


    With the flaming bird out of the picture, both combatants were now seemingly on equal footing.


    Imora still had her


    Sword Embryo


    and fertile soil from the


    Earth Field


    , while Nora had her ice crystal and the towering tree.


    The two sides were evenly matched, the field reset to a test of personal strength.


    "How¡­ How did Nora manage to counter with just two treasures? It''s a two-against-three battle, and she''s holding her own!" one spectator exclaimed.


    "I don''t get it either. Were her treasures just naturally stronger, or is there more to it?" another wondered.


    "Who cares! Now they''re fighting purely on skill. This is going to be amazing to watch!" a third chimed in, excitement rising.


    ¡­


    Even Imora seemed shaken.


    To her disbelief, her advantage had disappeared. "I underestimated you, Nora. But in the end, strength is what matters!" Imora said, raising her sword.


    Her sword glinted ominously as she lunged forward, her entire body radiating an aura of a blade.


    The sheer force of her presence seemed to cut through the air itself.


    Nora remained composed, plucking at her harp strings.


    Waves of sound rippled outward, meeting Imora''s advance.


    ¡­


    Imora''s charge faltered as the melodic waves struck her.


    Her momentum slowed, and her killing intent wavered, dulled by the oppressive weight of the sound.


    "A battle''s rhythm is everything," Nora''s melody seemed to say, disrupting Imora''s flow.


    Realizing the futility of pressing forward, Imora pulled back to reassess.


    ¡­


    The clash between their attacks caused tremors to ripple through the


    central node


    , destabilizing the delicate balance of the


    5 Fields


    .


    Both women realized that continuing their fight here could lead to disastrous consequences. The node was too fragile to contain their power.


    Without a word, Imora retreated into the


    Fire Field


    , a place she had already mastered.


    Nora followed without hesitation.


    ¡­


    The


    Fire Field


    was Imora''s chosen battleground, a place that inherently suppressed


    Wood


    and


    Water


    rules, giving her the upper hand.


    Here, Nora would face immediate disadvantage.


    Without adapting to the


    Fire Field''s


    rule, she would be constrained by its fiery environment.


    Imora smirked as she looked back at Nora. "This is where you''ll meet your end!" she declared, unleashing a deadly slash infused with


    Fire Rule


    .


    She was confident in her victory.


    Nora, however, had other plans.

 Chapter159-Imoras Decisive Strike!

    Nora stepped into the fire field.The five fields¡ªfire, water, wood, earth, and air¡ªeach possessed unique properties that significantly enhanced corresponding elemental powers. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the water field, for instance, Nora had experienced an intense, bone-chilling cold.


    In the wood field, towering trees and the overwhelming vitality of nature had surrounded her.


    But the fire field was different. As soon as she entered, a searing heat engulfed her.


    This oppressive heat was the field''s rule, an intrinsic condition that all entrants were forced to endure.


    Casting spells here required one to withstand the suffocating blaze unless they had comprehended the fire field''s rule.


    However, Imora wasn''t about to give Nora the luxury of time to adapt or understand this environment. She seized the initiative immediately.


    Imora''s sword, imbued with the powerful rule of the fire field, gleamed with lethal intent as it sliced through the air toward Nora.


    The goal was clear: Imora intended to kill Nora before she had any chance to acclimate to the fire field''s rule.


    It was a brutal strategy, the same one Imora had used to slay Yesar earlier within this very field.


    There was no hesitation, no mercy¡ªjust a cold, calculated move to eliminate her opponent.


    As the audience watched this unfold, gasps of alarm rippled through the crowd.


    "Nora''s in serious danger!" someone exclaimed.


    "What was she thinking, following Imora into the fire field? This is her first time here, and Imora already possesses the fire field''s treasure!"


    "She could''ve gone to the wood field or water field instead! Even staying put would''ve been a better choice than this!"


    Many spectators shook their heads, baffled by Nora''s decision.


    To them, her actions seemed reckless, as though she was walking directly into her own doom.


    Why not stay in a more advantageous field?


    Why deliberately enter such a perilous domain?


    "It''s not as simple as you think," someone suddenly interjected. "Nora had no choice. She had to follow Imora into the fire field and end this battle quickly."


    This unexpected statement caught everyone''s attention.


    "Why? What do you mean by that? What reason could she possibly have for doing something so foolish?" a skeptic retorted.


    "You all missed it, didn''t you? At the transition point earlier, the frozen flame bird has started to thaw."


    The crowd''s gaze collectively shifted toward the transition point.


    Earlier, Imora had three of the five elemental treasures at her side, while Nora had only two.


    During their confrontation, the flame bird had charged forward, only to be frozen solid by Nora''s ice crystal.


    Since then, the ice crystal and the flame bird had remained locked in a stalemate.


    But now, unnoticed by most, the flame bird was beginning to recover.


    Slowly but surely, it was shaking off the ice that encased it.


    "This means Nora must defeat Imora before the flame bird fully thaws. At the very least, she needs to incapacitate Imora to prevent her from retaliating. Otherwise, once the flame bird is revived¡­"


    The speaker trailed off, but everyone understood the implication.


    If the flame bird returned to Imora''s side, she would wield all three elemental treasures, granting her unparalleled control over the rules of the five fields.


    Nora wouldn''t stand a chance.


    "But why not just freeze the flame bird again? Wouldn''t that solve the problem?" someone asked, still unconvinced.


    "You think it''s that simple?" another spectator explained. "Why do you think the ice crystal was able to freeze the flame bird in the first place? It was a fluke, a moment of oversight. Now that Imora knows what to expect, there''s no way she''ll let it happen again."


    The crowd murmured in agreement.


    Understanding dawned on them, but it didn''t make the situation any less grim.


    "Nora''s in an impossible situation! Imora''s sword is a force to be reckoned with. Even Yesar, who had mastered the fire field''s rule, couldn''t withstand it. Nora hasn''t even begun to adapt to this field¡ªshe''s being crushed by its oppressive rule! There''s no way she can block Imora''s attack!"


    The spectators grew increasingly disheartened.


    To them, the outcome was already decided. Nora''s defeat seemed inevitable, a foregone conclusion.


    "What a shame¡­" one person sighed. "I was hoping for an intense, thrilling battle, but this is just disappointing."


    At House Ponton, Hayes was visibly frustrated.


    "Damn it! How did it come to this?" he growled, slamming his fist on the armrest of his chair.


    Though he hadn''t expected Nora to defeat someone as formidable as Imora, he hadn''t anticipated such a one-sided outcome either.


    The imbalance in the fire field was infuriating. Had Nora also mastered the fire field''s rule, the fight might have been more even.


    At Dragonscale Bank, the grand steward was already smiling triumphantly, while Reno prepared to celebrate what seemed like an assured victory.


    To them, this was no contest. Nora, a representative of Karea Academy, was utterly outmatched.


    But not everyone was convinced.


    Elise, Imora''s sibling, frowned deeply. While others prepared to declare Imora''s victory, Elise remained uneasy.


    "Nora hasn''t used her mana thread yet," Elise muttered under her breath.


    During the earlier wood field confrontation, Nora had demonstrated an ability to wield a mysterious red thread of mana.


    Its full capabilities were still unknown, but the fact that she hadn''t resorted to it yet suggested she was holding something back.


    Could it be that Imora''s triumph wasn''t as certain as it seemed?


    "Headmaster, this Imora is no pushover," Nina remarked, her eyes fixed on the screen.


    Daniel nodded in agreement.


    "Indeed. If Nora doesn''t pull out all the stops, she might not be able to overcome Imora."


    Daniel wasn''t entirely sure how far Nora had progressed in her magical training over the years.


    However, he knew one thing for certain: the red thread of mana she had displayed in the wood field wasn''t her limit.


    If Nora hadn''t used it yet, it meant she still had confidence in her ability to turn the tide.


    Imora''s sword drew closer to Nora with deadly precision. Victory was within Imora''s grasp, and the audience braced for the inevitable.


    But then, something unbelievable happened.


    Imora''s sword missed.


    It wasn''t that Nora dodged or counterattacked¡ªImora''s blade simply struck thin air. As the sword''s tip neared Nora, her figure began to shimmer and fade.


    In an instant, Nora''s entire body became ethereal, like a mirage. Imora''s sword passed through her as though she were nothing but a shadow.


    Stunned, Imora stumbled forward. Her momentum carried her through the illusory form of Nora, and her blade crashed into the ground, shattering the rocky surface and leaving a massive crater in its wake.


    The crowd fell silent, their disbelief palpable.


    What had just happened? Where was Nora? How had she evaded what should have been a fatal blow?

 Chapter160-Mini World

    Imora''s strike appeared devastating, yet it had no effect.Nora remained unscathed, as though she wasn''t even present within the fire field anymore.


    Imora hovered mid-air, scanning her surroundings in search of Nora.


    But no matter how sharp her senses or how powerful her strikes, she couldn''t locate her opponent.


    Without being able to pinpoint Nora''s position, any attack was futile.


    "What''s going on? Why has Nora¡­ disappeared entirely?"


    "Could she have retreated to the transition point? But there''s no sign of her there either!"


    "Does the fire field¡ªor perhaps the five fields as a whole¡ªhold secrets we don''t yet understand?"


    "And if so, how did Nora discover them? She''s been in full view of us the entire time!"


    Even the spectators were baffled.


    Nora''s disappearance defied explanation, and theories swirled among the audience.


    At that moment, something new emerged.


    Around Imora, red mana threads began to materialize once more.


    The crowd recognized them immediately as the same threads Nora had deployed during her time in the wood field.


    Back then, their purpose had been unclear, but now they were about to witness their true power.


    Imora''s gaze fixed on the mana threads surrounding her.


    She knew they were Nora''s doing and remained on guard.


    Yet she couldn''t help but wonder: how had Nora managed to overcome the oppressive fire field rule and cast such intricate magic?


    By all logic, Nora should have been unable to react in time.


    Imora''s initial strike had come mere moments after Nora entered the fire field. Escaping unscathed should have been impossible. And yet, Nora had done it.


    "How did you overcome the fire field''s rule so quickly?" Imora asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    Nora appeared before her, calm and unbothered by the oppressive heat.


    "What does it matter?" Nora replied with a faint smile.


    "This is impossible! You''ve only been here for a few breaths¡ªthere''s no way you''ve mastered the fire field''s rule!"


    "Is that so? It wasn''t difficult," Nora said casually, as if her feat was nothing special.


    The audience was stunned.


    "Not difficult?" someone muttered in disbelief. "She''s joking, right? That''s impossible!"


    From the moment Nora entered the fire field to the instant of Imora''s attack, only a few breaths had passed.


    Mastering a field''s rule in such a short time was unheard of.


    If it were truly that simple, then why had Yesar and others spent so long comprehending the rules of their respective fields?


    Even Imora herself had taken considerable time to adapt.


    "Ridiculous! I don''t believe it!" Imora snarled, slashing her sword again. Her strike, infused with the fire field''s rule, was aimed directly at Nora.


    But once again, Nora evaded the attack effortlessly.


    This time, the red mana threads around Imora began to solidify.


    In an instant, they launched themselves toward her like a swarm of serpents. Imora hurriedly raised her sword to block.


    She hadn''t expected the mana threads to be an offensive weapon.


    The intricate design and sheer quantity of threads left her stunned.


    "How much mana does it take to create something like this?" she wondered, her mind racing.


    The complexity of the threads was astounding.


    If they all attacked simultaneously, even Imora would struggle to fend them off.


    Yet she wasted no time.


    With a powerful sweep of her sword, she severed every thread in her vicinity.


    The severed threads dissipated into the air, and Imora smirked triumphantly.


    "Is that all you''ve got?" she mocked.


    To her, the threads had been a minor inconvenience, easily dealt with in a single strike.


    Watching from the audience, Nina grew anxious.


    "This is bad! That was Nora''s ultimate technique, and it didn''t work against Imora!" she exclaimed.


    Nina had seen Nora use this magic before. It was more than just a spell¡ªit created a pocket dimension, a space entirely under Nora''s control.


    Yet now, it seemed powerless against Imora''s overwhelming strength.


    If Imora kept severing the mana threads, the pocket dimension would collapse.


    And if that happened, Nora would lose her most significant advantage.


    While Nina panicked, Daniel remained calm, his eyes fixed on the projection.


    "Don''t rush to conclusions. Just keep watching," he said.


    In the projection, Imora continued her relentless assault, cutting down the mana threads one by one.


    Meanwhile, Nora finally moved, stepping forward to meet Imora head-on.


    Their weapons clashed, the impact shaking the ground beneath them.


    To everyone''s astonishment, Nora was holding a harp.


    Despite its delicate appearance, the harp withstood Imora''s sword, which was known for its unparalleled sharpness.


    The two seemed evenly matched, a sight no one had expected.


    Imora had effortlessly slain Yesar with a single strike.


    Yet here was Nora, not only surviving but standing toe-to-toe with her.


    As their weapons collided again and again, the ground crumbled beneath their feet.


    Despite this, Imora began to smile, a glint of understanding in her eyes.


    "I see now," she said. "This isn''t the true fire field. It''s your creation¡ªa small world crafted by your magic. And these red mana threads¡­ they''re the key to maintaining it!"


    Imora''s sharp perception allowed her to discern the truth.


    While the space around them resembled the fire field, it was fundamentally different.


    It was Nora''s magic at work, a carefully constructed illusion supported by the mana threads.


    "If that''s the case," Imora declared, "then I just need to destroy them all!"


    With a sweeping strike, Imora unleashed a wave of energy, obliterating the remaining mana threads.


    As the threads vanished, the illusion shattered.


    The two combatants were transported back to the real fire field.


    The ground showed no signs of the battle that had taken place in the pocket dimension¡ªonly the crater left by Imora''s earlier attack remained.


    "So, that''s how you dodged my first strike," Imora said, piecing it all together. "You used that miniature world of yours. But now that it''s gone, I doubt you''ll be able to summon it again so soon. This is the end for you!"


    Imora''s sword radiated an intense, murderous aura.


    Her mastery of the fire field''s rule was evident in the overwhelming power she exuded.


    Nora had overcome the fire field''s oppressive rule, but Imora wasn''t about to give her another chance to counter.


    This time, she would finish the fight with a single, decisive blow.


    Imora surged forward, her sword glowing with fiery energy.


    In an instant, she was upon Nora, her blade aimed straight for her heart.


    "Die!" Imora shouted as her sword pierced through Nora''s chest¡ªor so it seemed.


    Imora froze, her eyes widening in shock.


    Nora remained calm, her expression unchanging.


    She looked directly at Imora, her gaze steady and unwavering.


    Her lips moved silently, forming two simple words: Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s over."

 Chapter161-The Rapidly Draining Life Force

    "End it?"Imora froze at Nora''s words. What did she mean by that? Was Nora resigning herself to death, or was something else at play? Imora''s sword had pierced through Nora''s chest¡ªa strike that should have ended the Battle for Dominance.


    Yet, Imora couldn''t shake the unease building in her mind. Was Nora truly accepting her fate, or did she have one final trick up her sleeve?


    As Imora stared at Nora''s seemingly lifeless body on the ground, victory should have filled her heart.


    She had won.


    She had risen as the champion of the Battle for Dominance and cemented her place as a star in Dragonscale Bank''s ranks.


    In doing so, her sister Elise, once the pride of their family, had become irrelevant¡ªa shadow of her former self.


    Their roles had completely reversed.


    For years, Imora had lived in Elise''s shadow.


    Her sister had been the dazzling steward of Dragonscale Bank, while Imora had been a nobody.


    Quietly and persistently, Imora had trained, yearning to catch up.


    Now, she had done it.


    She stood at the pinnacle, while Elise was relegated to the sidelines.


    But there was no joy in her triumph.


    Instead, a profound emptiness settled over her. Victory hadn''t brought fulfillment.


    To fill the void, Imora had devoted herself to mastering magic, immersing herself in its mysteries.


    Her ascent continued¡ªrelentlessly, almost obsessively¡ªdriven by an invisible force that seemed to chase her.


    With her win in the Battle for Dominance, Dragonscale Bank''s plans surged forward, and its influence expanded across the continent.


    Years later, when Imora was on the cusp of becoming a tier-sage, she received the devastating news of Elise''s death.


    She had cried that day, her tears mingling with a mix of regret and longing.


    That moment marked a turning point.


    Then the world began to crumble.


    The continent fractured into chaos, and the entire realm seemed to teeter on the brink of apocalypse.


    Even after reaching the peak of her powers as a tier-sage, Imora found herself powerless against the tide of destruction.


    In the face of the world''s collapse, she was nothing more than a grain of sand, swept away and insignificant.


    "Am I¡­ dead?"


    Suddenly, Imora''s eyes snapped open, her gaze hollow and filled with despair. She appeared on the verge of death, her vitality drained to the point that even speaking was a monumental effort.


    Back at Dragonscale Bank, excitement reached its peak as Imora''s final strike closed in on Nora. To the grand steward, Reno, and Elise, the outcome seemed certain. After severing the red mana threads, Imora had left Nora with no options.


    Or so it appeared.


    When Imora''s sword neared Nora, however, something inexplicable happened.


    Imora stopped.


    Her sword hung in the air, motionless. Imora herself seemed frozen in place, as if someone had pressed a pause button.


    The three spectators stared in disbelief.


    "What''s happening?!" Reno shouted.


    "She had her! Why stop now?!" the grand steward bellowed.


    Even Elise, who had desperately hoped for Nora''s defeat, was dumbfounded.


    Just moments ago, victory had seemed inevitable.


    Yet now, Imora was immobilized, unable to land the killing blow.


    The camera feeds from the battleground only deepened the mystery.


    Imora had been poised to kill Nora, but now she stood still, inexplicably halted.


    Elise''s heart pounded wildly.


    Despite her loyalty to Dragonscale Bank, she couldn''t deny the fear creeping into her thoughts.


    From the moment Imora and Nora began their fight, Elise had believed there was a limit to Nora''s capabilities.


    After all, Imora had received years of elite training under the Bank''s tutelage.


    While Nora was undeniably talented, how could she match Imora''s refined skills and experience?


    But now¡­


    The longer Elise watched, the greater her unease grew.


    Was there something about Nora that no one had seen yet? Could she be harboring an untapped power?


    Desperate for answers, Elise rushed to find Daniel.


    Perhaps he could intervene and spare Imora.


    As Elise searched frantically, Imora''s eyes slowly opened.


    Her expression had changed.


    Though her youthful appearance remained, her energy and vitality seemed utterly drained. She no longer radiated the confidence of a young warrior in her prime.


    Instead, she seemed like an aged elder on the brink of death.


    At House Ponton, Hayes''s anxiety had reached its peak. His palms were slick with sweat as he watched the events unfold.


    Initially, Hayes had thought the fight was over.


    Imora''s final strike appeared unstoppable.


    Yet to his astonishment, Nora had survived¡ªher red mana threads pulling Imora into that strange, otherworldly space.


    Hayes knew this wasn''t the first time Nora had used the mini-world.


    It was the same technique she had used to eliminate other students from A-level academies earlier in the competition. Each time, her victims had fallen one by one.


    Now, it seemed Imora was trapped in the same fate.


    Or was she?


    Imora''s sword, still radiating its powerful rule, cut through the mana threads with ease. She shattered the mini-world and unleashed her strongest strike yet.


    The sheer force of Imora''s attack was palpable, even through the projection.


    Hayes felt a pang of despair.


    Surely this time, Nora wouldn''t survive.


    But just as the blade was about to connect, Imora froze mid-attack.


    "What''s happening now?" Hayes muttered, his voice a mix of frustration and confusion.


    The back-and-forth twists in the battle had him on edge.


    Victory and defeat seemed to hang in perpetual limbo, each outcome tantalizingly close yet just out of reach.


    "Why won''t this just end?!" he groaned.


    As the audience debated furiously over who had won, a horrifying scene played out.


    Imora''s life force began draining rapidly, far faster than anyone could have anticipated.


    To most, life was like water in a reservoir¡ªgradually flowing out until it ran dry.


    For someone as young and powerful as Imora, her reservoir should have been immense, with water trickling out at an almost imperceptible rate.


    But now, it was as though the dam had been breached.


    Her life force poured out uncontrollably, like a torrent unleashed.


    Within moments, her breathing became labored, her body trembling with weakness.


    Imora''s mind raced, trying to understand what was happening. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She remembered her mission: to kill Nora.


    She was in the Battle for Dominance, and victory had been within her grasp.


    Yet now, she could only lie helplessly on the ground, watching as her own death approached.


    Imora fell, her body hitting the ground with a lifeless thud.


    No one understood what had just transpired.


    How had Imora died so suddenly, so inexplicably?


    "No! No!" Elise screamed, tears streaming down her face.


    Her grief was palpable, but there was nothing she could do to save her sister.


    The Battle for Dominance had ended with Imora''s death.


    The Fire Abyss¡ªor the five-field secret realm¡ªwould remain intact, but access to it would now be limited to a select few who knew its true entrance.


    Nora returned to her quarters through a portal that had appeared upon her victory.


    She stepped through, her face pale and drawn.


    Though victorious, Nora was visibly fatigued.


    The extended use of her mana threads to construct the mini-world, combined with the final spell that had defeated Imora, had taken an enormous toll on her.


    Her magic, though effective, was still far from perfect.


    Nora knew she had pushed herself to the brink.


    For now, all she could do was rest and prepare for the challenges to come.

 Chapter162-Do You Take Karea Academy for a Joke?

    The first time using this spell, even Nora herself couldn''t predict its effects entirely.Thankfully, the outcome was within her expectations.


    Imora had been killed, albeit in a manner Nora had not anticipated.


    The spell was one Nora had devised from her insights while wielding a half-divine artifact.


    It played on a haunting concept: what would happen if someone lived through an entire lifetime in a matter of seconds?


    A fabricated life, so vivid and convincing, that the person couldn''t distinguish it from reality.


    For a moment, Nora had even entertained the unsettling thought of using such a spell on herself.


    However, she quickly dismissed the idea¡ªDaniel, her headmaster, had warned her against such dangerous notions.


    Instead, she focused on finding ways to use it against others.


    This spell had taken countless trials and errors to develop, and only today had Nora barely managed to use it successfully.


    Its effects were clear: though only seconds had passed in the real world, Imora had experienced an entire lifetime within the spell.


    Perhaps Imora truly believed that the life she lived in the illusion was real. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By the time she woke, her mind was already overwhelmed, spiraling toward death.


    Her body instinctively tried to fight back, but it was too late.


    Imora''s consciousness unraveled into an irreversible state.


    Even in her final moments, it seemed Imora had realized what was happening.


    But by then, there was no escape¡ªher fate was sealed.


    This spell was far from perfected, a half-finished technique that consumed an enormous amount of Nora''s mana.


    Even now, her face was pale, her body weak from the effort.


    The door creaked open.


    Hayes walked in, a wide smile on his face.


    "As I thought! My choice wasn''t wrong. I knew you would bring victory to Karea Academy and claim the final triumph!"


    Behind Hayes stood several figures, including an elder from House Ponton and another associate who had accompanied Hayes throughout the competition.


    Nora glanced at them briefly but remained silent.


    "I promised you rewards, and I''ll keep my word! Whatever privileges you need within the academy, there won''t be any problems. Consider it done!" Hayes said, his tone almost reverent.


    He practically beamed with pride.


    For Hayes, securing victory in the Battle for Dominance was a monumental achievement, a legacy to cement his status within Karea Academy.


    "Now then," Hayes continued, "come back with me to headquarters.


    That''s where you truly belong. The Free Federation is too small for someone like you.


    A talent of your caliber deserves proper nurturing at headquarters.


    There, you''ll witness real power¡ªpower far beyond anything you can imagine."


    He glanced at the elder from House Ponton.


    "As for the treasures you gained in the secret realm, leave those to House Ponton. Consider it their reward for supporting us so graciously. At headquarters, I assure you, you''ll receive treasures far greater than anything you''ve seen."


    Nora remained seated, unmoving. She didn''t even bother to respond, her expression indifferent.


    Hayes''s smile faltered, the silence stretching uncomfortably.


    "I''m not going anywhere," Nora finally said, her tone calm. "I''m going home."


    "Nora!" Hayes snapped, his voice now cold. "Do you even understand what you''re saying? I''ve been indulgent because of your youth and talent, but my patience has its limits. This victory in the Battle for Dominance has earned you my tolerance¡ªbut this is the last time I''ll allow your insolence!"


    His earlier warmth vanished, replaced by icy authority.


    For Hayes, Nora''s defiance was unacceptable.


    Perhaps his deference to her earlier had emboldened her, giving her the mistaken impression that she could challenge him without consequence.


    "This is your final warning," Hayes growled. "Hand over the treasures to House Ponton and prepare to leave with me for headquarters!"


    Nora''s gaze sharpened, her voice steady as she replied, "Hayes, stop dreaming. My loyalty lies with one academy, and that''s Crossbridge Academy."


    "Crossbridge Academy?" Hayes scoffed, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. "That sanctuary? That pathetic excuse for an academy? Ridiculous. Very well. If you''re so insistent, I''ll destroy it and show you the cost of your defiance!"


    As Hayes raised his mana, preparing to strike, a sharp pain pierced his head.


    Mana surged violently, and before he could react, a girl appeared next to Nora as if out of thin air.


    "Nora! I got him! Snuck up and gave him a good whack! Good thing I was quick, or he might''ve caught me," Nina said, grinning mischievously as she plopped down beside Nora.


    Hayes''s eyes narrowed.


    The girl had used some kind of spatial magic to enter the room undetected.


    She was clearly connected to Nora¡ªperhaps another student from Crossbridge Academy.


    "How bold," Hayes sneered. "You dare to attack me? I''ll kill you first, and then Nora can watch as her arrogance costs her everything!"


    He lunged at Nina, but she theatrically shrank back, feigning exaggerated terror.


    "Ah! So scary! Headmaster, help! Your adorable student is about to be killed!"


    At the mention of "headmaster," Hayes hesitated. Could she mean¡­ the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy?


    Hayes dismissed the thought with a scoff.


    The so-called Crossbridge Sanctuary and its tier-sage headmaster were nothing more than exaggerated tales.


    The notion that such a figure could exist in such an insignificant place was laughable.


    But then, a voice sounded behind him.


    "If you want to harm my student, you''ll have to go through me first."


    Hayes whirled around, startled. Standing there was a young man, calm and composed.


    "You¡­" Hayes began.


    "I''m Daniel, headmaster of Crossbridge Academy. I hear you''re quite eager to harm my students?"


    "You''re the so-called tier-sage?" Hayes asked, disbelief evident in his tone.


    "I''ve been called that, it seems," Daniel replied nonchalantly. "But it''s just a title. It doesn''t matter to me."


    Ignoring Hayes, Daniel turned to Nora.


    Her pale complexion caught his attention, and he gestured for her to come closer.


    "Headmaster," Nora greeted weakly, a small smile appearing on her lips as Nina helped her to her feet.


    Daniel waved a hand, casting a healing spell that enveloped Nora in a warm, restorative glow. Her strength returned almost instantly, the exhaustion and aftereffects of her magic vanishing completely.


    "You did well," Daniel said. "But that spell of yours is too dangerous. Avoid using it recklessly."


    "I had no choice," Nora murmured.


    "I know," Daniel replied. "But don''t think I didn''t notice you holding back. Work on perfecting it, and be careful next time."


    "Thank you, headmaster."


    As the two spoke, they paid no attention to Hayes, who stood fuming nearby. Daniel''s casual dismissal of his presence was infuriating.


    "Arrogant fool!" Hayes roared. "How dare you disregard Karea Academy! Nora is one of our students!"


    With that, Hayes launched his attack.

 Chapter163-Unimaginable Power!

    In an instant, a massive surge of mana erupted from Hayes.Yet, instead of summoning any conventional magic, several black tendrils emerged from his body, thrashing wildly as they lashed toward Daniel.


    These weren''t ordinary tendrils.


    They originated from entities far beyond the comprehension of this world, existing on a plane that transcended normal reality.


    Their power was unmatched within this realm; no mere mortal could hope to stand against them.


    Hayes was already envisioning the outcome.


    He eagerly anticipated the moment when these tendrils would crush Daniel, the so-called protector of Nora, in front of her eyes.


    The satisfaction of proving her faith in him misplaced was intoxicating.


    No matter what title Daniel bore, even if he was a true


    tier-sage


    , Hayes believed he had the upper hand.


    With these tendrils¡ªan extension of a power far superior to anything this world could produce¡ªhe was certain of victory.


    As the tendrils hurtled toward Daniel, Hayes''s lips curled into a triumphant smile.


    But then, the unexpected happened.


    Daniel didn''t move. He didn''t dodge, nor did he counterattack.


    Instead, the


    Ring of Origin


    on his hand glowed faintly, releasing an invisible barrier of energy. The barrier extended outward, enveloping Nora, Nina, and Daniel himself.


    The tendrils struck the barrier, but instead of penetrating it, they only caused ripples across its surface. They couldn''t break through.


    Hayes''s smile froze.


    "This¡­ this is impossible! How can you block their attack?"


    Hayes''s confidence crumbled as he watched.


    The tendrils¡ªcapable of tearing apart any being in this world¡ªwere rendered utterly ineffective.


    The scene defied everything Hayes thought he understood.


    Unless¡­


    A chilling thought crept into his mind. Could it be that Daniel possessed power on the same level as the entity behind the tendrils?


    "No¡­ that''s impossible," Hayes muttered, shaking his head to dismiss the notion.


    Yet what happened next shattered his denial entirely.


    Daniel raised his hand, calmly reaching for the tendrils.


    In one fluid motion, he seized not only the writhing black appendages but also the


    token


    Hayes used to control them.


    The token disappeared from Hayes''s grip before he could react.


    A split second later, he realized it was now in Daniel''s hand.


    "How did you¡­" Hayes stammered, his voice quivering with disbelief.


    The tendrils, which had once exuded an aura of invincibility, curled up like frightened animals in Daniel''s grasp.


    They trembled violently, shrinking into a small, quivering black mass.


    Hayes was dumbstruck.


    These tendrils, which he had always handled with the utmost caution, had cowed before Daniel like prey before a predator.


    In the past, Hayes had avoided summoning them unless absolutely necessary, as their appearance always demanded a life in exchange.


    Yet now, they were nothing but pitiful creatures in Daniel''s palm.


    With a casual squeeze, Daniel crushed the tendrils and the token, reducing them to fine powder.


    He then opened a small dimensional portal and tossed the remnants inside.


    "Consider it fertilizer for the Trees of Origin," Daniel remarked nonchalantly.


    Hayes stared, his world spinning.


    Everything he thought he knew, every certainty he held, collapsed in that moment.


    Daniel turned to Nora and Nina.


    "Stay here and keep an eye on him," he said, gesturing toward the immobilized Hayes.


    "Headmaster, where are you going?" Nina asked.


    "There are a few ''major powers'' here who''ve been playing dirty. I''ll deal with them. Since they''re all gathered nearby, it''ll save me the trouble of hunting them down one by one."


    At Dragonscale Bank headquarters, a heavy silence filled the room.


    The


    grand steward


    sat motionless, his gaze fixed on the table in front of him.


    Reno fidgeted, wanting to say something but unsure of how to begin.


    The disastrous outcome of the Battle for Dominance weighed heavily on them.


    Elise had warned them repeatedly about the risks, but they had dismissed her concerns.


    Now, the consequences of their arrogance were undeniable.


    If only they had heeded Elise''s warnings, the


    grand steward


    thought bitterly.


    If he had visited Riverside City himself, perhaps things wouldn''t have spiraled so catastrophically.


    Elise had been right all along, yet they had ignored her, blinded by hubris.


    Reno finally broke the silence.


    "This¡­ this is my fault. I should''ve done a more thorough investigation of that girl from Karea Academy¡ªNora. I should''ve uncovered more information about her before we acted."


    "Investigate?" Elise''s voice was sharp and biting. "What''s the point of saying that now? I''ve told you time and time again about Riverside City and Crossbridge Academy. Did any of you listen to me? No! You dismissed everything I said."


    Elise''s anger boiled over as she remembered the final moments of her sister, Imora.


    "And now? Imora is dead! Are you happy now?!"


    Elise lunged at Reno in a fit of rage, fists clenched. Reno, knowing he bore responsibility, didn''t resist. He stood silently, his head bowed in shame.


    "Elise, stop!" the grand steward commanded, raising a barrier to shield Reno.


    Elise pounded her fists against the barrier, her knuckles bloody.


    Though she was a powerful mage, in her grief-stricken state, she forgot to use magic, resorting instead to futile physical blows.


    The grand steward sighed, casting a restraint spell on Elise to prevent her from hurting herself further.


    "Imora''s death pains us all," he said somberly. "But we must focus on the aftermath. That girl, Nora¡ªshe wasn''t from Karea Academy, was she? She''s from Riverside City, from Crossbridge Academy. Isn''t that right?"


    Before Elise could respond, a calm voice answered from behind them.


    "That''s correct. Nora is my student."


    Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, their eyes widening in shock.


    A man stood there, one who hadn''t been in the room moments before.


    The grand steward''s expression darkened.


    Whoever this was, he had entered the heart of Dragonscale Bank''s headquarters undetected.


    "Who are you?" Reno demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and indignation. "Do you realize that trespassing here is punishable by death?"


    The man''s gaze swept across the room before settling on Elise.


    "You were discussing my student just now," he said casually.


    The grand steward''s eyes narrowed.


    "You¡­ who are you?"


    The stranger stepped forward, the faint trace of a smirk playing on his lips.


    "My name is Daniel, headmaster of Crossbridge Academy."


    The grand steward''s expression turned grim. This was the man they had dismissed as a myth¡ªa supposed


    tier-sage


    from an insignificant academy. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "And what brings you here, Headmaster Daniel?" the grand steward asked, his voice carefully neutral.


    Daniel''s smirk faded. His tone was calm but carried an unmistakable weight.


    "I came to discuss how you''ve been meddling with my academy and my students."

 Chapter164-A Clean Sweep

    Daniel''s gaze swept over the assembled individuals, his tone calm yet sharp."And now you ask who I am?" he remarked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.


    "Your¡­ student?" Reno echoed in confusion, unable to piece together what was happening.


    The


    grand steward


    , however, had already realized the truth.


    "You¡­ You''re the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy, the Daniel Elise spoke of?"


    "That''s correct," Daniel replied nonchalantly.


    The grand steward stiffened but maintained his composure.


    "Daniel Headmaster, may I remind you that this is Dragonscale Bank''s inner sanctum, a restricted area where outside guests are strictly prohibited. I must ask you to leave immediately."


    Daniel raised an eyebrow. "That''s fine. I wasn''t planning to stay long. I''m here to retrieve something."


    The grand steward''s eyes narrowed. "Retrieve something? There''s nothing here for you. If you''re looking to purchase goods, the public counter is outside."


    His voice turned cold as he added, "You''ve already overstayed your welcome. Leave now, or I''ll have to make things more explicit."


    Daniel gave no indication of heeding the warning.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll leave as soon as I''ve taken what I came for," he said casually.


    Before the grand steward could respond, he found himself completely immobilized.


    His eyes widened in shock¡ªwhen had this happened?


    He hadn''t sensed Daniel casting any spells.


    There were no incantations, no gestures.


    It was as though his very ability to move had simply been erased.


    He glanced sideways, hoping Reno might intervene.


    To his dismay, Reno was just as frozen as he was.


    Only their eyes retained mobility, darting frantically as they struggled against the unseen force holding them in place.


    Panic rose in the grand steward''s chest.


    What kind of power was this?


    To render them both immobile in an instant without any discernible effort?


    Was this even within the realm of what the world permitted?


    Suddenly, a small vial flew out from the grand steward''s chest.


    His eyes widened further as he realized what it was.


    The vial contained a


    rule derivative


    , an artifact similar to the tendrils Hayes had summoned earlier¡ªremnants of godlike entities far beyond mortal comprehension.


    He watched helplessly as the vial floated into Daniel''s hand.


    The artifact within should have been reactive to anyone who tried to claim it, yet in Daniel''s grip, it remained utterly still.


    The grand steward was stunned.


    Handling such objects required extreme caution, even for him.


    Yet Daniel treated it like a trivial trinket, casually pocketing it without eliciting the slightest reaction from the artifact.


    The implications were terrifying.


    If Daniel could handle such a volatile object with ease, what kind of monstrous power did he truly possess?


    Elise''s warnings now echoed loudly in the grand steward''s mind.


    She had repeatedly urged Dragonscale Bank to abandon its plans regarding Lake City and to forgo participation in the Battle for Dominance.


    Now he understood why.


    From her restrained position, Elise watched the exchange unfold.


    She had heard enough of the conversation to recognize Daniel''s voice.


    When he came into view, she dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.


    "Daniel Headmaster, please! Save my sister! I beg you¡ªsurely you can bring her back to life!"


    Her pleas grew more desperate as she bowed low, her forehead striking the ground with each motion until it was smeared with blood.


    Daniel sighed softly. "Stand up. I cannot bring your sister back. She is gone¡ªtruly and completely."


    Elise''s sobs grew louder.


    Daniel continued, "However, I can retrieve her body from the secret realm if that''s what you wish."


    Elise clung to his words like a lifeline. "Yes! Yes, please! Thank you, Daniel Headmaster. That would mean everything to me."


    Without another word, Daniel vanished. Moments later, he returned with Imora''s lifeless body. Seeing her sister again, even as a corpse, brought a fresh wave of tears to Elise''s eyes.


    "Thank you¡­ Thank you, Daniel Headmaster," she whispered between sobs. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, at a different location, members of


    Dawnlight Empire


    ,


    Sanctuary of Extension


    , and


    Dark Empire


    were engaged in a tense discussion.


    "We were just about to leave," said a representative from Sanctuary of Extension coldly, clearly still irritated by recent events.


    "You should," a Dawnlight Empire prince retorted smugly. "After all, retreating in fear of a mere artifact isn''t exactly something worth sticking around for."


    "Better than dying in the secret realm," the elder from Sanctuary of Extension snapped back.


    "At least Yesar stood tall until the end!"


    As tensions flared, a third voice interjected. "Enough! The result is settled¡ªKarea Academy has won."


    Even the Dark Empire, known for its composure, had been shaken by the unexpected turns of the Battle for Dominance.


    The result had taken everyone by surprise.


    Just then, a calm, unfamiliar voice interrupted their argument.


    "Dawnlight Empire, Sanctuary of Extension, Dark Empire¡­ How convenient to find three of you together. Now, where can I find the Cult of Calamity?"


    The three turned to see a stranger approaching. Their confused glances exchanged silently. None of them recognized him.


    "And you are?" one of them began to ask.


    "Stop," Daniel said, raising a hand. "No time for introductions."


    With a flick of his wrist, Daniel immobilized all three of them before scanning the area with his mind power.


    Finding the Cult of Calamity wasn''t difficult; their heavy use of curses left a distinctive aura that was easy to trace.


    Moments later, Daniel descended upon the Cult of Calamity''s central gathering point, capturing its most powerful member before returning to


    House Ponton


    .


    Within House Ponton''s hall, an unprecedented sight unfolded.


    Representatives from all six major powers¡ªDawnlight Empire, Sanctuary of Extension, Dark Empire, Cult of Calamity, Dragonscale Bank, and Karea Academy¡ªwere gathered together.


    Each one, no matter their rank or strength, sat subdued, their faces marked with frustration and defeat.


    Even the Cult of Calamity''s elder, who had been taken without understanding why, sat among them, bewildered by the situation.


    All eyes turned to Daniel, who stood before them, his expression unreadable.


    For the first time, even Hayes¡ªthe first to be captured¡ªbegan to doubt his assumptions.


    He had thought Daniel''s actions were driven by his connection to Nora.


    But now, seeing the sheer scale of the situation, he realized there was far more at play.


    Daniel let the silence hang for a moment before speaking, his voice steady and commanding.


    "You''re probably wondering why you''re here. Let me make it simple: I''ve grown tired of your meddling. Today, we''re going to settle a few things."

 Chapter165-A Choice

    Around Hayes, representatives from the major powers who had come to participate in theBattle for Dominance S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    found themselves gathered in one place, utterly subdued.


    Daniel had brought them all here effortlessly, and not one of them had the strength to resist.


    It was a chilling realization: their lives now rested entirely in Daniel''s hands.


    In front of Daniel sat five items, each belonging to one of the five superpowers.


    These objects were


    rule derivatives


    , remnants of gods and devils that had long since perished. Each contained a trace of the


    power of rule


    , though their strength varied significantly.


    The derivative from


    Dragonscale Bank


    was by far the most potent, which perhaps explained why Imora had appeared so far ahead of her peers during the competition.


    Without Nora unexpectedly becoming Karea Academy''s champion, Imora would likely have claimed victory.


    Setting aside these reflections, Daniel turned his attention to the assembled representatives.


    "I''m giving you two choices," he began, his voice calm yet commanding. "First, live and lead me to your respective headquarters."


    He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.


    "As for the second¡­" Daniel didn''t bother finishing the sentence. The implications were clear.


    Daniel''s intentions were evident. If they refused to cooperate, he would have no qualms about ending their lives and studying their derivatives directly.


    The


    grand steward


    of Dragonscale Bank broke the silence, his voice tense.


    "Daniel Headmaster, are you sure you want to go down this path? You may be strong, but the forces behind each of us¡­"


    He hesitated, his tone shifting into a thinly veiled warning. "Do not underestimate what stands behind the superpowers."


    Daniel dismissed the threat with a wave of his hand. "You have a few minutes to decide," he said curtly. "Choose: live or die."


    Then he fell silent, waiting.


    Seconds ticked by.


    The representatives exchanged uncertain glances, their faces etched with fear and indecision. This was an unprecedented situation¡ªnever before had someone dared to target all the superpowers simultaneously.


    Was Daniel mad? Or did he truly possess the power to back up his actions?


    Finally, the


    grand steward


    stepped forward.


    "If you insist, then I will take you to Dragonscale Bank''s headquarters," he said, his tone resigned but firm.


    His decision sparked a chain reaction. With the first to take the lead, the others quickly followed suit, one by one agreeing to Daniel''s terms.


    Faced with the prospect of death, they chose survival.


    Among them, Hayes and the grand steward seemed to harbor the most confidence.


    In their minds, once Daniel confronted their full organizational might, his arrogance would be his undoing.


    With the situation settled, Daniel turned his attention to Rose and the others.


    It had been six years since Daniel had personally trained these five students.


    Each had grown into a formidable force, capable of overwhelming their peers at the same level.


    Now, he had a monumental task for them.


    "You''ve all done exceptionally well over the years," Daniel said, addressing the group. "Now, I have an important mission for you."


    "Headmaster, is it planting trees to save the world?" Nina interjected enthusiastically.


    Daniel smiled faintly. "That''s exactly right. The world we live in is on the brink of destruction. To save it, I need you to plant


    Trees of Origin


    at each


    world node


    on the continent."


    He projected a detailed map into their minds, outlining the locations of the world nodes. The images were vivid and precise, leaving no room for confusion.


    "These world nodes are crucial," Daniel explained. "Planting the Trees of Origin there will promote their growth and help stabilize the world."


    He gestured, summoning an array of glowing saplings.


    "Each of you will take 1,500 saplings. Choose a direction and plant them along your path. Additionally, eliminate any remnants of god and devil influence you encounter¡ªthey''ll make excellent fertilizer for the trees."


    Nina''s hand shot up excitedly.


    "Headmaster, am I going too?" she asked, practically bouncing in place.


    "Yes," Daniel said with a nod. "You''ve grown enough to handle this task on your own."


    Nina beamed with pride, though there was a hint of reluctance in her expression. She had grown accustomed to being by Daniel''s side.


    "Father, aren''t you coming with us this time?"


    "No, I have other matters to attend to," Daniel replied.


    He had recently discovered a troubling pattern while observing Dragonscale Bank''s derivative. Its power stemmed not only from its inherent strength but also from the extent to which it had corrupted the world around it.


    This realization pointed to the existence of at least four more derivatives of equal potency, each with a significant capacity for world erosion.


    Daniel knew he couldn''t entrust this task to his students. These entities were far too dangerous.


    Moreover, there was another matter that had haunted him for years: the mystery of his predecessor''s death.


    He now suspected his initial assumptions were wrong.


    The individual who had set a trap within the


    Sacred Time River


    was likely not the same person responsible for his father''s death.


    The trap appeared to have been incidental, triggered by Daniel''s investigation of the time river.


    Given the power required to lay such a trap, Daniel theorized that its creator had long since left this world.


    Only entities with the ability to transcend dimensions could achieve such feats.


    This left Daniel with one conclusion: his father''s death, as his mentor Ryze had speculated, was tied to the remnants of god and devil influence.


    With this in mind, Daniel was determined to confront these forces head-on.


    While Daniel contemplated his strategy, Rose and the others discussed their assignments.


    Rose chose to continue her journey east, following the path she had taken upon leaving Riverside City.


    Reed, on the other hand, selected the western route.


    "I''m going south!" Nina declared eagerly. "I''ve spent five years in the north¡ªit''s boring. I''m done with it!"


    Green volunteered for the northern route, noting its proximity to the academy.


    That left Nora, who hadn''t spoken yet.


    Daniel glanced at her and then at Nina.


    "Nora, you''ll accompany Nina to the south," he said.


    He didn''t entirely trust Nina to stay focused on the mission, especially given her tendency to get carried away. With Nora by her side, he hoped for some balance.


    As the group finalized their plans, Daniel prepared to confront the superpowers directly, setting the stage for the next phase of his mission.

 Chapter166-Karea Academy Headquarters

    With the directions settled, Daniel handed out theTree of Origin


    saplings and corresponding forging materials to his students.


    After some thought, he also imbued each of them with a fragment of his own willpower¡ªa safeguard against the residual forces of gods and devils they might encounter.


    This safeguard would allow them to suppress those corrupted energies when necessary.


    Prepared and resolute, the group headed toward the teleportation array in


    Sunken City


    .


    The air in Sunken City seemed cooler than it had been in previous days, or so some locals remarked.


    A passerby jokingly speculated, "Could it be that the fire in the Fire Abyss is finally burning out?"


    The comment drew laughter from the crowd.


    "Burning out? Impossible!" someone retorted. "The Fire Abyss has been producing flames for countless generations. It''s a lifeless place, brimming with magma and unending heat."


    "Sunken City has stood longer than all our lifetimes combined," another added. "Worrying about it running out of fire is absurd!"


    Daniel overheard the conversation and smiled faintly but said nothing. He knew better.


    The Fire Abyss''s


    world node


    had already been stabilized with a


    Tree of Origin


    , which would gradually transform the environment.


    While the changes might take time, the inexhaustible magma would eventually diminish.


    The once-fiery abyss might one day earn a simpler name: the Abyss.


    As Daniel prepared to step onto the teleportation array, Nina hurriedly blocked his path.


    "Headmaster! Wait! Aren''t you forgetting something?"


    "Am I?" Daniel asked, momentarily puzzled.


    "You promised me a reward!" Nina exclaimed.


    Ah, that promise. Daniel vaguely recalled agreeing to it earlier.


    After a moment of thought, he replied, "Oh, yes. I gave it to Green. You can ask him for it."


    Without waiting for a response, Daniel activated the array and vanished with Hayes and the grand steward.


    Nina turned to Green expectantly.


    Green''s expression twisted with reluctance.


    He did indeed have something stored in his


    storage crystal


    , but its contents were far from what Nina might have hoped for.


    Books, study materials, and numerous practice exercises¡ªessentially, a treasure trove of academic torment for someone like Nina.


    "Green! Don''t just stand there! Give it to me!" Nina urged, brimming with excitement.


    Resigned, Green handed over the crystal and quickly fled, mimicking Daniel''s earlier departure.


    Nina, oblivious to his hasty retreat, eagerly activated the crystal.


    Her anticipation turned to despair as the contents were revealed: stacks of books and piles of assignments.


    "This¡­ Green! I''ll get you for this!" Nina fumed.


    Curious, Nora peeked over her shoulder, then burst into laughter. Of all things, Green had given Nina what she hated most. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well," Nora mused, "maybe this really


    was


    the headmaster''s idea."


    Karea Academy Headquarters


    Nestled within the central mountain range of the continent, the headquarters of Karea Academy resembled a sprawling city rather than a conventional academy.


    Its grandeur dwarfed places like Lake City, making them seem like mere rural villages in comparison.


    The city thrived with powerful mages, most of whom were at least


    Tier-Platinum


    in rank.


    "This is just a nearby city," Hayes explained. "The headquarters itself is located behind the mountain range."


    "Lead the way," Daniel said.


    The three figures soared toward the headquarters.


    Before long, they arrived at a massive mountain gate flanked by steep, seemingly endless stairs.


    "Daniel Headmaster," Hayes said, gesturing toward the structure. "This is the entrance to our headquarters."


    Daniel nodded and instinctively touched the


    Ring of Origin


    on his hand. Shifting his perspective, he observed the academy through the lens of the world''s structure.


    What he saw confirmed his suspicions.


    Countless black tendrils extended from the academy, reaching into the surrounding mountains and lands.


    These tendrils siphoned power from the environment, transforming it within their corrupted cores before releasing it back into the world, subtly altering its essence.


    The roots of these tendrils were buried deep beneath the academy, concealed within its very foundations.


    Even Daniel couldn''t see the precise source, which meant he would need to delve deeper into the headquarters to investigate.


    "Daniel Headmaster," Hayes interrupted his thoughts. "The academy headmaster should be in the rear mountains. Would you like to meet them?"


    Before Daniel could respond, a deep, resonant bell rang through the air.


    Its tone reverberated across the mountains, drawing his attention to a specific location: the academy''s aptitude testing grounds.


    Curiosity piqued, Daniel glanced toward Hayes.


    "Is that your aptitude testing area?" he asked.


    "Yes," Hayes replied. "Every new student undergoes tests for talent and temperament there."


    "Interesting. I think I''ll give it a try," Daniel said, heading toward the site.


    "Daniel Headmaster, wait!" Hayes called after him, his voice uncertain. "The tests are only for individuals under fifty years old¡­"


    His words trailed off as realization struck. Daniel couldn''t possibly be under fifty¡­ could he?


    Watching Daniel walk away with such confidence, Hayes and the grand steward exchanged bewildered glances.


    If Daniel truly was under fifty, then their centuries-long lives seemed embarrassingly wasted in comparison.


    When Daniel arrived at the testing grounds, he found a group of instructors debating over a recent student''s impressive results.


    The student''s talent and temperament had impressed everyone, leading to a heated competition among teachers to recruit them.


    "Next!" the test proctor called, looking at Daniel with a mix of hesitation and skepticism.


    "Please remain quiet during the test," they added, motioning for him to step forward.


    Daniel entered the


    magic array


    , a complex formation used to evaluate both aptitude and mental fortitude.


    As he stepped into the array, a strange phenomenon occurred.


    The formation began to glow, its circuits flickering erratically before abruptly shorting out.


    The test proctor glanced at their monitoring device, about to declare Daniel''s aptitude nonexistent, when the device exploded in their hands.


    The blast sent the proctor stumbling back, nearly injured by the unexpected detonation.


    Daniel walked out of the array unscathed, his expression calm.


    "So¡­ what''s my result? What''s my aptitude?" he asked.


    The proctor stood frozen, unable to respond.


    What had happened inside the array was clear to Daniel.


    As he entered, he quickly deduced the mechanics of the formation.


    It was well-designed for its purpose, but he noted several areas where it could be improved.


    Perhaps once this business was over, he would create a similar array for Crossbridge Academy.


    Curious about his own aptitude, Daniel had allowed the array to assess him without holding back. However, he''d overlooked one crucial factor: the


    Ring of Origin


    on his finger.


    The ring''s power was far beyond the array''s capacity to measure.


    Overwhelmed, the array had frozen, triggering a cascade of failures that ultimately led to its collapse.


    Now, as Daniel emerged from the ruins of the test, every eye in the vicinity was on him.


    "Well?" he asked again, looking at the stunned proctor. "What''s my aptitude like?"

 Chapter167-The Master of Karea Academy

    The testing officer, visibly embarrassed, looked at Daniel and explained nervously:"Apologies¡­ The result of your test can''t be determined. The magic array¡­ it malfunctioned. I don''t know what caused it. Even the testing device exploded!"


    His voice wavered with uncertainty. How could such a well-maintained array fail so catastrophically? Hoping for answers, he glanced skyward as a figure descended from above.


    The testing officer lit up with relief.


    "Vice Headmaster! I have no idea what happened. The magic array suddenly lost functionality, and the testing device¡­ it just exploded!"


    The vice headmaster, a man of middling power compared to someone like Hayes, nodded calmly.


    "I understand. You''re dismissed."


    The testing officer exhaled a deep sigh of relief, quickly retreating.


    Daniel observed the approaching vice headmaster, whose eyes betrayed keen interest.


    "You there," the vice headmaster said, addressing Daniel. "Are you a new student? If so, why don''t you become my disciple? You have promise!"


    The vice headmaster''s voice brimmed with confidence.


    As he approached, his gaze flicked to Hayes and the figure beside him.


    While Hayes was familiar, the other man seemed vaguely recognizable.


    The vice headmaster''s focus, however, remained squarely on Daniel.


    After all, the chain reaction that rendered the magic array inert had only occurred after Daniel''s entry.


    The academy''s magic arrays were among the most sophisticated, gifted by a great figure of legend.


    That they should suddenly fail was unthinkable¡ªunless the cause was an individual whose abilities far surpassed the array''s capabilities.


    This could only mean one thing: the newcomer was a prodigy of unimaginable potential.


    The vice headmaster was determined to claim Daniel as his student before anyone else could intervene.


    Hayes, standing nearby, felt a cold sweat break across his back. He hurried forward to interject.


    "Wait, Zeman! This individual¡­"


    "I understand, Hayes!" Zeman interrupted, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "This must be the exceptional talent you found! No need to trouble the headmaster¡ªI''ll take him under my wing instead!"


    Hayes''s face darkened. Could Zeman not read the situation? This man wasn''t some prodigy Hayes had brought to the academy; he was something far more dangerous.


    "Zeman!" Hayes snapped. "This person is no student. Show some respect when addressing him!"


    Zeman froze, finally registering Hayes''s tone.


    His excitement dissipated as he realized his error. This wasn''t a recruit.


    This was someone far beyond the academy''s authority¡ªa guest, perhaps even a threat.


    Turning to Daniel, Hayes spoke quickly.


    "Sir, let me escort you to the headmaster. He''ll handle this matter personally."


    Daniel nodded.


    "Lead the way."


    The


    headmaster of Karea Academy


    , a stern-looking middle-aged man, greeted Hayes with a mixture of curiosity and authority. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You''ve returned quickly, Hayes. How did the Battle for Dominance go?"


    "Headmaster," Hayes began, his voice steady, "we secured victory. However, there were¡­ complications."


    "Victory is what matters," the headmaster said, his tone dismissive. "I can now report our success to the patron. The young man with you must be the chosen candidate for the competition. Well done, young man."


    He addressed Daniel directly, his expression softening.


    "You''ve helped secure a victory for the academy. Tell me, what reward would you like? So long as it''s within reason, I''ll grant it."


    Hayes stepped forward urgently.


    "Headmaster, this individual is not one of ours. He is a guest here to meet¡­ the patron."


    The headmaster''s demeanor shifted, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    "A guest, you say? Few are qualified to meet the patron."


    The mana surrounding the headmaster swelled, radiating outward like a tidal wave.


    Daniel responded with a simple gesture, pointing into the air.


    In an instant, the overwhelming mana vanished as though it had never existed.


    The headmaster froze, his expression shifting from shock to solemnity.


    This wasn''t just raw power¡ªit was control at an unfathomable level, reminiscent of the patron''s own abilities.


    The headmaster immediately recognized that he was completely outmatched.


    "I apologize for my earlier behavior," he said, bowing slightly. "If you wish to meet the patron, please follow me."


    Daniel followed silently, his interest piqued.


    The two arrived at the entrance to a


    secret realm


    .


    The headmaster stopped abruptly, turning to Daniel.


    "The patron resides within. I cannot go any further. Please proceed on your own."


    Daniel paused, studying the headmaster.


    "Did this patron establish Karea Academy?"


    The headmaster hesitated before nodding. Without another word, he stepped aside, allowing Daniel to enter the secret realm.


    Inside, Daniel found himself surrounded by lush greenery, a stark contrast to the academy''s imposing architecture.


    Bamboo forests stretched endlessly, their leaves rustling in the breeze.


    At the center of this serene environment stood a small, simple house.


    As Daniel approached, he sensed a powerful mind observing him¡ªa presence that felt distinctly alien to this world.


    The door to the house opened as Daniel neared, and a figure stepped out.


    "Who are you, and what brings you here?" the figure asked, their voice calm but edged with curiosity.


    Daniel stopped a few paces away, meeting their gaze.


    "Riverside City. My name is Daniel."


    The figure''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    "I am Randy. Why have you come here to find me?"


    From the moment Daniel entered the secret realm, he had confirmed his suspicions.


    Randy''s presence exuded an aura of otherworldly energy, a trace of divine mana that didn''t belong to this world.


    This was what Daniel had been searching for.


    Though Randy''s power paled in comparison to Daniel''s, it was formidable by the standards of this world¡ªenough to dominate most mortals.


    Daniel''s purpose was clear.


    Whatever Randy represented, his connection to the remnants of gods and devils posed a threat to the balance of the world.


    This meeting would decide the next step in his journey.


    "I''m here to destroy you," Daniel said calmly. Though his tone was soft, his words carried an earth-shattering weight that echoed through the air.


    Randy''s expression darkened immediately.


    "That''s a poor joke," he replied coldly. "If you haven''t come with good intentions, I suggest you leave at once."


    His voice, edged with anger, betrayed his irritation. Randy clearly regarded Daniel''s statement as nothing more than provocation, a mockery aimed at him.

 Chapter168-Im Here to Destroy You

    "I''m here to destroy you," Daniel said calmly. Though his tone was soft, his words carried an earth-shattering weight that echoed through the air.Randy''s expression darkened immediately.


    "That''s a poor joke," he replied coldly. "If you haven''t come with good intentions, I suggest you leave at once."


    His voice, edged with anger, betrayed his irritation. Randy clearly regarded Daniel''s statement as nothing more than provocation, a mockery aimed at him.


    "Why should I approach someone who''s actively destroying this world with goodwill?" Daniel retorted. "Besides..."


    His gaze sharpened. "You''re not even from this world, are you? You''ve simply taken over the body of someone named Randy."


    Those words struck like lightning. Randy''s expression faltered, his composure cracking as though his deepest secret had been exposed.


    In an instant, his eyes changed¡ªone black, one white¡ªradiating a chilling, otherworldly aura. The tranquil beauty of the


    secret realm


    disintegrated, replaced by a stark, surreal landscape.


    The once-lush greenery faded into endless whiteness, except for the ground beneath Randy, now a pitch-black void.


    Around him, the terrain rippled like liquid, each step causing waves to emanate across the surface.


    "Who are you, really?" Randy asked, his voice cold and measured.


    "I''m someone trying to save this world," Daniel answered.


    "Save this world?" Randy laughed, a booming, mocking sound that reverberated through the emptiness.


    "Surely you''re joking."


    To Randy, the very idea was absurd. The world was already beyond repair: its S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    world tree


    severed, its


    world consciousness


    dormant, and its


    original essence


    siphoned by remnants of gods and devils. The destruction was inevitable, and Randy, like others of his kind, was simply accelerating the process.


    "Save the world," Randy sneered. "What a ridiculous notion. The world is doomed, and you think you can change that?"


    Having abandoned his earlier fa?ade, Randy no longer hid his true nature.


    Daniel''s earlier accusation had been correct: Randy''s body was nothing more than a vessel. The true occupant was the consciousness birthed from a god-and-devil relic¡ªa spirit of immense, destructive power.


    As Randy''s aura fully unfurled, he scrutinized Daniel more closely.


    "You¡­ You''re different," Randy mused. "Part of the world''s essence? Or perhaps a fragment of its consciousness?"


    The curiosity in his voice was tinged with malice.


    "No matter," he continued. "If you''ve come to me, then I''ll gladly devour you!"


    Behind Randy, a spectral pen materialized, its shape faint but menacing.


    The pen began to move through the air, leaving trails of dark glyphs that swirled and twisted before coalescing beneath Daniel''s feet.


    The glyphs rose like walls, encasing Daniel in a prison of black text.


    The walls tightened, shrinking until they formed a pill-sized sphere that hovered in Randy''s hand.


    "Delicious," Randy remarked, grinning wickedly. "I can''t wait to savor your essence. If only more fools like you would deliver themselves to me."


    He tossed the sphere into his mouth and swallowed.


    But instead of the rush of power he expected, Randy felt¡­ nothing. No surge of energy, no familiar taste of


    world essence


    .


    "Was that your best shot?" Daniel''s voice rang out behind him.


    Randy whirled around, his disbelief palpable. There stood Daniel, completely unscathed.


    "How¡­?" Randy stammered, his mind racing. The attack he''d unleashed had transcended this world''s rules¡ªescaping it should have been impossible.


    Realization dawned too late.


    As Randy''s spectral pen moved again to strike, Daniel acted.


    Extending his right hand, Daniel grasped the pen directly.


    The world shifted once more.


    The blinding white landscape dissolved, replaced by the verdant scenery of the original


    secret realm


    .


    The pen, the source of Randy''s power, trembled violently in Daniel''s grip.


    Randy dropped to his knees, his strength draining away.


    The pen wasn''t merely a tool; it was the true source of his existence. Without it, he was nothing.


    The pen was no ordinary artifact.


    Once belonging to a powerful god-and-devil figure, it had been damaged in battle and left to rot.


    Over centuries, its spirit reawakened, growing stronger by feeding on the


    original essence


    of the world.


    Eventually, it gained sentience, claiming Randy''s body as its host.


    But Daniel''s intervention had changed everything. His grasp pierced the layers of reality, reaching beyond the pen''s illusory projection to seize its true form.


    "Please, spare me!" Randy''s voice, now filled with desperation, pleaded. "I was wrong! I''ll serve you¡ªdo anything you ask!"


    The pen spirit''s newfound sentience brought with it a deep fear of death, and Daniel''s hold on its core filled it with terror.


    "Spare you?" Daniel replied evenly. "This world doesn''t need creatures like you."


    His grip tightened, and the pen began to crack. Randy''s face contorted in pain, his voice rising in frantic protest.


    "No! You don''t understand! If you destroy me, they won''t let you go! They''ll come for you¡ªall of them!"


    Daniel''s gaze didn''t waver.


    "Let them come. I''ve been waiting for them."


    With those words, he crushed the pen, its remnants disintegrating into nothingness.


    Even after ensuring no hidden contingencies or escape mechanisms remained, Daniel searched the surrounding area with his


    mind power


    , confirming the spirit''s complete annihilation.


    With the pen destroyed, the true Randy stirred, his eyes fluttering open.


    "Thank you¡­ Thank you, sir," he whispered weakly. His voice carried both relief and lingering fear.


    Freed from the pen''s control, Randy was once again himself¡ªa man who had endured years of imprisonment within his own mind.


    "If not for you," Randy continued, his tone trembling, "I would have been erased completely. That¡­ thing would have consumed me."


    Daniel studied him for a moment. Randy''s survival was remarkable, but his ordeal was over. For Daniel, the path forward was clear: the fight to save the world had only just begun.


    "Tell me everything¡ªwhat exactly happened?"


    Daniel''s voice was calm but firm as he fixed his gaze on Randy.


    Randy nodded weakly, a mixture of exhaustion and relief flickering across his face. In a halting voice, he began to recount his story, one that spanned thousands of years.


    A long time ago, Randy had been a minor member of a powerful family, an


    affiliate child


    with dismal magical potential.

 Chapter169-Randys Past

    "Tell me everything¡ªwhat exactly happened?"Daniel''s voice was calm but firm as he fixed his gaze on Randy.


    Randy nodded weakly, a mixture of exhaustion and relief flickering across his face. In a halting voice, he began to recount his story, one that spanned thousands of years.


    A long time ago, Randy had been a minor member of a powerful family, an


    affiliate child


    with dismal magical potential.


    While others in his family awakened their


    magic patterns


    with ease and excelled in mastering complex spells, Randy remained an ordinary individual, unable to harness even the simplest magic.


    Resigned to his fate, Randy spent his days doing menial tasks, occasionally daydreaming about the day he might awaken his magic pattern and become a powerful mage.


    If fate had left him alone, Randy''s life would have been brief and unremarkable.


    But one day, his life took a dramatic turn.


    A seemingly minor dispute caught the attention of a


    main branch descendant


    , someone who began to harbor a grudge against Randy.


    This descendant subjected him to relentless bullying, making multiple attempts to expel him from the family.


    Despite the abuse, Randy endured, knowing he lacked the power to fight back.


    Then came the day when the grudge turned deadly.


    While traveling outside the family estate, Randy was ambushed.


    The main branch descendant sought to end Randy''s life.


    Cornered and desperate, Randy jumped into a raging river, preferring to take his chances with the current rather than face certain death.


    By some miracle, he survived.


    The river carried Randy to a mysterious, hidden place.


    It was there that he encountered


    the pen


    , an artifact of immense power that would change his life forever.


    The pen offered Randy the strength he had always dreamed of, granting him the ability to become a mage of unparalleled talent.


    With its guidance, Randy rapidly ascended the ranks of magical power, returning to his family to exact vengeance.


    The main branch descendant who had tormented him was swiftly and ruthlessly dealt with. The family, far from reprimanding Randy, celebrated his actions, elevating him to the position of head of the family.


    For a time, Randy reveled in his newfound status.


    But the responsibilities of leadership soon grew tiresome.


    His true passion lay in pursuing greater magical power, so he abdicated his position and set out into the wider world.


    As Randy''s strength continued to grow, he began to glimpse the possibility of ascending to a higher plane¡ªa threshold to a realm beyond this world.


    But the pen warned him against it.


    "Do not attempt to cross that threshold," it cautioned. "If you do, you will leave this world and enter a far more dangerous one. In that world, you will be powerless, as you once were, a mere insect crushed underfoot."


    The pen''s words resonated with Randy, dredging up memories of his powerless past.


    Fearful of reliving such humiliation, he heeded the pen''s warning and turned his focus back to this world.


    Following the pen''s guidance, Randy established


    Karea Academy


    , a bastion of magical learning and influence.


    The academy became a means to gather resources and consolidate power, preparing Randy for the day he might safely step into the unknown realm.


    For centuries, Randy worked tirelessly to expand Karea Academy''s influence, drawing upon the pen''s power to bolster his strength.


    The pen assured him that when the time came to cross the threshold, it would ensure he retained his current position and authority in the new world.


    But things were not as they seemed.


    As the centuries passed, Randy began to notice an unsettling stagnation in his growth. Though he continued to draw upon the pen''s power, his progress slowed to a crawl.


    Frustrated, he once again expressed his desire to cross the threshold, hoping the new realm would provide the breakthrough he needed.


    This time, the pen agreed¡ªon one condition.


    Randy would need to bind his soul more deeply to the pen.


    "It is the only way I can continue to assist you in the new world," the pen claimed.


    Trusting the pen implicitly, Randy agreed.


    But the moment he deepened their bond, the pen revealed its true intentions.


    It


    seized control of Randy''s body


    , relegating his consciousness to a dormant state.


    Randy realized, too late, that he had been deceived.


    The pen had been siphoning the


    world essence


    it promised him, keeping the lion''s share for itself while feeding him mere scraps.


    Now, as a powerless observer trapped within his own body, Randy''s once-bright ambitions faded into despair.


    The pen manipulated his body as it saw fit, using his identity to further its own agenda.


    For centuries, Randy remained a prisoner, his consciousness locked away in a dark corner of his mind. His memories grew hazy, his identity slipping away.


    Only his burning hatred for the pen kept his mind intact, a single thread anchoring him to existence.


    If not for Daniel, Randy''s consciousness would have eventually faded into nothingness.


    As Randy''s story concluded, his voice trembled with a mixture of grief and gratitude.


    "Thank you, sir. If not for you, I would have been erased completely."


    Daniel regarded him silently, considering the weight of the man''s words.


    "Are there others like you?" Daniel asked after a pause. "How many in Middle Earth have been consumed by artifacts like that pen?"


    Randy hesitated before responding. "I¡­ don''t know the exact number. But I can tell you this: such artifacts are far more common than people realize. Many are drawn to their promises of power, unaware of the price."


    He glanced at Daniel nervously, then added, "Sir, are you¡­ the wielder of another divine artifact?"


    Daniel didn''t respond to the question directly. Instead, he said,


    "Take me to the place where the pen stored the essence it stole."


    Randy nodded, shakily rising to his feet. He led Daniel to a small house within the


    secret realm


    , where the stolen


    Source of World


    was stored.


    The essence glimmered faintly, a powerful reminder of what had been taken from the world.


    Daniel retrieved a


    Tree of Origin


    from his storage and planted it in the secret realm.


    As the sapling took root, its vibrant energy filled the air, and Randy''s eyes widened in recognition.


    "Tree of Origin!" he exclaimed. "Sir¡­ are you an oracle? Are you here to save the world?"


    The pen had once spoken of oracles¡ªfanatics who sought to plant Trees of Origin across the world, a supposed act of destruction.


    But now Randy understood the truth. These oracles weren''t destroyers¡ªthey were saviors.


    Daniel nodded.


    "Yes. This world is on the brink of collapse because of beings like the pen. To restore balance, these trees must be planted."


    Randy fell to his knees. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sir, I wish to help you! I''ve been a victim of these relics for too long. Let me make amends. Allow me to assist you in saving this world!"


    Daniel studied the man for a moment before responding.


    "Very well. Stand up. If you''re serious about making amends, there''s work to do."


    Relief and determination shone in Randy''s eyes as he rose.


    "One more thing," Daniel said. "Are there many others like you¡ªthose controlled by artifacts¡ªin this world?"


    Randy''s face grew grim.


    "Far too many."

 Chapter170-Two Major Forces

    "My lord, do you mean..."Randy asked, somewhat puzzled.


    "People among the forces in Middle Earth who are controlled by the remnants of the gods and devils,"


    Daniel added, providing some clarification.


    Only then did Randy understand.


    "Before I was taken over by that pen, I had been in contact with several forces. I think... most of their goals are related to the Source of the World."


    "There are some people, who are incredibly powerful in their own right, and have even taken control of those divine artifacts."


    "Oh?"


    Hearing this, Daniel became interested.


    To think that someone could, with their own strength and mindset, control such divine objects?


    This was indeed surprising to Daniel.


    He had assumed that most people, like Randy, encountered a divine object at their most desperate times.


    The object guided their magic, helping them become stronger.


    Anyone would trust those divine objects strongly.


    And once a conflict arose¡ª


    Just like Randy wanting to enter the God Realm¡ª


    The result would usually be possession.


    Daniel believed there were certainly people like Randy.


    However, most of them were probably in a temporary peaceful state.


    What he hadn''t expected was for someone to have actually subjugated these divine objects.


    After all, those objects were remnants of the great battle between gods and devils.


    If it were an ordinary person, they would have no power to make these items bow down.


    Just like Randy, who ended up being possessed.


    Hearing Daniel''s interest in this, Randy continued:


    "Take, for example, the Dragonscale Bank and the Element Temple..."


    "Element Temple?"


    Daniel repeated the name, puzzled.


    He was familiar with the Dragonscale Bank, and could tell that the object obtained by the bank was quite powerful.


    But he hadn''t expected that the object had already been controlled.


    It seemed that the world was truly not lacking in powerful individuals.


    Sadly, they aimed to destroy this world.


    If, in the end, they failed to see the bigger picture, Daniel would have no choice but to kill them.


    After a moment of thought, Daniel spoke:


    "Then, tell me about all the divine objects you know of."


    "Yes!"


    Randy hurriedly ransacked his memories, listing the forces and the divine objects they had acquired.


    From Randy''s account, Daniel learned that


    the continent of Middle Earth was divided into nine realms.


    It was similar to nine different regions.


    Though Randy seemed incompetent, even being taken over by a divine object,


    his own strength was far from weak.


    The problem was that the divine object was simply too powerful. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Had it not been for Daniel, any other person would have probably fallen victim to the first attack from that object.


    Because very few could evade such strange attacks.


    Also, it was impossible to directly capture their real body through space.


    Karea Academy was no weak force.


    It controlled the 5th realm out of the nine realms,


    placing it in the top three forces of Middle Earth.


    Above Karea Academy were only Dragonscale Bank and, as Randy had just mentioned, the Element Temple.


    The Element Temple, according to Randy''s description, was the most terrifying force in all of Middle Earth.


    "My lord, if you plan to do this, you must be careful of Dragonscale Bank and the Element Temple!"


    Randy warned, his tone serious.


    Even he, when facing these two forces, felt that it was almost impossible to defeat either of them.


    "I have my plans for that,"


    Daniel replied.


    Finally, Randy wasn''t completely in the dark anymore.


    With clear objectives, it could now be said that the enemies were in the open while Daniel remained hidden.


    These two forces were almost completely unaware of Daniel''s purpose and existence,


    which gave Daniel a huge advantage.


    "How does Element Temple compare to Dragonscale Bank?"


    Daniel asked again.


    "In the absence of Dragonscale Bank, Element Temple is considered the most powerful in Middle Earth."


    Upon hearing Randy''s words, Daniel nodded.


    Dragonscale Bank... this force was indeed hard to gauge.


    Because, for the most part, it appeared to be a harmless commercial organization.


    At first, Daniel hadn''t been able to imagine that such a seemingly high-end business store could be the strongest force in Middle Earth?


    After learning from Randy, Daniel now had a better idea of what to do next.


    He would handle those two toughest opponents himself.


    As for the rest... let the kids from Crossbridge Academy take care of it.


    Consider it their training.


    "From now on, Karea Academy... or rather, the entire 5th Realm, will belong to Crossbridge Academy."


    "Crossbridge Academy?"


    "That''s my force."


    "Yes, yes, my lord!"


    ...


    Outside the secret realm,


    Hayes was filled with unease.


    He didn''t know what the final result would be.


    If Daniel failed,


    his actions would be considered a betrayal of the academy,


    and he would definitely die.


    But at that time, he really had no other choice.


    If he didn''t bring Daniel to the academy,


    he would have been killed on the spot.


    Between the two choices, he had made the one that felt more instinctive.


    And now, as the situation grew more tense,


    Hayes felt even more anxious.


    In fact, deep down, he was still hoping Daniel would succeed.


    That way, he wouldn''t face any consequences.


    He never imagined that a member of Karea Academy, even someone from the higher-ups,


    would be in this situation¡ª


    Hoping for an outsider''s victory?


    How ironic!


    The headmaster beside him looked at Hayes in confusion.


    Wasn''t this guest here for a visit?


    Why did Hayes seem so strange?


    First nervous, then self-deprecating, then anxious...


    It was so obvious that the headmaster almost wanted to cast healing magic or even hypnosis on Hayes.


    Just then, a fluctuation came from the entrance of the secret realm.


    A figure walked out.


    The two of them looked, and it was Randy!


    "Greetings, my lord!"


    The headmaster and Hayes were both Randy''s students.


    They had once been taken in by him.


    But... they didn''t know when exactly their teacher began to change.


    He no longer allowed them to call him "teacher" but instead insisted on being called "my lord."


    Although they didn''t understand why, they had still continued with the new title.


    When they saw Randy walking out of the secret realm,


    Hayes'' heart almost leapt into his throat.


    Could it be that... Daniel had failed?


    Wasn''t there once such an unstoppable momentum?


    Why had it turned out like this?


    Would their teacher come now to punish him for betraying the academy?


    After all, Daniel was brought in by him.


    At this moment, Hayes heard a voice:


    "Hayes!"


    Randy''s voice rang out.


    Hayes instinctively trembled,


    and without thinking, he spoke:


    "Teacher... no, my lord! Did you call me for something?"


    He immediately dropped to the ground, not daring to look up.


    But in the next moment, a pair of hands lifted him up by the shoulders.


    "Hayes, you did well! If it weren''t for you bringing Lord Daniel here, I would probably... have been killed by those traitors long ago! You did well! And from now on, there''s no need to call me ''my lord.'' Just call me teacher like before."


    Hayes looked up in disbelief.


    He gazed at his teacher.


    He saw the genuine smile on his teacher''s face.


    It seemed that his teacher... truly wasn''t angry with him.


    He hadn''t blamed him for betraying the academy?


    How could this be?


    Hayes was filled with questions in his mind.


    Then, he saw Daniel walking out from behind Randy,


    and hurriedly lowered his head:


    "I understand, teacher."


    Randy then turned to look at the kneeling headmaster:


    "And you, Char, you''ve worked hard managing the academy all these years." Your next read awaits at empire


    Char raised his head, and had heard all of Randy and Hayes'' conversation.


    "Yes, teacher!"


    Seeing his two former students again, Randy felt quite pleased, then continued:


    "By the way, one more thing I need to mention: from now on, Karea Academy will answer to Lord Daniel,


    and the entire 5th Realm will be taken over by Lord Daniel''s force, Crossbridge Academy."


    "Char, you''re in charge of this matter. As for how things proceed, we''ll follow Lord Daniel''s instructions."

 Chapter171-Randys Announcement

    Soon after, all the high-ranking members of Karea Academy received an urgent meeting notice.This message was sent via a special method, one that signified the highest level of emergency within the academy.


    Upon receiving the message, all the senior officials rushed to the academy''s meeting room as quickly as possible.


    Powerful presences arrived at Karea Academy within moments, signaling the urgency of the matter at hand.


    As they entered the meeting room, everyone was taken aback by what they saw. Randy, the former headmaster, was standing in the room.


    And sitting in front of him was a young, unfamiliar man. Nearly every person in the room was stunned by this scene.


    Randy¡ªeveryone knew who he was.


    He was the founder of Karea Academy and the former headmaster.


    Without Randy, Karea Academy would never have risen to control the 5th Realm, nor would it have reached such heights.


    In the eyes of the high-ranking members, Char was merely a successor, selected by the former headmaster to maintain the academy''s current state.


    The real strength behind Karea Academy''s standing came from the presence of the old headmaster.


    After stepping down, Randy had not reappeared, and all subsequent affairs had been handled by Char, along with Hayes.


    At this moment, Hayes stood behind Randy.


    It was clear that the young man seated in front of Randy was the one who was unknown to everyone.


    The others in the room couldn''t help but wonder who he was and why he had such an important position.


    When the high-ranking members of the academy arrived and saw Randy in the room, they were immediately shocked.


    Randy, who had not shown up in years, was back. What could this emergency meeting be about?


    And what role did the unknown young man play in it?


    After a brief silence, Randy spoke. "Everyone," he began, and all the members immediately straightened up, alert.


    It had been years since they had seen Randy, and his sudden appearance signified that something significant was about to unfold.


    "There is only one purpose for this emergency meeting," Randy continued, "and that is to discuss the future of Karea Academy and the 5th Realm."


    He paused for a moment before continuing, "In the past, I was misled and made many wrong decisions. But now, I have been saved by Lord Daniel. From here on out, Karea Academy will correct its course and follow Lord Daniel, to help save our world."


    These words left the high-ranking members in stunned disbelief.


    They looked at each other with doubt, unable to comprehend what they had just heard.


    What did he mean by ''saving the world''? And why was he addressing the young man as ''Lord Daniel''? Was Randy being deceived?


    At that moment, one of the high-ranking members, unable to hold his anger, stood up. "Hayes! Char! What exactly have you done? Have you both deceived the old headmaster?"


    As if prompted, a second official stood up, adding, "What is going on here? That young man is nothing more than a¡­"


    "Enough!" Randy coldly interrupted, releasing a terrifying aura that shattered the words of the second high-ranking official.


    The official immediately fell back into his chair, a look of pain spreading across his face.


    "I have not been influenced by any magic that could change my thoughts or will. Everything I say is the truth. Lord Daniel has saved me from the influence of a divine object," Randy continued, his voice resolute. "For many years, many orders I gave were not of my own making, and they caused great harm to our world. That is why I have made this decision today."


    "From now on, Karea Academy will continue to focus on recruiting and training students. However, we will follow Lord Daniel''s lead, and the 5th Realm will be under the jurisdiction of Crossbridge Academy, which is currently managed by Karea Academy."


    As Randy finished speaking, the room fell silent.


    No one argued or questioned his words further. Randy''s overwhelming strength made his words unquestionable. Stay updated with empire


    With his support, even Char could serve as the headmaster, and the appearance of this ''Daniel'' didn''t seem like a problem. Things at Karea Academy wouldn''t change much, after all.


    The meeting ended soon after, and it became clear that Randy would no longer disappear into seclusion, but would directly involve himself in the daily management of Karea Academy and the entire 5th Realm.


    He would work to correct the harm caused by the influence of the mysterious pen.


    Daniel, having arranged for the Tree of Origin to absorb all the residual power left by the pen, decided it was time to transplant it.


    He planted the Tree of Origin within Karea Academy, resolving the academy''s internal issues.


    With the situation at Karea Academy under control, Daniel visited the waiting grand steward of Dragonscale Bank.


    After discussing the location of the bank, the two of them set off toward Dragonscale Bank.


    Randy, watching Daniel leave, stood in silence.


    It was not until Hayes spoke that Randy finally broke his quiet reflection.


    "Master, what¡­ happened?" Hayes asked, his voice filled with confusion.


    His teacher had returned, but something was clearly different.


    The former headmaster and vice headmaster, who were present, also waited for Randy''s answer.


    Ever since Randy decided to step down as headmaster, he had changed drastically. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now, they saw the return of the man they once knew, and they eagerly awaited his explanation.


    "Well, it''s a long story. If you''re interested, I can tell you," Randy began, and as he spoke, he started from the very beginning, recalling his humble origins as a talentless affiliate youth.


    ¡­


    As they witnessed Daniel''s actions in Karea Academy and the changes it brought, the grand steward of Dragonscale Bank began to rethink his stance.


    Perhaps they didn''t need to engage in a bloody battle after all.


    Maybe a peaceful resolution was possible.


    The truth was, Daniel''s arrival had not harmed Karea Academy.


    While the nominal control of the 5th Realm had shifted to Crossbridge Academy, Crossbridge Academy had never really exercised much control over it.


    The actual management of the 5th Realm remained with Karea Academy.


    The academy had not lost anything significant, and the same could be true for Dragonscale Bank.


    The grand steward had seen Daniel''s power firsthand, and after witnessing the changes in Karea Academy, he realized just how formidable Daniel truly was¡ªperhaps even more than he had initially imagined.


    Randy, a man who had once held such power and influence that he could control the 5th Realm with a single hand, had now returned and was working alongside Daniel.


    This realization led the grand steward to wonder if it would be possible to achieve a similar peaceful resolution with Dragonscale Bank, as it seemed there was little to lose.


    After all, Karea Academy''s situation had not been harmed by Daniel''s intervention, and if Dragonscale Bank followed the same path, the outcome might be equally beneficial.


    The grand steward, deciding to act quickly, turned to Daniel. "Lord Daniel, the divine object that belongs to us is currently in the hands of the chief. To enter the secret realm, we require the approval of our senior members. I can call an emergency meeting to arrange for this."


    "Go ahead and prepare," Daniel said with a nod.


    "Please rest assured, I will return shortly," the grand steward replied and hurried away to begin the preparations.


    As Daniel looked around, he could sense a distinct aura in this place¡ªone that was vastly different from Karea Academy.

 Chapter172-Dragonscale Bank Headquarter

    If the influence Daniel felt at Karea Academy was from the residual energy of the remnants of gods and devils, then the feeling he experienced at the headquarters of Dragonscale Bank was entirely different.The atmosphere here... seemed to originate from the God Realm.


    As soon as Daniel arrived here, he could vaguely sense that something was off, something unusual about this place.


    So, after the grand steward proposed his suggestion, Daniel agreed without hesitation.


    After conducting a thorough investigation of the area, Daniel could finally confirm it.


    The aura left behind in this place was indeed related to the God Realm.


    Under the influence of this unmistakably powerful energy, which seemed to transcend the natural laws of this world, the environment within the Dragonscale Bank headquarters was extraordinarily beautiful.


    It reminded Daniel of the lake he had created back at Crossbridge Academy.


    However, the lake at Crossbridge Academy was created through Daniel''s use of vast amounts of forge magic, whereas the beauty of this place had been naturally bestowed by the energy from the God Realm.


    The terrifying power of the God Realm''s energy was evident in how the environment was transformed.


    Moreover, the divine object that the Dragonscale Bank possessed was directly from the God Realm.


    It wasn''t a leftover artifact from the god and devil battlefield, which raised a serious implication. Explore more at empire


    This divine object might be far more powerful than the one at Karea Academy.


    In fact, there was something even more concerning to Daniel.


    The real question was... who was responsible for bringing this artifact here?


    Whether it was under someone''s ownership or not, the fact that it was from the God Realm could not have been a random occurrence.


    It must have been intentionally brought here by someone.


    And if someone had done this intentionally, the question was, why? sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel couldn''t help but feel a sense of foreboding.


    If this world was indeed on the brink of destruction, then without him, it was likely that the world would perish in a matter of centuries, influenced by the residual energy of gods and devils.


    No one could save it by then.


    Daniel had a sense that the truth was just beyond his reach.


    "Daniel headmaster?"


    At that moment, a familiar voice, tinged with exhaustion, reached Daniel''s ears.


    He turned around, and sure enough, it was Elise.


    But she looked drastically different from the confident figure he had first encountered.


    Her demeanor now was drained, and she reeked of alcohol.


    Her clothes were disheveled.


    "Have you been here the whole time?" Daniel asked, gazing at her.


    "Yeah, I''ve been here ever since I returned. I didn''t expect to see you here. I guess this means you''ve decided to..." Elise gave a self-deprecating laugh.


    "...Right, I suppose Dragonscale Bank has a lot to answer for," she continued, speaking in a tone that seemed detached, as if she had no connection to the situation at hand.


    "I''ll see how things go. If everything goes smoothly, Dragonscale Bank might not face major changes," Daniel replied, his tone calm.


    "Really? I envy people like you, strong enough to decide your own fate and the fates of others," Elise said lazily.


    At this moment, Elise seemed to have let go of all restraint. If it had been the old her, she would never have dared speak like that in front of Daniel.


    For Daniel, this was a challenge.


    "Are you resenting me because of your sister''s death?" Daniel asked bluntly.


    "No, in fact, I don''t resent anyone. Though my sister died at the hands of your student, it was her own choice to participate in the Battle for Dominance," Elise answered.


    "If there''s anyone I should resent, it''s myself. I couldn''t protect her," she added, her eyes filled with regret as she looked at the sky.


    Daniel found himself at a loss for words.


    Some things simply couldn''t be reconciled.


    It was just like the Battle for Dominance¡ªImora had tried to kill Nora, and Nora couldn''t just stand there and let herself be killed.


    In the end, Nora had killed Imora.


    Similarly, if Dragonscale Bank sought to destroy this world, Daniel would not simply do nothing.


    In the end, everything depended on the position of the parties involved and, more importantly... their personal strength.


    After a while, a man walked up behind Daniel, respectfully saying, "Lord Daniel, the high-level meeting has begun. Please follow me."


    Daniel nodded and followed the man.


    As he walked, a green leaf appeared in his hand and then vanished.


    Not long after Daniel and the man left, Elise, who had been drinking, suddenly noticed a green leaf in her right hand.


    When she looked at the leaf, Daniel''s voice suddenly rang in her mind.


    "If you don''t know what to do, then go back to Riverside City."


    Riverside City¡­


    A vision of Riverside City appeared in Elise''s mind.


    It was the place where she had spent most of her time observing after her first encounter with Daniel.


    There, she had seen the terrifying changes at Crossbridge Academy, and she knew that the leaf in her hand was an invitation from Daniel.


    By going to Riverside City with it, she would certainly be treated differently.


    But should she go?


    Elise asked herself that question in her mind.


    Suddenly, her eyes turned red, and in a burst of anger, she threw the green leaf into the lake.


    But just as quickly, something seemed to click in her mind.


    Her expression shifted, and with clarity in her eyes, she dove into the lake and retrieved the leaf.


    At the same time, in the Dragonscale Bank headquarters'' meeting room, a similar scene unfolded as in Karea Academy.


    Powerful figures sat around, their gazes focused on a young man seated at the head of the table.


    "Everyone, allow me to introduce this man. He is the master of Crossbridge Sanctuary and, not long ago, also the head of Karea Academy, at the 5th Realm, Lord Daniel," the grand steward said, standing beside Daniel and making the introduction.


    At the mention of the first part of the introduction, many of the figures scoffed, but as soon as they heard the second part, their disdain faded, replaced by solemn expressions.


    What was going on?


    When had Karea Academy gone through such a change?


    And had the entire 5th Realm really shifted as well?


    Though these people were all high-level figures of Dragonscale Bank, they weren''t entirely cut off from the outside world.


    After hearing the news from the grand steward, they immediately contacted their friends to verify the truth of the matter.


    It didn''t take long for those initially skeptical to be convinced.


    They received confirmation from their friends that Karea Academy had indeed undergone a drastic change, though the news was still not widely known.


    The change had occurred recently, which explained why only a few people were aware of it.


    However, the impact of the change was so significant that the attitude of everyone in the room toward Daniel shifted in an instant.


    From Daniel''s arrival at Karea Academy to the Academy being subdued, and even confirmed by the former headmaster himself¡ªthis was enough to demonstrate his power.


    The former headmaster of Karea Academy was not just anyone.


    "As I mentioned earlier, Lord Daniel has come here only for the divine artifact. After that, all we need to do is submit to Crossbridge Sanctuary. That is Lord Daniel''s faction," the grand steward added smoothly.


    In the meeting room, the senior officials of Dragonscale Bank were silent.


    For them, the real decision-makers of Dragonscale Bank, it seemed that the situation hadn''t changed much.


    The chief never directly participated in the decision-making process anyway.


    Even if Daniel were to become the new chief, it didn''t seem like it would make any difference.


    Once they understood this, they realized they had no reason to oppose Daniel.

 Chapter173-Does It Matter Who Becomes Chief?

    "I agree!"The first high-ranking official spoke up.


    Soon, more and more people joined in, expressing their support.


    Because everyone realized that it didn''t matter who became the chief.


    It was much like what had happened at Karea Academy.


    The old headmaster had shown up and announced that the 5th Realm would be controlled by Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    But the problem was... what exactly was Crossbridge Sanctuary?


    The grand steward had already mentioned it when communicating with them¡ªit was merely a nominal title.


    Because Crossbridge Sanctuary was located far away from Middle Earth.


    Therefore, it had no real impact on them.


    Everyone could go on as usual.


    With the grand steward''s explanation and the subsequent verification, everyone realized that it was true.


    No one had any objections to Daniel anymore.


    At first, they were worried that Daniel''s arrival might threaten their positions, but after understanding the situation, it seemed that...


    There wouldn''t be any significant changes.


    As long as they maintained their power within Dragonscale Bank, who became the chief didn''t really matter.


    "Alright, since everyone agrees¡­"


    The grand steward was about to say that they could now open the secret realm.


    But at that moment, someone stood up and asked:


    "I have a question for Lord Daniel. You came to take the divine artifact from Dragonscale Bank, but the bank''s current status and power come from the divine artifact. Without it, doesn''t that mean Dragonscale Bank''s position will be in jeopardy? If the divine artifact disappears, what will become of us?"


    "Don''t worry. Lord Daniel''s goal is to destroy all the divine artifacts and restore the world to its normal state."


    The grand steward looked at the person who asked the question and replied.


    At the same time, Daniel nodded in affirmation.


    This reassured everyone again.


    The disappearance of the divine artifacts was a huge concern for many superpowers.


    In fact, some factions were only able to rise to power because of the divine artifacts.


    However, for Dragonscale Bank, there was barely any impact.


    Though Dragonscale Bank ranked in the top two in Middle Earth, it hardly made any public appearances.


    In fact, the so-called superpower faction of Dragonscale Bank was quite similar to the ordinary version of Dragonscale Bank known by the public.


    Both were involved in the sales of various items across the continent.


    However, as a superpower, Dragonscale Bank''s customers were primarily powerful mages.


    So, if all the divine artifacts disappeared, the bank wouldn''t suffer much.


    In fact, they might even profit from it.


    Once everyone understood this, the high-ranking officials in the conference room no longer had any doubts.


    They began taking out their tokens.


    These tokens were required to open the entrance to the secret realm.


    This was a rule set by the former chief of Dragonscale Bank.


    Only in critical moments could all the high-ranking officials combine their tokens and activate the magic array to open the secret realm.


    Normally, no one was allowed to interfere with it.


    This time, all the high-ranking officials took out their tokens.


    As they injected mana into the tokens, a magic array formed.


    The surrounding space began to distort.


    A few minutes later, they stopped.


    The grand steward turned to Daniel and said:


    "Lord Daniel, the entrance to the secret realm has been opened. You may enter now. The chief is inside the secret realm."


    Daniel nodded and entered the secret realm.


    Once inside, Daniel immediately felt a completely different sensation from the main world.


    The main world felt like the normal world, while Dragonscale Bank''s headquarters still had traces of the God Realm''s influence.


    But this mini-world...


    It was almost entirely constructed from the rules of the God Realm, specifically the rule of water!


    From these rules, Daniel could recognize something familiar.


    It was the same rule that Imora used during the Battle for Dominance against Nora.


    At the time, Imora had used this rule, so Daniel had some recollection of it.


    Now, the rules here were far more advanced and complete than those Imora had used.


    Imora''s rule seemed like a mere imitation of these.


    After sensing for a while, Daniel made his way towards the heart of the secret realm.


    The entire structure of the secret realm was centered around a certain place.


    To most people, this world might appear normal, but to Daniel, it was clear where the chief of Dragonscale Bank was located.


    He walked directly toward his destination.


    The deeper Daniel ventured into the heart of the secret realm, the more water he encountered.


    Eventually, torrents of water began to surge.


    However, there were no creatures to obstruct his path.


    Thus, Daniel easily reached the center of the realm.


    This was the core area of the mini-world, the very center of its rules.


    It was also where the chief of Dragonscale Bank resided.


    A massive waterfall cascaded from a high mountain, its powerful water crashing against the rocks below.


    The mist and spray from the waterfall were so intense that it was hard to open one''s eyes.


    Daniel slowly floated into the air, extending a hand toward the waterfall. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a simple swipe, the entire waterfall seemed to be cut in half.


    The water above and below continued flowing, but the middle part of the waterfall disappeared entirely.


    This revealed a spacious cave.


    Inside the cave, there was lavish and intricate furniture.


    This was certainly the place where the chief of Dragonscale Bank had been.


    Daniel took a quick glance and noticed that not long ago, there had been signs of human activity here.


    But now, the place was completely empty.


    Daniel entered the cave and double-checked.


    Indeed, no one was here.


    In fact, the entire secret realm seemed devoid of any life.


    Even the divine artifact from the God Realm was no longer present.


    Everything pointed to one conclusion:


    The chief of Dragonscale Bank had taken the divine artifact and fled!


    At that moment, Daniel wasn''t sure how to react to this situation.


    He hadn''t expected such a cowardly move from the artifact''s owner.


    Looking back at Randy, who had been controlled before, at least when he first saw Daniel, he had tried to devour him.


    While he had failed and been killed by Daniel, his courage was still commendable!


    But here, the chief of Dragonscale Bank... had just run away without a word.


    Daniel frowned.


    This was going to cause him unnecessary trouble.


    He hated unexpected complications.


    Daniel glanced around.


    Since the chief wasn''t here, there was no reason to stay.


    After a short while, the high-ranking officials in the conference room saw Daniel emerge from the magic array.


    However, this time, things were a little different.


    The chief didn''t come out with him.


    Had the chief stayed behind?


    Just as the officials were hesitating about whether to wait longer, they heard Daniel speak:


    "Your chief is no longer in the secret realm."


    "Ah?"


    Clearly, the officials weren''t prepared to hear this.


    Upon hearing Daniel''s words, they were all shocked.


    They hadn''t expected that the chief of Dragonscale Bank would choose to run away.


    Could it be that Lord Daniel''s strength had grown so formidable that the chief didn''t even want to fight and simply fled?


    After the shock passed, the expressions of the high-ranking officials grew complicated.


    Now that their chief had fled, what should they do next?

 Chapter174-Wait, You Escaped Too?

    "The master of Dragonscale Bank has already left. So, what is your plan for the future of Dragonscale Bank?" Daniel asked, looking at the group.The people exchanged glances.


    The Grand Steward spoke first.


    "Lord Daniel, we at Dragonscale Bank are willing to follow you, just like Karea Academy."


    Naturally, no one else had any objections.


    They all echoed the Grand Steward''s words. After all, their chief had fled. What did that mean? Even their incredibly powerful chief was afraid of Lord Daniel.


    As for what to do next, it was obvious. There was no need to think about it.


    Soon enough, everyone agreed, expressing that Dragonscale Bank would follow Daniel, just like Karea Academy.


    Daniel didn''t care. The title of chief at Dragonscale Bank didn''t make much of a difference to him.


    "Alright, take some time to handle the affairs within Dragonscale Bank, and then take me to the Element Temple," Daniel said.


    "Yes, my lord!"


    ...


    Daniel had been in the secret realm for the past few days.


    By taking the tokens from the senior members, he was able to examine them and quickly deduce the location of the magic array that served as the entrance to the secret realm.


    This meant that unlocking the entrance was no longer a problem.


    For the last few days, he had been exploring the secret realm, searching for traces left by the chief of Dragonscale Bank.


    This place was where the chief had long resided.


    Even though the chief had cleaned up every trace before leaving, it didn''t mean Daniel couldn''t find any remnants.


    No matter how thoroughly someone tried to erase their presence, there were always oversights.


    Fortunately, Daniel was able to detect a faint trace of the chief''s energy, and it was familiar. Daniel immediately recognized it.


    He had encountered this energy before.


    Previously, in Voidland, when he was collecting the tier-sages that appeared in the Sacred Time River for Reed to train with, Daniel had visited a certain area.


    There, he had seen a massive ouroboros¡ªan ouroboros that was not entirely dead, still harboring a faint life force.


    At that time, Daniel also encountered five soul forms that entered Voidland.


    Now, the energy here matched one of those five soul forms.


    This meant... the five major powers, five soul forms... could they be connected in some way?


    A glimmer of amusement appeared in Daniel''s eyes.


    He had sensed the immense power of these divine artifacts, and it all seemed to align perfectly.


    If he had known back then, he should have captured all five of those soul forms. It would have saved him so much trouble, and he wouldn''t have to search for them one by one now.


    Daniel stepped out of the secret realm.


    As soon as he emerged, he saw the figure of the Grand Steward waiting for him.


    "You''ve been waiting here for me?" Daniel asked.


    "Lord Daniel, the matters of Dragonscale Bank have been settled. I''m ready to accompany you to the Element Temple at any time."


    "Alright, let''s go."


    With that, the two set off.


    ...


    The Element Temple was located in the 1st Realm of Middle Earth, in a vast, continuous range of dark, greenish-black mountains. The towering peaks seemed to pierce the heavens, making one''s head spin.


    Locals called this place Divine Mountain. They believed that every few years, one could witness miraculous signs from the gods. This was a belief held by ordinary people.


    From the perspective of mages, this was the domain of the Element Temple, the supreme power in the 1st Realm.


    The Element Temple did not allow common folk to enter. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There were many magic arrays at the foot of the mountain to block the path of ordinary people.


    Any ordinary person who tried to venture deeper would end up lost in the mountains for days, only to return later.


    But for mages, entering was fraught with danger.


    Around the mountain were numerous naturally-formed magic arrays, with no possibility of being solved.


    These magic arrays were tied to the very essence of Divine Mountain itself.


    To destroy them, one would first have to destroy the entire mountain... But those with the power to do so would have no need to deal with the arrays.


    Thus, the magic arrays were practically unsolvable, and anyone who tried to challenge them was destined to fail, ultimately acknowledging their brilliance and power.


    To enter the Element Temple, one had to pass a test.


    There was a specific path, known as the Celestial Ladder, that led up to the temple.


    Even outsiders must follow this path when visiting.


    This was the rule of the Element Temple.


    It was the very symbol of their dominance in Middle Earth, as the foremost power of the region.


    As Daniel and the Grand Steward flew through the skies, they looked toward the distant Divine Mountain.


    "Lord Daniel, we can''t go any further. If we continue, we will be suppressed by the magic arrays surrounding Divine Mountain, and we won''t be able to fly any longer," the Grand Steward said.


    Upon hearing the Grand Steward''s words, Daniel looked at the magic arrays on the mountain. He quickly realized that these were not ordinary arrays.


    These magic arrays were formed around a divine artifact of the Element Temple.


    In essence, they were vastly different from the usual magic arrays found in this world.


    No magic array master from this world could understand or break them.


    But as for the level of these arrays... Daniel shrugged.


    They weren''t all that impressive.


    "I can contact a friend inside Element Temple and find out the location of the Lord of Element Temple," the Grand Steward offered.


    Daniel shook his head.


    "No need," he replied.


    "Why?" the Grand Steward asked.


    "Perhaps... that lord has already fled, just like your chief," Daniel said calmly.


    "What?" The Grand Steward''s mana fluctuated slightly, almost causing him to lose balance and fall from the sky.


    The shock of Daniel''s words had clearly shaken him.


    The Grand Steward had never imagined that the Lord of Element Temple, a figure known throughout Middle Earth, would have fled as well.


    Suddenly, the Grand Steward felt as though a barrier in his mind had been shattered. It seemed that everyone was the same¡ªafraid of Lord Daniel.


    Although he thought this, the Grand Steward still had to ask:


    "Lord Daniel, do you really think the Lord of Element Temple has escaped?"


    Daniel nodded.


    "From the moment I observed the magic arrays on this mountain, I could sense the residual energy of a divine artifact from the God Realm," Daniel explained.


    "Yes. The Element Temple, like Dragonscale Bank, is infused with residual God Realm energy. And this isn''t the kind of residual energy left over from the battles between gods and devils. This is far more advanced, and it poses a greater threat to the world."


    The Grand Steward listened in awe.


    Furthermore, these magic arrays were infused with the Rule of Metal, which further confirmed that the Lord of Element Temple had fled.


    "The Rule of Water... Rule of Metal... Five soul forms, five powers... It all fits together perfectly," Daniel continued, his thoughts piecing together the puzzle.


    "So, the remaining three divine artifacts must be related to Wood, Fire, and Earth?" the Grand Steward asked.


    "Most likely. But I need to go in and confirm it for myself," Daniel said.


    He needed to be absolutely certain that the Lord of Element Temple was indeed one of the five soul forms he had encountered in Voidland. If it was true, then all his previous guesses would be confirmed.


    "Well then, let''s ascend the Celestial Ladder from below. The rules of the Element Temple are strict¡ªwhether you''re joining or visiting, you must ascend the Celestial Ladder," the Grand Steward said.


    He then noticed the look of interest on Daniel''s face.


    "Does the Celestial Ladder test one''s talent or something?" Daniel asked.


    The Grand Steward nodded.


    Then, he remembered how Daniel had once tested his talent with a magic array at Karea Academy. The result had been... quite unexpected.


    But now?

 Chapter175-Emerald Isles? Why So Arrogant!

    The Grand Steward looked worriedly at the Celestial Ladder.This Celestial Ladder had now become a signature item of the Element Temple.


    If Lord Daniel decided to take action, would this Celestial Ladder be destroyed?


    The thought of such a possibility left the Grand Steward at a loss for words.


    After all... what did it have to do with him as the Grand Steward of Dragonscale Bank?


    He could still enjoy the show regardless.


    The two descended toward the base of the Celestial Ladder.


    At this moment, a crowd had gathered around it, watching eagerly.


    This was not a coincidence.


    The Celestial Ladder of the Element Temple was always like this. Due to the temple''s great renown, it attracted people from far and wide.


    In the 1st Realm, almost every mage had heard of the Element Temple.


    Therefore, to join the temple and become part of it was a dream for many.


    These people had heard of the temple''s fame, and many had come from other realms to try their luck.


    The Celestial Ladder had a total of 9,999 steps, and each step presented a unique challenge.


    The higher one climbed, the greater the pressure became.


    Moreover, the number of steps one managed to ascend indicated the level of their innate talent.


    If one reached the top... the Element Temple itself would personally welcome them, offering a meteoric rise to the top, even grooming them as an elite disciple.


    Some powers in the 1st Realm would even send representatives to observe the climbers because not everyone was capable of being chosen by the Element Temple.


    Even those who weren''t selected by the Element Temple were not necessarily weak; they might still be outstanding by the standards of other mid-tier factions.


    If it weren''t for the restrictions of the Element Temple, there might already be several large cities around this place.


    At that moment, a figure rolled down from the Celestial Ladder, looking incredibly disheveled. However, there was a look of joy on his face.


    "Congratulations, sir! You''ve climbed to the 700th step. With such a standard, even some top-tier factions would recognize you!" one onlooker shouted.


    "Yeah! Congratulations, brother!" another person chimed in.


    Around them, many people were congratulating him.


    Reaching the 700th step was already enough to meet the requirements of some factions in the 1st Realm.


    The young man, appearing to be from a small place, had come here to test his abilities.


    It was his first time attempting the Celestial Ladder, and reaching such an achievement on his first try was remarkable.


    If he were eager, he could even choose to join a faction stationed here on the spot.


    Some of the factions had already prepared to offer him an invitation.


    Just then, a group of people descended from the sky.


    They were all dressed in identical attire.


    One of the men looked disdainfully at the crowd who was congratulating the young man.


    He said coldly:


    "So, this is Middle Earth? Looks pretty ordinary to me."


    "Yeah, you''re congratulating someone for only climbing 500 steps? Is this the level of geniuses from Middle Earth?" another voice added.


    Their accents and clothing were unmistakably foreign, not from the 1st Realm nor from Middle Earth.


    They spoke repeatedly of "Middle Earth," and their style of speech and demeanor made it clear that they were from the Emerald Isles.


    "Is this what you call a genius from Middle Earth?" one of the men mocked, his voice dripping with scorn.


    "Emerald Isles people? How arrogant!" someone retorted.


    "Do you even know that every year, those geniuses only climb the Celestial Ladder at specific times? You''ve come too late!" another voice cut in.


    "Indeed, if my Middle Earth geniuses were here, would you even dare to say such things?" the first man boasted.


    The surrounding crowd began to argue back, but before the situation could escalate further, the man suddenly released his mana.


    The mere aura that emanated from him scattered the people around him, leaving them stunned into silence.


    His power was palpable, and it was clear that he was no ordinary figure.


    "Middle Earth geniuses?" the man sneered, his voice rising in arrogance. "What a waste of my time traveling here. I came looking for geniuses, but all I found were a bunch of weaklings!"


    As soon as he finished speaking, a voice suddenly cut through the air.


    "Emerald Isles?" Daniel looked at the young man.


    Emerald Isles... Daniel had some memory of them.


    He wasn''t sure, but he wondered if the Emerald Isles had a unique class system like Winterrealm.


    The moment Daniel spoke, the young man hurriedly turned around.


    He hadn''t realized it, but someone had appeared behind him without him sensing a thing.


    This was incomprehensible to him.


    The figure had approached silently and appeared in his midst without any warning.


    The young man instinctively tried to retreat, but he found himself rooted to the spot, unable to move.


    It was only at that moment that he realized the person standing before him was far stronger than he had anticipated.


    "Uncle Bode!" the young man cried out in alarm.


    At that moment, an elderly man quickly responded from the crowd.


    "Stop!" The old man''s voice was filled with command.


    A tier-master''s mana aura burst forth from the elder, causing the surrounding crowd to freeze in awe.


    No one had expected that such a powerful figure was hiding among the onlookers.


    The old man, known as Uncle Bode, tried to use his overwhelming aura to intimidate Daniel, but just as he did, Grand Steward made his move.


    With a casual wave, the Grand Steward sent the old man''s pressure crashing to the ground.


    "When did people from the islands think they could be so arrogant in Middle Earth?" The Grand Steward''s strike didn''t dissipate; it followed through, sending the elder, Bode, hurtling toward the ground at an even faster pace.


    Blood spilled from his mouth.


    When the crowd saw the Grand Steward step in and severely reprimand the Emerald Isles mages, they all stood tall, applauding.


    The arrogance of the newcomers had angered many.


    They had arrived, immediately ridiculing the 1st Realm and Middle Earth, even displaying their power to suppress others.


    If the locals had been a bit stronger, they might have responded earlier. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But thanks to Daniel''s intervention, the young man had been restrained, and Grand Steward had dealt with the elderly mage.


    This action had preserved Middle Earth''s dignity.


    The young man, watching as his mentor, Uncle Bode, was struck down with such ease, was visibly shaken.


    He could hardly believe his eyes.


    Bode was one of the top figures in the Emerald Isles, perhaps even destined to enter the God Realm.


    Yet here, in the 1st Realm, an old man had easily incapacitated him.


    Horrified, the young man quickly dropped to his knees and begged, "Senior, please spare me! It was my arrogance, I... I was wrong..."


    "Enough. Now, answer my questions," Daniel said, his voice calm but firm.


    The young man nodded rapidly, fear apparent on his face.


    "Are you from the Emerald Isles?"


    "Yes! I''m from one of the largest factions in the Emerald Isles. Uncle Bode is the top expert there, known as the most likely to reach the God Realm," the young man stammered.


    Daniel''s gaze turned sharp, and he asked, "Does the Emerald Isles possess divine artifacts?"

 Chapter176-The Celestial Ladder Cracks!

    This is a matter that Daniel is quite concerned with.If the Emerald Isles possess divine artifacts¡­


    He would need to consider whether to go himself or send students from the academy to handle it.


    If the strength required is not too high, then he would just assign the task to someone else.


    After all, the Emerald Isles¡­ are quite far away.


    "Divine artifact? I don''t know what you''re referring to. Is it a magical item, or a rare treasure?"


    Looking at the young man in front of him, Daniel could already tell.


    There are no remnants of gods and demons in the Emerald Isles.


    Because this young man truly has no concept of it at all.


    He isn''t lying, it''s just that he''s never heard of such a thing or has no impression of it.


    "Alright, you can leave now. This is not a place where people from the Emerald Isles can be so presumptuous, do you understand?"


    "Yes! Senior!"


    After saying that, the young man quickly took his uncle and hurriedly left the scene.


    After this incident, all eyes were now on Daniel.


    After all, these two weren''t just ordinary people!


    The elder, Bode, was known as the number one in the Emerald Isles, and his strength was formidable.


    When he released his aura earlier, many people were momentarily suppressed and unable to move.


    But unexpectedly, it was the slap from this young man''s elder that dispelled it.


    This was something no one had expected.


    So, with such a person arriving here, it''s impossible they are here to climb the Celestial Ladder, right? sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Because beings of this level would almost certainly not join the Element Temple.


    Then, what are they here for?


    Everyone began to wonder.


    Daniel had already reached the entrance of the Celestial Ladder.


    Behind him, the grand steward spoke up to remind him:


    "Lord Daniel, this Celestial Ladder is a treasure of the Element Temple. Every layer''s magic array is not something ordinary. Each layer is more difficult than the previous one, and the entire Celestial Ladder needs to remain in harmony as a whole¡­"


    After reminding Daniel of the Celestial Ladder''s importance to the Element Temple, the grand steward continued:


    "Even I, when I first came here, had to exert a lot of effort to reach the top."


    As the grand steward spoke, he noticed the admiring looks of the surrounding cultivators and couldn''t help but smile slightly.


    "I understand."


    Daniel nodded, then stepped onto the first step of the Celestial Ladder.


    This was where several magic arrays combined, giving the Celestial Ladder its unique and cohesive design.


    The moment Daniel stepped forward, he immediately felt the pressure.


    It was somewhat similar to the magic array used for talent testing at Karea Academy.


    However, that array was used for testing and exploration.


    The Celestial Ladder, on the other hand, was designed to give pressure, pushing people to break through their limits and reveal their innate talents.


    The moment Daniel placed his foot down, he could clearly sense the magic arrays embedded in the Celestial Ladder.


    He had already begun analyzing their functions.


    To the crowd behind him, it seemed that after Daniel stepped onto the first step, he stopped there and did not move any further.


    What was going on?


    Why wasn''t this powerful figure advancing?


    Had he been suppressed by the Celestial Ladder''s magic array?


    Everyone had assumed that the Celestial Ladder would adjust the difficulty based on the individual''s strength, but there had never been a case where someone of such a high rank had climbed it before.


    Could it be that the Celestial Ladder would become incredibly difficult for someone of Daniel''s caliber?


    The crowd was puzzled, staring at Daniel, who hadn''t taken another step.


    Seeing this, the grand steward did not seem worried at all. In fact, he looked as though he was expecting something.


    His thoughts wandered back to the magic array incident at Karea Academy.


    Suddenly, a sharp cracking sound rang in everyone''s ears.


    It sounded as though something was breaking.


    At this moment, what could possibly be cracking?


    People began to look around.


    It was then that someone with keen eyes noticed something strange.


    There was a crack appearing under Daniel''s feet.


    "Look! Right under that big shot''s feet!"


    The person exclaimed loudly.


    As soon as he called out, more and more people began to notice it as well.


    "How is this possible!"


    "This is the Celestial Ladder!"


    "How strong is this big shot? The Celestial Ladder of the Element Temple has existed for so long, and no one has ever heard of it cracking!"


    "That''s right! This has never happened in the history of the Element Temple!"


    "Could it be that the Celestial Ladder has not been maintained for a long time and that''s why it''s cracking?"


    "..."


    At this point, everyone was in a state of confusion, speculating about what was happening, but no one had the answer.


    They had never seen anything like this before.


    Thus, they continued to stare at the crack beneath Daniel''s feet, feeling that something major was about to happen.


    "Crack!"


    The sound grew louder, and the crack grew larger.


    Soon, a loud boom echoed throughout the area.


    Even the onlookers were startled by the noise.


    Then, they saw a crack extending from Daniel''s feet, traveling all the way up the Celestial Ladder.


    "What¡­?"


    At this moment, even the grand steward seemed to lose his words.


    What kind of incredible power was this?


    As soon as the crack appeared, the immense pressure that had been pressing down on Daniel vanished.


    It was clear that Daniel was not someone who could be suppressed by such a magic array.


    But the Celestial Ladder had been designed to exert pressure.


    Thus, naturally, the Celestial Ladder began to crack.


    After the crack appeared, the light, almost weightless force that had surrounded Daniel dissipated.


    He turned back to look at the stunned grand steward and said,


    "Let''s go."


    "Yes!"


    The grand steward replied, quickly following Daniel.


    He never expected such a result.


    Originally, the grand steward had thought that the Celestial Ladder''s magic array would simply lose its effectiveness in some areas, like what had happened at Karea Academy.


    That array had failed, and they said it could be repaired afterward.


    But this time, the result far exceeded the grand steward''s expectations.


    Because this time¡­


    The entire Celestial Ladder had cracked!


    It now looked like it was on the verge of collapsing.


    If anyone else were to climb the Celestial Ladder in the future, they would have to be extra careful.


    The grand steward quietly cursed in his heart.


    Fortunately, he had good foresight and had already informed the high-level officials about Daniel''s actions, sparing Daniel from any conflict with Dragonscale Bank.


    This had allowed everything to be resolved peacefully.


    Otherwise, situations like this one and Karea Academy¡­


    Would have been disastrous.


    Karea Academy, well, that was just a temporary issue.


    But the Celestial Ladder of the Element Temple¡­


    That would be a story told for generations.


    ...


    Soon, the two of them arrived at the top of the Celestial Ladder.


    By this time, due to the earlier disturbance, the area at the top was already quite crowded.


    Feeling the familiar auras of those around him, the grand steward noticed that there were quite a few familiar faces.


    "Dragonscale Bank, grand steward¡­ What exactly is your business bringing this person to our Element Temple?"


    An old man frowned and asked.


    "I advise you to show some respect. This is Lord Daniel, the master of Crossbridge Sanctuary. He is also the ruler of Karea Academy and Dragonscale Bank,"


    The grand steward replied.


    Upon hearing this, the people from Element Temple stared at Daniel in surprise.

 Chapter177-Daniels Terrifying Power!

    A young man, barely over a hundred years old¡­How could he possibly become the master of Dragonscale Bank and Karea Academy?


    When did this happen? This is simply unbelievable!


    Moreover, what is this "Crossbridge Sanctuary" the grand steward of Dragonscale Bank mentioned? When did such a force emerge in Middle Earth?


    "Grand steward of Dragonscale Bank, I hope you''re not joking!" The elder''s brow furrowed even deeper.


    "I''m not joking, and I''m sure you all have friends within Karea Academy or Dragonscale Bank. You may want to check with them right now." The grand steward looked at everyone as he spoke.


    "Furthermore, the former chief of Dragonscale Bank has betrayed the entire bank, and upon hearing the news of Lord Daniel, he fled in fear..."


    "And your lord of Element Temple has probably done the same!"


    This statement carried far more weight than the previous one, catching everyone in Element Temple completely off guard. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, many were already planning to reach out to their friends to verify the grand steward''s claims.


    However, before they could even send the messages, they were hit with an even more explosive piece of news.


    The lord of Element Temple had fled?


    And the reason was the young man, Daniel, just like the former chief of Dragonscale Bank?


    How could this be possible?


    Are you joking?


    For a moment, many people from Element Temple couldn''t believe this. Even the elder at the front of the group bellowed loudly:


    "Ridiculous!"


    "Element Temple is not a place for you Dragonscale Bank''s people to be reckless! And as for everything else you''ve said¡­"


    Hearing the elder''s words, the grand steward wasn''t in a hurry to respond.


    After all, if he weren''t a direct participant in these events, it would indeed be hard to imagine just how¡­ abstract this entire situation was.


    "If you don''t believe me, you can verify it for yourselves. We''ve got plenty of time, haven''t we?"


    "Hmph! Dragonscale Bank!" The elder snapped. "I''ll pretend I didn''t hear the disrespect you just threw at us. And as for the crack in the Celestial Ladder, I won''t pursue it further. But if you dare say anything more insolent¡­"


    As the elder spoke, his eyes glinted with battle intent.


    To say that the lord of Element Temple fled out of fear of the leader of this so-called "Sanctuary" standing beside you?


    That''s equivalent to insulting us to our faces!


    Just as the grand steward was about to say more, several powerful auras surged toward them, immediately locking onto their positions.


    If anyone made another reckless comment, these individuals would undoubtedly strike at the first opportunity.


    At this moment, Daniel stepped forward and blocked the grand steward.


    He had no intention of continuing this verbal sparring. It was a waste of time.


    "Your lord has probably already left this place. If you don''t believe me, you can come with me to check."


    "I also don''t wish to disturb the status quo of the 1st Realm. As a force in the 1st Realm, Element Temple still plays an important role in maintaining stability."


    "But if necessary, I won''t hesitate to disregard that."


    Daniel looked at the elder as he spoke, the several powerful auras surrounding him having no effect whatsoever.


    The elder looked at Daniel, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. He couldn''t see through Daniel''s true strength.


    It felt as though he was facing an ordinary person.


    Yet, how could an ordinary person have come here via the Celestial Ladder and caused such a stir?


    Despite his doubts, the elder wasn''t afraid.


    After all, this was Element Temple, one of the top two forces in Middle Earth, and the sole ruler of the 1st Realm.


    No matter the opponent, they were never afraid.


    "Stubborn fool! Seeking death!"


    The elder''s voice dropped, and the power of the rule of metal emanated from him.


    In that instant, the elder and the entire Element Temple, including Divine Mountain, seemed to merge into one.


    With a single movement, he struck at Daniel.


    The elder didn''t intend to kill them.


    After all, the grand steward of Dragonscale Bank was standing right there.


    Element Temple wasn''t in a position to antagonize Dragonscale Bank.


    Thus, his strike was only meant to pressure them into retreating, preventing their disruptive words from causing further confusion.


    Facing the elder''s attack, Daniel showed no change in expression.


    He met the attack head-on, his Ring of Origin flashing with a bright light.


    The force of the law surged forth to meet the elder''s assault.


    When the two forces collided, the air exploded with immense power.


    Even the crowd gathered at the foot of the mountain could feel something was wrong.


    It was unlike anything they had experienced before.


    Many of the more astute individuals began to move away from the area.


    The cracks in the Celestial Ladder and the current ominous atmosphere made it clear that something extraordinary was happening.


    At this moment, many high-tier mages who were nearby and capable of sensing the power of the rule began heading toward the scene.


    Being able to wield the power of the rule wasn''t something that just anyone could do.


    Such a clash was unheard of, especially in Element Temple.


    Was someone attacking Element Temple?


    And just then, something even more shocking occurred.


    The Celestial Ladder, a unique feature of Element Temple, cracked open, revealing a fissure.


    Combined with the previous disturbances from the power of the rule, it was clear that a mighty force was attacking Element Temple.


    Everyone at the foot of the mountain froze in terror.


    They knew the significance of Element Temple in Middle Earth, and now someone was daring to challenge them directly, even cracking the Celestial Ladder?


    Who could possibly possess such terrifying strength?


    The nearby onlookers, who had previously attempted to approach the Celestial Ladder, froze, not daring to go any further.


    They knew that either side of this battle could easily wipe them out with a single blow.


    This wasn''t a fight they could afford to get involved in.


    The sheer power radiating from the clash was enough to leave the crowd shaking in fear, unable to fathom the forces at play.


    At this point, those still daring to come closer could only watch from a distance, trying to understand what was happening.


    ...


    Inside Element Temple.


    Daniel stood calmly in place, with the grand steward of Dragonscale Bank standing respectfully behind him.


    Around them were numerous figures, all lying on the ground.


    The Element Temple members who had initially locked onto Daniel and the grand steward, preparing to strike, were now all knocked down.


    The first elder to attack was in the worst condition, having suffered severe injuries.


    Daniel had intentionally held back, not killing anyone, but the force behind his blow had been overwhelming.


    The elder collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood.


    He never imagined that the strength of his opponent would be so overwhelming.


    Despite fully unleashing his rule of metal, he couldn''t even scratch Daniel.


    In fact, a casual counterattack from Daniel had left him severely wounded.


    The elder, who had been taught the rule of metal by the lord of Element Temple, had once been full of confidence, believing that few in the world could rival him.


    But now, he realized he had been terribly wrong.


    Perhaps the grand steward of Dragonscale Bank had been telling the truth.


    Shortly before, the leaders of Karea Academy and Dragonscale Bank had both changed.


    Whoever could achieve such feats could not possibly be an ordinary person.


    The elder now understood.


    He was no longer so sure of his earlier confidence.


    His full-force strike had been easily neutralized, and the residual power had left him gravely wounded.


    A being of such power, would there have been any need to deceive him?

 Chapter178-Everything Matches!

    After seeing the old man''s expression, Daniel could roughly guess what he was thinking. He then said:"Let''s go."


    No one in the Element Temple could stop Daniel.


    "I... I will guide you, Master," the old man said, rising to his feet.


    Although he was severely injured, it was not a fatal wound.


    It was something that could be healed with rest and time, and it didn''t affect his core strength.


    In this regard, Daniel had held back a little.


    Daniel nodded without saying anything.


    Behind him, the grand steward shook his head and sighed.


    "It''s such an easy problem to solve. Why make it so complicated? If only Element Temple wasn''t so stubborn. Fortunately, Dragonscale Bank has me, or this place would have fallen apart long ago!"


    ...


    The old man led Daniel to a stone tablet.


    "This is where the lord usually resides," the old man explained. He activated his golden law once again. Soon, ripples appeared on the stone tablet.


    "Please follow me," the old man said, stepping forward and disappearing into the ripples.


    Daniel and the grand steward followed.


    Very soon, a golden grand hall appeared before them.


    The entire hall was like a mini world. However, it was already empty, with no one inside.


    At this point, the Element Temple''s lord had already left this mini world.


    "It seems Master Daniel was right. The Element Temple''s lord, just like our Dragonscale Bank''s chief, must have escaped ahead of time," the grand steward remarked, looking at the old man.


    The old man, too, wore a look of helplessness.


    He hadn''t expected the truth to be exactly as Daniel had predicted.


    If he had checked earlier, perhaps...


    He remembered that Daniel had once said he did not wish to take action against Element Temple at first.


    He didn''t want to disrupt the balance of the 1st Realm.


    But because of his own impulsiveness, it had led to this result.


    The old man was now feeling deeply conflicted.


    Daniel didn''t notice the old man''s inner turmoil. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He began searching the grand hall, looking for traces of the lord''s presence to confirm his earlier suspicions.


    Sure enough!


    After Daniel found the residual aura of the lord and compared it to the five soul forms he had encountered in Voidland, everything aligned perfectly.


    The five major forces, five soul forms.


    With this confirmation, Daniel knew there was no need to visit the other three places.


    The lord must have sensed danger and escaped early through some sort of premonition or danger detection ability.


    At this point, Daniel realized that his efforts would be wasted if he went to the other places, as they would likely be empty.


    He now needed to change his strategy.


    While Daniel was deep in thought, the old man and the grand steward were speaking in low voices.


    Suddenly, the old man''s pupils widened, and his face was filled with astonishment.


    After a moment, he seemed to let go of the weight in his heart and exhaled deeply.


    When Daniel looked back, the old man had already knelt before him.


    "I, Element Temple, am willing to serve you, Master Daniel! We will follow you!"


    Daniel glanced at the grand steward, then nodded and said, "You handle the matters here. I have other things to attend to."


    With that, Daniel vanished in an instant.


    He had already decided.


    Since the five figures could sense his approach and escaped early, he would go to a place where these five individuals could not leave.


    That place... Voidland.


    Daniel recalled seeing a giant snake there.


    Just as he was about to investigate, those five soul forms had appeared.


    It was clear that the five were deeply concerned about the giant snake.


    Since that was the case, they would certainly appear there.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the far north, within a mini world, five powerful auras were seated.


    Two of them were none other than the Dragonscale Bank chief and the Element Temple lord who had escaped.


    "Damn it! I can sense that everything I set up in the temple has been erased by that guy! The Tree of Origin is absorbing power at an alarming rate..." one of them growled.


    "So soon? In just a few hours, everything we''ve worked for has been completely undone..." another one added.


    "Don''t forget, there''s also Karea Academy. While it''s not as strong as us, it''s no slouch either."


    "Damn it! That guy, he won''t come for my empire next, will he?" a muscular man grumbled.


    The Dragonscale Bank chief sneered. "I never expected it. After all these years of competition, we''re the ones being outsmarted by a single person. And now we have to hide here."


    The Element Temple lord nodded cautiously. "Before, I had a feeling something was wrong, but I couldn''t pinpoint it. It was as though a fog was blocking my vision."


    "That guy''s rise has been too fast! Even if we had sensed it early, we still wouldn''t have been able to stop him!"


    The others nodded in agreement.


    Daniel had risen from nothing to where he was now... in just a few years?


    They had no idea that if Daniel hadn''t been focusing on cultivating the Tree of Origin, he could have wiped them all out long ago.


    "Years ago, I sensed an anomaly like this," one of them, the only woman in the group, said.


    "Years ago? Why didn''t you take action then?!" the burly man asked.


    "You think I didn''t try? I used some methods to kill him, and even erased that time from existence," she replied.


    The others were stunned.


    "Then why..."


    "Later, I realized that the reason I felt something off wasn''t because of the man I killed, but because... he was the father of the person who is now causing us all this trouble!"


    "When I killed him, I thought it was over, so I didn''t pay attention after that."


    "At that time, Daniel was just an average person, nothing worth noticing."


    So naturally, they had all overlooked him.


    But what they didn''t expect was that a few years after that incident, Daniel began rising at an unbelievable speed. They couldn''t even keep up.


    "Sigh... what should we do now?" one of them asked.


    Should they just stay hidden here?


    That wasn''t a solution!


    For so long, they had looked down on the world, thinking it was theirs to control.


    But now...


    One person¡ªDaniel¡ªhad completely disrupted everything, ruining all their plans.


    "Damn it! How did that guy, Daniel, rise to this level so quickly?" the muscular man asked, scratching his head. "Even those unknowable beings in God Realm couldn''t have done it this fast."


    "At this point, talking about it is pointless! We need to focus on how to deal with Daniel!" the Element Temple lord said as he produced something from his hand.


    "This is something I obtained from Karea Academy before leaving. I found some remnants there. Daniel had once taken action here, destroying a pen."


    In the lord''s hand were some fragments, still carrying the aura of this world.


    "This aura..." the others immediately recognized it.


    Without a doubt, this was the essence of the world itself!


    "Could it be that Daniel''s rise was because the world itself is protecting him?" the Dragonscale Bank chief suggested.


    The others thought the same thing.


    Yes!


    This was the only explanation.


    Daniel had been protected by the world, and that was why he could undergo such a terrifying transformation in such a short time.


    This was the world''s resistance to their plundering!

 Chapter179-The Awakening Giant Serpent

    This is the resistance of a world.It is like a dying person instinctively wanting to survive.


    And that is why Daniel has been granted this protection, allowing him to grow to such an extent in such a short time.


    He has even gained the power to strike directly at them, wiping out their arrangements that have been in place for thousands of years.


    Now, because of Daniel, they have no choice but to hide, taking refuge here.


    This alone proves a few things.


    Faced with the world''s desperate counterattack, even they, the few of them, dared not face Daniel alone.


    After all, their plans had been laid out for thousands of years, and they could not afford to fail at this final moment.


    "At the moment, we can confirm that this person called Daniel has the world''s protection. Therefore, if we want to deal with him, we must first reduce the extent of this protection to the smallest possible level," one of them said.


    "Once that is done, with the divine artifacts we hold, we will be able to kill him."


    The world''s consciousness had long since fallen into slumber, and their millennia-long arrangements had reduced the world to something as fragile as a candle flame in the wind. A slight push would be enough to destroy it.


    They had been waiting for this final step for a long time.


    They could not accept failing now.


    Thus, when facing Daniel, the last counterattack of the world, they were particularly cautious.


    "I say, what if he can''t find us?" one of them asked.


    "Even if he can''t find us, we can find him. Daniel must be eliminated, or else... our thousand years of plans will be entirely ruined."


    "Indeed. We only have a thousand years left. I don''t want to just give up now."


    "Yeah, we''ve made it this far. Who would want to give up now?"


    There was only a thousand years left. If they could just survive this period, the entire world would be theirs to harvest. But at this critical moment, Daniel appeared.


    This made them suspect... Was someone secretly plotting against them? Otherwise, why would the world suddenly retaliate now?


    "By the way, Daniel should have no way of finding us by now, right?"


    "Rest assured. Whether when I left the Element Temple or headed for Karea Academy, I erased all traces of myself. He won''t be able to track us here." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The lord of the Element Temple spoke with certainty.


    "Same here."


    The chief of Dragonscale Bank agreed, confirming that both of them had taken great care to cover their tracks when leaving their respective powers.


    "Even so, there''s one place where I feel he might be able to trace us!"


    "What?"


    "Didn''t you forget? Voidland¡ªthe giant serpent there."


    Upon hearing this, the others fell into silence.


    Indeed.


    As the woman had said, they had left many arrangements in Voidland.


    Those were extremely crucial arrangements, and they couldn''t possibly erase all traces of themselves there.


    "But we don''t need to worry about that. You know that Voidland is not a place where we can go with our true forms. The most he can do is discover the traces we left behind."


    They couldn''t go to Voidland with their true bodies. They had only been able to enter in soul form before.


    "Even so, there''s still a possibility that he might find us through those traces."


    The leader of the group smiled grimly. They had to make sure everything was flawless.


    "That''s not possible. We''ve always entered Voidland in soul form. It''s impossible for Daniel to find us there."


    What they didn''t know was that Daniel had not only been to Voidland several times but had also visited with his true form, and even encountered their soul forms there.


    Voidland.


    Daniel had arrived.


    This was his third time entering Voidland.


    The first time, he had come with Reed; the second time was to investigate the mystery surrounding his father''s death.


    And now, the third time¡­ those five elusive figures were about to be exposed!


    Upon entering Voidland, Daniel saw the Sacred Time River that he had previously destroyed slowly starting to repair itself. It seemed that his recent efforts, planting trees, had made some progress.


    Originally, under such circumstances, it would have taken a long time to repair the Sacred Time River, but Daniel only glanced at it, for he had more important matters to attend to.


    He quickly arrived at the location of the giant serpent.


    The last time he had been here, he hadn''t investigated the giant serpent carefully because he wasn''t sure of its nature. But now, he had a great opportunity.


    Daniel stretched out his hand and reached for the serpent''s head.


    At that moment, several bursts of power surged around him.


    These were magic arrays that had been set up in advance.


    Their purpose was to prevent anyone from directly contacting the serpent.


    The magic arrays contained powerful Five Elements Rules.


    The Five Elements were in opposition to one another.


    The reverse rules of the Five Elements were fully manifested, sending a forceful and destructive attack toward Daniel.


    "Nice try, but too bad. This is just a magic array," Daniel said, looking at the array calmly.


    Without lifting a finger, the powerful, destructive force vanished before his eyes.


    Then, the giant magic array was directly rewritten by Daniel, gradually fading away.


    "Indeed... it''s those five," Daniel chuckled.


    From the magic array, he sensed a familiar aura.


    It was unmistakably from those five individuals.


    Last time, when Daniel had simply used his mind power to touch it, the five of them had arrived at the scene immediately.


    This time, with such a loud disturbance, they still hadn''t shown up?


    In that case, Daniel decided to continue.


    He extended his mind power deeper into the giant serpent''s body.


    Soon, he detected numerous magic arrays, and these arrays were not just simple ones¡ªthey even extended into the main world.


    The rules involved were all from the God Realm.


    The Five Elements thrived endlessly, drawing from the original essence of the world with maximum power.


    After probing these arrays inside the serpent, Daniel looked at the creature once more.


    Was the serpent itself the manifestation of the Will of the World and the original essence?


    No wonder these five had set up such a complex array, constantly drawing energy from the serpent.


    Originally, the serpent''s body had already been corrupted by the residual power of gods and devils.


    Now, with the Five Elements magic array further draining its strength, it was in even worse shape.


    The world was truly in dire straits.


    Daniel focused his thoughts.


    Instantly, the magic arrays inside the serpent''s body shattered, and as they collapsed, he felt the burden on the serpent''s body lift slightly.


    Next, Daniel tried to awaken the consciousness inside the serpent.


    Not long after, Daniel could clearly sense a massive gaze fixating on him. It was a warm and kind gaze.


    "You are..." the serpent''s voice echoed.


    "No, you shouldn''t be here... But... are you here to kill me?"


    The ancient and slow voice echoed in Daniel''s ears.


    Hearing this, Daniel sighed inwardly.


    It seemed that the consciousness of this world had been through so much hardship. First, it had been invaded by gods and devils, then it had been drained of its power...


    Now, upon seeing Daniel, it thought he was here to destroy it.


    This was understandable.


    "No, I am here to save you. You should be able to sense it, right? The Tree of Origin is continuously improving the world''s condition, and the power inside you is also awakening," Daniel reassured.


    Upon hearing this, the serpent paused, as if contemplating.


    "And those magic arrays inside you¡ªI''ve already destroyed them," Daniel added.


    The serpent remained silent for a moment, then spoke with a trembling voice.


    "Thank you... Thank you, child."


    "Soon, there may be a great battle here. Those individuals should notice that their arrangements have been undone by me," Daniel said gravely.


    "Sigh..." The serpent let out a long sigh.


    "Their eyes have long been blinded..."

 Chapter180-Let Me Help You One Last Time, Kid!

    "I can no longer see what I''m truly doing, nor do I know if everything I''ve planned is already nothing more than someone else''s pawn¡­"The giant serpent seemed to speak these words with some form of pity. There was no trace of hatred in its voice toward the five individuals.


    "Don''t you hate them?"


    "They are also my children¡­ it''s just a shame¡­"


    The giant serpent seemed to know something.


    The five people believed they were calculating the Original Essence of the world, but little did they know that someone was already pulling the strings behind them, like a mantis stalking the cicada with the yellow bird waiting in the back.


    Once those five completely absorbed the Source of the World, it seemed that the hidden hand would finally make its move.


    "Then, do you know who is coveting this world? I''ve discovered some clues related to the God Realm."


    Daniel asked.


    "I don''t know, or rather¡­ it''s probably not just the God Realm you''re speaking of." sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The giant serpent slowly explained to Daniel:


    "Our world is unique; perhaps from the very moment of its birth, its fate was already sealed¡­"


    Suddenly, the serpent fell silent for a moment, before continuing:


    "Then what has happened to Voidland? The Sacred Time River¡­ has it been shattered?"


    Daniel was caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. The giant serpent had been talking about the world, and now, out of nowhere, it was talking about Voidland. He could only awkwardly respond:


    "This happened a few years ago. Someone ambushed me in the Sacred Time River, so I had no choice but to shatter it¡­ but it''s recovering quite well."


    The giant serpent seemed to nod in understanding. It was as if it had only been surprised by how the environment around it had changed.


    "Was it someone from the God Realm as you said?"


    "I suspect it very well could be, because such methods are nearly impossible to find in this world. Also, after I destroyed their techniques, no one has come after me."


    Daniel''s suspicion grew that the person who laid traps in the Sacred Time River was likely from the God Realm. After all, God Realm could be considered the higher realm, and descending from there was extremely difficult.


    It was similar to how Daniel had accidentally surpassed his own level of strength to the point where he could no longer enter this world, only to later craft a Ring of Origin to allow himself entry.


    It was even harder for someone from the God Realm to come down.


    "I see¡­ then those treasures in the hands of the five children must have fallen from the God Realm."


    "A long time ago, before I reached this stage, I sensed something had fallen from the God Realm. It was related to the 5 Elements."


    "Later, those five children acquired it, and they set up numerous magic arrays on me."


    "Those magic arrays should have also come from the God Realm¡­"


    "The person''s purpose was probably to refine me¡­"


    The giant serpent slowly continued.


    "He couldn''t directly breach the barrier of the God Realm, so he used this method.


    The magic arrays and the five treasures acted as a sort of calling ritual.


    At the right moment, perhaps it would create a brief resonance with the God Realm, allowing the person to descend directly."


    Upon hearing these words, Daniel roughly understood. The one who set the trap in the Sacred Time River was probably that person!


    "If you want to find this person, I can help you."


    The giant serpent looked at Daniel and spoke.


    Daniel was taken aback. He asked:


    "Help me? You can help me find him?"


    "Yes, because that person''s ultimate goal is the 5 Elements treasures. All I need to do is to nourish these treasures, and when the time comes, that person will naturally appear."


    After hearing this, Daniel furrowed his brow:


    "But if you do that, won''t you die?"


    "Actually¡­ I was already supposed to die."


    When the World Tree fell¡­ the giant serpent was already close to death.


    This statement caused Daniel to recall the scene he had witnessed in the Fire Abyss, in that world node.


    He knew the giant serpent was right.


    Even without the remnants of god and devil powers, or with the five people constantly drawing from the Original Essence, this world would likely not hold out much longer.


    But now, it was different.


    "Didn''t I plant many Tree of Origin saplings? Even so, can''t that save you?"


    Daniel took out a sapling of the Tree of Origin and asked.


    "Yes, I can feel that several Tree of Origin saplings are improving this world. How many such saplings do you have?"


    "About ten thousand. They could be planted in all the world nodes, and you wouldn''t have to worry at all."


    Upon hearing Daniel''s words, the giant serpent smiled.


    "That''s enough¡­ in that case, the new world consciousness will soon be born."


    "What about you?"


    Daniel asked again.


    "As for me¡­ I am an ancient being from an old world. Let the new world take over with the new consciousness. Now, let me do one last thing for you, child."


    Upon hearing the giant serpent''s words, Daniel''s mood turned a bit somber.


    The serpent seemed to sense his emotions and said:


    "Do not be sad. The new world consciousness is also me. We are fundamentally no different. I thank you for helping this world, for helping all living beings. Thank you."


    There was no trace of fear in the serpent''s words, not even a hint of sorrow for its impending demise. Instead, there was a sense of joy.


    Because this world still had people like Daniel, so it would not perish!


    "Go, child. Find the 5 Elements Original Essence, and let me do the last thing I can for you."


    The giant serpent urged.


    Daniel didn''t answer right away. He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before saying:


    "Alright, I''ll go find them first. You think about whether there''s another way."


    After Daniel spoke, he collected all the traces and auras left by the five individuals around the area.


    They couldn''t completely hide their aura here.


    So it was easy for Daniel to gather everything and begin searching for the places where they were hiding.


    To his surprise, Daniel discovered that all of them were in the same place!


    According to his findings, these five people were all gathered in a certain corner of the northern snowfields. It appeared to be a small world, or a mini world.


    Upon realizing this, Daniel''s mood lightened a bit.


    These five people¡­


    He''d be the one to deal with them!


    The Ring of Origin on his right hand emitted a faint glow, enveloping Daniel, and he quickly vanished.


    ...


    In a secret realm within the northern snowfields.


    "I just felt it, the magic array in Voidland was destroyed. It must be that Daniel."


    At that moment, the woman spoke.


    The others immediately became on high alert.


    The destruction of the Voidland magic array was a sign of great importance.


    It meant that Daniel had most likely deduced their true location from the traces and auras left in Voidland.


    This meant that at any moment, Daniel could arrive here.


    At this point¡­


    "Are all the surrounding magic arrays set up?"


    "Don''t worry. We''ve already set up an ancient magic array. As soon as Daniel dares to come, we''ll show him the forbidden spells of the ancient world!"


    "Also, there''s a teleportation magic array that will send us away from this world. That way, Daniel''s protection from this world will be weakened to the lowest!"


    Because once they left this world, its rules would no longer affect them.


    At that time, their Five Elements Rule would crush Daniel completely!


    These five had already crafted a thorough plan.


    As soon as Daniel dared to step foot into this place, they were sure they could eliminate him for good!

 Chapter181-Beyond the World!

    The several individuals before Daniel had already been alive for thousands of years.Additionally, they had gained immense power through their understanding of the Five Elements treasures.


    Although the preparation time was a bit short, the killing blows aimed at Daniel were more than sufficient.


    Two magic arrays, two layers of assurance.


    The first was an ancient forbidden curse, and if it failed to kill Daniel, the second layer, a teleportation magic array, would activate instantaneously.


    By then, even if Daniel possessed some divine powers, he would fall into their trap, unable to escape.


    "What a pity... If we had more time, we could have prepared more," one of them lamented.


    Based on their calculations, even though Daniel was immensely powerful, he was ultimately relying on the protection of the world itself.


    Furthermore, he could not exceed the world''s limits.


    But each of these five individuals wielded the power of rule that was far beyond the capacity of this world.


    Once Daniel lost the protection of the world, they were confident that with their power of rule, defeating him would be effortless.


    "Let us toast to our victory!"


    "Cheers!"


    The group raised their glasses, ready to share a drink.


    But just as they were about to take a sip, the entire secret realm suddenly trembled violently.


    Each of them froze in place, their hands shaking, nearly spilling the drink in their glasses.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Could it be that Daniel has arrived?"


    "The whole secret realm is shaking! It''s definitely him!"


    Before they could respond, Daniel''s cold face appeared before them. His eyes radiated a murderous intent.


    "Are you... drinking wine?" Daniel''s cold voice echoed, like thunder in their ears.


    Before they could react, Daniel appeared beside a burly man.


    The man was about to resist, but to his shock, he realized he couldn''t move at all.


    The world''s rule was instantly imposed on him, rendering him completely immobile.


    Then, the glass and its contents were smashed directly into his face.


    The glass shattered completely, falling to the ground.


    The burly man felt deep humiliation. The wine and the broken glass didn''t harm him, but the shame of it was something that couldn''t be erased.


    At that moment, the power of rule surged within him, immediately breaking free from the world''s rule that Daniel had imposed.


    The burly man''s rule came from a higher God Realm, which gave him the ability to suppress the world''s rule.


    He had been caught off guard earlier, but now he was ready for action.


    He swung a massive fist at Daniel, filled with boundless rage.


    Simultaneously, the other four, using their Five Elements Rules, broke free from Daniel''s hold and began attacking him.


    Daniel first blocked the burly man''s punch, then grabbed it, using his body as a battering ram to sweep across the others. The overwhelming power of the world''s rule surged out, pushing them all back.


    The burly man, feeling his life was at risk, shouted in anger, "What about the forbidden spell? Did it not work?"


    Hadn''t they planned to use the forbidden spell first to suppress and see if it could directly kill Daniel? If that didn''t work, they were supposed to teleport him away.


    Yet now, he was being used as a human battering ram, and nothing had happened!


    With a roar, Daniel replied coldly, "The killing formation?"


    Daniel''s hand shot out, grabbing the burly man''s head and slamming it violently into the ground.


    "I''ll see for myself how you plan to kill me!" Daniel sneered.


    With that, he stomped down on the burly man''s head, driving it deep into the ground.


    His eyes swept over the others, as though sizing up his next target.


    The others didn''t respond to the burly man''s question, because as soon as Daniel had entered, they had already activated the forbidden magic array.


    But... nothing happened.


    The magic array had no effect whatsoever, and in fact, it made them wonder if they had even properly set up the array.


    After checking, they realized the array was indeed set up and had even been successfully triggered.


    But why had it failed?


    The reason was simple¡ªDaniel had detected the magic array the moment it activated and destroyed it immediately.


    The ancient magic array they had painstakingly prepared didn''t achieve any real effect.


    At that moment, they realized just how incredibly powerful the world''s rule was in Daniel''s hands.


    He wielded it as if it were limitless.


    It seemed like Daniel was the very embodiment of the world itself.


    This was utterly absurd! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Realizing this, the five of them had no choice but to resort to Plan B.


    "Run! Get out of here!" one of them shouted.


    "Trying to escape?" Daniel immediately appeared in front of the entrance, blocking their way.


    However, Daniel had not anticipated that this was just a decoy.


    In reality, the five of them were using this opportunity to mask the fluctuations of their teleportation magic array.


    Daniel''s interference had given them the perfect moment to activate the array.


    At that instant, the Lord of Element Temple smiled with satisfaction and said, "Daniel, you''ve fallen for our trap!"


    In an instant, six figures disappeared without a trace, vanishing from the world entirely.


    They had left the world, stepping into the void beyond it.


    "Daniel, your arrogance will be your downfall! Today, your pride will cost you your life!" said the chief of Dragonscale Bank, his body radiating the powerful rule of water.


    "Indeed... you... will die!" the burly man, who had been stomped into the ground, growled from beneath a mask of blood and bruises.


    The Five Elements Rule flowed from all five of them, as they stood in positions that formed a subtle formation.


    The Five Elements Formation!


    Utilizing their Five Elements Rule, they had created a magic array. The five rules of the elements were interwoven, continuously circulating. The power of the five elements formed an unstoppable cycle.


    At this moment, Daniel had completely lost the protection of the world''s rule.


    His immense power had been significantly weakened, leaving only a faint trace of tier-sage strength.


    That paltry strength would not be enough to stand against the combined might of the five.


    The Five Elements Formation was designed to grind Daniel down to nothing.


    It could easily obliterate him.


    This was a power far beyond the scope of the world''s Five Elements Rule!


    In the world, they were constrained by its limitations, unable to fully unleash their potential. But here, in the void beyond the world, they could use their full strength!


    "You are finished!" they declared in unison.


    Daniel, now at their mercy, stood silently, his expression cold and indifferent.


    "This... is the grave you have chosen for yourself, is it?" Daniel asked, his voice calm yet tinged with amusement.


    "Daniel, you can''t escape now! Today, the world will be rid of you! You, who once believed yourself above everything, will fall here," one of them jeered.


    Daniel''s eyes narrowed as he took in the approaching formation, a smile slowly curving across his lips.


    "Is that so?" he said, his voice almost imperceptible.

 Chapter182-Youve Lost Your Shackles? So Have I!

    The lord of the Element Temple looked at Daniel and spoke.To him, Daniel had already reached the end of his path.


    So, there was no harm in saying a few more words.


    It was an opportunity to witness the desperation on Daniel''s face, as he desperately tried to survive but still couldn''t break through the 5 Elements Grand Array.


    Just thinking of this, the Element Temple lord sneered inwardly.


    "Why waste time talking to this guy? Hurry up and refine him!" a burly man urged.


    At this point, the burly man wanted nothing more than to kill Daniel immediately.


    The 5 Elements refining technique¡ªlife and death, the cycle of the universe¡ªone could either refine forward with the flow of the elements or reverse it to return to the primordial state.


    In that moment, Daniel felt the energy of the reverse 5 Elements Grand Array surrounding him, pulling everything toward an ultimate state of dissolution.


    The goal of these people was clear: to refine Daniel to nothingness and extract the world''s protection from him.


    Once they succeeded in refining Daniel, the world''s protection embedded in him would be theirs to take, greatly boosting their speed of absorbing the Original Essence.


    However, the Ring of Origin in Daniel''s hand instinctively activated, sending a faint glow around his body.


    This light counteracted the refining energy from the 5 Elements Array.


    "Did you see that? The ring in his hand! That''s the manifestation of the world''s protection! If we take that ring, Daniel will have no way to resist!" The burly man shouted.


    He had been observing Daniel from the very beginning, as Daniel had beaten him the most severely.


    He couldn''t understand why Daniel attacked him immediately upon appearing.


    This made him especially keen on keeping an eye on Daniel.


    And he noticed that every time Daniel exuded the aura of world rule, it always came from the ring on his right hand!


    This meant that the ring was crucial!


    "Good! Since that''s the case, leave the precious artifact here to stabilize the array.


    We''ll rush in and show him what we''re capable of!" the Element Temple lord said as he rushed toward Daniel.


    "In this world, we''ve never used our true strength because we feared our power would harm the world. We''ve always had to hide it."


    "Even someone like you has only been able to avoid us so far."


    "But now¡­ it''s different! Daniel! Now we are outside the world, and the protection of your world is at its weakest¡­"


    "Die!"


    The lord of Element Temple bellowed, his hands condensing the Rule of Metal into a weapon, which he then thrust toward Daniel.


    The other four followed suit, transforming their respective rules into weapons.


    At that moment, the restraint they had maintained for so long broke, turning into pure killing intent.


    In this place, they could unleash their full strength without worrying about destroying the world. It was time to kill the one who had forced them to hide for so long.


    These five had existed at the pinnacle of the world for thousands of years.


    But all because of Daniel, they had been forced to hide in the shadows. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The frustration in their hearts was beyond measure.


    It all came down to their plan: before they could completely absorb the Source of World, the world itself could not be destroyed.


    So, they chose to hide and avoid confrontation with Daniel.


    But now, they could finally unleash their full power!


    Daniel must die!


    Seeing that the five people were not running away, but instead charging at him, Daniel took a deep breath and removed the Ring of Origin from his finger.


    Instantly, he felt the pull of the reverse 5 Elements Grand Array around him.


    But the force was barely noticeable, like a breeze brushing through his hair.


    For Daniel, this level of strength couldn''t affect him at all.


    These five had been hiding their power to avoid harming the world.


    But Daniel had done the same.


    The reason he had relied on the Ring of Origin all this time was because his own power far exceeded that of the world, and if unleashed, it could cause irreversible destruction.


    He remembered when he crafted the Ring of Origin and nearly shattered the world when one foot was about to step out of it.


    But now, he was outside the world entirely, so he could unleash his full power!


    Seeing Daniel take off the Ring of Origin, the five of them couldn''t help but feel relieved. Especially the burly man, who thought that his revenge was finally at hand.


    But the next moment, an immense aura erupted from Daniel''s body, so powerful that the five of them couldn''t react in time.


    This aura crushed them into place, rendering them completely immobile.


    Then, with even greater speed, they were sent flying backward.


    They landed at the edge of the magic array, spitting blood from their mouths.


    Their chests were dented inwards.


    What shocked the five of them was that they hadn''t even been able to touch Daniel''s clothes.


    Moreover¡­


    Daniel had not even actively attacked them.


    It was simply his overwhelming presence that struck them, making them unable to resist.


    The force from his aura alone was enough to injure them.


    The five of them looked at Daniel in disbelief.


    They could not fathom why¡­


    Now that Daniel was free from the world, he was even more terrifying than before.


    The so-called world protection seemed to limit Daniel''s strength, but without it, he was unstoppable!


    Just the sheer force of his aura had left them completely powerless.


    What was Daniel''s true power like?


    The five of them couldn''t even begin to imagine.


    At that moment, Daniel appeared like a blazing sun¡ªradiant and scorching!


    Even if he did nothing, the mere proximity would burn and melt everything around him.


    In other words, Daniel''s aura itself was an attack on these five individuals because they were simply too weak!


    Weak to the point where they couldn''t even withstand a fraction of Daniel''s pressure.


    They couldn''t understand why¡­


    Why did such a terrifying existence appear in the world?


    This was completely illogical!


    His existence had already transcended the world itself!


    Even the 5 Elements treasures in their hands couldn''t restrain Daniel.


    They watched in stunned silence as Daniel casually waved his hand, and the five treasures that had made up the reverse 5 Elements Grand Array appeared in his hand.


    There was no resistance at all.


    Daniel was still inside the magic array, but he had completely destroyed the 5 Elements Grand Array formed by these five treasures.


    What kind of power was this?


    "Run!" the chief of Dragonscale Bank was the first to shout.


    At this point, the reverse 5 Elements Grand Array had dissipated, and the treasures they had relied on had been taken by Daniel.


    The only option left for the five of them was to flee¡­


    Or they would die here!


    But unfortunately, Daniel wasn''t going to let them escape.


    In the next instant, the chief of Dragonscale Bank, who had been the first to attempt an escape, found himself facing Daniel directly.


    His face was still filled with shock. He couldn''t believe what had just happened.


    He thought he had already escaped far enough, but somehow, Daniel had caught up with him and appeared right in front of him.


    "Why?" Daniel asked, his voice calm but filled with an undercurrent of fury.


    "You''ve all grown stronger in this world, only to turn against it and absorb its Original Essence, destroying this world. Why?"


    Thinking of the giant snake''s fate, even the fourth giant snake didn''t bear a grudge against these people.


    It was still worried that they had been deceived by the forces behind them.


    Daniel felt a surge of uncontainable anger.


    "Heh, you don''t understand at all! Daniel!" the chief of Dragonscale Bank sneered. "The only reason you''re speaking like this now is because you''re stronger than us!"


    "You don''t understand what God Realm is all about! If we don''t gather enough strength, we''ll become nothing more than ants in the God Realm!"


    "If the world has nourished us and allowed us to reach the top, then it''s only right that it helps us again, allowing us to thrive in God Realm. What''s wrong with that?"


    "Daniel! You don''t understand! Being weak is a sin!"


    The chief of Dragonscale Bank screamed, his voice growing more frantic.

 Chapter183-Soul Search

    Facing the roaring threats from his opponents, Daniel remained silent. Instead of responding, he chose to act decisively.For individuals like these, Daniel felt no need for mercy.


    "Please! Spare me! I know countless secrets, many treasures that others have no knowledge of! Only I know their true locations!"


    As Daniel showed no signs of relenting, preparing to make his move, the chief of the Dragonscale Bank began to plead for his life.


    However, Daniel gave no chance for negotiation.


    He unleashed his mind power, initiating a soul search on all five of them, extracting information directly from their souls.


    The spell he employed was a relatively low-tier soul search magic, one that caused immense pain to those subjected to it.


    Of course, this was intentional.


    Daniel wanted these individuals to experience the kind of suffering they had inflicted on others¡ªespecially the torment endured by the serpent over the past millennia.


    In Daniel''s eyes, this was only the beginning.


    Through the fragmented memories of his captives, Daniel uncovered a wealth of knowledge: the life events of these individuals from their earliest recollections, the awakening of their magic patterns, their ascension as mages, and their eventual acquisition of the 5-Element Treasure, said to have fallen from the God Realm.


    Every step they took to ascend to their peak was laid bare before him.


    Yet amidst these revelations, Daniel also stumbled upon unexpected truths.


    His gaze fell upon the lone female among them.


    Anticipating his reaction, the woman spoke with calm resignation, her voice weak yet unwavering:


    "Yes, I was the one who killed your father."


    Her composure reflected a readiness to face her fate. Daniel''s soul search magic had ravaged their souls, leaving all five individuals with the full knowledge of their inevitable end.


    For the woman, however, there was an added weight: she had killed Daniel''s father. It was a crime that left her no path to redemption.


    Her only regret, as she confessed internally, was failing to eliminate Daniel at the same time.


    "If only I had wiped out everyone at Crossbridge Academy, you wouldn''t have the chance to stand here today," she muttered bitterly.


    But Daniel wasn''t entirely convinced that his father''s death was a random or isolated event.


    There were threads of evidence suggesting that someone in the God Realm had orchestrated a trap along the Sacred Time River using that very incident.


    The more he uncovered, the more complex the web became.


    "Perhaps even if you had killed my predecessor," Daniel thought to himself, "I would have found another way to arrive in this world."


    Such contemplations, however, were not Daniel''s immediate priority. After a fleeting glance at the woman, he addressed all five captives:


    "Next, let''s take a closer look at the countless atrocities you''ve committed over these millennia."


    With that, Daniel vanished, taking the five with him.


    Daniel reappeared in the Voidland, his familiar surroundings enveloping him.


    "You''ve returned, child. How goes the collection of the 5-Element Treasure?" The enormous serpent greeted him with its deep, resonant voice.


    "It''s all here," Daniel replied, producing the five artifacts. "And I''ve brought these five along as well."


    Five figures appeared, kneeling weakly before the serpent. The sight elicited nothing more than a sigh from the ancient creature.


    "I''ll handle your business first," the serpent said.


    "Don''t you plan to settle your score with these five?" Daniel asked, his tone curious.


    "In truth, I hold no grudges against them. They were merely misguided children. I leave their fates in your hands. Now, hand me the 5-Element Treasure."


    With a nod, Daniel produced the five treasures, each radiating immense power derived from the rule of 5 Elements. As the serpent inspected them, it motioned for Daniel to follow.


    The serpent led Daniel to an expansive, desolate area. Its massive form moved with an air of solemnity as it spoke:


    "In the God Realm, there are many beings capable of wielding such power. Their strength varies greatly, but their goals are often aligned."


    The serpent''s words were a clear warning. Any attempt to use the treasures would likely attract a formidable adversary.


    "Their ultimate goal is to consume this world. If you proceed, you must be prepared to face such a threat. Are you ready?" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Is there no other way?" Daniel asked, sensing the serpent''s sincerity and reluctant to see it perish.


    "You still don''t understand," the serpent replied gently. "I died long ago. Because of you, this world''s new Will of World is gradually being born. I cannot stand in its way; my death is inevitable."


    The serpent''s voice grew softer, laden with both peace and resolve.


    "Meeting you before the end and assisting you is my greatest honor. This world is extraordinary¡­ You must uncover its truths on your own. My role has reached its conclusion."


    With that, the serpent fell silent, and the five treasures began to orbit its colossal frame. A glowing magic array appeared, drawn out of thin air.


    "Do not interfere. Just wait," the serpent''s voice echoed telepathically. It seemed concerned that Daniel might try to intervene.


    The 5-Element Treasure possessed a latent mechanism, one the serpent was now activating to ensure their intended purpose unfolded. As the serpent poured its original essence into the treasures, its once-imposing presence began to fade.


    The treasures, in turn, emitted radiant beams of light, forming the shape of an altar. This was the Final Convergence Altar, a bridge to the God Realm.


    The serpent''s body grew fainter, its life force nearly extinguished.


    "Child, this world is now yours to protect. Thank you¡­"


    These final words were followed by the serpent''s complete disappearance, leaving behind only an oval-shaped egg imbued with faint traces of life. This was the new Will of World the serpent had spoken of.


    Carefully, Daniel cradled the egg. It was fragile yet filled with infinite potential¡ªa symbol of the world''s rebirth. With the Tree of Origin taking root at various nexus points, Daniel knew it wouldn''t be long before the egg hatched.


    As the altar stabilized, a powerful energy began to emanate from it¡ªan unmistakable aura belonging to the God Realm.


    The five captives, still recovering from Daniel''s soul search, trembled at the sensation.


    "What¡­ What is this energy?" one of them stammered.


    "It feels similar to what we sensed when we first acquired the treasures," another replied. "But why is it happening now? Is Daniel¡­ entering the God Realm?"


    The prospect of ascension stirred both awe and dread in their hearts. For millennia, their goal had been to ascend to the God Realm while avoiding becoming insignificant within it. They had planned to siphon their world''s original essence to strengthen themselves for the journey.


    But now, they watched in stunned disbelief as Daniel''s actions unfolded before them. What stood before Daniel wasn''t the legendary Gate to the God Realm, but an intricate altar bathed in five distinct hues.


    "Could it be that when one''s power is strong enough, even the method of ascension becomes this extraordinary?" one of them whispered.


    As the altar pulsed with divine energy, the path to the God Realm began to take form¡ªunique and unlike anything they had ever imagined.

 Chapter184-The Passage to the God Realm

    The five individuals stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the sight before them.Why was Daniel''s ascension to the God Realm unfolding in such an extraordinary manner?


    Did the use of the 5-Element Treasure, combined with the absorption of the Source of the World, result in some unique transformation?


    They didn''t understand, but their confusion quickly gave way to apprehension.


    Above the altar, a massive passage had begun to materialize.


    From within the passage emanated a mysterious and profound aura, brimming with allure and power.


    Simultaneously, a vague figure appeared at the far end of the passage.


    The realization struck the five onlookers like lightning: this was a direct gateway to the God Realm!


    The presence of the figure only deepened their dread.


    The aura emanating from the passage and the shadowy figure was unmistakably divine.


    What shocked them even more was the figure''s apparent intent¡ªto cross through the passage and enter their realm.


    Why was someone from the God Realm appearing on the other side of the passage?


    The realization was both horrifying and enlightening.


    They couldn''t help but think of a grim possibility: if they had truly used the 5-Element Treasure to harvest all the Source of the World, would they have unwittingly invited a similar catastrophe?


    It was like a fish eagerly biting down on a baited hook, only to be pierced through the throat by the hidden barb.


    This analogy seemed apt for their current predicament.


    The figure''s looming presence caused the five to reflect on the serpent''s earlier words¡ªthat they were nothing more than "misguided children." But if they were blinded, who was it that had shrouded their eyes?


    At last, the truth dawned upon them.


    From the moment they had stumbled upon the 5-Element Treasure, believing it to be a gift of fate, they had unknowingly become pawns in a larger scheme.


    Their tremendous power, which had allowed them to rise to such heights, was entirely dependent on the treasures.


    Now, it was clear: everything had been orchestrated by someone manipulating events from behind the scenes.


    A cold chill ran down their spines.


    They had thought their meticulously crafted plans were flawless, yet it was evident now that they were merely cogs in a much larger, more sinister machine.


    This was no mere conspiracy¡ªit was a brazenly open scheme, one they could not escape.


    Driven by fear of losing their status in the God Realm, they had unwittingly executed the designs of a higher power.


    And now, as they stared at the figure beyond the passage, they realized that this higher power had arrived to claim the fruits of their labor.


    Daniel stood still, his eyes fixed on the figure beyond the passage.


    The gateway, constructed from the original essence of the world, was growing increasingly stable.


    It was strong enough to allow even a being from the God Realm to descend.


    Daniel waited patiently, observing the figure as it worked its way through the passage.


    Finally, the shadowy presence began to solidify.


    The oppressive aura emanating from the figure grew, pressing down even on those at a distance.


    For the five onlookers, the suffocating pressure made even breathing a struggle.


    Before long, the figure emerged fully, crossing through the passage and stepping onto the altar.


    It was a man, radiating the unmistakable energy of the God Realm.


    His mere presence exuded a dominating power, a natural suppression of all mortal beings.


    This was the innate authority of an Upper Realm being over the creatures of the Mortal Realm.


    The man''s gaze swept coldly over his surroundings before falling on the altar composed of the 5-Element Treasure.


    His brow furrowed slightly, as though something was amiss.


    Then, as if sensing another presence, his head snapped to the side.


    To his astonishment, he found someone standing beside him¡ªa figure who had eluded his senses until now.


    This was impossible.


    A mortal from this realm shouldn''t have been able to hide from him.


    "Who are you?" the man demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.


    For someone to escape his notice suggested a power that was nearly on par with his own¡ªa concept that was both infuriating and alarming.


    The man''s aura surged, crashing towards Daniel like a tidal wave.


    Yet Daniel remained unmoved, standing like an unyielding mountain.


    With a calm, steady voice, he replied:


    "That''s the question I should be asking you."


    Daniel had been waiting for this moment for a long time.


    The trap laid in the Sacred Time River had finally borne fruit, and now he was face-to-face with his quarry.


    Realizing the danger, the man turned abruptly and attempted to flee back through the passage.


    But Daniel, having waited so long for this encounter, had no intention of letting him escape.


    With a simple motion of his hand, Daniel created an invisible barrier.


    The man slammed into it, his momentum abruptly halted.


    Staggering backward, he shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts.


    "You''ve come all this way, and now you want to leave? It won''t be that easy," Daniel said with a smirk.


    The man''s expression darkened. Snarling in frustration, he lunged at Daniel, throwing a punch imbued with the rules of the God Realm.


    Daniel did not retaliate directly.


    Instead, he conjured a mini-world, enclosing both himself and the man within it.


    Within this space, the man''s punch landed squarely on Daniel''s chest.


    The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, creating massive craters¡ªbut Daniel stood unharmed. Not even his clothing bore a scratch.


    The man, stunned by this outcome, prepared to strike again. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But before he could, Daniel countered with a single palm strike.


    The blow landed with devastating precision, sending the man to his knees.


    His shoulder visibly caved in from the force.


    The man looked up at Daniel, his face a mixture of pain, fear, and disbelief.


    How could someone from the Mortal Realm possess such overwhelming power?


    Before he could recover, Daniel struck him again. T


    his time, the man collapsed completely, writhing on the ground in agony.


    His once-imposing demeanor was gone, replaced by a grimace of desperation.


    "Now," Daniel said, his voice calm but commanding, "tell me¡ªwho are you?"


    Through gritted teeth, the man replied, "I am¡­ the Lord of 5 Elements."


    The man, a god-king of the God Realm, was a figure of immense power.


    Many millennia ago, he had ascended to his status by mastering the rule of 5 Elements.


    Upon becoming a god-king, he discovered a dying Mortal Realm within his domain.


    As a god-king, he wielded considerable authority over the mortal worlds within his territory.


    Rather than allowing the realm to wither away, he devised a plan to extract its remaining value.


    The 5-Element Treasure he sent to this world was laden with hidden magic arrays, designed to harvest the Source of the World over time.


    Anyone who discovered the treasures would inevitably study the rules contained within them, drawn by their power.


    This would lead them to activate the hidden arrays, accelerating the world''s decline while empowering themselves.


    Once the world was nearly drained of its Source, the treasures would automatically open a stable passage to the God Realm, allowing the god-king to descend and claim the remaining essence.


    This practice, though unsanctioned, was common among god-kings. Mortal realms nearing extinction were seen as expendable resources, and draining them for personal gain was considered an acceptable, if covert, strategy.


    However, the Lord of 5 Elements had not anticipated encountering someone like Daniel.


    His plans, meticulously laid out over millennia, had been disrupted by this mortal¡ªa mortal who now stood as his equal, if not his superior.


    As the realization sank in, the god-king could only curse his misfortune.


    Curiosity had brought him to this realm prematurely, and now he was trapped, facing a foe he could not overcome.

 Chapter185-The Worlds Uniqueness

    As Daniel stood before the Lord of 5 Elements, the god-king''s expression shifted from arrogance to dread.The moment he realized the magnitude of Daniel''s power, a chilling thought crept into his mind¡ªescape was no longer an option. No matter how much he tried, he found himself completely unable to flee.


    Cornered, the Lord of 5 Elements did what any powerful being would: he attacked the most visible threat¡ªDaniel.


    Yet, to his utter disbelief, the god-king was effortlessly subdued.


    Two casual strikes from Daniel were enough to leave him dazed and humiliated.


    A god-king, brought low in the Mortal Realm?


    It was unthinkable.


    "Impossible," the Lord of 5 Elements murmured, staring at Daniel with wide eyes. "How¡­ can someone this strong exist in the Mortal Realm? I am a god-king! This shouldn''t be happening¡­"


    But the reality of the situation left no room for doubt.


    Daniel''s overwhelming power forced the god-king to confront a truth he had never considered before¡ªthat death could come for him even here.


    From Daniel, he could feel the distinct aura of mortality intertwined with absolute dominion.


    It was a stark reminder: if he failed to provide satisfactory answers, Daniel would not hesitate to kill him. And worse, Daniel clearly had the means to do so.


    "Let me guess," Daniel said, breaking the tense silence. "The trap set for me in the Sacred Time River¡ªthat was your doing, wasn''t it?"


    "Yes," the Lord of 5 Elements admitted, his tone subdued. "That was me."


    He hesitated briefly but continued, sensing that honesty was his only way to survive. "When I was observing the Mortal Realm, I noticed something unusual. At some point, the boundaries of this realm became¡­ obscured. It was unprecedented, so I investigated. Unable to enter the Mortal Realm directly, I placed a trap in the Sacred Time River, hoping it would resolve the anomaly."


    The god-king''s words revealed a subtle shift in demeanor.


    His arrogance was replaced by humility, even fear. He no longer referred to himself with grandeur, opting instead for a more deferential tone.


    "The trap had two purposes," he explained. "If you were caught in it, you would no longer be able to interfere with my plans. And if you managed to escape, it would mean you possessed power far beyond the limits of this world, making you incapable of further disrupting my designs."


    The Lord of 5 Elements had planned meticulously, accounting for every possible outcome¡ªor so he thought.


    What he hadn''t anticipated was Daniel''s unique advantage: the ability to forge artifacts like the Ring of Origin, which allowed him to integrate seamlessly into the world''s fabric.


    This unforeseen variable had unraveled the god-king''s carefully laid schemes.


    "Since that''s the case," Daniel said, his voice laced with barely contained fury, "let''s settle old and new grievances together."


    The chilling intent in Daniel''s eyes left no room for misinterpretation.


    The god-king had not only set a trap for him but had also threatened the very world Daniel had sworn to protect.


    If not for Daniel obtaining the forging method from the Dragonscale Bank, he might never have returned to the Main World.


    The thought of what could have been filled Daniel with cold rage.


    Sensing Daniel''s murderous intent, the Lord of 5 Elements panicked.


    "Wait!" he pleaded, his voice trembling. "I know secrets about this world¡ªits uniqueness, its hidden truths!"


    Daniel paused, his curiosity momentarily overriding his desire for vengeance.


    The serpent had mentioned the world''s exceptional nature before, but the specifics had remained elusive. "Go on," he said coldly.


    The god-king nodded rapidly, eager to prove his value. "This discovery wasn''t mine alone. I learned of it during a conversation with another god-king. This world¡­ it''s shrouded in an unusual energy. Even from the God Realm, it stood out as different, as though it were encased in something unnatural."


    He hesitated, sweat forming on his brow, before continuing. "That god-king told me that many terrifying entities monitor worlds like this¡ªthose capable of ascension."


    "Ascension?" Daniel''s gaze sharpened. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes," the god-king stammered. "Just as a mage ascends from the Mortal Realm to the God Realm, a world can ascend to a higher state of existence.


    Such worlds draw the attention of powerful beings.


    But this world''s Will of World died long ago, erasing its chance for ascension.


    That''s likely why it fell under my jurisdiction instead of attracting those entities."


    His voice dropped to a near-whisper. "That''s also why I wanted this world so badly."


    Daniel absorbed the information in silence. "So," he murmured, almost to himself, "once a new Will of World emerges, the possibility of ascension returns."


    The Lord of 5 Elements flinched. "No! That''s impossible. The world''s consciousness is gone¡ªcompletely extinguished thousands of years ago. It cannot come back."


    "How can a world ascend?" Daniel asked abruptly.


    The god-king hesitated but eventually answered, "Typically, it''s done by consuming higher-tier rules. For example, my 5-Element Treasure could serve as nourishment for this world''s ascension."


    The thought clearly pained him, but he pressed on, desperation evident in his tone. "I could even search for more items in the God Realm to assist you."


    Daniel narrowed his eyes. "This form of yours¡ªit''s just an avatar, isn''t it? Killing you here wouldn''t harm your true body. So why are you so desperate to tell me all this? Are you lying to me?"


    "No! I swear!" the god-king exclaimed. "This avatar isn''t just a projection. It carries a quarter of my strength and a significant portion of my divine soul. Its destruction would severely harm me. I wouldn''t dare deceive you."


    His voice broke slightly as he added, "This avatar took me centuries to forge. I thought it would be an easy mission, but¡­ I never expected to encounter someone like you."


    Daniel''s piercing gaze lingered on him before finally softening. "Fine. I''ll let you return to the God Realm¡ªbut only if you fulfill your promise."


    "Promise?" The god-king quickly recalled his earlier vow to help Daniel find resources and information necessary for the world''s ascension. "Yes! I''ll do it. You have my word!"


    The relief on his face was short-lived.


    Before he could fully relax, Daniel added, "However, your actions¡ªharming this world, targeting its inhabitants, and even plotting against me¡ªcannot go unpunished."


    The god-king paled. "I¡­ I understand. I have millions of divine stones. I''ll give them to you."


    He hastily produced a box filled with radiant stones and handed it to Daniel.


    Opening the box, Daniel casually compared its contents to his own reserves, unimpressed.


    "That''s it?" Daniel asked, his tone icy.


    "You misunderstand! These aren''t mana stones. They''re divine stones! Each one is worth a million mana crystals!" the god-king protested.


    "Anything else?" Daniel asked impatiently.


    The god-king, now visibly distraught, reluctantly handed over every valuable item he had stored in his avatar.


    It was only after this final act of submission that Daniel relented, planting a seed of his soul within the god-king''s avatar.


    "This seed will let you contact me with any news," Daniel said. "But if you try anything¡­ I''ll find you in the God Realm, and you know how that ends."


    The Lord of 5 Elements nodded vigorously. "I swear, I''ll keep you informed."


    With that, Daniel released the god-king from the mini-world and returned them both to the altar. Without a moment''s hesitation, the Lord of 5 Elements fled, not daring to look back.


    As Daniel watched him disappear, a faint smile played on his lips.


    The god-king had been humbled, but the road ahead was still fraught with challenges¡ªand opportunities.

 Chapter186-Crossbridge United

    The Lord of 5 Elements fled as if something monstrous were chasing him.In truth, Daniel had no intention of pursuing the god-king.


    After all, he had already taken several "small" things from the man.


    Among them was the fine outfit the god-king had worn upon arrival, which now resided in Daniel''s personal storage. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Perhaps Reed or Green would find use for it.


    Additionally, Daniel had acquired plants from the God Realm, items he planned to plant in the academy grounds.


    Even in their passive state, these plants could profoundly impact the Main World.


    There were also divine spells and techniques unique to the God Realm, practices used by its natives¡ªthose who had grown strong not through ascension but through their own cultivation.


    These methods might offer valuable insights for his own studies, particularly his work on Genesis.


    Having mentally cataloged his spoils, Daniel turned his attention to the distance where five individuals remained seated, their expressions filled with despair.


    The group had recovered slightly but bore faces of profound hopelessness.


    They had spent their lives weaving intricate plots, only to realize that they were mere pawns in a larger game.


    For years, they had considered themselves master strategists.


    Yet, now they understood they were only pieces on someone else''s chessboard¡ªa bitter realization that left their spirits broken.


    The chasm between them and Daniel was undeniable, further emphasized by what they had witnessed: Daniel facing a god-king from the God Realm without fear.


    Not only had Daniel emerged victorious, but the god-king had fled in terror.


    This realization hammered home the vast gulf between their powers and Daniel''s.


    To oppose him was not just futile¡ªit was suicidal.


    When Daniel walked toward them, the five individuals instinctively trembled.


    Each knew what was coming, especially the woman who had killed Daniel''s father¡ªor so she believed.


    "Dan¡­" The woman attempted to speak, her voice shaky with regret.


    Before she could finish, her life ended. Her body and soul were wiped out entirely, leaving no trace.


    The swiftness of her death stunned the others.


    The Dragonscale Bank chief was the first to react, immediately dropping to his knees.


    "Please, Lord Daniel!" he begged. "Spare me! Whatever you need, I will provide¡­"


    Daniel stared at him coldly before speaking. "Very well. Let your subordinates decide your fate. I hope you''ve treated them well."


    The Dragonscale Bank and Element Temple now effectively belonged to Daniel''s expanding domain.


    Whatever awaited these leaders back in their factions, it wouldn''t be pleasant.


    Daniel turned to the remaining three.


    One of them, a burly man, stepped forward. "Lord Daniel," he began, his voice steady despite his fear. "In the eastern empire, I command a population of billions. I am willing to pledge the entire empire to you. We will serve Crossbridge Sanctuary."


    Daniel nodded. "Agreed. You may go."


    The speed of Daniel''s decision left the man momentarily stunned.


    When Daniel continued staring at him, he finally realized he had been dismissed.


    Bowing deeply, he stammered, "Thank you, Lord Daniel!" and fled.


    Though the man left with his life, Daniel had discreetly placed a soul marker on him, ensuring future compliance.


    The next to speak was another man who knelt immediately. "Lord Daniel, the Papal State in the west will also pledge allegiance to you and serve you faithfully."


    Daniel repeated the same process, dismissing the man with a soul marker embedded in his essence.


    By the time Daniel was done, the appropriate judgments had been delivered.


    The woman was dead, the Dragonscale Bank and Element Temple leaders were sent back to face their own factions, and two major powers¡ªthe eastern empire and the western Papal State¡ªhad pledged their loyalty to Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    After handling these matters, Daniel returned to the far north.


    There, he examined the magic array the five individuals had used to teleport him beyond the world''s boundaries.


    The technique intrigued him.


    Such a teleportation system would greatly benefit his growing network.


    With Middle Earth, the eastern empire, and the western Papal State now under his influence, a superior teleportation array was essential.


    Optimizing the design could vastly improve travel between these regions, solidifying the academy as the core of his sanctuary.


    Daniel envisioned a future where Crossbridge Sanctuary would truly live up to its name.


    Meanwhile, events were unfolding at the Dragonscale Bank and Element Temple.


    When their respective chiefs returned, they were not met with the welcome they might have expected.


    Instead, hostility filled the air.


    The factions, once familiar and loyal, now regarded their leaders as outsiders.


    Weakened from their defeat at Daniel''s hands, the chiefs were no match for their subordinates, who quickly seized the opportunity to turn against them.


    Trials ensued, judgments were made, and the former leaders faced consequences for their failures.


    Both organizations were now firmly aligned with Daniel''s influence, solidifying his control.


    In the eastern empire, a proclamation echoed through every corner of the land:


    "By decree of the Great Founder, from this day forward, the Eastern Empire pledges allegiance to Crossbridge Sanctuary. We will follow the Supreme Lord Daniel and his guidance!"


    Similarly, in the western Papal State, religious authorities declared:


    "God said, ''Let there be light,'' and thus the world was graced with its one true light.


    The divine presence has descended in the holy city of Riverside, and Lord Daniel shall forever protect the Papal State!"


    After months of absence, Daniel returned to Crossbridge Academy.


    For him, it had been a short time, but for others, such as Rose, it felt like an eternity.


    By the lake, Daniel found Elise seated, quietly taking notes. She glanced up and quickly rose to her feet when she recognized him.


    "Headmaster! You''ve returned?" she asked, her tone respectful yet warm.


    "Yes," Daniel replied. "My work is done. What are you working on?"


    "Studying the fish in the lake," she said softly.


    "Good. Let''s have fish soup for lunch today."


    "Yes, Headmaster!" Elise said with a smile.


    As if understanding Daniel''s request, several fish leaped from the lake, landing at Elise''s feet.


    Daniel chuckled internally, recognizing the work of the Carp King, a notorious troublemaker who had once bullied Rikki.


    Apparently, it had learned its lesson and was eager to please.


    Back at the academy, Daniel sensed movement from the egg in his storage¡ªa faint yet growing sign of life. It wouldn''t be long before the Will of World was reborn.


    Nearby, the Tree of Origin stood tall, its influence radiating across the land.


    Curious, Daniel retrieved the plants and herbs he had taken from the Lord of 5 Elements. The moment he placed them near the tree, a connection formed.


    The plants began to thrive, nourished by the tree''s energy, while the tree itself absorbed their unique properties.


    A harmonious cycle had begun¡ªa testament to the potential Daniel saw in blending the worlds'' magic and resources.


    As he watched the synergy unfold, Daniel smiled.

 Chapter187-The Winds of Change on the Continent!

    Not long after, Elise brought the freshly prepared fish soup to the table.Daniel took a sip, and it was that familiar taste again.


    It had a comforting, lingering flavor, the kind that made one reluctant to leave.


    One couldn''t help but admit, Elise''s culinary skills were truly remarkable.


    After a few more bites, Daniel suddenly asked, S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Green and the others should have headed north by now, right?"


    "Yes, they should still be on their way to the Northern Snow Mountains,"


    Elise replied, taking out a crystal.


    "Headmaster, I''ve recorded the recent messages from Miss Rose and the others on this crystal. You can review it right away."


    "Mm, well done."


    Daniel took the crystal and began to inspect the records.


    Green and the others had slowly started making their way toward the snow-covered mountains.


    Rose had just arrived at the Dawnlight Empire, and Reed was not far behind.


    Both were situated at the edges of the continent.


    On the other hand, Nora and Nina had already reached Middle Earth.


    Daniel couldn''t help but wonder¡ªhow would they react when they learned that the three strongest factions in Middle Earth had all pledged allegiance to him, choosing to submit to the rule of Crossbridge Sanctuary?


    "What''s the current situation at the academy?"


    "It''s being managed by an old student. He''s not particularly outstanding in any one area, but he''s well-rounded. Before Green left, he had him try managing the academy. So far, it''s going well."


    Elise answered.


    Daniel nodded.


    At least the academy was in capable hands, so there was nothing more for him to worry about.


    It was best to let things develop gradually.


    "For the time being, I''ll enter closed-door meditation. Don''t let anyone disturb me unless it''s an urgent matter."


    "Yes, Headmaster Daniel."


    Elise responded.


    Daniel then returned to his familiar room, where he began to take out the training system left behind by the Lord of the Five Elements from God Realm.


    He hoped to use it as a reference to improve his Genesis manuscript.


    It had been years since he last revised it, and now, with these books from God Realm, he could finally make the changes and enhancements he had long desired.


    Perhaps this could bring Genesis to a new level.


    Once Genesis was completed, and the Will of the World was finally born, the affairs of this world would be settled.


    Only then could Daniel leave for God Realm with peace of mind.


    Months passed¡ªwhat seemed like a long time was but a blink in the grand scheme.


    During this period, many people noticed significant changes across the world, especially among the superpowers.


    Dragonscale Bank, a nearly continent-spanning giant organization, had quietly declared its allegiance to Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    Many speculated about the implications of this sudden shift.


    After all, Dragonscale Bank had a presence throughout the entire continent.


    To make them submit¡ªwhat kind of colossal upheaval could this herald?


    To everyone''s surprise, Dragonscale Bank continued its operations as usual.


    It seemed like nothing had truly changed aside from the declaration.


    Relieved, people returned to their regular lives.


    Soon after, the Element Temple made the same decision.


    Word also spread that Karea Academy had already pledged its allegiance to Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    Mages in Middle Earth were baffled.


    Why was Crossbridge Sanctuary''s name everywhere these days?


    What kind of place was it?


    Why¡­ did all these superpowers choose to submit to it?


    What kind of mana could possibly compel the top three realms in Middle Earth to pledge allegiance?


    As a result, mages in Middle Earth began to investigate.


    They were determined to uncover the true nature of this mysterious Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    It didn''t take long for them to uncover information about Crossbridge Academy and Riverside City.


    When they discovered these details, their first reaction was disbelief.


    After all, how long had Crossbridge Academy even existed?


    It had only been a few short years since it was founded, and just a few years ago, it was a small force in Riverside City¡ªone of the weakest among the three factions.


    Yet, in such a short time, it had grown into what was now known as a sanctuary, able to make such powerful factions submit.


    It was beyond anyone''s expectations.


    Just as they were about to head north to personally investigate this so-called Crossbridge Sanctuary,


    two equally shocking pieces of news arrived from the east and west.


    The Eastern Empire and the Papal State had made the same choice!


    The Great Jing''s Edict, even the Founding Emperor''s Edict, now declared allegiance to Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    The Papal State went even further, proclaiming Daniel of Crossbridge Sanctuary as a living god.


    It was an audacious claim, to say the least.


    Under the influence of these superpowers, many factions also changed their allegiance.


    Once again, Crossbridge Sanctuary was the chosen master.


    At Crossbridge Academy, as the herbs from God Realm slowly began to grow,


    significant changes were taking place by the lake.


    The most obvious change was that anyone passing by the lake could feel a revitalizing aura in the air.


    Some students, even if they had only minor injuries, no longer needed to visit the infirmary.


    Just spending a little time by the lake would heal their wounds.


    This was all due to the interconnected reaction between the herbs and the Tree of Origin.


    For now, the effect was limited to the area near the lake.


    But perhaps in time, it would spread throughout all of Crossbridge Academy.


    When that happened, Crossbridge Sanctuary would truly live up to its name.


    Meanwhile, in his room, Daniel stretched lazily.


    After much effort, he had finally incorporated the system left by the Lord of the Five Elements into Genesis.


    He had also successfully derived several levels beyond tier-sage.


    However, Daniel didn''t give these levels specific names.


    After all, the current world limit only allowed for up to tier-sage.


    Anyone attempting to break through beyond this, without heading to God Realm, would inevitably disrupt the very existence of the world.


    This was dictated by the world''s limit.


    Once the new Will of the World was born, and the world ascended, it could accommodate even greater realms.


    With a wave of his hand, Daniel made the newly written Genesis disappear.


    Moments later, everyone on the continent witnessed an incredible sight.


    A golden scripture unfolded slowly in the sky.


    Everyone could read the words written in the scripture.


    Even people from different regions had no difficulty understanding it.


    Moreover, the text seemed to emanate a peculiar mana.


    With just one glance, they could feel the contents of the scripture imprinting themselves on their minds.


    This golden scripture was a manuscript called Genesis.


    It was said that it could awaken magic patterns in ordinary people, allowing them to use magic.


    All they had to do was follow the instructions in Genesis.


    They could even advance all the way to God Realm.


    How could such a strange book appear in the sky?


    Many people remained skeptical.


    But the mages, upon seeing the name, were stunned!


    Because the author of Genesis was none other than Daniel.


    Daniel¡ªwho, in recent times, had become the name on everyone''s lips throughout Middle Earth and the entire continent.


    What kind of book would someone like Daniel write?


    At the edge of the Snow Mountains¡­


    A group was battling spell beasts.


    At the forefront was Green!


    Green unleashed several quick spells, immediately slaying the Blood Wolf King before him!


    With their leader dead, the blood wolves scattered in all directions.


    "Great job, Green!"

 Chapter188-Genesis

    After Green made his move, the troublesome Blood Wolves finally fled.Since their arrival, they had been constantly harassed by these Blood Wolves.


    There were always a few of them lurking, causing endless annoyance.


    Every time, they had managed to kill the attacking Blood Wolves, but it felt like their numbers were endless, as though there was no end to their intrusion.


    However, there was a limit to the number of Blood Wolves, and today, the pack could no longer hold back.


    They sent forth a large group, intending to wipe them all out.


    Green had been enduring for a long time. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The few wolves they had previously encountered were only part of the pack.


    Green knew that killing those wolves would have little impact on their situation.


    Only... when the pack sent out their Alpha, like today, could they drive the Blood Wolves away by slaying the leader.


    The moment Green saw the Alpha Wolf, he decisively took action, striking with deadly force. Once the Alpha fell, the rest of the Blood Wolves scattered in fear.


    Behind Green, there was no shortage of followers.


    The orphans he had taken in over the years had grown up, and so he brought them along on this journey.


    It was just like when Daniel had sent them out of the academy to the frontier¡ªa trial of sorts.


    Leah stood by Green''s side, brushing off the snow on his shoulders.


    "Don''t worry, this snow will melt soon. No need to bother," Green said, glancing at her.


    "It''s nothing, I haven''t been able to help much on this journey¡­" Leah said softly.


    Green sighed, "We''ve successfully planted the Tree of Origin at the nearest world node. The next one is just ahead..."


    Just as Green was about to look for the next world node suitable for planting the Tree of Origin, a golden scripture suddenly appeared in the sky.


    Green instinctively looked up.


    The contents of Genesis appeared directly in his mind.


    He didn''t even need to read it to understand¡ªthe grandeur of such a work could only be attributed to Daniel. Only Daniel had such a far-reaching vision.


    Genesis was not a book written for mages.


    It was written for everyone.


    It contained the theoretical foundation of magic, meaning even ordinary people could become mages¡ªperhaps even reach the level of Tier-Sage.


    Magic would no longer be the privilege of a few, the ones capable of awakening magic patterns.


    Instead, it would be something most people could master. Some might even advance to the God Realm.


    Green had a vague feeling that the contents of Genesis were not complete.


    There seemed to be more hidden within, beyond the Tier-Sage level¡ªa greater realm beyond.


    "Is this¡­ written by Headmaster Daniel? A book like this... has been made public?" Leah, standing beside Green, was astonished.


    Indeed, this was an unbelievable move.


    Daniel had released such powerful magic for everyone to learn.


    No selfishness, no reservations.


    Not only Leah, but even the other followers thought the same.


    How could someone publish such methods freely?


    What if others used them to become stronger?


    Wouldn''t that bring trouble to them?


    If Green had overheard that thought, he would have likely laughed.


    In this world, even if someone comprehended Genesis fully, it wouldn''t affect Daniel in the slightest.


    After all, Daniel held all the knowledge of the world! Even now, the book Daniel had given to Green was something he was still studying.


    Every time he read it, he found something new.


    It was as if every page contained new wisdom, and he suspected that even if he reached Tier-Sage, he could continue learning from it.


    "Headmaster Daniel''s vision truly defies imagination!" one of the followers remarked.


    "Yes, the Headmaster is unlike anyone else," another added.


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    "Green, I''ve realized that even someone like me, who has studied other forms of magic, can use the teachings in Genesis... Should I start learning it?"


    One of the followers hesitantly asked.


    Hearing this, Green smiled and said, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and start learning! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! You can use the spell beasts around us to hone your skills!"


    "Right!"


    In Middle Earth, the 9th Realm, at the Moonlit Sanctuary, one of the few superpowers in the realm, a massive white figure appeared in the sky above the sanctuary.


    "A spell beast?!"


    "Who dares to trespass in Moonlit Sanctuary?!"


    "Despicable creature!"


    "..."


    Within the sanctuary, several powerful auras soared into the sky, surrounding the white Snow Eagle.


    It was then that they noticed several figures standing on the Snow Eagle''s back.


    "Haha, Whitey, you''ve been called a ''cursed beast'' again!" Nina''s voice rang out with a laugh.


    Snow Eagle could only feel helpless at the constant teasing.


    Since departing from Crossbridge Academy and heading towards Middle Earth, they had passed by several powerful forces.


    Every time they approached a major one, they would inevitably be called such names.


    Of course, only the major powers would dare utter such words.


    Lesser powers would simply shrink back, hoping the mighty spell beast would depart quickly.


    But the Moonlit Sanctuary was one of the destinations they had to reach, so these insults were to be expected.


    "Moonlit Sanctuary!" Nina called out, "Be wise and hand over the divine artifact. Otherwise, we will be forced to take action!"


    Nina had been having a rather smooth journey, as with Snow Eagle''s presence, she didn''t need to travel by foot.


    Everything was handled by Snow Eagle, taking the most direct route.


    She had already completed several world node Tree of Origins along the way.


    Naturally, Nina knew that trying to talk peacefully with powers that possessed divine artifacts was pointless.


    Once these factions had tasted the benefits of the divine artifacts, they would never let go.


    It was much easier to fall into luxury than to return to simplicity.


    Thus, there would be no negotiation, only conflict.


    As Nina expected, upon hearing about the divine artifact, the people of Moonlit Sanctuary first panicked, then their faces twisted with rage.


    "Kill! Anyone who dares insult Moonlit Sanctuary must die!"


    With that, the battle began in earnest, far simpler than any formalities.


    Nora immediately leaped off Snow Eagle''s back and rushed towards the palace below, targeting the strongest opponents.


    Nora was the strongest among their group, so the toughest enemies were hers to deal with. The rest of the group, including Nina and her Coven, handled the rest.


    "This is getting tedious! Every time we do this, we have to go through the same routine. I wish we could just declare our name and have them surrender immediately¡­" Nina muttered while engaging in battle.


    Just then, a golden scripture appeared in the sky.


    As it unfurled, the words Genesis appeared clearly.


    Everyone present was stunned by the sight.


    With just a glance, the entire content of Genesis was imprinted in their minds.


    "Huh¡­ Did Headmaster really go this far this time?" Even Nina was taken aback by Daniel''s bold move.


    This was a method that could allow anyone to break through to Tier-Sage¡­

 Chapter189-The News of the God King!

    Nora did not pay any attention to the happenings in the sky.At this moment, her only focus was to eliminate these foes in the most efficient way possible.


    Moonlit Sanctuary had become one of the few superpowers in the 9th Realm.


    In addition to the blessing of the divine artifact, they also had their own reasons for their power.


    That reason was their considerable strength at the top level.


    It was only with such power that they could be called a superpower.


    However, in the entirety of Middle Earth, the 9th Realm was not all that formidable.


    So, though Nora found herself a bit challenged, facing multiple foes at once, she was still more than capable.


    Taking advantage of the moment when others were distracted by the events in the sky, Nora suddenly erupted!


    At an unimaginable speed, she struck down the few enemies facing her, wounding them deeply.


    The fallen figures were none other than Moonlit Sanctuary''s high-ranking members. They couldn''t fathom why someone like Nora existed.


    "Wait, you''re using this opportunity to sneak attack us and yet not even curious about what''s happening up in the sky?"


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    "This... this could change the world!"


    These high-ranking members of Moonlit Sanctuary were bewildered, not understanding why this young girl was so decisive.


    It wasn''t until they noticed the confusion in their own auras, their injuries becoming increasingly apparent, that Nora finally glanced up at the sky.


    She quickly understood what was going on up there.


    It was none other than Daniel, the Headmaster, making his move.


    But this time, his actions were grander than ever, and Nora was truly surprised.


    Moreover, this "Genesis" was something Nora could learn a great deal from.


    In just a fleeting moment, these high-ranking members of Moonlit Sanctuary had witnessed what true genius looked like!


    Because Nora''s aura once again made a breakthrough!


    This was a case of accumulating strength over time, just like the saying goes: "Thick accumulation leads to thin discharge."


    Her half-divine artifact had already provided her with a huge accumulation.


    All she needed now was a spark of inspiration, and Daniel''s "Genesis" had just given her that.


    It completely removed any hesitation in Nora''s heart.


    If there weren''t any enemies around, Nora might even have broken through once more.


    But for now, it was enough.


    Before, Nora was already more than capable of handling these high-ranking members with ease.


    Now, after the breakthrough, she had become even stronger.


    These Moonlit Sanctuary members were no longer a match for her.


    Looking at them, a flash of murderous intent crossed Nora''s eyes.


    These high-ranking members of the Sanctuary must have all received the benefits of the divine artifact, so they all had to die.


    Only by eliminating them could she safely plant the Tree of Origin.


    Otherwise, they might use some underhanded tactics or attempt to sabotage the Tree of Origin.


    At the same time, the high-ranking members of Moonlit Sanctuary also realized Nora''s intentions.


    They never stood a chance against her, let alone now that she had upgraded.


    And now, it seemed she intended to kill them all...


    At that moment, they had only one last plan left.


    "You plan to attack us?"


    "Do you even know who stands behind Moonlit Sanctuary?"


    One of the high-ranking members turned to Nora and said.


    "Who''s behind you?"


    At hearing the words "great existence," Nora was intrigued.


    When they had left, Daniel had left each of them with a strike that represented his full power.


    Nora was now curious to see what great existence stood behind Moonlit Sanctuary¡ªwhether it could rival the Headmaster himself!


    "That''s right!"


    The high-ranking member, seeing that Nora did not attack, continued, S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Moonlit Sanctuary decided to follow Lord Daniel more than ten days ago! And we now honor the Crossbridge Sanctuary above all else! If you kill us, Saint Daniel will not spare you!"


    The higher-up''s expression grew more intense as he spoke.


    He rose to his feet, pointing at the golden scripture in the sky and said,


    "Do you see it?


    This is what Saint Daniel left behind! And now, throughout all of Middle Earth, anyone who dares to offend Saint Daniel will be taking on the wrath of the superpowers of Middle Earth! You won''t escape unharmed!"


    Despite his injuries, the high-ranking member stood tall, his voice full of fiery energy.


    Hearing those words, Nora smiled.


    It was a rare smile, one filled with amusement.


    Why?


    Because Nora was genuinely amused by this person''s words.


    At this moment, the rest of the enemies outside were already dealt with by Nina and the others.


    Nina entered the scene and overheard the high-ranking member''s speech.


    She curiously asked,


    "Since when did the Headmaster come to Middle Earth? A shared respect for Middle Earth? That title sounds impressive! Does this mean we can now run rampant in Middle Earth?"


    ...


    Crossbridge Academy.


    A number of powerful presences lingered outside Daniel''s door, but none dared to enter.


    After a while, Elise emerged,


    "There''s no need to wait outside. Headmaster Daniel has instructed that everyone should follow the methods outlined in Genesis. Additionally, the path after tier-sage is also detailed within."


    Hearing this, the group of people immediately disappeared, and Elise left.


    Daniel had mentioned that something important had come up.


    Inside the room, Daniel was looking at the figure before him.


    It was none other than the Lord of 5 Elements.


    The Lord of 5 Elements had only recently returned to God Realm, and he had immediately made contact with Daniel.


    "This time, you seem much better, even your attire looks more refined than before."


    The Lord of 5 Elements smiled awkwardly upon hearing this and hurriedly responded,


    "No, no, these were just some regular clothes I picked up from a small shop. They look nice, but they don''t have any special powers."


    He quickly added,


    "I can''t have you take this away. After all, I am a God King... That would be too embarrassing."


    Daniel chuckled and said,


    "Alright, enough about that. Let''s talk. Did you contact me because of the matter we discussed earlier?"


    "Yes, indeed. I''ve found some important news about the world''s ascension."


    The Lord of 5 Elements said, noticing Daniel was paying attention, and continued,


    "I heard from a friend that in the God Realm, there''s an ancient God King faction that''s helping one of their Mortal Realms ascend."


    "I carefully located their faction, and after great effort, I found something crucial about the world''s ascension!"


    He paused before revealing,


    "There''s an object of immense importance!


    It''s not quite a divine artifact, but it holds almost the same status when it comes to world ascension."


    "It''s called a pseudo-divine artifact."


    Upon hearing this name, Daniel''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    He had a feeling he had either seen or forged something called World Forge before.


    "Perhaps you don''t know, but World Forge, though its name sounds quite ordinary, is far from simple."


    "There are no more than ten World Forges in the entire God Realm."


    "Wait!"


    Daniel interrupted the Lord of 5 Elements and asked,


    "What exactly does this World Forge do? Is it something that can be crafted?"


    Daniel, with his suspicions, was growing increasingly curious.


    "The World Forge, how should I put it, is an extremely special existence. It can extract a form of origin tear from the mana stones you''re familiar with."


    "The lowest level of origin tear can benefit Mortal Realms and mages by boosting their mana."


    "And as the number of mana stones increases, the forge will display colorful transformations. The highest form, the Colorless Forge, is capable of producing world origin tears! These are vital for the ascension of worlds!"

 Chapter190-Subordinates of Crossbridge Sanctuary? Weve been that way for a long time!

    "It''s just a pity¡­ that the highest level Colorless Forge, even with the divine stones from our God Realm, still requires a considerable amount,""If we''re talking about your Mortal Realm''s mana stones... the quantity required, I can hardly imagine it."


    The Lord of 5 Elements racked his brain, trying to find words to explain just how difficult it would be to craft the highest-level World Forge.


    At this moment, Daniel''s face twisted into an exceedingly strange expression.


    Then, from his storage crystal, he pulled out numerous colorless forges.


    When the Lord of 5 Elements saw this, his jaw dropped.


    It was a completely instinctive reaction, a sign of his shock.


    He was at a complete loss for words, as though he had been struck in the head.


    It felt like when he had been slapped twice by Daniel in that mini world, leaving him clueless as to even what his own name was.


    "Y-You... where did you get these? These colorless forges...?"


    The Lord of 5 Elements stammered, still in disbelief.


    "These? I crafted them myself," Daniel replied nonchalantly.


    "Crafted them?"


    "Yeah, I happened to have a bit more mana crystal than usual."


    "Hiss..."


    The Lord of 5 Elements sucked in a sharp breath.


    His figure seemed to lose some of its form, as if he were beginning to dissolve.


    It was clear that this news had dealt him a heavy blow.


    After a long pause, he managed to regain some composure and asked,


    "Then¡­ how many of these forges do you have?"


    "About several tens of thousands, though I haven''t counted exactly¡­"


    As soon as Daniel finished speaking, he saw the Lord of 5 Elements'' figure shrink visibly.


    Upon closer inspection, he realized that the Lord had actually knelt.


    "My lord! Lord Daniel! When will you come to God Realm? I will personally welcome you!"


    Daniel was left speechless by the Lord''s sudden shift in attitude.


    You''re a god king, for heaven''s sake!


    "I''ll come to God Realm once I''ve handled the affairs of this world."


    "Of course! Just let me know when, and I''ll be there at a moment''s notice!"


    Daniel picked up a colorless forge and asked,


    "Is this thing really that useful? I''ve tried it before, and while it is useful for the world, it didn''t seem as powerful as you said."


    The Lord of 5 Elements gave an awkward glance before replying,


    "Well, the forges you have are only at level 9! True pseudo-divine artifact-level World Forges are at least level 10 or higher."


    "Level 10?"


    Daniel had never heard of such a level before.


    "Yes, because I only just managed to gather information on how to craft level 9 forges... I never expected you to already have so many."


    The Lord of 5 Elements appeared slightly embarrassed.


    Level 9¡­ was it not the highest?


    It seemed that the forges Daniel had could only reach level 9.


    "It''s hard to imagine... As expected of such a special world, to have such hidden knowledge¡­"


    The Lord of 5 Elements sighed in awe. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn''t expected that something so secretive in God Realm would be commonplace in Mortal Realm, and Daniel had already forged hundreds of thousands of level 9 forges. Continue reading on empire


    "I wonder¡­ is it possible that even in God Realm, such things are passed down, but because your time as a god king has been so short¡­ you haven''t had the chance to access this knowledge?"


    Daniel''s words cut deep, as if a knife had pierced the Lord of 5 Elements'' heart.


    "My lord, ever since I became god king, I''ve had to manage my own domain, which takes up so much of my energy... There''s no time to learn about things like this!"


    "Just managing this world alone has consumed most of my time¡­"


    Yet, despite his efforts, Daniel had made his work in this world completely irrelevant.


    "By the way, what about level 10 and above? How do those World Forges come to be?"


    Daniel changed the subject, unwilling to linger on matters of no consequence.


    "Well¡­ I''m sorry, Lord Daniel, but I don''t know much about that. These things are classified as secrets. Even if I tried to ask, I wouldn''t get any direct answers."


    "However, since your world has these forges, maybe there''s a chance to uncover information about level 10 or higher... I''ll try to find out in God Realm as well."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    Though the old man was dead, Ryze, as the heir, was still around.


    He would ask him if he knew where the Oracle group found information about the forges.


    "Is there anything else?"


    "No¡­ I came just to tell you about the level 9 forge crafting methods. It seems you don''t really need it anymore."


    ...


    "I must truly be getting old! I never imagined that people from the sanctuary would appear before us and we wouldn''t even recognize them... I truly apologize to everyone..."


    At this point, the high-ranking members of Moonlit Sanctuary bowed to Nora and the others in apology.


    Even the sanctuary patriarch, who had previously been reclusive, emerged from his retreat, lowering himself to personally greet them.


    This scene surprised both Nora and Nina.


    They had fought their way here.


    Fight if you can win, retreat if you can''t, then recover and fight again.


    The forces they encountered along the way had all been manageable, not particularly strong.


    Until they reached Middle Earth and arrived at Moonlit Sanctuary, where the high-ranking figures were nearly as strong as Nora herself.


    Not to mention there was the patriarch still in retreat.


    However, neither of them had expected that simply mentioning the academy and headmaster...


    This so-called patriarch of Moonlit Sanctuary would be so shocked that he had to emerge from his retreat to welcome them.


    "You... are you choosing to ally with us, Crossbridge Academy?"


    Nora asked in confusion.


    "Of course! Our people are already almost at the Holy City, Riverside City,"


    the patriarch of Moonlit Sanctuary replied cheerfully.


    He had already emerged from his retreat multiple times recently.


    Because in the past month, the entire Middle Earth¡­


    In fact, the entire continent''s political landscape had changed more than it had in his entire lifetime!


    He had never witnessed anything like it.


    At first, he had been roused from his retreat by his juniors.


    It all started with the shocking upheaval in the Dragonscale Bank, which spanned the entire continent.


    They had to affiliate themselves with something called Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    Such a thing¡­


    No one had ever heard of it.


    Dragonscale Bank¡ªwhat did it mean? No one in Middle Earth understood it more than they did, given that they governed a realm as a superpower.


    It was one of the top two powers in the Nine Realms!


    And compared to other superpowers, Dragonscale Bank''s influence across the continent was even more extensive.


    In almost every large city, you could see their presence.


    So why, then, would such a terrifying giant do such a thing?


    The high-ranking members of Moonlit Sanctuary couldn''t figure it out, so they had roused the patriarch from his retreat.


    They knew something unexpected might happen across the continent, but they hadn''t expected this.


    They had imagined battles and bloodshed, but what they got were shocking revelations.


    Soon after Dragonscale Bank''s announcement, the Element Temple issued a similar one.


    They too were affiliating with Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    After that, news exploded from Karea Academy in the 5th Realm.


    Before Dragonscale Bank had even made its announcement, they had already joined Crossbridge Sanctuary.


    Following that... the Jing Empire in the East, and the Papal State in the West...


    Stunning news poured in from all sides.


    The patriarch of Moonlit Sanctuary immediately made a decision that went against his ancestors'' wishes!


    "Immediately!"


    He ordered his men to head north, to the legendary Holy City, Riverside City.


    Moonlit Sanctuary would join Crossbridge Sanctuary too!

 Chapter191-The Trace of the Forges True Body!

    Then, today, someone came knocking at the door.At first, he was unaware of what was happening inside the sanctuary.


    It wasn''t until later that a high-ranking member summoned him.


    Only then did the patriarch realize that something like this had occurred within his own sanctuary.


    He quickly rushed out to personally greet the visitors and explain the situation.


    This revelation left Nora and Nina utterly stunned.


    They never expected that Daniel, the headmaster, had already unified Middle Earth without them realizing it.


    What did this mean for them going forward?


    Wasn''t it going to be much easier from here on out?


    Perhaps they wouldn''t even need to lift a finger.


    Simply stating their identities would allow them to complete their mission in no time.


    After all, the top three factions of Middle Earth had already pledged allegiance to Crossbridge Academy, so what remained seemed effortless.


    "By the way, can we take a break now? We''ve been either traveling or fighting every day. I haven''t had any time to relax or play," Nina said, looking at Nora. "Now that Daniel has unified Middle Earth, can''t we just rest for a while and go plant trees?"


    She hadn''t had a proper moment of leisure in the past few months.


    If it weren''t for their world-saving task, Nina doubted she''d even be in Middle Earth right now.


    But with Daniel now handling the major factions, she thought that surely, the challenges they had been facing were over.


    All they had to do was explain their purpose, just like today, and the rest would be taken care of.


    "Does this mean we''re free to play for a bit?" Nina continued, her voice lighter. "I heard that Middle Earth has nine realms, each with its own unique charm. We could explore them all!"


    As she spoke, Nina noticed that the others had peculiar expressions on their faces.


    "What¡­ Why are you all looking at me like that?"


    "We''re here in Middle Earth for the first time. Don''t you think we should have some fun while we can?" Nina said, noting that it seemed like someone was trying to give her a signal.


    Huh? What''s going on?


    Nina turned to look over her shoulder, half-expecting to see someone standing behind her. But no¡ªthere was only the patriarch of Moonlit Sanctuary.


    However, just as she was about to turn back, she felt a finger flick her forehead.


    "Ah!" Nina exclaimed in surprise, clutching her head.


    "You''re always thinking about slacking off and having fun," came Daniel''s voice.


    "I wasn''t¡­ I''ve been working hard lately! Ask Nora! If it weren''t for you unifying Middle Earth, I wouldn''t have¡­" Nina muttered.


    The patriarch of Moonlit Sanctuary, hearing Nina''s conversation with Daniel, immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.


    "Moonlit Sanctuary pays its respects to Master Daniel."


    "Mm." Daniel nodded before turning to address Ryze, who was among the crowd.


    "Come with me."


    "Yes, Headmaster," Ryze replied and followed Daniel to a clearing outside.


    "About the forge, did your Oracle lineage mention anything about its true body?" Daniel asked.


    "The forge¡­ There is indeed a true one. In fact, the magic array that formed the forge previously was based on research into the original body. According to the inherited memories¡­ it should have been hidden away," Ryze replied.


    "Hidden away? Is it possible to find it?" Daniel asked, his tone filled with concern.


    "It''s possible, yes. It''s located in the southern seas," Ryze said, his gaze distant as he searched through his memories. "Back then, the Oracle of that generation was being oppressed, and their very survival was in danger. To prevent the true forge from falling into the hands of enemy factions, they hid it within the bloodline of their descendants."


    "If nothing has changed, it should still be there, by the southern seas¡­"


    Daniel''s heart sank as he heard this. The method of hiding it seemed too simple.


    "Didn''t the Oracle''s ancestors worry that their descendants might be involved?" Daniel asked. After all, when the great factions targeted someone, whether they were mages or ordinary people, few could escape their grasp.


    But Daniel also remembered that he hadn''t found anything resembling the forge''s true body at either Dragonscale Bank or Element Temple.


    So it seemed the true forge hadn''t been discovered by those factions¡ªwhat they had were mere replicas based on the Oracle''s magic arrays.


    "You needn''t worry," Ryze reassured. "The Oracle''s ability to conceal itself is exceptional."


    Indeed. For a faction to be targeted by the world''s greatest powers and still endure across generations was no small feat.


    "And this forge is special. Though it, too, came from the God and Demon battlefield, it won''t corrupt the world like other remnants. It doesn''t radiate any distinct energy, making it nearly impossible to locate."


    Upon hearing this, Daniel nodded in understanding.


    "If you''re in a hurry, I can send people to look for it," Ryze offered.


    "No need," Daniel said, cutting him off. "Just tell me the location, and I''ll go search for it myself."


    "Understood." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By the southern coast.


    Beyond that, just a bit further south, lay the Emerald Isles that Daniel had once visited, where he had encountered that mischievous young boy.


    But right now, his primary task was planting trees.


    There didn''t seem to be any world nodes on the Emerald Isles, so he had no intention of going there.


    A city stood by the sea.


    Daniel hovered in the air, looking down at it.


    According to Ryze, the descendants of the Oracle were supposed to be living in this city.


    So, he began his search.


    Not long after, he vanished from sight.


    In the city, an old street vendor sat in front of his stall, which was filled with mana crystals, tarot cards, and other oddities.


    "Want to know your fate?" the old man called out to passersby. "Come, try your luck. Whether it''s marriage, wealth, or fame, I can give you the answers."


    Few people stopped by.


    The old man had been in the city for many years, and most people knew him well, so they didn''t pay him any mind.


    His stall was dirty, with stains and rips in places.


    Yet, he didn''t seem to care, and continued to call out now and then.


    "Are you really that accurate?" A voice came from in front of him.


    The old man suddenly straightened up, his demeanor shifting from laziness to alertness.


    He quickly responded, "Accurate? Of course! It''s my family''s ancient method! Whether you choose the crystal ball or the tarot cards, I can do it all."


    "Then read my fortune with the crystal ball," the voice said. "If you''re accurate, I''ll take everything here."


    Daniel spoke as he stepped forward, placing several superior mana stones on the table.


    "Ah! Please, place your right hand on the crystal ball and close your eyes," the old man instructed.


    Daniel did as he was told, closing his eyes while the old man placed his hand above Daniel''s.


    Their hands didn''t touch. Continue reading at empire


    "Fate¡­ the fate of the future¡­" the old man murmured under his breath.


    Suddenly, his eyes flew open, his face filled with disbelief. He staggered backward, as though he had seen something shocking.


    His sudden reaction caused Daniel to open his eyes as well.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "You¡­ Who are you?" The old man asked, his voice shaking.


    Daniel had, in that moment, found exactly what he was looking for: the forge''s true body appeared in his hand.


    Without hesitation, Daniel seized the old man by the arm and vanished.


    "Master, please! I''m just a fortune teller, I''ve never wronged you!" The old man cried, panic rising in his voice.


    "I''m not here to hurt you," Daniel said coolly. "I''m here for something you have."

 Chapter192-Genesis? Thats a lie!

    "Things?"Hearing Daniel''s words, the old man hurriedly said:


    "What do you want? Take anything, I still hope to live a few more years¡­"


    The old man thought Daniel had come for revenge and immediately began pleading for his life.


    "I''m not here to kill you. Besides, I already took what I needed."


    Upon hearing Daniel''s words, the old man breathed a sigh of relief.


    It wasn''t for revenge, that''s good.


    "When will you let me go?"


    Daniel didn''t answer.


    Instead, he took the old man to a nearby world node and planted the Tree of Origin.


    Then, he led the old man out of that place and into Riverside City.


    Seeing such a bustling and massive city, the old man was taken aback.


    Where had he offended such a powerful figure?


    Why would this person go to such lengths to bring him here?


    The old man immediately recognized that this was no city on the southern coastal borders.


    Because here¡­


    There was no ocean to be seen.


    So¡­ what was this mysterious figure planning by bringing him here?


    "Your ancestor was a truly great person. His dream was to save this world. Though he fought his whole life, he never saw the hope of success."


    "But that will, that spirit, has been passed down."


    "He was a man worthy of respect. I hope that in the future, you will not disappoint your ancestor. From now on, you will stay here."


    With that, Daniel disappeared.


    Leaving the old man, standing dumbfounded in place.


    Not long after, two lines of tears streamed down his cheeks.


    ¡­


    Daniel returned to his residence.


    He took the forge that he had obtained from the old man.


    This time, the forge was translucent with a hint of yellow.


    If it were to be measured by the previous standard¡­


    It would be around level 12.


    No wonder¡­


    A level 9 forge in the God Realm could only be shared among god-king ranks.


    As for level 12¡­


    Even in the God Realm, there would probably be very few factions capable of such a feat.


    It seemed this world was truly unique, to have such an item appear so readily.


    However, Daniel noticed something: the color on the forge seemed to be gradually fading.


    The yellow was slowly turning pale, giving way to a faint orange hue. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This meant¡­


    It was slowly devolving into level 11?


    Daniel wasn''t sure what had happened to this forge.


    But he could tell it bore many signs of battle.


    He couldn''t guarantee that if he inserted the mana crystal, the forge would function properly, or if it would just explode.


    Those oracles, after all, had used this forge''s body to study and create imitation magic arrays.


    Maybe he could do the same.


    So, Daniel once again entered a secluded training session.


    He began studying the forge.


    Through his constant research, he discovered the reason why the oracles had managed to craft up to level 9,


    and why the God Realm had provided the forge''s crafting method to the Lord of the Five Elements at level 9.


    It was because up to level 9, the required resources were minimal.


    Even mana crystals or mana stones could suffice.


    But beyond level 9, divine stones from the God Realm were required to meet the forge''s demands.


    Simply relying on mana crystals or mana stones would likely not be enough, no matter how abundant they were.


    So, Daniel''s main task now was to fully work out the magic array,


    to push the level 9 forges he crafted to level 10, or perhaps even level 11.


    Then, he would experiment with the divine stones to see the results.


    Daniel felt that he had just emerged from seclusion, but it seemed he''d need to retreat again soon.


    Once this phase was over, perhaps he could take a proper look at the God Realm.


    He hoped it would meet his expectations.


    With that thought, Daniel resumed studying the forge in his hand.


    As for the serpent egg¡­


    Once he returned to the academy, he would no longer keep it in his personal space.


    This egg was the embryonic form of the Will of the World.


    It naturally belonged in the main world for as long as possible.


    And Daniel could also sense that with the recent planting of the Tree of Origin,


    and the influence of materials from the God Realm at Crossbridge Academy,


    the egg had become even more spiritually aware.


    Perhaps, before long¡­


    The Will of the World would hatch.


    Months passed¡­


    During these months, the entire world felt the impact of Genesis.


    In one city¡­


    "That Genesis is clearly a fake! How could these magic patterns learned afterward be stronger than the innate ones of awakened beings like us?"


    A lavishly dressed young man said to those around him.


    "If it were really so powerful, why would anyone want to openly advertise it across the continent? I heard from my second brother that people from other places can see Genesis in the sky too."


    "So, this must be some trash. No need to waste time learning it. We just need to focus on making the most of the innate magic patterns in our bodies!"


    "Anyone who believes in this is a fool!"


    The young man said confidently.


    "Vic is right! Only idiots would believe in this!"


    A girl beside him chimed in, agreeing.


    The people around them also nodded in agreement with the young man''s words.


    In this day and age, who didn''t know the importance of magic patterns?


    Without magic patterns, it was like being sentenced to death, completely cut off from being a mage.


    What nonsense Genesis was spreading, claiming that you could cast magic without a magic pattern¡­ and even become a tier-sage?


    That''s just ridiculous!


    If becoming a tier-sage was that easy, where were all the new tier-sages appearing in the continent?


    This thing must be a scam. Discover stories at empire


    At that moment, a voice called out from afar.


    "Vic!"


    The voice was filled with anger, instantly drawing everyone''s attention.


    "Isn''t that Dane? What''s he doing here?"


    "How bold! How dare he address Young Master Vic by his name? What''s his identity?"


    "Isn''t it just because his childhood friend likes our Young Master Vic? Does he think he''s worthy?"


    "A dog dreaming of eating swan meat, I think he should just get as far away as possible!"


    "¡­"


    Vic''s entourage began to mock the approaching youth.


    As for the so-called "childhood friend," she was now leaning against Vic with a look of disgust, eyeing Dane.


    It was as though the two had a deep, unspoken hatred.


    "Oh, so it''s you, Dane!"


    Vic finally spoke up, his voice dripping with disdain.


    The others quickly fell silent.


    "Your bloodline talent is so trash, it''s already been two years since you awakened your magic pattern, and you''re still only tier-bronze¡­ If I were you, I would''ve already killed myself! Yet you keep coming here to provoke me¡­ You really don''t know your place!"


    Hearing Vic''s ridicule, Dane gritted his teeth and said:


    "If it weren''t for me giving all my mana stones to that bastard¡­"


    "Hmph, don''t make excuses for your own trash! Young Master Vic is the true genius!"


    "Genius? Well, let me see if the genius you speak of dares to fight me!"


    Dane said, stepping forward.


    This made Vic and his people confused.


    After all, Dane had been stuck at tier-bronze for two years, with no progress.


    How could he challenge Vic, who was on the verge of becoming tier-silver?


    Wasn''t that courting death?


    Vic coldly looked at Dane.


    "You¡­ are you looking for death? Oh, right, I remember now. You must''ve¡­ believed in that so-called Genesis in the sky?"


    A worthless person, trying to challenge me with a book of lies from the sky?


    It''s laughable.


    With that, Vic smirked:


    "Since you think you can beat me, come at me!"


    "I''ll show you that you, and that Genesis you believe in¡­"


    "Are all completely useless!"

 Chapter193-What! How Could You Be So Strong!

    "Only a fool would believe that anyone can become a mage!"Vic said bluntly.


    "Fine! Today, I''ll show you who the real fool is! See you in the arena!"


    Dane said as he walked toward the arena.


    Vic naturally followed.


    Defeating Dane...


    It wouldn''t require much effort for him.


    After all, Dane had been stuck at the tier-bronze level for the past two years¡ªhardly a threat.


    Soon, the two arrived at the arena.


    Upon hearing the news, many people rushed over to watch the showdown.


    Everyone had heard of the animosity between Vic and Dane.


    Vic''s strength needed no introduction.


    As for Dane¡­


    Let''s just say that Dane had previously tried to challenge Vic, but each attempt had ended in failure.


    Now, after learning the spell "Genesis" from the sky, Dane dared to challenge Vic in the arena.


    This piqued the curiosity of those who were still skeptical about the power of "Genesis."


    They flocked to the arena to see for themselves.


    Before long, both men began to emanate mana fluctuations on the arena.


    It was then that Vic noticed something surprising.


    Why did Dane''s aura seem to match his own?


    Wasn''t Dane supposed to be stuck at tier-bronze?


    Why... was this happening?


    Dane wasted no time, unleashing all the magic he had learned.


    Though Dane had remained at the tier-bronze level for the past two years, it wasn''t due to a lack of talent.


    Rather, it was because every mana stone he received was given to his childhood friend.


    But, alas, his childhood friend had turned to Vic.


    This was something Dane couldn''t accept.


    Thus, today''s fight was to prove a point.


    Moments later, the mana fluctuations on the arena began to subside.


    Everyone expected Vic, who was clearly tier-silver, to win.


    But as the smoke cleared,


    Vic was seen kneeling on the ground.


    Dane stood triumphantly, a clear victor.


    "How... How is this possible?"


    "How could Dane, who has been stuck at tier-bronze for two years, defeat Vic, who''s tier-silver?"


    "Could it be... that ''Genesis'' is really that powerful?"


    "Did it really allow Dane to defeat Vic in just a few months?"


    "Unbelievable..."


    Such events had been unfolding across the continent.


    Those who had noticed the appearance of "Genesis" in the sky immediately commanded their mages, or even ordinary people who wanted to become mages, to study "Genesis."


    After all, it was created by Lord Daniel himself.


    Some people, out of curiosity, tried their hand at it and became mages.


    As for those who had already awakened magic patterns, they held onto their pride.


    Until¡­


    That pride was shattered by mages who had learned "Genesis."


    Only then did they begin to take it seriously and study the spell themselves.


    Soon, the "Genesis" craze swept across the continent.


    As the focal point of this event, Daniel remained in seclusion.


    And this time, his seclusion lasted even longer than he had anticipated.


    No wonder the oracles had only reached lv9.


    Because beyond lv9, the changes were immense.


    As the Lord of 5 Elements had once said,


    After lv9, the origin tears produced in the forge would bring great benefits to the world.


    Thus, they were incredibly precious.


    At first, Daniel had thought this was due to the rarity of materials,


    but now he understood it was far more than that!


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    It was simply because, beyond lv9, the impact on the world was so profound that the magic array patterns became incredibly complex.


    Just attempting to decipher them was far more difficult than when he first deciphered "Genesis."


    However, Daniel succeeded.


    In fact, he had pushed the research all the way to lv12.


    For the world itself, these different tiers of tears were akin to a transformative process.


    If we liken them to mages, they corresponded to improvements in physical strength, mind power, and the understanding of rules...


    And these were for the world as a whole.


    Naturally, it was a tremendously complex task.


    No wonder the oracles hadn''t been able to decipher it.


    The consumption involved was immense.


    And there was only one oracle per generation.


    That they had managed to reach lv9 was already quite an accomplishment.


    Daniel nodded, sensing a change in his surroundings.


    It seemed as though the entire world was undergoing some shift.


    The spiritual energy contained within the serpent egg was growing stronger.


    It seemed his students were nearing success.


    Perhaps, it wouldn''t be long before the Will of the World within the serpent egg was fully nurtured.


    Daniel walked out of his room, and Elise was waiting outside.


    "Headmaster, are you done with your seclusion? I''ll prepare something to eat."


    "Mm."


    Soon, a feast was placed before Daniel.


    It looked as if it had already been prepared in advance.


    The taste was as delightful as ever, unchanged in the slightest.


    During his seclusion, Daniel had devoted himself entirely to studying the forge magic array, leaving no time for such earthly pleasures.


    Now, he could finally indulge.


    Afterward, Daniel began experimenting with the lv12 forge.


    He took a pile of divine stones from his spatial storage and began to inscribe the magic array.


    The appearance of divine stones in the world caused dense fog to envelop his residence, gradually drifting toward the lakeside, near the Tree of Origin.


    The Tree of Origin, along with the divine herbs, began to absorb the fog.


    The transition from lv9 to lv10 in the forge was a long process.


    It wasn''t just about the divine stones; the complexity of the magic array''s composition also played a role.


    But for someone like Daniel, it didn''t take long before the magic array was completed.


    He activated the magic pattern.


    In fifteen minutes, the lv9 forge had evolved into lv10.


    After verifying the stability of the forge and ensuring no mistakes were made, Daniel set his sights on lv12.


    The jump from lv9 to lv10 was a qualitative leap.


    Reaching lv11 was somewhat easier, but still required significant effort.


    So Daniel summoned several avatars to help inscribe the magic arrays.


    After working tirelessly for half an afternoon, Daniel finally reached lv12.


    In the colorless expanse, tinged with yellow, Daniel saw the result of his work.


    He eagerly threw a large amount of divine stones into the lv12 forge.


    A powerful aura surged from the forge.


    Before the true origin tear even materialized, Daniel could already feel it.


    This lv12 tear would be far more powerful than the combined effects of all the lv11 tears.


    It wasn''t even in the same league!


    If he could upgrade all the forges beneath the lake to lv12...


    Daniel couldn''t even begin to imagine the kind of spectacle that would unfold!


    Perhaps, by then...


    The Crossbridge Sanctuary?


    Or even the Crossbridge God Realm?


    With a single motion, Daniel extracted the lv12 tear from the forge. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A drop of liquid hovered in his hand.


    And with it, a powerful aura shot up into the sky!


    Just one drop of tear was enough to produce such a formidable presence!


    At that moment, Daniel heard a strange sound behind him.


    Crack!


    It was the sound of the serpent egg cracking!


    Daniel had not expected that, after successfully forging the lv12 tear,


    this would trigger such a change!


    Even the serpent egg, which contained the Will of the World, had begun to shatter!

 Chapter194-The Birth of Life

    This also signified one thing¡ªWill of World, this time, was truly about to reappear!The new Will of World represented the fact that this world had completely detached itself from the brink of death and had set foot on a new path.


    The future of the world once again held infinite possibilities.


    A powerful aura surged outward, sweeping across the surroundings.


    This was the passive phenomenon formed by the imminent awakening of the Will of World.


    However, all these phenomena were contained within the room by Daniel.


    At this moment, Daniel''s gaze was fixed upon the serpent''s egg.


    The once smooth surface now began to form a dark crack.


    Soon, the crack widened and spread outward.


    A dense aura of life began to pulse intensely.


    "Finally, it''s about to hatch¡­"


    But then, after this, the expansion of the cracks and their aura began to slow down.


    It was as if the egg was waiting for something.


    Seeing this, Daniel couldn''t help but wonder¡ªcould it be that this Will of World was waiting for the lv12 Tear in his hand?


    It was only after Daniel acquired the lv12 Tear that the egg had begun to show signs of change.


    Thus, Daniel moved the lv12 Tear toward the egg.


    Sure enough, the cracking speed of the shell increased significantly.


    "Just as I thought¡­"


    Daniel then placed the lv12 Tear directly onto the egg''s surface.


    In the next moment, a brilliant light emitted from the egg.


    The tear vanished, absorbed entirely by the egg''s shell.


    The aura of life became even more intense.


    Soon, a fluffy head emerged from the egg.


    Two bewildered eyes blinked as they observed the surroundings, curiously taking in the new world.


    Meanwhile, it also began nibbling at the surrounding shell.


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    Daniel looked at the creature that had emerged from the egg.


    How should he describe it?


    It was quite different from what he had imagined.


    Originally, he thought the egg left by the giant serpent would hatch into a small snake.


    However, he never expected a fuzzy creature to emerge instead.


    Exactly what it was, Daniel couldn''t quite determine.


    But he could only attribute it all to the mysterious Will of World.


    The little creature even had a leaf growing from its head.


    By now, the egg shell had been completely devoured by the creature.


    The little beast turned to Daniel and cried out:


    "Papa! Hungry¡­"


    It then quickly ran toward Daniel, nuzzling its head against him.


    From the creature''s body, Daniel could feel the essence of the Tree of Origin. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Especially the leaf on its head, which seemed to be the very embodiment of the Tree of Origin.


    And the Tree of Origin was something Daniel had nurtured piece by piece.


    Could it be that this was the reason the newly born Will of World was calling him "Papa"?


    Such a scene left Daniel at a loss for words.


    "Papa, hungry, more!"


    Hearing this, Daniel grimaced.


    This little one¡­ seemed to be quite hard to feed!


    At the moment, the most useful thing he could offer was probably the tear produced by the lv12 Forge.


    But just one drop earlier¡ªthere was no way it could be enough to satisfy the creature''s appetite.


    It looked like he would have to work harder¡­


    Since the release of Genesis, more than a year had passed.


    In this time, anyone who could understand the text in Genesis would try to learn from it.


    Of course, the majority of ordinary people were still living their previous lives.


    Magic had indeed brought convenience to their lives, but that was all.


    For instance, when they needed to start a fire, a simple fire magic spell could ignite dry wood.


    But that was the extent of it.


    They were nowhere near comparable to those who worked hard and had greater natural talent.


    Genesis certainly gave everyone the chance to become a mage.


    But that still depended on personal effort and innate talent.


    The advantage was that, unlike the old magic patterns, awakening one''s abilities no longer depended solely on bloodlines.


    However, there were still those who didn''t learn from Genesis or even knew of its existence.


    Those were the ones who lived in seclusion.


    "Done! I''ve finally made it!"


    A voice suddenly rang out from within a family, as an elder with a deep aura emerged from the back mountain.


    "May I ask who you are?"


    "I am Milton."


    "Ancestor! It''s the Milton ancestor! Decades ago, you reached the level of Tier-Master and declared your seclusion. This time¡­ are you about to break through?"


    "Hahaha¡­ That''s right! I''ve successfully entered Tier-Sage, and I can ascend at any time!"


    Tier-Sage was the pinnacle of the continent.


    Upon reaching Tier-Sage, one could ascend to the God Realm.


    That was the coveted God Realm!


    "Congratulations, Patriarch!"


    "Mm."


    Milton nodded and continued to ask:


    "In the decades I''ve been in seclusion, has anything changed in the family?"


    "Change¡­ well, nothing much, though things have certainly improved. Patriarch, look ahead, that''s the training area for the younger generation''s magic."


    Milton nodded and looked.


    He could tell at a glance that these young people were remarkably gifted.


    Most of them seemed to be around fifteen or sixteen years old.


    Yet their mana fluctuations were already at the peak of Tier-Silver, even reaching Tier-Gold!


    Such strength, in his time, would have been a dream.


    "Not bad! This generation of the family''s youth is excellent. Who''s the head? Excellent work!"


    "Patriarch, I am the head."


    "Very impressive!"


    Milton praised.


    "Actually, these children aren''t the most outstanding in the family. The best one is currently studying in the Crossbridge Sanctuary¡­"


    "Crossbridge Sanctuary?"


    Milton asked, confused.


    "Crossbridge Sanctuary only rose to prominence a year ago. Thankfully, I made a quick decision to ally with them, ensuring that our most talented young person secured a spot in the sanctuary!"


    Upon hearing this, Milton''s brows furrowed deeply:


    "You mean¡­ the family has now allied with a place called Crossbridge Sanctuary? How could this be?!"


    "Patriarch, you don''t know. Over the past year, many factions have done the same! In the Eighth Realm, we were among the first to join. Those who joined later didn''t even get a chance to enter the sanctuary!"


    "Wait¡­"


    Milton frowned even more at this news.


    He had never imagined that the family would take pride in depending on others.


    "Patriarch, you don''t understand! Crossbridge Sanctuary isn''t just any place!"


    Seeing the displeasure on Milton''s face, the young head quickly explained:


    "Even the Dragonscale Bank, Element Temple, the eastern Jing Empire, the western¡­"


    As the head listed one great power after another, Milton''s expression changed with each name.


    By the end, he sighed deeply:


    "Fine, no need to say more, I understand. You did the right thing! This Crossbridge Sanctuary must be joined! Now, prepare for me. In a few days, I''ll be ascending to the God Realm¡­"

 Chapter195-Has the World Changed?

    "Patriarch, perhaps the ''Genesis'' in the sky could be of help to you!"The head gestured towards the sky.


    "This was created by Lord Daniel. All mages, as well as those ordinary people who haven''t awakened their magic patterns, can benefit from it."


    Milton looked up at the sky.


    In the next moment, the contents of Genesis appeared in his mind.


    He didn''t even begin to browse it.


    What he needed most right now was to ascend into the God Realm.


    Once he entered the God Realm, he would become a completely new existence.


    The contents of Genesis would be of little use to him at that point.


    So Milton had no intention of delving into it.


    The days before his ascension should be focused solely on his preparation.


    Only by remaining undistracted could he increase his chances of reaching the God Realm.


    A few days later, the preparations were complete.


    Even within the family, many had come to witness the ceremony.


    After all, it was the ascension of their ancestor into the God Realm. It was a sight not to be missed.


    Milton was focused. His mana surged within him.


    This was the aura unique to a tier-sage.


    Next, he needed to open the Gate to the God Realm and follow the guidance to enter.


    But something was wrong.


    The familiar sensation he had experienced during his past seclusion¡ªwhen the gate to the God Realm felt so close he could almost touch it¡ªhad disappeared.


    Yes, that feeling was gone.


    It had never happened before.


    Why was this happening now?


    He didn''t understand.


    He had been able to sense that faint gate before, but at the time, his body wasn''t fully prepared, so he hadn''t opened it.


    Only recently had he felt ready, and thus he chose to exit his seclusion and ascend to the God Realm.


    But now¡­


    That gate was gone!


    Could it be that something had changed in the world recently?


    "Look! Milton is starting to exude the aura of a tier-sage. Soon, he''ll open the Gate to the God Realm!"


    "The Gate to the God Realm isn''t a physical entity, but a¡­ a sensation beyond the senses."


    "When you feel that you can push the door open, and you choose to do so, the gate leading to the God Realm will open in reality."


    "At that point, you can pass through the guiding portal into the God Realm."


    "..."


    The elders around them were explaining how to enter the God Realm to the younger generation.


    This knowledge had been passed down through the family''s ancient texts.


    The excitement of seeing this scene with their own eyes was palpable.


    But¡­


    After several minutes, the younger generation began to doubt¡ªhad something gone wrong?


    Why hadn''t there been any signs from the ancestor yet?


    Didn''t they say the Gate to the God Realm would appear?


    But now¡­


    It was still bright and sunny, with no signs of any phenomenon occurring!


    Many began to murmur quietly among themselves.


    Soon after, the ancestor stood up and addressed everyone:


    "Everyone, disperse. It seems the world''s rules have changed. A tier-sage may no longer be the limit. With tier-sage power, it''s impossible to directly ascend to the God Realm anymore."


    Upon hearing Milton''s words, everyone was taken aback.


    They hadn''t expected that there could be a level higher than tier-sage.


    Milton didn''t speak further. Instead, he gazed at the Genesis in the sky.


    Now, he was fully convinced that these changes in the world were closely related to Daniel.


    Perhaps Genesis could explain the reason behind these developments.


    Maybe it was time for him to read and study it in depth.


    ...


    At Crossbridge Academy,


    Elise was busy cooking.


    The fresh ingredients were swiftly being prepared under her hands.


    Next to her was a jar of wine.


    This wasn''t just any wine.


    The wine Daniel had given her to cook with came from the God Realm.


    Just then, the lid of the jar was quietly lifted.


    "Headmaster Daniel said you shouldn''t drink this."


    Without even raising her head, Elise said.


    A small white beast pitifully trotted out from the side.


    "Don''t look at me like that. It''s no use. Headmaster Daniel specifically told me you can''t have any, and you''re only a few months old¡­"


    "I''m the Will of the World, not a human..."


    The little beast retorted.


    Elise glanced at the creature, helplessly putting the lid back on the jar.


    She returned to her task, still unable to believe the absurdity of the situation.


    The Will of the World¡­ in the form of this small white beast.


    And it had a penchant for sneaking sips of wine.


    "I''m going to tell Headmaster."


    "No! Elise, please don''t tell Dad. I won''t do it again."


    At that moment, Daniel was still busy refining a level 12 forge.


    Upgrading from the level 9 forge had been quite easy.


    But upgrading all the level 9 forges to level 12¡­


    For Daniel, it wasn''t a simple task.


    It had taken him nearly half a year to complete the upgrades for the ones in his possession.


    But there were more outside!


    When Rose and the others left, Daniel had entrusted them with quite a few forges.


    Now¡­ those would also need to be upgraded to level 12. Continue reading stories on empire


    But¡­


    Would he have to go to each world node one by one?


    That would be far too cumbersome.


    He didn''t know when he''d be able to enter the God Realm¡­


    Suddenly, Daniel came up with another idea.


    He decided to summon the Will of the World.


    In the next instant, the little white beast appeared before Daniel.


    "Dad! I''m here!"


    "Good. I have an important task for you."


    "What task?"


    "I''ll give you some divine stones. I want you to go to the places where the Tree of Origin is planted, and teach them how to upgrade the nearby level 9 forges to level 12."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, the little beast froze.


    "You mean¡­ me?"


    "Yes. You''ve grown up now, so it''s time for you to take on some responsibilities. Besides, this task will ultimately benefit you. The faster the Tree of Origin grows, the faster you''ll grow too!"


    The Will of the World nodded, then asked,


    "So, now that I''ve grown up, does this mean I can drink wine now? I''ll go ask Elise for some."


    "No! This is absolutely not allowed. You can drink wine after we enter the God Realm."


    During this time, Daniel had been communicating with the Lord of the Five Elements.


    In the God Realm, the hierarchy was quite clear. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mages who had just ascended from the Mortal Realm to the God Realm were called divine mages.


    Then came the human gods, earth gods, heavenly gods, high gods, and Supreme Gods¡­


    This world, after the revival of the Will of the World, could be considered a realm where human gods resided.


    Thus, the highest attainable level in this world was the human god.


    To progress beyond that¡­


    To reach the state of the God Realm, there was still a long road ahead.


    But for now, the most important task was to upgrade the Tree of Origin and the forges.


    As long as those were done, the world would be one step closer to ascension.


    "We''ll reach the God Realm soon enough."


    Daniel said, handing the little beast a storage crystal.


    For now, though, it seemed that this goal was still some time away.


    A moment later, Elise arrived with the delicious dishes.


    Over the years, Elise had been responsible for Daniel''s meals.


    She hadn''t actively learned magic, but simply through exposure to various ingredients and divine artifacts, she had slowly begun approaching the level needed to ascend.


    It was remarkable how much one''s environment could influence them.


    At this point, only those who had reached the level of a human god could open the gate to the God Realm and ascend.

 Chapter196-Preparations for the God Realm

    In fact, most of the affairs in this world were already nearing completion for Daniel.At this point, he could say that he was fully prepared to enter the God Realm at any time.


    However, there was one very important matter still pending.


    Previously, the gateway to the God Realm, which he had created himself, was shattered by Daniel.


    In fact, it had even been forged into a half-divine artifact, now in Nora''s possession.


    So, could Daniel still enter the God Realm?


    In truth, the answer was yes.


    However, Daniel could no longer access the God Realm through normal means.


    The Gate of God Realm that was destroyed would never appear again.


    Thus, for Daniel to enter the God Realm now, there were two options:


    One was to anchor himself using the aura he had left with the Lord of 5 Elements, and teleport directly to the God Realm.


    The other method was to enter through someone else''s Gate of God Realm, essentially sneaking into the God Realm.


    If one was not powerful enough, life in the God Realm could be extremely harsh.


    In some extreme cases, a stowaway might not even be able to defeat a single chicken in the God Realm.


    That would be the most miserable fate.


    Of course, Daniel didn''t need to worry about that.


    Looking at Elise before him, he realized that through her Gate of God Realm, it would indeed be possible for them to enter the God Realm together.


    Daniel also wanted to see what it would be like to enter the God Realm through a normal Gate of God Realm.


    Unfortunately, his own Gate had appeared too early.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have shattered it in the first place.


    After observing Elise for a moment, Daniel asked,


    "Elise, I plan to head to the God Realm soon. Would you like to join me?"


    Elise immediately responded,


    "I will always follow you, Headmaster. Wherever you go, I will go."


    "Alright then. Over the next few days, take some time to say goodbye to your family."


    "Understood."


    Elise agreed.


    Then, as if recalling something, she asked,


    "Should we bring the Will of World along?"


    Daniel pondered for a moment.


    If they were to sneak into the God Realm with the Will of World, as long as he made the necessary preparations, it shouldn''t pose any problems.


    However, the world wouldn''t be in any trouble even if they temporarily left without the Will of World.


    After all, the Tree of Origin had a fundamental connection with the Will of World.


    Moreover, the rule items the Lord of 5 Elements had mentioned before, which were crucial to the world''s ascension, might prove useful.


    Perhaps taking them would help foster further growth.


    After a moment''s thought, Daniel replied,


    "Then let''s bring it along. It will be the three of us this time."


    "Understood!"


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    Elise responded, and then left.


    This time, Daniel didn''t plan to bring too many people with him.


    Rose and the others would remain in this world for now.


    The God Realm itself was still an unknown, and if there were too many people, Daniel would feel uneasy.


    So, this time, he would go alone to explore the God Realm first.


    Daniel stored away the array disk before him.


    This was the teleportation magic array he had obtained from the five individuals earlier.


    It was capable of long-distance teleportation.


    It had originally been used to teleport Daniel from the far north to beyond the world.


    He still remembered the first time he encountered it.


    After obtaining the array disk, he had studied it in depth.


    He simplified certain unimportant parts, which made it much easier to set up.


    The array disk had been sitting here for quite a while now.


    It was time to send it out.


    With that, Daniel disappeared from Crossbridge Academy.


    When he reappeared, he was at the headquarters of Dragonscale Bank.


    "Master Daniel! What a pleasant surprise to see you here!"


    The grand steward, upon seeing Daniel, quickly rushed over to greet him.


    "I''m planning to leave soon, so I''m leaving this with you. Use it well."


    Daniel said, handing the array disk to the grand steward.


    "What is this¡­?"


    The grand steward looked at the array disk in his hands.


    He was well-versed in magic arrays, so he immediately recognized the significance of the one Daniel had provided.


    Naturally, any magic array that came from Daniel would not be an ordinary one.


    The grand steward gazed at it, becoming more and more astonished.


    He had never expected a teleportation magic array to be so sophisticated.


    If Dragonscale Bank could set up such an array around the continent, they would save a great deal of money.


    In fact¡­ this magic array could be far more useful than the existing ones!


    It could transport not just their own goods, but possibly even open up new business ventures.


    No, this was something that needed to be discussed with the higher-ups immediately!


    Realizing that Daniel was still standing before him, the grand steward hastily looked up, intending to apologize for his earlier lapse in judgment.


    However, when he looked up, Daniel had already disappeared.


    Panicked, he quickly contacted the other senior members of the bank.


    Daniel then visited several other places.


    For example, the Jing Empire to the east, and the Papal State to the west¡­


    He handed the teleportation magic array to each of them as well.


    During this time, the Will of World had completed its task and returned to Crossbridge Academy.


    "Dad, are we really going to leave this world and enter the God Realm?"


    The Will of World, being part of the world itself, had sensed the recent changes brought about by Daniel.


    "That''s right. We''re heading to the God Realm."


    "Yay! That means I can finally drink!"


    At times, the Will of World behaved no differently from a child.


    "Alright, I''ll take you to see someone first."


    "Who?"


    "Your sister Rose."


    After Daniel spoke, the little white beast leapt onto his shoulder, and they disappeared.


    ¡­


    In the eastern region, in a mountain valley,


    Five powerful auras were clashing violently.


    The five figures had been battling intensely for some time now.


    The surrounding trees were reduced to dry tinder, and some were even ablaze.


    The once lush grassland had been transformed into a pockmarked, charred wasteland.


    Even the mountains surrounding the area had their rocks reduced to powder wherever the five figures passed.


    This was all the result of the shockwaves from their battle.


    It was hard to imagine what kind of devastating force would be unleashed if these five were to face off directly.


    Rose landed on the ground, sheathed her massive sword, and spoke to the four who had surrounded her,


    "I admit defeat."


    Rose had never imagined that Kent and the others'' combined attack would be so powerful.


    She even began to suspect that when Daniel had taught them this combination magic array, he had never intended for her to win.


    Over the years, Rose''s growth had been impressive.


    Yet, each time she felt confident and challenged the four, she was met with a crushing defeat.


    Because, if the four fought one-on-one, none of them would be her match.


    However, when the four used their combined magic array, Rose almost never stood a chance.


    "I never imagined that, years ago, I proudly told Father that I would defeat you all, but now, all these years later¡­ I still can''t win¡­"


    "Miss Rose, you''re too humble. Your growth these years has been remarkable!"


    Kent and the others had been the first to practice Daniel''s Genesis, so they essentially had the easy mode unlocked.


    It was only a year ago that Rose discovered this and began practicing Genesis herself, making rapid progress.


    "Perhaps next time, we won''t be your opponents anymore."


    "Who would have thought that Father wouldn''t even mention Genesis to me¡­"


    Kent and the others smiled helplessly.


    They had been the first test subjects of Daniel''s training methods.


    Then, Rose took out some tear from the forge and handed it to them to help recover their injuries and mana. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Master Daniel must have had his own considerations for doing this, and besides, Miss Rose, your progress has been anything but slow!"

 Chapter197-Sister Rose! I Am Fathers Child!

    "As I think about it, I wonder how Father is doing. He''s all alone at the academy..."Just as Rose muttered to herself, a sudden flash of light caught her attention.


    "Father?! How did you get here?" Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Dad, is this Rose-sister?"


    Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Rose was stunned. Read exclusive adventures at empire


    What was going on?


    Just now... did someone speak?


    Why did she hear someone calling her father?


    And calling her sister too?


    What the hell...


    Could it be that while she was away, her father remarried and had a child?


    Normally, she should have been happy for him, but something about this felt awkward.


    "Hello, Sister Rose! My name is... Big White."


    Suddenly, Rose felt something darting from Daniel''s body toward her.


    Without thinking, her hands instinctively reached out to catch whatever it was.


    Looking down, she saw a fluffy, white little creature, jumping excitedly in her arms.


    It had a small leaf on its head, making it look incredibly cute.


    "Father, what is this?"


    Rose was still unable to process the situation.


    Then, Daniel explained what had happened in the time she had been away.


    After hearing the explanation, Rose could barely believe it.


    The little creature jumping in her arms, looking so playful and cute, was actually her little brother? And on top of that... it was the Will of the World of this world?!


    Impossible!


    How could this be? Was she still dreaming?


    Then Daniel asked,


    "I came here to ask for your thoughts. Would you like to come with me to the God Realm?"


    If Rose wanted to go, it wouldn''t be a problem.


    But after thinking for a moment, Rose shook her head.


    "No, Father. Like you said, the future world will also ascend, and being here or in the God Realm, it''s all the same. Besides... the task you gave me, I haven''t completed it yet."


    She still hadn''t finished planting all the saplings of the Tree of Origin.


    "Since you''ve made up your mind, I won''t say more."


    Rose had grown up, and she had her own plans.


    "Goodbye, Father."


    Daniel smiled and disappeared.


    Rose stood there, tears welling up in her eyes.


    Afterward, Daniel found the others, gave them some divine stones, and, after making his last arrangements, returned to Crossbridge Academy.


    In the past few days, Crossbridge Academy had also undergone some changes.


    After Daniel upgraded the previous lv9 forge to lv12, the lake that had been the source of power could no longer contain all that energy.


    It began to overflow.


    Seeing this, Daniel decided to overhaul the entire lake.


    Before, the forge''s power had only affected the lake.


    But this time, with Daniel''s modifications to the magic array, the entire Crossbridge Academy was affected, even spreading towards the Riverside city.


    The tears that had accumulated were then guided by Daniel, transforming into a rain¡ªone that drenched the entire world.


    ...


    A few days later, Elise stood on the academy''s grassy field.


    In the distance, many curious students had gathered to watch.


    This time, Elise was about to enter the God Realm.


    Daniel, the headmaster, was going as well.


    Isolde and the others stood by, watching the scene unfold.


    Daniel, about to leave for the God Realm¡ªthis meant he was leaving them.


    Reflecting back on the years spent at the academy, it felt like a dream.


    When it had been on the verge of closure, with everyone disheartened, Daniel had stepped in.


    With unmatched determination, he saved the academy.


    Not only that... now, Crossbridge Academy and Riverside City were both known as sanctuaries.


    All this... in just a few years!


    As they saw Daniel, tears welled up in their eyes.


    They hadn''t expected to part ways so soon.


    "Let''s begin."


    Daniel said to Elise.


    The familiar process unfolded once again for Elise.


    A massive door appeared in the sky¡ªthe portal to the God Realm.


    Then, an inexplicable force pulled Elise toward the door, lifting her into the air.


    "Dad, Elise-sister is leaving! How do we follow her?"


    Big White, perched on Daniel''s shoulder, asked eagerly.


    Seeing Elise about to enter the door,


    "Don''t worry!" Daniel replied.


    Just as Elise was about to cross into the door, Daniel''s figure disappeared.


    Then, following Elise, he entered the portal as well.


    ...


    God Realm.


    In every God King''s domain, there was a designated Ascension Island to receive those advancing from the lower realms.


    Each Ascension Island was created by a God King, specifically designed to help mortals who ascended to the God Realm quickly adapt to the new rules of the realm.


    There were guides in charge of ushering the newly ascended.


    Naturally, these guides formed their own groups.


    In the God Realm, if one didn''t belong to a group, they would soon be devoured by others who had ascended before or by locals.


    For those who had just ascended, it was a harsh reality¡ªwithout a powerful guide or group, they would be consumed by the established powers.


    This was the difference between realms.


    Unless...


    The world''s rank was high enough.


    The guiding light of the Ascension Island''s portal flickered.


    This signaled that another soul was ascending to the God Realm.


    Soon, an elderly man walked out from the portal.


    The onlookers shot him curious glances.


    From the guide''s group, one person walked forward and began talking to the newly ascended elder.


    "Ah... He''s not from our world."


    Ascenders from the same world naturally trusted each other more.


    After all, they shared the same origin, and a sense of camaraderie naturally developed.


    Unless... they were particularly bad-tempered.


    "Crane, has your world not had anyone ascend for a long time?"


    "Yes... because our world is facing problems. The last person to ascend from our world has been in seclusion for hundreds of years," Crane said, his voice heavy with worry.


    As their world continued to decline, Crane feared that there would never be another ascendant.


    It was something he had only realized after arriving at the God Realm.


    A human-god-level world should have had many ascendants, not just one every few centuries.


    But their world was different.


    This meant something had gone terribly wrong.


    Crane knew that if their world couldn''t produce any more ascendants, their group would eventually be devoured by stronger forces.


    The God Realm was beautiful, yes.


    But for those who had just ascended, it was a cruel world¡ªa world where only the strong survived.


    If their world''s ascension guide wasn''t powerful enough, they would be consumed without a trace.


    "Sir, please give us more divine stones! Our world only produces one ascendant every century. I''ve notified you immediately! This one is a fine specimen, capable of doing great work!"


    A group of ascendants nearby, always on the lookout for fresh meat, had already spotted the newly arrived ascendant.


    They had no sense of morality, nor did they believe in helping those from the same world.


    For them, ascendants were just a commodity to be sold for divine stones¡ªobjects of luxury and entertainment.


    The poor ascendant had no idea what fate awaited them as they were whisked away, sold for a good price.


    This was the true nature of the God Realm¡ªdevouring others without mercy.


    There were few groups that worked together across different worlds.


    But because of their power, no one dared challenge them.


    However...


    Crane knew this situation wouldn''t last long.


    Once their world ran out of new ascendants¡ªor was destroyed¡ªthen they too would be absorbed by other powers...

 Chapter198-So Cheap?

    "By the way, don''t you plan on raising your guiding fees a bit?"Crane pondered for a moment before replying with some resignation:


    "We can''t really help it. Our world is dominated by a few superpowers, and they control most of the mana crystals."


    These superpowers were truly formidable; Crane even suspected that they had already surpassed the limits of the world itself.


    However, for some unknown reason, they had yet to ascend to the God Realm.


    Moreover, mana stones and mana crystals were all hoarded.


    This led to one consequence:


    Most people here were stuck at Tier-God levels from other worlds.


    But in their own world, those who ascended to the God Realm always seemed terribly poor.


    Forget about ten thousand mana crystals. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Most people barely had any superior mana stones on hand.


    "Where did all the mana crystals go?"


    The answer was simple: they were used up ensuring successful ascension to the God Realm.


    The ones who spent most of them were the ones dealing with Dragonscale Bank.


    But now¡­


    Crane sighed, knowing there was nothing more he could do.


    Just then, the guiding portal in front of them began to flicker.


    A man and a woman stepped out from the portal.


    "Huh? Crane, these two seem to be from the same world as you!"


    One of the others remarked.


    Crane looked up in excitement at the two figures emerging from the portal.


    He felt the same aura from them, just like his own.


    This could only mean one thing: they were from the same world.


    At that moment, Daniel was finally able to remove the Ring of Origin from his hand.


    He took a deep breath, feeling a wave of relaxation wash over him, as though an outer garment had been removed.


    It was a delightful sense of freedom.


    Daniel then noticed that Big White was hiding inside his clothing, trembling.


    "What''s wrong?" Daniel asked, looking down.


    "Dad, there''s a big one outside. I''m scared..."


    Upon hearing Big White''s words, Daniel quickly understood.


    The only thing that could make his Will of World feel fear was the Will of World from the God Realm.


    Because Will of Worlds could consume each other, Big White must have sensed that overwhelming presence.


    It was a primal fear of death.


    Daniel thought for a moment, then took out the Ring of Origin again.


    He applied some concealment rules on it and slipped it onto Big White''s neck.


    "With this, it won''t be able to detect you."


    Big White nodded, burrowing deeper into Daniel''s arms, clearly refusing to come out.


    "Headmaster, someone''s approaching," Elise reminded.


    Daniel looked toward the figure walking toward them, who seemed to be at the peak of human god level.


    "Greetings, I''m Crane, and I come from the same world as you," Crane said enthusiastically, visibly excited.


    It wasn''t easy meeting someone who had ascended to the God Realm from the same world.


    The woman seemed to be at mid-human god level, just a step away from reaching the peak.


    She must have been a genius back in Mortal Realm.


    As for the man¡­ Crane couldn''t quite make out his power.


    Perhaps he was using some artifact to conceal his aura?


    Crane then turned to Daniel and said,


    "I ascended to God Realm two hundred years ago, back when Element Temple was the ruler of Middle Earth. I wonder what the situation is now?"


    This was something only people from their world would understand.


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    Crane said this to try to gain their trust¡ªespecially Daniel''s, since he could tell that Elise was subordinated to him.


    "Well, things are more or less the same."


    Element Temple is now under Crossbridge Academy, which governs the entire continent.


    In other words, Element Temple still dominates Middle Earth, but it doesn''t matter much now.


    Daniel didn''t feel like explaining too much.


    "Allow me to introduce my friend. He''s from Westwind Realm, also collaborating with us from the Void Realm."


    "In the God Realm, we all need to stick together..."


    Crane then explained the current situation of the God Realm.


    Daniel nodded, acknowledging that he understood.


    He then asked,


    "Void Realm? Who came up with that name?"


    Daniel found the name a bit unpleasant.


    It had a deathly vibe, almost like it was predicting the world''s demise.


    After all, he had just brought the world back to life¡­


    "Well, it was named by the administrators of Ascension Island for our world," Crane replied with some reluctance.


    "Ah, so if I wanted to change it, I just need to talk to them?"


    "Uh, no¡­ We can''t just change the name," Crane whispered. "It was decided by the God Kings, so it''s not something we can alter on a whim."


    "Alright, so what should we do next?"


    Daniel didn''t want to linger on this topic and planned to speak directly with the Lord of 5 Elements later to get a better name.


    "Next, we need to head to Ascension City. All the ascended individuals from our world gather there. But¡­ first, you need to pay a guiding fee."


    "Only then can I take you inside. Of course, if you prefer not to pay, you can go on your own."


    Elise looked at Daniel.


    If Daniel agreed, she would immediately pay the required fee.


    Daniel thought for a moment, then asked,


    "How much is it?"


    "One hundred thousand mana crystals per person. For both of you, that would be two hundred thousand mana crystals."


    Daniel furrowed his brow.


    Two hundred thousand mana crystals?


    That''s all?


    He had learned from the Lord of 5 Elements that divine stones were the standard currency in the God Realm.


    How could they still be using mana crystals here?


    He knew that the exchange rate between mana crystals and divine stones was disproportionate.


    One divine stone was worth about one million mana crystals.


    Even for two people, that was still less than a single divine stone.


    Could it be¡­


    Daniel then glanced at the two guides.


    Were they really that poor?


    Crane noticed Daniel frown at the price and hurriedly explained,


    "Please, it''s not a scam. The guiding fee has always been this low. In fact, our Void Realm charges much less than other worlds. I can''t give you all the details, but if you stay in Ascension City for a few days, you''ll see that what I''m saying is true. Our world''s fees are the fairest."


    Upon hearing this, Daniel nodded and asked,


    "By the way, it seems like you know a lot about Ascension Island. Is that right?"


    "Of course. I''ve been here for over a century. There''s nothing I don''t know about this place."


    "Then, if I were to hire you to gather some information about the God Realm, how much would that cost?"


    Since Crane was so familiar with the God Realm, and was from the same world, it seemed perfect to hire him for the task.


    "That''s easy," Crane said, raising a finger.


    "It would only take one divine stone¡ªabout one million mana crystals."


    "I mean, I''d like to hire you for ten years. You wouldn''t need to guide anyone anymore. Just stay with me for ten years, and you can calculate the cost."


    At this, both Crane and his friend were stunned.


    What was this?


    Was this some new black market jargon from Crane''s world?


    "Uh¡­ Don''t joke around, my friend. Are you still planning to go to Ascension City?"


    "I''m not joking. Give me a price. If you''re not willing, we can find someone else. Elise, please pay the guiding fee."


    Daniel turned to Elise.


    She immediately handed over two hundred thousand mana crystals to Crane.


    At this point, Crane was still dazed.


    He muttered in disbelief,


    "Ten years? That would be¡­ two hundred divine stones, right?"

 Chapter199- Buy the House First!

    Two hundred divine stones?Upon hearing this price, even Elise felt a bit incredulous.


    This was because Daniel Headmaster had already outlined his demands clearly before. Yet, the person in front of them, named Crane, seemed to have completely ignored them¡ªor perhaps...


    Two hundred divine stones are actually incredibly rare in the God Realm?


    Elise recalled the divine stones Daniel Headmaster had given her before... those could be counted in the tens of thousands.


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    But two hundred...


    Crane noticed the hesitant look on the others'' faces. But this was unavoidable. After all, he was now a Tier-god. Two hundred divine stones was the number he had roughly calculated.


    In ten years¡­


    If fortune was on their side, some superpower from the Void Realm might ascend, and they might acquire a good number of mana crystals. How could these superpowers all endure so much? They had reached Tier-sage level, yet they could resist the temptation of ascending¡­


    At that moment, Daniel threw a storage crystal to Crane.


    Crane didn''t even react in time. It was purely out of instinct that he caught the storage crystal.


    Once he came to his senses and examined the contents of the crystal, he was immediately stunned by the vast amount of mana crystals inside!


    Wait! This¡­


    Ten billion mana crystals?


    He had only asked for two hundred divine stones! Why was there so much¡ªten billion mana crystals?


    If you calculate, two hundred divine stones should only be worth about two billion mana crystals.


    "Don''t doubt me. I didn''t make a mistake. All the remaining mana crystals inside are yours, because in the next ten years, not only will you act as our guide, but all daily purchases and related matters will also be entrusted to you."


    "Yes..." Crane hesitated.


    He never imagined he would meet such a wealthy person from his own world who had ascended here.


    Thinking about the ten billion mana crystals inside the storage crystal, Crane felt like howling at the sky.


    He had been in the God Realm for two hundred years, and never once had he felt this happy, this excited, and it was as if he wanted to slap himself to make sure he wasn''t dreaming.


    At the same time, he began to wonder if this so-called Riverside City was actually a previously undiscovered superpower. How could they suddenly come up with so many mana crystals? It was terrifying.


    "What? Is it still not enough?"


    Daniel asked again when he saw Crane staring blankly at him without any movement.


    "No, no, no, it''s... it''s more than enough," Crane stammered.


    A thousand divine stones...


    Crane never imagined he would live a day so rich.


    Beside him, the friend who had come along with Crane stared with wide eyes, as if he had stepped into a dream. How did Crane get so lucky?


    "Please, follow me."


    Crane said, leading Daniel and Elise away.


    The rules in the God Realm are somewhat different from those in the Mortal Realm. Elise was still adjusting, so she wasn''t flying very quickly. Daniel, in turn, slowed his pace to wait for her.


    Soon, they arrived at their destination.


    "My lord, this is the outer district of Ascension City."


    Essentially, it could be considered an area where individual merchants or small households reside, much like a cluster of small towns.


    The further out you go, the more scattered it becomes. The closer you get, the more organized it gets.


    "These areas were built by the different worlds, like small towns. Although no one has ascended from the Void Realm to the God Realm in recent years, the situation was different before, so we could secure a relatively closer spot to Ascension City."


    It was a prime location, but...


    With the decline of those superpowers and the lingering influence of the gods and demons, fewer people had the ability to ascend to the God Realm. The small towns formed by the Void Realm had also become a target for many.


    However, Void Town wasn''t just for the people who first ascended. Over the years, many had left or perished. It had evolved into a regular residential area, a temporary stop for newly ascended individuals.


    At some point, those who had first ascended and remained were few, and according to Crane, only the town mayor remained. He was at the rank of Supreme God.


    Most of the ordinary people in the God Realm were below the level of Divine Mage.


    Divine Mage, Human God, Earth God, Heavenly God, High God, Supreme God, God Lord, God Sovereign, God King.


    The Supreme God was considered a mid-to-high-tier existence.


    In this small town, even the mayor was only a Supreme God.


    It seemed Daniel was a bit surprised, so Crane awkwardly added, "That''s because Ascension City has a unique situation. In some smaller towns, the mayor is actually a God Lord or even a God Sovereign..."


    By this time, they had arrived at Void Town.


    Most people here were associated with the Void Realm in one way or another.


    Of course, after so many years without anyone ascending to the God Realm, many had probably forgotten why this town was named Void Town in the first place.


    Once they entered the town, the streets were not too different from the Mortal Realm.


    Shops were selling pills, plants, and alchemical items, but none of them were of very high quality. Some didn''t even reach the level of half-divine artifacts.


    Daniel was naturally uninterested in such things.


    After all, he had come to the God Realm to find items that carried the power of rules for Big White, so it could progress in its level.


    Crane, having just received his reward, also bought a few items¡ªnothing too expensive, probably only a dozen or so divine stones. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even so, the shopkeeper was quite surprised, thinking that a big spender had arrived.


    Daniel directly asked, "I need something a bit more advanced. Where can I find them?"


    Still basking in his shopping joy, Crane quickly replied, "For something more advanced, you''ll need to go into Ascension City. There are many items there. However, the prices aren''t exactly cheap."


    Crane knew better than to slack off when responding to Daniel''s inquiry.


    Ascension City indeed had many valuable items.


    When Crane first arrived here and was na?ve, he had gone in to take a look. After that, he never returned.


    Because... it''s important to know one''s limits.


    Items that were beyond his reach only caused frustration¡ªthere was no point in looking at them.


    Daniel nodded.


    It was indeed a good idea to head into Ascension City soon.


    He couldn''t just keep letting Big White drink forge tears produced by the Will of World.


    "By the way, take us to find a place to settle first."


    Daniel told Crane.


    "Understood, please follow me."


    Crane said, leading them to another store.


    "Crane? Long time no see, planning to buy a new house?" The pub keeper greeted him with a smile, clearly familiar with him.


    "This time, I''m bringing two distinguished guests. They''re not just ordinary guests."


    "Ah, I see. I understand. These must be newly ascended from the Void Realm, right? No problem, the houses here are top quality, absolutely no issues!"


    The pub keeper said, pulling out a memory stone.


    "You can take a look at these houses, they''ve just been built recently¡­"


    "I''m the guide for these two, and also their housekeeper. I''ll take a look," Crane said, reaching for the memory stone from the pub keeper.


    At that moment, the pub keeper smiled, tucking the stone away.


    "Since it''s you, I won''t let the good water flow outside. These are the latest private homes for sale, take a look at which ones you like."


    The pub keeper then brought out a new memory stone.


    Crane handed it over to Daniel.


    Daniel glanced through it briefly.


    The memory stone had details of various houses, their prices, and general designs.


    They could be rented long-term or bought outright.


    After browsing through some areas, Daniel had a rough understanding of the price range in Void Town.

 Chapter200-I Want It All!

    Daniel wasn''t actually planning to live in these houses.How should he put it?


    They simply didn''t meet his needs.


    Living within Ascension City would be far more convenient for him.


    Though Void Town wasn''t too far from Ascension City, there was no real need.


    The reason he was looking for houses was to prepare for the future¡ªjust in case someone from Crossbridge Academy ascended to the God Realm.


    At least they would have a place to settle down.


    Within Crossbridge Academy, mana crystals weren''t exactly in short supply.


    Naturally, they wouldn''t carry too many around with them, and they might even find themselves in a pinch.


    That was why Daniel wanted to leave something behind for any future students who ascended.


    Elise''s progress was considered quite average, though she was already well on her way to ascension.


    Other students from Crossbridge Academy may already be ready to ascend, but perhaps they were waiting for something.


    At the very least, Rose intended to complete the task Daniel had assigned to her before ascending to the God Realm.


    Thus, Daniel glanced at the remaining houses, handed the memory stone to the pub keeper, and said:


    "I''ve marked the houses in the southern area. I''m buying them all."


    "Got it! Please, wait a moment while I calculate the price¡­" the pub keeper said with a smile.


    This was going to be a big deal! From just that word, "all," the pub keeper could already tell this wasn''t just one house.


    He was definitely going to sell more than one!


    As soon as he took the memory stone and sent his mind power into it, he was stunned.


    He hadn''t expected this at all. It wasn''t just a big deal¡ªit was a monumental one!


    This felt like a fortune had fallen from the sky and struck him on the head.


    The pub keeper stood there dazed, his mind spinning.


    After a moment, he finally snapped out of it, remembering that his distinguished guest was waiting in his shop.


    "Uh¡­ did I hear that right? You really want to buy them all?"


    The pub keeper asked, still in disbelief, confirming once again.


    "Yes."


    After hearing Daniel''s confirmation, the pub keeper rushed to say, "Please, take a seat and rest for a moment. I''ll go double-check the details. Some of the deeds for these houses might be lost."


    With that, the pub keeper hurried away, looking like he was walking on air. He was practically glowing with joy.


    Crane, who had been standing by, was quite surprised.


    He had known the pub keeper for over a hundred years and had never seen him act like this before.


    "Daniel, have you really bought so many houses?" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well, not that many¡ªjust three or four hundred," Daniel replied casually.


    With the first batch of students, including possibly Rose and her followers, there would need to be somewhere for them to stay.


    And of course, there were other ascendants to consider.


    It was like giving out welfare to others.


    After all, Crossbridge Sanctuary was the world''s most respected place.


    Plus, if these people from Void Realm shone in the God Realm, it could be beneficial for Big White as well¡ªessentially giving back to the world.


    "Daniel headmaster, do we really have enough room for all of this?" Elise asked.


    "Of course not, this isn''t for us to live in. It''s for others who ascend to the God Realm. Anyway, there are so many mana crystals just lying around."


    Mana crystals didn''t reproduce, and with the continual upgrades of the forge, ordinary mana crystals had become almost useless. Keeping so many around was just annoying. Might as well spend them all.


    Hearing this, Elise chuckled. Such lavishness could only come from Daniel.


    As for Crane, he was still reeling. He couldn''t even begin to comprehend what he had just heard.


    After a while, several women came out from the back, their figures graceful, holding God Realm fruits and fine wines.


    "Dear guest, here are the deeds for the houses you were interested in."


    The pub keeper handed over a storage crystal. Daniel didn''t bother looking at it. He handed the storage crystal to Crane instead.


    At the same time, he gave Crane four thousand divine stones.


    The total cost for the hundreds of houses was barely over three thousand divine stones.


    "Use the extra divine stones to furnish the houses and have someone maintain them regularly. Can I count on you for this?"


    Seeing the small mountain of divine stones inside the storage crystal, Crane didn''t know what to say.


    At first, he thought Daniel was simply a powerful figure who had ascended from a super faction, because he casually spoke of billions of mana crystals.


    But now, he was beginning to suspect something even more incredible.


    In Mortal Realm¡­ was it even possible for someone to possess so many divine stones?


    Even after two hundred years in the God Realm, the most divine stones he had ever seen were in the hundreds, never in the thousands!


    "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of everything," Crane said, now overwhelmed.


    Soon, Crane and the pub keeper settled the payment, and they led Daniel to the area he had just bought.


    As they stepped outside, Daniel glanced to the right.


    "Those people don''t look like they''re from Void Realm."


    "That''s right. You really can tell at a glance, Daniel.


    Actually, those people are from a world similar to ours, called Gold Sea World. Recently, they''ve been causing a lot of trouble, trying to harass Void Town."


    Crane reflected, his voice thoughtful.


    "Alright, let''s move on," Daniel said, uninterested in the squabbles between factions. According to Crane, most of the people in this small town were locals by now, with few still coming from Mortal Realm.


    They reached the southern part of the town, which was a residential area.


    "Crane, I never expected to see you here!" an elderly man greeted them.


    "It''s you," Crane replied.


    "Daniel, this is a mage who ascended to the God Realm five years ago from Void Realm."


    Daniel nodded politely but didn''t say much.


    "Ah¡­" The old man sighed deeply. "Had I known that the God Realm was so miserable, I would have stayed in Mortal Realm. At least I had some power there. But in God Realm¡­ I can''t even afford my own home anymore."


    In Mortal Realm, he had once been a patriarch of a significant faction.


    But in the God Realm, he was now renting from others.


    The contrast was hard for him to bear.


    Hearing this, Daniel thought of the five lords of the Element Temple¡ªhow they had been reluctant to ascend to the God Realm for exactly this reason.


    They chose instead to absorb the Source of the World in Mortal Realm and build up their strength before ascending.


    "This person¡­" The old man looked curiously at Daniel.


    "Daniel is here to check out his new properties."


    "Oh, I see. Could it be that you''re also going to live here? Maybe we''ll be neighbors¡­"


    Cough cough.


    "Well, actually, the whole area you''re living in now belongs to Daniel."


    "WHAT?!"


    The old man was absolutely stunned. How could a person from the same realm have such a vast difference in wealth and status?


    After Daniel quickly reviewed the layout of the houses, he gave a few instructions for Crane to note down for repairs. Then, they entered Ascension City.


    Back in Void Town, in an attic.


    A middle-aged man stood by the window, watching the Gold Sea World people causing a ruckus below. He sneered in disdain.


    This man was Luke, the mayor of Void Town. Read latest stories on empire


    "Master, those people from Gold Sea World are here again. They say they want to cooperate with us¡­"


    "Don''t bother with them."


    Luke replied indifferently.


    "They just want to spy on our secrets."


    Every town had its way of surviving and maintaining its existence. If they didn''t have a secret of their own, Void Town wouldn''t have lasted this long.

 Chapter201-Ascension City

    The Void Realm, in its past, was truly a "Human God World."Among the many Human God Worlds, it was one of the most distinguished.


    It had once flourished, but now, as the world continued toward its inevitable destruction,


    It had been a long time since anyone had ascended to the God Realm.


    By all logic, Void Town could never have maintained its current standing.


    Yet, the reality was that Void Town still stood firmly in its place, almost untouched by any disruptions.


    The reason for this was its unique secret:


    Spirit Plants.


    Void Town''s main business was spirit plants.


    The spirit plants produced there, in both quantity and quality, were of the highest caliber.


    This was precisely why Void Town had managed to retain its position.


    And it was also the reason why the town''s leader, Luke, had remained in charge without leaving.


    As a result, some forces were keen to uncover Void Town''s secret.


    Why were the spirit plants here so remarkable?


    Gold Sea World was one such force.


    Or rather, they were merely a pawn manipulated by some hidden forces pulling the strings from the shadows.


    "Let them argue, then," Luke said nonchalantly.


    Noise and commotion couldn''t change anything.


    As long as they weren''t given a clear response, those people would eventually get bored and try something else.


    Just then, the pub keeper, who managed the town''s properties, entered.


    "Lord Mayor."


    "What''s the matter? Is there something urgent? You never come to me."


    "It''s about this..."


    The pub keeper reported the matter of Daniel purchasing a large number of houses with several thousand divine stones.


    He particularly emphasized that Daniel had recently ascended from the Mortal Realm and that the former guide, Crane, had now become Daniel''s butler.


    This situation struck the pub keeper as strange, so he decided to report it to the mayor.


    After all, having several thousand divine stones in the Mortal Realm was no easy feat.


    Divine stones were exclusive to the God Realm!


    In a Void Realm where no one had ascended for years, to suddenly encounter a newcomer with divine stones was simply unfathomable.


    Upon hearing the pub keeper''s report, Luke furrowed his brow.


    He remembered Crane, the guide, who had ascended to the God Realm two hundred years ago and had lived in Void Town ever since.


    Crane had always been in charge of guiding new arrivals.


    But earlier today, he had suddenly resigned from his post.


    Now, Luke heard Crane''s name again, and it startled him.


    A newly ascended person possessing such terrifying wealth...


    Could he be from one of the Void Realm''s top forces?


    Otherwise, how could he possibly have such an enormous fortune?


    And what about hundreds of houses?


    Was there going to be a large-scale ascension in the Void Realm?


    "Where is this person now?"


    Luke''s mind raced with questions.


    He needed to find this new ascendant.


    "They should have entered Ascension City by now."


    Ascension City...


    "This matter I''ll handle personally. You may leave now."


    "Yes, Lord Mayor."


    As the pub keeper left, Luke, who had been calm and composed, now began pacing nervously.


    If everything was as he suspected, this young ascendant must know Void Town''s secret.


    And so, he needed to find him quickly.


    Inside Ascension City.


    The city was bustling with life.


    Compared to the outside, it exuded a sense of luxury and grandeur.


    Daniel gazed at a particularly extravagant building.


    "My lord, this is the shop under the command of the God King. It carries many rare and valuable items. It is also the best store in all of Ascension City."


    "Is that so?"


    Daniel said, walking inside.


    He glanced at the items displayed prominently.


    Though they were certainly better than what he had seen in Void Town,


    he still furrowed his brow.


    He couldn''t find what he was looking for.


    Crane trailed behind Daniel, looking uncomfortable,


    for the items here were so expensive that he usually wouldn''t even dare to look at them.


    Even though Daniel had already advanced a substantial amount of divine stones for him,


    these items still felt far beyond Crane''s reach.


    "You can look around. I''ll go search for what I need," Daniel said, wandering upstairs.


    As he walked, he noticed some artifacts,


    but they were all geared toward attack or defense.


    None of them contained the powerful rules he sought.


    They were inferior to the artifacts the Lord of 5 Elements had given him before.


    Of course, the ones with powerful rules had already been fed to Big White as food.


    What remained on him were far less impressive.


    Then, Daniel found the shop''s pub keeper and asked directly,


    "Do you have any supreme artifacts or similarly powerful treasures?"


    The pub keeper was momentarily stunned by the question.


    He had never heard anyone ask for such things.


    What did he mean by¡­ "supreme artifacts"?


    The items in the shop, each priced at least five thousand divine stones,


    were already quite expensive.


    As for supreme artifacts...


    Daniel didn''t bother explaining further and directly handed the pub keeper a storage crystal.


    The pub keeper scanned it with his mind power,


    and upon realizing the contents, he quickly flashed a pleased smile and respectfully returned the crystal to Daniel.


    "Please follow me, honored guest. It''s a bit crowded outside."


    Daniel nodded and followed the pub keeper deeper into the shop.


    A cup of fine tea was served to him.


    "Honored guest, if I may ask, you must have just ascended to the God Realm, right?"


    Explore stories on empire


    "How did you know?" Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Well... because, after spending time in the God Realm, it''s rare to ask about things like supreme artifacts."


    "You see, supreme artifacts... they can''t just be found in the outside world! Every supreme artifact contains a very special power of rule."


    "Even in the present day, they are quickly taken by the major forces. They could never appear in a small shop like this."


    Upon hearing the pub keeper''s explanation, Daniel understood.


    So it was true¡ªthose supreme artifacts from the Lord of 5 Elements were exceptional. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had obtained several from him, though many had been eaten by Big White.


    "This shop couldn''t possibly have what you need, but I can recommend a place where you might find what you''re looking for..."


    "What place?"


    "It''s a consortium that spans the entire God Realm, connecting everything¡ªa place called the Godlink Consortium!"


    "However¡­ entering the Godlink Consortium is extremely difficult. It''s often referred to as a haven for the wealthy¡­"


    The Godlink Consortium was renowned throughout the God Realm.


    After all, it had never been involved in any incidents since its establishment, a testament to the immense power behind it.


    When speaking of the Godlink Consortium,


    it was important to note its unique way of trading.


    All buyers needed was an array disk.


    Inside, they would find a wealth of products.


    Not only were there items from the God Realm, but even special products from some Mortal Realms could be found there.


    The key point was that after purchasing, the items could be sent directly via the array disk,


    allowing for instant delivery across vast distances¡ªan entirely remote, yet seamless system.


    Just pay the transportation fee, and you could have anything you wanted delivered directly to your door.


    It was essentially the God Realm''s version of online shopping.


    After hearing the pub keeper''s description, Daniel couldn''t help but feel a bit strange.


    Godlink Consortium sounded remarkably similar to the online shopping system he was once familiar with...


    Had the God Realm just discovered a new form of commerce?

 Chapter202-The Price of Offending That Distinguished Guest!

    As for how to browse and select the items you need, it''s even simpler.In the virtual space, you can make purchases and transactions with your mind power, almost like online shopping...


    Meanwhile, the Godlink Consortium also provides after-sales services.


    Such as repairs, returns, and so on...


    At this moment, Daniel was already eager to experience the God Realm''s equivalent of an online shopping platform. So, he hurriedly asked,


    "How can I access the Godlink Consortium?"


    "This is simple. All you need is to purchase the appropriate array disk. In Ascension City, there''s a place where you can buy the Godlink Consortium array disk. Each one costs 3,000 divine stones."


    The pub keeper smiled as he spoke.


    He knew that divine stones were nothing for Daniel.


    From the storage crystal Daniel had shown him earlier, the amount of divine stones it contained was at least in the tens of thousands.


    "Thank you for the information."


    "You''re most welcome, serving distinguished guests like yourself is my duty," the pub keeper said respectfully.


    This made Daniel feel a bit embarrassed, so he waved his hand generously.


    "Alright, I''ll take some of your spirit fruits. Get me one of each variety, for 10,000 divine stones."


    "You''re too kind, esteemed guest!"


    The pub keeper''s smile never left his face.


    "Please wait, I''ll have them prepared right away."


    His smile was so wide, it was almost a permanent fixture.


    It was like a windfall from the heavens that he''d encountered today!


    Daniel walked outside, intending to take a look around.


    It wasn''t long before he noticed a commotion on the upper floor, where people seemed to be arguing.


    Or rather, one side was being mocked.


    One of the voices belonged to Crane.


    "Isn''t this Crane? When did you start having divine stones to come to a place like this?"


    "Void Realm, how many years has it been since anyone entered God Realm? You''re a guide, can you really afford to be here?"


    "Exactly. Do you even have the means to buy anything here, with your status?"


    "Hahaha..."


    The others mocked Crane, laughing loudly.


    Daniel recognized the faces of the ones mocking him.


    They were the same group of troublemakers he had encountered before, back in Void Town when he was leaving a shop.


    They were from Gold Sea World, it seemed. They probably had some sort of beef with Void Realm.


    "What do you care where I go?" Crane coldly shot back.


    He had never liked the Gold Sea World people, and now, his dislike had only grown stronger.


    "Getting worked up? Actually, coming here to see for yourself isn''t so bad. It can expand your horizons. Don''t just stay cooped up in Void Town, open your eyes and see the world!"


    "You poor thing, if you want to buy anything here, why don''t you leave Void Town and join us in Gold Sea Town? That way, you could be just like us!"


    Daniel couldn''t take it anymore. The stupidity of their insults was unbearable.


    He called Crane over, not wanting to witness such nonsense any longer.


    These people were practically insulting their own intelligence.


    "Those people, are they from Gold Sea Town?"


    "Yes, Lord Daniel. We''ve refused to cooperate with them, so they''ve been harassing us for quite some time."


    "Cooperate? What do you mean?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    "Well, we in Void Town have always been in the business of selling spirit plant medicine. There''s a large area in the northern part of the town that sustains the entire town''s economy."


    "And because of our unique cultivation methods, the quality of our medicinal plants is much higher. Those people have always coveted what we have in Void Town."


    "Unique cultivation methods?"


    Daniel asked.


    "Yes, but as to the specifics, I don''t know. I think only the town leader knows about that."


    Crane speculated.


    "Esteemed guest, here is the list of spirit fruits you requested."


    At that moment, the pub keeper, still wearing a beaming smile, returned.


    "Mm. If you need anything in the future, have him contact you."


    "Of course, rest assured, esteemed guest."


    With that, Daniel and Crane left.


    Daniel still needed to visit the location in Ascension City where the Godlink Consortium was based.


    After Daniel left, one of the attendants quickly approached the pub keeper and whispered something. Enjoy new tales from empire


    The pub keeper''s eyes narrowed as he looked at the Gold Sea World group, and after a few low words, he left.


    The Gold Sea World group, after selecting a few cheap elixirs, was about to pay when...


    "Are you from Gold Sea Town?"


    "Yes, what about it?"


    "The pub keeper specifically instructed that anyone from Gold Sea Town purchasing here must follow a special rule."


    "A special rule? What''s that?"


    "All items you buy will be ten times their original price!"


    "And not just here, but at all God King industries in Ascension City!"


    "So, please pay 180 divine stones, or leave immediately."


    The group from Gold Sea Town was dumbfounded.


    They couldn''t understand why this was happening.


    Hadn''t everything been fine just the day before when they came? Why had the prices suddenly skyrocketed by tenfold today?


    It was clear someone was targeting them!


    The Godlink Consortium''s shop in Ascension City looked quite inconspicuous.


    No one could have imagined that such an unremarkable place was actually a business spanning much of the God Realm.


    Daniel and Elise walked in.


    "Hello, customer. How may I assist you?"


    "I need a Godlink Consortium array disk."


    "Please wait."


    Not long after, a woman returned with an array disk that looked somewhat old-fashioned and handed it to Daniel.


    "How do I use this?"


    "Simply channel your mind power into the array disk and bind it with your identity, and you''ll be able to use it. Please note, each array disk can only be bound to one person''s identity. If it gets damaged, you can bring it here for repairs."


    Upon hearing this, Daniel understood.


    "Give me two, please."


    He handed one array disk to Elise.


    In the future, when Elise was cooking, she would also need a way to shop online for ingredients.


    As for Crane¡­


    Daniel told him to return to deal with the housing matters for now.


    At the moment, Daniel didn''t require his assistance.


    Crane naturally had no objections.


    After all, he had already received so many divine stones without lifting a finger today.


    It was hard not to feel a little uneasy about it.


    These divine stones felt uneasy in his hands...


    Sigh¡­


    If only Lord Daniel would ask for a bit more.


    Daniel, on the other hand, proceeded to purchase a large estate in Ascension City and moved in that very day.


    He handed Elise the other array disk.


    "You can use this to buy some ingredients here. And of course, if you come across anything useful for Big White or for your own improvement, feel free to purchase it."


    "Take this amount of divine stones for now. If you need more, just ask me."


    After quickly giving his instructions, Daniel eagerly retreated to his room, eager to try out the God Realm''s online shopping platform. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elise took the array disk and storage crystal.


    She couldn''t quite understand why Daniel, the headmaster, was so interested in something as simple as an online shopping tool.


    After all, it was just a place to buy things!


    With a sigh, she gave up trying to understand.


    The estate had only been minimally furnished, so Elise made a few adjustments to make it more comfortable.


    Then, she picked up the storage crystal.


    Ever since joining Daniel, Elise had rarely lacked anything.


    Thus, she hadn''t dealt much with mana stones, mana crystals, or the like.


    Now that Daniel had handed her so many divine stones, she felt a little unsure of what to do with them.


    Curiously, she channeled her mind power into the storage crystal, eager to find out...


    Just how many divine stones did Daniel mean by "a bit"?


    As Elise probed, she couldn''t help but laugh and cry at the same time.


    Indeed, this was very much in line with the headmaster''s... just a tiny bit!

 Chapter203-Godlink Consortium, the Virtual World!

    Daniel was in his room, pulling out the array disk he had purchased from the Godlink Consortium.He was planning to give it a try, curious about what made online shopping in God Realm so unique.


    After taking out the array disk, he noticed Big White still curled up in his arms.


    At this moment, Big White dared to peek out its little head, cautiously glancing around.


    "Don''t worry, it''s perfectly safe here. Besides, didn''t I give you that collar I crafted? It''ll make you completely invisible in God Realm," Daniel said with a resigned tone.


    "But if that big guy finds me, he''ll really eat me!" Big White said timidly.


    Daniel could only sigh in exasperation.


    He''d done everything he could. If Big White couldn''t overcome its fear, there was nothing more he could do.


    Daniel had even considered taking Big White to meet the Will of World in God Realm.


    There''s an old saying, after all: the best way to conquer your fear is to face it head-on.


    Maybe after meeting it, Big White wouldn''t be so scared anymore.


    Of course, if the Will of World saw Big White first, it would likely try to devour it.


    That would certainly lead to a fight, and things would no longer be as calm as they were now.


    So, Daniel dismissed that idea.


    Though he knew he wouldn''t lose, the cost of victory would be too high.


    Either the people of Void Realm would never ascend, or the Will of World would surely make them regret it.


    Or perhaps, they would have to wait until the entire Void Realm had reached the level of God Realm¡­


    Both outcomes didn''t sound too appealing.


    So, Daniel decided to let Big White handle it on its own.


    "Alright, you stay here and play. I''ll see if I can find you something tasty."


    With that, Daniel took the array disk in hand and focused his mind power to fuse with the magic array on it.


    By doing so, the array disk became bound to him.


    Big White, upon hearing the mention of food, stopped talking and obediently sat down, waiting for Daniel to return.


    As soon as Daniel merged with the array disk, he could feel a subtle attraction coming from it.


    If he used his mind power to explore it, the pull would intensify.


    But it was very faint. As long as he didn''t want to, he could easily resist it.


    But since this was the method for entering the virtual space, how could Daniel resist?


    He allowed the pull to guide him into another space.


    This place was a virtual world.


    "Welcome to the virtual realm established by Godlink Consortium. Here, you can purchase any item you wish! We sincerely hope that your journey through the virtual world will be satisfying."


    "You may customize your appearance."


    "If you prefer not to change your appearance, please proceed straight ahead."


    Interesting, Daniel thought.


    It felt just like when you create a character in an online game.


    But Daniel didn''t intend to spend time customizing his face.


    If he did, he''d probably be stuck for a while.


    So, Daniel chose to enter the virtual world with his real appearance.


    The surroundings immediately shifted.


    Now, Daniel found himself in a bustling marketplace.


    There were goods of all kinds around him.


    But, of course, these were all fake.


    The real purchases weren''t made in the marketplace.


    Daniel turned his gaze to a large light screen ahead.


    That was the place where real transactions occurred.


    The marketplace was merely a simulation created by Godlink Consortium for realism.


    Walking up to the light screen, Daniel saw some people.


    They were probably picking out items they liked.


    Daniel opened the screen, and inside, he saw an overwhelming variety of products.


    There were even options to filter and search for items based on various criteria.


    It was getting pretty close to the real thing.


    After selecting an item, buyers could directly contact the seller for inquiries.


    They could even visit the seller''s virtual shop to check out other items.


    Naturally, Godlink Consortium''s virtual world wasn''t just for transactions.


    There were also other features: entertainment, socializing, bounties¡­


    They even had a friends list function.


    It gave Daniel a strong sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    Maybe he should create something similar in Void Realm.


    Being able to communicate remotely would be really useful.


    With that thought in mind, Daniel looked at the list on the light screen.


    It was filled with dozens of clearly organized categories.


    There were even filters for attributes and levels.


    But what caught Daniel''s attention was a ranking list.


    There were rankings for rare items, top sellers¡­


    It was a clear attempt to stimulate consumer spending. Experience more on empire


    Daniel clicked on the "Supreme Artifact" section, hoping to find something suitable.


    But the results were somewhat disappointing.


    Most of the items listed were just fragments.


    What Daniel wanted were complete artifacts, not shards.


    There were also only some "messages" about supreme artifacts.


    And those might not even be trustworthy.


    Despite these disappointments, Daniel decided to use the situation to his advantage.


    He took the longsword that Lord of 5 Elements had given him earlier, a supreme artifact.


    After recording its aura, he uploaded it to the marketplace.


    He didn''t set a price. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel''s plan was to use this sword as a test to see how the system worked.


    After receiving confirmation that the item was uploaded successfully, Daniel continued browsing while waiting for any responses.


    ¡­


    At the 5-Element Temple.


    Lord of 5 Elements sat there, across from a shadowy figure.


    The shadow didn''t dare to show any of its presence or identity.


    "Any news?" Lord of 5 Elements asked impatiently.


    "Are you in such a rush?" The shadow spoke slowly.


    "It''s only been a short while. Even if I were to gather information for you, it wouldn''t be possible to make progress this quickly. Do you understand?"


    "But¡­ aren''t you the Great Elder?"


    "Yes, I am the Great Elder, but you know there are many Senior Elders above me, right? Didn''t I already give you the method for forging a lv12 forge?" the shadow replied.


    At this, Lord of 5 Elements fell silent.


    Back when he had received the information on forging the lv12 forge, he had been so overjoyed.


    He had been eager to pass it on to Daniel.


    Then, he discovered something utterly despairing.


    Daniel was already forging the lv12 forge.


    And at an astonishing speed.


    It was so fast that Lord of 5 Elements found it hard to believe.


    Such speed could only mean one thing: Daniel was already very familiar with the method.


    So, the information he had obtained was essentially useless.


    Lord of 5 Elements felt like crying.


    "By the way, your 5-Element Temple was just established, right? So why are you in such a hurry to gather information about world ascension?"


    The shadow asked, puzzled.


    World ascension was something only long-established god kings could intervene with.


    Lord of 5 Elements had only been a god king for less than ten thousand years.


    Why was he so eager to get involved in the world ascension?


    Could he really be sure that he would benefit from it?


    It was possible that he might even lose some of his control over the area.


    "You don''t have to worry about that. I''m sure I''ll be able to use it," Lord of 5 Elements replied.


    "Alright, but I''ll warn you in advance. There''s likely going to be an investigation soon. If it''s not something very urgent, don''t contact me. Last time, sharing the lv12 forge method raised suspicions among some people."


    "If the god kings get involved, it won''t be good for any of us!"

 Chapter204-The Lower and Upper Realms

    The shadow watched Lord of 5 Elements and spoke slowly.From his words, it was clear that the shadow belonged to the faction of another god king.


    However¡­


    Compared to loyalty, he was more interested in divine stone.


    This was also why Lord of 5 Elements had access to so much information regarding the world''s ascension.


    Faced with the shadow''s question, Lord of 5 Elements felt utterly helpless.


    He didn''t want this either!


    But, what could he do with Daniel around?


    Compared to the wrath of the god king in the shadow''s faction,


    he found Daniel far more terrifying.


    Because, even though both were at the god king level, and the other might have tens of thousands of years more experience,


    it didn''t really matter.


    At the god king level, you could only get wounded, not killed.


    But when it came to Daniel, Lord of 5 Elements truly felt the threat of death.


    Daniel could actually kill him.


    Thus, he had no choice but to keep investigating for Daniel.


    If things didn''t progress, he didn''t doubt Daniel''s methods.


    "Investigate quickly. If you need divine stone, I can provide it."


    "You¡­ you''re insane!"


    The shadow exclaimed in surprise.


    Then, he fell silent. Since Lord of 5 Elements didn''t seem to care about these things, it seemed¡­


    "Alright, give me one billion divine stones. I''ll see if I can extract some information from the elder council. But¡­ it might take some time."


    "Deal."


    Lord of 5 Elements agreed without hesitation, handing over one billion divine stones. After that, the shadow disappeared into the 5-Element Temple.


    Lord of 5 Elements sank into his chair, exhausted.


    After handing over that enormous sum, he was nearly broke.


    He could only hope for some useful news.


    At that moment, a message notification appeared on his screen.


    "What''s going on?"


    It was from a friend of his, another god king.


    "Giant Mountain, what''s the matter?"


    "5 Elements, I''ve been hearing some rumors¡­ is everything alright with you recently?"


    The Giant Mountain god king didn''t waste time and went straight to the point.


    This left Lord of 5 Elements slightly stunned.


    Yes, something was wrong.


    He had been spending money non-stop just to gather intel on Daniel.


    And after spending that huge amount, he was nearly penniless!


    "Giant Mountain, why do you ask? Well¡­ I''ve been a bit strapped for cash lately¡­"


    "No matter how tight you are, you shouldn''t have put your supreme sword up for sale in the Void Realm''s lowest level! Do you know what this means? Have you been drinking too much?"


    The Giant Mountain god king said quickly.


    This left Lord of 5 Elements utterly stunned.


    What supreme sword¡­


    All those supreme artifacts were long gone, taken by Daniel when he was still in the Mortal Realm! Continue reading on empire


    How could they possibly be showing up in the world now?


    And in the lowest level of the Void Realm?


    Wait a second¡­


    Suddenly, Lord of 5 Elements realized something terrifying.


    His face drained of color.


    Seeing this, the Giant Mountain god king understood that there was something Lord of 5 Elements didn''t want to say, so he added:


    "Alright, I''ve got other things to do. I''ll talk to you later."


    Lord of 5 Elements sat alone in the empty temple.


    The silence was suffocating, almost unbearable.


    ¡­


    In the virtual world of the Godlink Consortium,


    Daniel was currently eyeing some food items.


    Yes, food that he and Elise could eat, not Big White.


    Some were specialties of the God Realm. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    You couldn''t find them in the Mortal Realm.


    And others came from other worlds,


    rare even in the Void Realm.


    Naturally, Daniel wasn''t going to pass up the opportunity to experience these strange new items.


    Soon, his shopping cart filled up with all kinds of goods.


    At that moment, a communication request came through.


    "Dear guest, an Elder from Godlink Consortium requests to speak with you. Would you like to accept?"


    Godlink Consortium?


    An Elder?


    Daniel immediately understood; it must be about the supreme artifact he had listed on the trading platform.


    "Sure, I''ll accept."


    An elderly figure appeared on the screen.


    "Hello, guest. I''m reaching out regarding the supreme artifact you''ve listed on our trading platform. Is it indeed yours?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    Daniel glanced at the artifact; it was indeed the one he had listed.


    "Has anyone shown interest in buying it?"


    "No, not yet. However, after our appraisal, we found that it''s indeed a high-quality item. However, because it was listed in the lowest tier of the Void Realm¡­ it could cause some turmoil. Therefore, we''ve temporarily hidden the listing."


    Hidden?


    Daniel checked his listing.


    Sure enough, the supreme artifact was now marked as hidden.


    "Does this mean the artifact can''t be sold?"


    "Not at all. It just can''t be sold in the lowest tier of the Void Realm. If you''d like to sell or buy a supreme artifact, you''ll need to go to the higher levels, where the marketplace for such items is located."


    After the Elder''s explanation, Daniel understood.


    It seemed that the virtual world he was in right now was merely a lower-tier one.


    Truly high-grade items were traded in the upper realms!


    "Then, how can I access the upper-tier virtual world?"


    Daniel asked.


    "All you need is sufficient wealth, and you''ll qualify for access to the upper realms. However, the supreme artifact you''ve displayed is more than enough to grant you entry. Please hold on, I''ll arrange it."


    Daniel nodded.


    He then emptied his shopping cart.


    Most of the items were food anyway.


    They wouldn''t spoil in his storage space.


    If he got tired of them, he could always have Elise experiment with them and turn them into something extraordinary.


    Daniel trusted Elise''s cooking skills.


    The Elder, of course, could see Daniel''s actions,


    since he was directly overseeing Daniel''s application for upper-tier access.


    And he could clearly see Daniel''s data.


    For instance¡­


    Daniel had just spent over one million divine stones in the blink of an eye.


    This made the Elder''s eyes twitch. Though his joy couldn''t be hidden,


    who wouldn''t like a customer who spent like this?


    Especially when the Elder was the one responsible for him.


    That would mean a nice boost to his performance!


    In the upper-tier virtual world,


    the environment was much more refined compared to the lower levels.


    It was no longer a bustling market, but a quiet, elegant lounge.


    Each person could sit and relax, with a personal screen to browse and shop at their leisure.


    "Clyde, my friend, I heard you''ve got another supreme artifact recently?"


    "Eh, it was just luck. I happened to come across it, but it cost quite a bit."


    "How much exactly?"


    "Only about 20,000."


    "Holy cow! A supreme artifact for only 20,000 divine stones? You''re really lucky!"


    "It''s not too big of a deal. I''m just sensitive to these things, so when I saw it, I decided to get it. Only later did I realize it was a supreme artifact."


    Clyde said modestly, clearly indulging in some humblebragging.


    Meanwhile, another person was staring intently at his screen.


    "Strange¡­ how did he get it so fast?"


    "What''s up? Are you looking at another supreme artifact?"


    "No, I just saw something odd."


    "What''s that?"


    "Just now, this guy called Daniel spent an insane amount¡ªone million divine stones in an instant."


    "One million? That''s nothing."


    "This is different. He''s still going. Wait a minute, he''s not stopping¡­ how is this possible?"


    The young man was practically watching in disbelief as Daniel''s name soared up the spending leaderboard.


    It didn''t take long before other people noticed as well!

 Chapter205-Who Is the One at the Top of the Consumption List?

    After the elder granted Daniel access to the upper levels, he turned to him and asked:"Esteemed guest, your access to the upper levels has now been granted. You may go up at any time."


    "Will I still be able to come to the lower levels afterward?" Daniel asked.


    "Of course. However, a switch will be required¡­ When the time comes, you''ll be able to¡­"


    "Alright, I understand," Daniel interrupted.


    In other words, from now on, when Daniel enters this virtual world, he would automatically arrive in the upper levels by default.


    This was simply for convenience, because who would want to visit the lower levels if they had unrestricted access to the upper levels?


    The lower levels resembled a bustling marketplace¡ªno real experience to speak of.


    After pondering this for a moment, Daniel decided to open several shops.


    These were the same ones where he had purchased other special items from the Mortal Realm previously.


    He selected everything and made the purchase.


    Within moments, the shops were completely emptied.


    Even the shopkeepers were caught off guard.


    They stared, dumbfounded by the suddenness of it all.


    The elder from the Godlink Consortium, too, was left speechless.


    This was¡­ incredible.


    Once Daniel cleared out the shops, his name on the consumption leaderboard surged upwards like a rocket.


    In no time, he had made it into the top ten.


    Daniel''s reasoning was simple: since switching between the upper and lower levels would be troublesome in the future, why not take this opportunity to clear everything out?


    That way, there would be no need to worry about it later.


    He handed the items to Elise and left her to handle them.


    Following the instructions, Daniel switched to the upper levels of the virtual world.


    The upper levels were an entirely different world compared to the lower ones.


    Gone were the chaotic and noisy marketplace environments.


    The surroundings now looked refined and elegant.


    Pavilions, towers, and pleasant scenery greeted his eyes, creating a serene atmosphere that put the mind at ease.


    "This is your exclusive area. You can modify it as you see fit. You may design it however you wish," the elder explained.


    "There is also a public area in the upper levels where you can interact with others. However, the public area cannot be modified, though if you have any specific requests, you may direct them to our Godlink Consortium, and we will consider them on a case-by-case basis."


    Daniel nodded in acknowledgment, then opened his personal holographic screen.


    He navigated to the "supreme artifact" section.


    Indeed, the upper levels were far superior to the lower ones.


    Daniel even filtered for supreme artifacts that came with complete rules. As expected, he was able to find relevant items.


    As the elder had mentioned, very few of these artifacts had prices listed¡ªmost just had "details to be discussed" written instead.


    Daniel did find a few items that were clearly priced, though.


    The first was a bracelet, priced at four hundred thousand divine stones.


    The second item resembled the 5-Element Treasures that the Lord of 5 Elements had sent to the Void Realm¡ªan ornate bowl filled with water.


    It was priced at six hundred thousand divine stones.


    The third item consisted of several withered plants.


    Though they appeared to be near death, they didn''t seem to have any special properties.


    The price for these plants was three hundred thousand divine stones per piece, totaling three million for the lot.


    "Do these items match their value?" Daniel asked the elder.


    "Of course," the elder replied. "These treasures have been authenticated by the powerful figures of our Godlink Consortium."


    "You see, the first two¡ªthe bracelet and the bowl of water¡ªare appropriately priced."


    "As for the last one¡­" He hesitated. "These plants exude an ancient aura, one that can be traced back to the ancient God Realm. However, their appearance and the life force contained within them are insufficient. As a result, the pricing may be somewhat skewed."


    In other words, even the Godlink Consortium couldn''t provide a specific value for these plants, so they had simply listed them at a rough price.


    It could either be a loss or a great bargain.


    The Godlink Consortium maintained very strict standards for the items they sold on their platform, ensuring that there were no discrepancies between the goods and their prices.


    As for the plants themselves, they did indeed have an ancient aura and some embedded rules, but their appearance made it hard to believe they still had any value.


    Daniel understood after hearing the elder''s explanation.


    As for their specific use, Daniel didn''t care much¡ªwhat mattered to him were the rules inscribed on them.


    He just wondered whether Big White would be willing to consume these.


    With that, Daniel purchased all three items.


    "By the way, guest, would you like to sell that supreme artifact sword? In the upper levels, you can sell it freely," the elder asked.


    Daniel thought for a moment. At this point, he no longer felt the need to sell the sword.


    The price for supreme artifacts had already reached a plateau.


    His initial intention had simply been to test the waters, but now that he''d discovered the upper levels of the virtual world, he decided to hold onto the sword.


    After all, there was no need to sell it. Having more divine stones didn''t necessarily mean he could spend them all.


    "No, I''m not planning to sell it at the moment."


    "Understood. If you ever need anything, please don''t hesitate to contact me," the elder said. Stay connected with empire


    With that, Daniel left the virtual world.


    However, by this point, his name had already soared to the top of the consumption leaderboard.


    Indeed, because of the purchases he''d made earlier¡ªemptying out several shops and acquiring these divine artifacts¡ªDaniel now stood at the very top of the leaderboard.


    This shocked many people in the upper levels'' public area.


    "Wait a minute¡­ He really did make it to the top spot?"


    The young man who had been paying attention to Daniel''s progress earlier couldn''t hide his disbelief.


    "This guy, Daniel, who is he? How can he afford so many divine stones? In just a few minutes, he shot up to the top of the list?"


    Most people in the leaderboard were familiar with each other.


    After all, they all lived in the 5-Element God Realm, and they frequently interacted.


    They all knew each other''s names.


    When Daniel first appeared on the leaderboard, someone had already noticed. It was the young man from before.


    But after that, he saw Daniel''s rank rise almost like a rocket, leaping thousands of spots at once.


    He knew this person was extraordinary.


    Soon, Daniel had shot straight into the top ten.


    At this point, everyone in the public area took notice of the name "Daniel."


    "Yumia, is this Daniel from your 5-Element Temple? It looks like he just took your top spot. Aren''t you going to do something about it?" someone asked.


    Yumia had been in the lead of the consumption list until now. She was also a prominent figure in the Lord of 5 Elements'' temple, ranked among the top ten.


    So, when Yumia was at the top, no one thought anything of it.


    But now, her spot had been snatched by someone she''d never heard of.


    And yet, Yumia seemed completely unfazed.


    "Top spot? It''s no big deal. I haven''t had any need to purchase anything recently, so it doesn''t matter to me," she replied indifferently.


    What Yumia didn''t say was that recently, the temple had been spending a lot of divine stones, so she had been trying to conserve her resources.


    ¡­


    Just after Daniel left the virtual world, Big White darted into his arms, burying its head in his clothes, clearly too shy to look up.


    Daniel couldn''t help but laugh and sigh at the sight.


    When did this little one become so timid? Despite his repeated reassurances, Big White still seemed frightened. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Well, maybe it would get used to it eventually.


    Originally, Daniel had intended to see how the purchased items would be delivered, but just then, he received an unexpected message from the Lord of 5 Elements.


    "Lord Daniel, have you¡­ arrived in God Realm?" The Lord''s voice sounded a bit pale.


    "Yes, I just got here not long ago," Daniel replied.


    "Aha! You''ve reached God Realm, and you didn''t tell me? I should have prepared a grand welcome for you!"

 Chapter206-The Power of Withered Grass

    "No need," Daniel replied, "I''m here in Ascension City, in the southern part of the 5 Elements God Realm. By the way, how did you know?"Daniel asked in confusion.


    He couldn''t recall that the Lord of the 5 Elements could sense his location through the traces of his aura.


    "Well, Daniel-sama, it''s like this. One of my friends happened to see... my sword being placed in the trade zone in the lower layer of the virtual world. They notified me right away, so I guessed you had arrived in the God Realm."


    "I see¡­"


    Daniel thought the other party had some special means of tracking him, but it seemed he had overestimated things.


    However, this did imply something important:


    That sword had already become a symbol of the Lord of the 5 Elements.


    Moreover¡­ it seemed there weren''t many supreme artifacts around.


    "Daniel-sama, did you come to the virtual world to buy something?"


    "Isn''t that obvious?"


    Daniel replied, as if the question were unnecessary.


    "I mean... since you''ve arrived in the God Realm and it''s my territory, how could I allow you to spend your own money? It should be me who pays!"


    "I''ll send over... two million divine stones right away."


    The Lord of the 5 Elements hesitated for a moment before speaking.


    "Enough, I don''t lack divine stones. By the way, how''s the investigation into the world ascension progress?"


    Daniel asked, his tone turning serious.


    This was the issue that mattered most to him at the moment.


    "Don''t worry, we''re still investigating. As you know, these matters are extremely confidential for an established power. It requires a significant amount of time and energy¡­"


    "Alright, I won''t ask for now. If there''s any difficulty, just let me know. Divine stones or whatever aren''t an issue!"


    "You can rest assured, I know what to do."


    The Lord of the 5 Elements said, just as he was about to end the communication.


    "Wait, one more thing!"


    The Lord of the 5 Elements, who had just relaxed, felt his heart leap into his throat.


    "D-Daniel-sama, what is it?"


    Daniel glanced at the Lord of the 5 Elements, sensing that the other seemed to be hiding something. However, since he didn''t want to divulge it, there was little Daniel could do.


    "My world is called the Void Realm, but that name doesn''t sound very pleasant. I need to change it. By the way, can you take care of this matter directly?"


    "That''s no problem. What name would you like to change it to? I can handle it with a word."


    Daniel thought for a moment and then said,


    "Let''s call it the Crossbridge World, as it matches the name of my faction."


    "Alright, I''ll have someone take care of it right away."


    And with that, the two disconnected.


    Sitting back in his chair, the Lord of the 5 Elements let out a long sigh.


    Thankfully, Daniel had only asked a general question and didn''t press for specific progress.


    Otherwise, he feared he might not have been able to withstand Daniel''s anger.


    Back when Daniel was still in the Mortal Realm, things were easier to manage, but now it was different.


    Daniel was in the God Realm now!


    He could show up at any moment and wreak havoc.


    When the Lord of the 5 Elements first realized that Daniel might be in the God Realm, he even considered relocating¡ªperhaps leaving the 5-Element Temple.


    He''d even entertained the idea of running away.


    But, luckily, Daniel hadn''t asked any more detailed questions.


    He still had some time to wait for news.


    ...


    Daniel took out three rule-based items he had recently purchased from his array disk.


    A bracelet, clear water, and withered grass.


    Discover more content at empire


    Placing them on the table, Daniel pulled Big White from his clothes.


    "Come on, take a look. See if you like any of these three things."


    He set the trembling Big White on the table.


    As soon as Big White heard "food," it immediately seemed to regain its composure, no longer trembling with fear as before.


    Seeing this, Daniel thought¡­ maybe Big White wasn''t so unadaptable after all!


    It seemed that staying outside more might be the key.


    Perhaps after a while, it would completely adjust.


    After all, it was just a matter of time.


    Upon hearing "food," Big White lost all fear.


    Indeed, greed often conquers all!


    Big White immediately opened its mouth and bit down on the bracelet.


    Crunching it into pieces, it swallowed them down.


    After a few seconds, it spoke:


    "This doesn''t taste good, a bit gritty."


    "How about this?"


    Daniel placed the bowl of clear water in front of Big White.


    Big White sucked it up instantly, finishing the entire bowl in one gulp.


    "Father, this is good! It''s cool and sweet."


    "Good, I''m glad you like it. Now, try the last one."


    Daniel turned his gaze to the withered grass.


    These were the first time Daniel had seen such a plant.


    Upon first glance, he could only say that the Godlink Consortium''s judgment on this item was indeed correct.


    The grass was peculiar, its rules incredibly chaotic.


    Indeed, chaotic.


    The vitality it seemed to have was almost extinct, yet not completely.


    Every time some vitality emerged, it was negated by other forces.


    The situation was truly bizarre.


    Even Daniel couldn''t fully explain it.


    No wonder the Godlink Consortium couldn''t figure it out.


    "Come on, this isn''t trash. This is specially chosen for you. It has the aura of ancient rules."


    "Father, how about you give me some fruit instead? I think fruit is fine too."


    "Eat this! It''s nutritious. Those fruits won''t help you grow, or become stronger. They won''t help you defeat the Will of the World in the God Realm. Hurry up and eat, or the Will of the World might notice you..."


    Hearing Daniel''s threat, Big White bit down on one of the withered grasses, chewing it down quickly.


    Then, it immediately ran into Daniel''s arms.


    It seemed... the Will of the World in the God Realm was truly powerful.


    "How does it taste?"


    Daniel asked, still curious about the effects of these grasses.


    "It doesn''t taste like anything, it''s like eating withered grass."


    "Is that so? Let me check."


    Daniel used his mind power to scan Big White''s body. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To his surprise, the withered grass¡­


    Seemed to have a far greater effect than the water and bracelet combined.


    It looked like these grasses were indeed extraordinary.


    "These are indeed good things. Quickly, eat all of them."


    "Father¡­ this doesn''t taste good¡­"


    "Who cares if it doesn''t taste good? It''s packed with nutrients. You have to eat it! This is good for your body, didn''t you feel it?"


    "Well¡­"


    Reluctantly, Big White consumed all the withered grass from the table.


    Then, it surprisingly let out a burp.


    It was rare for Big White to burp after eating.


    After all, the ten grasses, though small, barely added up to the size of one hand.


    Yet, after eating them, Big White let out a burp.


    Daniel became even more convinced that the withered grass, infused with its chaotic rules, was truly a powerful supplement for the body.


    After the burp, Big White''s body swayed, its eyelids growing heavy, and soon it fell asleep.


    Seeing this, Daniel immediately checked Big White''s condition.


    He soon understood what was happening.


    It wasn''t because the grass contained anything special.


    Rather, Big White had been drinking the lv12 forge''s tears every day and had undergone extensive transformations by the Tree of Origin.


    The accumulation had reached a terrifying level.


    The withered grass acted as the final catalyst that triggered a massive change in Big White''s body.


    Thus, Big White''s body instinctively entered a deep sleep, passively upgrading.


    Perhaps when Big White woke up again, the entire Void Realm¡­ no, now it should be called the Crossbridge Realm, would have evolved from the human god level to the earth god level.


    Meanwhile, those who had just reached the human god level, preparing to ascend to the God Realm, might find themselves surprised, wondering whether to be happy or troubled about this new shift in the world''s limits.

 Chapter207-The Intruder

    After putting Big White away, Daniel left the room.He planned to check on Elise and see how things were going on her side.


    This virtual world created by the Godlink Consortium was filled with so many wonderful things.


    Just after browsing for a while, he had already purchased a lot.


    The divine stones he had given Elise earlier might not be enough now.


    When Daniel stepped outside, he noticed that the surroundings had changed a bit compared to when he first arrived.


    But he couldn''t quite pinpoint what exactly had changed.


    All he knew was that it looked slightly more pleasant now.


    Daniel sensed that Elise was currently in the kitchen.


    Surprisingly, Elise was already cooking.


    "Headmaster, the food will be ready soon, please wait a moment,"


    Elise said as she continued to busy herself.


    After hearing this, Daniel found a nice spot outside to sit and wait for the food to be served.


    Not long after, Elise came over with steaming hot dishes. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The familiar delicious aroma filled the air.


    Every time Daniel tasted Elise''s cooking, it was an entirely different kind of enjoyment.


    This kind of deliciousness made him increasingly believe that keeping Elise around was one of the best decisions he had ever made.


    Daniel also noticed that some of the ingredients in Elise''s cooking were special materials from the God Realm.


    "Elise, have you also entered the virtual world?"


    "Yes, I tried it out and bought a few things. Headmaster, it''s so convenient! Whatever you want, you can buy instantly. Plus, many of the items are rare materials from other worlds,"


    Elise said and then sighed:


    "I originally wanted to buy some other specialties, but for some reason, everything was sold out. So I had no choice but to log out and make do with the ingredients I already had."


    After hearing Elise''s words, Daniel chuckled awkwardly. If his guess was correct, this was probably his doing.


    After gaining access to upper-level permissions, his default entry point was the upper layer.


    So Daniel couldn''t be bothered to switch back, and he ended up clearing out all the items in the lower layer. Explore new worlds at empire


    "I bought these from the lower layer. Take a look. Oh, and here are some divine stones. If you run out, just go buy more,"


    Daniel said, handing the storage crystal to Elise.


    Elise took the crystal and checked its contents. Her eyes widened in shock.


    "Headmaster, you didn''t¡­ Did you clear out all those shops?"


    "Uh¡­ If nothing unexpected happened, then yes, it was probably me."


    "Headmaster, you''re really something¡­"


    Elise looked again at the divine stones stored in the crystal and froze for a moment.


    "Sometimes, you''re really hard to figure out¡­"


    "Don''t worry, just spend what you need. Don''t hold back,"


    Daniel reminded her and added,


    "By the way, the array disk allows you to add friends. Let me add you. Are you using your own name?"


    "Huh? It has that feature?"


    Elise seemed a bit surprised, then she blushed.


    "Headmaster, I¡­ I didn''t use my own name."


    "Is that so? Then let''s use the unique ID to add you. Do you know your personal ID?"


    "I remember it,"


    Elise said and recited her unique ID.


    Daniel added Elise as a friend.


    Well¡­ the name was indeed quite embarrassing.


    No wonder Elise didn''t want to say it out loud.


    "''Little Chef Working Hard to Make Delicious Food for Headmaster''¡­"


    It was lucky that the Void Realm didn''t impose restrictions on the number of characters in a name.


    Daniel glanced at Elise''s expression and tactfully decided not to read it aloud.


    "By the way, Headmaster, this virtual system is really convenient. If we could use this in the Mortal Realm, that would be amazing."


    "The distance between the God Realm and the Mortal Realm is quite vast. Connecting them would be nearly impossible¡­"


    After hearing Elise''s comment, Daniel began to think.


    Setting up a teleportation array that could connect two worlds was incredibly complex.


    To integrate the Mortal Realm into the Void Realm would be a massive challenge. First, Daniel would need to understand the magical array principles behind the Void Realm, and then he would need to set up a magical array that could bridge the two worlds¡­


    It was very difficult.


    "Headmaster, I mean¡­ creating a system like this in the Mortal Realm alone¡­"


    "Oh, I see. That''s certainly doable. Let''s figure it out when we go back,"


    Daniel replied.


    The system in the God Realm was something very familiar to Daniel.


    Why hadn''t he thought of this back in the Mortal Realm?


    When he returned, he''d definitely set one up.


    After all, the world he came from was now called the Crossbridge World.


    How could a place like that lag behind? The Void Realm system was a must!


    While the two were chatting, Luke, the mayor of Void Town, was standing outside.


    He had come specifically to find Daniel.


    From the pub keeper who managed the houses, Luke had learned that a young man from the Mortal Realm had ascended, and he had bought hundreds of houses in one go.


    This was what had puzzled Luke the most.


    Only a powerful faction from the Mortal Realm could have such resources.


    And those hundreds of houses¡­


    They were most likely for members of that faction.


    However, Luke''s purpose in coming here was for another matter.


    If Daniel truly belonged to one of the Mortal Realm''s great factions, then he surely knew some of Void Town''s secrets.


    Luke needed to remind him not to reveal those secrets to other factions.


    Recently, the situation had become far too chaotic.


    After expending great effort, Luke had managed to track Daniel to this courtyard, which he had purchased after arriving in Ascension City.


    So, Luke had come here specifically.


    Looking at the courtyard in front of him, Luke hesitated briefly before entering.


    With his strength and seniority, there shouldn''t be any problems.


    Luke sensed two presences inside the courtyard. One was roughly at the human god level, while the other was completely beyond his ability to perceive.


    He decided to head straight for the stronger one.


    Just as this thought crossed Luke''s mind, his vision suddenly went black, and he fainted.


    "Headmaster, what did you just do?"


    "I don''t know why, but someone barged in, so I knocked him out and brought him over,"


    Daniel said, tossing Luke to the ground.


    The man had been standing outside his door for a while.


    Daniel thought someone had come to find him.


    He had intended to let the man in if he knocked.


    But instead¡­ the man had barged in without any greeting!


    Did he really think Daniel would just let that slide?


    On top of that, the man even used mind power to probe the area¡­


    How ridiculous!


    Did he think Daniel wouldn''t notice such an obvious mind power?


    So Daniel didn''t hold back. He simply knocked the man out and brought him in.


    When the man woke up, Daniel would ask what he wanted.


    After all, if you didn''t use a bit of force, some people wouldn''t understand their place.


    Before long, Luke woke up from his unconscious state.


    He opened his eyes to see two unfamiliar faces.


    Realizing that he had been knocked out, Luke looked at Daniel and asked cautiously:


    "You are¡­ Daniel, correct?"


    "When you enter someone else''s house, it''s best to show some manners. I am the owner of this house, Daniel. Who are you? You barged into my home and, even after waking up, are speaking to me in this tone?"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Luke realized he had overstepped.


    He quickly said:


    "I''m Luke, the mayor of Void Town. We all ascended from the Void Realm to the God Realm."


    Hearing this, Daniel''s expression softened slightly.


    They were from the same world, and this man was the mayor of Void Town.


    Daniel was somewhat inclined to believe that Luke had come for a legitimate reason.


    "What did you come to see me about?"


    Luke hadn''t expected Daniel to be so strong.


    To be knocked out and brought here without even realizing it¡­


    That was not something an ordinary person could do!

 Chapter208-Lukes Past

    A young man who had just ascended from the Void Realm¡­ could he really be this powerful?Discover hidden content at empire


    However, when Luke thought of something, he felt a little more at ease.


    He then asked: sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You¡­ are you from a faction like the Element Temple? Or perhaps the Dragonscale Bank?"


    Hearing those two names, Daniel was now convinced that this man had indeed spent time in the Mortal Realm.


    "Neither. I come from Crossbridge Academy in Riverside City."


    "Crossbridge Academy?"


    Luke was stunned.


    Because¡­ he had never heard of it!


    What was Riverside City? Crossbridge Academy?


    Was it a recently risen faction? Or perhaps¡­


    Was it something those people had created again?


    "It''s normal that you haven''t heard of it. Ten years ago, Riverside City was just a small place, and Crossbridge Academy was a completely insignificant faction."


    Ten years ago¡­


    Luke caught onto that point quickly.


    So, something significant must have happened in the past ten years in the Mortal Realm to shift the entire balance of power?


    "And now? Or rather, what happened in those ten years?"


    "To put it simply, under my leadership, Crossbridge Academy unified the entire Mortal Realm. That''s all,"


    Daniel said calmly.


    Luke: ???


    He almost thought he''d misheard.


    Because how could such a thing even be possible?


    In ten years, an insignificant faction from a small border city had unified the entire Mortal Realm?


    Not to mention, the Mortal Realm still had powerful factions like the Element Temple¡­


    Their lord possessed strength far surpassing the tier-sage level. How could he allow a small faction to rise and unify everything?


    This was simply absurd!


    "And what about¡­ the Element Temple?"


    "The Element Temple? They''ve all submitted to Crossbridge Academy. The Crossbridge Sanctuary now commands universal respect."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Luke was utterly shocked.


    "This¡­ this is impossible! The lord of the Element Temple possesses strength far beyond tier-sage. And on top of that, he did that kind of thing¡­ It just can''t be true¡­"


    Luke still refused to believe it.


    "Him? I captured him, stripped him of his mana, and handed him over to the Element Temple. He''s probably already been executed by his own people by now,"


    Daniel said, recalling the former lord''s fate. It was more or less the case.


    "It seems you know a few things that others don''t,"


    Daniel said as he looked at Luke.


    Because from Luke''s earlier words of shock, he had said things far beyond what an ordinary mage would know.


    He had mentioned that the lord of the Element Temple was secretly doing something.


    That likely referred to using the Five Elements Magic Array to absorb the world''s original essence.


    This sort of thing was definitely not common knowledge.


    "Because¡­ I ascended to the God Realm ten thousand years ago. Back then, the Element Temple and Dragonscale Bank had already been established,"


    Luke explained.


    Then, after a brief hesitation, as if coming to terms with it, he added:


    "In fact, I can be considered one of the founders of the Element Temple."


    Daniel was stunned to hear this.


    One of the founders of the Element Temple?


    And he was here?


    Originally, Daniel thought that people like this would either be in the Mortal Realm, assisting that lord in absorbing the original essence, or they would have been killed long ago¡­


    He hadn''t expected that someone had directly ascended to the God Realm and survived all this time.


    Luke then began to recount his story.


    Ten thousand years ago.


    At that time, the Void Realm was a peaceful place.


    There was no Five Elements Treasury.


    Even if there were remnants of divine or demonic items, they were manageable and not widespread.


    One day, the Five Elements Treasury descended from the God Realm.


    Countless mages joined the fight for it.


    Luke was no exception.


    Together with his best friend, he joined the war.


    In the end, they obtained a Five Elements Divine Artifact.


    It was a broken sword that possessed an incredibly strong Rule of Metal.


    They began to study it.


    From that treasure, they even learned numerous magical rules and spells.


    Beyond that, the broken sword also contained deliberately left images and information¡­


    Those were scenes from the God Realm.


    The God Realm, where countless powerful beings slaughtered one another, and the weak were trampled like ants underfoot.


    It was at this point that the two friends¡ªboth at the tier-sage level¡ªbegan to disagree.


    Luke believed that they should seize the opportunity to enter the God Realm immediately.


    Although they would start weak, the powerful rules and magic within the broken sword would allow them to rise again.


    However, his friend believed they should remain in the Mortal Realm to build up their strength. Once they were strong enough, they could ascend to the God Realm without having to start from the bottom.


    After all, the broken sword also contained detailed methods for accumulating strength in the Mortal Realm.


    To not use it would be a waste.


    At first, Luke was persuaded by his friend.


    The two began researching the methods provided by the Five Elements Treasury to accumulate strength.


    But as their research deepened, they made a shocking discovery.


    The so-called method to accumulate strength was to directly absorb the world''s original essence.


    Luke instinctively felt that this was wrong.


    To grow stronger by harming the very world they lived in¡­


    It was heartless.


    But his friend didn''t see it that way.


    He became increasingly obsessed.


    Eventually, he even secretly contacted the other four individuals who possessed similar treasures.


    That''s right¡ªthe Five Elements Magic Array was used to extract the world''s original essence.


    As this went on, the conflict between the two friends grew deeper.


    At one point, they even fought each other.


    Of course, the result was that Luke lost.


    He couldn''t stop his friend.


    But he also refused to use such a method.


    So, he chose to ascend to the God Realm.


    He left behind the Element Temple, which they had founded together.


    After arriving in the God Realm, Luke discovered that things were not as the Five Elements Treasury had described.


    In fact, the God Realm¡­


    had special designated areas to accommodate ascended individuals from the Mortal Realm.


    Having finished his story, Luke seemed more at peace.


    "Don''t worry. I have no intention of avenging him. What he did was despicable, and his fate was well-deserved. That outcome doesn''t surprise me. After all, the origins of the Five Elements Treasury¡­ are far too suspicious."


    Thinking back, Luke still felt puzzled.


    Why had the Five Elements Treasury descended from the God Realm?


    Why did every treasury encourage people to absorb the original essence of their world?


    "I even suspect¡­ that the Five Elements Treasury is backed by¡­"


    Luke pointed upward, then downward, saying no more.


    Some things simply could not be said outright.


    The Ascension City represented both the sky and the earth¡ªthere was only one person it could refer to.


    The ruler of this divine domain: the Five Elements God King.


    "So, I really don''t understand how you managed to grow to this level under his watch¡­"


    "It''s fine. That person has already been punished, and our world has begun to recover. In fact¡­ it will soon ascend to become an Earth God World."


    "Huh?"


    Those two simple sentences struck Luke like a thunderclap.


    He was at a loss for words.


    He could only react with the instinctive response of someone utterly bewildered:


    "Huh?"


    Because either of those statements was far beyond Luke''s comprehension.


    The Void Realm¡­ not only recovered from near destruction¡­


    It was about to ascend to an Earth God World?


    Did that mean that in the future, people who ascended to the God Realm would start as Earth-Tier Gods?


    What kind of unimaginable fortune was this?


    Luke couldn''t even begin to imagine it!


    If they became Earth-Tier Gods¡­


    Then the status of Void Town would be elevated tremendously!


    No, it would rise to an entirely new level of prestige!

 Chapter209-Gold Sea Town Stirs Trouble Again

    When that time comes, why would they care about Gold Sea Town?What a joke. Are they even worthy of challenging Void Town?


    Suddenly, Luke thought of something else Daniel had said earlier.


    What did he mean by¡­ he has already received his deserved punishment?


    Who was he?


    And what punishment was he referring to?


    At this moment, Luke truly felt as though his mind was in chaos.


    Because connecting the dots¡­


    It clearly referred to that person.


    Yes, the ruler of the entire Five Elements Divine Domain.


    But¡­ was that really possible?


    Thinking about this, Luke hesitated to speak.


    "Did he really¡­ receive punishment?"


    "You just need to know that this is the result,"


    Daniel said lazily, unwilling to explain further.


    "Right, what did you come here for today? Surely you didn''t come just to learn about what''s been happening in the Mortal Realm over the past few years or what happened to your friend, right?"


    Daniel asked as he looked at Luke.


    "It''s like this¡ªI heard that a young man had ascended from the Mortal Realm, one who spends very lavishly, so I wanted to ask if you had any connections to the Element Temple or the Dragonscale Bank¡­ and if you knew about the forge,"


    Luke said hesitantly.


    "The forge¡­ can be said to be Void Town''s most guarded secret. It''s precisely because of the forge that Void Town''s industry exists¡­"


    Hearing Luke''s explanation, Daniel understood.


    He had previously asked Crane about this matter.


    The reason those people from Gold Sea Town had provoked Crane and challenged Void Town was to uncover the secret behind Void Town''s spirit plant business.


    It now seemed that the forge was the key reason.


    The liquid drops produced by the forge were indeed very beneficial for plant growth.


    Daniel recalled the lakeside trees at Du Heng Academy¡ªthey had grown so quickly that they were almost gaining sentience.


    "How many forges do you have?"


    "There are four in total. One is level nine, and the others are level eight or six,"


    Luke replied after thinking for a moment.


    "I see. Let me give you a few more. We can''t let our world be laughed at by others,"


    Daniel said casually.


    They were both from the Mortal Realm.


    And Luke himself seemed like a decent person.


    Regardless of how much of his story was true,


    at the very least, he hadn''t joined forces with the Element Temple''s lord.


    For that alone, Daniel felt Luke was worth investing in.


    Moreover, they came from the same world.


    In the future, when the Crossbridge World ascended, they would all come here as well.


    Building goodwill was never a bad idea.


    "No, no! The forge is an incredibly valuable thing. You should keep it for yourself. Currently, our Void Town¡­"


    Before Luke could finish, Daniel casually took out ten translucent Origin Towers with a faint golden hue.


    Seeing this scene, Luke couldn''t help but gasp sharply.


    With a level-nine forge of his own, he naturally recognized what these were.


    These were¡­ level 12 Origin Towers!


    "This¡­ this is far too valuable! You should really keep these things for yourself. Such¡­"


    "It''s fine. I have plenty of these. If ten isn''t enough, I can give you a hundred more,"


    Daniel said nonchalantly.


    Hearing this, Luke didn''t dare refuse further and silently accepted the ten level 12 forges.


    Because he had a feeling that Daniel might really take out a hundred level 12 forges.


    The critical problem was that while Daniel had them and dared to give them, Luke truly didn''t dare accept that many!


    A hundred level-12 forges¡­


    Ten might be manageable.


    But with a hundred, Void Town wouldn''t survive for long.


    Luke understood the concept of treasuring a jade ring invites envy.


    Afterward, Daniel asked Luke about the situation in Void Town.


    At this moment, a voice came from outside:


    "Gabriel has come to pay respects to Lord Daniel."


    Gabriel?


    Daniel thought for a moment. He hadn''t been in Ascension City for long.


    The people he knew were only a handful.


    There was no one by that name.


    Daniel swept the area with his mind power and found an elderly man standing respectfully outside.


    The man''s aura was roughly at the god lord level.


    So Daniel asked Luke:


    "You''ve been here longer. Are there any god lords in Ascension City?"


    "There are, such as the lord of Ascension City¡­" S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luke began but then paused as he realized something.


    Wait, what?


    God lord? Gabriel?


    Wasn''t that the name of Ascension City''s lord?


    Read exclusive adventures at empire


    "Wait here for a moment. I''ll go check,"


    Daniel said before disappearing.


    This left Luke sitting there, muttering two words:


    "City Lord¡­"


    When the old man saw Daniel, he hurriedly bowed and said:


    "Gabriel greets Lord Daniel."


    "I don''t believe I know you, do I?"


    "I am the lord of Ascension City, and I have been sent by the God King to deliver something to you, my lord."


    "I see¡­"


    Daniel understood. The Five Elements God King had sent someone to deliver items to him.


    He remembered the God King mentioning something about giving him tens of millions of divine stones.


    He hadn''t expected it to happen so quickly¡­


    The speed and attitude were both quite good!


    "Alright, come in then,"


    Daniel said, leading Gabriel into the courtyard.


    When Luke saw Gabriel, he immediately stood up and bowed.


    As the mayor of Void Town, he had naturally seen Gabriel before.


    Gabriel merely nodded.


    After all, the Five Elements Divine Domain encompassed so many worlds that he couldn''t possibly know everyone from them.


    "Alright, take a seat,"


    Daniel said.


    Both men sat down quickly.


    "Lord Daniel, these are the divine stones prepared for you. Please accept them. Also, the matter of renaming the Void Realm to Crossbridge World has been completed,"


    Gabriel said respectfully.


    "In the future, we will designate a new area for those who originally belonged to the Crossbridge World,"


    Gabriel added.


    Luke sat on the side, stunned.


    He hadn''t expected this to involve Void Town¡­ no, it should now be called Crossbridge Town.


    And it was all because¡­


    Daniel''s faction was called Crossbridge Academy.


    Gabriel had been managing Ascension City for quite some time.


    Naturally, he knew how to make arrangements that would satisfy Daniel.


    At the very least, this ensured that mages ascending from Crossbridge World would have a stable life here.


    With Luke overseeing things and Gabriel backing them up, Daniel no longer needed to worry about the future of Crossbridge Town.


    "You''ve done well. I''ll let the Five Elements God King know,"


    Daniel said.


    He then handed the storage crystal containing tens of millions of divine stones to Luke.


    "Take these and handle the arrangements. I have only one request¡ªspend all of this on those who ascend to the God Realm in the future."


    "Rest assured, my lord, I will make sure of it!"


    At that moment, Luke''s communication device buzzed.


    After checking the message, Luke frowned deeply.


    "What happened?"


    Daniel asked.


    "It''s the people from Gold Sea Town. They''re causing trouble again. They''ve always wanted to uncover the secrets of our¡­ Crossbridge Town. I''ve been ignoring them because they have support from a heavenly god-level world.


    "But this time¡­ it seems they''ve brought their own mayor along as well. It looks like something big is about to happen. I need to head back immediately,"


    Luke said with a frown.


    "I see¡­ City Lord Gabriel, I''ll leave this to you,"


    Daniel said, turning to Gabriel.


    As the lord of Ascension City, Gabriel should have jurisdiction over those outside the city.


    Gold Sea World, or Gold Sea Town¡­


    Daniel had only been here for a short time and had already heard of it multiple times.


    He was getting a bit annoyed.


    "Please don''t worry, my lord. I''ve long wanted to manage the outer towns! I will ensure you are satisfied with the outcome,"


    Gabriel promised with determination.

 Chapter210-He...Hes the City Lord!!!

    Gabriel spoke to Daniel."Understood. I''ll take care of it."


    After Daniel gave his instructions, the two left Daniel''s courtyard.


    Luke, naturally, followed closely behind Daniel.


    Very soon, the two arrived at what was still called Void Town.


    The name hadn''t yet been officially changed.


    At this moment, the two sides were in a standoff.


    "You people from Void Town are so despicable! Using such underhanded methods¡ªdo you really think Gold Sea Town is that easy to bully?"


    Because Luke was absent, Void Town''s deputy mayor had stepped forward to confront them.


    "Bully? You''ve got it backward! It''s clearly you people from Gold Sea Town who repeatedly come to Void Town to cause trouble. We haven''t even dealt with the troublemakers you''ve sent¡ªthat''s already giving you a lot of face!"


    "And what now? Are you planning to attack Void Town directly? Let me tell you¡ªwe don''t seek trouble, but we''re not afraid of it either!"


    The deputy mayor spoke with righteous confidence.


    "Hah! And who doesn''t know that it was you people from Void Town who made all the shops in Ascension City increase their prices tenfold for us from Gold Sea Town! Are you still going to deny it?"


    Gold Sea Town''s mayor retorted.


    "What? Did you even think before saying something that ridiculous? How could Void Town have the power to make all those shops raise their prices? Do you think those shops in Ascension City take orders from us?"


    The deputy mayor was naturally unwilling to accept such blatant nonsense.


    After all, the shops in Ascension City were all backed by various powerful connections and factions¡­


    If Void Town truly had that kind of influence, they would have had Ascension City''s lord kick out the people from Gold Sea Town long ago.


    These guys must have had their brains kicked by donkeys to spout something this absurd!


    "I''m telling you, the reason I dared to come here and say this is because I have evidence! You there, step forward and explain what happened!"


    At the order of the Gold Sea Town mayor, a man stepped forward.


    "We were in a shop, preparing to purchase some items, and we ran into that Crane from Void Town. After some disputes, the person next to Crane said something to the shopkeeper."


    "The result? Our prices were inexplicably raised tenfold! The shopkeeper even told us that from now on, all shops in Ascension City would raise prices tenfold for people from Gold Sea Town!"


    Hearing this, the deputy mayor couldn''t help but laugh out loud.


    The anger he initially felt dissipated, replaced by amusement.


    He hadn''t expected Gold Sea Town to be so desperate that they would come up with such a flimsy excuse¡­


    It was pathetic!


    This accusation was so poorly fabricated that even a five-year-old child would have trouble believing it.


    "If you want to start a fight, then we at Void Town will gladly accompany you to the end! There''s no need for such ridiculous excuses. It''s laughable just to hear it!"


    The deputy mayor said coldly.


    "Where''s Luke? Why isn''t he coming out? Is he too afraid to show his face, so he''s sending you instead?"


    "Gold Sea Town, you''ve crossed the line! Such behavior disrespects Ascension City. Do you think Ascension City will tolerate this?"


    Luke''s reprimanding voice came from behind.


    "Ascension City? Hmph! Everyone knows Ascension City never cares about these matters! This is the outer city; Ascension City has no authority here¡­"


    The Gold Sea Town mayor spoke arrogantly while turning his head to look at Luke.


    However, as he turned, he was struck with a horrifying sight.


    Because behind Luke stood another figure¡­


    Even though he hadn''t met this person many times, he still recognized the familiar face instantly!


    It was Ascension City''s lord¡ªGabriel!


    In that moment, the Gold Sea Town mayor felt as though his vision blurred, as if someone had hit him over the head with a brick.


    His mind was spinning, and he couldn''t believe what he was seeing. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire


    Luke¡­


    Why was he here with Gabriel, the lord of Ascension City?


    How did he manage to align himself with someone as powerful as Gabriel?


    Had he just offended Lord Gabriel with his earlier words?


    "Mayor, now that Luke has shown up, we can move forward with the plan we discussed¡­"


    At this moment, someone beside the Gold Sea Town mayor whispered quietly.


    But he was shocked to see the mayor trembling uncontrollably, his face pale and his body shaking instinctively.


    Clearly, this was the reaction of someone in extreme terror.


    But¡­


    There was only Luke here! What was there to be afraid of?


    And Luke wasn''t even that strong!


    The person beside him had clearly never seen Ascension City''s lord before.


    And that made sense.


    Gabriel, as Ascension City''s lord, had many responsibilities and rarely showed himself.


    Even these mayors had only seen him a handful of times.


    As for their subordinates, it was natural for them to be unaware.


    That man even shook the Gold Sea Town mayor''s arm and continued:


    "Mayor, this is our best opportunity now that Luke has shown up! Those people agreed to help us secure major benefits for Gold Sea Town!"


    As the man kept whispering in the mayor''s ear, the Gold Sea Town mayor''s consciousness began to return.


    Finally, he emerged from his earlier dazed terror¡­


    Only to transition into conscious terror.


    Worst of all, the fool beside him was still openly discussing their plans!


    Didn''t he realize that Gabriel, a god lord-level powerhouse, was standing right there?


    No matter how quiet his voice was, it was no different from plotting in Gabriel''s face!


    Was this man trying to get him killed?


    And considering that the outer city had spiraled into such chaos¡­


    Surely someone would have to be made an example of.


    And who better to be that "example" than him, the instigator?


    The Gold Sea Town mayor began trembling again, wishing he could punch the fool next to him and kill him on the spot.


    Just then, Gabriel began walking toward him.


    He turned to Luke and said:


    "Leave the rest to me."


    ¡­


    After Gabriel and Luke left, Daniel no longer concerned himself with the matter.


    With Gabriel handling it, there was nothing to worry about.


    After this ordeal, Daniel realized there was a problem.


    This new courtyard he had bought was good, but it wasn''t exactly secure against intruders.


    If the visitors were polite, like Gabriel, and waited outside, that was fine.


    But if they were like Luke, barging in without warning, there was no guarantee Daniel would always detect them in time. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So some necessary protective measures were needed.


    Daniel began searching his personal storage space for materials to set up a magic array.


    At the very least, it had to prevent such malicious disturbances.


    With a proper magic array around the courtyard, it wouldn''t be so easy for people to intrude.


    As Daniel searched, he found something interesting.


    It was the last stalk of the strange grass he had previously fed to Big White.


    Now that Big White was in a deep sleep for its ascension, the grass was no longer needed.


    After the ascension¡­ this tiny bit wouldn''t be useful anyway.


    So¡­ why not use it as the core of the array?


    The grass had peculiar properties that even Daniel couldn''t fully grasp.


    Using it as the core might create an array with unexpected effects.


    Although he didn''t understand the exact principles, as long as it achieved the desired results, that was enough.


    Daniel set up the magic array along the courtyard''s perimeter, close to the walls.


    The array amplified the grass''s peculiar properties.


    Anyone attempting to enter by irregular means would be blocked outside, as if trapped in a ghostly maze.


    Breaking through the array was simple¡ªone would need strength equivalent to Daniel''s,


    or comparable to the strange aura of the grass itself.


    And anyone with such power¡­


    would give Daniel ample time to react and deal with them!

 Chapter211-News of the Catastrophe

    Daniel''s power began to construct the corresponding magic array around the withered grass.In fact, he didn''t need to do much¡ªhe simply had to amplify the chaotic rules embedded within the withered grass.


    Of course, this magic array would only take effect on those trying to enter through abnormal means.


    If someone was invited in properly, the array wouldn''t activate.


    After recording the auras of himself and Elise into the array¡­


    As for the core of the array, the withered grass¡­


    He buried it underground.


    After all, no one would bother clearing out things beneath the ground.


    Soon, the magic array was complete.


    Daniel thought for a moment, found someone, and gave them some divine stones to test it out.


    The effect was excellent.


    The person wandered aimlessly outside the walls, unable to enter the courtyard at all.


    Seeing the result, Daniel was satisfied.


    In a certain space.


    An ancient mirror suddenly began to crack from its center.


    In that instant, several figures appeared in the space.


    "How could this happen¡­"


    "But it really is a crack!"


    "We all saw it!"


    "When it becomes damaged, it signifies that a great catastrophe is about to descend upon the God Realm, doesn''t it?"


    "¡­"


    In the Five Elements Temple.


    The Five Elements God King sat on his throne.


    Lately, his days had been anything but easy.


    In particular, the investigation into the world ascension had yielded no progress.


    And now, at this critical moment, Daniel had also arrived in the God Realm.


    He had no choice but to act.


    After sending tens of millions of divine stones, his foundation had been further depleted.


    This was something he had painstakingly accumulated over tens of thousands of years.


    Yet due to these events, most of it was now gone.


    This left the Five Elements God King trapped in self-doubt.


    How had things turned out like this?


    Wasn''t he supposed to be a god king, ruling over a divine domain?


    How could his life be so miserable?


    It was even worse than when he wasn''t a god king at all.


    At this moment, he received a message.


    The sender was his friend, the Giant Mountain God King.


    "Five Elements, what have you been busy with lately?"


    Giant Mountain God King asked, his expression somewhat serious.


    The Five Elements God King replied helplessly:


    "I''ve been busy with temple affairs. There''s been so much going on recently. It''s all so troublesome, I feel like I can''t hold on anymore."


    Giant Mountain God King didn''t follow up on that topic but instead asked:


    "Have you heard about something recently?"


    "What is it?"


    Five Elements God King asked curiously.


    He hadn''t paid much attention to what had been happening in the God Realm recently.


    His days were spent worrying about balancing his resources and investigating the world ascension issue.


    "Look at this."


    Giant Mountain God King said, projecting an image with his hand.


    It was a massive mirror.


    However, a terrifying crack ran across its surface.


    At first, the Five Elements God King didn''t react. He blurted out instinctively:


    "The mirror broke? Just get a new one¡ª"


    Suddenly, he looked closer at the mirror, and his expression changed dramatically.


    Seeing this reaction, Giant Mountain God King didn''t need to explain further.


    "Is this¡­ the legendary artifact tied to the original essence of the God Realm? The Future Mirror?"


    This was the artifact that had appeared when the God Realm was first born, the Future Mirror.


    It was intricately tied to the original essence of the God Realm.


    No one knew exactly where the Future Mirror was located, but they could observe it through a unique projection.


    Some powerful god kings could even use the Future Mirror to briefly glimpse into the future.


    When the Five Elements God King had first noticed issues with the Crossbridge World, he had also relied on the Future Mirror to detect Daniel''s presence. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However¡­


    How could such an artifact suddenly crack?


    "Five Elements, do you remember the legend I mentioned before?"


    According to legend, the Future Mirror once foretold the destruction of the God Realm.


    The first sign of this catastrophe was the Future Mirror''s cracking.


    And now, a crack had appeared on its surface.


    What did this mean?


    A great catastrophe was about to sweep across the God Realm!


    This legend was ancient and well-known.


    Almost every god king was aware of it.


    "Now, many people in the God Realm are preparing for this, ready to respond to the impending disaster. We must also act, Five Elements!"


    Giant Mountain God King urged:


    "Put the temple affairs aside for now. There''s no rush. We can deal with them after the catastrophe passes."


    Hearing this, the Five Elements God King fell into silence.


    He was deep in thought.


    At this point, he felt like an ant on a hot stove, or a drowning man struggling to keep his head above water.


    He couldn''t even protect himself.


    He hadn''t even escaped the wolf''s den, and now the tiger''s maw was already opening.


    What should he do?


    What could he do?


    The Five Elements God King realized he had no choice at all!


    However, he could still distinguish between priorities.


    The God Realm''s catastrophe might or might not come. Even if it did, no one knew exactly when.


    But Daniel was real.


    He was in the God Realm right now, and he knew where the Five Elements God King was. He could show up at any time.


    Thus, the Five Elements God King said to Giant Mountain God King:


    "Thank you for the reminder, Giant Mountain. But I still have some matters to attend to. Let''s talk another day."


    "Alright. I just hope you''ll take this matter seriously."


    After that, the two cut off their connection.


    On Giant Mountain God King''s end, he sighed after the call ended.


    He had known the Five Elements God King for many years.


    The two could even be considered good friends.


    But this time¡­


    "Giant Mountain, how did it go?"


    Nearby, an elder asked.


    "Did he agree to join our alliance?"


    Giant Mountain God King replied:


    "I didn''t bring it up. He¡­ doesn''t seem to care much about the catastrophe. He''s still obsessed with his temple affairs."


    "What? Did you not explain to him how serious the catastrophe is?"


    "I did, but he still didn''t care. Such a person cannot be forced into our alliance. Otherwise, he''ll only bring unnecessary trouble."


    "Fine, he''s your friend. Do what you think is best."


    At this moment, another person chimed in:


    "Time is pressing. I said from the start that we shouldn''t waste time on a minor god king. It''s unnecessary."


    "In the south, those beast nations have already started taking action. If they strike, their first targets will undoubtedly be us!"


    Once the catastrophe began,


    the flames of war in the God Realm would undoubtedly ignite between humans and beasts.


    And all the god realms bordering the southern beast nations, like theirs, would be the first to suffer.


    That was why they had gathered to form an alliance.


    "Can''t we negotiate with them? Concentrate the battlefield in a specific god realm to minimize losses for everyone."


    "That¡­ could work!"


    After all, the beast nations weren''t fools.


    Although they were impulsive, they were still capable of basic reasoning.


    Their own territory was where they lived.


    If they could shift the war to someone else''s land, why wouldn''t they?


    "Let''s use the Five Elements God Realm as the battlefield, then."


    Giant Mountain God King suggested.


    "The Five Elements God Realm? Isn''t that your friend''s domain?"


    "I originally wanted him to join our alliance, but it seems he chose the wrong path. So¡­ there''s no need to hold back."


    Giant Mountain God King said calmly.


    There was no trace of the friendship he once had with the Five Elements God King.


    After all, every god king had lived for tens of thousands of years.


    To Giant Mountain God King, knowing the Five Elements God King for a mere ten thousand years wasn''t particularly significant.

 Chapter212-The Seller of Withered Grass!

    Just like the few God Kings present, none of them are strangers with each other, having known each other for tens of thousands of years.However, when the time comes, they will undoubtedly betray each other for their own interests.


    For now, their interests align, which is why they can sit together and discuss the matters of the alliance.


    As for the 5 Elements God King, he is destined to be a sacrificial pawn.


    Since he''s not part of this circle, abandoning him is an inevitable choice.


    ¡­


    In the courtyard, Daniel, after testing the effects of the magic array, was very satisfied.


    He became even more curious about where the withered grass came from.


    If he could investigate the source of the withered grass, it would likely lead to more discoveries.


    Even if not, after Big White''s promotion, the food supplies wouldn''t be an issue anymore.


    Thinking this, Daniel decided to enter the virtual world again and inquire about the seller.


    He wanted to know if there were more withered grass or any information about its source.


    "Elise, why don''t you also check out the virtual world and try some new ingredients? It''s better than staying here."


    After saying this, Daniel once again entered the virtual world.


    He then opened his purchase history and found the seller of the withered grass.


    He wanted to ask where the seller had obtained this item.


    But to his surprise, the seller was anonymous.


    This meant that aside from purchasing the withered grass, Daniel couldn''t contact them at all.


    Or perhaps, the seller had set up a block to avoid contact.


    Helpless, Daniel began to search again in the marketplace.


    However, he noticed something.


    The anonymous account had put up more withered grass, about a dozen or so, but this time the price had increased to 500,000 per piece.


    Seeing this, Daniel didn''t hesitate and immediately bought them.


    From this behavior, it was clear that the seller likely had a significant stock of the withered grass.


    Therefore, the probability of obtaining information about the source of the withered grass from them increased greatly.


    Still unable to contact the anonymous seller, Daniel noticed that the seller''s public details were available.


    If they needed something from him, they would contact him.


    Just then, Daniel noticed that the seller had listed another ten pieces of withered grass, and this time, the price increased again.


    Without hesitation, Daniel bought them all. This process continued four times.


    After the fourth transaction, the price returned to the original level. Daniel bought all of them again.


    However, this time, Daniel noticed that along with the withered grass, there was a long piece of text.


    It was a personal account code.


    Since he had previously added Elise as a friend, he could immediately recognize the code.


    So, following the code, Daniel added the person''s account.


    "Hello."


    "Are you there?"


    Daniel greeted with two quick questions.


    The other party seemed puzzled before replying:


    "I could send my personal account to add you as a friend, that''s why I''m here."


    The person was clearly a woman.


    "Daniel, right?"


    "Yes."


    Daniel looked at her name¡ªDoris.


    "You''re probably not from the 5 Elements God Realm, are you?"


    "How can you tell?"


    "There shouldn''t be someone like you in the 5 Elements God Realm."


    The total consumption ranking in the 5 Elements God Realm was only around ten million.


    As for Daniel¡­


    By this point, he had already spent tens of millions.


    Even the 5 Elements God King, who had been in the realm for only about ten thousand years, might not be able to spend that much in a short time.


    "Is that so? A God King''s financial strength is far beyond what you imagine."


    Daniel wasn''t sure exactly how much the 5 Elements God King was worth, but from the items he could give to his avatar and from the divine stones he had casually spent upon arriving in the God Realm, it was clear that the God King wasn''t lacking in resources.


    "Now I understand. So, the person you''re referring to is also paying attention to this matter."


    Doris showed a knowing expression.


    Clearly, she had overestimated things. She assumed that Daniel, like her, was doing something for a particular person.


    And that person¡­


    Naturally, the only possibility was the 5 Elements God King.


    "Let''s get straight to the point. This withered grass is useful to me, and if you have more, I wouldn''t mind buying all of it."


    Daniel directly said.


    "You''re straightforward, I see. But to be honest, we do have a lot in stock, but we can''t sell it all just yet. We need to research its function first."


    The reason Doris and her forces had placed the withered grass in the virtual world was precisely so that someone could figure out its use.


    They had studied it for a long time but still hadn''t come to any conclusion.


    Yet, they didn''t want to just abandon it, so it was still up for sale.


    Naturally, they wouldn''t sell all their stock to Daniel right away.


    "Your goal is to figure out the function of the withered grass, right?"


    "Exactly, that''s right."


    "Actually, I''ve already figured out part of its properties. However, the current quantity is too small. If you could provide more or tell me the location where the withered grass appears, it might help confirm the findings."


    Daniel said, looking at her.


    "So you''re saying¡­ you haven''t figured out the exact use of the withered grass, right?"


    Doris asked.


    "Exactly. That''s the case right now."


    "Actually, our research results aren''t something we can''t share¡­ but you''ll need to show some sincerity. For example, your current discoveries¡­"


    "Sincerity?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    "By comparison, you already know about me and the people behind me, but I know nothing about you. Where''s your sincerity?"


    "True, but you should understand that these things are in my hands."


    Doris said, looking at Daniel.


    "Well, whatever. I don''t necessarily need this item. You can just keep it if you want. Oh, by the way, a little reminder¡ªif time passes a certain point, the value of this thing will no longer be as great as before."


    Daniel said casually.


    He figured that since the other side clearly lacked sincerity, he might as well scare them a bit.


    Sure enough, after Daniel said this, he kept observing Doris''s expression.


    She wasn''t the direct owner of the withered grass. In other words, Doris was likely acting as a negotiator for the faction that actually owned the withered grass.


    After Daniel finished speaking, Doris seemed a bit frustrated and said:


    "Please wait for a moment. Now, the owner of the withered grass has decided to agree to your previous proposal, which is based on our mutual sincerity. They will tell you the source of the withered grass."


    With Doris''s explanation, Daniel slowly learned where the withered grass came from.


    According to what Doris said, this withered grass came from a relic.


    It was a very ancient relic.


    In fact, if we were to compare its glory to the time when it existed¡­


    It could rival any God King''s temple.


    Using such a comparison shows just how powerful the relic was.


    As for the location where the withered grass was found, it was within that relic, at a very special position.


    The rules there were incredibly chaotic.


    And the environment was completely mismatched with the surroundings.


    It was as though¡­ S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A vast mini-world collided with the relic, and the two terrains interlocked.


    After a long period of influence, the area formed in this way.


    The withered grass appeared in the very core of that region.


    Daniel keenly captured a few key terms:


    Relic, collision, chaotic rules¡­


    At first glance, it seemed a bit disordered, but hidden within was a clue.


    If he could dig up this clue, he would be able to uncover the entire sequence of events.


    The withered grass, Big White''s promotion¡­


    Everything, in fact, had a trace to follow!


    What is Big White?


    The Will of the World.


    The fact that this withered grass could help it advance clearly shows something!


    The relic Doris mentioned, and the collision with the mini-world, the true cause is the advancement of the world!

 Chapter213-The Ascension of the World

    Only the ascension of the world could have such an effect.However, the world''s ascension didn''t seem to be very successful.


    It even collided directly with the God Realm.


    It even turned a force into a ruin¡­


    Even today, the chaotic rules still persist.


    One can imagine how terrifying it must have been when it first collided.


    All along, Daniel had been somewhat curious about what the ascension of the world was like.


    The ascension of a normal mage is from the Mortal Realm to the God Realm.


    But what about the ascension of the world? Does it grow on its original plane, and after reaching a certain point, does it ascend as well?


    Or does it become another God Realm?


    Previously, he had asked the 5 Elements God King to investigate this, but there was no clear answer.


    He only knew that many of the old God King forces had been secretly working on such things.


    It seemed that he would need to go and see for himself.


    After all, this was something related to the ascension of the world.


    If, in the future, Big White really achieved this and accidentally collided with the God Realm, it would be a huge loss.


    "Tell the people behind you that I have confirmed that the matter with the dry grass is related to the ascension of the world. Also, I need to inspect the situation in person to confirm it fully."


    "Understood. Please wait a moment."


    Daniel had reasons he couldn''t avoid.


    "Sir, one month from now, Wisteria God Realm, Starfall City, Tairo Trading Guild. We will wait for you there."


    After setting a time and place, the other party hurriedly cut off the communication.


    Daniel left the virtual world.


    This time, he had come specifically for this matter. Since it was now resolved, there was no need to stay here any longer.


    He should first see where the Wisteria God Realm was located and how far the journey would be.


    One month¡­


    Since the other side had set this time, it shouldn''t be far from the 5 Elements God Realm, right?


    After Daniel left, three figures gathered together elsewhere.


    "Did the other party agree?"


    "He agreed."


    "A month''s time... Is that a bit too rushed?"


    One person asked.


    "The other party is the 5 Elements God King! I would have preferred two months, but that person might not give us so much time to prepare."


    "So what if it''s a God King? As long as we want to hide, he can''t do anything to us!"


    "Don''t forget, he said that once it passes a certain time, the value of these things will drop dramatically!"


    One of the women said.


    "Do you believe him? That ruin has been like this for so long, how could it suddenly have a problem? I don''t believe it! This must be a trick to deceive us!"


    Another woman said with suspicion.


    "It''s indeed possible, but we can''t afford to gamble anymore! I think... the time limit that person mentioned might be related to the coming catastrophe!"


    The news of the breaking of the Future Mirror had spread quickly, at least among the God Kings.


    Though these people weren''t God Kings themselves, their strength was almost at the same level.


    Unfortunately, they were still a step away from becoming God Kings.


    So, they were aware of the news.


    "I think the 5 Elements God King, though only a God King for a mere ten thousand years, is still a God King, and surely knows some secrets about the coming catastrophe. That''s why I think we shouldn''t delay anymore."


    "Sigh, fine. If it weren''t for the coming catastrophe, I wouldn''t want to explore that ruin with a God King... If something happens, though, we''re God Sovereigns, we''ll be able to fight back..."


    "Alright, let''s think positive."


    ...


    After Daniel left the virtual world, he received a message from the 5 Elements God King.


    "Lord Daniel, I''ve just received some news. The Future Mirror, an original essence artifact from the God Realm, has suddenly suffered an accident, with a massive crack appearing on the mirror!"


    "This is part of an old legend in the God Realm. When the Future Mirror begins to break, or even be destroyed, it signifies that great turmoil will occur in the God Realm, and even a catastrophe that could lead to its destruction!"


    "I thought this was important, so I''m informing you."


    The 5 Elements God King''s message ended here.


    Daniel thought for a moment. A catastrophe?


    Interesting, he hadn''t expected the God Realm to have such a legend.


    He was somewhat curious about what kind of catastrophe it might be, so he simply replied with two words: "Understood."


    He didn''t pay attention to it further.


    At this time, Elise wasn''t around¡ªshe was probably off shopping in the virtual world again.


    Daniel looked at the pond in the yard.


    There were even a few fish swimming around.


    He took out a few items from his spatial storage and sprinkled them into the water.


    ...


    In the Crossbridge world.


    In a desert to the west.


    Reed was leading a group of over a dozen people, walking through the yellow sand.


    Apart from some special spell beasts that could endure the harsh environment, there was almost no life here.


    They had been walking for several days and nights without seeing a single soul.


    "Big Brother, we seem to have been walking for a long time, but we haven''t found the node."


    One of Reed''s followers said.


    "Do you think we''re going in the wrong direction?"


    Hearing his follower''s words, Reed replied:


    "The direction is correct. This is the right way."


    In fact, Reed himself had some doubts.


    But as the leader of the team, he couldn''t show such uncertainty.


    Otherwise, the others would only become more panicked. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all these experiences, they understood the World Tree very well.


    Each world''s node had a relatively fixed distance.


    The nodes of the world were like an extremely intricate magic array.


    The distance couldn''t be wrong.


    But this time, something seemed off.


    Normally, they should have already found the world node by now, and successfully planted the Tree of Origin, before moving on to the next node.


    But they hadn''t found any trace of the node.


    Not even a clue.


    So¡­


    Could they have taken the wrong direction?


    At first, Reed also had such doubts.


    But¡­


    The map of the world''s nodes was in his mind.


    He compared the surrounding directions over and over again.


    He could be sure that they hadn''t made a mistake with the direction.


    So why¡­


    Was this time taking so much longer to find the node?


    Could it be that the world had expanded?


    But Reed buried those doubts in his heart.


    Even if his followers asked him about it, he just insisted that there was no problem and they should keep moving forward.


    Another day passed.


    Finally, the familiar aura appeared in their perception.


    The aura of the world node!


    Reed broke through the space and found the node, planting the Tree of Origin there.


    The direction had been correct!


    But they had traveled much further this time.


    The only explanation was this:


    The world had changed!


    Reed suddenly understood!


    Why had they had to walk so far this time?


    The direction was right, but the world had grown!


    The world was ascending?


    As he thought of this, Reed recalled what Daniel had said to them before they left.


    As the tree planting continued, the world would gradually go from dying to revived, and might even have the possibility of ascension.


    So, their group could encounter many unexpected situations.


    Realizing this, Reed understood.


    The world had indeed changed.


    He plucked a lotus flower from the area and planted the Tree of Origin.


    Then he put the lotus flower away.


    Turning to the others, he said:


    "Rest here for a while. I have some other matters to attend to¡­"

 Chapter214-Arrival at Starfall City

    "One more thing to note. Our world is currently in a state of ascension. Before, we felt that the direction was correct, but the distance has increased," Reed said, glancing around.This should be the far western part of the continent. It was understandable that changes would occur here.


    "Stay where you are. I''ll be back soon."


    After he spoke, Reed vanished from sight.


    His followers were already accustomed to this scene.


    There was no surprise.


    They had long known that Reed had such abilities, and every time he planted the Tree of Origin, he would disappear for a while.


    Everyone had grown used to it.


    "By the way, did anyone catch what Reed just said? He mentioned... our world is changing?"


    "We''re not deaf, of course we heard that."


    "So, do you think these changes will bring us any benefits?"


    "Does it even need to be said? If there were no benefits, would Reed have brought us here?"


    As soon as these words were spoken, a cool breeze swept across the desert, and it seemed that the harsh heat of the sun had lessened.


    "Hurry, take advantage of this moment and meditate. Who knows, we might be able to ascend!"


    Soon, everyone began meditating around the area.


    Of course, what they could comprehend depended on their individual talents.


    The Tree of Origin was rapidly growing at the world node, absorbing energy from the forge and resonating with the rules of the entire world.


    Some of the energy that overflowed was absorbed by the people around.


    Voidland.


    Reed returned once more to this place, where he had spent many years.


    Over these years, Reed''s favorite thing was to battle with those tier-sages from history.


    Initially, these tier-sages were forcibly summoned by Daniel.


    They were proud and would even take out their frustrations on Reed during battles.


    But as time passed, they realized that Reed was not a bad person.


    In fact, he was quite their type.


    They were once tier-sages, but they were still people.


    Seeing such a hardworking and determined junior, they gradually let go of their grievances and began to treat Reed as a true successor.


    Reed, too, never forgot that these people were already dead.


    Now, they were known as heroic spirits by Daniel.


    They had no souls, no bodies, but still existed in some form.


    Daniel had once privately mentioned that these heroic spirits could be revived under certain special circumstances.


    To revive them, one needed both strong vitality and soul power.


    As for vitality, Reed had no problem¡ªafter all, the liquid droplets produced by the forge contained a great deal of vitality. But for soul power...


    Reed looked at the flowers he had collected in his storage crystal.


    These flowers, collected from the world node, contained an immense amount of soul power. They were once part of the Will of the World!


    Soon, Reed would be able to revive all his teachers.


    God Realm.


    "Recently, things have become more and more frightening! I just heard from a relative in the city who does business here that the city lord''s manor has issued a new decree, prohibiting entry into the mountains."


    "Why?"


    "Because we''re near the Beast Kingdom to the south. I heard that in the mountains, there''s a god lord-level beast that, for some unknown reason, has been going berserk and attacking anyone who enters..."


    "What? A beast like that? I was planning to go into the mountains tomorrow to gather herbs, but I guess I can''t go now..."


    At this moment, two streaks of light flashed across the sky and landed in the mountains they were talking about.


    "Sigh, when will all of this end..." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Elise stored the giant snake on the ground into her storage crystal.


    The aura of the snake wasn''t weak, and after a little preparation, it would definitely taste good. With the ingredients Daniel had bought previously...


    She might try some new combinations!


    "Headmaster, how much further to the place you mentioned?"


    "We''re almost there, just ahead. We''ll arrive tomorrow. Let''s eat this snake today. Its bloodline is quite interesting, so be careful when preparing it."


    "Got it, Headmaster. I trust my skills!"


    On this journey, Daniel had also noticed the spreading rumors about the catastrophe in the God Realm.


    Some people had already begun packing and leaving...


    Such things were bound to affect Daniel''s mood.


    Perhaps after this ruin exploration, he would have to consider how to deal with the so-called catastrophe.


    Now, Daniel had reached the edge of the 5 Elements God Realm.


    Starfall City was not far ahead.


    According to his sources, Starfall City, although located in the Wisteria God Realm, did not belong to it.


    It was situated at the border between the 5 Elements God Realm and the Wisteria God Realm.


    Generally, places on such borders had flexible identities.


    If the Wisteria God Realm had the advantage, they would be considered part of it.


    If the 5 Elements God Realm had the advantage, they would be considered part of it. In short, it was very flexible.


    Starfall City was also a place that didn''t belong to either side.


    There were several god sovereign-level beings there.


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    Even if a god king arrived, they had ways of dealing with it.


    Of course, a god king would not waste time paying attention to such a small place.


    After resting for a while, Daniel and Elise arrived at Starfall City and found the location of the Tairo Trading Guild.


    The Tairo Trading Guild had been established for a long time, and its presence here meant that it was relatively reliable.


    Daniel reached the entrance of the Tairo Trading Guild and took out a token, handing it to the receptionist.


    "Please follow me," the receptionist said and led Daniel into a luxurious room, adding:


    "Please wait here. If you need anything, feel free to contact me."


    The receptionist then left the room.


    The privacy of the room was excellent. Daniel could hardly hear the noisy sounds outside.


    In another area, three figures were observing Daniel and Elise in the room, frowning.


    "That 5 Elements God King is really bold, letting these two come here. Doesn''t he worry that we''ll blackmail them for information about the withered grass?"


    "Don''t worry, that''s still a God King. Maybe he has some methods we don''t know about."


    "So, what should we do? Should we meet them directly?"


    "Forget it. Since the main person isn''t here, going to meet them would seem too desperate, don''t you think? Or we can just wait and see."


    "So you mean... let''s leave them waiting?"


    "Exactly!"


    At this moment, a woman seemed to remember something and asked:


    "Do you think our actions here will be detected?"


    "Don''t worry. This has been specially treated. Even a god king would find it difficult to detect, let alone just the representative of a god king."


    "That makes sense..."


    In the room, Daniel sipped the tea that had been prepared and smiled as he overheard the conspiracy in another room.


    Such clumsy observation methods had already been noticed the moment he entered the room. However, Daniel did not reveal his awareness. Instead, he waited to see what the other party''s goal was.


    Waiting? Well, we''ll see who ends up waiting for whom!


    Daniel glanced around and noticed a small booklet in the room, listing some available trade items. And... there would soon be an auction!

 Chapter215-Divine Crystal

    Not long after, a large auction was going to be held within the Trading Guild.Daniel was quite interested.


    It was his first time hearing about an auction in the God Realm.


    He wondered what kind of interesting items might appear in an auction in the God Realm.


    Daniel began to browse through the textual descriptions of the auction items.


    One item, in particular, caught his attention.


    According to the description, it was an item left behind by a divine dynasty at its peak in the God Realm.


    And the description was quite long.


    Daniel could sense that this divine dynasty was likely very famous.


    Moreover, many of its items and traces still existed in the God Realm to this day.


    This made Daniel very curious and excited about this item.


    What could it be, something left behind by a divine dynasty?


    Soon after, Daniel left his room.


    Although the auction was about to start soon, there was no need for him to sit in the room all the time.


    According to the reception staff''s introduction,


    the token he held was of quite a high rank and provided him with many services.


    While the Trading Guild was primarily a trading organization, in reality, it was more like a large service center.


    There were various entertainment and recreational facilities.


    So Daniel decided to experience them.


    He wasn''t in a hurry, just looking to relax.


    But in the room, the three God Sovereigns were getting anxious.


    "What is this guy Daniel doing?"


    "He seemed to be heading for the auction earlier, but now he''s just eating, drinking, and even took a dip in the hot spring..."


    This behavior puzzled the three.


    Wasn''t he supposed to be the representative of the 5 Elements God King?


    Isn''t he worried about missing a deal?


    Won''t the 5 Elements God King be angry with him?


    "Maybe we should just grab Daniel now and force him to hand over the 5 Elements God King!"


    "Otherwise, who knows how long this guy will keep messing around here."


    One of them suggested.


    "Yes! I agree! We''ve been waiting here for so long, and this guy is just acting like it''s no big deal! As expected, he''s the representative of the 5 Elements God King!"


    "The calamity could happen at any moment. We don''t have much time to waste with this guy!"


    "If we don''t get to the relics soon and acquire that item, our chances of becoming a God King will be indefinitely delayed¡­"


    "Be careful with your words! If some other God Kings hear this, it could cause trouble! That item might even be beyond the reach of a God King!"


    "Alright, I can''t wait any longer! I want to seize Daniel right now!"


    "Then let''s wait until the auction ends! After it''s over, we''ll grab him immediately and force him to reveal the 5 Elements God King''s whereabouts! Or force the 5 Elements God King to show himself!"


    "¡­"


    The three were scheming in the room, completely unaware that their every word and action had already fallen into Daniel''s ears.


    Daniel just smiled at these plans.


    However, was there something in the relics that could allow someone to break through to the God King level?


    That sounded like a pretty good place to explore.


    Although it wouldn''t be of much use to Daniel, since the other party had already set the time for after the auction ended, he decided he would talk to those three afterward.


    With that thought, Daniel settled on his plan.


    He then returned to his room.


    The auction wasn''t held in a large conference hall, nor was there any host.


    The Tairo Trading Guild''s auction used an approach that greatly protected personal privacy.


    In each person''s room, there was a special device.


    When the auction began, each item would be presented in projection form with a text description.


    Those wishing to bid could do so directly from their rooms.


    The current bid price would be displayed in real-time.


    The final winner would have the item transferred to their room via a magic array.


    This entire process was designed with one purpose: safety and privacy.


    It ensured that every participant in the auction would be completely secure.


    Daniel sat in his room, waiting for the auction to start.


    Soon after, the first item appeared.


    Just by looking at the projection, Daniel could tell that this was likely a Supreme Artifact, though somewhat damaged.


    But it could still be used for certain purposes.


    There was no aura of rules emanating from it, so Daniel had no intention of bidding.


    Instead, he watched the bidding process.


    During the bidding, Daniel also experienced the thrill of an auction.


    It was just so-so.


    After all, this wasn''t the item he was looking for.


    It lacked a bit of excitement.


    Items like this, broken Supreme Artifacts, were in the minority.


    Next came a variety of items, such as spirit fruits and pills.


    There were even some unreliable secret information.


    It seemed like there was everything for sale.


    And astonishingly, everything was bought.


    Not a single item went unsold.


    In the middle of this, Daniel also bought a few small things.


    At this moment, something caught Daniel''s attention.


    It was a crystal with a powerful aura.


    The energy contained within it was far greater than that of a divine stone.


    "This is... a divine crystal?"


    Daniel thought to himself.


    He still had many divine crystals in his personal space.


    He had been referring to them as mana stones or mana crystals.


    The crystals in front of him must be divine crystals!


    He had many of them stored in his personal space¡ªso many that he had lost count. Find more to read at empire


    He had initially thought they were just high-level currency, like divine stones.


    But now, seeing them at this auction...


    It seemed divine crystals weren''t being used as currency at all?


    Instead, they were some kind of high-end item?


    Daniel flipped through his manual and found the page on divine crystals.


    The description said that divine crystals were items that had formed at the beginning of the world''s creation. They were a very advanced material with countless uses.


    The adjectives used in the description were so broad that Daniel was somewhat confused.


    Because if divine crystals couldn''t be spent as currency, what could they be used for?


    He glanced at the starting bid for the divine crystals.


    This time, there were only ten divine crystals up for auction, and the starting price was a staggering one million divine stones.


    Of course, this was just the starting bid and didn''t reflect the true value of the divine crystals.


    As the auction continued, the price rose to three million.


    In the end, someone bid five million divine stones.


    This was an extremely high price.


    After the five million bid, no one else placed another offer.


    They were waiting for the next item to come up.


    This left Daniel curious.


    Why would someone spend so many divine stones on these divine crystals? Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It must be for something important, right?


    Should he go and ask?


    As this thought crossed his mind, Daniel used his mind power to locate the person who had purchased the divine crystals.


    He finally locked onto a particular room.


    There was a slight spatial fluctuation in the room.


    It was likely due to the magic array for the transfer.


    "Elise, keep an eye on the auction. If any relics from that divine dynasty show up, no matter how many divine stones are required, we must acquire them."


    "Understood, headmaster."


    After saying this, Daniel disappeared.


    Inside a room, an elderly man was putting away the divine stones, planning to leave in a hurry.


    But the next moment, he found a stranger in his room.


    "Who are you? What do you want?"


    As he spoke, an aura belonging to a God King began to emanate from his body.


    "Don''t worry, I''m here just to ask you something."


    "I have nothing to discuss with an uninvited guest! Get out!"


    With a loud command, the God King suddenly collapsed onto the ground, blood staining the corner of his mouth.


    He had never imagined...


    That the person who had suddenly appeared in his room could possess such strength!


    Even just releasing a bit of his aura was enough to injure him!


    Such a powerful being could easily kill him without any effort, surely!


    "W-What do you want from me?"

 Chapter216-Divine Dynasty and the Cataclysm

    Seeing the old man in front of him, who had clearly become much more respectful, Daniel thought that it would be best to show his strength when talking to strangers in the future.It would save a lot of unnecessary trouble.


    If every conversation required him to injure the other party just to talk, it would be quite inconvenient.


    Especially when dealing with a God King.


    Most of these God Kings were used to being high and mighty.


    It was probably the reason for his behavior.


    "Alright, stand up from the ground. I know that injuries like these are nothing for a God King. I just have a few questions for you." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The old man stood up and respectfully said,


    "Please feel free to ask any questions. I will answer them all honestly."


    "You just won an auction for a Divine Crystal. What do you plan to do with it?"


    The old man''s heart skipped a beat when he heard Daniel''s question.


    As expected!


    He was coming for the Divine Crystal!


    But since Daniel''s strength far exceeded his own, there was no way for the old man to keep the Divine Crystal, no matter how much he wanted to.


    With a mournful face, the old man said,


    "Sir, my intention was to use it to set up a magic array in my temple for protection. The Divine Crystal is the highest grade material for such an array."


    "Recently, there have been rumors across the God Realm that a Cataclysm is imminent. That''s why I want to prepare and increase my chances of survival during the Cataclysm."


    After hearing the old man''s words, Daniel fell into deep thought.


    The old man''s aura clearly indicated that he was indeed a God King.


    Even the most powerful beings in the God Realm, at the God King level, were worried about their survival during the upcoming Cataclysm?


    If that''s the case, Daniel would need to redefine what this Cataclysm actually meant.


    If even a God King could be affected and possibly lose their life, should those who are transitioning from the Mortal Realm to the God Realm be sent back to the Mortal Realm for safety?


    "Explain this in more detail," Daniel said.


    The old man dared not conceal anything and laid everything out.


    He belonged to a large force.


    This force had three God Kings, and the old man, Ink Sea God King, was one of them.


    Compared to the other two God Kings, Ink Sea God King was more of a figurehead.


    He didn''t need to concern himself with the affairs of the God Realm, which led to him not accumulating much wealth.


    Usually, it didn''t matter much because he was just a nominal figure.


    He could roam freely without much responsibility.


    But now, with the Cataclysm approaching, he had to start preparing.


    He had come to this auction to buy the Divine Crystal in hopes of preserving himself during the Cataclysm.


    The Divine Crystal was considered a versatile strengthening agent.


    Why was that?


    Firstly, the Divine Crystal could fuse with any material and develop a strengthening branch that met the user''s expectations.


    For example, if one fused Divine Stone with a regular artifact, it could enhance its sharpness.


    This was one of the miraculous properties of the Divine Crystal.


    The old man had such an intention, hoping to fuse the Divine Crystal with the magic array in his temple to enhance its ability to hide.


    This way, even if the Cataclysm happened, his life wouldn''t be impacted.


    After hearing this, Daniel also thought that the Divine Crystal was quite a useful item.


    He hadn''t known about its properties before; he should have asked the 5 Elements God King about it earlier.


    "Senior, if you need these ten Divine Crystals... I can give them all to you," Ink Sea God King said with a pained expression. Continue your journey on empire


    Although it had cost him a lot to acquire them, compared to his own life, the Divine Crystals were not worth much.


    After all, he cherished his life. If not, he wouldn''t have bought the Divine Crystal to strengthen his temple.


    If this powerful being who suddenly appeared wasn''t interested in the Divine Crystal, why else would he have kept asking about it?


    It was clear that Daniel was interested in the Divine Crystal and was waiting for the old man to offer them.


    A being of such immense power surely knew about the Divine Crystal.


    Why else would he still be here, probing into its usage?


    "This thing? Keep it for yourself. By the way, why are you God Kings so certain about the Cataclysm?"


    Ten Divine Crystals...


    What would Daniel need with them?


    He had far more of them in his personal space than he cared to count.


    Ten? Was this an insult to his power?


    But Daniel didn''t dwell on it and asked a question that was more pressing for him.


    Because both the 5 Elements God King and now Ink Sea God King seemed to be very confident about the coming Cataclysm.


    They seemed to be absolutely certain that it would happen, as though they had some kind of insider knowledge.


    "You... really don''t know?"


    Ink Sea God King asked, confirming his suspicion.


    "Of course I don''t. If I knew, would I still need to ask you?"


    "In that case, let me explain. This prophecy actually comes from an ancient Divine Dynasty..."


    It was a powerful force that, even today, had legends circulating about it in the God Realm.


    At its peak, it even ruled over the entire multiverse.


    After the fall of this Divine Dynasty, it left behind countless treasures scattered throughout the Immortal Realm.


    The prophecy in question came from within that Divine Dynasty.


    It was said to be a top-secret matter within the Divine Dynasty.


    So, no one would take this prophecy lightly.


    And the more powerful the God King, the more they could feel the terrifying presence of this Divine Dynasty.


    This was because, on the road to becoming a God King, many opportunities were tied to this Divine Dynasty.


    Or rather...


    The remnants of the Divine Dynasty were still in the collections of many God Kings even today.


    Thus, they had never doubted the prophecy and believed in it wholeheartedly.


    "Such a powerful force... how did it fall?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    Because from the old man''s words, there was something he found very suspicious.


    The Divine Dynasty, at its peak, had the power to dominate the entire multiverse.


    Even after its fall, many God Kings in the current God Realm still benefitted from its remnants.


    Which meant that these current God Kings would have been insignificant in the Divine Dynasty.


    Otherwise, how could so much time have passed, and they were still growing stronger off the remnants of the Divine Dynasty?


    So how did such a strong force crumble so suddenly?


    "This... no one knows."


    "The fall of the Divine Dynasty has always been shrouded in mystery."


    "The most reliable theory is that the Divine Dynasty was struck by some kind of unexpected event, leading to its rapid collapse. But what exactly happened, no one knows."


    Ink Sea God King said.


    The fall of the Divine Dynasty had always been a hot topic in the God Realm.


    Of course, many God Kings had tried to investigate it.


    But there was no conclusive answer.


    It was as though the cause of its fall had been deliberately erased from history.


    No matter how much they investigated, they couldn''t find any accurate information.


    Some even said the various theories contradicted each other.


    Thus, this matter had remained the greatest mystery in the entire God Realm.


    After hearing the old man''s words, Daniel realized that things in the God Realm were far from simple!


    Such a powerful force as the Divine Dynasty had fallen in the blink of an eye.


    And even now, no one had been able to uncover the true reason.


    Perhaps after he finished with the business related to the world''s ascension, he could investigate it further.


    After all, the Cataclysm in the God Realm was something he couldn''t avoid.


    And the origin of the Cataclysm was said to come from the Divine Dynasty.


    All the clues pointed back to this Divine Dynasty.


    Perhaps there were answers hidden within the secrets of the Divine Dynasty.

 Chapter217-My Lord, please allow me to follow you!

    After obtaining the answer he wanted, Daniel was planning to leave.Because, coincidentally, there was an item related to the Divine Dynasty in this auction.


    Thankfully, he had noticed this in advance and had Elise keep an eye on it.


    Now that he had clarified the function of the divine crystal and the prophecy related to the Divine Dynasty, Daniel was ready to leave.


    "Senior, are you planning to leave?"


    "Yes, I''ve finished asking everything I wanted to know. What am I staying here for? Earlier, I saw you were about to leave as well, so hurry up and go."


    After saying this, Daniel turned to leave.


    At that moment, the Ink Sea God King spoke:


    "Senior, from which God Realm do you come?"


    "5 Elements God Realm."


    "5 Elements God Realm?"


    The Ink Sea God King paused for a moment and then recalled.


    That''s the God Realm next to Meteor City!


    He had heard that it was a relatively new God Realm, with its God King having only been in power for less than ten thousand years.


    However¡­


    The Ink Sea God King knew that the 5 Elements God King before him was certainly not like the rumors described¡­


    "Senior of the 5 Elements, I¡­ would like to pledge my allegiance to you!"


    The Ink Sea God King immediately knelt in respect.


    To a God King much younger than himself, he addressed him as "Senior" with complete decisiveness, without hesitation.


    Daniel was somewhat speechless.


    It seemed like the other person had mistaken him for the 5 Elements God King.


    But upon thinking about it, this made sense.


    With such power in the 5 Elements God Realm, who else could it be other than the 5 Elements God King?


    Furthermore, based on the Ink Sea God King''s earlier remarks,


    he had no confidence in surviving the impending calamity,


    which is why he had chosen to come to buy the divine crystal.


    And he wasn''t very familiar with the other two God Kings in his faction.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have made such a decision.


    So, it was likely that he just saw Daniel''s strength and wanted to attach himself to someone powerful before the calamity struck.


    Daniel chuckled and then said:


    "First of all, I am not the 5 Elements God King. I just come from the 5 Elements God Realm, which is now called the 5 Elements God Realm."


    After all, the Duoheng World is governed by the 5 Elements God Realm.


    "Secondly, you want to join my side? Why should I take you in?"


    A God King¡ªwhat could he possibly offer Daniel?


    Was he lacking in muscle? No, not at all!


    The Ink Sea God King knew that this was the moment to demonstrate his value.


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    He quickly responded:


    "Sorry, Senior. My value lies in the fact that after becoming a God King, I spent a long time in the God Realm. Since I don''t usually involve myself in the governance of the God Realm, I''ve traveled to many places and learned things that many ordinary God Kings don''t know!"


    "I believe, in the God Realm, you must lack someone like me as a guide."


    The Ink Sea God King spoke clearly, word by word.


    From the earlier questions Daniel had asked, he could tell that the other person was not very familiar with the God Realm.


    So now was the time to show his worth.


    Upon hearing the Ink Sea God King''s words, Daniel realized that the old man was right.


    He did indeed need someone who understood the God Realm.


    Back in Ascension City, Crane was familiar with the place, so he had hired him.


    Now, he needed someone who had a better understanding of the entire God Realm.


    And it seemed that the Ink Sea God King was the only person who fit the bill.


    "Alright, you can follow me. But let me make it clear upfront¡ªI don''t have many requirements, the only one is that you must be loyal to me!"


    "If I find out you have any ulterior motives¡­ you should understand the consequences. Even a God King like you can be killed."


    "Yes, yes, yes! Rest assured, I would never have any disloyalty!"


    Hearing Daniel''s threat filled with murderous intent, the Ink Sea God King instinctively trembled in fear.


    But his mind was quickly filled with joy.


    He hadn''t expected it to be this easy.


    Originally, he was just trying his luck.


    But to his surprise, he really managed to attach himself to such a powerful figure.


    "Senior, you can trust me. I will definitely serve you well!"


    "Also, don''t call me Senior anymore. My name is Daniel."


    "Yes, Lord Daniel."


    "Alright, let''s go."


    With that, Daniel left the room and returned to his own.


    Elise looked curiously at the person following Daniel.


    "Elise, let me introduce him. His name is Ink Sea. From now on, he will be responsible for answering any questions about the God Realm. Of course, anything he''s not familiar with can be left to him as well."


    "Hello, Elise. I have spent many years in the God Realm and know it very well."


    Ink Sea greeted her before standing obediently.


    Elise glanced at Daniel in confusion and then said:


    "Headmaster, this is the item you asked me to purchase earlier."


    "Did you get it? Good."


    Daniel took the item from Elise''s hands.


    "You don''t know how intense it got just now. In the end, I had to raise the price to 25 million before no one else placed a bid."


    "Mm."


    Daniel looked at the Divine Dynasty artifact.


    According to the manual, this small piece, only the size of a finger, was something left behind by the Divine Dynasty.


    After being examined by multiple appraisers, it was finally verified as such.


    "Lord Daniel, I recognize this item." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, the Ink Sea God King, standing behind Daniel, spoke.


    "Then tell me, what exactly is it?"


    The black object, the size of a finger, didn''t look like something that could be used for anything.


    "This type of item can be described as a container."


    "It''s something the powerful beings of the Divine Dynasty used to store certain things, passed down to future generations."


    "Passed down to future generations?"


    Daniel was somewhat puzzled.


    Did the Divine Dynasty people know they were going to die and thus wanted to use this method to pass on information or legacy?


    "Yes, though some people suspect that there may be some message the Divine Dynasty wanted to pass on to us. Every relic is sealed with several magic arrays, and no one can know what''s inside until it is opened."


    The Ink Sea God King slowly explained.


    Upon hearing this, Daniel roughly understood.


    This item was like one of the blind boxes left behind by the Divine Dynasty.


    No one knew what was inside.


    Only after opening it would they find out.


    Hearing the mention of magic arrays, Daniel used his mind power to take a look.


    The magic arrays on the item were dense and intricate.


    He then asked Ink Sea God King:


    "Can you unlock these magic arrays?"


    "I can, but¡­ Lord Daniel, I''m not very skilled with magic arrays. It may take a longer time. If I had the help of the Future Mirror, I could save a lot of time, but since it can''t be used now¡­ it will probably take me about three years."


    "How long?"


    "About three years, I think."


    Upon hearing this, Daniel decided to handle the item himself.


    The magic arrays, although complex, would only take him three days to decipher.


    After three days, he would see what was inside.


    At this point, he realized that Ink Sea God King was really only good for answering questions.


    The auction was nearing its end.


    It was time to prepare for the next task.


    His mind power reached another room, where the three God Sovereigns were.


    Clearly, as the auction progressed, their patience was wearing thin.


    Originally, they had expected the 5 Elements God King to show up during the auction.


    Otherwise, why would Daniel wait for this auction?


    But as the auction was about to conclude, and Daniel had even gone out at one point, leaving Elise to buy things,


    they wondered¡­ would the 5 Elements God King actually appear?


    "I can''t wait any longer! The auction is almost over. Let''s go and capture that Daniel guy right now! Who knows when we''ll get another chance!"


    A woman said.


    Her tone was full of impatience.


    This auction had completely exhausted her patience.


    Just as she finished speaking, she suddenly realized that no one around her was responding!

 Chapter218-Who Exactly Are You?

    After Arya finished speaking, she noticed that neither of her two friends responded.Curious, she turned around to see what was going on.


    But...


    As soon as she turned, she found that her two friends had completely disappeared.


    Seeing this, Arya immediately became cautious.


    Her two friends were both at the god sovereign level!


    And she herself was as well.


    To have them taken away without a sound...


    How could this be possible!


    Arya instinctively felt that something was amiss.


    Such a method was simply too bizarre.


    Even a god king couldn''t do something like this, right?!


    Just then, in the next moment, she suddenly felt dizzy.


    After a momentary haze, her mind cleared.


    She soon realized she was in an unfamiliar environment.


    And her two friends were standing there, like wooden statues, unable to move.


    They also had injuries of varying degrees on their bodies.


    So... what exactly had happened?


    At this moment, Arya was shocked to find that she was in the same situation!


    It felt as though something had completely restrained her, and she couldn''t move.


    Before them stood a familiar figure¡ªDaniel.


    And behind Daniel, that woman was there.


    Of course, there was also an unfamiliar old man, who stood behind Daniel in an orderly manner.


    In the entire room, Daniel seemed to be the only one in charge!


    "You... who exactly are you?"


    Arya asked in surprise.


    Daniel...


    Could this person really be Daniel?


    Could it be that the 5 Elements God King is pretending to be him?


    Otherwise, how could this nobody, this Daniel, possibly do something like this?


    Wasn''t he just the representative of the 5 Elements God King?


    As these questions piled up in Arya''s mind, she received no answers.


    Daniel spoke:


    "You''re much more composed than your friends."


    Earlier, when Daniel brought the other two, they had attacked him the moment they arrived!


    Considering they would need the three of them for the expedition later, Daniel had only given the other two a small punishment.


    As for the last one, she was simply restrained as soon as she arrived.


    Someone had to be left to resolve the problem, right?


    Fortunately, this one should be the more sensible one.


    "I''m the one who purchased your withered grass. From start to finish, it''s only been me."


    Daniel explained.


    "In fact, I noticed your little movements as soon as you entered this room."


    Upon hearing Daniel''s words, Arya was startled.


    "Don''t worry, I have no ill intentions. I just want to learn more about the relic you mentioned."


    "You¡­ what''s your relationship with the 5 Elements God King?"


    Arya hesitated to ask.


    "I know him, and he knows me. I just happen to have been born in the 5 Elements God Realm."


    Daniel answered.


    "I only used him as a cover earlier. In fact, it''s always just been me making deals with you."


    Upon hearing this, Arya instinctively wanted to breathe a sigh of relief.


    So he''s not the God King after all.


    But¡­


    She suddenly realized that the person in front of her seemed far more terrifying than the God King!


    "How much of that withered grass do you still have?"


    "My lord, we don''t have much left. Because this thing has been so hard to research, we haven''t had much stock."


    "If you need it, I can give you all of it."


    Saying this, Arya felt the restraints on her body loosen slightly.


    So, she quickly took out a storage crystal and placed it on the table.


    Daniel inspected it and handed it to Elise.


    "Take these divine stones. I''m not a bad person."


    "No, my lord, these are for you..."


    Before Arya could finish her sentence, she saw Daniel''s gaze and silently accepted them.


    It felt like... a forced transaction?


    "Alright, sit down. Now, tell me about that relic."


    As Daniel''s voice fell, the restraints on all three of them completely vanished.


    The other two dared not speak, so all three sat obediently.


    Seeing this, Ink Sea God King couldn''t help but laugh in his heart.


    Just like himself!


    When Ink Sea God King didn''t know Daniel''s strength, he also intended to act, but just Daniel''s aura had already wounded him.


    At that moment, he realized this person should not be provoked.


    And those two god sovereign-level youngsters directly attacked Daniel...


    How naive!


    Luckily, Daniel held back; otherwise, it would have been enough to make these two drink a bitter cup.


    Fortunately, the person who came later was more sensible...


    "That relic is located in a god realm to the east, not too far away."


    Ten years ago, the three of them had traveled together, searching for a chance to become a god king.


    By chance, they discovered that relic.


    The scale of the relic was enormous.


    It was comparable to the god temples they had seen from the god kings.


    Excited, the three of them thought they might find a chance to become god kings there.


    Sure enough, the gains in the relic far exceeded their expectations.


    It seemed like no one had touched it before. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, just when they thought they could take all the treasures from the relic, they discovered something.


    That was that everything in the relic was shrouded by a chaotic rule.


    They had no way to deal with this chaotic rule.


    Naturally, they couldn''t take a single item.


    In the end, the three of them reluctantly left.


    It was quite a bitter experience.


    But Arya, unwilling to accept this, suggested they try to take some of the items that were imbued with the chaotic rule, in the hopes of studying and possibly cracking the rule.


    They had taken not only withered grass from the relic but also soil and other items.


    They had made no breakthroughs so far.


    They couldn''t break the chaotic rule.


    It wasn''t until recently, when they heard that the withered grass hanging in the void realm had been bought, that they saw hope.


    If the withered grass was bought, it meant someone knew what it was. Perhaps they could crack the chaotic rule.


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    So the three of them tentatively hung more of the withered grass.


    And Daniel bought it.


    After several tests, they finally decided to contact Daniel through an intermediary.


    When they learned that he was from the 5 Elements God Realm, they dropped their guard.


    The 5 Elements God Realm¡­


    The 5 Elements God King, who had only recently become a god king in the past ten thousand years, wasn''t enough to make them afraid.


    They had specifically chosen this place.


    But they never expected Daniel''s strength to be so terrifying.


    Before they could even react, he had already captured them all.


    "I remember you mentioned before that, according to your speculation, that relic might have been formed by the collision of worlds?"


    Daniel asked.


    "Yes, that''s our guess."


    "Because in the relic, both the environment and the rules are extremely chaotic. It doesn''t look like a place at all... That''s why we made that assumption."


    Daniel nodded.


    At this point, he couldn''t be sure of anything. He''d have to wait until they got there to see.


    "Alright, I''m interested in that relic. I''ll give you three days to arrange your matters. Three days later, come with me to that relic."


    Daniel looked at the three of them.


    The three could only helplessly exchange glances.


    In each other''s eyes, they saw the same thing.


    The thing they had feared most had happened.


    This powerful being had indeed set his sights on the treasures in the relic!


    And it was very likely that he had a way to crack the chaotic rule.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have made such a request.


    Arya thought for a long time and finally decided to be bold!


    Even if... it might lead to unfavorable consequences for her.


    "My lord, I dare to ask you one thing!"


    "What is it?"


    "What is the purpose of that withered grass... Could you tell us?"

 Chapter219-Star Map

    Arya asked this question.She had a feeling that this might be the only opportunity to ask.


    They were completely unable to understand these rule-based items.


    But that withered grass, Daniel could actually use it.


    When Daniel expressed interest in the relic, Arya knew that they had lost their connection with it.


    Facing someone far more powerful than the three of them combined, they had no right to demand anything.


    From that moment on, they had already lost the right to allocate the relic and its contents.


    Although it was a pity, compared to their lives, it wasn''t a big deal.


    Therefore, Arya no longer had any thoughts about the relic.


    But she still wanted to clarify one thing.


    What exactly was the purpose of that withered grass?


    Could the chaotic rules within the relic really be utilized?


    Arya looked at Daniel, hoping for an answer.


    "Oh, that thing? Kids like to eat it," Daniel replied.


    Well, the Will of World had only just been born, so it could be considered a child.


    Upon hearing Daniel''s answer, Arya was stunned.


    She had never imagined that the withered grass, which they had all regarded as a divine artifact, was just considered food in his eyes¡­


    And¡­


    The withered grass contained chaotic rules¡ªcould it really be eaten?


    Was he trying to fool her?


    Seeing Arya''s skeptical gaze, Daniel added,


    "That thing is actually pretty useless. I only said that because I was looking for the place where the withered grass grows. Anyway, prepare yourselves. In three days, we will head to the relic."


    ...


    At this moment, Daniel was alone in his room.


    In front of him was a relic from the Divine Dynasty, the size of a finger, pitch black in color.


    For the past three days, he had been working on deciphering the magic array left on the relic.


    After a moment, the relic began to glow.


    The hidden magic array was completely unraveled by Daniel.


    Once the magic array was broken, the true appearance of the relic began to gradually reveal itself to Daniel. Continue your journey on empire


    What had originally been the size of a finger instantly became a palm-sized formation table.


    Above the formation table, a virtual starry sky was reflected.


    Of course, it was only a part of it.


    Some special stars were emitting unusual light.


    The light fell onto the formation table.


    A path was formed.


    But that was it.


    Only a single, simple route, with nothing else.


    There were no reference points.


    Or perhaps¡­


    This route might just be a part of the whole.


    A thought appeared in Daniel''s mind.


    It was clear that the starry sky, the map, and the route were incomplete.


    They must have been separated from a complete Star Map.


    To uncover the secret of this Star Map, it seemed he would have to collect all the maps.


    Over twenty million divine stones¡­ and this was what he got?


    Daniel felt like he might have been tricked.


    He then called Ink Sea God King over.


    "Lord, you called for me?"


    "Take a look at this. It''s from the relic of the Divine Dynasty. What use does it have?"


    "What? Lord, it''s only been three days, and you''ve already deciphered the magic array on the relic? Truly¡­"


    Ink Sea God King looked at Daniel with a changed expression.


    He had never expected that Daniel would be this powerful with magic arrays!


    The relic of the Divine Dynasty was filled with many complicated magic arrays.


    Even a professional array master would take some time to decipher it.


    But Daniel¡­


    Had finished it in just three days!!!


    "Enough with the compliments. Just take a look at this thing," Daniel said impatiently.


    He knew his own level with magic arrays.


    It was purely his powerful mind power that allowed him to brute-force his way through them.


    He had tried different magic arrays one by one.


    If he knew a bit about the magic array principles from the God Realm, he wouldn''t have had to spend so much time on it.


    So Daniel didn''t like to talk about it.


    He returned the topic to the object that had appeared from the relic.


    When Ink Sea God King saw the object in Daniel''s hand, he was surprised and said,


    "Lord Daniel, this is incredible!"


    "This is the Star Map left by the Divine Dynasty!"


    Daniel, hearing the surprised tone, asked,


    "I know it''s a Star Map, but is there any record of what''s in this Star Map?"


    "Well¡­ there isn''t any record. But anything that can be left as a Star Map by the Divine Dynasty is definitely not ordinary. It might be something with a hidden secret!"


    Alright.


    It seemed like Ink Sea God King didn''t know anything either.


    "Since that''s the case, I leave this to you. Collect the rest of the Star Map."


    "Huh? I¡­"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Ink Sea God King looked troubled.


    "Lord Daniel, this isn''t something that can be done in a short time."


    "Mm, I''m not asking you to finish it immediately. Take your time."


    "Alright, I''ll take care of it. I''ll definitely gather the Star Map for you," Ink Sea God King patted his chest and promised.


    "This Star Map, can it only be obtained from the relics?"


    "Yes, currently I haven''t heard of anyone getting a Star Map from other sources. Star Maps can basically only be obtained from these relics."


    "I see¡­"


    Daniel pondered.


    There were many things that could be obtained from the relics.


    According to what Ink Sea God King had told him,


    These Divine Dynasty relics generally contained divine artifacts, pills, divine spells, and so on¡­


    The Star Map hadn''t been mentioned.


    But Daniel had opened it.


    That meant the Star Map was a relatively rare item among the relics?


    To collect the Star Map, one would need many relics, opening them one by one.


    At this moment, Daniel realized he would have to learn more about magic arrays immediately.


    Otherwise, opening a relic could take days, which was too much of a waste.


    "Is there any way to determine the contents of a relic before opening it?"


    Daniel asked.


    "Sorry, my lord, I''ve never heard of anything like that. The contents of a relic can only be determined the moment it''s opened," Ink Sea God King replied.


    "Alright. Can I buy these relics at the Godlink Consortium?"


    "You mean the virtual world of the Godlink Consortium? Well, I think it''s possible. Normally, not many people would be willing to sell them¡­"


    But now was different.


    The news of the impending calamity had spread throughout the entire God Realm.


    At a time like this, everyone wanted to secure their future.


    Compared to relics that couldn''t be easily liquidated and might carry some risks, divine stones were much more reliable!


    After all, divine stones were hard currency!


    "What about divine crystals? Could these be used to trade for relics?"


    "Definitely! Lord, divine crystals are always valuable, no matter when!"


    Compared to divine stones, which could only enhance oneself, divine crystals, which could strengthen anything, were naturally far more precious.


    Moreover, they were highly sought after!


    "I see."


    After Daniel finished speaking, he handed Ink Sea God King a storage crystal.


    "My lord, what is this¡­" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It contains divine stones. Take it to the Godlink Consortium and buy as many relics as possible. If they don''t have them, maybe you can put up a long-term relic purchase notice¡­"


    Daniel muttered to himself.


    Ink Sea God King was somewhat confused.


    What was Lord Daniel thinking?


    To use divine crystals to exchange for relics?


    After all, divine crystals were extremely rare¡­


    While thinking, Ink Sea God King opened the storage crystal.


    He wanted to see how many divine crystals it contained.


    Then, based on the total amount, he would think about how many relics he could get in exchange, especially since the price of divine crystals was sure to rise dramatically before the calamity hit!

 Chapter220-The Storm of Relics

    as soon as the ink sea god king opened the storage crystal, it almost blinded him.he froze in place.


    at first, he had been thinking of calculating carefully to maximize the benefit of every divine crystal daniel had given him.


    but the ink sea god king never expected that when he opened the storage crystal, this would be the sight before his eyes.


    the divine crystals inside the storage crystal... were measured in the billions.


    in fact, when he roughly counted, he couldn''t even estimate how many divine crystals there were.


    the divine crystals were piled up like a mountain.


    no!


    like a vein!


    it was as if an entire divine crystal vein had been transplanted into this tiny storage crystal.


    the ink sea god king even had the impulse to slap himself, wondering if he was dreaming.


    he had calculated before that to reinforce his entire temple, he would need a thousand divine crystals.


    but the number of divine crystals inside this storage crystal...


    it would be enough to reinforce tens of thousands of temples, probably even more!


    moreover...


    there weren''t that many god kings in the god realm...


    after standing there for a while in a daze, the ink sea god king left daniel''s room.


    when had he ever fought such a wealthy battle?


    in an instant, the overwhelming happiness almost flooded his brain.


    now, all he needed to do was one thing: buy, buy, buy!


    complete daniel''s task at the fastest speed.


    after the ink sea god king left, daniel thought for a moment and called arya and the others over.


    one person, the ink sea god king, might still be a bit underpowered, so daniel wanted to ask these three if there were any other ways.


    "lord daniel, are we leaving now?"


    arya asked.


    "no, i called you over for something else. do you know about the divine dynasty relics?"


    "we know. i broke through to the god sovereign level thanks to a relic i obtained," veyla said.


    "can you elaborate?"


    "yes, lord daniel. that time, i was lucky and obtained a pill from a relic. after swallowing it, i broke through to the god sovereign realm."


    "later, i heard that the pill was possibly a kind of relic passed down from the divine dynasty, which could enhance one''s ability to comprehend the rules. maybe my talent was too poor, and i could only reach god sovereign... i couldn''t break through further."


    after hearing this, daniel nodded and said:


    "in the past few days, i''ve become quite interested in these relics. i want to stockpile some. do you know of any places where i can quickly buy relics?"


    stockpile?!


    your adventure continues at empire


    these were divine dynasty relics, my lord!


    such things were rare, and just getting one was already a rare occurrence. how could he even talk about stockpiling them?


    "lord... do you want to buy a large quantity of relics?"


    arya asked cautiously.


    "yes. i want to buy as many relics as possible, the more the better. and i''ll be paying with divine crystals. the price doesn''t matter, i just need to get them."


    divine crystals!


    upon hearing this unit, the three exchanged looks, each reading the incredulity in the other''s eyes.


    you have to know that divine crystals were of extremely high value right now!


    after all, divine crystals could be used immediately, while relics?


    they needed to be opened, which took time and effort, and even after opening them, you might not be able to use them.


    in the end, you''d lose time and energy.


    so, if daniel was offering divine crystals in exchange, many people would be willing to trade.


    "lord daniel, do you want to buy opened relics, or unopened ones?"


    "can opened relics be sold?"


    "of course. many people spend a lot of time and effort opening relics, but in the end, they can''t use what they obtain, so they have no choice but to sell them."


    "and star maps? would anyone be selling those?"


    "naturally. because star maps obtained from relics are usually only a small part. you need to collect them to use them, but gathering them is a real hassle. so most people who get star maps choose to sell them."


    arya explained.


    "besides, not many people are willing to open star maps from relics. the price of star maps has always been relatively low. there were even some in the god realm who tried to gather a full star map set but gave up in the end... because there are just too many of them..."


    with this, daniel understood.


    so, star maps were the "default" of relics, huh?


    almost no one wanted to open them.


    but thinking about it, most people who opened relics probably wanted the divine dynasty''s inheritance.


    if there was no inheritance, even getting a pill would be fine.


    as for the useless star maps, one was useless, and even if you had many, they were hard to assemble.


    who would care about them?


    at this point, daniel''s expression darkened, and he said:


    "i''ll buy all the unopened relics you have, and for opened ones, just the star maps. i''ll give you the divine crystals later." s~ea??h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "understood, lord daniel. are we still leaving today? veyla has a warship that can take us there."


    "alright, get ready. let''s go."


    "yes!"


    ...


    "this is impossible! who would buy star maps? be careful not to get scammed!"


    "impossible! that trading guild, i''ve done business with them before, there''s no problem!"


    "stop it! a star map for divine crystals... this is something you''ve collected for over ten years, and you''re really willing to trade it for just one divine crystal?"


    "no choice, the calamity is coming soon... i have no choice but to do this. even if it''s a scam, at least i''ll get one divine crystal, right?"


    as the great calamity approaches, star maps have little value.


    but divine crystals are different!


    they''re essential materials!


    but when they heard that someone was willing to use divine crystals to purchase star maps and divine dynasty relics, the first reaction of most people was disbelief.


    after all, exchanging divine crystals for relics seemed more reliable.


    but star maps?


    wasn''t that just a pure scam?


    some people expressed doubt.


    but more people chose to try it.


    and soon¡­


    "i struck it rich, brother! that star map i had, i exchanged it for five divine crystals!"


    "what did you say? five divine crystals? is that for real?"


    "is there any doubt? look!"


    "wow! i''m going there right now!"


    "..."


    similar events were happening all over the god realm.


    at first, no one believed such a good deal was possible.


    but once someone succeeded, then the rest didn''t have to worry anymore.


    in fact, some even worried they wouldn''t have enough divine crystals and were willing to lower their prices...


    this caused the price of star maps to rise rapidly.


    and the price of divine crystals rose along with it.


    it was an unbelievable frenzy.


    a large number of people even started searching for relics.


    some relics that had never been discovered before were suddenly filled with people.


    they were all looking for divine dynasty relics, hoping to exchange them for more divine crystals.


    even daniel himself hadn''t anticipated that just wanting to collect star maps would cause such a massive movement across the entire god realm.


    as for the cost¡­


    the divine crystals in his hands had been significantly depleted.


    but it was just a small amount.


    for daniel, it didn''t really matter.


    now, he had accumulated a large number of divine dynasty relics.


    during the time on the ship, he had been busy cracking open these relics.


    once cracked open, the star maps were kept, and the rest were sold.


    because of the earlier transactions, the opened relics, which weren''t star maps, could be sold for a good price.


    this led to a strange situation...


    though daniel''s divine crystals had been depleted, his divine stones had increased¡­


    wait, he had planned to spend divine crystals, but in the end, wasn''t he making a profit off divine stones?


    he couldn''t spend them all. he couldn''t even spend half of them!

 Chapter221-Arrival at the Ruins

    since this day, the collection of relics had nearly reached around 100,000 in quantity.as for the star map¡­


    daniel now had enough fragments to complete two full star maps.


    of course, these weren''t the same as the fragments he had bought from the great luo trading guild that day.


    it seemed that the fragment was going to be found among these tens of thousands of relics, requiring him to slowly search through them.


    but luckily, besides these relics, daniel had also collected numerous books related to the true origins of the god realm.


    these books were for researching the god realm''s magic arrays.


    after all, these things had been passed down from ancient times.


    there was always a trace to follow.


    by studying the current magic arrays, daniel could identify traces of divine dynasty magic arrays.


    this way, his speed in cracking them would be greatly accelerated.


    later, collecting the rest of the star map wouldn''t take much time either.


    "master daniel, we''ve successfully arrived at the eastern wastes. should we first go to my residence to rest for a while?"


    explore more at empire


    "no need, let''s go straight to the ruins."


    daniel said.


    at this point, there was no need to delay any further.


    they should head straight to the ruins and figure out how the world ascension worked.


    then, they could deal with the divine dynasty relics.


    if they didn''t handle it now, it would just pile up, and daniel was starting to get a headache just thinking about it.


    "understood!"


    soon after, the warship came to a stop.


    "master daniel, we''ve arrived at the ruins. the entrance is just below us! we''ll go inside first, and once we reach the area where the rules are chaotic, we''ll leave the warship¡­"


    as arya spoke, daniel''s expression grew serious.


    he looked down and said:


    "someone has been here."


    "what?"


    arya couldn''t believe it.


    after all, this was a place they had discovered after a lot of effort.


    they had been worried about the anomalies here being leaked. s§×arch* the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    so, they hadn''t returned to the place much.


    but to their surprise, someone else had also discovered it.


    "not long ago, someone came here. they should have already entered the ruins by now."


    daniel added.


    saying this, he immediately left the warship and descended toward the ground.


    elise and ink sea god king followed closely behind him.


    daniel arrived at the entrance of a cave.


    he stretched out his hand, and mana surged.


    a wave appeared.


    "this is a small warning magic array. as soon as anyone else comes here, the person who set up the magic array will quickly detect them."


    looking at the magic array ahead, daniel said.


    these past few days, the books on god realm magic arrays had certainly not been in vain.


    "what! someone really went inside? this was a place we worked so hard to find¡­"


    veyla said with some reluctance.


    "it''s fine. let''s go in and see who''s ahead of us."


    daniel said, using his mind power to directly change the composition of the magic array.


    now, even if they entered from the entrance, the magic array wouldn''t be triggered.


    with daniel leading the way, the group followed behind him.


    after walking for some time through the cave, they saw figures ahead.


    these people were dressed in special clothing.


    arya immediately recognized which faction they were from!


    "court of divine king! i can''t believe they found it!"


    arya''s tone was panicked, and it was clear that the so-called court of divine king was no ordinary faction.


    "what is the court of divine king?"


    daniel asked in confusion.


    he had only arrived in the god realm recently, so he knew almost nothing about these god kings and factions.


    "the court of divine king is the absolute dominant force in the eastern wastes, and there is no other!"


    "the court of divine king is a faction made up of dozens of god kings."


    "they are the undisputed rulers of the eastern wastes!"


    veyla explained with a bad expression.


    with the court of divine king here, their expedition to the ruins was probably over.


    in the eastern wastes, the one faction that absolutely shouldn''t be provoked was the court of divine king.


    this was because the god kings within it were genuine.


    although there was competition within the court of divine king, when it came to external affairs, they were always united!


    there was even a saying in the eastern wastes: if you see a faction that is arrogant and looks down on everyone, you can be sure it''s the court of divine king!


    the court of divine king could be so arrogant because they had the strength to back it up.


    "i see¡­ so the court of divine king only respects power? this was a place we found first¡­"


    hearing daniel''s words, veyla couldn''t help but smile bitterly:


    "master, it''s not so simple. the court of divine king is the absolute ruler of the eastern wastes. they don''t care about things like this¡­ because in the eastern wastes, strength is everything!"


    in the eastern wastes, or even the entire god realm, strength was the ultimate authority!


    "i see¡­ so it''s all about the strong speaking the loudest. i understand now."


    daniel said and continued walking forward.


    "master, please wait! within the court of divine king, there are some god kings who have been around for tens of thousands of years¡­ at least, let''s figure out which god kings have come before we make any moves."


    "alright, i understand. we''ll capture a few people and ask them."


    daniel said, though his steps didn''t slow down.


    he walked straight ahead without trying to hide his intentions.


    he didn''t care about concealing anything.


    as daniel approached, the people from the court of divine king had already noticed him.


    "who are you?"


    "this ruin already belongs to our court of divine king! outsiders, leave immediately!"


    "the external magic array hasn''t been triggered. could it be that there''s another entrance to this ruin that we haven''t found?"


    "you, leave now! otherwise, don''t blame us for being rude!"


    "¡­"


    the people from the court of divine king, upon seeing daniel walk over, began to speak harshly.


    daniel chose the most efficient method. he didn''t plan on saying much and directly took action!


    at this moment, a massive hand appeared from the sky.


    "how dare you! you dare to act against the court of divine king! who are you? today, you will die!"


    a voice rang out.


    at the same time, a figure appeared in mid-air, attempting to block the hand daniel had manifested.


    however¡­


    he failed!


    the figure was immediately slapped down by daniel''s hand.


    hmm, not bad.


    he was about the same level as arya and the others.


    under daniel''s strike, almost no one could withstand it.


    the figure immediately lost consciousness.


    only the god sovereign-level beings retained their awareness.


    daniel grabbed the god sovereign who had attempted to block him earlier.


    he asked:


    "when did you discover this ruin? how many people have come this time? how many god kings are there?"


    "you¡­ you''ve offended the court of divine king. there will be consequences! we will¡­ we will¡­"


    daniel didn''t expect this guy to be so stubborn.


    at a time like this, shouldn''t he be thinking about how to survive, instead of seeking revenge?


    since that was the case¡­


    there was no need to leave him alive.


    after all, there were more god sovereign-level beings around.


    so daniel found another one and repeated the question.


    seeing the fate of the previous person, this god sovereign-level expert answered freely.


    in fact, the court of divine king had discovered the ruins a long time ago.


    they had noticed it much earlier than arya and the others.


    but due to the chaotic rules, they hadn''t acted on it.


    it was only half a month ago that they had decided to take action.


    perhaps the court of divine king had already figured out how to deal with the chaotic rules, which was why they came in full force.


    this time, the court of divine king had dispatched four god kings.


    enough to thoroughly investigate the ruin.


    "sure enough, it''s better to ask clearly. those god kings have been inside for at least half a month. we need to leave immediately, or else¡­ they might have swept the entire ruin by the time we get there."


    daniel said as he walked forward.


    he left the stunned arya and the others behind.


    they never imagined daniel would act so¡­ directly.

 Chapter222-The Library

    stay connected via empirefrom the very beginning, their contact with daniel made the group feel that although daniel was a powerful and mysterious being, he was also easy to approach.


    it wasn''t until just now that they realized the reason they had seen daniel''s gentle side was that they still had some use for him.


    from guiding them through the ruins at the start, to later helping them acquire relics and the star map,


    otherwise¡­


    daniel also had his thunderous methods!


    even the god sovereigns of the court of divine king could hardly withstand one of daniel''s strikes!


    "don''t just stand there, keep up!"


    elise''s voice rang out.


    only then did the three react,


    hurrying to catch up.


    they certainly didn''t want to anger daniel now!


    at the end of the path, there appeared a small pond.


    the crystal-clear water was so still it almost made one question if it was water or some kind of massive pit.


    the water''s surface had no ripples at all,


    like a mirror.


    daniel also noticed the magic array''s fluctuations on the surface of the pond.


    it seemed to be an entrance.


    after entering, the real ruins began. sea??h th§× nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    without hesitation, daniel leapt in.


    after a brief space fluctuation, daniel found himself in another location.


    here, everything was shattered, even floating in the air.


    just as arya had described earlier,


    chaotic!


    not only were the rules of this place in disarray, but even the terrain and environment were filled with chaos.


    daniel could even see two areas of ground almost at a ninety-degree angle.


    yet, the animals on top seemed unaffected.


    from a normal perspective, these small animals appeared to be moving on the wall.


    but those creatures seemed unaware of this,


    or perhaps in their perception, they had always been moving on the ground.


    "who''s there! this is the court of divine king¡­"


    at that moment, voices came from above daniel,


    from a floating piece of land.


    as expected, the aura of god sovereigns emanated.


    it seemed that god sovereigns in these ruins were more powerful than those outside.


    without further delay,


    daniel immediately restrained them, and with elise and the others, continued deeper.


    "where''s the center of these ruins?"


    "please follow me, sir. this is just the outer area of the ruins. we know the shortest path to the center,"


    arya replied, leading the way.


    "hm."


    daniel glanced around, casually using magic to grab some items.


    after inspecting them, he found that most were items only a tier-god mage would use.


    so daniel lost interest and followed arya toward the central area of the ruins.


    on the way, they encountered quite a few disciples from the court of divine king.


    however, long before they even noticed daniel,


    he had already taken action and imprisoned them.


    he had no time to waste dealing with these people.


    reaching the center quickly was the most crucial task.


    after about ten minutes, they finally arrived at the central area.


    the rules here were even more chaotic.


    there were also hidden spatial turbulence zones.


    one wrong move, and anyone caught in them would likely die on the spot!


    arya and the others had been lucky and skilled enough to make it here.


    "sir, not far from here, there''s a library. we''ve only entered its outer area once. the whole library has already fallen into chaos."


    "let''s go see it,"


    daniel said.


    a library from a former temple piqued daniel''s interest.


    perhaps it held some clues about why this place had turned out like this.


    outside the library, there were also people from the court of divine king.


    god sovereigns, even quasi-god kings, were present,


    seemingly trying to decipher the chaotic rules.


    they hadn''t even noticed daniel and the others arriving.


    it was still the ordinary disciples of the court of divine king who noticed them first.


    before the other party could shout out,


    daniel immediately restrained everyone there,


    then continued forward.


    three large characters spelling out "library" were engraved on the stone tablet in front of the library.


    daniel noticed that outside the library, there was a magic array linking it to the interior.


    it seemed that these people from the court of divine king were quite capable.


    they had managed to achieve this level of protection.


    daniel released the quasi-god king beside him.


    "have you found anything in this library? let me see!"


    "yes!"


    the two quasi-god kings didn''t dare to refuse.


    the mysterious and powerful being before them was clearly beyond their ability to provoke.


    after all, they had been restrained before they even had time to react¡­


    they couldn''t even resist!


    even some god kings from the court of divine king probably couldn''t do that!


    daniel took the two storage crystals and glanced at them.


    there were indeed some divine spells,


    but these were of no use to daniel.


    he simply flipped through them briefly before setting them down and handing them back to the two.


    it seemed that there was something in this library after all.


    he needed to go inside and check for himself.


    so, daniel said to elise and the others,


    "you wait here. i''ll go in alone to see what''s going on."


    "headmaster, please be careful,"


    elise said.


    "sir, this library is not a safe place! the chaotic rules inside could¡­"


    at this point, one of the quasi-god kings warned.


    daniel curiously looked at him,


    surprised that this person would actually offer such advice.


    "what''s your name?"


    "varun."


    "are you skilled in magic arrays?"


    "i wouldn''t say skilled, but there are few in the court of divine king who are better than me."


    hearing that humble yet arrogant reply, daniel smiled.


    "wait here for me, we''ll talk after i come out."


    after saying that, daniel left a mark on varun and entered the library.


    on the first floor of the library, daniel even found some magic spells.


    they were, to be honest, lower-level spells,


    probably just filler for the book collection.


    would such a powerful force really have people study magic?


    wouldn''t divine spells be more convenient?


    divine spells were considered advanced magic.


    in the god realm, divine spells were much easier to use than normal magic.


    daniel casually picked up a book,


    but as soon as he touched it, the book turned to ashes.


    it seemed that these low-level books couldn''t withstand the ravages of time.


    so, daniel didn''t bother staying on the first floor,


    and instead moved up to the second.


    on the second floor, there were low-level divine spells.


    these books were different from the ones on the first floor,


    they had a faint glow around them,


    which was probably a protective measure by this force.


    there were many divine spells here, but they were all low-level.


    still, they were of various types.


    daniel thought for a moment and took all the books with him,


    storing them in his personal space.


    these items were the foundation of a powerful force.


    he was sure to keep them for later use.


    the third floor was similar,


    though there were fewer books than on the second,


    the quality was much better.


    it seemed that the divine spells obtained by the others earlier had come from this level.


    daniel also took everything.


    on the fourth floor,


    daniel''s attention was immediately drawn to six powerful auras emanating from light orbs.


    each orb represented a different divine spell.


    daniel knew these weren''t just ordinary divine spells.


    he casually took one and examined it.


    it was a divine spell related to life¡­


    was this force primarily researching divine spells related to life?


    with that thought in mind, daniel moved to the fifth floor.


    as soon as he entered the fifth floor, daniel instantly felt the strength of the chaotic rules.


    he resisted these rules with his mana.


    then he looked around.


    the fifth floor had already been destroyed in most areas.


    among the remaining items, daniel''s gaze was drawn to a painting!

 Chapter223-Primordial Divine Spell

    on the fifth floor, logically speaking, it should be the most important area in this book vault.and this place is also the most heavily damaged section.


    a large number of chaotic rules have appeared on the fifth floor.


    in fact, the entire fifth floor barely has anything left intact.


    however, there is one painting that catches everyone''s attention.


    it can be said that the entire setup of the fifth floor seems to exist solely to highlight this painting.


    even daniel was the same; his gaze was drawn to the painting at first sight.


    the content of the painting is very simple.


    it is merely a landscape painting.


    among the mountains and rivers, birds, beasts, fish, and insects are dotted throughout.


    it appears full of vitality.


    since this painting has been uniquely preserved here, it must serve an extraordinary purpose.


    this was daniel''s first thought.


    so, he picked up the painting.


    it looked quite ordinary.


    but daniel knew that the painting must be unusual.


    this was because the painting seemed to be untouched by the rules of chaos.


    even¡­


    the reason why the fifth floor wasn''t completely destroyed might be precisely because of this painting.


    the severe rules of chaos, yet there wasn''t a single trace around the painting.


    that alone spoke volumes.


    daniel held the painting in his hands.


    he did not find anything special about it.


    so, he merged his mind power with the painting.


    in an instant, daniel seemed to have entered another world.


    the surroundings were picturesque with clear mountains and rivers, filled with the fragrance of flowers and birds chirping.


    the entire world exuded a sense of harmony and vitality.


    daniel even stretched out his hand to grab a butterfly fluttering gracefully.


    the butterfly struggled constantly in daniel''s hand.


    it seemed to truly have life.


    then, with a slight force from daniel''s fingers, he crushed it.


    the butterfly immediately stopped moving and slowly slid out of daniel''s hand.


    during this process, daniel could feel a surge of life force leaving the butterfly and flowing toward other places.


    this world was the world inside the painting.


    everything here naturally belonged to an illusion.


    but among all this, the life force was real.


    and in this brief process, a passage of text suddenly appeared in daniel''s mind:


    primordial divine spell: genesis of creation.


    over time, daniel had come to understand the divine spells of the god realm.


    such primordial divine spells were generally of ancient origins.


    they could even be traced back to the very beginning of the world''s creation.


    such a divine spell was most likely created by a powerful entity.


    it had been passed down to this faction.


    however, the possession of such a divine spell alone was enough to indicate one thing:


    before this ruin was destroyed, it must have held immense power.


    otherwise, such a divine spell would have long been taken away.


    genesis of creation.


    it referred to the transformation and evolution of all living things.


    from a single blade of grass, a single flower, to the heavens and a whole world¡­


    daniel only skimmed through it briefly.


    he knew that this type of divine spell could not be fully learned in a short time.


    so, he could only roughly speculate on the effects of the divine spell.


    by now, daniel had more or less figured out why.


    this faction became a ruin due to this very primordial divine spell.


    it was their triumph and their downfall.


    the reason for this faction''s current state was very simple.


    they had most likely attempted to elevate their world.


    based on daniel''s speculation, the genesis of creation spell could, when mastered to its utmost, produce extraordinary effects.


    it might even enable world elevation without a forge, or with only minimal reliance on one.


    judging by the outcome, they succeeded, but only partially. find your next adventure on empire


    the world did indeed ascend to the god realm.


    but¡­


    the world was incomplete, or rather, the process of ascension was not in accordance with the normal procedures.


    this led to a critical issue:


    their own rules differed greatly from the rules of the entire god realm.


    perhaps this faction did not anticipate such a scenario.


    the end result was that they faced this situation unprepared.


    and so, the world collided directly.


    the result¡­


    was the ruin that daniel now saw.


    that once-unparalleled powerful faction had turned into a ruin.


    it seemed that the matter of world ascension required meticulous planning.


    this journey to the book vault could now be considered complete.


    daniel''s greatest gain was this primordial divine spell.


    it would undoubtedly be useful in the future.


    and, of course, the books related to other divine spells.


    after collecting all these, daniel left the book vault.


    "master, have you explored the entire book vault already?"


    varun couldn''t hold back his curiosity and asked.


    daniel nodded.


    he had scoured all five floors of the book vault.


    "i''ve searched everything here. there''s no need for you to waste your efforts here."


    hearing daniel''s reply, varun''s expression became one of disbelief.


    back then, he had followed several god kings from the court of divine king to this place.


    even the god kings believed that since this was a book vault, they would surely find something useful.


    so, they had spent some time studying it.


    but ultimately, they concluded that it was impossible to break in by force.


    this book vault had been too severely corroded by the rules of chaos.


    it could only be gradually unraveled using magic arrays and the items extracted in small batches over time.


    currently, varun could only enter the second floor briefly.


    as for the first floor, there wasn''t much of value.


    so, even the god kings believed that this place could not be forcibly accessed, only approached slowly.


    could this senior, who had imprisoned them, truly explore the entire place?


    varun was skeptical.


    wasn''t the other party just lying to them, planning to return and explore the book vault after they left?


    of course, even if daniel knew what varun was thinking, he wouldn''t care.


    a summer bug cannot discuss ice.


    then, daniel said to the group behind him:


    "let''s go to the central area. there''s nothing more here."


    after daniel finished speaking, arya led him forward.


    on the way, they even came across a patch of broken land where many magical herbs were growing.


    unfortunately, most of these magical herbs had turned into something akin to the earlier withered grass due to the rules of chaos.


    seeing this, daniel collected all these magical herbs.


    who knows, big white might find them useful.


    soon, arya was nearing the location she had originally intended to visit.


    "master daniel, it''s just ahead. the treasure vault is right ahead."


    just as the book vault collected divine spells from this faction,


    the treasure vault naturally also had many protections in place.


    moreover, the treasure vault was entirely different from the book vault.


    some treasures even inherently carried rules, enabling them to resist the rules of chaos.


    the three of them even found treasures that could help them ascend to god king.


    but¡­


    the rules of chaos surrounding the treasure vault were extraordinarily powerful.


    the chaotic currents even shifted positions periodically.


    a single mistake could throw someone into the turbulence, leading to their utter demise.


    and¡­


    taking treasures from the treasure vault wasn''t simple.


    the three of them had tried their best to enter the treasure vault and attempted to take a single treasure.


    but¡­


    it was too difficult!


    it required an immense amount of time, not to mention the constant vigilance needed against the spatial turbulence and the erosion of the rules of chaos. s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    so, the three were forced to retreat and leave this ruin.


    they sought ways to resist the rules of chaos.


    but over the past decade, they had made little progress.


    until they encountered daniel this time, which led them to return here once again.


    however, upon their return, they were shocked to find that people from the court of divine king had already arrived.


    and they had been here for over half a month.


    this realization gave arya a sense of urgency to hurry.

 Chapter224-This Is Mine! Now Leave!

    of course, arya wasn''t the only one feeling this way; the other two shared a similar mindset.stay connected with empire


    even though they had brought daniel along this time, deep down, they already regarded the treasure that could help them reach the god king rank as their own.


    after all, someone like daniel surely wouldn''t need it.


    as long as master daniel obtained it, it would be easy enough for them to borrow it when the time came.


    after all, the group was currently working for daniel.


    but if the treasure fell into the hands of the court of divine king...


    then it would be hopeless for them.


    "stop!"


    as arya continued forward, daniel''s voice rang out,


    instantly immobilizing her in place.


    arya was confused,


    unsure why daniel had suddenly frozen her there.


    "arya, watch your step!"


    at this moment, a reminder from her companion came from behind.


    only then did arya realize that right in front of her was a hidden spatial turbulence.


    had daniel not frozen her just now, arya would have been swept away by the spatial turbulence.


    realizing this, arya felt a chill of fear.


    thankfully, daniel had immobilized her; otherwise, this hidden spatial turbulence alone could have killed her.


    this time, arya came to a realization:


    as the group progressed toward the central area, the dangers they encountered were only going to increase.


    earlier, her desire for the treasure had made her forget this, but now it came rushing back.


    she remembered how perilous it had been when she and her companions had first reached the treasure vault years ago.


    cold sweat broke out over arya.


    the fanatical gleam in her eyes gradually faded,


    replaced by calmness once more.


    "let''s go. i can sense that the god kings from the court of divine king are just ahead."


    daniel released the immobilization on arya and spoke.


    with his perception,


    he could detect several strong presences not far ahead.


    yes, strong enough to slightly resist him for a while.


    compared to the 5-element god king, these presences might be on par¡ªperhaps one or two could even surpass the 5-element god king slightly.


    but before daniel, these presences were nothing.


    daniel walked ahead first.


    the others followed cautiously behind him.


    after arya''s earlier experience, the group understood how dangerous this place was.


    sticking close to daniel was the only way to avoid harm.


    it wasn''t long before they noticed that the fragmented land around them had disappeared,


    replaced by endless yellow sand.


    "is this¡­ an illusion?"


    elise looked around in confusion.


    the yellow sand around them seemed incredibly real.


    elise could even feel the scorching heat of the sun in the sky.


    the sand beneath her feet was blisteringly hot.


    "yes, this is an illusion. an illusion as real as the real world."


    daniel replied.


    with one glance, daniel could tell that this illusion was created using the primordial divine spell.


    there was no mistaking it¡ªthe sensation was too similar to what he had experienced inside the painting.


    however, this illusion seemed to lack offensive or deceptive means.


    daniel could still sense that as they moved forward,


    the presences of those ahead were getting closer and closer.


    as the group continued walking, the desert vanished.


    in its place appeared a massive pavilion.


    this was the treasure vault arya had mentioned earlier.


    the treasure vault was filled with countless treasures.


    at the same time, it was rife with rules of chaos and spatial turbulence.


    directly ahead of the group were hundreds of members of the court of divine king,


    including several god kings, cautiously exploring the area.


    they moved carefully, wary of being swept into some unknown spatial turbulence.


    this was a ruin, and the spatial turbulence here was extraordinarily powerful.


    even a god king rank expert could only withstand it briefly.


    if they couldn''t escape the spatial turbulence,


    the only outcome was death.


    what''s more, this wasn''t just simple spatial turbulence.


    it was interwoven with the rules of chaos.


    so...


    even a god king had to tread carefully here.


    otherwise, they would most likely face one outcome: death.


    at this moment, the god kings of the court of divine king were in the air, using their magic and artifacts to probe the surrounding spatial turbulence.


    their mana filled the area.


    the spatial turbulence shifted slightly in response to the mana.


    at that moment, one of the god kings noticed a strange presence approaching from behind.


    it didn''t belong to their court of divine king. sea??h th§× novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "who are you? this ruin belongs to the court of divine king! leave immediately!"


    the god king spoke, locking his gaze firmly on the ink sea god king behind daniel.


    this court of divine king god king could clearly sense


    that among the intruders, only the ink sea god king possessed god king rank strength.


    this suggested that the ink sea god king was likely the leader of this group.


    still, the god king found it odd that the leader stood in such an unusual position.


    being targeted by the court of divine king god king,


    the ink sea god king felt helpless and glanced at daniel.


    clearly, without daniel''s instruction, he didn''t dare say anything rash.


    ultimately, the final decision rested with daniel.


    but daniel had been entirely ignored by this court of divine king god king.


    of course, this was because daniel had hidden his aura.


    when the ink sea god king glanced at him,


    daniel had already made up his mind.


    the court of divine king god king,


    after finishing his warning, continued to focus on the ink sea god king.


    but when he saw that the ink sea god king didn''t respond and instead looked toward daniel,


    he realized that the leader of this group of outsiders


    was actually the young man who appeared utterly ordinary.


    the aura from that young man¡­ wait!


    why couldn''t he discern anything about that young man''s aura?


    it was as if the young man was merely an ordinary person.


    but how could an ordinary person travel with a god king, three god sovereigns, and an earth god?


    the god king couldn''t believe it.


    there was only one possible explanation:


    this young man must be a scion of some major faction.


    that would explain everything.


    the young man likely possessed some kind of artifact to conceal his aura.


    the god king looked at daniel again and said:


    "this is the eastern wastes court of divine king. this site is already ours. leave immediately, and i''ll pretend i didn''t see you."


    before knowing which faction the young man belonged to,


    this was undoubtedly the safest approach.


    it was reasonable.


    after all, the court of divine king was the most powerful faction in the eastern wastes.


    anyone with a reputation would have heard of them


    and wouldn''t want to linger here unnecessarily.


    but daniel didn''t adhere to reason.


    "this ruin is already mine! the court of divine king had better leave at once. of course, i won''t force you to hand over the treasures you''ve already taken from the treasure vault, but from now on, you need to leave."


    daniel''s voice was calm yet loud enough for everyone to hear.


    the moment he finished speaking, everyone from the court of divine king turned to look at him.


    for many, it was their first time hearing someone speak so boldly.


    to use such a tone when addressing the court of divine king...


    this time, the group that had entered the ruin was composed of the elite of the court of divine king.


    to have followed the god kings to the treasure vault meant they were the most outstanding among the outstanding,


    trusted by every god king.


    after hearing daniel''s words,


    they all turned their astonished gazes toward him.


    their expressions were filled with disbelief.


    none of them could have imagined that someone would dare to utter such words to the court of divine king!

 Chapter225-Reversal of the Heavenly Gangs?!!

    bro, do you even know what kind of place the court of divine king is?let me tell you, the court of divine king is the number one power in the eastern wastes!


    a force that commands over a dozen god kings.


    even the territories we govern are far larger than those of some ordinary god kings.


    for tens of thousands of years, the court of divine king has already established deep roots in the eastern wastes.


    not to mention just the eastern wastes; even across the entire god realm, those who do not know of the court of divine king are few and far between.


    and now, our god king is still using a relatively polite tone to communicate with you.


    he''s not even adopting the usual aloof and high-and-mighty tone.


    this is because other god kings are currently busy deciphering the passage to the ruins, so we can understand the situation.


    but¡­


    who are you, some nobody from who-knows-where, to dare to speak to us, the court of divine king, in such a tone?


    in the past, only the court of divine king had the right to use such a tone to speak to others!


    but now, the tables have turned entirely?


    how could they tolerate this?


    this was no different from a slap in the face of the court of divine king.


    as a result, all eyes turned to the god king who had just spoken.


    at this moment, the god king who had spoken was already red in the face.


    clearly enraged.


    at first, he didn''t want to stir up trouble and only intended to persuade the other party to leave.


    but how could he have anticipated that the other party would outright reject his goodwill?


    and not just reject, but retort with such words.


    you need to understand, at this moment, there were four god kings on our side!


    why on earth... would you dare to speak to the court of divine king like that?


    "fine! fine! fine!"


    the god king uttered the word "fine" three times in succession before continuing:


    "if you wish to court death, then so be it!"


    then he struck out instantly!


    a giant hand, entirely condensed from mana, swept down toward the group.


    at the center of the attack was none other than daniel!


    no matter what faction''s young master you may be, today, you must die here!


    this will be the price of insulting the court of divine king!


    when he had earlier advised them kindly, they didn''t cherish it. now, it was time for them to pay the price.


    the massive hand swept down upon the group.


    yet in their eyes, there was not a hint of fear.


    it was as if the giant hand wasn''t even targeting them.


    daniel hadn''t expected such an overbearing force to simply obey his words and leave.


    so, it was better to give them a thorough lesson all at once.


    however, the other party''s behavior still left daniel somewhat disappointed.


    originally, he thought all four of them would attack together, which would make it easier for him to fight without feeling guilty.


    but now, it was just one person...


    so, he decided to show some restraint.


    just as the giant hand was about to strike them, daniel finally moved.


    facing an attack that could almost be described as world-shattering,


    daniel merely extended a single finger.


    yes, just one finger.


    a beam of light shot out from his fingertip!


    this simple beam of light instantly pierced through the massive hand!


    and before the hand could even descend, it disintegrated into nothingness.


    indeed, daniel... sea??h th§× n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    with nothing more than a single finger,


    shattered the terrifying hand.


    at the same time, the residual energy of the beam continued toward the god king.


    the god king naturally noticed daniel''s attack.


    previously, the massive hand he had summoned was merely a probe to test the waters.


    he wanted to gauge the strength of these individuals,


    or rather, the strength of the god king behind daniel.


    as a probing attack, he was naturally prepared for his strike to be blocked.


    but what he had not anticipated was that the god king behind daniel hadn''t even moved.


    instead, it was daniel himself who acted!


    and with just a single finger, he completely nullified the attack.


    this was something the god king had not expected.


    but no matter.


    it was just an attack from a young man; how strong could it possibly be?


    the god king leisurely retrieved his supreme artifact from his storage crystal.


    it was a shield.


    even against the attacks of two god kings, this shield would stand unbroken.


    with such a shield, blocking this mere attack would be effortless.


    now this arrogant brat would witness the heritage of the court of divine king!


    "sovereign mystique god king has taken out his supreme artifact. could it be the enemy is this strong? that single attack actually forced him to bring out his supreme artifact?"


    "see, you don''t get it, do you? taking out the supreme artifact now isn''t just about blocking the attack!"


    "it''s about showcasing the court of divine king''s heritage!"


    "to let that arrogant brat understand why the court of divine king has reigned supreme in the eastern wastes for years! and to make it clear why you don''t mess with the court of divine king!"


    "look carefully. among those people, only that old man in the back has god king-level strength. the rest¡­ probably aren''t even at god king rank."


    "so, sovereign mystique god king just wants to effortlessly block their attack and make them despair!"


    "impressive! brother, your analysis is spot on!"


    "of course, i have a friend under sovereign mystique god king. he once said that sovereign mystique god king loves doing this!"


    "that earlier giant hand was just a test. if they managed to dodge it, then the next attack would be even fiercer."


    "and now that their attack was neutralized, they''ll think sovereign mystique god king isn''t much. just wait! he''ll unleash his most devastating attack next and show them the true meaning of despair!"


    the disciples of the court of divine king below engaged in heated discussions.


    their opinions were astonishingly unanimous.


    against such an unknown enemy, how could sovereign mystique god king possibly lose?


    even if sovereign mystique god king was evenly matched with the opposing god king, there were still four god kings on their side.


    moreover, sovereign mystique god king had already brought out his supreme artifact.


    there was no way he could lose!


    at that moment, an unbelievable scene unfolded before their eyes.


    sovereign mystique god king, who had taken out his supreme artifact, was suddenly sent flying backward.


    and behind him¡­


    was the spatial turbulence testing area of the other god kings!


    what just happened?


    for a moment, the crowd fell silent, none daring to speak.


    sovereign mystique god king had taken out his supreme artifact, and he could hear the discussions of the disciples below.


    in fact, his intentions were just as they had guessed. find more to read at empire


    he planned to use the supreme artifact in his hand to block the opponent''s strongest attack with ease and then crush their hopes.


    this was sovereign mystique god king''s favorite thing to do.


    give them a glimmer of hope, only to personally shatter it.


    such an act was simply delightful.


    however, when the light beam from daniel''s finger approached,


    sovereign mystique god king suddenly felt an inexplicable, overwhelming sense of dread.


    it was closing in on him.


    he hurriedly activated the full defensive capabilities of his supreme artifact.


    but...


    in an instant, cracks appeared on the supreme artifact in his hand!


    and then, it shattered entirely!


    this was something sovereign mystique god king never could have imagined!


    the supreme artifact that had accompanied him for tens of thousands of years,


    with defensive power so formidable it could withstand the combined attacks of two god kings,


    had just been shattered in this moment¡­


    by daniel''s attack?


    how could this be?


    how was this possible?!


    but now was clearly not the time for sovereign mystique god king to dwell on this.


    because after shattering his supreme artifact,


    the beam of light continued its assault on him.


    although the supreme artifact had mitigated the beam''s power somewhat,


    for sovereign mystique god king, that was hardly reassuring.


    in an instant, he transformed into a streak of light and flew toward the rear.


    at that moment, one of the god kings probing the spatial turbulence up ahead noticed this and quickly intervened to catch him.

 Chapter226-Taking Action Together!

    fortunately, the god kings probing the spatial turbulence ahead were not entirely unaware of what was happening behind them. they were simply focused on studying the spatial turbulence.of course, earlier, daniel''s transmitted voice ensured that everyone could hear him.


    this included these god kings.


    perhaps this had something to do with the situation as well.


    in any case, after sovereign mystique god king was sent flying and was about to crash into a spatial turbulence,


    another god king intercepted his figure, your journey continues at empire


    saving his life just in time.


    although sovereign mystique god king avoided crashing headfirst into the spatial turbulence,


    daniel''s attack had left him with only half a life remaining.


    after hastily expressing his gratitude, sovereign mystique god king retrieved a pill and consumed it.


    this temporarily suppressed his injuries, allowing his aura to stabilize significantly. then he looked at the other three and said,


    "we must take action together! that young man is clearly extraordinary! with just a casual strike, he shattered my supreme artifact, and i''ve lost nearly half my life! moreover, there''s another god king standing behind him!"


    sovereign mystique god king''s expression was grave.


    the other three god kings, hearing his words, also stopped what they were doing.


    they realized the gravity of the situation.


    they had known sovereign mystique god king for tens of thousands of years and were familiar with his supreme artifact.


    that artifact was capable of simultaneously withstanding the attacks of all three of them.


    if they weren''t using their full strength, it was almost impossible to harm sovereign mystique god king.


    yet now, in a single strike, sovereign mystique god king''s supreme artifact had been shattered!


    this was enough to show the terrifying power of daniel''s attack.


    the group quickly came to terms with this fact.


    that young man among their enemies was definitely no ordinary individual!


    "it seems we''ve encountered a tough opponent! let''s strike together! otherwise, we won''t be able to explore this treasure chamber peacefully!"


    "agreed!"


    in an instant, the four made their decision.


    thus, four figures simultaneously launched their attacks on daniel.


    "look! it''s the four god kings! they''ve chosen to strike together!"


    "i''ve never seen four god kings attacking together before... but this time, that arrogant fool must be nearing his end!"


    "exactly! with the four god kings working together, that guy is as good as dead!"


    seeing the four god kings from the court of divine king attacking in unison, the disciples below were fervent with excitement.


    after all...


    it was four god kings attacking together!


    such a scene was unprecedented in the entire eastern wastes.


    and now, it was unfolding within the ruins.


    with four god kings acting together, no matter who their opponent was, they wouldn''t stand a chance!


    daniel, seeing the four striking together, remarked,


    "fighting here would cause too much damage. let''s change locations!"


    with that, he made a single motion with his hand, and a spatial rift immediately appeared, swallowing up all four of them.


    daniel turned back to the ink sea god king and said,


    "i''ll leave the rest to you. if you can''t deal with them, just hold them off until i return."


    after saying this, daniel also entered the spatial rift.


    this was a ruin, where the collision and promotion of worlds had caused chaotic rules and spatial turbulence.


    as a result, the space here was extremely unstable.


    earlier, daniel''s casual strike had originally been aimed to kill his opponent.


    unexpectedly, the other party was merely injured.


    it seemed the god kings were tougher than he had imagined.


    moreover, with space here being so unstable, fighting might lead to terrifying consequences. sear?h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    if the spatial turbulence were to sweep away the entire treasure chamber, even if daniel ultimately won, it would be meaningless.


    by now, he already considered the treasure chamber as his.


    so, daniel was unwilling to let a battle with the four god kings destroy it.


    the spatial rift opened into the eastern wastes.


    the space in the eastern wastes was incredibly stable.


    after all, many god kings lived in the god realm.


    even battles between god kings couldn''t push the god realm to its limits.


    the four god kings quickly realized they were now in the eastern wastes.


    then they saw daniel appear before them.


    "kill!"


    one of the god kings roared and charged toward daniel.


    but almost instantly, he plummeted to the ground even faster.


    in terms of physical strength, these individuals were no match for daniel.


    oh, and in terms of overall power, even less so.


    the god king who had fallen quickly stood up.


    he then realized that daniel''s strength might be far greater than he had imagined.


    a sword suddenly appeared behind him.


    when the sword materialized, the surrounding area within a few kilometers instantly became barren and desolate.


    clearly, this sword possessed extraordinary power.


    its rank was undoubtedly high!


    moreover, as the sword trembled slightly, ripples spread through the surrounding space.


    seeing this god king use his most formidable skill, the other three god kings were naturally unwilling to be outdone.


    they too unleashed their strongest abilities.


    one god king''s body exuded a black aura, instantly plunging the surrounding space into darkness!


    another god king created a network-like structure that spread across the area.


    as for the last one¡­


    sovereign mystique god king continued to launch small, insignificant attacks to harass daniel, buying time for the other three god kings to prepare their attacks.


    daniel wasn''t in a hurry.


    not only were the three god kings waiting for their chance, but so was he.


    this time, daniel wanted to test the so-called court of divine king,


    and see what level their god kings'' attacks were truly at.


    sovereign mystique god king, it seemed, relied mostly on his defensive capabilities, thanks to his supreme artifact.


    but now that the supreme artifact had been destroyed by daniel,


    his greatest advantage was gone.


    so, all he could do now was stall daniel.


    as for the other three,


    the god king with the sword was likely wielding a divine weapon imbued with the power of rules,


    the one creating darkness was likely using some kind of divine spell,


    and the last one...


    daniel vaguely sensed that the surrounding environment was becoming peculiar.


    his strength was being gradually weakened, while the other three were being empowered.


    thus, it became clear that the last god king''s power was magic array-based!


    using a magic array to weaken daniel while strengthening their side.


    such a combination of attacks was indeed interesting!


    no wonder the court of divine king had sent these four to the ruins¡ª


    their attack styles perfectly complemented each other.


    soon, the sword struck daniel.


    but¡­


    it was entirely ineffective!


    in fact, the sword was immediately caught by daniel.


    after all, it was a supreme artifact imbued with the power of rules.


    if he accidentally broke it with a counterattack, big white wouldn''t have anything good to snack on when it woke up.


    the god king could only watch in disbelief as his strongest attack¡ª


    a strike meant to end it all¡ª


    failed to even land,


    and his supreme artifact was taken by daniel.


    what''s more, in that instant, he felt his connection to the supreme artifact being forcibly severed.


    the god king spat blood, as if struck by lightning,


    and exclaimed,


    "what! how can this be?"


    at this moment, the strongest attacker among the god kings had already fallen.


    the remaining two couldn''t believe what they were witnessing.


    "let me do it!"


    the god king shrouded in black light declared.


    by now, daniel was surrounded by darkness.


    but it didn''t affect him.


    using his overwhelmingly powerful mind power,


    he could still perceive the positions and movements of the three remaining god kings.


    "aren''t you planning to attack? if that''s the case, it''s my turn now!"

 Chapter227-One Strike Ends It!

    just as the other two god kings were preparing to attack, daniel''s voice reached them.what was going on?


    did this mean that the opponent had been waiting for their attack all along?


    and after one of the god kings'' swords had been taken away,


    their hesitation to act was now being interpreted by the other side as having no moves left to play, prompting daniel to make the first move?


    the remaining three were shocked upon hearing daniel''s words.


    sovereign mystique god king, at this moment, was already considering retreating.


    he had always believed that his relentless attacks had successfully restrained daniel,


    preventing him from unleashing the kind of powerful strike he had used earlier.


    but now, it seemed like that was far from the truth!


    the real reason was simply that daniel had not been serious at all.


    how could this not leave sovereign mystique god king stunned?


    he originally thought that his high-frequency strikes would at least hinder daniel.


    it seemed the earlier powerful attack must have required time to prepare.


    but he had never imagined that the truth was this:


    the opponent had never been serious in his attacks.


    what, then, did his own attacks amount to in the opponent''s eyes?


    were they nothing more than an itch-scratch?


    "this won''t do. at this rate, we''re no match for him!"


    "no choice left, we''ll have to use that move!"


    as these words fell, all four of them were enveloped in a radiant light.


    in the next instant, four distinct figures stood on the ground,


    each magnified hundreds of times over.


    at this moment, the darkness that had previously shrouded the area disappeared completely.


    daniel looked ahead at the massive figures.


    "so this is your trump card?"


    daniel said coldly.


    this was a technique developed by the god kings of the court of divine king.


    they called it god king avatar.


    it allowed them to transform into giant figures, each over a hundred meters tall.


    simultaneously, their divine spells, power, and defenses would be greatly enhanced.


    they even gained immunity to certain negative effects.


    for example, the god king who had wielded the sword had been in a negative state ever since his supreme artifact was taken by daniel.


    but after manifesting his god king avatar, it seemed that this state had also been dispelled.


    at this moment, that god king appeared invigorated,


    as though his previous injuries had left no trace at all.


    without hesitation, the four began attacking daniel with urgency,


    as if the magic avatar had a time limit.


    daniel observed the four and could feel that their auras had indeed grown stronger after transforming.


    but¡­


    at the same time, their energy consumption had also skyrocketed.


    this was why the four were so eager to attack daniel.


    "it''s time to end this." sear?h the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    daniel said softly.


    then, he extended a hand and made a grasping motion in the air.


    in that instant, a massive hand materialized in front of daniel.


    facing the four enormous avatars,


    the hand simply reached out and grabbed them!


    the four massive figures were like little chicks,


    helplessly caught in the giant hand''s grasp.


    they couldn''t even muster any resistance.


    and it didn''t stop there.


    the hand continued to squeeze.


    the four gigantic avatars couldn''t withstand such an attack.


    in an instant, they reverted to their original forms.


    having been struck in their avatar states,


    the four were now in poor condition and couldn''t even stand.


    daniel dissolved the energy hand,


    then looked down at the four from above.


    within the ruins, find your adventure at empire


    after receiving daniel''s command, the ink sea god king swiftly acted!


    the disciples of the court of divine king who had made it here were all elites.


    there were at least several hundred of them. though none had reached god king rank,


    most were at the god lord or god sovereign level.


    combined, these individuals posed a challenge that the ink sea god king might not be able to overcome.


    but that didn''t matter,


    because the ink sea god king didn''t need to defeat them.


    he only needed to hold them off.


    after all, daniel would return!


    during his time under daniel''s command,


    the ink sea god king had lived the most carefree days of his life¡ª


    so carefree, in fact, that it almost scared him!


    what was daniel''s style?


    what? lacking a protective supreme artifact? buy one! what''s a million divine stones worth? take ten million!


    under such ruthless "spoiling," the ink sea god king had undergone a complete upgrade.


    though he might not have been able to defeat so many god sovereigns,


    it didn''t matter.


    he had plenty of supreme artifacts!


    out of caution,


    most of what he had purchased from the godlink consortium were defensive items:


    supreme artifacts, one-time-trigger defensive magic arrays,


    and more.


    he was practically a walking treasure trove.


    despite being surrounded by over a hundred attackers,


    he remained unharmed.


    of course, some tried to bypass the ink sea god king and attack elise''s group instead.


    after all, elise was only at the earth god rank, and the three by her side were merely at god sovereign rank.


    wasn''t this an easy target?


    taking them down would make even the opposing god king hesitate.


    but¡­


    who was elise?


    though her strength wasn''t formidable,


    her supply of divine stones far outstripped that of the ink sea god king!


    fully aware of her own shortcomings, elise had prepared herself thoroughly.


    so much so that even the ink sea god king would bow to her in this regard!


    when the attackers realized that elise''s defenses were even harder to breach than the ink sea god king''s,


    they gave up.


    at that moment, a rift appeared within the ruins.


    everyone froze.


    this rift bore a striking resemblance to the one their god kings had entered earlier.


    could it be that the battle on the other side was over?


    "it''s over? it must be that our court of divine king gave that arrogant fool a brutal lesson!"


    "exactly! we sent four god kings this time! they represented defense, offense, magic arrays, and interference... together, no enemy could stand against them!"


    "indeed!"


    but then, four dark figures fell from the rift,


    landing heavily on the ground.


    the sight left everyone dumbfounded.


    how could this be?


    the four renowned god kings of the court of divine king¡ª


    why were they all injured?


    and their injuries¡­ were so severe.


    why? how could this happen?


    no one had anticipated this outcome.


    the court of divine king''s four god kings¡­


    had lost!


    for a moment, everyone was stunned into silence.


    the ink sea god king returned to elise''s side,


    quietly waiting for daniel to arrive.


    the four god kings now lay sprawled on the ground.


    their god king rank physiques ensured that the fall from such a height didn''t harm them physically.


    after all, it wasn''t that high.


    but¡­


    while there were no physical injuries,


    the humiliation was overwhelming.


    four god kings¡ª


    especially the four of the court of divine king, rulers of the eastern wastes¡ª


    had been thrown down like trash from the sky.


    and this was in full view of over a hundred of their disciples!


    disciples who were, no less, their own subordinates.


    this made it all the more humiliating.


    what''s worse,


    they had been conscious throughout and completely unable to resist.


    this was the most unbearable part.


    soon, daniel emerged from the rift, descending slowly.


    the four god kings could only lie on the ground,


    watching the scene unfold in despair.


    they had no means of resistance.


    at this moment, daniel appeared like a demon king,


    descending from the heavens.


    seeing this, the disciples of the court of divine king held their breath.


    some, overwhelmed with fear, trembled and collapsed to the ground.


    they had never witnessed such a scene before.


    their god kings, four against one,


    were utterly defeated!


    such a being¡­


    what could mere disciples, not even at the god sovereign rank, do against him?


    at this moment, daniel stood like a giant mountain,


    pressing down on them all!

 Chapter228-The Ruins Past

    daniel landed on the ground, looking down at the four god kings.he asked,


    "i will ask, and you will answer. if your answers satisfy me¡­"


    daniel glanced over the hundred disciples of the court of divine king.


    in that instant, these disciples all lowered their heads, not daring to meet daniel''s gaze.


    daniel''s eyes carried an overwhelming sense of intimidation.


    no one could look him in the eye.


    after scanning the disciples, daniel continued,


    "i might spare the lives of these disciples of the court of divine king."


    the four god kings remained silent.


    daniel wasn''t keen on a massacre.


    from the very beginning, his only goal was to make them leave.


    but if they insisted on fighting, he was unafraid to oblige.


    "this ruin, you must have discovered it long ago. what do you know about it?"


    "we''ve uncovered some clues about this ruin,"


    the god king skilled in magic arrays responded.


    the court of divine king had indeed discovered this ruin a long time ago.


    however, they initially deemed it worthless due to the presence of chaotic rules within it.


    exploring the ruin offered no proportional rewards.


    it wasn''t until recently that they uncovered evidence of a once-hidden, powerful faction in the eastern wastes¡ª


    a faction called the life temple.


    at its peak, the life temple housed several races,


    each with members at the god king rank.


    yet, despite this diversity, they coexisted harmoniously within the faction.


    these fragments of information left the court of divine king astonished.


    after all, the court of divine king itself, while boasting dozens of god kings, consisted entirely of humans.


    though their members bore no deep grudges against one another,


    frictions among the disciples of various god kings had begun to emerge over the millennia.


    thus, the concept of a multi-racial faction of god kings living in harmony deeply intrigued the court of divine king.


    they began to search for more information about the life temple.


    eventually, they discovered, to their surprise,


    that the ruins of the life temple were located here¡ª


    in the same ruin they had previously deemed worthless.


    the court of divine king promptly decided to send four god kings to the site. explore more at empire


    their mission was to extract everything the ruins had to offer.


    as for the destruction of the life temple, only fragments of records remained.


    from these fragments, it was inferred that the life temple had suffered a catastrophic calamity that led to its complete annihilation in the god realm.


    before that disaster, the life temple had been conducting some sort of terrifying experiment.


    it was this experiment that ultimately caused its downfall.


    in their preliminary investigations, the court of divine king confirmed that the destruction of the life temple was likely linked to world ascension.


    this was why the god kings had been seen earlier, carefully probing the spatial turbulence with their mana as daniel''s group arrived.


    world ascension!


    once again, world ascension!


    daniel realized that these god kings¡ªespecially those from older factions¡ªseemed particularly fascinated by world ascension.


    could there be some hidden benefit to it?


    daniel couldn''t understand.


    his desire for ascension stemmed from his connection with big white,


    who was the will of world for crossbridge world.


    could it be that they also had a will of world''s child?


    daniel turned to the god king and asked,


    "why are you so focused on world ascension?"


    "because¡­ in the god realm, or among us god kings, there has always been a belief¡ª


    that within world ascension lies the method to surpass the god king rank!"


    hidden within the process of world ascension was a secret to transcend the god king rank and reach an even higher realm!


    this was why the older god king factions were so obsessed with world ascension.


    every god king aspired to break through and become the true master of the god realm!


    "where did you hear this from?"


    "the divine dynasty! this idea originally came from the divine dynasty!"


    daniel was surprised¡ªit was the divine dynasty again!


    it seemed that everything in the god realm was somehow tied to the divine dynasty.


    previously, the prophecy about the god realm''s calamity had also come from the divine dynasty.


    now, the secret to surpassing the god king rank was also from the divine dynasty.


    from what daniel had gathered, the divine dynasty had been destroyed tens of millions of years ago.


    yet its influence lingered everywhere.


    it almost felt like¡­


    everything happening in the god realm now had been orchestrated by the divine dynasty long ago.


    or perhaps¡­


    the divine dynasty was still secretly pulling the strings behind all these events.


    "aren''t you conducting world ascension experiments yourselves? why search the ruins for clues?"


    "no, because not every mortal realm is eligible for ascension.


    only certain special mortal realms have the qualifications for it."


    the god king elaborated,


    "among the mortal realms governed by the court of divine king,


    not a single one possesses the qualifications for ascension.


    that''s why we''ve come to the ruins of the life temple to search for information about world ascension¡ª


    to see if there''s a way to turn an ordinary world into a special one."


    hearing this, daniel nodded.


    from the primordial divine spells he had obtained in the book vault,


    it was clear that the life temple had indeed been working on such experiments.


    they had simply mishandled it,


    causing a miniature world to collide with theirs,


    and a once-great faction vanished entirely as a result.


    the crossbridge world, on the other hand, was already a special world eligible for ascension.


    daniel had learned this from the giant serpent,


    which had repeatedly emphasized the fact.


    originally, daniel thought such worlds would be fairly common.


    after all, the five-element god king, who had been a god king for less than ten thousand years,


    was already in charge of a mortal realm with the crossbridge world in it.


    but now it seemed that forces possessing such special mortal realms were rare.


    even the court of divine king, a dominant power in the eastern wastes,


    didn''t have a single special mortal realm under its control.


    or perhaps¡­


    the crossbridge world''s problems were why it ended up under the five-element god king''s jurisdiction?


    after pondering for a while, daniel dismissed the thought.


    after all, it was all in the past now. s§×arch* the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the crossbridge world was flourishing.


    as for the secret of world ascension...


    he''d deal with it later.


    for now, big white hadn''t reached that stage yet.


    daniel''s current focus was simple:


    to protect the people around him and safeguard the crossbridge world.


    everything else¡­


    could wait.


    the god king, realizing he was no match for daniel, answered every question without hiding anything.


    as promised, daniel let them go.


    the four god kings took pills to heal themselves,


    then departed, taking the disciples of the court of divine king with them.


    by now, the god kings fully understood that they were no match for daniel.


    if daniel hadn''t wanted to observe their attacks,


    they wouldn''t even have had the chance to strike.


    at this point, they had no intention of contesting the ruins with daniel.


    after all, it was just a ruin.


    there was no need to provoke daniel over it.


    the court of divine king members departed quickly.


    as the last god king turned to leave,


    he looked at daniel and said,


    "master, your strength is overwhelming, and we are no match for you.


    but soon, the god realm will face a calamity.


    in that calamity, a powerful being like you will be like a candle in the dark."


    "your blinding light will attract certain entities¡­ if you''re willing,


    our court of divine king would like to form an alliance with you


    to weather the calamity together!"

 Chapter229-Life Elixir

    daniel hadn''t expected the other party to say such words.just moments ago, they had been thoroughly beaten by him, and now they wanted to invite him to form an alliance with the court of divine king...


    this was the god realm for you!


    in the eyes of these upper-echelon figures,


    being injured and having their discovered ruin taken from them wasn''t a big deal.


    as long as there was mutual benefit, anyone could become an ally.


    "we''ll see. i have other matters to attend to,"


    daniel said as he led his group toward the treasure chamber.


    the god king sighed softly.


    after all, the other party had declined their offer.


    but it wasn''t entirely surprising¡ªafter all, they had previously offended daniel with harsh words.


    another god king approached and asked, "how did it go?"


    "i failed. he didn''t agree, but it''s understandable."


    "well, there''s no helping it. we''ll just have to wait for another opportunity¡ªif we even get one."


    "what exactly did he say? did he outright reject us, or¡­?"


    "he didn''t directly reject us. he just said he had other matters to deal with and that we''d talk later."


    "he didn''t outright refuse... so that means we might still have a chance, doesn''t it?"


    "perhaps."


    with a calamity looming over the god realm,


    the court of divine king was desperate to find a way to protect themselves.


    this was why they had been scouring ruins,


    hoping to find methods or tools to weather the coming disaster.


    unfortunately, they would no longer be able to explore the life temple ruins,


    because daniel''s overwhelming strength had been indelibly etched into their memories.


    if they could recruit this powerful figure,


    their chances of surviving the calamity would surely improve.


    but since daniel had declined their invitation,


    it was a missed opportunity.


    "let''s leave. there''s no point staying here any longer. but this individual would make an excellent ally¡­ i noticed earlier that none of our disciples outside were harmed; they were merely immobilized."


    this powerful figure clearly refrained from harming anyone.


    he seemed to have a good temperament.


    if they could recruit him, it would be fantastic.


    "let''s go. there are still other ruins waiting for us to explore."


    "who knows, maybe we''ll encounter him again at one of those ruins!"


    meanwhile, daniel and his group reached the entrance of the treasure chamber.


    this time, they were in no rush.


    they first scoured the surrounding areas, collecting all resources and items they could find, before heading into the chamber.


    the chaotic turbulence inside had already been partially neutralized by the four god kings earlier.


    of course, even without their efforts, it wouldn''t have hindered daniel''s progress.


    the situation here was far more severe than at the book vault,


    as this was a central area of the ruins, naturally much more complex.


    the first and second floors of the treasure chamber were mostly destroyed.


    on the third floor, only a handful of treasures remained intact.


    after collecting those, daniel and his group entered the fourth floor.


    the fourth floor was in better condition than the third.


    the fifth floor, much like the fifth floor of the book vault, contained many valuable items.


    in fact,


    due to the presence of numerous supreme artifacts imbued with the power of rules,


    this floor was far more intact than the others.


    daniel scanned the room and found that most of the supreme artifacts here were infused with the power of rules and were far superior to any he had seen before.


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    with these, he wouldn''t need to worry about big white going hungry once it woke up.


    two items in the room stood out the most.


    one was a red furnace, and the other a white bottle.


    these two artifacts were placed in the most prominent positions,


    with the other supreme artifacts arranged around them like stars encircling a moon.


    daniel used his mind power to probe the two artifacts.


    the red furnace was reminiscent of a world forge,


    and its information unfolded in daniel''s mind:


    incineration furnace: capable of melting all tangible and intangible matter,


    transforming it into the purest power of rules to nurture a world.


    after reading this description, daniel was momentarily stunned.


    he immediately understood why the life temple had attempted world ascension.


    with the primordial divine spell and the incineration furnace,


    who wouldn''t be tempted?


    the primordial divine spell could create,


    while the incineration furnace could nurture. sea??h th§× n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    even an ordinary world, with such tools, would undoubtedly have a chance at ascension.


    but it seemed the life temple had failed in the end due to issues with the rules.


    this furnace, however, might be perfect for preparing food for big white¡ªit could make meals even more delicious, given its nurturing properties.


    daniel decided to see if elise could make use of it later.


    next, daniel turned his attention to the white bottle.


    bottle of life: contains primordial essence that can help beings break through their limitations and ascend to higher life forms.


    daniel examined the life elixir inside the bottle.


    after a quick analysis, he understood its properties.


    the life elixir could assist beings in breaking through levels.


    it wasn''t a means to forcibly enhance someone''s power,


    but rather a way to provide the final push when someone was on the verge of ascending.


    it was an incredibly valuable treasure.


    for example, the three god sovereigns who had guided them here¡ª


    if they consumed the life elixir, they could likely break through to god king rank in the near future.


    the "chance to become a god king" they mentioned earlier was undoubtedly referring to this life elixir.


    now, after countless years of accumulation,


    the bottle contained a vast quantity of life elixir.


    for arya and the others, each would only need a single drop to ascend to god king rank.


    in fact, daniel could easily use the elixir to recruit other god sovereigns on the cusp of becoming god kings, gaining their loyalty and rapidly building a contingent of god kings.


    meanwhile, arya and the others were waiting anxiously on the fourth floor for daniel to return.


    in the earlier floors,


    they hadn''t found anything that could help them break through.


    this meant the opportunity they sought was likely on the fifth floor¡ª


    but only daniel could enter it.


    the terrifying rule of chaos there barred them from proceeding.


    the three were hopeful that if daniel obtained the treasures,


    he might reward them with a chance to ascend,


    given their efforts over the past few days.


    but this all depended on daniel''s decision.


    if he refused, they had no recourse.


    their hearts were filled with unease.


    meanwhile, the ink sea god king, entirely at ease, stood nearby.


    he had already fully committed himself to being daniel''s subordinate,


    so he wasn''t worried in the slightest.


    watching the three younger ones squirm with anxiety like ants on a hot pan was amusing to him.


    a faint smile appeared on his face.


    at that moment, daniel emerged from the fifth floor.


    he approached the three anxious individuals and tossed three bottles to them.


    each bottle contained three drops of life elixir.


    a single drop was enough to allow each of them to ascend to god king rank,


    but daniel generously gave them two additional drops each.


    this was his way of thanking them for their guidance and assistance in collecting divine dynasty relics.


    "lord daniel, this is¡­"


    "your reward for your efforts along the way. also, this is enough for you to ascend to god king rank."

 Chapter230-Withered Grass and Soil

    daniel replied.upon hearing daniel''s words, the three immediately bowed in gratitude.


    they were overjoyed, hardly able to contain their excitement.


    never had they imagined that an opportunity to break through to god king rank would so directly present itself.


    god king!


    it had become their obsession.


    ever since discovering this ruin and realizing that it held the chance for them to ascend to god king,


    they had dreamt of returning here day and night,


    hoping to unravel the rules of chaos and seize their opportunity to ascend.


    but now, it had happened so easily?


    they succeeded just like that?


    it felt almost unreal to them.


    after all, throughout the journey, they had hardly done anything of note.


    at most, they had assisted daniel in acquiring relics of the divine dynasty.


    and honestly, with daniel possessing such a wealth of divine crystals,


    he could have easily done it himself without much effort.


    the three of them had merely provided additional channels.


    in the ruins, their role was little more than a map.


    arya had even nearly been swept away by spatial turbulence while leading the way.


    when faced with the court of divine king, they were the ones being protected by daniel.


    they had contributed almost nothing.


    without daniel, they couldn''t have reached this place at all.


    yet now...


    everything was different.


    the chance to ascend to god king rank was within their grasp.


    their gratitude toward daniel overflowed.


    "alright, you''ve received what you came for. if you want to leave, you may do so at any time. i''m heading to the central region."


    daniel looked at the three as he spoke.


    hearing daniel''s words, the three knew this was their last chance.


    if they chose to leave now, it would mean completely severing ties with daniel.


    once they left, they would no longer have any connection to him.


    daniel wouldn''t take back the life elixir either,


    and they could still ascend to god king rank without issue.


    of course, there was another choice.


    they could continue following daniel¡ª


    or rather, pledge their loyalty to him.


    but doing so wouldn''t be easy.


    with someone as powerful as daniel, what could they offer?


    only one opportunity presented itself.


    the three grew calm,


    realizing that the choice they made now would shape their futures.


    if they chose to follow daniel, their former freedom would be gone,


    even if they became god kings.


    on the other hand, following daniel had its own clear benefits. s§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the looming calamity in the god realm threatened to engulf everything.


    being daniel''s follower would naturally reduce their risks.


    daniel himself was synonymous with strength,


    offering a better chance at survival in the coming chaos.


    it was a difficult decision.


    finally, veyla spoke first:


    "lord daniel, the opportunity to become a god king is a gift from you. i am willing to follow you forever!"


    "alright."


    daniel nodded.


    the other two soon made the same choice.


    with these three joining him, daniel now had five god kings under his command.


    though the three hadn''t yet ascended, the life elixir effectively guaranteed their future breakthroughs.


    the group moved swiftly toward the central region of the ruins.


    daniel stood in the void, observing the scene below.


    indeed, it was as arya had described:


    chaos was the main theme here.


    chaotic rules, a chaotic environment.


    two entirely different systems blended in an eerily bizarre manner¡ª


    a power of rules not belonging to the god realm but equally strong, interwoven with the rules of the god realm.


    it was this interplay that had caused the chaos.


    it was almost exactly as daniel had suspected:


    the life temple had likely been attempting to ascend a world.


    not a special world, but rather a normal one,


    experimenting to see if they could elevate it to match a special world and discover something in the process.


    evidently, they had failed.


    the result of their failure was plain to see.


    the normal world, despite its qualification for ascension, had not fused harmoniously.


    instead, it had crashed headlong into the god realm.


    not even the life temple could have anticipated that their long-held aspirations would lead to such a result,


    ultimately destroying their great faction.


    the secret of world ascension¡ª


    what was it exactly?


    what made a special world different from an ordinary one?


    these questions swirled rapidly in daniel''s mind.


    "lord! over here! this is where we pulled out the withered grass!"


    arya''s voice snapped daniel out of his thoughts.


    he walked toward her location.


    in such a chaotic place,


    how could a stable mini world still exist?


    daniel quickly noticed the difference in arya''s location compared to its surroundings.


    it seemed to be a stable mini world,


    miraculously preserved amidst the chaos of colliding rules.


    arya and the others were busy pulling out withered grass,


    as daniel had mentioned earlier that this grass served as fodder.


    daniel watched them work.


    from the primordial divine spell he''d obtained in the book vault,


    he noticed something peculiar:


    as they pulled the withered grass,


    its energy flowed back into the earth.


    only a small fraction of its energy remained within the grass.


    it felt as though the grass and the earth were a single entity.


    pulling out the grass was akin to peeling off a thin layer from an intact whole.


    the majority of its energy returned to the ground.


    the process reminded daniel of a scene he had seen in a painting:


    when he crushed a butterfly,


    its life force didn''t dissipate entirely but instead transferred elsewhere,


    leaving only a small portion to fade.


    could it be...


    that this mini world was special in some way?


    or perhaps the ground beneath their feet...


    at that moment, daniel noticed something unusual!


    the ground beneath them was entirely composed of yellow soil,


    with no stones in sight.


    this was extremely strange!


    logically, no terrain¡ªmountains or plains¡ªshould be entirely made of soil without any rocks.


    moreover¡­


    daniel looked across the entire expanse. enjoy more content from empire


    or rather¡ª


    this mountain, entirely composed of yellow clay.


    "what!!! could this... could this be..."


    suddenly, the ink sea god king cried out in shock.


    he fell to his knees, abandoning all semblance of dignity,


    and carefully scooped up a handful of soil with both hands.


    the soil crumbled in his hands,


    falling back to the ground.


    the ink sea god king, a veteran god king of many years,


    was well-traveled in the god realm.


    could it be that the withered grass wasn''t the true treasure¡ª


    but rather the yellow clay?


    daniel watched the ink sea god king,


    waiting for an explanation.


    "this aura, this presence... lord daniel,


    i think i know what this is!"


    "what is it?"


    "lord daniel,


    i suspect that this may very well be what''s known as soulbound soil!"


    soulbound soil?


    daniel had indeed heard of it before.


    he''d read about it in books on magic arrays.


    soulbound soil was a type of divine artifact.


    even a tiny amount of it was capable of endless regeneration.


    in extreme cases, it could even create an entire world!


    it was considered an unparalleled material for crafting magic arrays,


    since no magic array could compare to the might of an entire world!


    "this... is soulbound soil?"


    daniel found it hard to believe.


    he knew about soulbound soil,


    but these yellow clay''s effects didn''t align with its descriptions.


    "ahem... lord daniel,


    what i mean is, it''s similar to that¡ª


    this yellow clay might be a prototype form¡­"

 Chapter231-Seclusion

    the ink sea god king spoke with a hint of embarrassment.the yellow clay before them did resemble what he had described as soulbound soil.


    of course, resembling it and actually being it were two entirely different things.


    if this yellow clay could advance further, it might have the potential to become soulbound soil.


    but for now¡­


    its only similarity to soulbound soil was that it was, well, clay.


    "no, this won''t do."


    daniel carefully inspected the yellow clay.


    the rules within it had been completely altered by chaos.


    or rather, the yellow clay itself had essentially become part of the chaos.


    even the withered grass growing on the yellow clay was influenced by these chaotic rules,


    becoming what it was.


    whether big white could make use of this remained uncertain.


    previously, big white had no issues consuming the withered grass,


    so this yellow clay shouldn''t pose much of a problem either.


    having grasped the basics of how the yellow clay worked,


    daniel began exploring the surrounding area,


    looking for anything else of interest.


    that''s when he noticed something¡ªa small, concealed depression at the summit of the yellow clay mountain.


    this depression didn''t seem to be naturally formed.


    instead, it appeared man-made.


    its location was highly discreet, camouflaged by the surrounding yellow clay.


    anyone not paying close attention would easily miss it.


    moreover, it exuded a gentle aura,


    completely out of place in the chaotic environment of the yellow clay mountain.


    daniel examined it closely and quickly realized its significance.


    this spot was likely a nurturing place for a will of world,


    or perhaps even its nest.


    placing a will of world here would undoubtedly accelerate its growth.


    even daniel was amazed by the intricacies of this nest.


    the life temple had truly been extraordinary to create something of this caliber!


    originally, daniel had assumed that the life temple had made a rushed attempt at world ascension after acquiring the primordial divine spell and the incineration furnace,


    leading to their failure.


    but seeing this yellow clay mountain and its carefully designed nest¡­


    it became clear that the life temple''s preparations were far more sophisticated than he had imagined.


    from the world itself to the will of world,


    every detail had been meticulously planned.


    yet¡­


    the final result could only be attributed to fate.


    their failure had led to the destruction of their vast and powerful faction.


    there must be a profound secret behind world ascension.


    otherwise, even with such precise planning, the life temple wouldn''t have been annihilated so completely.


    at the very least¡­


    it was unlikely they had no contingency plans at all.


    if one were to lean toward conspiracy theories,


    perhaps this was all orchestrated by the divine dynasty,


    the faction destroyed tens of millions of years ago.


    after all, the concept of world ascension originated from the divine dynasty.


    who''s to say they hadn''t left behind some hidden schemes?


    daniel dismissed his thoughts.


    he had too little information to work with for now.


    any theories he could formulate would remain just that¡ªspeculation,


    and speculation made with incomplete evidence and knowledge at that.


    thinking about it further wouldn''t serve much purpose.


    however, daniel did grow more cautious about the divine dynasty.


    it was an existence from tens of millions of years ago,


    yet its influence lingered to this day.


    it was hard not to suspect that someone or something was deliberately keeping its legacy alive.


    pushing aside these scattered thoughts,


    daniel turned his attention to the magic array within the depression.


    he attempted to activate it.


    to his surprise, the magic array was still functional!


    countless years had passed since the life temple''s destruction,


    yet this magic array, designed to nurture a will of world,


    remained operational.


    big white''s luck was truly incredible.


    even as it slept, the tools for its next breakthrough were ready and waiting.


    daniel retrieved big white from his personal space.


    still fast asleep, big white hung its head, showing no signs of waking.


    "alright then. if that''s the case, let''s speed things up for you."


    the current magic array seemed particularly suitable for big white''s state.


    however, some modifications were necessary.


    the array had been tailored for the will of world that had collided with this site.


    it was essentially custom-made.


    since every world was unique,


    and big white belonged to a special will of world,


    daniel needed to adjust the array accordingly.


    after studying the magic array,


    daniel realized he couldn''t yet comprehend its underlying principles.


    in the god realm, magic arrays were far more complex than those of the mortal realm.


    modifying them was akin to editing a text¡ª


    you needed to understand its meaning first.


    currently, daniel could recognize the components but couldn''t grasp their full implications.


    he would need to learn more about the principles of god realm magic arrays.


    without that foundational knowledge,


    understanding the magic array was impossible.


    for now, daniel temporarily put big white back into his personal space.


    turning to the others, he said,


    "i plan to stay here for a while. ink sea, go outside and continue acquiring relics of the divine dynasty as well as books on god realm magic arrays."


    "yes, lord daniel."


    then daniel looked at arya and the other two,


    saying,


    "you three¡­ your levels are still a bit too low. take this time to break through to god king rank while we''re here."


    "yes!"


    hearing this, arya blushed slightly.


    indeed, the three of them were only at the god sovereign level,


    far below daniel''s expectations.


    at the very least, they needed to reach god king rank.


    though they were only a step away from ascending,


    a breakthrough was still necessary.


    the three hurriedly found suitable spots to begin their breakthroughs.


    this mini world, despite the chaotic rules within the yellow clay,


    was relatively safe.


    as long as they didn''t consume the yellow clay,


    there wouldn''t be any issues.


    the rules of chaos in this place acted as a cohesive system,


    unlike the turbulent chaos outside,


    which could easily affect others. continue reading at empire


    with daniel present, breaking through here posed no risks at all.


    after ensuring the others were settled,


    daniel turned to elise.


    "and you¡ªtake this time to improve your level as well."


    according to what others had said,


    a calamity was likely to descend upon the god realm in the future.


    at her current earth god level,


    elise would be at a significant disadvantage when it arrived.


    this period was a good opportunity for elise to increase her strength,


    ensuring she wouldn''t fall too far behind.


    once everyone was settled,


    daniel began studying the magic array books he had prepared earlier.


    concerned that these books might not cover niche magic arrays,


    daniel specifically tasked the ink sea god king with purchasing more obscure texts on the subject.


    daniel''s plan was to fully understand this magic array.


    that way, he wouldn''t just use it here¡ª


    he could recreate it anywhere.


    after all, it wasn''t practical to return to this spot every time big white needed to ascend.


    it was far more convenient to master the array,


    which would undoubtedly prove useful in the future.


    once daniel fully grasped the magic array,


    he planned to use the incineration furnace to transform all the yellow clay here into pills for big white.


    at least that way, it wouldn''t look so unappetizing. s§×arch* the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    feeding it withered grass last time was one thing,


    but yellow clay¡­


    daniel thought for a moment and decided that once he mastered the array,


    the first thing he''d do was incinerate all the yellow clay here.


    afterward, he could turn his attention to the divine dynasty relics he had acquired from elsewhere,


    which formed several star maps.


    perhaps these relics would shed light on the long-destroyed divine dynasty,


    a faction whose influence still lingered after tens of millions of years.

 Chapter232-The Impact of the Eastern Wastes

    daniel officially went into seclusion within the mini world,dedicated to studying the magic array and striving to master the one capable of nurturing a will of world.


    meanwhile, big white slept soundly, blissfully unaware that daniel had already prepared everything for its future.


    the nurturing magic array, the yellow clay to enhance its strength¡ª


    everything was nearly in place.


    now, all daniel needed was time.


    in addition to the nurturing magic array,


    the relics of the divine dynasty that daniel had previously acquired also required deciphering their magic arrays.


    initially, daniel needed three days to unravel a single relic,


    a pace that severely hindered his expectations.


    learning magic arrays was partly motivated by this frustration.


    thus, he entered seclusion.


    before doing so, daniel sighed.


    he had hoped to avoid seclusion in the god realm, planning instead to enjoy its sights.


    but upon arriving, it seemed unavoidable after all.


    there was no other choice¡ªhe needed to focus.


    while daniel was in seclusion,


    the god realm was shaken by significant waves.


    previously, people had only worried about when the calamity might arrive.


    what they hadn''t anticipated was that it would come so soon.


    because...


    the battle in the eastern wastes,


    though it resulted in no deaths and only four injured,


    was a clash of god kings!


    the battle between god kings,


    the highest-ranked beings in the god realm,


    was nothing short of earth-shattering.


    and not just one or two¡ªthere were four.


    the scale of such a confrontation needed no elaboration.


    many god kings sensed the terrifying energy fluctuations,


    all emanating from the eastern wastes.


    moreover, those near the eastern wastes even felt a power far more fearsome than that of a god king...


    speculations ran rampant:


    what ancient monster, unseen for countless years, could be responsible for this?


    in a god realm already plagued by anxiety,


    this event only heightened the chaos.


    the lack of any response from the court of divine king,


    the dominant force in the eastern wastes, further fueled the unease.


    some god kings couldn''t resist visiting the court of divine king to inquire,


    but the response was always the same:


    they didn''t know what had happened.


    by the time they arrived, the battle was already over.


    and it was true¡ª


    the battle had ended incredibly quickly.


    when the four god kings had launched their strongest attacks,


    followed by summoning their avatars,


    daniel had swiftly subdued them all.


    the fight concluded so quickly it seemed almost unbelievable.


    as god kings, they typically had numerous life-saving measures,


    and defeating an opponent of the same rank was notoriously difficult.


    but they hadn''t accounted for daniel¡ªan utterly unexpected force.


    in a single move, he rendered all four god kings powerless.


    naturally, the court of divine king couldn''t disclose the true outcome.


    as long as they kept quiet,


    they avoided public humiliation.


    however, their silence only deepened the growing panic among the people.


    if such powerful beings were already clashing at the start of the calamity,


    would the fighting eventually spread?


    a clear sign of the unease was evident in the markets.


    anything related to strength enhancement, self-preservation, or combat


    was immediately purchased in bulk as soon as it hit the shelves.


    this frenzy reflected just how terrified the god realm had become.


    nobody wanted to risk missing resources that could save their lives in the calamity.


    with no one knowing how long the calamity would last or when it might end,


    everyone began making preparations for their survival. s§×arch* the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    chaos began to emerge in other areas of the god realm, too.


    at a mining site:


    "who are you people? this is our family''s mine! what are you planning to do?"


    a young woman confronted a group of strangers.


    this was her family''s ancestral mine.


    recently, rumors within the family spoke of strange people being spotted near the mines.


    these strangers appeared more frequently as of late,


    raising suspicions that they sought to seize the mines.


    determined to uncover their intentions,


    the young woman brought her family''s strongest fighters to investigate.


    but it seemed the strangers had been waiting for this very moment.


    as soon as the young woman and her group arrived near the mine,


    a larger group emerged from the surrounding area, encircling them.


    "you¡­ the wins family, the seahaven family¡­ what are you planning to do?"


    "what we''re planning? can''t you see for yourself, lady of the moraine family?


    "for generations, your family has controlled the ice stone mine.


    have you ever considered the plight of others in the city?"


    the mine in question was the ice stone mine,


    a site that produced ice stones¡ª


    crystals that greatly accelerated the learning of ice magic.


    these crystals were highly effective and valuable,


    not only for personal use but also for trade.


    the moraine family had maintained their position as the city''s leading family


    thanks to this mine.


    but now, that prestige was no longer enough to deter others.


    the neighboring families, like the wins and seahaven families,


    had grown bold enough to unite against the moraine family.


    "this mine was discovered by our ancestors! why shouldn''t it belong to us?


    "and you¡ªdo you intend to defy the moraine family?"


    the young woman stared at the encircling group,


    her voice unwavering.


    "brothers! this is our chance! think of the moraine family,


    and now think of the lives we live!


    "we all have families¡ªdon''t you want better lives for them?"


    a voice from the crowd rallied their resolve.


    "how dare you!


    "if you dare attack the moraine family today,


    aren''t you afraid our allies will retaliate against you?"


    the young woman''s voice rose, full of defiance.


    the moraine family, after generations of controlling the ice stone mine,


    had not done so without forging alliances.


    the ice stones they mined were sold to families in neighboring cities,


    forming a vast web of interconnected interests.


    if this chain were disrupted,


    the retaliation would be devastating.


    it was this network of alliances that gave the young woman her confidence.


    her words caused a moment of hesitation among the surrounding group.


    they feared the possibility of retaliation from the moraine family''s allies,


    which could jeopardize their own families.


    "don''t worry! those families don''t care about the moraine family¡ª


    they care about the ice stone mine!


    "as long as we control the mine,


    it won''t matter who holds it.


    "the moraine family is barely hanging on!"


    with those words, someone from the crowd struck first.


    the already tense situation exploded into full conflict.


    magic erupted on both sides,


    spells of various colors clashing violently.


    it was as if everyone had lost their reason,


    intent only on eliminating their opponents.


    before long, both sides were gravely wounded.


    although the moraine family''s forces were stronger overall,


    they were vastly outnumbered.


    moreover, the moraine family was in a period of transition, explore new worlds at empire


    lacking a powerful figure to turn the tide.


    amidst the looming calamity,


    other families saw this as an opportunity to strike.


    the moraine family''s forces were gradually overwhelmed,


    with many suffering serious injuries.


    on the opposing side,


    several had already died.


    yet neither side showed any signs of retreat or compromise.

 Chapter233-Survival of the Fittest!

    at this point, the battle between the two sides had reached a critical stage.neither side seemed willing to stop until the other was completely annihilated.


    just then, a group of figures appeared in the sky, noticing the scene below.


    they descended from the air.


    "why are you fighting here?"


    a man landed amidst the chaos, and as soon as he appeared,


    a powerful aura emanated from him, forcing both sides to halt their actions.


    both groups could clearly see that this man was not someone they could afford to provoke.


    they had no choice but to temporarily stop fighting.


    "my lord, this mine has been guarded by the moraine family for generations.


    we''ve always maintained good relations with the surrounding forces,


    but now these people seek to take the mine from us!


    please, my lord, deliver justice!"


    the young woman was the first to speak.


    "oh? is that so?"


    the other families, knowing they were in the wrong,


    kept their heads down and didn''t dare say a word.


    "your family has managed this mine for many years; you''ve indeed done well.


    their attempt to seize it is certainly wrong."


    "thank you, my lord, for upholding justice!


    this ice stone mine has produced countless top-grade ice stones over the years.


    our moraine family has accumulated many such treasures¡ª"


    "no need. i''ll examine it myself."


    the man interrupted, releasing his mind power to scan the mine below. s§×ar?h the n?vel?ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    after a moment, he spoke:


    "what did you call this material?"


    "ice stone, my lord. it allows people to learn ice magic more quickly."


    "hahaha¡­ how amusing!


    "you ignorant fools, squandering such treasures!


    ice stone? let me tell you, this is called frostvein stone!


    and the most valuable resource in the entire mine is the ice crystal!"


    "ice crystal is the essence of the frostvein stone,


    and obtaining it gives a significant chance of comprehending the rule of ice! do you understand?"


    the man hovered in the air, addressing the people below.


    "yes, my lord. if you desire it, we are willing to offer the ice crystal to you,"


    the young woman quickly replied.


    but all she heard in response was a contemptuous laugh from the man above.


    "if i want it, why would i need your permission?


    weaklings like you are not worthy of owning frostvein stone."


    hearing these words, the young woman looked up at the man in disbelief.


    she had never expected him to say such a thing.


    "my lord¡­ surely you''re joking?"


    "i never joke.


    i''ve already imparted so much valuable knowledge to you fools about to die.


    now, you can die without regrets."


    as the man''s voice fell,


    a terrifying aura emanated from his body.


    everyone on the ground suddenly felt an icy chill,


    as if the cold was emanating from within their very hearts.


    even though the sun was shining brightly,


    the chill was inescapable.


    before long, they found themselves completely immobile,


    frozen solid like statues of ice.


    moments later,


    under the blazing sunlight,


    the ice statues glittered brilliantly.


    the man descended to the ground.


    with a single step,


    a shockwave swept across the area.


    the shockwave shattered the ice statues into fine powder in an instant.


    "that''s much quieter," he said.


    "these idiots couldn''t even recognize frostvein stone.


    lucky for me, i happened to pass by!"


    "with this frostvein stone,


    my family should be able to produce a few more heaven-tier gods,


    providing us with some added security."


    having said this,


    the man strode toward the mine.


    the effects of the calamity were spreading across the god realm.


    incidents like this, where long-standing grudges erupted into full-blown conflict,


    were becoming increasingly common.


    it was as if the god realm had regressed to a primal state¡ª


    survival of the fittest.


    only the strongest could survive.


    as for the weak?


    their fate was to be consumed.


    with the calamity looming,


    those unable to quickly strengthen themselves


    would be as insignificant as dust,


    easily wiped out by the residual energy of others'' battles.


    in such a situation,


    the god realm became a stage for systematic slaughter.


    in the southern part of the god realm,


    home to the beast clans,


    various kingdoms of different species dotted the landscape.


    at the border between the beast clans and the human territories,


    a group of imposing beast clan god kings had gathered.


    five beast clan god kings stood on the border,


    their immense presence evident.


    across from them,


    human god kings had also assembled,


    led by the giant mountain god king.


    "serpent god king,


    what brings you here?"


    at the forefront of the beast clan god kings


    stood a dragon-like serpent.


    "what do you think?


    "don''t you humans know?


    the events in the eastern wastes¡ª


    even we of the beast clans felt them.


    are you humans blind?"


    "the calamity is upon us!"


    the news of the calamity wasn''t limited to humans.


    the beast clans of the god realm were well aware of it, too.


    the beast clans firmly believed


    that the calamity heralded their resurgence.


    they were convinced that the god realm


    would return to the ancient order,


    where the beast clans reigned supreme.


    in ancient times,


    the god realm was ruled by the beast clans.


    but after various upheavals,


    the beast clans had been forced to retreat to the southern regions of the god realm.


    now, things were different.


    the calamity was an opportunity for the beast clans to rise again,


    laying the foundation for their dominance.


    the human god kings had already grown anxious,


    even before the beast clans had made any actual moves.


    "i''ve heard of the events in the eastern wastes,


    but do you intend to invade our human territories?"


    "your human territories? what a joke!


    "in ancient times,


    the entire god realm was the domain of the beast clans.


    "even during the era of the divine dynasty,


    we shared the god realm with you humans."


    but¡­


    after the divine dynasty was destroyed,


    the beast gods of the beast clans disappeared.


    since then,


    the beast clans had been confined to their corner of the god realm.


    "that may be,


    but where are your sacred beasts and divine beasts now?"


    "you¡­ human god king, you deserve death!"


    the serpent god king surged with a terrifying aura,


    directing it toward the giant mountain god king.


    the giant mountain god king remained composed,


    wearing a faint smile.


    he knew that the serpent god king wouldn''t truly escalate matters yet.


    his earlier provocations were merely meant to agitate the serpent god king,


    giving him an advantage in the upcoming discussions.


    as expected,


    just as the serpent god king was about to act,


    a woman intervened.


    she had a charming, fox-like face and several tails swaying behind her.


    "there''s no need to act now."


    turning to the giant mountain god king,


    she asked,


    "you humans summoned us¡ª


    was it just for this?


    if so, let''s end this and go to war already!"


    her words shifted the momentum,


    allowing her to regain control of the conversation.


    the giant mountain god king quickly replied,


    "since the fox god king has spoken,


    let''s move on to serious matters."


    "serious matters?


    "what business could we beast clan god kings possibly have with you humans?"


    "this calamity presents an opportunity,


    doesn''t it?


    "an opportunity for you beast clans to seize the god realm!"


    the giant mountain god king looked directly at the fox god king.


    "indeed.


    "there will be a battle between us eventually.


    "and¡­


    you''re all the god kings whose territories border ours, correct?"


    "that''s right.


    "which is why we know that during this calamity,


    your beast clan''s rise is inevitable.


    "but the calamity hasn''t fully arrived yet.


    "if you beast clans act too hastily¡­


    find adventures at empire


    aren''t you afraid of stumbling?"

 Chapter234-Cooperation!

    as the giant mountain god king spoke, the faces of the other beast clan god kings grew grim.after all, they hadn''t come here to be humiliated by a human god king.


    sensing the rising anger from the beast clan god kings,


    the giant mountain god king quickly adjusted his tone:


    "in that case, i have a method that can ensure your beast clan''s actions are less conspicuous


    while effectively taking the first step toward your rise!"


    the beast clan god kings were stunned upon hearing this.


    they hadn''t expected the giant mountain god king''s goal to be this.


    wait¡ªare we the beast clan god kings, or is he?


    how could he think of such a thorough plan to help the beast clans take the first step in attacking human territory without drawing attention?


    was this even possible?


    while it was true that everyone was speaking about the impending calamity,


    the beast clan god kings knew the full chaos was still far off.


    the energy waves from the eastern wastes had served as a wake-up call for the major powers,


    but the god realm hadn''t completely descended into disorder yet.


    when the calamity truly began and the god realm was in full chaos, s§×arch* the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    that would be the moment for the beast clans to sound their horn of counterattack.


    for now, if the beast clans really attacked human territories,


    it would surely provoke a united counterattack from all humans in the god realm.


    this was beyond doubt.


    while humans were often selfish and divided,


    their sheer numbers posed a significant challenge.


    even if the beast clan warriors could take down hundreds of humans each,


    they risked annihilation, leaving the humans with just moderate losses.


    moreover, the humans'' mortal realms continuously provided fresh recruits,


    a resource the beast clans couldn''t compete with.


    the beast clan god kings understood this wasn''t the right time.


    but this human god king claimed to have a method?


    could he be serious?


    "what method?"


    intrigued, the beast clan god kings asked in unison.


    the giant mountain god king began:


    "it''s simple.


    we can designate a specific area as the battlefield for a short-term skirmish.


    this way, there will be minimal losses while you take your first step toward your rise."


    "that? we might as well attack directly!"


    the beast clan god kings were unimpressed, feeling as though they were being mocked.


    what kind of plan was this?


    how was it different from attacking on their own?


    "no, you misunderstand.


    "what i''m suggesting is that we humans will carve out a specific god realm for you to attack.


    "during this time, we''ll ensure there''s no external interference.


    you can use all your strength to assault this god realm¡ª


    whether to train your younger generation or fully mobilize your forces.


    "we won''t provide any actual support to the god realm in question.


    in essence, it will be no different from you attacking any other god realm."


    the beast clan god kings were momentarily speechless.


    was this human god king insane?


    he was offering them a god realm to attack?


    "what if other god realms or human god kings come to their aid?"


    "that won''t happen!


    the six of us god kings here will completely encircle that god realm,


    ensuring no external help reaches it."


    "so, you''re saying you want to use us to eliminate an enemy for you?"


    asked the fox god king.


    "enemy? not exactly.


    it''s just someone rather¡­ unlikable.


    a young god king, less than 10,000 years old."


    "less than 10,000 years? very well, we agree. what''s the plan?"


    the fox god king immediately gave her assent.


    read new chapters at empire


    while she wasn''t the strongest among the beast clan god kings,


    she was undoubtedly the smartest.


    such decisions were usually left to her,


    with the others simply following her lead.


    "then let''s wish for a successful collaboration!"


    after the agreement, the two sides parted ways.


    once they were out of earshot,


    the human god kings let out a collective sigh of relief.


    "when the calamity strikes,


    only the regions under human control will have a chance of survival.


    those beast clans won''t pass up this opportunity,"


    said the giant mountain god king with a smirk.


    his proposal was carefully crafted.


    even if the beast clan god kings suspected a trap,


    they had no other choice.


    "if they move directly into the 5-element god realm,


    we can use the opportunity to eliminate them all at once!"


    "exactly.


    it''s unfortunate, though¡­ the only sacrifice we''ll have to make is the young 5-element god king.


    "despite being a god king for less than 10,000 years,


    his talent is exceptional."


    another god king sighed in regret.


    the 5-element god king was indeed gifted,


    managing an entire god realm on his own


    and standing against the beast clans in the south.


    but he had refused to align with their faction,


    leaving them no choice but to sacrifice him.


    the death of a single god king


    was a small price to pay for the chance to eliminate the beast clans.


    the human god kings continued to discuss their plans,


    determined to ensure everything went off without a hitch.


    meanwhile, the beast clan god kings held their own meeting after leaving the border.


    "fox god king, do you really think agreeing to those human god kings was a good idea?"


    "a good idea? of course not!


    "those humans scheme against even their own.


    do you think they''d let us waltz into their territory without an ulterior motive?"


    "then why¡­?"


    "because entering human-controlled regions


    gives our clans a better chance of survival during the calamity!


    "and once we''re inside,


    if we can''t take a few god realms with our combined strength,


    then the beast clans'' dreams of resurgence are meaningless!"


    the fox god king''s eyes gleamed with determination.


    "well said!


    when those human god kings try to outsmart us,


    we''ll show them that real power renders their tricks meaningless!"


    the serpent god king sneered.


    he believed that humans lacked unity,


    with each individual pursuing their own interests.


    compared to the beast clans,


    they were far weaker.


    victory was inevitable.


    what the beast clans needed now was an opportunity¡ª


    a chance to make a decisive move into human territories.


    the humans'' foolish offer had given them precisely that.


    they would seize the opportunity


    and show the humans the true power of the beast clans.


    back at the ruins,


    daniel had successfully deciphered the magic array


    and modified it to better suit big white.


    the yellow clay was also collected and refined in the forge,


    turned into pills.


    however¡­


    big white still hadn''t woken up.


    this was big white''s first major evolution,


    and it seemed it would take a long time.


    daniel placed big white into the modified magic array


    to see if it could accelerate its growth.


    with everything prepared,


    daniel finally emerged from seclusion.


    the ink sea god king was the first to greet him.


    "lord daniel, you''ve emerged from seclusion?"


    "yes.


    you can stop procuring those magic array books now."


    "understood!"


    "and the relics? what''s their status?"


    "lord daniel,


    you may not be aware,


    but there have been significant changes in the god realm recently."


    "changes?"


    hearing this, daniel grew curious.


    the god realm had changed significantly?


    he had only been in seclusion for six months.


    what could possibly have happened in such a short time?

 Chapter235-Daniels Arrangements

    "lord daniel, here''s the situation,"ink sea god king began.


    "it all started with your battle against the four god kings of the court of divine king in the eastern wastes before you entered seclusion..."


    ink sea god king then recounted the events of the past six months and the changes in the god realm.


    the current god realm was nothing like it was six months ago.


    everything had been set into motion by that battle in the eastern wastes.


    afterward, daniel had entered seclusion,


    and the court of divine king''s god kings naturally kept quiet about their defeat.


    as a result, the battle in the eastern wastes became a symbol of the impending calamity.


    before that, while people had heard rumors of the calamity,


    most dismissed them as mere legends and didn''t take them seriously.


    prices remained stable, and at most, some people relocated to safer cities.


    however, after that battle,


    the atmosphere in the god realm became noticeably tense.


    resources for leveling up or survival skyrocketed in price,


    sometimes even becoming unavailable.


    conflicts among people also became more frequent,


    sometimes escalating into fights.


    the reasoning was simple: if everyone was going to die anyway,


    why tolerate others acting arrogant?


    if nothing else, dying together seemed appealing.


    the god realm had turned into a powder keg,


    where the smallest spark could ignite a massive explosion.


    after listening to ink sea god king''s account, daniel was taken aback.


    he hadn''t expected his battle six months ago to have such far-reaching consequences.


    that fight hadn''t even been particularly deadly.


    it had only escalated because daniel''s power far exceeded the limits of the god kings he faced,


    creating unusual disturbances.


    it seemed these disturbances had led many to misunderstand the nature of the event.


    however, the current state of the god realm had grown beyond that battle.


    even if daniel and the court of divine king publicly clarified the situation now,


    it wouldn''t change anything.


    the chain reaction had already spiraled beyond control.


    "currently, most conflicts are minor skirmishes.


    some temples might be making moves,


    but there haven''t been any large-scale battles yet," ink sea god king explained.


    for now, the chaos was mostly driven by smaller factions.


    the major powers, on the other hand, were maintaining restraint.


    enjoy exclusive chapters from empire


    they couldn''t risk being misinterpreted as signaling a larger conflict.


    "and then there''s the matter of the southern beast clans.


    it seems they''re preparing to make a move against the human territories,"


    ink sea god king continued.


    hearing this, daniel immediately thought of the 5-element god realm,


    whose southern borders were adjacent to the beast clan territories.


    more importantly, the ascension city¡ªwhere daniel had arrived upon ascending¡ª


    was located in the southernmost part of the 5-element god realm.


    if the beast clans were preparing for an attack,


    ascension city would be on the front lines.


    "what''s the situation in the 5-element god realm?


    have the beast clans reached there yet?" daniel asked.


    if ascension city were attacked,


    any newly ascended individuals arriving there would be in immediate danger.


    "my apologies, lord daniel.


    the eastern wastes are quite far from the south.


    however, i will gather information for you," ink sea god king promised.


    "actually, it''s better if you go there personally.


    specifically, investigate the area around crossbridge town in ascension city''s southern region.


    ensure there''s no danger there."


    "yes, lord daniel," ink sea god king replied.


    "also, take these divine stones and visit the 5-element god king.


    i had asked him to investigate something previously.


    see if he needs any assistance,


    and don''t hesitate to spend the stones if necessary."


    "yes."


    ink sea god king sighed wryly as he accepted the storage crystal.


    inside was another billion divine stones.


    ink sea god king was at a loss for words.


    the previous batch of divine stones daniel had given him wasn''t even spent yet.


    he had managed to save over a billion from that.


    and now, daniel was handing him another billion.


    shaking his head with a wry smile, ink sea god king departed.


    daniel, meanwhile, deliberated whether to contact the 5-element god king directly.


    in his past interactions, the 5-element god king seemed deeply afraid of him,


    behaving like a mouse in front of a cat.


    that was why daniel decided to send ink sea god king instead,


    hoping he could resolve the matter without unnecessary tension.


    the 5-element god king had been silent for the past six months,


    likely due to difficulties he was hesitant to share.


    despite their rocky start, daniel had come to appreciate the 5-element god king.


    he hoped ink sea god king could handle the situation smoothly.


    turning his attention back to big white,


    daniel placed the sleeping creature into the customized magic array,


    hoping it would accelerate its evolution.


    in the southernmost part of the 5-element god realm,


    three individuals were fleeing northward.


    their auras were unstable,


    their bodies marred by various injuries.


    behind them, a dozen beast clan warriors pursued relentlessly.


    "quick! we can''t stop here!


    if we push a little farther, we''ll reach ascension city!"


    "with god lords in the city, we''ll be safe once we get there!"


    shouted the leading man, trying to rally his companions. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    suddenly, a wooden spear struck one of the men in the leg.


    "ah!"


    the man screamed in agony.


    "third brother!"


    the leader turned back, his face twisted in rage.


    "it''s no use, big brother.


    you two go on without me.


    i won''t make it to ascension city,"


    the injured man pleaded.


    the leader clenched his teeth,


    then hoisted the wounded man onto his back.


    "we''ll make it!


    as long as we reach the city, we''ll be safe!"


    taking turns carrying their injured companion,


    the trio pressed on.


    but their pace slowed as exhaustion and injuries took their toll.


    the pursuing beast clan warriors,


    irritated by the delay, began closing in.


    "damned beast clan!


    our human warriors won''t let you get away with this!"


    "ha! keep dreaming, human!


    do you really think any of your warriors would dare set foot here?"


    one beast clan warrior mocked.


    "damn it! if i die today,


    i''ll take at least one of you beasts with me!"


    summoning his remaining strength,


    one of the men charged at the beast clan warriors.


    though his odds of survival were slim,


    it was his only choice.


    but before he could strike,


    a wave of flames engulfed the beast clan warriors.


    these warriors, being relatively low-level,


    lacked the ability to counter the mysterious fire.


    panicked, they scattered in search of water,


    only to find none in the vast plain.


    one by one, the flames consumed them,


    leaving behind nothing but charred corpses.

 Chapter236-Cranes Promise

    the three brothers stared at this unbelievable scene.they never expected such a situation to occur.


    originally, they thought the three of them were at the end of the road, about to die here.


    but unexpectedly, the members of the beast clan ended up dying here themselves.


    the three were not fools. they could guess that someone must have saved them.


    otherwise, flames like these couldn''t possibly appear out of nowhere.


    so, the three hurriedly knelt on the ground and began expressing their gratitude.


    even the youngest, whose leg had been pierced earlier, knelt down to give thanks.


    "no need for such courtesy. you''d better hurry to ascension city."


    a man''s voice rang out.


    "thank you, senior, for saving us."


    the three became even more respectful.


    "hurry along now; this place is not safe."


    "yes!"


    the man noticed that one of the three had a leg injury. he handed a pill to the youngest.


    "take this; it will heal your wound."


    "yes!"


    without any hesitation, the youngest swallowed the pill.


    the injury on his leg improved significantly in an instant.


    he could even walk without any issues.


    crane nodded and then led the three into the outskirts of ascension city.


    this place was once bustling with people.


    many people from the mortal realm, as well as their descendants, lived here.


    but at this moment, the outer district was desolate and quiet.


    it seemed as though no one was around.


    this was the current state of the outer district.


    crane brought the three into crossbridge town.


    even though there were no people, crane felt a sense of familiarity in crossbridge town.


    "rest here for a while. once you''ve recovered enough, quickly head to the inner city. this place isn''t very safe either."


    crane looked at the three and spoke.


    recently, for reasons unknown, the southern beast clan had been appearing nearby and invading the 5-element god realm.


    and since ascension city was the closest to beast clan territory, it bore the greatest pressure.


    most of the people in the outer district had been dispatched by ascension city to resist the beast clan in various places.


    that''s why it now seemed so unusually deserted.


    over the past six months, crane had witnessed countless separations and reunions.


    these three were just a few of the people crane had saved.


    every day, he saw many people heading north toward ascension city.


    but in recent times, their numbers were dwindling.


    that could only mean one thing...


    the southern region of ascension city had been entirely occupied by the beast clan.


    those who hadn''t made it over likely never would.


    "yes, senior."


    after responding, the three chose not to rest at all but headed straight into ascension city.


    this was the right choice.


    of course, taking a breather here wouldn''t have been an issue either.


    watching the three leave, crane went to a residential area.


    this was the property daniel had purchased in the past.


    back then, daniel had bought ten years of crane''s service.


    he had instructed him to refurbish the area and make it look nicer.


    now, every house in the area had been properly arranged.


    the only thing missing was people.


    but crane still stayed here, adhering to the promise he made to daniel.


    with the divine stones daniel had given him, crane''s rank had risen rapidly.


    he was now at the upper tier-god rank.


    he was not far from reaching the rank of high god.


    if he followed ascension city''s orders to eliminate beast clan forces in various locations, he could likely accumulate even more resources.


    but crane never did so because he always remembered his promise to daniel.


    at that moment, a familiar aura approached from the distance.


    "crane!"


    "mayor?"


    the person rushing over was none other than the mayor of crossbridge town, luke.


    "you still don''t plan to go to ascension city?"


    luke looked at crane and asked.


    "i promised lord daniel, and i will keep my word."


    "ah, to someone like lord daniel, these houses mean nothing. don''t you understand that staying here is meaningless?"


    luke looked at crane with some regret and said,


    "with your current strength, you''re only one step away from my rank. why insist on this?"


    if crane had gone to slay the invading beast clan earlier, the resources he''d have accumulated by now would have been enough to make him a high god.


    but now...


    luke was deeply regretful.


    "mayor, there''s no need to persuade me further. i appreciate your kindness, but i cannot break my promise."


    crane spoke resolutely.


    luke could only sigh helplessly and said,


    "you don''t understand how dire the situation is becoming!"


    luke was not exaggerating.


    because of daniel, he held a relatively important position within ascension city.


    thus, he could see the bigger picture.


    the beast clan''s recent movements had become increasingly frequent.


    the areas surrounding ascension city, especially to the south, had almost entirely fallen to the beast clan.


    what the beast clan would do next was obvious...


    attack ascension city!


    luke had come here precisely because of this reason.


    the beast clan could attack ascension city at any moment. staying in the outer district was extremely dangerous for crane.


    "soon, there may even be beast clan leaders appearing here. it''s too dangerous for you to stay!"


    just then, a sharp and urgent sound came from within ascension city.


    it was an emergency signal, loud and piercing.


    luke immediately recognized it as ascension city''s emergency alert.


    it signified that something urgent had occurred and everyone needed to assemble at the city lord''s mansion.


    luke naturally had to go.


    he glanced at crane, sighed, and said nothing more.


    then he quickly headed toward ascension city.


    simultaneously, many other auras rushed toward ascension city.


    these auras were all at least at the top god lord rank.


    meanwhile, outside ascension city, numerous magical formations lit up!


    the entire city was instantly enveloped in a massive magic array.


    this was the city''s defensive formation.


    the reason for activating such a formation was simple.


    looking out from the city walls, one could see an enormous army of beast clan forces outside.


    they could launch an attack at any moment.


    the leaders of these forces were all at least at the high god rank.


    an old man stood on the city wall, looking at the beast clan army blocked by the magic array.


    he frowned.


    the magic array could hold off the beast clan army for a while.


    after all, it had been designed to withstand beast clan forces at the god king rank.


    of course...


    it couldn''t completely repel a god king. sea??h th§× n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    but it could at least ensure the city wouldn''t be instantly destroyed.


    the forces outside seemed to be at most at the top god lord rank.


    so it wasn''t an insurmountable problem.


    what was troubling was how long the beast clan would lay siege to the city.


    and when reinforcements would arrive¡ªthis was the crucial issue!


    "city lord! the beast clan has surrounded us. what should we do?"


    someone looked at the old man and asked.


    gabriel was equally troubled. experience new tales on empire


    the calamity had arrived.


    the beast clan refused to remain confined to the south and sought to challenge the human territory.


    but why did they target the 5-element god realm specifically?


    previously, the beast clan''s attacks had been sporadic, affecting many areas simultaneously.


    this had already stretched ascension city''s resources thin, as many of its people had been deployed to suppress and address the beast clan incursions.


    now, unexpectedly, the beast clan had launched a full-scale assault!


    in all his years as the city lord of ascension city, gabriel had never encountered such madness.


    was it really just because of the calamity that the beast clan had become this aggressive?


    fortunately, the defensive formation could temporarily hold them back.


    gabriel then summoned one of his subordinates and asked,


    "what about the temple? has the god king responded?"


    gabriel asked expectantly.


    "city lord, there''s still no response from the temple."


    the person in charge of communication replied.

 Chapter237-Beast Clan Army!

    this time, the beast clan could be said to be provoking¡­no, they had already outright slapped them in the face.


    and yet, the 5-element god king still showed no response?


    this was what puzzled gabriel the most.


    because under normal circumstances, with actions like these from the beast clan,


    at the very least, the 5-element god king should have responded in some way.


    it was impossible to remain as silent as this,


    as if throwing his own dignity to the ground and stomping on it.


    such behavior was something gabriel couldn''t understand.


    logically, when the beast clan first appeared,


    the 5-element god king should have acted decisively to crush their delusions.


    but at the very beginning, when gabriel reported this matter,


    the 5-element god king simply stated that ascension city should handle it on its own.


    as a result, gabriel deployed the outer district''s strongmen to suppress the beast clan.


    and now, the beast clan army was stationed outside ascension city.


    it was clear they intended to attack the entire 5-element god realm, and ascension city was just the beginning.


    surely there couldn''t still be no response?


    but¡­


    there was still no new information from the 5-element temple.


    it was as if something had happened over there as well, your journey continues at empire


    even preventing a simple reply.


    this was another point that continued to puzzle gabriel.


    however, at this moment, thinking about it was meaningless.


    the beast clan army was already here.


    ascension city had two layers of formations.


    the first layer was the one before them now, strong enough to withstand beings below the god king rank.


    this was the main reason most people could hold out here.


    otherwise, with so many beast clan forces, people would likely have fled at the first opportunity.


    in reality, ascension city had a second magic array,


    a fact known only to those at the city lord level.


    this was under gabriel''s control.


    however, gabriel would not activate the second magic array unless absolutely necessary.


    because this magic array¡­


    to be more precise, was a kind of seal.


    it would completely isolate all connections between ascension city and the outside world.


    and there was no way to undo it.


    one could only wait for the seal to naturally dissipate.


    so, unless the situation became utterly dire,


    gabriel would never activate the second layer of the magic array.


    at the forefront of the beast clan army were three leaders of the beast clan at the high god rank.


    each of the three had distinct features, clearly representing three different races.


    "these humans, they seem to think hiding in a place like this means we can''t do anything to them?"


    one of the beast clan leaders looked at ascension city''s magic array and remarked.


    these magic arrays obstructed the beast clan army''s advance.


    if they didn''t destroy this city, even bypassing it would leave them vulnerable to ambushes.


    so, they planned to destroy the city in one fell swoop.


    "these humans may lack other skills, but when it comes to building turtle shells, they''re second to none."


    another beast clan leader sneered and said,


    "in that case, let''s show these humans whether their turtle shell can withstand my fist!"


    with that, the beast clan leader charged toward ascension city.


    his massive body began to grow even larger.


    it was clearly a giant bear!


    the giant bear''s massive paw swung down at the city''s magic array in an instant.


    in that moment, everyone on the city walls could feel the overwhelming and terrifying power.


    because with the beast clan, one couldn''t judge their combat strength purely by rank. s§×arch* the nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    these beast clan beings possessed immense physical strength.


    take the giant bear race before them, for example.


    once transformed, their terrifying strength could even shake ascension city''s great formation.


    fortunately, the magic array was strong enough to forcibly withstand the attack.


    ripples began to spread across the formation, as if it couldn''t hold any longer.


    at this moment, some people on the city walls revealed expressions of fear.


    was this beast clan leader truly so powerful?


    then, countless counterattacks from the magic array itself were unleashed on the giant bear.


    even the fur on the bear leader''s paw began to emit a scorched aroma.


    seeing this, the crowd finally felt some relief.


    at least the magic array had retaliatory capabilities.


    it showed the situation wasn''t as dire as they feared.


    "attack!"


    gabriel naturally couldn''t just stand idly by, watching the enemy attack the formation without responding.


    now that it was confirmed the formation could withstand the beast clan leader''s assault,


    gabriel immediately ordered a counterattack.


    countless spells pierced through the defensive magic array, striking the giant bear leader.


    the fur on the bear leader''s body was now charred black in patches.


    despite his thick skin, he dared not face the onslaught directly.


    the giant bear leader quickly retreated, avoiding the attacks.


    "these humans'' turtle shells are indeed tough. it seems that with my strength alone, i cannot break them."


    at the side, a leader with eagle-like features spoke up,


    "then let''s bring out the prepared item. the lord said this thing could break the humans'' magic array. let''s test it here!"


    as the eagle leader finished speaking, some beast clan soldiers took out strange weapons.


    they moved to the front lines, aiming their weapons at ascension city.


    seeing this, the people inside ascension city began to panic.


    they had no idea what kind of attack methods the beast clan was employing.


    now, they could only defend passively.


    especially since¡­


    after their earlier setbacks, the newly arrived beast clan soldiers were equipped with strange weapons. what were those?


    gabriel frowned, a sense of unease weighing on him.


    "where is mayor luke?"


    gabriel asked.


    at that moment, luke stepped forward.


    "greetings, city lord."


    "can you contact that lord?"


    gabriel asked.


    now, their only hope lay with lord daniel.


    after all, even the 5-element god king dared not offend lord daniel.


    if lord daniel appeared, ascension city might yet be saved.


    daniel had come from ascension city, and strictly speaking, future ascenders from the crossbridge world would also come from here.


    daniel had no reason to refuse.


    but¡­


    "city lord, i have no way to contact lord daniel!"


    "alas¡­ there''s no other choice now."


    when daniel left, he hadn''t left any means of contact.


    so now, there was no way to reach him.


    gabriel could only proceed with his pre-arranged plans to resist.


    since ascension city had a defensive formation, it naturally also had an offensive magic array.


    however¡­


    the offensive magic array was far from ready to be used.


    because the beast clan army was still too far away!


    at this distance, an attack could easily be dodged.


    earlier, it was only the giant bear leader who had approached.


    using the magic array for such an attack would undoubtedly be wasteful.


    in the short term, the offensive magic array could only be used once.


    so, gabriel had to ensure that this attack inflicted the greatest possible casualties on the beast clan.


    they needed to strike fear into the beast clan!


    only then could the current situation in ascension city be alleviated.


    otherwise¡­


    it would all be in vain!


    they saw the special beast clan soldiers holding strange weapons.


    the next moment, a cloud of gray mist was fired from the weapons.


    then, the eagle leader flapped his wings.


    the gray mist surged toward the formation!


    gabriel didn''t know what method the enemy was using, but he knew one thing:


    whatever the enemy wanted to do, it had to be stopped!


    "use wind-element divine spells! block that thing!"


    "yes!"


    however, they were still a step too late.


    the gray mist had already reached the defensive formation.


    at that moment, a sizzling sound could be heard.


    the entire defensive formation began to destabilize.


    then, the wind-element divine spells arrived, blowing the gray mist away.


    but the defensive formation was now weaker than before!

 Chapter238-Scattered Like Falling Blossoms!

    seeing this scene, the people on the city walls were all taken aback.some even began to panic.


    the great formation had visibly weakened.


    does this mean¡­


    it might not hold for much longer?


    next, they saw the giant bear leader leap down once more!


    both hands slammed toward the formation!


    this time!


    the massive force created a powerful shockwave.


    even cracks appeared in the ground.


    such terrifying strength was enough to strike fear into anyone.


    as the giant bear leader continued to attack the magic array,


    everyone could feel that the magic array''s power was growing weaker and weaker.


    "hahaha! human scum, soon i will tear apart your turtle shell!"


    "bears, follow me and attack together!"


    following the command of the giant bear leader, a group of giant bear soldiers charged forward from the army.


    the other two beast clan leaders were not willing to fall behind either.


    they had also realized that the gray mist from earlier was indeed effective.


    now, the entire formation was far weaker than before.


    even the counterattacks from the magic array couldn''t harm the fur of the giant bear leader.


    with this in mind, they naturally wouldn''t remain idle.


    fortunately, the other two races were airborne,


    otherwise, a joint attack might not have been as coordinated.


    on the city walls, the divine spells of the defenders continuously struck at the beast clan forces.


    each divine spell could take down many members of the beast clan.


    but¡­


    the densely packed beast clan soldiers kept coming in waves, undeterred.


    gabriel watched this scene, calculating the best opportunity in his mind.


    at this moment, the defensive magic array was growing increasingly fragile.


    it seemed it could be breached at any moment!


    meanwhile, the stronger individuals began rallying their forces for the upcoming battle.


    an intense struggle was now inevitable.


    they had no idea when reinforcements would arrive or even if reinforcements existed at all.


    at this moment, the only thing they could rely on was themselves!


    "life and death, this is the final moment!"


    "i know your families are in ascension city¡­"


    "my family is here too."


    "these beast clan invaders have taken our homes,


    and now their blades are at our ascension city''s gates."


    "during this time, we''ve taken in many refugees in ascension city."


    "you''ve heard from them what happens when the beast clan takes over a city.


    everyone will die!"


    "so, in this battle, we have no retreat!"


    "for yourselves, for your families!"


    "fight to the death! never let the beast clan step into ascension city!"


    "¡­"


    gabriel kept his focus entirely on the defensive magic array.


    at this moment, he had to monitor it closely.


    everyone in ascension city who could fight was ready,


    awaiting the final moment when the magic array would be breached.


    then, they would charge!


    the magic array grew weaker and weaker.


    finally, with one last strike from the giant bear leader,


    the magic array shattered!


    the protective barrier completely disappeared.


    the giant bear leader''s paw slammed into the ground,


    creating a massive crater.


    all the beast clan forces began charging toward ascension city.


    at this critical moment, gabriel activated the offensive magic array!


    fewer than ten people in all of ascension city knew about its existence.


    the beast clan, naturally, had no preparation for it.


    the fluctuations of the magic array spread out once more.


    but to the beast clan, a magic array?


    the humans'' magic arrays¡ªcould they possibly create another turtle shell?


    even if they made more, it would be meaningless!


    eventually, they would all be destroyed!


    at this point, the beast clan had already begun their charge.


    nothing could stop their advance now!


    however, in the next instant,


    a powerful attack was unleashed toward the beast clan forces!


    massive explosions engulfed almost all the beast clan!


    even the three leaders suffered varying degrees of injuries.


    when the explosions subsided, the ground was littered with the corpses of countless beast clan soldiers.


    this shocked those in ascension city who had been prepared to die fighting the beast clan army.


    but their shock quickly turned to joy!


    now, their burden had been significantly reduced.


    although the beast clan leaders reacted swiftly, the attack had been perfectly timed.


    even with their immense power, the leaders could only save a portion of the beast clan soldiers.


    moreover, the three leaders themselves suffered considerable injuries.


    the thick-skinned giant bear leader had half his body caught in the blast.


    his massive frame looked as though it had shrunk by half.


    this was due to his formidable defensive abilities.


    as for the other two beast clan leaders, they weren''t so lucky.


    one was killed outright in the explosion.


    the eagle leader''s feathers were completely burned off, and even one of his wings was broken.


    "damn it¡­ damn you humans! you should all die!!"


    the eagle leader''s venomous voice echoed continuously.


    in contrast, the people of ascension city were now filled with a fighting spirit.


    originally, they had been prepared to die.


    but now, they wanted nothing more than to strike the beast clan while they were down!


    under gabriel''s leadership, the defenders counterattacked the remnants of the beast clan army.


    before they could even close in, a barrage of divine spells was already raining down on the remaining beast clan forces.


    "beast scum! taste my divine spell!"


    "kill them! kill every last one of them!"


    "¡­"


    normally, in such a battle, the humans would be at a disadvantage.


    because the beast clan always had a bloodthirsty craving for battle.


    but¡­


    this time was different.


    the earlier attack had left psychological scars on the beast clan.


    they couldn''t muster their usual fighting spirit.


    what remained was nothing more than being surrounded and beaten by the humans.


    the top-tier combatants of ascension city targeted the leaders of the beast clan.


    the rest of the defenders focused on the soldiers.


    this time, there were almost no surprises!


    the beast clan leaders could only flee in disarray.


    the beast clan soldiers followed suit, retreating continuously.


    this battle brought a sense of victory to the people of ascension city.


    "fantastic! these beast scum are nothing after all!"


    "as expected of the city lord! without the city lord''s offensive magic array,


    we would have faced tens of thousands of beast clan soldiers.


    how could we be crushing them like this now?"


    "indeed, the city lord was key!"


    "long live the city lord!"


    "we''ve won!"


    continue your adventure at empire


    at this moment, gabriel also stopped his advance.


    the beast clan leaders had retreated quickly.


    they couldn''t pursue further.


    because the southern region¡­


    had already become territory occupied by the beast clan.


    they had no idea how many beast clan soldiers awaited them if they kept chasing.


    thus, they had to stop here.


    in the coming days, the magic array needed to be repaired.


    and they had to find out what exactly the beast clan used to weaken the defensive formation.


    that gray mist¡­ sea??h th§× n?vel?ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    if they hadn''t acted quickly,


    if the wind-element spells hadn''t been cast in time,


    they might not have achieved such results.


    the beast clan would have broken through.


    at that point, gabriel would have been forced to activate the second sealing magic array,


    completely isolating ascension city from the outside world.


    fortunately, they had reacted in time.


    this victory over the beast clan army and their subsequent counterattack


    would likely bring ascension city some peace for a while.


    during this time, they had to contact the 5-element temple.


    this time they had repelled the beast clan army, but what about the next time?


    would the beast clan send an even larger force?


    moreover,


    the offensive magic array could only work as a surprise attack.


    next time, the beast clan would surely be prepared.


    achieving such a victory would then become exceedingly difficult!


    so¡­


    it was imperative to contact the temple and the god king during this period!


    gabriel thought silently to himself.


    at that moment, he felt something was wrong.


    it was as if a great fear was looming ahead!

 Chapter239-The Magic Array Fails!

    a sudden feeling arose in gabriel''s heart. s§×ar?h the novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.it was an ominous feeling,


    as if danger was imminent.


    gabriel turned around and looked behind him.


    at that moment, he saw that the beast clan army, which they had been chasing and forcing to retreat,


    had suddenly turned back, coming toward them once again!


    but this time, following behind the remnants of the beast clan forces was another wave of densely packed beast clan troops,


    far more numerous than before!


    the number of beast clan leaders leading the charge had also increased significantly compared to earlier.


    seeing this scene, gabriel knew they were doomed.


    they needed to return to ascension city immediately.


    at this moment, activating the second layer of the magic array was the only way to protect everyone!


    gabriel quickly turned to the people around him and shouted loudly:


    "everyone, retreat! do not stop here! get back to ascension city as quickly as possible!" explore hidden tales at empire


    the people, who were still reveling in their earlier victory,


    were puzzled as to why gabriel was saying such things.


    but gabriel''s tone carried an undeniable authority.


    for a moment, everyone began to retreat swiftly toward ascension city.


    once everyone had entered the city, gabriel turned back and looked at the advancing beast clan army.


    he found it strange.


    as they retreated to ascension city, the beast clan leaders had ample opportunity to attack and capture some of the stragglers.


    yet the beast clan leaders remained calm and unhurried,


    as if these people were already within their grasp.


    however, this was their greatest mistake!


    upon returning to ascension city,


    gabriel immediately activated the second layer of the magic array!


    the entire city was now completely sealed off from the outside world.


    this sealing was absolute,


    leaving them to wait for a response from the 5-element temple to expel the beast clan from the 5-element god realm.


    gabriel was confident in this course of action.


    with the activation of the second magic array,


    ascension city was quickly enveloped,


    completely sealed off!


    gabriel turned to the people inside the city and explained:


    "the beast clan army has returned, and this time, we are powerless to stop them.


    we can only preserve our remaining strength.


    this layer of the magic array will completely isolate ascension city from any contact with the outside world."


    "in this way, the beast clan will be unable to harm us.


    we can only wait for the sealing magic array to naturally dissipate over time."


    "this is the last thing i can do for you!"


    after gabriel finished speaking, the people in the city expressed their understanding.


    earlier, they had relied on the first defensive magic array and the offensive magic array to repel the beast clan army.


    but now, another army had arrived.


    at this moment, the only way to ensure everyone''s safety was to use the available magic array.


    this was the only thing gabriel could do for them.


    the people naturally understood this.


    as the second magic array activated,


    a solid protective shield enveloped the entirety of ascension city,


    making it impossible to see what was happening outside.


    meanwhile, outside the shield,


    the beast clan army remained stationed, their forces halted in place.


    at this moment, one of the leading beast clan leaders, a snake-headed figure,


    slithered to the forefront.


    the snake flicked its tongue and retrieved a scroll from its possession.


    as the scroll was unfurled,


    a force completely contrary to the magic array''s energy was released.


    immediately,


    the protective shield that had isolated ascension city from the outside world began to fade.


    it slowly transitioned from being solid to becoming transparent.


    inside ascension city,


    the people looked at this scene in disbelief.


    could this be a normal occurrence?


    only gabriel, standing at the forefront, looked on in horror.


    he knew better than anyone else what the magic array should look like when activated.


    under normal circumstances, it should remain solid,


    completely isolating ascension city from the outside world.


    but now, it was clearly abnormal!


    the isolation shield was gradually becoming transparent.


    gabriel knew exactly what this meant.


    it signified that the second layer of the magic array was failing.


    otherwise, such a situation would not occur.


    but¡­


    the second layer of the magic array could not be deactivated prematurely, not even by them.


    it would only dissipate naturally over time.


    how had these beast clan forces managed to achieve this?


    gabriel couldn''t fathom it.


    but he knew one thing for certain¡ª


    this would be the life-or-death battle for ascension city!


    "everyone in ascension city,


    i deeply regret that i have failed to protect you¡­


    the second layer of the magic array may break at any moment!"


    "i don''t know what methods the beast clan have used.


    now, we have only one path left¡ª


    fight! fight to the death to protect everything we have!"


    gabriel''s voice was filled with determination.


    the people, too, realized the severity of the situation.


    not long after, the magic array shattered.


    they could now see the beast clan army outside.


    gabriel was the first to charge forward toward the beast clan forces.


    behind him followed countless others.


    they charged one after another,


    every face carrying an expression of unwavering determination.


    they all knew this was a battle with no return.


    but¡­


    even if it cost them their lives,


    they would fight for a sliver of hope!


    what if¡­?


    what if they could protect their families in the city and defeat the beast clan army?


    every single person was ready to lay down their life.


    at that moment,


    a ball of energy suddenly appeared in the middle of the two sides.


    the massive explosion engulfed the beast clan army.


    yet nothing happened to the people of ascension city.


    gabriel, standing at the forefront, froze in place.


    he looked at the scene before him in disbelief.


    he could feel the powerful aura emanating from the figure¡ª


    it was undoubtedly of god king rank!


    this aura,


    he had felt it once before on the 5-element god king.


    the beast clan suffered losses far worse than before at this moment.


    previously, gabriel had only used the magic array to ambush the beast clan army.


    the magic array could only execute attacks according to preset protocols.


    but now, this was the attack of a true god king-level being.


    the beast clan had no ability to resist!


    in an instant, the dark mass of the beast clan army vanished without a trace.


    at that moment,


    gabriel and the many people of ascension city behind him felt a surge of disbelief.


    they had never expected such an outcome!


    what had seemed like an insurmountable force,


    a beast clan army they couldn''t fend off even if it cost them everything,


    had been wiped out in the blink of an eye.


    who was this powerful figure before them?


    could it be the 5-element god king?


    "ascension city.


    so this is the place. are you the city lord here?"


    gabriel heard the powerful figure ask slowly.


    he hurriedly responded:


    "yes! my lord, i am gabriel, the city lord of ascension city."


    "hmm.


    does this city have a place called crossbridge town?"


    "yes! the mayor of crossbridge town, luke, is also here. luke!"


    gabriel called for someone to summon luke.


    at this moment, luke arrived, still utterly confused.


    he had no idea what was happening.


    why had this strong figure, who had just annihilated the beast clan army, asked for him by name?


    with a puzzled expression, luke walked over.


    the ink sea god king nodded and then said:


    "i have come on the orders of lord daniel


    to check whether ascension city and crossbridge town have encountered any trouble.


    it seems i was right¡ª


    the beast clan has already made their move¡­"


    hearing the name of daniel from this powerful being once again,


    gabriel and luke were overjoyed.


    this time, it was indeed because of daniel


    that ascension city had been saved from the beast clan army!


    "how is crossbridge town?


    has anything unexpected occurred there?"


    the ink sea god king asked luke.


    "a few people were accidentally injured by the beast clan soldiers earlier.


    but fortunately, with city lord gabriel''s efforts, most people are in the city and unharmed,"


    luke replied after some thought.

 Chapter240-The Whereabouts of the 5-Element God King

    hearing luke''s response, the ink sea god king nodded.at first, he had thought this was just some minor beast clan skirmish.


    but after entering the 5-element god realm, he realized the beast clan''s reach had extended far too deep!


    this was practically a full-scale invasion.


    logically speaking, in such a situation,


    the god king overseeing this realm would not remain indifferent.


    even if there were some unspeakable difficulties, they should have informed the entire god realm.


    even in these extraordinary times, with calamity looming,


    everyone''s attitude toward the beast clan was consistent.


    regardless of disputes among the human races,


    it was not the beast clan''s place to interfere in human territories.


    but clearly, the situation in the 5-element god realm was different.


    some information had even been sealed off,


    making it impossible to discern the true state of the 5-element god realm.


    after entering the 5-element god realm, the ink sea god king had rushed to the south as quickly as possible,


    searching for the southern ascension city.


    at the same time, he silently prayed,


    hoping that the ascension city daniel had mentioned had not been destroyed by the beast clan.


    otherwise, it would be him facing daniel''s wrath.


    fortunately, the ink sea god king had arrived just in time.


    he reached the city before the beast clan launched their assault,


    eradicating their forces and saving ascension city.


    luke''s words left gabriel very satisfied!


    now, daniel would likely remember his name.


    "this large-scale beast clan invasion¡ªdid you not try to contact the 5-element god king?"


    the ink sea god king asked in puzzlement.


    an invasion of this magnitude should have prompted the overseeing god king to intervene immediately.


    yet why, even with his arrival, had there been no sign of any god king''s aura?


    "reporting to you, my lord, we did attempt to contact the 5-element temple and the god king from the very beginning.


    but we never received any response," gabriel replied helplessly.


    he had reached out multiple times,


    but there had been no reply at all.


    as a result, he had been forced to handle the situation as he did.


    thankfully, daniel had sent this god king to assist them.


    otherwise, ascension city would have been massacred by the beast clan forces by now.


    hearing gabriel''s answer, the ink sea god king frowned.


    it seemed the situation was just as he suspected.


    something must have happened to the 5-element god king,


    or things would not have turned out this way!


    now, the matter had become more complicated.


    what kind of issue could prevent a god king from tending to their god realm?


    the ink sea god king couldn''t imagine.


    at this point, the only option was to go to the 5-element temple personally to investigate.


    besides, daniel had tasked him with finding the 5-element god king


    and assessing the progress of their investigations.


    "handle the matters in ascension city for now. i will check on the situation at the 5-element temple."


    "thank you, my lord," gabriel replied respectfully.


    the ink sea god king then inspected the wounded, using simple divine spells to heal them.


    he also upgraded ascension city''s magic arrays using some divine crystals,


    making them much harder to breach.


    after completing these tasks, the ink sea god king departed for the 5-element temple.


    upon arrival, he noticed that the 5-element temple had also activated a sealing magic array,


    similar to the one ascension city had used.


    the temple was completely cut off from the outside world.


    moreover, there were two god king-level auras nearby¡ª


    and they belonged to the beast clan! sear?h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    this explained everything.


    why hadn''t ascension city been able to contact the 5-element god king or the temple?


    it was because two beast clan god kings had arrived,


    forcing the 5-element temple to activate its sealing magic array.


    the ink sea god king concealed his presence and approached the magic array.


    he projected a strand of mind power,


    stealthily infiltrating the array.


    though the sealing magic array was designed to isolate the temple,


    the ink sea god king was somewhat familiar with its structure,


    and he knew how to exploit its weaknesses.


    sneaking in a strand of mind power was no trouble at all.


    he was curious¡ªwhat had happened to the 5-element god king?


    even with two beast clan god kings present,


    the 5-element god king could have summoned nearby god kings for help, couldn''t they?


    after all, the human races of the god realm had always been hostile toward the beast clan.


    as long as the beast clan stayed in their own corner, there was no issue.


    but stepping into human territory? that was asking for death.


    the ink sea god king couldn''t understand why no action had been taken.


    once his mind power infiltrated the 5-element temple,


    the truth became clear.


    two months ago, the 5-element god king had left on an errand for reasons unknown.


    since then, there had been no word from them.


    as a result, the 5-element temple was powerless to respond to the pleas for help from the cities.


    the god king simply wasn''t in the temple,


    and they had no way to contact them.


    then, the two beast clan god kings arrived,


    forcing the 5-element temple to activate the sealing magic array.


    realizing this, the ink sea god king searched for some personal belongings of the 5-element god king,


    using them to divine the god king''s whereabouts.


    the current situation was unacceptable for reporting back to daniel.


    the 5-element god realm was in chaos,


    the beast clan could attack again at any moment,


    and the 5-element god king was missing.


    returning to daniel with such results would mean forfeiting any support daniel could provide.


    thus, the ink sea god king had to locate the 5-element god king first.


    using his mind power,


    he retrieved some personal items belonging to the 5-element god king


    and began calculating their location.


    at that moment, the 5-element god king was fleeing desperately with another person.


    the two of them looked utterly disheveled.


    "damn it! run faster! i can''t believe i trusted you!


    we''ve been running in circles for two months¡ªwhen are we going to get out of this god realm?!"


    the 5-element god king complained.


    "aren''t you a god king? if you could beat the greenwood god king,


    we wouldn''t be sneaking around like this!"


    the person fleeing alongside the 5-element god king was none other than the grand elder of the greenwood god realm.


    the greenwood god realm had long been preparing for its ascension to a higher world.


    the greenwood god king sought to uncover the secrets of breaking through beyond the god king rank through this process.


    the 5-element god king had been friends with the grand elder of the greenwood god realm,


    which allowed them to learn some insider information.


    at daniel''s request,


    the 5-element god king had used divine stones to purchase secrets about world ascension from the grand elder.


    two months ago, the grand elder sent an urgent message,


    claiming to have made an important breakthrough but fearing they wouldn''t be able to leave the greenwood god realm safely.


    the 5-element god king rushed to their aid, stay updated via empire


    promising to escort the grand elder to safety.


    and so, the two had been on the run for two months,


    finally reaching the edge of the greenwood god realm.


    once they left this realm,


    no matter how powerful the greenwood god king was,


    they would need time to investigate their whereabouts.


    by then, the 5-element god king would have already delivered the information to daniel.


    the greenwood god king wouldn''t dare touch them with daniel as their backing.


    "i''ve been a god king for less than ten thousand years¡ªit''s normal that i''m no match for them!


    but don''t worry, i have a powerful backer.


    the greenwood god king is nothing to worry about!"


    the 5-element god king reassured the grand elder.


    that much was true.


    as long as they could find daniel,


    the greenwood god king would pose no threat.


    but¡­


    "where is this powerful backer you speak of?


    have you contacted them to rescue us in the past two months?"


    the grand elder asked, looking skeptically at the 5-element god king.


    the 5-element god king had made such claims when they first sought help.


    but now, two months later,


    they were on the verge of escaping the greenwood god realm,


    and no sign of this so-called powerful backer had appeared.

 Chapter241-The Rescue

    "ahem, well¡­ about that... maybe if we wait a little longer, we''ll hear back,"the 5-element god king said awkwardly.


    during this time, he had been trying to contact daniel, sending countless messages.


    but daniel¡­


    hadn''t responded at all.


    for reasons he couldn''t fathom.


    this was why the 5-element god king and the grand elder had been hiding and running for so long.


    "i should''ve known better than to agree to your plan in the first place!" sea??h th§× n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the grand elder sighed.


    had he not agreed to the 5-element god king''s proposition,


    he would still be the grand elder of the greenwood god realm,


    overseeing the realm''s ascension process.


    he might have even glimpsed secrets beyond the god king rank.


    but now¡­


    everything had been ruined. discover exclusive content at empire


    he was stuck fleeing alongside this unreliable 5-element god king.


    "alright, enough complaining.


    we''re almost out of the greenwood god realm.


    once we''re out, unless the greenwood god king himself comes for us, what''s there to fear?"


    just as the 5-element god king finished speaking,


    a foreboding aura surged in the air.


    a figure appeared in the sky,


    locking onto both the 5-element god king and the grand elder.


    the two immediately felt the weight of this presence.


    "damn it! you jinxed it! it''s the god king!"


    sure enough,


    the figure in the sky was the greenwood god king!


    and behind him were two god sovereigns.


    "grand elder! surrender and come back with us quietly!


    otherwise, today will be your last!"


    "you know the punishment for colluding with outsiders and leaking the secrets of our greenwood god realm!"


    the two god sovereigns declared.


    at this moment, the 5-element god king was panicking.


    the greenwood god king was an ancient god king,


    having held the position for tens of thousands of years.


    in comparison, the 5-element god king was no match for him.


    "5-element! didn''t you say you had someone powerful backing you?


    hurry up! now''s the time to show your worth!"


    "this¡­"


    the 5-element god king tried contacting daniel once more¡­


    but there was no response.


    just like before,


    daniel didn''t reply.


    he began to suspect that daniel was likely in some special place,


    unable to receive his messages.


    was this the end?


    "forget it. i knew you were unreliable!


    soon we''ll have no choice but to break out on our own. every man for himself!"


    the grand elder sighed.


    "i''m sorry. this is all my fault,"


    the 5-element god king admitted, embarrassed.


    "it''s fine. at least you have a lot of divine stones.


    just don''t drag me down in the next life!"


    as the grand elder finished speaking,


    the two of them gathered their energy to its peak,


    preparing to face the encroaching forces of the greenwood god realm.


    their gazes turned sharp.


    this time, if they couldn''t break out, death was their only fate!


    just as they were about to make their move,


    a teleportation magic array suddenly lit up beneath their feet.


    "someone is helping them! attack! don''t let them escape!"


    one of the god sovereigns from the greenwood god realm shouted,


    launching an attack toward the pair.


    at first, when the teleportation array lit up,


    the 5-element god king was stunned.


    he couldn''t tell if this was part of the enemy''s plan.


    but upon hearing the god sovereign''s shout, he realized¡ª


    someone was indeed trying to save them.


    could it be¡­


    they were about to escape this ordeal?


    at that moment, the greenwood god king let out a cold snort from the sky.


    he struck toward the teleportation array where the two stood.


    did they think they could use a teleportation array to escape under his nose?


    how bold!


    did no one think to ask the greenwood god king for permission first?


    the greenwood god king''s palm aimed to shatter the array,


    ensuring the two would remain trapped.


    but just then,


    another palm emerged around the array,


    meeting the greenwood god king''s strike head-on.


    the collision left both sides evenly matched,


    neither gaining the upper hand.


    this brief clash bought enough time for the teleportation array to activate,


    enveloping the pair and whisking them away.


    the greenwood god king''s face turned dark as iron.


    he had never expected the one aiding the pair to possess strength equal to his own.


    the clash had given them the time they needed to escape.


    all the people around him knelt,


    not daring to lift their heads.


    "enough. everyone return.


    as for those two, i''ve remembered their auras.


    if they dare to set foot in my greenwood god realm again,


    i will kill them without mercy!"


    the greenwood god king spoke coldly before swiftly leaving.


    and with that, the matter was over.


    the greenwood god king did not bother to trace the teleportation array.


    with the calamity looming over the god realm,


    there was no need to invite unnecessary trouble.


    his priority was to uncover the secrets of breaking through the god king rank during the ascension process.


    it was a race against time.


    he couldn''t afford distractions.


    for now, he would swallow this bitter pill.


    but in the future¡­


    he would settle the score!


    the 5-element god king and the grand elder were teleported into the 5-element god realm.


    the two immediately became vigilant,


    unsure whether the one who had teleported them was friend or foe.


    what were their intentions?


    after all, the grand elder carried many secrets about world ascension.


    "don''t worry, i''m not an enemy.


    i''ve come under lord daniel''s orders to find you,"


    the ink sea god king said,


    noticing the extreme caution on their faces.


    upon hearing daniel''s name,


    the 5-element god king relaxed.


    this must be an ally.


    "i am the 5-element god king. may i know your name?"


    "you may call me ink sea.


    lord daniel tasked me with locating you


    and asking about the progress of the investigation he assigned to you.


    if you''re facing difficulties, i''m here to help!"


    the ink sea god king had discovered the 5-element god king''s plight and used a reverse-summoning magic array to bring him over.


    he had even blocked a strike from the greenwood god king.


    "by the way, where is lord daniel now?


    why haven''t i been able to reach him?"


    the 5-element god king immediately asked, voicing his confusion.


    for half a year, he had been unable to contact daniel.


    it seemed daniel wasn''t even aware he had tried.


    hearing this, the ink sea god king frowned.


    he too had tried contacting daniel several times recently,


    but daniel had not responded.


    the ink sea god king had assumed daniel was in seclusion and didn''t think much of it.


    but now, hearing the 5-element god king''s remarks, he realized the truth.


    it wasn''t that daniel was in seclusion.


    daniel was likely in a place where the rules were chaotic,


    making communication impossible.


    the ink sea god king explained:


    "lord daniel is likely in a place with very chaotic rules,


    which is why he cannot receive our messages.


    as for when he''ll return, i don''t know."


    hearing this, the 5-element god king understood.


    no wonder.


    he had sent so many messages, yet daniel hadn''t replied even once.


    so that was the reason.


    but even without receiving his messages, daniel had still sent someone to find him.


    it seemed he had made the right choice in following lord daniel!


    at that moment, the ink sea god king continued:


    "now that you''re out of the greenwood god realm,


    it''s time to address the issues in the 5-element god realm."


    the 5-element god king looked puzzled.


    "the 5-element god realm?


    what''s happening there?


    i''ve been in the 5-element god realm for ten thousand years,


    and nothing major has ever happened.


    surely nothing could''ve gone wrong in just the two months i''ve been away?"


    the 5-element god king also noticed something unusual.


    he was indeed back in the 5-element god realm,


    but something felt off.

 Chapter242-Follow Me to Annihilate These Beast Clan!

    how to put it¡ªat this moment, the 5-element god king felt as though something strange had appeared in his 5-element god realm.it was as if there were subtle changes in the surrounding environment,


    but he couldn''t quite pinpoint what those changes were.


    at this moment, the ink sea god king spoke again:


    "the entire 5-element god realm has now been invaded by the beast clan.


    there are even two beast clan god kings ou tside your 5-element temple!"


    "what?"


    the 5-element god king was stunned by this revelation.


    he couldn''t believe that in just two days since he left,


    the situation had deteriorated to this extent!


    after listening to the ink sea god king''s explanation,


    the 5-element god king finally understood what had happened.


    outside the 5-element temple,


    in addition to the two beast clan god kings,


    hundreds of thousands of beast clan soldiers were attacking the temple.


    the sealing magic array of the 5-element temple was immensely powerful.


    even the presence of a god king couldn''t break through it by force.


    thus, the beast clan could only rely on their ordinary troops to gradually deplete the array''s power.


    "have those old fellows given any updates?"


    a beast clan god king with lion-like features asked.


    "no, they only said that continuous attacks would eventually weaken the sealing magic array.


    the magic array used by the 5-element temple is far more advanced,


    so they can''t provide tools to break it, like they did with the other cities,"


    the fox-like god king replied.


    "these human god kings are truly cunning!


    at critical moments, they slack off!"


    the lion god king growled in frustration.


    "there''s nothing we can do about it.


    we anticipated this might happen from the start¡­"


    although the human god kings had initially claimed to support the beast clan''s attack on the 5-element god realm,


    when it came down to the final steps,


    those god kings became unreachable,


    pretending to be dead.


    even the scrolls they had initially provided to break through second-layer magic arrays in other cities were no longer available.


    such was the nature of humans.


    before the beast clan mobilized their forces,


    the human factions schemed against one another,


    eager to eliminate their rivals.


    but when the beast clan army finally arrived,


    they united against a common enemy.


    now, the two beast clan god kings were facing precisely this situation.


    the human god kings had withdrawn all support,


    leaving the beast clan forces to grind down the sealing magic array on their own.


    the hundreds of thousands of beast clan soldiers stationed here could do nothing else but continue the assault.


    "by the way, i''ve just received news¡ª


    the army we sent to attack the southern ascension city seems to have encountered some issues.


    we''ve completely lost contact with them,"


    the lion god king said, turning to the fox god king.


    "i suspect that the human god kings acted behind the scenes,


    interfering with our forces¡­ perhaps even wiping them out."


    "while those human god kings are bold,


    they wouldn''t dare to go that far.


    don''t forget,


    we have armies waiting at the edges of their god realms."


    if anything drastic happened,


    those armies'' first move would be to invade the human god realms.


    thus, the fox god king was confident that the human god kings would only resort to small acts of sabotage,


    such as withholding scrolls to break through magic arrays. s§×ar?h the nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    they wouldn''t dare to outright annihilate the beast clan forces.


    such an action would enrage the entire beast clan.


    the human god kings would never risk starting a war on their own soil.


    "then what''s going on?"


    "we''ll send someone swift to investigate later."


    "alright, that''s our best option for now."


    at this moment, a deep, resonant voice rang out:


    "damn beast clan,


    who gave you permission to run wild on my territory?"


    as the words fell,


    the 5-element god king delivered a devastating punch!


    the fiery blow struck the beast clan army,


    causing massive casualties.


    "damn it!"


    the lion god king roared in anger,


    charging toward the human who had dared to attack.


    the punch had conveniently landed in the area where the lion god king''s tribe was stationed,


    further enraging him.


    whether or not it was intentional was up for debate,


    but the lion god king''s distinctive features made him an obvious target.


    with a furious roar,


    the lion god king lunged at the 5-element god king.


    "perfect timing! today, i''ll slay you, you overgrown cat!"


    hearing the taunt,


    the lion god king became even angrier.


    he swiped at the 5-element god king with his claws.


    but as his attack connected,


    a powerful rebound sent him flying back.


    it felt as though he had struck a mountain¡ª


    unyielding and immovable.


    not only did his attack fail to harm the 5-element god king,


    but the recoil injured him instead.


    the 5-element god king counterattacked immediately,


    driving a punch straight into the lion god king''s arm,


    piercing through it.


    the 5-element god king had become a god king by mastering the 5-element rule to an extraordinary degree.


    although he had only been a god king for less than ten thousand years,


    that didn''t mean he was weak.


    in the greenwood god realm,


    he had fled because the greenwood god king''s mastery of the wood rule far surpassed his own.


    for instance,


    if the 5-element god king used the wood rule,


    the greenwood god king would suppress it effortlessly.


    what about fire?


    sorry, it wouldn''t even leave a scorch mark.


    the greenwood god king''s dominance in his specialized rule was far beyond anything the 5-element god king could contend with,


    forcing him to retreat.


    but when it came to this beast clan god king¡­


    there was no comparison.


    the 5-element god king thought:


    if i don''t beat the life out of you,


    how else do you think i claimed this vast territory under my rule?


    the lion god king hadn''t expected the 5-element god king to possess such terrifying power.


    now, he regretted charging in recklessly.


    desperately,


    he turned to the fox god king for help:


    "fox! help me! i can''t take him on alone!"


    "hang on, i''m coming!"


    hearing this,


    the lion god king breathed a sigh of relief.


    the 5-element god king was overwhelming.


    none of his attacks could penetrate the man''s defenses.


    meanwhile, every counterattack left him severely injured.


    even his innate abilities were being nullified.


    the lion god king had never faced such a formidable opponent before.


    thankfully, the fox god king was joining the fight.


    although the fox god king was more of a strategist and advisor,


    as a nine-tailed fox, his strength far surpassed the lion god king''s.


    however, just as the fox god king was about to enter the fray,


    a hand reached out and grabbed him by his true form.


    it was the ink sea god king!


    making his move,


    the ink sea god king captured the fox god king''s true body,


    preventing him from joining the battle.


    "what''s this?


    a nine-tailed fox?


    i didn''t expect to find one among the beast clan,"


    the ink sea god king remarked.


    but then he noticed that the fox god king had vanished,


    leaving only a severed tail in his grasp.


    the fox god king had escaped using a natural ability of his race¡ª


    a severed tail to gain new life.


    though it would take a long time to recover from such a loss,


    the ability allowed him to flee.


    the ink sea god king stashed the severed tail,


    intending to study its potential uses later. read new chapters at empire


    he then joined the 5-element god king in their attack on the lion god king.


    the lion god king, initially relieved by the fox god king''s assistance,


    now found himself utterly dismayed.


    not only had another god king entered the battle,


    but they had forced the fox god king to escape by severing his tail.


    if the fox god king had fled,


    what was the point of staying here? to die?


    the lion god king mustered all his strength to flee.


    meanwhile, the 5-element god king pursued relentlessly,


    raining down attacks as he shouted:


    "5-element temple warriors, follow me! let''s wipe out these beast clan scum!"

 Chapter243-The Counterattack of the 5-Element Temple!

    with an angry roar from the 5-element god king,the magic array of the entire 5-element temple was instantly activated.


    as the one with the highest authority over this sealing magic array,


    the 5-element god king unleashed its full power in a single moment.


    even the members within the 5-element temple were dumbfounded,


    unable to comprehend how this sealed magic array could be deactivated on its own.


    but the next instant, the people inside the 5-element temple burst into cheers,


    for they had seen the return of the 5-element god king!


    "the god king!"


    "your excellency! you''ve finally returned!"


    "¡­"


    the members of the 5-element temple shouted joyously.


    "there''s no need for words now¡ªfollow me and slay these beast clan bastards!"


    enjoy new tales from empire


    with a single command from the 5-element god king,


    a large number of mages poured out from the temple,


    charging toward the fleeing beast clan army.


    previously, the 5-element temple had activated the sealed magic array


    because the beast clan had sent two god king-level combatants.


    in the absence of the 5-element god king,


    the temple''s highest combat power was at the god sovereign level,


    making it impossible to contend with the beast clan''s two god kings.


    at the time, their only option was to activate the magic array


    to preserve their remaining forces.


    but now, the time had come!


    with the return of the 5-element god king,


    it was the perfect moment to drive out the beast clan.


    at this point, the beast clan''s two god kings had already fled,


    leaving the remaining beast clan army of hundreds of thousands in disarray.


    under the combined assault of the ink sea god king and the 5-element god king,


    survival was nearly impossible.


    with the addition of the numerous forces from the 5-element temple,


    only a few scattered beast clan members managed to escape.


    but these remnants were no longer a significant threat.


    the 5-element god king returned to the temple and began reviewing


    the situation across the entire 5-element god realm from the past two months.


    what he saw shocked him deeply.


    he could never have imagined the extent of the damage.


    during his absence, the 5-element temple had been sealed within the magic array,


    cut off from any external information.


    now, the previously blocked messages poured in all at once.


    the 5-element god king began reading the reports from various regions of the god realm,


    one after another.


    the more he read, the more enraged he became,


    to the point of wanting to chase after the fleeing beast clan and annihilate them.


    in just over a month,


    more than a dozen cities had been destroyed.


    this was something the 5-element god king had never anticipated.


    the 5-element god realm had only been established less than ten thousand years ago.


    this incident was a massive blow to its foundation.


    the 5-element god king frowned deeply,


    feeling that the whole situation was incredibly suspicious.


    at first, he had been aware of some unrest among the beast clan,


    with reports coming from the southernmost cities.


    however, the 5-element god king had dismissed it as minor beast clan skirmishes,


    nothing worth worrying about.


    he believed that if the beast clan launched a large-scale invasion,


    the neighboring human god kings would have no place to escape to,


    making a full-scale invasion unlikely.


    thus, the 5-element god king concluded that the beast clan''s movements


    were merely isolated incidents.


    but then he was summoned away by the grand elder of the greenwood god realm.


    during his absence, the situation escalated far beyond what he could have imagined.


    about a month ago,


    the beast clan seemed to have learned that the 5-element god king


    was occupied elsewhere and not within the 5-element god realm.


    seizing the opportunity, they launched a large-scale invasion.


    two god kings from the beast clan


    even appeared outside the 5-element temple itself.


    meanwhile, the rest of the beast clan, led by god lords,


    besieged and attacked other cities,


    similar to the dire situation in ascension city.


    these events played out in multiple cities over the past month.


    but even for the beast clan,


    such coordinated movements seemed unusually swift.


    deploying two god kings into the 5-element god realm at once¡­


    weren''t the beast clan afraid of the human god kings from other god realms?


    as the 5-element god king pondered,


    he quickly realized that something was amiss.


    the behavior of the beast clan was far from normal.


    it seemed as though they were targeting the 5-element god realm specifically,


    ignoring the other god realms entirely.


    such actions were highly suspicious.


    the 5-element god king immediately ordered an investigation


    into the neighboring god realms to see if they had experienced


    similar levels of attacks.


    he then pulled out a communication device,


    intending to contact the giant mountain god king.


    suddenly, he paused,


    a thought crossing his mind.


    this time,


    the beast clan army attacked the 5-element god realm¡­


    could it be that the giant mountain god realm


    had remained entirely unaffected?


    the 5-element god king glanced at his past conversations


    with the giant mountain god king.


    their last discussion had been when the giant mountain god king


    invited him to join a certain alliance.


    at that time, the 5-element god king was preoccupied


    with covering the temple''s basic expenses,


    especially after paying one billion divine stones to the grand elder.


    he had no interest in such alliances.


    a calamity seemed far less urgent than daniel''s temper.


    since then, the giant mountain god king


    had not contacted him again.


    could this be the reason


    the 5-element god realm suffered such an attack?


    the 5-element god king dismissed the thought


    and began contemplating his next steps.


    currently, the 5-element god realm was in a state of ruin,


    but more importantly,


    the temple was nearly out of income,


    with divine stones running dangerously low.


    now the 5-element god king was at a loss for what to do.


    "sigh¡­"


    a heavy sigh echoed through the 5-element temple.


    "ink sea god king, have you been to ascension city recently?


    that''s where daniel ascended."


    "i have. at that time, ascension city was on the verge of collapse,


    but luckily, i arrived in time to drive the beast clan away.


    it should be safe now."


    "that''s good. thank you for your assistance; otherwise¡­"


    if daniel knew about this,


    it would spell big trouble.


    "this is just the beginning of the calamity,


    and it''s already like this¡­


    when the calamity truly arrives, who knows what will happen? sea??h th§× n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ink sea god king, what do you think of relocating the southern ascension city''s portal


    to a spot near the temple?"


    "if we do that,


    even if someone daniel knows ascends to the god realm,


    there won''t be any issues."


    "moreover, we should move the residents of the peripheral cities here as well.


    the calamity is drawing near¡­"


    the 5-element god king frowned as he spoke.


    ink sea god king was astonished by his boldness.


    "you even considered that?


    but moving so many people and resources


    will consume an immense amount of divine stones!"


    "are you planning to protect the entire 5-element god realm on your own?"


    "exactly. the people of the 5-element god realm are under my rule.


    it''s my duty to protect them."


    ink sea god king fell silent.


    such words were rarely heard from a god king.


    typically, a god king''s role was to manage their realm,


    not to protect every single resident within it.


    but the 5-element god king displayed an unparalleled sense of responsibility.


    this mindset already set him far above most god kings.


    "in that case, i support you!


    let me know if you need anything. before i left,


    daniel gave me a considerable amount of divine stones¡­"


    "divine stones? there''s no need for that.


    i still have plenty.


    after all, the tens of millions of divine stones daniel brought with him


    when he ascended were a gift from me!"

 Chapter244-Daniel Is This Wealthy?

    the 5-element god king spoke generously.daniel had only ascended from the mortal realm not too long ago,


    so how could he have much divine stone?


    though the 5-element temple''s finances were indeed strained,


    they could still manage tens of millions of divine stone.


    just as the 5-element god king finished speaking with confidence,


    he noticed the peculiar expression on the ink sea god king''s face.


    was there something wrong?


    the 5-element god king was baffled.


    the ink sea god king couldn''t believe it.


    how could anyone just casually give away tens of millions of divine stone?


    even more unbelievable¡­


    daniel actually accepted it?


    this was beyond his comprehension.


    not to mention how much daniel had already spent


    acquiring divine dynasty relics,


    the pills and other seemingly useless items he extracted from those relics


    had sold for billions of divine stone.


    would daniel even care about a mere twenty million?


    "cough, cough¡­ actually, before i left,


    daniel handed me several hundred million divine stone,"


    the ink sea god king said awkwardly.


    ???


    the 5-element god king''s mind was now filled with question marks.


    he couldn''t believe it.


    how could daniel¡­


    have so much divine stone?


    "furthermore¡­ daniel''s daily expenditures s§×arch* the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    are extremely high.


    these hundreds of millions of divine stone were given to me


    to see if there''s anything here at your temple that might need them."


    "re-really?"


    "yes."


    the 5-element god king looked as though he was about to cry.


    he had never imagined that daniel¡­


    could have so much divine stone.


    "but¡­ if daniel already has so much divine stone,


    why did he still take my twenty million?"


    the 5-element god king couldn''t figure it out.


    it was like a billionaire eating fast food every day¡ªcompletely absurd!


    if he''d had the courage to ask daniel for more divine stone back then,


    perhaps the temple wouldn''t be in such a dire situation now.


    alas, he had been too timid at the time,


    afraid daniel might inquire about matters of world ascension.


    "do you still need divine stone now?"


    "of course! if i had more divine stone,


    the rebuilding and relocation efforts would go much more smoothly."


    all of his troubles stemmed from a lack of divine stone.


    with enough, everything would become much easier.


    "by the way, i still have a lot of divine crystal.


    you''ll probably need them for building cities and reinforcing magic arrays."


    ???


    once again, the 5-element god king was full of question marks.


    how¡­ do you have everything?


    "ink sea god king, these divine crystals¡­


    they''re not from daniel, are they?"


    the 5-element god king hesitated before asking.


    the ink sea god king nodded.


    "yes, they''re from daniel.


    i used them to acquire divine dynasty relics earlier,


    and there are still plenty left."


    wait a minute!


    in that instant, the 5-element god king realized something incredible.


    about half a year ago,


    someone used divine crystals to purchase divine dynasty relics


    and even star maps extracted from those relics.


    as a god king, though newly ascended,


    the 5-element god king had some relics in his possession


    and exchanged many for divine crystals at that time.


    but just now,


    he heard from the ink sea god king¡­


    that daniel was behind it all!


    how much wealth does he have?!


    ¡­


    in a miniature world


    big white, who had been asleep,


    suddenly stirred and opened his eyes, fully awakened.


    "father?"


    big white called out.


    "you''re awake?"


    "yes, that was such a great nap! father,


    i feel like there''s something new in my body.


    did i advance in rank?"


    big white, seemingly unaware of the change,


    asked daniel curiously.


    "yes, you''ve advanced.


    let me take a look at what''s changed this time."


    from the human god rank,


    big white had ascended to the earth god rank.


    this advancement would likely bring major changes


    to the crossbridge realm.


    big white''s body wasn''t ordinary.


    he was the manifestation of the will of the world.


    in essence, while big white appeared physical,


    he could also be seen as a concentrated embodiment of rules.


    daniel used his mind power to scan big white''s body.


    he discovered that new world nodes had formed within big white,


    likely due to the expansion of the crossbridge realm''s landmass.


    this was a natural outcome of advancing


    from the human god rank to the earth god rank.


    one visible effect was the world''s expanded range.


    additionally, hundreds of new nodes had formed.


    this meant the original tree of origin


    might no longer suffice.


    new trees of origin would need to be cultivated quickly.


    as daniel continued his observation,


    he noticed something peculiar.


    within these world nodes¡­


    a white lotus had appeared. continue your adventure at empire


    unlike the lifeless, withered lotuses of the past,


    these lotuses were in full bloom,


    radiating the power of creation rules.


    "big white, do you know what these things in your body are?"


    daniel projected the white lotus into his hand.


    big white glanced at it and replied,


    "i don''t know what it''s called,


    but every time i advance,


    these things appear in my world nodes.


    they don''t do much for me,


    but they''re very beneficial to the people in our world."


    "at the very least,


    they won''t encounter bottlenecks until they reach the world''s limit."


    "i see¡­"


    daniel nodded.


    "these things are in the crossbridge realm''s world nodes?


    how can people in this world obtain them?"


    "father, that''s hard to say.


    i don''t know how these white lotuses will manifest.


    but¡­ wait, i think i can control them!"


    big white said in surprise.


    "big white, is there a way for me to observe


    the current state of the crossbridge realm?"


    "yes, there is! just a moment, father."


    ¡­


    crossbridge realm


    a young boy lay in bed,


    his face pale.


    "brother, those people¡­ they''re horrible!


    how could they do this?"


    a young girl tended to the boy.


    "we''ve done nothing to provoke them,


    yet they target you!


    they even beat you up like this!


    the academy test is next week¡­


    if you can''t attend,


    what will we do?"


    the girl was already worried.


    since their parents had passed away,


    a group of people frequently harassed them,


    claiming their parents had left debts


    that the siblings needed to repay.


    but what could the two of them possibly do?


    the brother, talented in genesis,


    hoped to join the crossbridge sanctuary.


    once accepted,


    those people would no longer dare to bully them.


    but a week before the test,


    just yesterday, those people ambushed the boy,


    leaving him bedridden.


    there was no way he could attend the test.


    without it,


    the siblings'' future would be bleak.


    the boy on the bed coughed violently.


    "brother, don''t worry!


    take your medicine, please."


    late at night, the boy lay awake,


    staring at the moonlight through the window.


    he had believed he could change their fate,


    but now¡­


    was this really the end?


    just then, he saw a white lotus


    floating in through the window.


    the boy wondered if he was dreaming.


    otherwise, how could such a sight be real?


    the white lotus drifted through the window,


    coming to rest gently on his head.

 Chapter245-The Changes Brought by World Advancement

    the moment the white lotus appeared on the boy''s head,it vanished without a trace.


    the boy rubbed his eyes,


    confirming he wasn''t dreaming.


    he then pinched his ear hard.


    the sharp pain assured him this was all real.


    huh?


    at that moment, the boy noticed that his injuries


    seemed to have fully healed.


    even his cultivation in genesis had broken through to the next level.


    if those bullies dared to come again,


    he now had the confidence to defeat them all!


    "sometimes, the white lotus is drawn to special individuals,


    like this boy," big white explained.


    "from now on, until he reaches earth god rank,


    he won''t face any bottlenecks."


    "this boy might become very powerful,"


    big white added.


    "that remains to be seen," daniel replied.


    absorbing a white lotus was one thing,


    but talent without growth was meaningless.


    besides, the arrangements daniel had made


    at crossbridge academy were already capable of nurturing geniuses.


    what happened next would depend on the boy''s opportunities.


    however¡­


    daniel recalled hearing that this boy


    was planning to join crossbridge academy.


    if that was true, things would likely work out for him.


    "father, i counted about seven or eight thousand white lotuses.


    should we place them all in the academy?"


    daniel fell silent at big white''s suggestion.


    after a moment, he said,


    "forget it. move the white lotuses from the barren regions to the academy,


    but let the rest remain for people to find on their own."


    dumping all the white lotuses into crossbridge academy¡­


    wouldn''t be ideal.


    the entire crossbridge realm needed balanced development.


    although daniel envisioned the academy as a dominant force,


    this wasn''t the way to achieve it.


    he had already left enough behind for the academy


    before ascending to the god realm.


    no need to overdo it.


    ¡­


    crossbridge academy


    now known as crossbridge sanctuary,


    the academy was set to witness something significant today:


    someone was about to ascend to the god realm.


    previously, reaching tier-sage peak


    granted immediate eligibility for ascension.


    however, after daniel revived the world,


    the upper limit had risen by a rank.


    now, only those at human god peak


    could ascend to the god realm.


    many had already reached this level,


    but they were still preparing for the journey.


    today''s student wanted to ascend


    just to see the sights of the god realm.


    even so, the event drew a large audience.


    back when elise ascended,


    a massive crowd had gathered to watch.


    for newer students who hadn''t witnessed such a moment,


    this was an opportunity to experience it firsthand.


    not just students from the academy,


    but outsiders had also come to watch.


    after all, witnessing an ascension


    was an event no one wanted to miss.


    under everyone''s gaze,


    the student began preparing for the ascension.


    the first step was to locate the gate of the god realm,


    then open it by aligning with its guidance.


    once the gate was opened,


    the student could ascend.


    but¡­


    nothing happened.


    the student remained seated without any progress.


    in the crowd, a man named milton watched the scene,


    his expression darkening as unpleasant memories surfaced.


    a dreadful thought crossed his mind.


    time ticked by,


    yet the student at the center showed no signs of success.


    the observing teachers grew concerned.


    "does it usually take this long to open the gate of the god realm?"


    "when elise ascended, it didn''t take this long, did it?"


    "yeah¡­ could something have gone wrong?"


    the teachers, who had been at the academy for some time,


    remembered elise''s ascension clearly.


    her gate had opened within minutes,


    and she ascended alongside daniel.


    why was this student taking so much longer?


    had something gone wrong?


    as worry spread among the teachers,


    the student suddenly stood up and announced:


    "teachers, something seems off.


    it''s impossible to ascend at the human god rank!"


    as expected!


    milton, standing in the crowd,


    recognized the situation all too well.


    when he had attempted to ascend after reaching tier-sage peak,


    he had faced the same problem.


    the world''s upper limit had risen,


    making it impossible to ascend at that rank.


    now, this student faced the same issue.


    it could only mean one thing:


    the world had advanced again.


    it seemed that only those at earth god rank


    could ascend now.


    upon hearing this,


    most of the crowd dispersed, disappointed.


    if ascension wasn''t possible,


    there was nothing left to see.


    the teachers, however, stayed to console the student:


    "don''t worry. focus on improving your rank, experience tales with empire


    and aim to ascend before the next world advancement!"


    "yes, i will," the student replied.


    at that moment, countless white lotuses


    began to drift down from the sky,


    landing throughout crossbridge academy


    and causing a stir.


    upon investigation, the lotuses were found to help


    individuals break through bottlenecks.


    with this discovery, the teachers felt relieved.


    as for how to allocate them,


    they left the decision to the logistics director.


    most likely, the lotuses would be distributed as rewards.


    ¡­


    "father, how about i open a backdoor


    so the academy''s students can enter the god realm?"


    big white looked at daniel and suggested.


    "no need," daniel replied.


    through big white''s vision,


    daniel could see the academy''s situation.


    there were plenty of human god rank individuals,


    and even one or two at earth god rank.


    fortunately, big white''s recent advancement


    averted a potential crisis.


    given the current state of the god realm,


    even earth god rank ascension was challenging.


    opening a backdoor was unnecessary.


    "these white lotuses will draw plenty of people.


    there''s no need to rush.


    the god realm isn''t a place for just anyone to ascend to."


    with that, daniel shifted his focus away from riverside city


    and toward other regions.


    previously, he had assigned a task to plant trees,


    and the five individuals responsible had done remarkably well. s§×arch* the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    green had performed admirably in winterrealm,


    even establishing a small crossbridge academy


    near the coven founded by nina,


    complete with a teleportation array


    connecting it to the main academy.


    if nina found out about this,


    green might have nightmares for weeks.


    nora and nina were also progressing smoothly.


    nora had reached earth god rank


    without encountering bottlenecks.


    however, she appeared to be intentionally suppressing her rank,


    avoiding a quick breakthrough.


    if not for this,


    she would likely have been the first among the group


    to ascend to the god realm.


    to the west, reed was surrounded by a large crowd.


    with reed''s personality,


    it was no surprise he attracted so many people¡ª


    his charisma was unparalleled.


    finally, daniel turned his attention to rose, his daughter.


    rose had become the most influential figure in the east,


    controlling significant territory


    and nearing earth god rank peak.


    she, too, seemed to be suppressing her rank.


    notably, her progress in cultivating the trees of origin


    was the fastest among the group.


    at that moment, daniel noticed many white lotuses


    heading toward rose''s location.


    he immediately turned to big white.


    "this is your doing, isn''t it?"


    "of course! i''m helping my sister ascend!"


    big white replied matter-of-factly.


    "she''s my sister¡ª


    isn''t it only natural for me to help her?"

 Chapter246-How Can There Be Another God King?

    this matter, daniel decided not to interfere in.after all, it was a matter between siblings.


    they could handle it however they liked.


    when rose saw hundreds of white lotuses descending,


    she was momentarily stunned,


    thinking it was some sort of enemy attack.


    but upon sensing the aura of the white lotuses,


    she realized they were something valuable.


    as for where they came from¡­


    rose looked up to the sky,


    aware that someone must be watching her. continue reading at empire


    she smiled softly.


    "father, sister noticed me! she''s thanking me!"


    big white exclaimed excitedly.


    daniel smiled but said nothing.


    instead, he turned his attention elsewhere.


    the three god sovereigns nearby were still in seclusion,


    preparing to break through to god king rank.


    meanwhile, elise was already gearing up


    to push toward the high god level.


    it seemed like it would take some time.


    daniel didn''t mind, as he had his own matters to attend to.


    "father, can we go explore a bit?


    i haven''t played around in the god realm yet!


    i fell asleep soon after arriving here¡­"


    big white asked with a bored tone.


    "explore? you''ve got some nerve to forget the fear.


    aren''t you still afraid of that?"


    daniel pointed toward the sky,


    implying the will of the world of the god realm.


    back when big white first arrived in the god realm,


    it was so frightened it wouldn''t even poke its head


    out of daniel''s clothing.


    but now, after its advancement,


    it seemed its courage had grown significantly,


    bold enough to request exploring the god realm.


    "what''s there to be afraid of?


    i''m not scared of anything! besides,


    if there''s danger, i can just hide in father''s clothes!"


    indeed, big white hadn''t changed a bit.


    "fine. go to the magic array and stabilize yourself first.


    it''ll be good for you."


    "alright¡­"


    big white grumbled reluctantly as it walked into the magic array.


    daniel handed it a bottle.


    "remember, you can only take two pills a day.


    if you take too many, you''ll get a stomach ache."


    "what''s this, father?"


    big white took out a pill and swallowed it.


    the taste was surprisingly good.


    eagerly, it took out a second pill,


    which tasted completely different but equally delicious.


    big white wanted to try a third pill but remembered daniel''s warning.


    reluctantly, it placed the bottle aside.


    "no need to ask. it''s good for you."


    these pills were crafted by refining the yellow clay mountain


    with a furnace and then flavored by elise


    to make them more palatable.


    each pill came in a variety of flavors.


    "oh¡­"


    big white sulked, hugging the pill bottle as it lay in the magic array,


    looking utterly dejected.


    seeing big white in such a state,


    daniel felt a twinge of pity.


    "alright, alright. stop making that face.


    you can go out and play. i''ll allow it, okay?"


    "really, father?! you''re the best!"


    big white cheered and turned to leave,


    only to be grabbed by daniel.


    "you can go,


    but there are rules:


    don''t cause trouble,


    take no more than two pills a day,


    and come back immediately if something feels wrong.


    understood?"


    "yes, father, i understand!"


    "good. when i leave this place,


    i''ll bring you back."


    daniel marked big white''s collar with a trace of his aura.


    the collar, made from the ring of origin,


    was designed to conceal big white''s presence


    from the will of the world in the god realm.


    daniel further reinforced its stealth functions


    using divine crystals and filled it with divine stone


    to maintain the enchantment.


    satisfied, he finally let big white leave.


    in just seconds, big white vanished from sight.


    ¡­


    in a miniature world


    the giant mountain god king and others were gathered.


    for god kings, lifespans were of no concern,


    so they cultivated leisurely hobbies to pass the time during meetings. s§×arch* the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    today, they were waiting for news¡ª


    the outcome of the beast clan''s assault on the 5-element temple.


    by their calculations,


    the 5-element temple''s sealing magic array


    should have been worn down by now.


    next, the two beast clan god kings would move in.


    afterward, the 5-element temple¡ªand perhaps


    the entire 5-element god realm¡ªwould cease to exist.


    as for the 5-element god king?


    who cared?


    "with the beast clan army and two god kings,


    the 5-element god realm won''t last long,"


    one of the god kings remarked.


    "of course.


    the scrolls we provided were also quite effective,"


    another added.


    when the 5-element god realm was first established,


    many of its magic arrays had been purchased from other god kings.


    naturally, those god kings knew how to counter them.


    however, the temple''s inner arrays were kept secret


    and were not disclosed to the beast clan.


    the beast clan would have to wear them down themselves.


    at this moment,


    the giant mountain god king received a message


    from the beast clan.


    "didn''t expect those beast clan fools


    to report back so quickly,"


    he muttered.


    "should we prepare to act next?"


    "no, we need to wait.


    once the beast clan has fully occupied


    the 5-element god realm,


    then we can move in and take them all out."


    the other god kings nodded in agreement.


    the giant mountain god king gestured for silence


    and opened the message.


    immediately, the furious voice


    of the serpent god king boomed through:


    "well, well!


    humans are truly cunning!


    mark my words¡ª


    the shame my beast clan suffered today


    will be repaid tenfold!"


    the giant mountain god king was stunned.


    what had happened?


    "serpent god king, what''s going on?"


    he asked.


    "what''s going on? you dare ask?!


    you told us there was only one god king


    in the 5-element god realm,


    and that he had been ascended for less than ten thousand years.


    but now, there are two god kings there!"


    even worse,


    the fox god king had been forced


    to sever one of its tails to escape.


    as for the lion god king,


    it was gravely injured,


    barely clinging to life.


    its recovery would take centuries at best¡ª


    long enough for the god realm''s calamity to end!


    the giant mountain god king and his allies exchanged glances,


    each just as bewildered.


    none of them knew anything about a second god king.


    they had kept the situation tightly under wraps.


    to the outside world, it seemed like a minor beast clan skirmish.


    how could another god king have appeared


    in the 5-element god realm?


    it made no sense.


    "the beast clan won''t forget this!


    giant mountain god king,


    i hope your realm can withstand our wrath!"


    "wait, serpent god king, let''s talk this through.


    there must be a misunderstanding¡ª"


    but the serpent god king


    cut him off, offering no chance to explain:


    "you have ten days.


    if i don''t get a satisfactory explanation by then,


    the giant mountain god realm will be first.


    after that¡­


    none of you humans will escape!"


    with that, the serpent god king ended the communication.


    "what now?"


    the giant mountain god king looked at the others.


    they were all in the same boat,


    bound together by mutual interests.


    "i think¡­


    we need to figure out who this new god king is


    in the 5-element god realm.


    a new god king appearing at such a critical time


    could change everything!"

 Chapter247-A Complete Falling-Out!

    Indeed, with the God Realm''s calamity looming,no one knew when it would arrive.


    Initially, the plan was to use the 5-Element God Realm


    to draw in the beast clan''s armies.


    Once the beast clan occupied the 5-Element God Realm,


    they would likely suffer severe losses.


    After all, while the 5-Element God King


    had only been a God King for less than ten thousand years,


    his strength was far from weak.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been able


    to govern an entire God Realm on his own.


    Even with the full force of the beast clan''s God Kings,


    defeating or killing the 5-Element God King


    would require a significant effort.


    The plan was to wait for both sides to exhaust each other


    before stepping in to finish the job.


    Rather than risking the beast clan invading during the calamity,


    it was better to weaken them beforehand.


    This way, the beast clan would no longer pose a threat


    when the calamity struck.


    However, none of the allied God Kings had anticipated


    such a disastrous defeat for the beast clan.


    The losses were catastrophic¡ª


    nearly costing the beast clan a God King.


    This level of devastation was unimaginable.


    According to their calculations,


    even if the 5-Element God King was strong,


    the most likely outcome would have been a stalemate,


    with both beast clan God Kings safely retreating.


    But now, from the serpent God King''s furious words,


    it was clear that another God King had appeared


    in the 5-Element God Realm.


    How could that be possible?


    The existence of another God King in the 5-Element God Realm


    was utterly baffling, particularly to the Giant Mountain God King,


    who was the closest to the 5-Element God King


    among those present.


    Even he had never heard of the 5-Element God King


    having a God King-level ally.


    "Things have become more complicated.


    We must unite and identify this additional God King,"


    the Giant Mountain God King declared.


    Failing to uncover this mystery could lead to unexpected surprises


    at a critical moment.


    Moreover, while they were allies,


    each of their realms had only one God King.


    If the beast clan God Kings decided to retaliate


    and attack one of their realms directly,


    the resulting war could drag them all into chaos.


    Thus, it was imperative to investigate


    the identity of the new God King in the 5-Element God Realm.


    The Giant Mountain God King began contacting


    the 5-Element God King.


    At the 5-Element Temple


    The 5-Element God King was reviewing reports


    from agents sent to investigate other God Realms.


    The 5-Element God Realm had suffered


    a brutal invasion by the beast clan army.


    What about the other God Realms?


    The reports arrived,


    and as the 5-Element God King read through them,


    a cold smile appeared on his face.


    Just as he had suspected.


    The reports confirmed his suspicions:


    of the seven God Realms in the south,


    only his 5-Element God Realm had been attacked


    by the beast clan army.


    The other six God Realms showed no signs of conflict.


    Not only had the southern beast clan


    made no moves against those realms,


    but they had concentrated all their efforts


    on invading the 5-Element God Realm.


    "Well, well! Fantastic!


    So my 5-Element God Realm


    is the only one attacked by the beast clan?


    Do they really think I''m an idiot?"


    The 5-Element God King''s voice dripped with anger.


    "Does this confirm that the other God Kings are involved?"


    asked the Ink Sea God King.


    "Almost certainly.


    I''ve always suspected the beast clan wouldn''t attack


    without a good reason.


    Now it''s clear¡ª


    this was orchestrated!"


    The 5-Element God King''s tone was filled with resentment.


    "If that''s the case,


    this could be very bad,"


    the Ink Sea God King warned.


    "If those six God Kings team up with the beast clan


    to attack the 5-Element God Realm,


    we won''t stand a chance.


    Escaping alive would be a miracle."


    "If Daniel were here,


    he wouldn''t even care about these clowns,


    but he''s still in seclusion¡­"


    The Ink Sea God King sighed.


    "We''ll just have to be cautious for now."


    "Don''t worry.


    For now, they''re still God Kings.


    They wouldn''t dare openly join forces with the beast clan


    to attack my 5-Element God Realm."


    "Don''t jinx it!"


    complained the elder from the Greenwood God Realm,


    recalling past misfortunes.


    Since he couldn''t return to the Greenwood God Realm,


    he had taken refuge at the 5-Element Temple.


    Just then, the 5-Element God King received a communication request¡ª


    from the Giant Mountain God King.


    "Speak of the devil.


    They''re already reaching out,"


    the 5-Element God King muttered as he accepted the call.


    The Giant Mountain God King''s projection appeared.


    "5-Elements, how have you been?"


    "Me? I''m doing fine.


    What about you, Giant Mountain Brother?


    What have you been up to?"


    "I just came out of seclusion.


    We haven''t spoken in a while¡­


    I heard your realm was invaded by the beast clan.


    Experience tales at empire


    Do you need my help?"


    "No need. My 5-Element God Realm is fine.


    But you should be careful¡ª


    the beast clan targeted my realm this time.


    Who''s to say yours won''t be next?"


    The two exchanged pleasantries for a while


    before ending the call.


    "You were way too confrontational.


    He probably knows you''ve figured things out,"


    the Ink Sea God King remarked.


    "Let him know.


    I''m done playing games with these fools.


    It''s time to settle this once and for all.


    Right now, the priority is relocating people


    from other areas into the 5-Element God Realm."


    "Well said."


    Meanwhile, with the Giant Mountain God King


    After ending the call,


    the Giant Mountain God King addressed the other God Kings:


    "He knows. It''s obvious.


    Out of seven God Realms,


    his is the only one attacked by the beast clan,


    while we remain unscathed.


    It''s too blatant."


    "What do we do now?"


    "If subtlety won''t work,


    we move to Plan B,"


    the Giant Mountain God King said coldly,


    his words dripping with killing intent.


    Plan B was simple:


    join forces with the beast clan


    to eliminate the 5-Element God King.


    "But won''t that put us at a disadvantage


    against the beast clan later?"


    "Doesn''t matter.


    Don''t forget¡ª


    the 5-Element God King is strong.


    Let those beast clan idiots take the brunt of the fight."


    "One of their God Kings is already on the verge of death.


    If given a chance for revenge,


    they won''t refuse,"


    another God King added.


    The group recalled the serpent God King''s earlier fury,


    its desire for revenge almost palpable.


    They nodded in agreement.


    The beast clan was likely desperate for vengeance,


    and extending an olive branch now


    would almost certainly secure their cooperation.


    After all, the odds would be overwhelmingly in their favor¡ª S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    six human God Kings and four beast clan God Kings.


    With ten God Kings attacking together,


    there was no way to lose.


    "The plan is set.


    Next, we ally with the beast clan


    and eliminate the 5-Element God King!"


    The Giant Mountain God King looked at the others.


    They all voiced their agreement:


    the 5-Element God King must die!

 Chapter248-Daniel Emerges from Seclusion!

    Two years.Daniel looked into the distance, where powerful auras appeared.


    The three individuals in seclusion now had auras that had successfully reached the God King level.


    Ailea and the other two successfully broke through God Sovereign, entering God King Rank.


    And all three at once.


    This meant that Daniel''s subordinates would now include three more God Kings.


    Thinking about it this way, it wasn''t bad at all.


    At this moment, even the sky outside the secret realm displayed many phenomena.


    However, there was almost no one around.


    So, no one witnessed these phenomena.


    The only ones who could observe them were likely those in the God King Court.


    But those in the God King Court wouldn''t casually reveal information about Daniel.


    "Thank you, Lord Daniel!"


    The three, upon breaking through to God King Rank, awakened together.


    "Stabilize your ranks first. I''m heading out for a bit."


    After giving instructions, Daniel left this secret realm.


    The reason he had stayed here for two years was to wait for the three to break through to God King Rank.


    Now that they had broken through, there was no need to stay here anymore.


    It was time for him to explore the God Realm again.


    Especially since Daniel had sent the Ink Sea God King to the 5-Element God Realm earlier to handle some matters.


    But he had yet to receive any response.


    Now, Daniel finally had the time, meaning he could handle these matters himself.


    It was time to see what was going on in the 5-Element God Realm.


    Big White was running toward the secret realm.


    Suddenly, it felt a wave of spatial fluctuation ahead.


    It immediately stopped in its tracks.


    The next moment, Daniel appeared in front of it.


    "Father? You''re out? Aren''t you staying in seclusion?"


    "No need for that for now. Those three have already broken through to God King Rank. It''s time for us to leave here."


    "Oh¡­ alright."


    Big White''s voice carried some disappointment, but it was mostly excitement.


    Over the past two years, it had explored almost every corner of the surroundings.


    The Eastern Wastes, in fact, weren''t much.


    The regions were mostly the same.


    Otherwise, it wouldn''t have been called the "Eastern Wastes."


    Big White wouldn''t feel bored because it had found a small human settlement.


    Every day, it would listen to people there conversing and occasionally pick up some useful information.


    For the past two years, most of Daniel''s understanding of the God Realm came from Big White.


    Now that they were leaving, Big White naturally felt a bit reluctant.


    But at the thought of going to more unknown places, Big White was very excited.


    "By the way, why were you in such a hurry today? Did something happen?"


    "Father, I found out some information about the 5-Element God Realm."


    "The 5-Element God Realm?"


    Daniel repeated in confusion and then said, "Let''s hear it."


    "Alright! About the 5-Element God Realm, I heard from someone that the 5-Element God Realm has been making big moves lately. Two years ago, it suffered heavy losses due to a beast clan invasion, but now it''s different.


    Most of the people in the 5-Element God Realm have been relocated near the 5-Element Temple."


    "And around the 5-Element Temple, five massive cities have been built."


    "In those cities, many people live and have fended off the beast clan attacks."


    "I see¡­"


    Daniel nodded.


    The information Big White gathered was always fragmented.


    Things like "the beast clan began counterattacking the humans, and the humans drove them back" and the like.


    Big White''s so-called information gathering was basically listening to people chatting in taverns and then processing the information before telling Daniel.


    In fact, the information had likely been processed multiple times already.


    This time, the information Daniel heard seemed relatively reliable.


    Because the details were quite realistic.


    Just as Daniel was about to say something, his communication device started ringing incessantly.


    It didn''t stop at all.


    Daniel glanced at it.


    First, there was a message from the 5-Element God King.


    The earliest message¡­ was from about three years ago.


    Calculating the time, that was roughly when Daniel had just begun his seclusion.


    Or rather¡­


    After entering the ruins¡ªthe mini-world shrouded in chaotic rules¡ªDaniel had been completely cut off from all communication.


    From the 5-Element God King''s messages, some clues could be gleaned.


    Initially, the 5-Element God King discovered that perhaps Level 12 forging wasn''t the ultimate level.


    Above Level 12, there should exist even higher levels.


    The reason the old God Kings were plotting for world ascension was fundamentally because they sought ways to break through God King Rank and reach the next realm.


    This theory came from the destroyed Divine Dynasty.


    Perhaps it might even be possible to find a way to avoid this calamity.


    Nearly every month, some new information would be sent.


    But because Daniel was in the chaotic zone at that time, he couldn''t receive any of it.


    Later, the 5-Element God King seemed to receive some news that required him to personally visit the so-called Greenwood God Realm.


    From his tone, it wasn''t hard to tell that the Greenwood God King was incredibly powerful.


    Even the 5-Element God King couldn''t guarantee his safe return.


    But to help Daniel uncover the secrets of world ascension, he still decided to go in person.


    Before leaving, he sought Daniel''s help, hoping that if he encountered danger, Daniel would come to rescue him.


    But¡­


    At that time, Daniel was completely unable to receive this message.


    Subsequently, about a month later, the 5-Element God King almost began sending daily messages to Daniel.


    Asking him for help¡­


    Seeing this, Daniel sighed.


    If he had known earlier, he wouldn''t have chosen such a place.


    He had missed so much information.


    Reading further, it seemed the 5-Element God King had indeed encountered the Greenwood God King.


    Fortunately, at that time, the Ink Sea God King had arrived in time.


    He saved the 5-Element God King, and the two joined forces.


    Afterward, there weren''t many messages left.


    As for the Ink Sea God King, starting around the time he left for Ascension City, he sent Daniel updates about the situation in the God Realm at regular intervals.


    He even mentioned the state of the 5-Element God Realm later.


    Including how the Ink Sea God King repelled the beast clan army in Ascension City and preserved the people of Ascension City and Crossbridge Town.


    This part was done quite well.


    Later, the Ink Sea God King described subsequent events.


    After joining forces with the 5-Element God King, they both seemed to realize that the place Daniel was in made it impossible for him to receive their messages.


    Therefore, every report the Ink Sea God King sent afterward was spaced out and summarized the development and progress in the 5-Element God Realm.


    After defeating the beast clan army, the two worked together to establish new cities around the 5-Element Temple.


    They gathered the remaining survivors of the 5-Element God Realm into those areas.


    Even the Ascension City portal was relocated.


    Each city was equipped with a powerful magic array. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And all these magic arrays were interconnected.


    All of them had been strengthened using divine crystals.


    If calculated properly, it would likely cost hundreds of billions of divine stones.


    But fortunately, divine crystals didn''t require money.


    The leftover divine crystals from the Ink Sea God King were more than enough.


    Still, their construction burned through billions.


    Seeing this, Daniel smiled.


    Divine stones should be spent like this!


    After pouring in massive amounts of divine stones and divine crystals, the results were striking. Explore more stories at empire


    When the beast clan launched another attack¡­


    They were utterly dumbfounded!


    The beast clan had never seen such fortifications.


    The entire city was as solid as a fortress!


    Even the God Kings of other realms who provided support to the beast clan were of no use.


    For instance, scrolls meant to break arrays became entirely ineffective, no different from scrap paper.


    Of course¡ªthese arrays had been specially reinforced with divine crystals!

 Chapter249-A Message Two Years Late

    To begin with, the beast clan deployed four God Kings this time,along with an army of a million.


    And the result?


    Marching all the way from the south,they didn''t encounter a single person.


    The beast clan''s God Kings started feeling suspicious.


    After all, they had brought such a large force, seeking vengeance for their previous defeat.


    Yet¡­


    Not a shadow of a person had been seen for half a day.


    How could they not feel frustrated?


    Even when they reached a city, most were completely abandoned,


    empty and desolate.


    It was as if the cities had been entirely vacated.


    As the saying goes, "Strike while the iron is hot, hesitate, and morale wanes."


    Initially, the beast clan army was filled with anger and a thirst for revenge, marching forward with overwhelming momentum.


    But one deserted city after another


    steadily sapped the army''s morale.


    The fox God King was the first to realize this.


    While the beast clan was united, the foundation of their advance was the shared goal of vengeance,


    hoping for a cruel and bloody reprisal.


    But now?


    After traveling for so long, they hadn''t seen anything¡ªnot even a single person.


    How could the beast clan warriors maintain their fighting spirit?


    Thus, the fox God King decisively ordered the entire beast clan army


    to head straight for the 5-Element Temple.


    Since the cities along the way were abandoned, they might as well ignore them entirely and head directly for the temple.


    Surely, the 5-Element Temple wouldn''t be deserted too.


    If it was, the entire 5-Element God Realm would fall into the hands of the beast clan.


    With this mindset,


    the beast clan army marched toward the 5-Element Temple.


    What they saw left them dumbfounded.


    Never before had they seen a human city like this.


    Towering, imposing, and utterly terrifying.


    Under the command of the four beast clan God Kings,


    the army launched an assault.


    But¡­


    These cities were no ordinary cities!


    They were constructed with massive investments of divine stones and divine crystals by the 5-Element God King and the Ink Sea God King.


    Divine crystals were used as if they were free, and the results were obvious.


    The beast clan''s so-called million-strong army


    could do nothing against the magic arrays.


    Once the protective arrays were activated,


    the cities were as solid as iron fortresses.


    Even the beast clan God Kings couldn''t shake them.


    This alone spoke volumes.


    Next came the 5-Element God King''s counterattack.


    No¡ª


    more accurately, the 5-Element God King didn''t even need to make a move.


    It was the city lords controlling the magic arrays who took action.


    The magic arrays unleashed energy attacks,


    and with just one strike, tens of thousands of beast clan warriors were wiped out in an instant.


    This sight left the beast clan''s God Kings utterly panicked.


    They had never imagined such a scenario.


    How could the humans'' cities have become so impregnable?


    The last time they attacked,


    it was nothing like this!


    Balancing powerful offense and defense,


    these cities were far beyond the beast clan''s ability to breach.


    And the 5-Element God King and Ink Sea God King


    hadn''t even joined the fray.


    The beast clan army began to waver.


    One by one, they retreated.


    However, they didn''t return to the beast clan''s southern territories.


    Instead, they turned to attack the Giant Mountain God Realm.


    With such an overwhelming force, the Giant Mountain God Realm couldn''t hold out.


    Within just a few days, the realm was engulfed in flames of war. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Half of the Giant Mountain God Realm was occupied by the beast clan.


    However, at that point, both sides mysteriously ceased fighting.


    Instead, they redirected their efforts toward launching another assault on the 5-Element God Realm.


    This time, it wasn''t just the beast clan. Discover stories with empire


    Six other God Realms joined forces with the beast clan to attack the 5-Element God Realm.


    Under such circumstances, the previously arranged magic arrays seemed to be stretched thin.


    No one had anticipated that the six God Realms and their six God Kings would shamelessly unite with the beast clan to attack the 5-Element God Realm.


    This was utterly unexpected.


    Fortunately, with the heavy use of divine crystals,


    the magic arrays were strong enough to hold.


    Even against the combined forces of six God Realms


    and the beast clan,


    the arrays still held firm.


    A strange stalemate ensued.


    But this situation couldn''t last forever.


    Just a day ago, the Ink Sea God King sent a final message.


    It said that the God Kings of the six God Realms


    seemed to be preparing for a full-scale assault.


    And this time,


    it might be the moment for a decisive battle.


    "Father, what''s wrong? Where are we going?"


    Big White looked at Daniel and asked.


    "Let''s return to the 5-Element God Realm first.


    It seems like they won''t hold out much longer."


    With that, Daniel first returned to the ruins.


    By this time, Ailea and the others had fully stabilized their ranks,


    with no lingering issues.


    Then Daniel found Elise,


    and the group quickly set out.


    5-Element God Realm, Southern Ascension City


    At this moment, two figures appeared.


    "Is there really something here?"


    asked a beast clan member with leopard-like features.


    Beside it, a smaller figure replied,


    "Of course! Our rat clan''s talent is treasure hunting!


    I can smell whether there''s treasure here or not."


    Ascension City had been the place where tens of thousands of beast clan warriors were lost


    in the first attack.


    When the beast clan returned with an army for a second assault,


    they found it completely abandoned.


    Out of frustration, they destroyed the Lord''s Mansion


    to vent their anger.


    Now, a rat and a leopard, both God Sovereign-ranked beast clan members,


    had come here for another reason.


    The rat clan God Sovereign had found the leopard


    and claimed to have discovered something strange in Ascension City¡ª


    something that could lead to a valuable treasure.


    However, the rat couldn''t bring God Kings


    to investigate such a place,


    so it sought out another God Sovereign instead.


    Thus, the leopard God Sovereign followed along,


    arriving at a courtyard in Ascension City.


    "According to my talent,


    this courtyard is extraordinary!


    There''s definitely treasure inside!"


    The rat God Sovereign declared confidently.


    The leopard God Sovereign leaped into the air,


    jumping inside.


    To it, this was just a mere courtyard.


    What kind of treasure could possibly be here?


    After all, the Lord''s Mansion had been the most likely place


    to hide treasures in Ascension City,


    and it was destroyed long ago.


    This was just an ordinary courtyard.


    What treasures could it hold?


    The leopard God Sovereign didn''t believe it at all.


    However, as soon as it landed,


    it sensed something was wrong.


    The direction in front of it seemed to warp.


    It should have been moving forward.


    But¡­


    It felt as though its body was moving backward.


    This distortion left the leopard God Sovereign agitated.


    It wanted to strike and shatter the place.


    But¡­


    Its attacks all hit empty air,


    missing entirely.


    The longer it stayed,


    the more intense this distortion became.


    The leopard God Sovereign, after venting for a while,


    realized this and attempted to leap forward to escape.


    Yet somehow, its head ended up buried in the ground.


    "How could this be?


    Have I not only lost my sense of direction


    but also control over my own limbs?"


    This question lingered in its mind.


    It decided to seal off all its senses


    and leaped again.


    This time, nothing went wrong.


    The leopard God Sovereign collapsed on the ground outside the wall.


    The rat God Sovereign looked at it in confusion.


    What was going on?


    It had just gone in¡ª


    how did it come back out in just seconds?


    And why did it look so injured?


    "Brother Leopard, are you alright?"


    The rat God Sovereign walked over and asked.


    The leopard God Sovereign lay on the ground for a while


    before opening its eyes.


    After a bout of dizziness,


    it regained its composure.


    Looking at the puzzled rat God Sovereign,


    it asked, "Did I¡­ come out?"


    "Of course!


    You were only inside for a short while before jumping out.


    So, what happened in there?"

 Chapter250-Returning to Ascension City

    "Inside... I don''t know what''s in there! As soon as I entered,I felt like my entire body didn''t belong to me anymore."


    "The longer I stayed inside, the stronger this feeling became."


    "Luckily, I sealed off all my senses in time,


    or I wouldn''t have been able to escape."


    The leopard God Sovereign spoke with lingering fear.


    That courtyard was simply too terrifying.


    Although there was definitely treasure inside,


    it never wanted to experience anything like that again.


    It was too unbearable.


    "We should return and bring a God King here!


    With just the two of us,


    we can''t possibly break through this magic array.


    There must be an extremely powerful human magic array in there;


    otherwise, this wouldn''t be possible!"


    The leopard God Sovereign declared confidently.


    "What are you two beast clan members doing at my house?"


    At that moment, a voice unfamiliar to them spoke.


    The rat God Sovereign and the leopard God Sovereign turned around,


    only to see a stranger standing before them.


    "Well! It seems there''s still a survivor!


    All humans in the 5-Element God Realm must be killed!"


    The leopard God Sovereign roared,


    charging straight at the human in front of it.


    But in the next instant,


    it lost consciousness.


    Daniel frowned.


    Should he commend the beast clan God Sovereign''s courage,


    or criticize its lack of self-awareness?


    What made it think it could attack him?


    He knocked it unconscious,


    leaving it alive to extract information later.


    It might serve another purpose in the future.


    The rat God Sovereign,


    seeing the leopard God Sovereign knocked out in an instant,


    immediately panicked.


    It surrendered without hesitation,


    its voice trembling.


    "Mercy, my lord!


    I didn''t do anything!


    I just came here because I sensed treasure might be inside.


    Oh, right! My talent is treasure hunting.


    I can find deeply hidden treasures."


    Hearing this, Daniel became slightly intrigued.


    Treasure hunting?


    Could this really be a talent?


    "Fine. You stay here for now."


    With that, Daniel used a bit of his power


    to drag the unconscious leopard back into the courtyard.


    The magic array he had left here earlier was proving quite effective.


    In one go, it had captured two beast clan God Sovereigns.


    On his way back from the Eastern Wastes,


    Daniel had contacted the Ink Sea God King.


    At the time, the Ink Sea God King had been so excited


    that it was as if his eyes were shining with gold.


    According to him,


    he had been considering returning to the ruins


    to plead for Daniel''s help in the next few days.


    The 5-Element God Realm truly couldn''t hold out any longer.


    Facing the alliance of human and beast clan God Kings,


    it was already a miracle they had lasted this long.


    The Ink Sea God King had been preparing to seek assistance.


    If Daniel had responded one day later,


    he might have caused a mix-up,


    with the Ink Sea God King heading into the Eastern Wastes ruins


    just as Daniel was arriving at the 5-Element God Realm.


    Upon learning that Daniel had emerged from seclusion,


    the Ink Sea God King was overjoyed.


    He immediately poured out his frustrations,


    lamenting all he had endured during this time.


    Daniel casually reassured him and instructed


    not to inform the 5-Element God King of his return.


    The fewer people who knew Daniel was heading to the 5-Element God Realm,


    the better.


    The 5-Element God King couldn''t keep secrets well.


    If their enemies caught wind and became alert,


    it would ruin Daniel''s plan to take them all down in one go.


    Based on the Ink Sea God King''s estimates,


    the enemy''s final assault was likely in about a month.


    So, Daniel didn''t head straight to the 5-Element Temple.


    Instead, he returned to Ascension City first.


    As it turned out, there was indeed an unexpected reward waiting for him.


    The rat clan member with its treasure-hunting talent¡ª


    he wasn''t sure if it was genuine or not.


    The four beast clan God Kings gathered together.


    The serpent God King looked irritated.


    For two whole years,


    it had been stuck in the 5-Element God Realm,


    with no progress to show for it.


    Normally, four God King-level beast clan members


    attacking a single God Realm


    without any assistance from other God Realms


    should have been an easy task.


    But...


    Why was it so difficult this time?


    At the beginning, after witnessing the formidable magic arrays protecting the massive cities outside the 5-Element Temple, the serpent God King demanded help from the human God Kings allied with them.


    And yet...


    Those humans lived up to their reputation.


    They had promised to attack together and take down the 5-Element God King in one blow.


    But when it came down to it,


    they didn''t lift a finger.


    The serpent God King flew into a rage.


    It immediately led the million-strong beast clan army to attack the Giant Mountain God Realm instead.


    The 5-Element God Realm''s defenses were strong


    because of the previous beast clan invasion.


    But the Giant Mountain God Realm didn''t have such formidable defenses.


    Sure enough,


    the combined strength of four God Kings and a million soldiers was terrifying.


    In a short time,


    half of the Giant Mountain God Realm fell into beast clan hands.


    This success restored the beast clan army''s confidence.


    After seeing the defenses of the cities around the 5-Element Temple, many beast clan warriors had been filled with dread.


    Were human defenses always this overwhelming?


    But after their success in the Giant Mountain God Realm,


    they realized it wasn''t so.


    It was only the 5-Element God Realm that was exceptional.


    Everywhere else was just average!


    It was then that the human side compromised.


    All six human God Kings joined the battle,


    alongside the four beast clan God Kings,


    to attack the 5-Element God Realm together.


    Even so, the stalemate dragged on,


    and they still hadn''t taken the 5-Element God Realm.


    The serpent God King''s gaze toward the six human God Kings became increasingly distrustful and disdainful.


    These people¡ª


    were they even reliable?


    If it had known things would turn out like this¡­


    Had it cooperated with the 5-Element God King


    to attack these six God Kings instead¡­


    They might have won already!


    These six incompetent allies,


    their plans rarely succeeded.


    "Don''t worry. This time, we''ll win!


    Over the past two years,


    we''ve already weakened them several times.


    They''re practically out of resources.


    There''s no way we''ll lose this time!"


    The Giant Mountain God King assured the serpent God King.


    "You''d better be right,"


    the serpent God King replied coldly.


    "We will win.


    This time, we''ve brought out our secret weapons.


    The 5-Element God King won''t stand a chance."


    The Giant Mountain God King sounded confident.


    "Good. You humans always like hiding things. If you had gone all-out from the start,


    none of this would''ve been necessary."


    The serpent God King sneered.


    If they had such tools,


    why didn''t they use them earlier?


    Over the past two years,


    they had suffered no small amount of setbacks.


    They had no effective way to deal with the 5-Element God King.


    These six human God Kings were nothing but schemers.


    They had plenty of ideas,


    but none of them seemed to work in practice.


    They were practically useless.


    Even many beast clan members were deeply dissatisfied with the humans.


    The Giant Mountain God King smiled faintly, saying nothing.


    Could he argue? Of course not.


    Such secret weapons¡ª


    How could they have been used earlier?


    His goal was to let the 5-Element God King


    and the beast clan wear each other down.


    If he used the secret weapons too soon,


    they would be meaningless.


    It wouldn''t achieve their original aim.


    But on another note¡­


    The 5-Element God King was incredibly resilient.


    They had thought that an alliance with the beast clan


    would quickly bring down the 5-Element God King.


    But when everyone saw the magic arrays


    on the cities around the 5-Element Temple,


    they were all stunned.


    Those arrays were practically made of divine stones!


    It would take trillions of divine stones to build such defenses!


    How bizarre.


    Wasn''t the 5-Element God King notoriously poor?


    Hadn''t the Giant Mountain God King once seen him so desperate


    that he had auctioned his Supreme Artifact S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    through the Godlink Consortium?


    How had the 5-Element God King suddenly acquired so many divine stones?


    It defied all logic!

 Chapter251-Are You Crazy?

    Inside the 5-Element Temple,The closer the final battle approached,


    the more deeply unsettled the 5-Element God King felt.


    This was the last fight.


    Both sides would throw everything they had into this battle,


    betting everything on this one confrontation.


    The 5-Element God King had prepared extensively.


    All of the divine crystals provided by the Ink Sea God King


    had been invested into enhancing the offensive magic arrays.


    For this final confrontation,


    the 5-Element God King had made up his mind.


    He would rely on the strongest offensive measures,


    abandoning the idea of strengthening the defenses.


    The best defense was offense!


    This was the entirety of the temple''s resources.


    If they could win,


    they would finally be able to catch their breath.


    Victory or defeat hinged on this one moment.


    But the closer they got to the appointed time,


    the more uneasy the 5-Element God King became.


    "Ink Sea, I''ve been feeling really anxious and restless these past few days.


    Do you think there''s anything we''ve overlooked in our preparations?"


    "There shouldn''t be.


    After all, we both worked together to plan this,


    and we''ve thoroughly checked everything."


    The Ink Sea God King replied. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sigh, you don''t understand.


    I''ve been feeling inexplicably flustered these past few days,


    as if we''ve missed something crucial."


    The 5-Element God King muttered softly.


    "I think you''re overthinking.


    Why don''t you take a rest?


    Have you been overworking yourself these past few days without a proper break?"


    The Ink Sea God King asked, looking at the 5-Element God King.


    "It''s not about that.


    We''re God Kings¡ªwhat''s the point of resting?


    Besides, I don''t have the heart to relax right now.


    What if those bastards attack the 5-Element Temple while I''m resting?"


    Hearing this,


    the Ink Sea God King had a pretty good idea


    of what was going on in the 5-Element God King''s mind.


    "You''re probably just overthinking because you''re too worried.


    Relax.


    I''ve double-checked the entire temple and those cities.


    There won''t be any problems."


    "That''s good.


    Maybe it''s some lingering trauma from last time.


    I still feel like the 5-Element Temple isn''t entirely safe."


    The 5-Element God King said nervously.


    The "last time" he referred to was an incident where


    some individuals from the six God Realms infiltrated the 5-Element Temple itself.


    It had completely terrified the 5-Element God King at the time.


    He had been fully focused on defending against external attacks,


    never expecting someone to "sneak into his home."


    Fortunately, the hidden teleportation array couldn''t transport


    God King-level combatants,


    only some God Sovereign-level ones who caused minor disturbances.


    The intruders were dealt with by those stationed inside the temple,


    and the hidden teleportation array,


    which had been buried in the temple for nearly ten thousand years,


    was destroyed.


    The magic arrays in the temple


    had initially been designed by someone hired by the Giant Mountain God King.


    Later, the 5-Element God King had hired others to modify them multiple times.


    Yet, no one ever discovered this hidden teleportation array.


    Back then, the 5-Element God King had been furious enough


    to want to tear the Giant Mountain God King apart.


    Who would have thought


    that the Giant Mountain God King had left such a thing in his temple?


    It seemed clear that from the beginning,


    the Giant Mountain God King had harbored no good intentions toward him.


    The 5-Element God King had even considered the Giant Mountain God King a friend.


    Looking back now,


    he wished he could slap himself for being so foolish.


    Ever since that incident,


    the 5-Element God King couldn''t shake the feeling


    that the Giant Mountain God King had left other hidden traps in his temple.


    He had been in a constant state of anxiety ever since.


    "You''re just overthinking things.


    Listen to me: calm down.


    This time, we absolutely won''t lose!"


    The Ink Sea God King said confidently.


    "Really? But the enemy has ten God King-level combatants.


    What do we have to fight them with¡­"


    Thinking about the ten God Kings on the other side,


    and then looking at just himself and the Ink Sea God King,


    the 5-Element God King couldn''t help but feel disheartened.


    Seeing this,


    the Ink Sea God King grew conflicted.


    Should he tell the 5-Element God King about "that"?


    If he did, it would go against Daniel''s instructions.


    But if he didn''t,


    the 5-Element God King seemed to be mentally unraveling.


    The Ink Sea God King hesitated.


    Even in his current state,


    the 5-Element God King still noticed


    the subtle expressions on the Ink Sea God King''s face.


    "Ink Sea, are you hiding something from me?"


    "No, no, you''re overthinking."


    "Really?"


    The 5-Element God King pressed.


    He had clearly seen the Ink Sea God King''s expression,


    and it didn''t look like someone without secrets.


    "I feel like¡­ you''re definitely hiding something from me."


    "How could that be?


    We''ve been through everything together for two years.


    What could I possibly keep from you?"


    The Ink Sea God King countered.


    "That''s true.


    Our relationship has grown deep enough


    that there''s no need for secrets between us."


    The 5-Element God King mused.


    After all, they had spent two years fending off the enemy together,


    sharing life-and-death experiences.


    If the Ink Sea God King truly had something to say,


    he would tell him right away.


    Right?


    Just then, the 5-Element God King suddenly had a horrifying thought.


    "Wait, Ink Sea¡­


    you''re not secretly working with them, are you?


    Seeing that we have no chance of winning while defending the city,


    did you defect to the beast clan and the six other God Kings?"


    Hearing this,


    the Ink Sea God King finally understood the 5-Element God King''s current mental state.


    After all, who would come up with such an absurd idea?


    First of all,


    what benefit would defecting bring to the Ink Sea God King?


    He wasn''t even familiar with those other God Kings,


    let alone the beast clan.


    And the most absurd part¡ª


    did the 5-Element God King forget why the Ink Sea God King was even here?


    This was a mission given by Daniel!


    If the Ink Sea God King dared to abandon it¡­


    well, he didn''t need to imagine the consequences when Daniel emerged.


    The very idea was absurd,


    but the 5-Element God King still said it out loud.


    If the Ink Sea God King truly were a traitor,


    wouldn''t this directly provoke him into taking action?


    The Ink Sea God King fully grasped how badly the 5-Element God King''s mental state had deteriorated.


    With the battle imminent,


    he had become completely unhinged.


    Thus, the Ink Sea God King made a decision:


    he would reveal the truth to the 5-Element God King.


    He could tell that the 5-Element God King


    was becoming increasingly unstable.


    Since the last time the Giant Mountain God King infiltrated the temple,


    the 5-Element God King''s sense of security had been shattered.


    External attacks had kept the problem suppressed temporarily,


    but now that the enemy was preparing for a final assault


    and things had quieted down,


    his issues had resurfaced.


    In truth,


    the 5-Element God King''s lack of security


    had become his greatest weakness.


    So, the best way forward was to tell him the truth.


    This was the only way


    to restore his confidence and composure.


    Looking at the 5-Element God King,


    the Ink Sea God King spoke:


    "5-Element, there is indeed something I''ve been keeping from you."


    "What? You really did betray us?"


    "You idiot, do you even hear yourself?


    This is about something else¡ªabout the 5-Element God Realm."


    "What about it?"


    "Actually¡­ we don''t even need to prepare for this final battle."

 Chapter252-Lord Daniel is Here, We Are Saved!

    Hearing Ink Sea God King''s words,the 5-Element God King was immediately dumbfounded.


    Then he reacted:


    "Ah-ha! I knew it!


    You''ve joined the other God Kings!"


    "No, calm down! Listen, I''m about to tell you something important, but it might be hard for you to accept.


    Promise me you''ll stay calm. Understand?"


    "Calm? I''ve always been calm."


    Looking at the 5-Element God King''s state, the Ink Sea God King hesitated for a moment,


    then said:


    "The truth is, Lord Daniel has emerged from seclusion. When the final battle comes,


    he will personally take action to capture all those God Kings in one fell swoop."


    The Ink Sea God King kept his explanation short.


    He needed to convey the news as simply as possible, so the 5-Element God King could comprehend and accept it.


    Details such as the reasons, the process, or why it hadn''t been disclosed earlier were omitted entirely.


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King froze in place, completely stunned.


    He didn''t react for a long time, prompting the Ink Sea God King to shake him lightly.


    It wasn''t clear how long the daze would have lasted otherwise.


    Suddenly, the 5-Element God King''s expression shifted.


    His face lit up with excitement, tears streaming down his cheeks as he grabbed the Ink Sea God King''s shoulders:


    "Ink Sea! What you just said¡ª is it true?"


    "Yes, it''s true,"


    the Ink Sea God King confirmed.


    "I contacted Lord Daniel not long ago. He assured me of this. Ten mere God Kings


    are no match for Lord Daniel." The Ink Sea God King added this to boost the 5-Element God King''s confidence.


    Suddenly, the 5-Element God King erupted into wild laughter.


    "Hahahaha¡­ this is fantastic! Our days of suffering¡­ they''re finally coming to an end!"


    The 5-Element God King laughed while crying, tears and joy mixing on his face.


    Because he knew


    what Daniel''s arrival meant!


    It meant they no longer had to live in constant fear.


    It meant the beast clan and those six God Realm God Kings were finished!


    The 5-Element God King laughed for a long time before finally calming down.


    Then he looked at the Ink Sea God King and asked:


    "If that''s the case, why didn''t you tell me sooner? I''ve been worrying for no reason all this time!"


    Suddenly, he remembered all the anxiety, fear, and restless nights he''d endured.


    The whole time, the Ink Sea God King had remained calm and confident.


    It must have been because he already knew Lord Daniel would step in.


    Looking back,


    it all made sense now!


    At first, the two of them had been on the same page.


    But in recent days,


    small details had made it clear:


    the Ink Sea God King no longer seemed as focused


    on the magic arrays¡ªwhether defensive or offensive.


    He''d also been repeatedly urging him to rest


    and not overwork himself.


    But how could the 5-Element God King rest?


    Just thinking about the magic arrays


    was exhausting enough. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not to mention the lingering fear


    that the treacherous Giant Mountain God King


    might have planted more traps in the 5-Element Temple.


    So he couldn''t afford a moment of rest¡ª


    not until now.


    Now, he finally understood.


    The Ink Sea God King had been calm all along


    because he already knew about Daniel''s plan.


    "Actually,


    this was Lord Daniel''s explicit instruction.


    The fewer people who knew about this, the better.


    His goal is to capture all the God Kings at once.


    That''s why he didn''t want me to tell you earlier,"


    explained the Ink Sea God King.


    "But seeing your current state


    as the final battle approaches,


    I decided to share the news with you."


    The Ink Sea God King was genuinely concerned.


    If he hadn''t told him,


    the 5-Element God King might have become so paranoid


    that he''d suspect betrayal and attack him.


    That would''ve been utterly senseless.


    "I see¡­


    but you could''ve told me earlier!


    I''m not someone who would leak information¡­"


    The 5-Element God King trailed off,


    his voice growing quieter.


    On reflection,


    he realized the Ink Sea God King''s reasoning made sense.


    As the representative of the 5-Element God Realm,


    he was under constant scrutiny.


    If the Giant Mountain God King had managed to plant a teleportation array, there might also be spies in the temple.


    If the Ink Sea God King had told him,


    he might have inadvertently revealed it through his actions¡ª


    looking overly confident, for example.


    That would have made their enemies suspicious.


    If Daniel arrived


    and failed to capture everyone at once,


    it would have been his fault.


    Thinking this through,


    the 5-Element God King found the reasoning logical.


    And as someone from outside the realm, the Ink Sea God King''s calm demeanor was far less likely to arouse suspicion.


    Meanwhile,


    the 5-Element God King''s anxious behavior


    could convince their enemies


    that the 5-Element God Realm had no hidden cards to play.


    This would make them gather more confidently,


    setting the stage for their ultimate defeat.


    "You were right, Ink Sea!


    Not telling me earlier was the right decision.


    All the false information we''ve fed them


    will make them think we''re completely unprepared."


    "When Lord Daniel arrives¡­


    Giant Mountain God King?


    That old fool deserves to be obliterated in one strike!"


    Hearing this,


    the Ink Sea God King frowned.


    Had the 5-Element God King swung from one extreme to the other?


    Still, this was far better than the previous paranoia.


    "Now, I think you should focus on tomorrow''s battle plan."


    "Battle plan?"


    The 5-Element God King thought for a moment.


    Was there a problem with it?


    The divine crystal-enhanced attack magic arrays had been fine-tuned to maximize their offensive power.


    Even against God King-level enemies,


    they would catch them off guard.


    Against the beast clan''s million-strong army,


    many of whom weren''t even God Sovereigns,


    the arrays would be highly effective.


    That had been the plan all along,


    agreed upon by both him and the Ink Sea God King.


    What could be wrong?


    Then, suddenly,


    the 5-Element God King realized something.


    If Lord Daniel was going to act,


    what was the point of their plan?


    It was practically useless¡ª


    just a piece of scrap paper!


    Realizing this,


    the 5-Element God King''s expression changed.


    "Good thing you reminded me! This plan is pointless. I need to revise it!


    Since Lord Daniel is coming, why don''t we repurpose the magic arrays into something like fireworks for a welcome ceremony?"


    Hearing this,


    the Ink Sea God King was stunned.


    He had never encountered such a suggestion before,


    and the 5-Element God King''s creativity caught him off guard.


    Originally,


    he had thought they could slightly tweak the plan


    to reduce the magic arrays'' consumption.


    But this¡­


    Using high-powered attack magic arrays as fireworks?


    What a novel idea!


    The thought of Lord Daniel arriving to a grand display of celebratory fireworks made the Ink Sea God King''s face flush with excitement.


    "Yes! Let''s do it exactly as you suggested!"

 Chapter253-Does He Have a Hidden Scheme?

    After receiving confirmation from Ink Sea God King, the 5-Element God King immediately summoned his subordinate god sovereigns.These god sovereigns, stationed in the various cities, were suddenly and unexpectedly summoned by the 5-Element God King with an urgent order.


    Upon arriving at the temple, they were all utterly baffled. They had no idea what was happening.


    After entering, they saw other god sovereigns from different regions also present, which added to their confusion.


    Typically, a sudden summons of this nature would mean that something major was about to be announced.


    However...


    None of the god sovereigns had received any prior notice.


    It felt like the 5-Element God King had suddenly come up with this idea and decided to summon everyone.


    Could it be some unexpected event?


    For instance, perhaps a new wave of enemies was arriving tomorrow, making the decisive battle exceptionally difficult.


    Or maybe something unforeseen had occurred.


    When they entered the 5-Element Temple, they saw the 5-Element God King looking particularly energized¡ªcompletely different from the man they had seen over the past few days.


    This version of the 5-Element God King was brimming with confidence, even wearing a faint, unconscious smile on his face, as if something great had happened.


    So¡­ what was going on?


    The god sovereigns couldn''t make sense of it.


    "All right, everyone, thank you for gathering here tonight. I have an important announcement to make," the 5-Element God King began as he addressed the assembled group.


    "Regarding tomorrow''s decisive battle, I believe you are all aware of its significance."


    Naturally, all the god sovereigns knew about it.


    After all, the extensive preparations over the past several days were specifically for tomorrow''s ultimate battle.


    The six god realms, plus the beast clan forces¡­


    This time, they must make them pay!


    The people of the 5-Element God Realm are no cowards. Even if they fall, they will fall standing!


    As everyone awaited his next words, the 5-Element God King delivered his decision:


    "So, I''ve made an important choice. Everyone must return and redecorate the outer areas of their cities to ensure they appear grand and beautiful, as we are expecting an esteemed guest to visit our 5-Element Temple."


    ???


    As soon as the 5-Element God King uttered these words, a stunned silence descended over the temple.


    It was hard to fathom the expressions on the faces of the god sovereigns.


    Every single one of them was frozen in disbelief.


    Did they mishear something?


    Why did these words sound like the ramblings of a madman?


    At this moment, the god sovereigns couldn''t believe that such words had come from the 5-Element God King.


    After all, his tireless efforts over the past several days were visible to everyone.


    He had personally inspected every magic array in the cities, often rechecking them multiple times and ensuring every detail was flawless.


    Day and night, he had been focused on this work without rest.


    But now...


    On the eve of the decisive battle, he suddenly said this?


    It was hard not to think that the 5-Element God King had completely lost his mind.


    Some of the god sovereigns, after recovering from their initial shock, even began to show sorrowful expressions.


    Could it be that the 5-Element God King had succumbed to the immense pressure, driven mad by the combined forces of the six god realms and the beast clan?


    And yet, the most startling part was yet to come.


    The next words from the 5-Element God King sent an even bigger shockwave through the room:


    "Also, those attack magic arrays you''ve set up¡ªimmediately adjust them so their targets are directed toward the sky. I plan to use them as fireworks for a grand welcome ceremony."


    Hearing this, the god sovereigns were convinced: the 5-Element God King had lost his mind.


    "God King¡­ what''s wrong with you?"


    Finally, one brave god sovereign dared to ask.


    "Me? I''m fine! In fact, I''ve never been better!"


    "But the decisive battle tomorrow¡­ the enemies are the six god realms and the beast clan''s four god kings¡­"


    The god sovereign voiced his concerns.


    "Don''t worry. Once our guest arrives, all of our enemies will be wiped out!"


    Outside 5-Element City.


    The beast clan''s million-strong army had fully encircled the city.


    Beyond the city walls stood ten god kings, all ready for battle.


    Their combined presence created a palpable aura of dominance, an overwhelming pressure that could not be ignored.


    Just their mere existence was enough to strike fear into the hearts of others.


    The night before, after a hastily organized effort, everything was prepared according to the 5-Element God King''s instructions.


    Inside the city, only the most basic defensive measures remained.


    The attack magic arrays had been converted into massive fireworks displays.


    But could this truly work?


    Many were skeptical and anxious.


    Outside the city, the god kings from the six god realms and the beast clan looked on, confused by the scene before them.


    The serpent god king turned to the Giant Mountain God King and asked:


    "What''s going on? Is this some sort of trick by the 5-Element Temple?"


    Over the past two years, they had clashed multiple times.


    And nearly every time, they had come up short.


    The defensive magic arrays of the 5-Element City were like an impregnable fortress.


    No matter what they threw at it, they couldn''t break through.


    Not only that, but the city''s attack arrays were formidable, making it hard for the god kings to gain any advantage.


    Yet, despite numerous attempts, the 5-Element City had withstood their assaults time and again.


    But this time, or rather today, the serpent god king noticed something different about these familiar cities.


    Something felt off.


    Previously, whenever they attacked, the serpent god king would feel a sense of dread at the sight of those magic arrays.


    The beast clan army couldn''t make a dent in them.


    Worse, they had to constantly guard against the attack arrays.


    Those arrays were designed to maximize destruction.


    A single strike could kill tens of thousands of beast clan soldiers in an instant.


    But today, things were different.


    Those impenetrable defenses seemed to have vanished.


    The cities themselves had undergone changes.


    It felt almost as if¡­


    They were being welcomed inside.


    What could this mean?


    The serpent god king was baffled and turned to the Giant Mountain God King for answers.


    But the Giant Mountain God King was even more perplexed!


    He could discern the changes in the cities.


    He could see that the defensive magic arrays were only maintaining the most basic functions.


    This meant that if the beast clan army launched an attack today, those magic arrays would be as good as useless¡ªmere decorations.


    They would barely put up a fight.


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    What exactly was the 5-Element God King planning?


    At that moment, the 5-Element God King appeared!


    Dressed in elaborate attire, he wore a radiant smile.


    As soon as he appeared, the city gates swung open, revealing a red carpet leading out.


    There was music, dancing, and a rain of flower petals falling gently from the sky.


    It was as if they were hosting a grand welcoming ceremony.


    This beautiful and surreal scene struck the opposing god kings as profoundly eerie.


    The 5-Element God King¡ªhow could he be doing this?


    He dismantled the defensive magic arrays that had withstood god king-level attacks, opened the city gates, and appeared to be inviting them in¡­


    This was the city they had spent two years trying to conquer, exhausting every strategy and effort without success.


    Today, they had planned to unleash their full power, using every trump card and ounce of strength to finally take it.


    But now, the 5-Element God King himself was here, opening the gates and welcoming them in?


    Was this some sort of dream?

 Chapter254-Dont Say I Didnt Warn You!

    Yes, this scene before them was something they could only imagine in their dreams. Yet now, it unfolded before their very eyes.At this moment, they felt no joy¡ªonly deepening worry and fear.


    The actions of the 5-Element God King filled them with unease.


    And then, things grew even more terrifying.


    With a single gesture from the 5-Element God King, the attack magic arrays from several cities activated simultaneously!


    A surge of immense energy shot skyward.


    After overnight modifications, the energy released by these magic arrays dispersed into countless particles upon reaching the sky, creating a display of massive fireworks.


    The brilliant fireworks lit up the sky, clearly visible even from distant regions.


    Each burst of energy radiated a unique charm, lighting up the heavens.


    The sight left the gathered god kings utterly stupefied.


    After everything they had experienced, they could no longer comprehend the 5-Element God King''s intentions.


    If he intended to resist, why go to such extravagant lengths?


    The energy unleashed by those magic arrays was terrifying enough that even the beast clan''s god kings wouldn''t dare to guarantee they could withstand a single direct hit.


    If such an attack had been unleashed upon the beast clan''s army¡­


    They didn''t dare imagine the consequences.


    But now, the 5-Element God King had turned such a devastating attack into a performance. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could it be that he truly intended to surrender?


    At this stage of the war, both sides understood that surrender was impossible.


    Too many lives had already been lost.


    For the beast clan especially, the losses were staggering.


    The vast number of beast clan warriors had been decimated by the 5-Element City''s powerful attack magic arrays, which were devastatingly effective.


    Each sweep of their arrays resulted in countless beast clan casualties and injuries.


    In contrast, the beast clan''s attacks had been utterly ineffective against the city''s fortified defenses.


    After two years of fighting, the beast clan had suffered the most casualties.


    There was no way the beast clan would accept surrender.


    The 5-Element God King had to know this.


    The alliance of the six god realms and the beast clan had come specifically to destroy him.


    Did he naively believe that surrendering would save him?


    So, what exactly was the 5-Element God King plotting?


    For now, the opposing god kings hesitated, paralyzed by uncertainty.


    Meanwhile, the 5-Element God King hesitated briefly.


    Just as the performances concluded and he prepared to welcome Daniel, he suddenly heard Daniel''s voice.


    Daniel had no intention of appearing in person this time. He would act from behind the scenes.


    His message was simple: "Feel free to show off. I''ll handle the rest. Don''t worry."


    With this assurance, the 5-Element God King''s carefully planned welcome ceremony was slightly marred.


    Still, it didn''t matter too much.


    At least Daniel hadn''t waited until he finished his grand speech to drop the news¡ªnow that would have been awkward.


    Now was his moment to shine!


    The 5-Element God King stepped forward, standing at the edge of the red carpet.


    Facing the ten god kings before him, he showed no sign of intimidation as he declared:


    "Today, I offer you beast clan one final chance: Leave three of your god kings here as slaves to my 5-Element God Realm!"


    "If you comply, I may consider letting the rest of you return to your southern territories alive."


    "Otherwise, none of you will leave here alive!"


    "Don''t say I didn''t warn you!"


    His words were firm, his gaze unyielding as he stood there, a solitary figure.


    But inside the city, his words ignited a fiery passion among the people, bringing many to tears.


    The words spoken by the 5-Element God King were those they had all held deep in their hearts.


    In the face of ten god kings, they dared not voice such sentiments.


    The overwhelming presence of ten god kings was suffocating.


    But now, hearing the 5-Element God King boldly speak those words filled them with pride and tears of joy.


    "God King!"


    "Let me fight! Let me stand behind the God King and fight those beasts to the death!"


    ¡­


    The solitary figure of the 5-Element God King stood defiant, facing the beast clan''s million-strong army.


    Yet he spoke such bold words, inspiring unshakable resolve in all who heard him.


    "Hahaha! 5-Element, it seems you''ve gone mad! To speak such absurdities."


    "Do you not see who stands before you? Ten god kings, a million troops¡ªwhat gives you the audacity to speak like this?"


    The Giant Mountain God King taunted.


    The Serpent God King added:


    "To think that the one who has held us at bay for two years is nothing but a lunatic! After I kill you, I''ll ensure everyone in your city joins you in death!"


    The Serpent God King''s words were laced with killing intent.


    "You ungrateful fools! Since you refuse this chance, then don''t blame me for what comes next. Beast clan, how dare you tread on human territory!"


    "And you¡­ fellow humans colluding with beasts¡ªunforgivable!"


    The 5-Element God King''s words struck at every nerve of the ten opposing god kings.


    "Today, I, the 5-Element God King, fight for humanity!"


    The 5-Element God King declared as his robes billowed dramatically in the wind.


    "Fine! Let''s see if your strength matches your bold words."


    With that, all ten god kings attacked in unison.


    And their attacks were deadly, meant to kill.


    Their murderous intent surged as they vowed to end the 5-Element God King here and now.


    Faced with the combined onslaught of ten god kings, the 5-Element God King was apprehensive.


    He didn''t know what level of power Daniel could unleash.


    If only Daniel were standing beside him now. Then he''d have nothing to fear.


    But with Daniel choosing to remain unseen, the 5-Element God King could only trust him.


    Despite his inner turmoil, his face remained calm, as though the ten god kings'' attacks were of no concern.


    Terrifyingly powerful strikes closed in on him.


    This was the first time he had faced the combined might of ten god kings.


    Even with all his strength, he doubted he could survive this onslaught.


    And then, in the next moment¡ª


    The 5-Element God King felt a warmth in his hand.


    A glowing orb had appeared in his right palm.


    Instinctively, he hurled the orb forward.


    In an instant, a new sun seemed to rise over the battlefield.


    The immense energy surged toward the beast clan''s forces, consuming everything in its path.


    The overwhelming power engulfed the entire beast clan army before they even had time to react.


    The devastating attack swept across the 5-Element God Realm, extending into the southern territories of the beast clan.


    The sky itself was consumed by this horrifying energy.


    The shockwaves reverberated throughout the God Realm, awakening many hidden entities who began to investigate what had just transpired.


    This single attack was far beyond anything the 5-Element God King could have imagined.


    He couldn''t help but think: if Daniel had unleashed this upon him back when his avatar entered the Crossbridge Realm¡­ he wouldn''t have survived.


    As for the beast clan forces struck directly by the attack¡­


    The million-strong army was nearly wiped out.


    And the god kings?


    Their plight was even more pitiful.


    They were rendered utterly powerless, like lambs awaiting slaughter.


    "Enough. They no longer have the strength to resist. The rest is up to you," Daniel''s voice echoed in the 5-Element God King''s mind.

 Chapter255-The Shocked Giant Mountain God King

    After Daniel''s words echoed, he departed.There was nothing left for him to manage here.


    The six god kings were so weakened that even a god sovereign could easily defeat them, let alone the 5-Element God King.


    The 5-Element God King was the true ruler of the 5-Element God Realm, so the decisions about how to handle these foes were left to him.


    After all, he had held the line against them for two years.


    Ultimately, the authority to decide their fates should rest with him.


    As for Daniel, he headed back to the 5-Element Temple to rest.


    Initially, Daniel had planned to make an appearance.


    But upon seeing the 5-Element God King''s grand display, he decided against it.


    Daniel had no desire to join in such an awkward spectacle.


    He left the scene to the 5-Element God King, content to assist from the shadows.


    Now, neither the opposing god kings nor the beast clan army posed any threat to the 5-Element God King.


    So, it was better to let him take the lead.


    Crowds and ceremonies weren''t Daniel''s style.


    The 5-Element God King stood motionless, staring at the aftermath.


    He never imagined that Daniel''s intervention would be so devastatingly decisive.


    Behind him, cheers erupted from the city!


    "God King, you''re invincible!"


    "So powerful, God King! Those beast clans couldn''t even last a single round against you!"


    "No wonder the God King issued such strange orders yesterday. It turns out he had everything under control!"


    ¡­


    For two years, the people of the 5-Element City had been resisting the relentless assaults of the beast clan.


    They understood all too well how challenging their foes were.


    Countless times, they had dreamed of annihilating these troublesome invaders.


    But they never expected it to happen so suddenly.


    Today, the dream had become reality.


    Everyone in the 5-Element God Realm, who had lost their homes and loved ones to the beast clan, could finally rejoice.


    The 5-Element God King had done it.


    He had fulfilled their deepest desires, making them want to cheer and cry in unison.


    The 5-Element God King turned his gaze toward the ten defeated god kings.


    He could see they no longer posed any threat.


    If they did, Daniel wouldn''t have left him to handle them alone.


    The beast clan''s god kings were in miserable condition¡ªbloodied, wounded, and completely incapacitated.


    Even the human god kings were no better off.


    Once dignified and elegant, they now looked utterly disheveled and defeated.


    Among them, the most visibly shaken was the Giant Mountain God King.


    He couldn''t comprehend how the 5-Element God King had gained such overwhelming power.


    The two had once been close allies.


    Much of what the 5-Element God King knew came from the Giant Mountain God King.


    Even the magic arrays of the 5-Element Temple had been arranged with the Giant Mountain God King''s help.


    This made the 5-Element God King''s newfound strength all the more inexplicable to him.


    The Giant Mountain God King was well aware of the 5-Element God King''s capabilities, especially his mastery of the five-element rules.


    Whether it was the interplay of the elements or their opposing forces, the 5-Element God King''s techniques were notoriously troublesome.


    This had left a deep impression on the Giant Mountain God King during their past encounters.


    When the beast clan was first sent to attack, the Giant Mountain God King had even specifically warned them to send at least two god kings to ensure victory.


    The 5-Element God King''s five-element rules were too vexing for a single god king to handle alone.


    Two beast clan god kings had led the initial assault, besieging the 5-Element Temple with their army.


    The Giant Mountain God King''s plan was simple: the two god kings would keep the 5-Element God King occupied while the beast clan army ravaged the rest of the realm.


    But things didn''t go as planned.


    When the beast clan attacked, the 5-Element God King wasn''t even in the temple.


    As soon as the beast clan arrived, those left in the temple activated its sealing magic arrays, locking the invaders in a stalemate.


    By the time the 5-Element God King returned two months later, the situation had already shifted.


    With two beast clan god kings against one, the odds seemed to favor the invaders.


    But unexpectedly, an unknown and powerful ally, the Ink Sea God King, entered the fray.


    In a two-versus-two scenario, the beast clan''s god kings were no match and had to flee in disgrace.


    The Giant Mountain God King wasn''t too concerned at this stage.


    He had already prepared for the next move: a joint attack with the beast clan to obliterate the 5-Element God Realm.


    No matter how strong the Ink Sea God King was, the combined might of six god kings and the beast clan would surely prevail.


    However, delays in gathering forces gave the 5-Element God King time to recover and fortify.


    With the resources provided by the Ink Sea God King¡ªvast amounts of divine crystals and divine stones¡ªthe 5-Element God King constructed massive fortified cities.


    These cities became havens for the human survivors of the realm, protected by formidable defenses.


    The Giant Mountain God King and the beast clan had never anticipated such rapid development.


    What had once seemed like an easy conquest now appeared insurmountable.


    When the beast clan finally arrived at the fortified cities, they realized the defenses were far beyond anything they could overcome.


    Even the combined power of multiple god kings couldn''t breach the arrays in a short time.


    Today, however, everything changed.


    The 5-Element God King opened the gates, only to unleash a single devastating attack that annihilated the beast clan army and shattered their ambitions. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Giant Mountain God King, feeling the extent of his injuries, couldn''t help but regret his decisions.


    If he had never allied with the beast clan and excluded the 5-Element God King from their coalition, would things have turned out differently?


    Now, with ten god kings defeated and unable to resist, their fates rested entirely in the 5-Element God King''s hands.


    This was infuriating!


    Where had the 5-Element God King acquired such overwhelming power?


    If he had possessed this strength all along, why hadn''t he used it during the past two years?


    Why wait until today?


    The Giant Mountain God King was convinced the 5-Element God King must have had some kind of miraculous encounter.


    Otherwise, how could he achieve this?

 Chapter256-Death!

    The Giant Mountain God King was in disbelief.The beast clan''s god kings had only just begun to process what had happened.


    Regret and remorse spread across their faces.


    They regretted attacking the 5-Element God Realm.


    If they hadn''t, such a massive loss wouldn''t have occurred.


    This was an army of a million beast clan warriors, after all!


    Among them, how many were elite fighters?


    And now, with just a single strike, those warriors were reduced to ash.


    Not even a trace of blood or flesh remained.


    The Serpent God King could even hear the cries of fear from the beast clan warriors behind him.


    These were supposed to be fearless warriors, selected for their valor and courage.


    But after witnessing such a terrifying attack, even they felt fear.


    Some began to cry.


    The beast clan warriors weren''t afraid to die¡ªthey accepted death on the battlefield as their fate.


    But this kind of meaningless death, without even seeing their enemy, left them terrified. Continue your adventure at empire


    The thought of dying in such a futile manner, reduced to nothingness, was unbearable.


    Hearing the sobs of his troops, the Serpent God King realized he had made a grave mistake.


    He should never have agreed to this so-called "alliance" with the human god kings.


    The impending calamity hadn''t even truly begun.


    The earlier signals of disaster weren''t even a prelude.


    If they were, the God Realm would have already undergone cataclysmic changes over the past two years.


    But so far, no such upheaval had occurred.


    The Serpent God King had ignored these signs, blinded by sunk costs.


    He had focused solely on annihilating the 5-Element God Realm.


    Today, however, the 5-Element God King''s devastating strike shattered his illusions.


    The Serpent God King finally woke up.


    It was his fault.


    The beast clan wasn''t ready for this fight.


    They should have stayed in the south, waiting for the right moment when calamity truly struck.


    But now, their million-strong army was all but annihilated.


    He had become the beast clan''s greatest sinner.


    The Serpent God King lifted his head, his gaze landing on the 5-Element God King.


    He couldn''t comprehend how the 5-Element God King possessed such terrifying power.


    Why hadn''t he used it earlier if he had this strength?


    The Serpent God King''s mind was filled with unanswered questions.


    As he pondered, the 5-Element God King slowly approached, prompting the Serpent God King to instinctively retreat two steps.


    The searing pain coursing through his body reminded him that the 5-Element God King was not someone they could afford to provoke.


    "I''ve already told you¡ªthere was only one chance," the 5-Element God King said coldly, addressing the beast clan god kings.


    Silence fell among the beast clan god kings.


    The confidence they once held was utterly destroyed.


    The Giant Mountain God King, however, spoke up:


    "5 elements, I was wrong. I misjudged you. I apologize! Please, for the sake of our long-standing friendship, spare my life."


    His voice was weak and desperate.


    The injuries he had sustained were severe, and he could feel his life slipping away.


    As a god king, he should have had tens of thousands of years ahead of him.


    But now, without immediate treatment, he knew death was inevitable.


    Regret consumed him as he begged for mercy.


    The 5-Element God King looked at him coldly.


    "Giant Mountain, this will be the last time I call you that.


    Why do you still cling to such naivety?


    Do you really think I''ll let you go?"


    The Giant Mountain God King''s heart sank at those words.


    He stammered, "But we''ve known each other for so many years¡ªsurely I wouldn''t harm you.


    The teleportation array¡­ it wasn''t my doing! I was forced!"


    But before he could finish, his voice abruptly ceased.


    The 5-Element God King had acted decisively, striking him down.


    The Giant Mountain God King was dead.


    One god king had fallen.


    The others shuddered, their hearts gripped by fear. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If even someone as close to the 5-Element God King as the Giant Mountain God King met such a fate, what chance did they have?


    The remaining god kings were paralyzed with terror.


    But to the 5-Element God King, this scene was now almost boring.


    There had been times, defending the cities, when he had fantasized about killing all of them.


    But now, with the opportunity within reach, he found himself indifferent.


    At different stages of life, perspectives truly change.


    Faced with an easy victory, he suddenly felt no desire to kill them all.


    Turning to the Serpent God King, he declared:


    "My earlier terms still stand.


    Three god kings will serve the 5-Element Temple forever, and I''ll spare the beast clan."


    The Serpent God King, without hesitation, agreed.


    He had no other choice.


    The memory of that devastating attack haunted him.


    If such power were directed at the beast clan''s homeland, the consequences would be unimaginable.


    "Fine. But the Fox God King stays," the 5-Element God King added.


    The Serpent God King hesitated, but he had no room to negotiate.


    One god king would return to the beast clan to ensure they never stepped foot in the 5-Element God Realm again.


    Bowing deeply, the Serpent God King thanked him.


    The 5-Element God King then turned to the five human god kings.


    They were pale and defeated, resembling condemned prisoners awaiting their fate.


    The sight of the Giant Mountain God King''s demise had crushed any hope they might have had.


    These god kings had united with the beast clan to attack the 5-Element God Realm¡ªthere was no chance they''d be spared.


    Yet, to their shock, the 5-Element God King spoke:


    "You''re all free to go.


    Get out of my sight with your pathetic, defeated faces¡ªI can''t stand the sight of you!"


    The god kings stared at him in disbelief.


    They had resigned themselves to death, yet he was letting them go?


    They couldn''t process it.


    "What are you waiting for? If you want to die, I can oblige! Otherwise, get lost!"


    His outburst broke their stupor.


    Realizing he was serious, they fled hastily, their retreating figures almost comical in their desperation.

 Chapter257-The Decision

    Watching the figures of the fleeing god kings disappear into the distance, the 5-Element God King couldn''t help but reflect.Had he really been battling against such opponents for two years?


    The thought left him speechless.


    In truth, sparing those god kings would bring more advantages than killing them.


    First and foremost, they were all severely injured.


    Recovering from these injuries would take years¡ªan eternity in the current unstable state of the God Realm.


    This was no ordinary time.


    In such precarious circumstances, wasting years on recovery was unwise.


    Who could predict when the calamity would strike?


    Furthermore, during the battle, these god kings had brought most of their elite forces, expecting to annihilate the 5-Element God Realm in one decisive strike.


    What they hadn''t anticipated was the overwhelming power unleashed by the 5-Element God King.


    In one devastating attack, nearly all their elite forces were wiped out, leaving only a handful of survivors.


    In the coming years, these realms would be left in a weakened state, significantly reducing their influence.


    Additionally, if he were to kill those god kings now, their realms would fall into leaderless chaos.


    And that...


    The 5-Element God King could already imagine what would happen.


    These realms bordered the beast clan''s territories.


    If their god kings perished, the beast clan might seize the opportunity to invade.


    If five god realms descended into chaos simultaneously, even Daniel might find it a monumental headache to resolve.


    The 5-Element God King knew Daniel despised unnecessary trouble.


    Thus, he refrained from killing those god kings, sparing all but the Giant Mountain God King.


    The Giant Mountain God King, however, was a special case.


    The teleportation array hidden within the 5-Element Temple was the final straw that placed the Giant Mountain God King in an unforgivable position.


    The others could leave, but the Giant Mountain God King had to die.


    There were two reasons for this decision.


    Firstly, the Giant Mountain God King had always harbored ambitions to kill the 5-Element God King.


    Secondly, the proximity of his realm to the 5-Element God Realm made it strategic for control and stabilization once his death left a power vacuum.


    After the god kings departed, the 5-Element God King turned his attention to the remaining beast clan god kings.


    "We accept your terms," the Serpent God King said gravely. "I, along with the Fox God King and one other, will remain here at the 5-Element Temple."


    The 5-Element God King nodded approvingly.


    He respected the Serpent God King''s decision.


    Over the years, they had clashed numerous times, especially in the last two years.


    The Serpent God King''s tactics were formidable.


    Without the Ink Sea God King''s assistance, the 5-Element God Realm might have fallen early in the war.


    The Serpent God King''s choice to remain demonstrated his accountability and courage.


    "Very well," the 5-Element God King replied tersely.


    Thus, the two-year-long war finally came to an end.


    Inside the 5-Element Temple, Daniel sat leisurely in a chair, reading through records detailing the events of the past few years.


    Although the Ink Sea God King had given him general updates, these written records provided a more comprehensive picture.


    As Daniel quietly reviewed the documents, one individual kept sneaking glances at him.


    Every few moments, this person would glance curiously, only to quickly avert their eyes if Daniel looked up.


    It was none other than the Grand Elder of the Greenwood God Realm.


    This elder had been eager to see the legendary figure that both the 5-Element God King and the Ink Sea God King spoke of so highly.


    Now, observing Daniel in person, he couldn''t help but find him unremarkable at first glance.


    "This is the great Daniel they''ve been talking about?" the elder wondered, puzzled.


    Daniel seemed entirely ordinary¡ªnothing about his appearance or demeanor screamed extraordinary.


    "Has no one from the Crossbridge Realm ascended to the God Realm?" Daniel asked without looking up from the records.


    "No, Daniel," the Ink Sea God King replied.


    "When the 5-Element God King moved all ascension channels to the temple''s vicinity, other mortal realms occasionally saw ascensions. However, the Crossbridge Realm¡­"


    "It''s been completely silent."


    In other words, no one from the Crossbridge Realm had ascended.


    Daniel wasn''t surprised.


    With the revival of the realms, the threshold for ascension had been raised significantly.


    Moreover, the world''s upper limit had increased further after Big White''s breakthrough.


    It was natural for no one to ascend during this period.


    However, Daniel knew this situation wouldn''t last.


    Thanks to the guidance provided in Genesis, mortals had likely begun exploring realms beyond tier-sage.


    Soon, a wave of ascensions would follow.


    Just then, the 5-Element God King entered the room.


    He was still dressed in his ornate ceremonial attire, looking more like a walking display case than a warrior.


    "Our grand 5-Element God King returns," Daniel teased.


    "Daniel, please, spare me the jokes!" the 5-Element God King replied with a feigned sigh.


    "I had planned a grand ceremony to welcome you, but it ended up just being me¡­"


    There was a hint of playful grievance in his tone.


    "But truly, thank you, Daniel. Without you, I, along with the entire 5-Element God Realm, would have fallen to the beast clan''s claws."


    The 5-Element God King knew the truth.


    Even with the combined efforts of himself, the Ink Sea God King, and the magic arrays, they couldn''t have withstood the assault from ten god kings.


    Thanks to Daniel, the victory had been swift and decisive, striking fear deep into the hearts of the beast clan.


    "Come here," Daniel gestured.


    The 5-Element God King approached, puzzled.


    Daniel reached out and placed a finger on his forehead.


    Years ago, Daniel had left a mark on the 5-Element God King''s soul to monitor and restrain him.


    Over time, however, Daniel had come to see the 5-Element God King as someone reliable.


    Thus, he removed the mark.


    The 5-Element God King immediately felt the change.


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    Looking at Daniel, his eyes held a mix of gratitude and complex emotions.


    "What about the beast clan and the other god realms? Have they been dealt with?" Daniel asked, steering the conversation elsewhere.


    Feeling slightly flustered under Daniel''s gaze, the 5-Element God King quickly composed himself and replied:


    "Yes, everything has been handled." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He then began explaining his decisions, from sparing the human and beast clan god kings to his rationale behind each choice and the arrangements for the Giant Mountain God Realm.

 Chapter258-The Fox God Kings Decision

    Feeling slightly flustered under Daniel''s gaze, the 5-Element God King quickly composed himself and replied:"Yes, everything has been handled." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He then began explaining his decisions, from sparing the human and beast clan god kings to his rationale behind each choice and the arrangements for the Giant Mountain God Realm.


    The 5-Element God King explained his plans in detail, covering all aspects with precision.


    Daniel listened casually, quickly recognizing the sound logic behind each arrangement.


    Indeed, while the 5-Element God King sometimes appeared a bit naive¡ªsuch as feigning wealth by giving Daniel tens of millions of divine stones despite his realm being on the brink of depletion¡ªhe displayed remarkable talent in certain areas.


    For instance, his strategies for dealing with the other god realms'' god kings were thorough, addressing potential outcomes and ensuring minimal future problems.


    Daniel nodded in approval but refrained from commenting.


    Then, the 5-Element God King added, "Daniel, it''s a pity you didn''t make a public appearance. Now, everyone believes it was solely me who defeated the beast clan army and injured those god kings."


    "How about I use the magic arrays to broadcast your deeds across all of 5-Element City? Or, better yet, we rename all the cities to ''Crossbridge City'' in your honor!"


    Hearing this, Daniel''s face darkened.


    Why did this guy always find ways to show his naivety?


    "There''s no need for that," Daniel replied curtly. "Keep things as they are. I don''t like being in the spotlight."


    Daniel genuinely disliked unnecessary attention, which was why he had avoided making a public appearance earlier. Experience more content on empire


    If the 5-Element God King enjoyed basking in glory, Daniel was content to let him have it.


    "Well¡­ if you insist," the 5-Element God King relented before perking up again. "Oh, and Daniel, I specifically requested the beast clan to send the Nine-Tailed Fox God King to you as a gift."


    "That fox¡­ Ink Sea has seen her before. Her elegance, her beauty¡ªthey''re unmatched! Isn''t that right, Ink Sea?"


    The 5-Element God King turned toward the Ink Sea God King for support, but the latter subtly distanced himself.


    Even a fool could see Daniel''s expression was growing colder by the second.


    Ink Sea God King quietly slipped to the side, signaling his non-involvement.


    "If you like her so much, you can keep her," Daniel said dryly. "You''re not married yet, are you? Why not take this chance and wed her yourself?"


    The Ink Sea God King chimed in playfully, "That''s an excellent idea! The 5-Element Temple does lack a mistress."


    Even the Greenwood Realm''s Grand Elder joined in, laughing, "I agree¡ª5-Element God King, it''s time for you to settle down."


    Amid the teasing, Daniel interrupted, "Enough. Go handle your responsibilities. The war may be over, but there''s still plenty to do in the 5-Element City."


    "Yes, Daniel," the 5-Element God King replied, bowing before hurriedly leaving.


    Daniel was right. The war''s conclusion left a myriad of issues to address.


    For instance, during the conflict, the 5-Element God King had relocated all citizens into the fortified cities near the temple.


    Now, vast portions of the 5-Element God Realm lay empty, with abandoned cities and infrastructure in pristine condition but devoid of life.


    Clearly, this situation required careful planning.


    One of his top priorities was drafting strategies to repopulate these regions, possibly by absorbing people from other god realms.


    In the dungeon of the 5-Element Temple, three beast clan god kings were temporarily detained.


    Although they had pledged lifelong service to the 5-Element Temple, their utility had yet to be determined.


    Moreover, the hatred harbored by the temple''s residents toward these beast clan members remained palpable.


    The 5-Element God King also had lingering doubts about their loyalty.


    With so many pressing matters to address, he decided it was safer to confine them for the time being.


    The beast clan god kings, meanwhile, focused on healing their severe injuries.


    The Fox God King, in particular, faced a precarious situation.


    Having already lost one tail in battle, she risked a decline in her cultivation level if she didn''t recover soon.


    The Serpent God King sighed heavily. "I failed you all. I failed our entire army¡­"


    Memories of the disastrous campaign replayed in his mind, filling him with regret.


    If only they hadn''t invaded the 5-Element God Realm, none of this would have happened.


    "Regret is pointless now," the Fox God King said, her eyes opening. "Instead, we should focus on what to do next."


    Her calm pragmatism brought the other two god kings into contemplation.


    "Do you have a plan, Fox God King?" one of them asked.


    "Me? A prisoner like me? I don''t have many options," she replied with a bitter smile. "But if I ever gain my freedom, my first act will be to relocate my entire clan to the 5-Element God Realm."


    Her declaration stunned the others, especially the Serpent God King.


    "Do you realize what you''re saying?" he asked, incredulous.


    "Of course I do," she replied. "Do you understand the position of the fox clan within the beast clan hierarchy?"


    Silence followed.


    Both god kings knew the answer.


    In the beast clan''s survival-of-the-fittest culture, the fox clan was perpetually bullied.


    Even as a Nine-Tailed Fox and a god king, the Fox God King couldn''t change this reality.


    So why should she keep her clan in such an environment?


    Relocating to the 5-Element God Realm offered safety and stability.


    Her clan would no longer live under constant threat.


    Her words left the others deep in thought.


    The Serpent God King, however, sighed. "My clan wouldn''t accept this. Our beliefs are too entrenched in strength and dominance."


    The other god king nodded in agreement. Their circumstances were far different from the Fox God King''s, making such a decision impossible.


    Observing this exchange, Daniel smirked in amusement.


    "This Fox God King is an interesting one," he thought.


    Her pragmatic perspective, born of her clan''s struggles, marked her as someone exceptional.


    "Fascinating," he muttered.


    Just then, the 5-Element God King entered the room in a hurry.

 Chapter259-God Realm Development Plan

    After the 5-Element God King arrived before Daniel, he suddenly seemed a bit hesitant.It felt like he wanted to say something but was holding back.


    Daniel directly asked, "If you have something to say, just say it. Didn''t you come to me for something?"


    "Well¡­ um, Daniel, sir, do you have any thoughts on the future development of the 5-Element God Realm?"


    ?


    Daniel looked at the 5-Element God King in confusion.


    "Isn''t this your 5-Element God Realm? You can make your own decisions."


    "Well¡­ it''s like this, I do have some ideas, but I''m just a bit short on divine stones¡­" the 5-Element God King said awkwardly.


    Hearing this, Daniel understood the 5-Element God King''s purpose.


    So, it was about asking for divine stones. No wonder he was acting so awkward.


    "Alright then, tell me your plans first, and how many divine stones you need," Daniel said.


    "Great! Here''s the situation¡­ After the beast clan retreated, they''re probably not going to dare come back to the 5-Element God Realm for a while."


    "Moreover, the beast clan army suffered heavy losses, so they probably won''t be active for a long time."


    "However, this army of a million was still not their full force."


    "I think it''s likely that the beast clan will start smaller-scale harassment of the other god realms next."


    "So, I want to open up the borders of the 5-Element God Realm to absorb and welcome people from other god realms."


    "Of course, it''s not just about population but also the Mortal Realms they control."


    Since the Giant Mountain God King had been directly killed by the 5-Element God King, the Mortal Realm passages of the Giant Mountain God Realm were largely under the 5-Element God King''s control.


    For other god realms, where the god kings were still alive, the 5-Element God King planned to buy their Mortal Realms with divine stones.


    The 5-Element God Realm was currently in a state of emptiness.


    It wasn''t a lack of space; it was a lack of people.


    In fact, having a larger population might even enable expansion into neighboring areas.


    Anyway, with the Giant Mountain God King dead, no new god king would come to replace him.


    Another critical point was that the calamity was imminent.


    No one would want to come to this southern region so close to the beast clan.


    This made the 5-Element God King''s plan seem perfect¡ªabsorbing population and talent, and expanding the god realm. Under such circumstances, everything appeared much more logical.


    After the great war, the entire 5-Element God Realm was in a state of rebuilding and urgently needed a large influx of people.


    So, this idea was certainly not a problem.


    Previously, the decision to let the injured god kings return was not only to maintain relative stability but also to ensure the situation wasn''t too stable.


    This way, the beast clan wouldn''t occupy those places freely, and the other god realms wouldn''t have enough strength to ensure everyone''s safety.


    As a result, the stability of the 5-Element God Realm would become more attractive to others.


    Population replenishment achieved.


    The 5-Element God King''s idea was indeed well-thought-out, even aligning with previous strategies. It was truly a clever plan.


    Daniel asked, "How many divine stones does this plan require?"


    Hearing Daniel''s question, the 5-Element God King perked up and quickly replied, "Well¡­ according to my preliminary estimates, it should be about ten trillion divine stones¡­"


    When he said this, the 5-Element God King appeared nervous.


    "Only ten trillion?" Daniel asked flatly.


    Noticing Daniel''s tone, the 5-Element God King immediately sensed something was wrong.


    Daniel wasn''t happy with the number.


    Before coming, he had consulted the Ink Sea God King about this.


    Ink Sea God King had told him one thing: ask for as many divine stones as possible.


    The more he asked for, the happier Daniel would be.


    The 5-Element God King didn''t quite understand this, so he decided to start with a conservative figure.


    Sure enough, seeing Daniel''s apparent displeasure, he quickly added, "Lord, tw¡­"


    "Thirty trillion! Yes, thirty trillion!" the 5-Element God King repeated for emphasis.


    Daniel shook his head. Such a small vision!


    "Alright, I''ll give you fifty trillion. Make sure you get the job done well. If it''s not enough, come back for more," Daniel said.


    "Yes!"


    Taking the storage crystal, the 5-Element God King quickly left.


    For the past few days, Daniel had been staying in the 5-Element Temple, where the 5-Element God King had arranged accommodations for him.


    Arya and the others had their own places as well, but Daniel had assigned them to help the 5-Element God King.


    The entire 5-Element God Realm was in a state of rebuilding, and these god-king-level individuals could provide valuable assistance.


    Additionally, this place was part of the Upper Realm of the Crossbridge World.


    By improving it, future ascenders from the Crossbridge World would have a better experience.


    As for Daniel, he was busy unraveling the divine dynasty relics.


    He had collected so many but hadn''t unlocked all of them yet.


    For instance, the Star Map he had initially opened was still incomplete. It would take time.


    If there were valuable items, he could feed them to Big White. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The less valuable ones could go to the 5-Element God King¡ªhe might need them.


    Just as Daniel had barely started his work, the 5-Element God King rushed in again, looking flustered.


    This made Daniel frown. He had just given him divine stones; what could he possibly want now?


    "Lord Daniel, something terrible has happened!" the 5-Element God King exclaimed, panicking.


    "Calm down. What happened? Speak slowly."


    "It''s like this. I was about to inspect the damaged cities, and just outside the city, I saw something at the place you attacked yesterday. Curious, I went closer to check. Then, some kind of recorded message activated and entered my mind."


    "Could it be someone''s prank?" Daniel asked.


    "Lord, this is no prank. I could sense an incredibly terrifying aura¡­ like the one you unleashed when destroying the beast clan army. That kind of overwhelming power made even someone of my god king rank feel immense pressure and fear."


    "Alright, what did the message say?"


    Hearing this, Daniel''s interest was piqued. Judging by the 5-Element God King''s description, it was likely from someone, or a group, far beyond the god king level. These entities had issued a warning.


    This suggested that the rumors might be true.


    It was even possible that someone had discovered secrets beyond the god king rank.


    But¡­ these beings seemed to be worried about something, not even daring to show themselves, only leaving behind a recorded message.


    "It''s like this. The message seemed to mistake me for you¡­ assuming it was me who acted yesterday. It essentially warned me not to act like that again."


    "It also said the beast clan''s rise and counterattack against humanity is inevitable and shouldn''t be obstructed. A proper opportunity will eventually bring a great fortune."


    "Furthermore, if I continue to intervene as I did yesterday, altering the predetermined fate, I will face backlash."


    The 5-Element God King''s voice was filled with worry.


    He couldn''t believe that Daniel''s assistance yesterday might lead to such dire consequences. Even Daniel himself could face backlash?


    Hearing this, Daniel was unimpressed. The message was full of threats, cloaked as concern for him. Such arrogance¡­ not even daring to show their faces and only leaving a recorded message.


    "Is that all?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes, Lord Daniel, that''s everything," the 5-Element God King replied. He had come straight to Daniel after hearing the message to inform him of this development.


    However, from the look of it, Daniel didn''t seem to care.

 Chapter260-Warning Beyond the God King

    "Hmm, I understand. You may leave now," Daniel said calmly, as if he hadn''t even heard what had just been said."Lord, shouldn''t we pay some attention to this matter?" the 5-Element God King asked hesitantly.


    Normally, for something like this¡­ one would need to be a bit cautious.


    After all, the other party might be on the same level as Daniel.


    For something concerning the future of the God Realm¡­ if someone could assert that interfering would alter the course of destiny, it was enough to prove their terrifying strength. Yet Daniel acted as if nothing had happened, a response that left others puzzled.


    "There''s no need to worry. Do you really think the words of some cowardly, skulking individual are worth taking seriously?"


    "But¡­ this is supposedly related to the future of the God Realm, destiny, and such," the 5-Element God King said nervously.


    Hearing this, Daniel chuckled and asked, "Do you think you became a god king because destiny simply handed it to you, or was it your own effort?"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, the 5-Element God King finally understood what Daniel was trying to convey. Becoming a god king was entirely due to his own efforts.


    As for what lay beyond the god king rank, the 5-Element God King hadn''t given it much thought yet.


    And as for this so-called destiny¡­ it was laughable!


    The rise of the beast clan was inevitable?


    So, should all those killed by the beast clan in the meantime just be ignored?


    Should they just lie down and let themselves be slaughtered? Should the southern God Realms not resist?


    Nonsense!


    The 5-Element God King had fought against the beast clan for two years and knew their nature all too well.


    If the 5-Element God King were to ultimately fail, the entire population of the 5-Element God Realm would be reduced to corpses.


    That would be the real outcome.


    And Daniel merely eliminated the majority of a million-strong beast clan army, and that supposedly impacted destiny?


    If that''s what destiny is, then let it destroy all of humanity!


    "Thank you, Lord Daniel. I understand now," the 5-Element God King said.


    "Good," Daniel replied briefly.


    The 5-Element God King quickly left. He now fully understood.


    Destiny?


    Powerful beings?


    It was just as Daniel said¡ªa bunch of cowardly, underhanded individuals dared to preach about destiny?


    If destiny truly meant the rise of the beast clan, then even if it cost him his life, he would suppress them!


    These beast clan bastards¡­ Daniel had only wiped out eighty to ninety percent of that army.


    It wasn''t as if the entire beast clan had been eradicated¡ªwhat impact could it possibly have?


    Next time he encountered those skulking individuals, he would definitely ask Lord Daniel to teach them a proper lesson!


    Having figured things out, the 5-Element God King returned to work on rebuilding cities and attracting new population.


    Once the 5-Element God King had left, Daniel continued working on the divine dynasty relics. Among these relics were a variety of items: pills, artifacts, star maps, and so on.


    This made Daniel even more curious about how the divine dynasty had been destroyed back then.


    And why had they left behind so many things?


    Once he pieced together the star maps, he should be able to visit those places and uncover the truth.


    Hopefully, the secrets of the divine dynasty would be fully revealed by then.


    As Daniel continued to experience various events in the God Realm, more and more secrets seemed to come to him unbidden.


    Sometimes, Daniel even felt it wasn''t he who was seeking these secrets, but the secrets themselves that were chasing after him.


    In any case, his workload seemed to have increased yet again.


    The God Realm''s calamity, the world''s ascension, the divine dynasty''s destruction, these relics and star maps¡­ everything was piling up.


    And now another matter had come knocking: something about the destiny of the God Realm.


    A never-ending stream of riddles.


    Still, one step at a time.


    A year passed in the blink of an eye.


    The 5-Element God King''s plan had accelerated its progress as initially outlined, largely due to the beast clan.


    Perhaps, just as those skulking individuals had said, the rise of the beast clan was inevitable.


    Less than half a year after Daniel''s strike had wiped out nearly 900,000 beast clan warriors, the beast clan managed to muster another sizable army.


    This time, however, they were much more cautious and didn''t dare approach the 5-Element God Realm, instead targeting the other god realms.


    The other god kings, still recovering from their injuries, were now faced with yet another onslaught from the beast clan army.


    Exhaustion and frustration were evident. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As for the Giant Mountain God Realm, which had lost its god king, it was even worse off.


    Fortunately, the 5-Element God Realm had opened its borders, actively welcoming people from other realms.


    Compared to the chaos elsewhere, the 5-Element God Realm now seemed like a paradise¡ªsafe, sparsely populated, and peaceful in the most literal sense.


    Previously, the population had been concentrated in cities near the 5-Element Temple because the 5-Element God King had relocated everyone there for safety during the beast clan''s invasions.


    After two years of war, the people had grown accustomed to life there.


    Even if they wanted to return home, many weren''t sure their homes still existed¡ªlet alone whether they''d been destroyed by the beast clan.


    Moreover, returning was simply too far and inconvenient. It was better to stay close to the 5-Element Temple, where it was safe.


    As a result, most of the 5-Element God Realm was left empty.


    This prompted the 5-Element God King''s proactive efforts to attract more people.


    With other god realms embroiled in conflict, this process quickly gained momentum.


    Large numbers of people poured into the 5-Element God Realm.


    The 5-Element God Realm also used divine stones to purchase several Mortal Realm ascension passages from god realms that could no longer maintain them, especially with the calamity looming.


    New cities were being built, while old ones were repaired and put back into use.


    The 5-Element God Realm was now experiencing a population boom.


    With more people came a higher probability of discovering talent.


    The 5-Element God Realm even began expanding into neighboring Giant Mountain God Realm territory.


    After all, with no god king there, a bit of expansion seemed reasonable.


    Crucially, the beast clan had no interest in the 5-Element God Realm.


    In fact, they avoided its borders entirely.


    This naturally made the people of the Giant Mountain God Realm welcome the 5-Element God Realm''s presence.


    Some even regretted not joining earlier. Yesterday, they had been lamenting their fate.


    Today, they woke to see strangers nearby discussing plans to build a new city, noting how the area''s location was ideal¡ªwith open views, mountains, and rivers.


    These strangers then informed them that their land had been requisitioned, making them residents of the 5-Element God Realm.


    A free home in the new city would be prepared for them.


    Waking up to find not only safety from the war but also a new house?


    Such dreams were becoming a reality for many, reflecting the rapid development of the 5-Element God Realm.


    The realm''s growth wasn''t just from absorbing people from other god realms but also from the Mortal Realms.


    Today, a long-dormant world began to stir with new activity.


    Outside the 5-Element Temple lay Ascension City, the largest city near the temple.


    When the 5-Element God King had moved all the ascension passages near the temple, they had been consolidated into one area, forming Ascension City.


    Here, mages from various Mortal Realms gathered, making it the city that had undergone the most significant transformation since the beast clan invasion ended.

 Chapter261-New Ascension City

    The newly expanded Ascension City has undergone at least two major expansions this year, both large-scale projects.Additionally, minor renovations and housing adjustments happen almost daily.


    This rapid development is due to the 5-Element God King acquiring ascension pathways from other God Realms'' Mortal Realms.


    Consequently, everyone ascending through these pathways automatically becomes part of the 5-Element God Realm.


    As a result, the population of Ascension City has been growing exponentially, requiring expansion every few months.


    The land within Ascension City has become exceedingly valuable, far surpassing the worth of other cities.


    Many newly ascended mages are forced to live outside the city or relocate to other areas, as they simply cannot afford to reside within Ascension City.


    Only the powerful or those from worlds with substantial resources can afford a place here.


    For weaker worlds with less capable ascendants, the situation is grim.


    Many are crammed together into communal accommodations, resembling giant shared dormitories.


    The conditions are pitiful.


    "Sigh, still no outstanding talents. If this continues, we won''t be able to afford the rent. I fear our world will have to leave Ascension City and seek refuge elsewhere," one guide lamented.


    Such is the helpless plight of lower-tier worlds.


    Weakness begets disadvantage, leaving them with no other options.


    For these worlds, even retaining positions like guides is a privilege.


    At this moment, a guide turned to a nearby friend and said,


    "Crane, I was just thinking¡ªyour Void Realm¡­ Oh, no, it''s Crossbridge World now. Hardly anyone ascends from there anymore. Why are you still working as a guide here?"


    The speaker was one of Crane''s old friends, also a guide from another world. The two had known each other for a long time.


    Logically speaking, someone like Crane had no reason to be a guide.


    In the past, it was well known that Crossbridge Town had powerful backers.


    When Ascension City was first established, Crossbridge World had secured the best locations and the largest territory.


    At the time, someone dared to object to this arrangement, but the next day, that individual mysteriously disappeared.


    Even the world backing them didn''t dare to speak up.


    From that incident, everyone understood that Crossbridge World was closely tied to the 5-Element Temple.


    No other explanation could account for such overwhelming power.


    Crossbridge Town was the largest area in Ascension City.


    It contained numerous empty houses that were meticulously cleaned daily, despite being uninhabited.


    Even former residents of Crossbridge Town were barred from entering these empty spaces.


    Crane''s friend had heard of these peculiarities, as well as the rumor that Crane personally maintained those empty houses.


    Some even said Crane had close ties to someone influential.


    By all logic, someone like Crane didn''t need to serve as a guide.


    If he wanted, he could likely become the head of Crossbridge Town without issue.


    Yet Crane still chose to remain a guide, claiming it was simply a way to pass the time.


    At this point, Crane''s strength had far surpassed everyone around him. Only his old friends could still speak casually with him.


    "I''m here because I need to personally guide the ascendants from Crossbridge World to their accommodations," Crane explained.


    His ten-year promise to Daniel was still in effect, and he was bound to honor it.


    "Your Crossbridge World is incredibly powerful. To claim such a vast area in the city center, and even acquire more space during expansions, is truly enviable," his friend remarked.


    However, envy could not change the reality. It was a policy dictated from above.


    Not everyone accepted this arrangement, though. Some worlds openly voiced their dissatisfaction, even threatening to teach Crossbridge World a lesson or drive its people out of Ascension City.


    Crane merely smiled at these remarks.


    If anyone dared to act on such threats, their entire world might disappear from Ascension City by the next day.


    "By the way, Crane, your Crossbridge World hasn''t had anyone ascend for a long time. The last time¡­ wasn''t it those two? Are they the reason you made that promise?"


    "Yes," Crane nodded, unbothered by the question. His connection to Daniel was no secret. Anyone in Crossbridge Town could easily find out about it.


    Black Water Town¡­ No, it was now Black Water City.


    The city stood as the first major checkpoint outside the holy city. The streets teemed with people, bustling with activity.


    A massive temple dominated the center of the city. Every person entering the city inevitably noticed it at first glance.


    Inside the temple stood five statues, their features indistinct but commanding respect. Streams of people came to pay their respects and offer incense.


    At this moment, a man and a woman arrived at the temple, followed by dozens of powerful figures.


    Their presence was so imposing that bystanders instinctively stepped aside.


    Rose glanced at the five statues in the temple and smiled.


    "Who would''ve thought these statues would still be here¡­"


    "Indeed," Reed replied.


    This visit marked a return to where it all began¡ªthe origin of everything related to Crossbridge Academy.


    It was here that they first used magic, defeated spell beasts, fought their first battles, and faced true danger. For the students of Crossbridge Academy, this was where their journey began.


    "Your aura¡­ it''s about there," Rose said, sensing the peak Earth God Rank energy emanating from Reed.


    "Likewise. But¡­ are you suppressing yours?"


    Reed was at the peak of Earth God Rank, but he could tell that Rose''s aura far surpassed his own.


    "Yes. Planting those trees took longer than expected," Rose said calmly.


    Reed''s eyes widened in shock, fully aware of how difficult it was to suppress rank advancement, especially when reaching the threshold of the God Realm.


    His own position at the peak of Earth God Rank represented the limit of the world he came from. He understood the struggle. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Rose¡­ her aura seemed to have already exceeded Earth God Rank, likely reaching Heavenly God Rank.


    With a wry smile, Reed said,


    "As expected of you. I concede."


    "Enough talking. Now that everything''s ready, let''s ascend to the God Realm. I thought Nora would be here for this," Rose remarked.


    "My apologies," Reed said, unleashing his Earth God Rank aura.


    With that, he opened the door to his God Realm pathway.


    "I''ll go first," Reed said, stepping into the sky.


    Rose watched him for a moment before extending her hand.


    A door appeared¡ªnot in the heavens, but surrounding her.


    She pushed it open effortlessly and stepped through into the God Realm.


    Reed, seeing this from above, sighed. Such talent was truly extraordinary.


    Rose vanished first, followed by Reed. Then, the dozens of figures accompanying them ascended one after another.


    Soon, the Death Legion from the east and other factions from the west unleashed their Earth God Rank auras, signaling their ascension.


    That day, countless doors to the God Realm opened over Crossbridge World.


    Ordinary citizens hid indoors, fearing the sky might collapse upon them. Mages, however, watched in awe, filled with envy.


    They knew these doors were reserved for those ascending to the God Realm.

 Chapter262-Rose Arrives

    "Father, father, father! Something''s wrong!"Big White exclaimed in a panicked tone.


    Daniel turned to look at Big White.


    "What happened? Speak slowly."


    "I noticed that in our Crossbridge World, a lot of people chose to ascend at the same time!"


    "A lot of people?"


    "Yes! For three years, not a single person ascended, but today, it''s like they all coordinated and ascended together."


    "Who was the first to ascend?"


    "I don''t know; I couldn''t see clearly. But Sister should be among them."


    "Alright, let me see what''s happening in the world," Daniel said.


    Using Big White''s abilities, Daniel observed the situation within Crossbridge World.


    It didn''t take long for him to piece everything together.


    Rose and Reed, as if by prior agreement, ascended simultaneously.


    Moreover, it wasn''t just them¡ªmany of their followers, most of whom were Earth God Rank, also ascended together to the God Realm.


    This synchronized mass ascension was what had alarmed Big White.


    However, everything was already settled. Rose would undoubtedly be the first to enter the God Realm.


    At the ascension site within Crossbridge World, a powerful aura surged forth.


    Crane didn''t immediately notice it until someone nearby pointed it out.


    "What the hell? Just after ascending to the God Realm, it''s already at the Heavenly God Rank? And this aura¡­ it''s probably not far from the High God Rank!"


    "Which world is this? How could such a genius emerge?"


    "Could it be from the Tiyun Realm? I remember their world has someone at the Heavenly God level."


    "Or maybe the Tiansha Realm!"


    "Wait, what''s Crossbridge World? Does it even have anyone at the Heavenly God Rank?"


    "..."


    Rose''s ascension and the aura it released stunned the surrounding guides.


    Crane immediately headed toward the ascension site. As the guide for Crossbridge World, he couldn''t believe others noticed this before he did.


    "I am Crane, the guide for Crossbridge World. Finally, someone has ascended. Please follow me to Crossbridge Town," Crane said quickly upon seeing the newcomer.


    "Guide? Crossbridge Town? What does that mean?"


    "It''s like this¡­" Crane briefly explained the structure of Ascension City and the role of guides.


    The girl in front of him nodded.


    "But I need to wait a bit. My subordinates haven''t arrived yet."


    "No problem. Take as long as you need. After all, no one from Crossbridge World has ascended to the God Realm in years," Crane replied.


    "Crossbridge World? Is that the name of our world?" Rose asked, puzzled. She had a feeling this was her father''s doing.


    "That''s right. It used to be called Void Realm, but Lord Daniel thought the name was unappealing, so he renamed it Crossbridge World," Crane explained. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "By the way, Lord Daniel mentioned that Crossbridge Sanctuary is currently the strongest faction in the world, right?"


    Hearing this, Rose smiled and responded,


    "That''s correct. Crossbridge Sanctuary is the strongest, without a doubt. By the way, how many people can Crossbridge Town accommodate? My subordinates are quite numerous, and there''s another group coming as well."


    Rose suddenly thought of this issue and asked Crane.


    Crane confidently answered,


    "Not a problem. Lord Daniel has already prepared accommodations."


    "You know my father?" Rose asked.


    "Huh?"


    Crane was momentarily stunned, overwhelmed with excitement and uncertainty.


    He quickly calmed himself as more and more people from Crossbridge World began emerging from the ascension site.


    First came Reed, followed by Rose''s subordinates and their respective factions. The ascension site was soon overflowing with people.


    "Quick, lead us to the accommodations and leave someone here to guide the rest," Rose instructed Reed.


    Crane finally snapped out of his shock and led Rose, Reed, and most of the group toward Crossbridge Town.


    Fortunately, the 5-Element God King had anticipated this scenario when planning Ascension City.


    Crossbridge Town had been given a large area, which was further expanded during the city''s two subsequent enlargements.


    As they arrived at the accommodations, a white figure darted toward them.


    "Sister! I missed you so much!"


    Big White threw itself into Rose''s arms.


    "You little thing, you''ve grown quite a bit these past few years," Rose said with a smile.


    "Of course! I eat good stuff every day now, but Father said it''s only effective for me, so I can''t share it with you. Maybe after I ascend again, I''ll get you another lotus," Big White whispered into Rose''s ear.


    Rose remembered the White Lotus from before and realized it had been Big White''s doing.


    "Thank you, Big White."


    "No problem! Oh, right, Sister, Father is waiting for you. Come with me!" Big White said, leading the way as Rose quickly followed.


    Crane, observing this interaction, dared not intervene.


    He was well aware that the little white beast was not to be provoked.


    Lord Daniel always kept it close, and judging by how it addressed Rose, it was best not to meddle.


    Meanwhile, Reed and the others were guided by Crane to their accommodations.


    Back at the ascension site, the other guides were left in a daze.


    They couldn''t comprehend what had just happened.


    How was it possible for so many people to ascend at the same time, all from the same world?


    More astonishingly, even after so many people had left, the site was almost immediately filled again.


    This scene defied imagination, leaving some guides slapping themselves to ensure they weren''t dreaming.


    As wave after wave of ascendants emerged, the numbers from Crossbridge World finally began to dwindle.


    Nearly every ascendant was at Earth God Rank, with some nearing the Heavenly God Rank.


    Such a terrifying world¡­ Could it really be just an Earth God Rank world?


    On this day, Crossbridge World produced as many ascendants as other worlds might in several years.


    What kind of mass-production Earth God Rank world was this?


    Big White led Rose to a courtyard where Daniel stood waiting with a smile.


    "Father!" Rose cried, rushing toward him and hugging him tightly.


    Daniel patted her back gently.


    "You''ve worked hard these past few years," he said.


    As the leader of the Death Legion, Rose had been under immense pressure, balancing both her rank advancement and the administrative burdens.


    Despite this, she never once complained, her strong will carrying her through.


    The White Lotus given by Big White had alleviated much of her pressure, though it ironically required her to suppress her ascension to the God Realm.


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Rose, who had endured so much in silence, finally let her emotions out, tears streaming down her face.


    "You''ve done wonderfully, my daughter," Daniel said warmly.


    After a while, Rose regained her composure.


    "I''m not tired, Father." Continue your saga on empire


    "Good. But for now, take some time to rest. Once you''re ready, explore the surroundings or visit the God Realm. There''s much to see."


    "Alright."


    At that moment, a figure hurried in from outside.


    "Lord Daniel! I heard your daughter has arrived in the God Realm. I didn''t have much time to prepare, so I could only bring some small gifts¡­"


    The 5-Element God King''s voice preceded him as he rushed in, not even standing still before speaking.

 Chapter263-Arrangements

    The 5-Element God King spoke as he took out a storage space."It contains some trinkets, mostly specialties from the 5-Element God Realm. Right now, the realm is still in the process of rebuilding, and some items are nearly impossible to find."


    He then retrieved a storage crystal and handed it to Rose.


    Rose instinctively looked at Daniel. Only when Daniel nodded did she accept the storage crystal from the 5-Element God King. Continue reading at empire


    "Thank you," Rose said.


    The 5-Element God King, acting quite familiar, added,


    "By the way, if you encounter any issues in the 5-Element God Realm, just reach out to me. I''ll come right away!"


    As he spoke, he handed Rose a communication device and then departed.


    Rose watched him leave, puzzled.


    She had already heard some things about the God Realm from Crane.


    She knew that the region to which Crossbridge World''s ascendants were sent was located slightly south in the God Realm and was called the 5-Element God Realm.


    The ruler of this region was the 5-Element God King, one of the most powerful beings in the God Realm.


    For someone to confidently declare that they could handle any problem in the 5-Element God Realm, they must be extremely trusted by the God King.


    Once the 5-Element God King had left, Rose turned to Daniel and asked,


    "Father, who was that man just now?"


    "Him? Don''t worry about it," Daniel replied nonchalantly.


    "Let''s find you a place to stay first. These rooms are available¡ªpick one you like and take a good rest for a while," Daniel added, leading Rose to choose a room.


    "Big Sis, that guy is the 5-Element God King," Big White chimed in.


    "What?" Rose was stunned.


    She hadn''t expected that the hurried and informal man was actually the ruler of the 5-Element God Realm, the most powerful being in the region¡­


    Oh, except for her father. In that case, it wasn''t so surprising after all.


    Still, for someone like the 5-Element God King to come personally¡­ it seemed her father''s status in the God Realm was just as formidable as it had been in Crossbridge World.


    Low-key, but undeniably powerful.


    "Alright, since you''re here in the God Realm, I''ve prepared a few things for you. There are some divine spells that should be quite useful for you. If you''re not planning to rest, you can start learning them," Daniel said.


    "Where are the divine spells, Father?" Rose asked. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In truth, Rose had no intention of resting.


    Over the past few years, she had become accustomed to constant work.


    Back in the Mortal Realm, she had spent her days planting trees, managing the alliance, and leveling up, leaving little time for leisure.


    Daniel, on the other hand, wanted her to take a break, but Rose wasn''t sure how to relax anymore.


    The mention of divine spells gave her a sense of familiarity.


    "Choose a room first, and I''ll give you the divine spells afterward," Daniel said.


    Rose casually selected a room, which happened to be next to Elise''s.


    "This array disk was made by a merchant guild in the God Realm. Once you bind it with your mind power, you can access a virtual world to buy anything you need. It''s very convenient, but be mindful of your privacy. Elise will show you how to use it later," Daniel explained, handing Rose the array disk along with the storage crystals containing the divine spells.


    He continued,


    "If you want to test the divine spells you learn, head over there. I''ve created a small space specifically for testing. It''s quite effective."


    "Thank you, Father."


    "Haha, no need for thanks, my dear. Oh, right, Elise!"


    Hearing her name, Elise quickly responded,


    "Yes, Headmaster!"


    "Your rank may be high, but your combat experience is sorely lacking. While Rose is here, spar with her to improve your practical skills," Daniel instructed.


    "Yes, Headmaster," Elise replied.


    Currently, Elise''s rank was more theoretical than practical.


    In a real fight, she might even lose to an Earth God Rank opponent.


    With Rose around, she could serve as Elise''s sparring partner.


    Rose was strong enough to control her power appropriately.


    After making these arrangements, Daniel remembered that Reed, who had ascended with Rose, was likely settled by Crane.


    "Alright, you two stay here. I''ll go find Reed," Daniel said.


    "Father, what about me? You haven''t arranged anything for me!" Big White protested.


    Clearly upset that Rose and Elise had tasks while it had none, Big White demanded fairness.


    Daniel glanced at Big White. It didn''t seem like there was much to arrange for it¡­


    "You¡­ just stop being picky and focus on eating those pills. If I get the chance, I''ll find you some Supreme Artifacts imbued with the Power of Rule for a treat. Stop eating those spiritual fruits¡ªthey''re useless."


    "Hmph!" Big White snorted in dissatisfaction.


    It was unhappy with Daniel''s response. Eating pills was boring! Big White preferred the varied tastes of spiritual fruits, even though they had no effect on it. As the Will of the World, such fruits were utterly meaningless to it¡ªjust snacks to sample.


    Daniel left to find Reed, heading to Crossbridge Town.


    Reed had just settled into his new accommodations when Crane arrived with someone in tow.


    "Headmaster!" Reed exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Daniel.


    Without Daniel, Reed would likely still be an ordinary mage with no particular talent, rather than the powerful individual he had become.


    Seeing Daniel again filled him with emotion.


    "You''ve done well these past years¡­ and about reviving them," Daniel said.


    The "them" referred to projections from the Sacred Time River that Daniel had casually retrieved. He hadn''t expected Reed to actually succeed in reviving those individuals, who had also ascended to the God Realm.


    After a brief conversation, Daniel gave Reed a few divine spells related to marksmanship before departing.


    Having emptied the Life Temple''s inventory, Daniel now had a seemingly endless supply of divine spells at his disposal.


    As Daniel left, those arriving from Crossbridge World greeted him with utmost respect.


    The students of Crossbridge Academy were particularly enthusiastic, greeting their Headmaster openly.


    Others, not from the academy, showed equal deference.


    While they hadn''t met Daniel in person before, they had seen his statues countless times.


    Many of them, having been mentored directly or indirectly by Daniel through teachings like Genesis, owed their progress to him.


    Even so, they respectfully addressed him as "Lord Daniel."


    After leaving Crossbridge Town, Daniel returned to his residence.


    He had other matters to attend to¡ªspecifically, the relics from the Divine Dynasty.


    Although he had unlocked many of them, one issue persisted: the Star Map from his first relic exploration was still incomplete.


    This frustrated Daniel greatly.


    He already had two complete Star Maps in hand, yet the first one remained missing crucial fragments.


    On the bright side, the incomplete Star Map seemed much larger than the others, suggesting that its secrets could be far more significant.


    This possibility was Daniel''s only solace for now.

 Chapter264-Expansion and Competitions

    After Rose and Reed successfully ascended, a remarkable phenomenon began to occur.Almost every few days, people from Crossbridge World ascended to the God Realm.


    Crane, who had once been idle, was now constantly running between Crossbridge Town and the ascension site.


    Despite his busyness, he had no complaints.


    On the contrary, this new responsibility brought him joy.


    For two hundred years, he had never experienced anything like this.


    Previously, he could only watch other worlds send people to the God Realm, feeling envious as Crossbridge World remained dormant, with not a single ascendant.


    Everything changed after Lord Daniel arrived in the God Realm.


    Crossbridge Town and everything associated with it underwent significant transformations.


    Even though Crane was now endlessly occupied, he found immense happiness in it.


    At the ascension site, the other guides no longer dared to speak up.


    After all¡­


    Their worlds could not compare to Crossbridge World!


    Every few days, groups of ascendants, sometimes as many as a dozen or more, and at least a few, would ascend together to the God Realm.


    It was as if they had coordinated their efforts.


    The guides had never encountered such a situation before.


    Ascending to the God Realm required immense talent.


    In the Mortal Realm, many people spent their entire lives unable to reach the level required for ascension, let alone sense the God Realm''s gateway.


    For most worlds, having a few ascendants in a year was considered excellent.


    But Crossbridge World?


    It sent a thousand people in one go!


    And afterward, every few days, more ascended in groups.


    Moreover, they all seemed to know each other.


    It sounded absurd.


    And yet, this absurdity was unfolding before everyone''s eyes.


    At first, when they saw groups ascending, the guides would double-check to ensure they weren''t from their own world.


    But soon, they stopped bothering to verify, assuming they were from Crossbridge World whenever multiple people ascended together.


    Signs were even erected:


    "Ascendants from Crossbridge World, please wait here. Your guide will arrive shortly."


    Even those who had looked down on Crossbridge Town began to quiet down.


    After all, what other world could send so many people at once? S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And to top it off, this world continued to send ascendants consistently, showing no signs of slowing down.


    During this time, Ascension City underwent yet another expansion.


    That''s right¡ªDaniel provided the 5-Element God King with additional funding.


    The God King went on a spending spree, purchasing unused ascension pathways from neighboring God Realms.


    The population of the 5-Element God Realm grew once again, thanks to these acquisitions.


    The expansion became so significant that the 5-Element God Realm absorbed much of the neighboring Giant Mountain God Realm, leaving only the beast clans in the south untouched, as the God King seemed uninterested in expanding in that direction.


    In terms of land, population, and talent, the 5-Element God Realm had reached a state of near saturation.


    One day, the 5-Element God King approached Daniel.


    "Lord Daniel, I have a plan¡ªa grand plan!"


    Hearing the God King''s tone, Daniel immediately sensed trouble.


    "What is it this time? Spare me the details if it''s another one of your schemes," Daniel said, exasperated.


    "I want to expand toward the center of the God Realm," the God King declared.


    "The center?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    The 5-Element God Realm was located far from the God Realm''s center. The closer one got to the center, the richer the resources.


    The God King wanted to push the realm''s borders toward the central regions.


    "I see¡­ Well, go ahead. Let me know if you''re short on divine stones," Daniel replied absentmindedly.


    His attention was elsewhere¡ªspecifically, on the unresolved issue of the Star Map.


    Despite having unlocked almost all the divine dynasty relics he had acquired, the Star Map from the very first relic was still incomplete, missing two critical fragments.


    Without these fragments, the Star Map could not be fully activated, making it nearly useless for locating anything.


    This predicament frustrated Daniel greatly.


    He had already scoured the market for divine dynasty relics, purchasing almost everything available, yet the final fragments remained elusive.


    "Lord Daniel, you seem troubled. Is something wrong?"


    "Don''t ask. It''s not worth mentioning. Let''s focus on your expansion plans instead. Why this sudden idea, and why do you feel it''s necessary?"


    While the God King could be impulsive at times, Daniel knew he wouldn''t propose such a significant move without a good reason.


    "Lord Daniel, I''ve been observing the other God Realms that haven''t been attacked by the beast clans. I noticed that many of them are expanding toward the center of the God Realm," the God King explained.


    "What''s so special about the center? Beyond the abundant resources, is there any other benefit?"


    Expanding toward the center would inevitably lead to conflicts with the God Realms already established there. Wouldn''t that risk triggering premature problems, especially with impending calamities?


    "I''ve heard that the Sun and Moon God Realms at the center are the true heart of the God Realm," the God King said.


    "What does that mean?"


    "I''m not sure, but expanding toward the center has to be beneficial. We''ll figure it out when the time comes."


    Hearing this, Daniel sighed.


    "Fine, go ahead. If you need my help, just let me know," he said.


    The God King grinned.


    "Don''t worry, Lord Daniel. I''ll manage it. If I really run into trouble, I''ll come to you for assistance."


    Stay connected via empire


    "Oh, one more thing," the God King added.


    "Ascension City has become chaotic after several expansions. To bring order, I plan to host a competition for young people to identify those with the greatest talent and combat prowess."


    "Also, I''ve noticed that many of the stronger God Realms have been organizing similar events. It''s a good way to select the best young warriors."


    Daniel glanced at him.


    "So, you''re only doing this because you saw others doing it?"


    "Of course! Especially that Greenwood God Realm¡ªthey''ve expanded all the way to the Lunar God Realm''s borders and are hosting tournaments for their younger generation. I can''t lose to them!"


    Greenwood God Realm¡­


    Daniel recalled that it was the same realm that had nearly caused the 5-Element God King to fall flat on his face in the past.


    "So, are you asking for my help with this competition?" Daniel inquired.


    "No, no, Lord Daniel. I''ve got it under control. Besides, this competition is for those under 200 years old. Your daughter will probably want to participate, right?"


    "Under 200 years old? Sure, Rose can join. That''s actually quite a broad age range. Do you have a category for those under 100?"


    "What?" The God King looked dumbfounded.


    "Never mind. Pretend I didn''t ask. Rose just arrived in the God Realm; she might find it interesting," Daniel said.


    "Oh, I see¡­" The God King grinned mischievously.

 Chapter265-Crush the 5-Element God Kings Kids!

    "What''s the matter? You look like you have something to say," Daniel said, looking at the 5-Element God King."Well¡­ actually, for this competition¡­ a few of my kids will be participating. And, um, their strength is¡­ a little strong¡­" the God King said cautiously.


    "I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you could prepare yourself mentally, you know?"


    Hearing this, Daniel finally understood what the 5-Element God King was getting at.


    So, all this beating around the bush was just to bring up this matter?


    After all this buildup for the competition, it seemed this was his real purpose.


    Daniel couldn''t help but chuckle at the effort.


    "Alright. I''ll let her know. By the way, does this competition have only an age limit?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes, exactly. Only those under 200 years old can participate," the God King confirmed.


    "Alright then. Some of those youngsters who''ve ascended from Crossbridge World might be interested in joining," Daniel said.


    "That''s no problem at all. My competition doesn''t restrict strength. As long as they think they''re up for it and meet the age requirement, they''re welcome to join," the God King replied proudly.


    "Oh, right, Lord Daniel. I almost forgot to mention¡ªmy kids are all at the God Lord rank," the God King added, his tone carrying a hint of pride.


    Under 200 years old and already at the God Lord rank¡ªit was indeed an impressive feat, worthy of being called young prodigies.


    Daniel simply smiled, saying nothing.


    After all, Rose had already reached the God Lord rank a year ago, and Reed was close behind.


    As for their subordinates, a good number of them were at the High God rank.


    As for the competition, Daniel thought, let the young ones decide for themselves. If they wanted to participate, it could be a bit of fun.


    "Alright, Lord Daniel, I have some other matters to attend to. I''ll be off," the God King said, quickly making his exit as if his sole purpose had been to deliver this message.


    After the God King left, Daniel realized that for the past few years, he had been so focused on relics and the Star Map that he had paid little attention to outside news.


    Recently, Big White had entered another deep slumber. When it woke, it would likely reach the Heavenly God rank, raising the world''s ceiling once again.


    This likely meant that for the next few years, there would be no new ascensions from Crossbridge World.


    As Big White''s power continued to grow, a new issue surfaced for Daniel: world ascension.


    When a world ascends to its ultimate form, it may collide with the God Realm itself, as seen in the experiment conducted by the Life Temple.


    That Mortal Realm''s final ascension had directly crashed into the Life Temple, resulting in the temple''s destruction.


    That was an ordinary world. What about a unique one like Crossbridge World?


    What secrets might it hide during its final ascension?


    Daniel had to think ahead, especially given Big White''s rapid progression.


    Fortunately, he already had an idea.


    The God King had mentioned before that much of his knowledge about world ascension came from the Greenwood God Realm, an old and well-established realm that also studied the secrets of ascension.


    Perhaps after the competition, Daniel could visit Greenwood God Realm with Rose to exchange insights.


    Shortly after Daniel''s conversation with the God King, news spread throughout Ascension City.


    A Young Prodigy Competition was announced.


    Anyone under 200 years old could participate, with no restrictions on strength.


    The competition offered massive rewards, including rankings.


    Exceptional performers could even enter the 5-Element Temple.


    One notable feature of the competition was that it categorized participants by world.


    If a world produced many top-ranked young talents, that world would receive generous rewards.


    Additionally, participants from the same world would not face each other unless there were no other opponents left.


    The announcement quickly stirred excitement in Ascension City and across the 5-Element God Realm.


    The substantial rewards were irresistible, leading some to regret their timing¡ªthose who had just turned 200 lamented their missed opportunity.


    Meanwhile, many began preparing to showcase their strength and make a name for themselves.


    In Ascension City, many worlds were gearing up for the competition.


    The rules'' emphasis on world-based categorization ignited fierce ambition. A world with multiple top-ranked participants would earn significant rewards, even additional territory within Ascension City.


    This rule spurred many worlds into action, as dissatisfaction with Crossbridge World simmered beneath the surface.


    Despite its relatively small population, Crossbridge World consistently claimed prime real estate in every expansion.


    This was particularly galling for Brightsun World, one of the strongest Mortal Realms in the 5-Element God Realm.


    Brightsun World, a Tier-God level world, had a comparable territory size to Crossbridge World despite its superior status.


    After multiple expansions, Brightsun World''s area was even smaller than Crossbridge World''s.


    Resentment festered.


    Though Brightsun World avoided direct confrontation, they fueled indirect criticism through puppet worlds to isolate Crossbridge World socially.


    This strategy had limited impact due to the protection of the 5-Element Temple.


    Now, the competition offered new hope. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Brightsun World immediately selected its top prodigies under 200, focusing only on those at High God rank and above.


    They openly declared their intent to push "unworthy" worlds out of the central areas.


    While they refrained from naming names, everyone in Ascension City knew their target was Crossbridge World.


    Curiously, Crossbridge World remained silent, seemingly oblivious to the brewing tension.


    In the meantime, Daniel approached Rose, who was cultivating.


    "Father."


    "Rose, there''s something I need to discuss. Ascension City is hosting a competition for young prodigies¡­" Daniel explained.


    "I see. I''ll participate. Some of my subordinates also meet the requirements. Can they join as well?"


    "Of course. That''s up to you. As long as they meet the age criteria, they''re eligible. Oh, and one more thing¡­"


    Daniel almost forgot the reason for his visit.


    "This competition will include a few of the 5-Element God King''s kids. My request is simple: if you encounter them, make sure they fully understand the disparity that can exist even among God Lords!"


    Rose sighed, exasperated but amused. Sometimes her father could be surprisingly¡­ childish.

 Chapter266-Could He Be This Strong?

    The prodigy competition began as scheduled.The rules were straightforward: aside from the age limit, there were no restrictions. Participants only needed to register, submit their information, and then draw lots to determine their opponents.


    Winners would proceed to the next round, drawing lots for their next match.


    Losers would be eliminated, though there was a chance for revival if they wished to challenge again.


    During the battles, there were virtually no limitations¡ªparticipants could even bring weapons to the arena.


    Many found these rules unfair.


    After all, some competitors had access to divine artifacts.


    Those without such resources began scrambling to purchase or rent powerful artifacts.


    However, those who owned divine artifacts weren''t necessarily willing to loan them out.


    While some voiced dissatisfaction with the fairness of the rules, others argued that family background and resources were part of one''s strength.


    Meanwhile, the 5-Element God King, along with several other God Kings, gathered at Daniel''s residence to observe the battles.


    For beings of their rank, appearing at the venue was unnecessary.


    Perhaps they would make an appearance during the finals, but for now, the 5-Element God King was the primary host.


    The other God Kings were more reserved and content to let the 5-Element God King handle the spotlight.


    Taking out a mirror and casting a divine spell, the 5-Element God King summoned numerous images around them, displaying the battles taking place across the arenas.


    "This time, over six million people registered for the competition," the 5-Element God King remarked, watching the matches and the cheering spectators.


    A few years ago, when the beast clan had just retreated from the 5-Element God Realm, the population had been severely depleted.


    To see the realm restored to this extent in such a short time filled him with pride.


    Of course, this recovery was largely thanks to Daniel''s steady infusion of divine stones. The 5-Element God Realm was now brimming with talent.


    "The 5-Element God Realm is doing well. It''s nearly caught up to the Greenwood God Realm," one of the God Kings commented.


    "The Greenwood God Realm is the top realm in the south, isn''t it? I recall their prodigy competitions attracting over 18 million participants¡ªnearly 20 million," another added.


    "That many? Still, considering the 5-Element God Realm''s progress in just a few years, it''s impressive to be catching up," a third chimed in.


    Hearing their constant mentions of the Greenwood God Realm, the 5-Element God King''s initial pride began to waver.


    The Ink Sea God King and the newly ascended Arya God Kings, aware of the 5-Element God King''s past struggles in the Greenwood God Realm, seemed to enjoy teasing him about it.


    The worst part? Their words were true, leaving the 5-Element God King with no grounds for rebuttal.


    Determined, he silently vowed to surpass the Greenwood God Realm.


    Daniel, observing their banter with a smile, reminisced about his time in Crossbridge World. It had been a long while since he''d been involved in something so lively. These days, his role was mostly to watch the younger generation''s battles from the sidelines.


    He thought back to his time in the Mistriver Realm, marveling at how far his former students had come.


    "Look at this one! He''s been dominating every match so far," one of the God Kings remarked, pointing to a screen.


    "He must have a half-divine artifact. These smaller cities don''t have strong opponents to challenge him," another said. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Like this one here¡ªhe barely fights. Just throws treasures around to win every match," another added, laughing.


    Their discussion continued until Big White''s voice interrupted.


    "Hey! Isn''t that Reed? Yes, it''s him! He''s about to take the stage!"


    The God Kings turned their attention to the screen, drawn by Big White''s excitement.


    Reed stepped onto the arena, spear in hand.


    "Crossbridge World, Reed," he introduced himself.


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King glanced at Daniel, noticing his focused gaze on the match.


    The others also realized the significance of this moment¡ªReed must be one of Daniel''s students.


    In the arena, Reed''s opponent took the stage.


    "White Wolf World, Novi," the opponent announced.


    Spectators erupted in chatter.


    "That Novi ascended twenty years ago. He even made a name for himself during the beast clan invasion," one observer said.


    "Looks like this guy from Crossbridge World is in trouble," another remarked.


    "Trouble? It''s going to be a complete blowout. Both worlds are high-tier God Realms. Losing would be humiliating," someone else added.


    Given Crossbridge World''s vast territory in Ascension City, many peers felt resentful.


    The provocations led by Brightsun World had only amplified this dissatisfaction, with some openly hoping to see Crossbridge World humiliated.


    In their eyes, this was a guaranteed win for Novi.


    After all, Novi had been in the God Realm for twenty years and had fought the beast clan. Reed, by comparison, had only ascended a few years ago¡ªif even that.


    How could he possibly compete?


    Many placed their bets on Novi, confident in his victory.


    Cheers erupted for Novi as he stepped onto the stage, while Reed remained calm, his eyes cold and focused.


    He didn''t care about the cheers or jeers. His only goal was victory.


    "Begin!" the referee declared.


    Reed''s figure vanished from the arena, leaving the audience stunned.


    "What just happened? Where did he go?"


    Before they could make sense of it, Reed reappeared.


    He didn''t even use his spear.


    With a single punch, he struck Novi squarely, sending him flying off the stage.


    "Winner: Crossbridge World, Reed!" the referee announced.


    The crowd erupted¡ªnot in celebration, but in disbelief.


    Many had bet heavily on Novi and now accused the match of being rigged. Some were so furious they wanted to attack Novi for his failure.


    Fortunately, the competition had prepared healers and security in advance, preventing any further chaos.


    In Daniel''s home, the 5-Element God King stared at the screen in shock.


    "Lord Daniel, is he already at the peak of High God Rank?"


    The God King could see it clearly¡ªReed was just one step away from God Lord Rank.


    While he hadn''t paid much attention to Reed before, he had learned a bit about him while looking into Rose.


    Reed had been one rank below Rose when they ascended.


    But now, Reed had reached the peak of High God Rank.


    What about Rose?


    Could she already be at God Lord Rank?


    The 5-Element God King''s mind raced, realizing why Daniel had worn such a strange expression when he''d mentioned his children''s participation.


    Now, the God King couldn''t sit still.

 Chapter267-The Bet

    "By the way, Lord Daniel, what level is your daughter now?"The 5-Element God King asked again, seemingly to confirm.


    "God Lord, I believe. If I remember correctly, your sons are also at this level, right?"


    Daniel replied.


    The 5-Element God King chuckled awkwardly:


    "Indeed, my kids are indeed at this level..."


    "You seem a bit nervous. Are you scared?"


    "How could that be! One of my kids has even reached the Half-Step God Lord stage!"


    The 5-Element God King hastily said.


    "Oh, is that so... In that case, how about we make a bet?"


    Daniel suggested, looking at the 5-Element God King.


    "A bet? What does Lord Daniel wish to wager?"


    "Let''s bet on whether Crossbridge World can take first place this time!"


    Daniel quickly said.


    Upon hearing this, the 5-Element God King burst out laughing.


    If it were a bet on something else, he might hesitate before deciding whether to take it.


    But betting on whether Crossbridge World could win first place...


    This kind of thing¡ªdid it even need to be asked?


    After all, this competition had over six million participants.


    Among these six million, excluding the filler participants and those joining for fun,


    the remaining were the elites of each realm!


    Take the 5-Element God Realm as an example. The strongest Mortal Realm in the realm had a rank of Upper Tier-God.


    In other words, those who ascended from this world were at least of High God rank.


    As for the younger talents, they were at least God Lord rank.


    Such individuals...


    There were quite a few of them.


    The 5-Element God King could believe that Daniel''s daughter, Rose, could secure a decent ranking,


    because she was, after all, Daniel''s daughter.


    It was only natural for her to be strong.


    But the others?


    He hadn''t even heard of them.


    For instance, Reed from the recent match he had just watched.


    If it weren''t for the fact that Reed was from Crossbridge World, the 5-Element God King probably wouldn''t have remembered his name at all.


    A person who had only ascended at Earth God rank, even if they spent these years just raising their level to the peak of High God rank, would likely have exhausted most of their energy.


    Facing those who had decades of experience at the God Lord rank...


    How could they possibly compete?


    It was absolutely impossible!


    Let alone the other people from Crossbridge World.


    They were likely not even worth mentioning.


    So, for Daniel to propose this bet¡ªhe wasn''t even planning to win!


    The 5-Element God King thought as much.


    If that was the case, what else was there to say?


    "I accept! What''s the wager?"


    "As for the wager... Didn''t you take quite a liking to that Fox Clan God King before? If you lose, I''ll arrange a wedding for you!"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, which seemed half-joking and half-serious, the 5-Element God King''s face turned green.


    To hold a wedding with the Beast Clan...


    The 5-Element God King had never even considered such a thing!


    But then he thought about it¡ªhe had a pretty good chance of winning.


    His expression returned to normal.


    "Then what if you lose, Lord Daniel?"


    "If I lose, I won''t bring up this matter again. How about that?"


    "Deal. It''s a bet!"


    The 5-Element God King agreed decisively.


    No matter how he looked at it, he couldn''t possibly lose!


    After all, in Ascension City, there were several worlds of Upper Tier-God rank.


    There were also quite a few Heavenly Tier-God ranked worlds.


    Some of them even had participants who had survived the Beast Clan wars.


    How could Crossbridge World''s people possibly be stronger?


    Thus, the 5-Element God King didn''t see any problem at all.


    However...


    For Daniel to propose such a straightforward bet, could it be that he had some kind of secret weapon? Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Something that could guarantee his loss?


    But the 5-Element God King didn''t think there was anything that could enhance someone in such a short time...


    Wait!


    At that moment, the 5-Element God King suddenly remembered that Daniel seemed to possess a pile of Supreme Artifacts.


    He hurriedly said:


    "Lord Daniel, you''re not planning to give them Supreme Artifacts, are you? If that''s the case, I can''t acknowledge the result!"


    Hearing this, Daniel realized it was indeed a good idea.


    "Not a bad suggestion. Though, to be honest, I hadn''t thought of it before. Don''t worry, I''m not the type to play dirty. Besides..."


    Every genius has their pride.


    Those who could be recruited by Rose and Reed wouldn''t stoop to such measures.


    Hearing Daniel''s assurance, the 5-Element God King let out a sigh of relief.


    "In that case, Lord Daniel, prepare to lose. This time, there are several High God-ranked worlds, and even Heavenly God-ranked ones. Crossbridge World may not even make it to first place!"


    Daniel smiled but said nothing.


    With Rose and Reed there, he hardly had any worries.


    They... were enough!


    At this moment, Big White suddenly laughed.


    The 5-Element God King looked at Big White, puzzled.


    He couldn''t figure out what was so amusing about his statement.


    Wasn''t it true?


    Anyone with common sense wouldn''t bet on Crossbridge World taking first place.


    After laughing for a while, Big White looked at the 5-Element God King and said:


    "Hahaha, 5-Element God King, you seem unaware that my father is actually only a few decades old. He''s not even a hundred yet!"


    As soon as Big White finished speaking, the surrounding God Kings were stunned.


    They could hardly believe it.


    Daniel...


    Was only a few decades old now?


    How was that possible?


    Daniel had ascended from the Mortal Realm to the God Realm only a few years ago.


    How could this be?


    These God Kings were certainly no match for Daniel.


    Especially the 5-Element God King.


    Because he had once sent an avatar to Crossbridge World.


    So he knew that Daniel''s strength wasn''t something he achieved in the God Realm.


    He had already been immensely powerful in the Mortal Realm.


    But now, hearing from Big White that Daniel was only a few decades old...


    In other words, he could fully qualify for this competition?


    At this point, an idea popped into the 5-Element God King''s mind...


    Could it be that Daniel had secretly signed up for the competition this time?


    So the 5-Element God King immediately said:


    "Lord Daniel, you didn''t secretly register to compete, did you? If you did, I can''t honor the bet!"


    Of course. If Daniel participated in the competition, he could probably annihilate all six million contestants with a single finger.


    What would be the point of the competition then?


    "You''re overthinking it. I''m not that kind of person. The matters of the younger generation are theirs to handle, and I won''t interfere."


    Indeed, Daniel had no intention of thick-skinnedly participating this time.


    If it were in another God Realm, he might consider such an interaction¡ªit seemed like it could be fun.


    Hearing that Daniel wasn''t participating and wouldn''t hand out Supreme Artifacts, the 5-Element God King finally relaxed.


    Wasn''t this a guaranteed win for him?


    "That''s good. Lord Daniel, just wait and see the outstanding performances of the young talents from the 5-Element God Realm!"


    The 5-Element God King once again returned to his arrogant self.


    Watching him, Daniel couldn''t help but laugh.


    Hopefully, when the time came for the real showdown, he could maintain this arrogance.


    The battles were heating up.


    Every day, the number of spectators increased.


    A projection was even set up for those unable to attend in person to watch the matches.


    Of course, where there were competitions, there were betting pools.


    Reed, unsurprisingly, became a notable dark horse.


    He almost never lost.


    Initially, those who bet on Reed''s opponents winning suffered heavy losses.


    Reed''s fighting style was extremely straightforward.


    He charged in, attacking directly with fists and kicks.


    Ordinary High God-ranked opponents couldn''t withstand Reed''s attacks.


    In fact, Reed rarely used the spear strapped to his back.


    As a result, Reed''s odds kept rising.


    Moreover, several popular contenders emerged in this competition.


    This included the prodigies from Brightsun World and those from the 5-Element Temple.

 Chapter268-The First Round Rewards

    These individuals were all hot favorites to win the championship.Every move they made was decisive and efficient,


    crushing their opponents with an unstoppable force.


    The opponents had no chance to retaliate at all.


    This was the power of a God Lord.


    They relied solely on their absolute strength to overwhelm.


    All these battles were recorded as projections and preserved.


    Reportedly, these projections were selling like crazy.


    This was proof of how popular these top contenders were.


    This was a level of fame that a dark horse like Reed couldn''t hope to reach.


    There was simply no comparison to these magical avatars.


    During this competition, many legendary stories were born.


    Until the first round ended,


    all winners secured qualifications for the second round.


    Initially, there were six million participants in the first round.


    By the second round, only over ten thousand remained.


    This showed just how brutal the competition was.


    The second round would go straight to the finals,


    where the true champion would be chosen from the ten thousand.


    These individuals stood on the stage.


    At this moment, they were the victors of the first round,


    qualified to enjoy the joy and glory that victory brought.


    And next, they would receive the rewards prepared by the 5-Element God King.


    Pills, artifacts, divine spells...


    These and more had been prepared in advance.


    The 5-Element God King, looking at the scene, suggested:


    "Lord Daniel, how about we prepare something as well? For these ten thousand people."


    "That sounds good. We''ve been watching the battles for so long; it''s only right to reward them."


    "Great! Then I''ll go first!"


    As the 5-Element God King spoke, he conjured a pile of golden tokens in his hand.


    These golden tokens quickly flew away and landed in the hands of everyone who made it to the second round.


    "What is this?"


    Some of them had never seen such tokens before and were puzzled.


    The 5-Element God King immediately transmitted his voice, saying:


    "These are the 5-Elements Golden Tokens. Holding a 5-Elements Golden Token grants one-time access to the 5-Elements Secret Realm."


    Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in gratitude.


    The 5-Elements Secret Realm was personally created by the 5-Element God King.


    It was said to contain many of his legacies. If one were lucky¡­


    they might even comprehend the 5-Element God King''s laws!


    Of course, it would only be a fragment and couldn''t match the God King''s level.


    But even so, it was enough to excite the crowd.


    After all, this was a true God King legacy!


    Subsequently, the other God Kings also distributed various rewards to these ten thousand winners.


    Finally, everyone turned their eyes toward Daniel,


    curious about what kind of reward he would give.


    Would he simply hand out tens of thousands of divine stones or divine crystals to everyone?


    Though that would be shocking enough,


    it somehow felt¡­


    "Don''t rush me. Let me see what I can give as a reward. It''s a bit tricky to choose."


    Daniel, of course, had plenty of divine stones and divine crystals.


    But...


    directly handing those out would be too mundane!


    This was supposed to be a reward prepared specifically by the God Kings for the winners.


    If it were all about mundane items like divine stones, it would be too underwhelming.


    Thus, Daniel began searching.


    Should he give pills? Or divine spells?


    Both had already been given out earlier.


    As for Supreme Artifacts, he didn''t have that many.


    After searching for a while, Daniel finally found something suitable.


    It was an item he had obtained in the Life Temple¡ª


    a bottle called the Elixir of Life.


    Back then, Arya and two others had used a single drop of the elixir to break through from God Sovereign to God King.


    This was an extraordinary treasure!


    Using it as a reward would certainly be fitting.


    So, Daniel took out the Elixir of Life.


    The 5-Element God King didn''t recognize it.


    However, the Ink Sea God King and Arya certainly did.


    After all, the three of them had used this very item to break through to God King.


    How could they not recognize it?


    "Lord, are you planning to use this as a reward? That''s... absolutely not acceptable!"


    Arya exclaimed in alarm.


    Each drop of the Elixir of Life could potentially nurture a God King!


    Giving it to these young people¡­


    Not all of them had such potential.


    "Indeed, such a treasure¡­ anyone below God Sovereign probably couldn''t even absorb it. It would backfire instead."


    The Ink Sea God King also tried to dissuade him.


    The 5-Element God King watched from the side, curious about what this item was.


    Why did the others seem to know what it was, but he didn''t?


    "So, what exactly is this?"


    the 5-Element God King asked in confusion.


    "This is what allowed the three of us to break through from God Sovereign to God King,"


    Arya explained.


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King was shocked and immediately said:


    "Lord Daniel, this cannot be used as a reward!"


    All he wanted was to add some flair.


    Such an important item shouldn''t be given away!


    "It''s fine. There are only ten thousand people here. If I dilute five drops of the elixir, it will be completely manageable."


    "If not for these individuals, I might not have even remembered that I had the Elixir of Life. It deserves to be used as a reward."


    After speaking, Daniel extracted five drops of the elixir from the bottle, which then disappeared.


    As the five drops of elixir appeared,


    the 5-Element God King immediately felt an overwhelming life force emanating from them.


    His eyes turned red with envy.


    "Lord Daniel, perhaps¡­ you could spare me some? I''ll even willingly concede the bet!"


    ...


    The five drops of elixir vanished, and soon after, in Ascension City,


    droplets resembling rain began to fall from the skies above the ten thousand.


    The droplets fell gently, evenly landing on everyone.


    Even though it was diluted, some couldn''t withstand the immense power it contained.


    They immediately began meditating to absorb the energy.


    Some directly broke through!


    Most used the energy to heal minor injuries, even invisible ones.


    Even the scrapes left from battles a few days ago were completely healed.


    ...


    At this moment, Daniel looked at the 5-Element God King with an odd expression. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You really think everything good should go to you? That won''t do. I want to see you lose willingly."


    "Of course I''ll concede willingly, Lord Daniel! Just give me a little of that elixir, and I''ll admit defeat without hesitation!"


    "Alright, here you go."


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    Daniel said as he produced dozens of drops of elixir from the bottle,


    placing them before the 5-Element God King, who quickly stashed them away like treasure.


    "Don''t hoard this stuff. Use it when needed. Understand?"


    Daniel reminded him.


    "Don''t worry! I''ll use it well!"


    Daniel said no more.


    In the arena, the ten thousand winners were astounded by the luxurious rewards from the 5-Element Temple.


    After all¡­


    this was just for passing the first round!


    The rewards were already this extravagant.


    What kind of reward awaited the ultimate champion?


    Many of the items rewarded today were things that most people had never seen in their lifetimes.


    Even their elders might not have heard of them.


    This time, the 5-Element Temple had truly gone all out.


    After receiving the Elixir of Life, the 5-Element God King hurriedly left.


    He seemed to have something urgent to attend to.


    He soon returned, but it was clear what he had gone to do.


    Within the 5-Element Temple or among those close to the 5-Element God King,


    there was only one person¡ªthe Grand Elder from Greenwood God Realm¡ªwho was still at God Sovereign rank instead of God King.


    Because of this, the Grand Elder often struggled to have his voice heard.


    Especially since he was from Greenwood God Realm.


    So there was no question about what the 5-Element God King had gone to do.


    He had undoubtedly delivered the Elixir of Life to the Grand Elder.


    That elder was one of his few friends.


    Furthermore, he had left Greenwood God Realm to come to the 5-Element God Realm, a foreign place, because of their friendship.


    If the Grand Elder could become a God King, perhaps things wouldn''t be so awkward anymore.


    "By the way, when does the second round of the competition begin?"

 Chapter269-The First Match, A Blast!

    "It''s soon, in just a few days. This time... we need to carefully arrange the match order. After the second round, due to the rule of avoiding matches within the same world, some battles will need to be adjusted.""These arrangements take time," said the 5-Element God King.


    Naturally, these tasks were handled by the temple staff.


    During the wait,


    some betting establishments even released a booklet,


    ranking the participants and worlds based on odds.


    For some reason, whether for controversy or something else,


    Crossbridge World was ranked first.


    Even the 5-Element Temple and Brightsun World were placed below Crossbridge World.


    Brightsun World, already not on friendly terms with Crossbridge World,


    was now even more displeased.


    In Ascension City, spotting anyone from Crossbridge World would instantly spark their anger.


    The reason for this?


    It was all because of Daniel.


    He had directly instructed Elise to bet a large amount of divine stones on Rose winning.


    As a result, Rose''s ranking skyrocketed,


    quickly rising to first place.


    This also boosted Crossbridge World''s ranking dramatically,


    putting them ahead of Brightsun World.


    No one had seen this coming.


    The entire situation caused an uproar,


    leading to Brightsun World enduring widespread ridicule over the past few days.


    How could the top-ranked Upper God Realm be surpassed by a Lower God Realm?


    What did their top rank even amount to?


    Such remarks and skepticism left every Brightsun World citizen simmering with rage.


    If they encountered anyone from Crossbridge World in the upcoming matches,


    they were determined to vent their anger.


    Meanwhile, grand events like this naturally attracted many outsiders to Ascension City to watch the matches live.


    Seeing the rankings,


    many couldn''t help but comment:


    "How can an Upper God Realm even be worse than a Lower God Realm?"


    In a Tavern at Ascension City


    A nobleman in luxurious attire sat at a table, frowning as he read the rankings.


    "So, Brightsun World is this pathetic? Surpassed by a Lower God Realm?


    Even the 5-Element Temple can''t compare?"


    "See? My father warned me to be cautious of Brightsun World. Turns out, they''re nothing to worry about!"


    "Young master, we''re outside. We should speak carefully," one of his attendants advised.


    "Carefully? Don''t worry. Our family is definitely making it to the finals!


    As for Brightsun World and Crossbridge World¡­ they''re no match for us!"


    At that moment, the tavern''s first floor was almost entirely occupied by his entourage,


    so his remarks stayed within the group.


    Just then, a figure walked in.


    The newcomer had a massive sword strapped to his back.


    He glanced briefly at the nobleman before heading to the counter to ask the pub keeper:


    "Are there any Crossbridge World people here?"


    "Ah? Sir, you must be mistaken! No one from Crossbridge World has made a reservation here."


    Hearing this, the nobleman''s interest was piqued.


    This man with the greatsword was clearly from Crossbridge World.


    Why not¡­


    test his strength?


    "Hey! This tavern has been reserved by me. Are you from Crossbridge World?


    Who allowed you in here? A mere Lower God Realm¡ªon what grounds?"


    Yes! Even his family''s influence wasn''t ranked at the top,


    so how could a Lower God Realm take first place?


    The man with the greatsword looked at the nobleman but said nothing.


    He turned and left.


    However, the nobleman wasn''t done:


    "So this is the kind of¡­"


    Before he could finish, he felt a gust of wind rushing toward his face!


    In an instant, he saw the man with the greatsword standing before him,


    ready to draw the blade from his back.


    Even with just this motion, the aura he unleashed was overwhelming.


    The nobleman smirked coldly,


    his own aura flaring up in response¡ª


    God Lord!


    With such a rank, it was no wonder the nobleman had been so dismissive.


    After all, the difference between a God Lord and an Earth God Rank was¡­


    blatant.


    He simply couldn''t understand how an Upper God Realm could be overshadowed by a Lower God Realm.


    Even as the God Lord''s aura fully erupted,


    the man with the greatsword stood firm,


    seemingly unaffected.


    He was like a sword himself,


    sharp enough to sting the eyes of anyone who looked at him.


    "You''re in the wrong place, Zhul¨². The tavern we booked is over there!"


    A voice called from the doorway.


    The man with the greatsword turned and left,


    paying no attention to the others.


    He walked away casually,


    leaving his back exposed without a hint of concern that someone might attack him.


    The Second Round Begins


    Ten massive arenas stood ready.


    The final ten participants would emerge from these arenas to compete for the championship.


    And the very first match¡­


    caused an explosion of excitement!


    The viewership far exceeded expectations.


    Not only were all seats in the arena filled,


    but many spectators stood, eager to watch.


    Even the projection broadcasts were crowded.


    Everyone was focused on this battle.


    For some reason,


    the first match began with an absolute spectacle!


    Initially, all eyes had been on Brightsun World, particularly their strongest prodigy,


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    Gurlitt.


    A favorite to win the championship, Gurlitt was at the top of the rankings.


    And yet, in this very match,


    he was pitted against Rose from Crossbridge World.


    Yes, one of the top contenders for the championship was facing the overall number one,


    believed to have the best chance of winning.


    The announcement of this matchup a few days earlier had left many stunned,


    unsure of what to say.


    Was this the 5-Element Temple''s way of proving fairness?


    They had directly arranged for these two to face off.


    Moreover, it was well known that Brightsun World harbored resentment toward Crossbridge World.


    They frequently criticized Crossbridge World for taking up too many spots and occupying the central area of Ascension City.


    When the competition was announced,


    they practically declared their intent to use this event to drive Crossbridge World out of Ascension City.


    "They don''t belong in Ascension City."


    Naturally, many people eagerly awaited this battle.


    Even Daniel focused on this fight.


    This would be Rose''s first time facing a God Lord rank opponent.


    Would there be any surprises?


    Daniel had faith in Rose''s talent and relentless effort.


    But seeing her on the stage still made him nervous.


    "I think this girl from Crossbridge World doesn''t stand a chance!


    Gurlitt reached God Lord rank fifty years ago and earned many accolades in the war against the Beast Clan.


    How could a young girl possibly match him?"


    "Exactly. I''ve never even heard of this so-called prodigy. A championship favorite? Laughable."


    "Believing in her is like believing I''m a God King! If she wins, I''ll reward you with fifty divine stones and a 5-Elements rule."


    "¡­."


    Even before the match began, the spectators were already discussing it.


    The general consensus was clear: sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    most didn''t think Rose could win.


    Compared to Rose,


    Gurlitt was simply more renowned.


    A Battle of Swords


    Amid the intense anticipation,


    the battle was about to begin.


    Interestingly, both competitors wielded swords.


    Rose unsheathed the greatsword from her back,


    and Gurlitt drew his own blade.


    Standing across from each other,


    the moment the referee signaled the start, Rose made the first move.


    She wasn''t one to wait¡ª


    she preferred taking the initiative!


    Her sword swung down,


    carrying an unstoppable momentum!

 Chapter270-The Fearsome Rose

    Gurlitt raised his sword to block.The two blades clashed for the first time,


    sending a massive shockwave rippling outward.


    Fortunately, the magic array surrounding the arena absorbed the impact,


    preventing the shockwave from harming the surrounding spectators.


    Otherwise...


    even the residual force from this single clash could have injured some onlookers.


    Rose''s greatsword had been with her for many years.


    By now, even with such a massive weapon in her hands,


    she wielded it with ease, as if it were weightless.


    The greatsword in Rose''s hands seemed to have no weight at all,


    allowing her to perform any move with it.


    The enormous blade danced through the air with tremendous momentum.


    Meanwhile, Gurlitt was not to be outdone,


    meeting each of Rose''s strikes with his own sword.


    At this moment, the two figures blurred as they moved across the arena.


    The audience below could barely follow the action,


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    their eyes straining to keep up.


    They could only judge the intensity of the fight


    based on the damage appearing on the arena.


    Every few moments, new marks of destruction appeared on the stage.


    "So this is what a battle between geniuses looks like? It seems... this girl Rose isn''t that far behind Gurlitt!"


    "Of course! Both of them are God Lord rank; their auras alone show there''s not much difference between them."


    "Then the only deciding factor will be their foundations!"


    "Brightsun World is an old and powerful Upper God Realm with terrifying foundations. What does a Lower God Realm like Crossbridge World have? Divine spells? Artifacts?"


    "There''s no need to worry. This is just testing the waters. Once Gurlitt gets serious, it''ll be over."


    "..."


    The audience seats were abuzz with chatter.


    Of course, among them were a few skilled enough to keep up with the fight,


    but the majority were simply watching for the spectacle.


    The battle eventually paused.


    The two fighters separated, facing each other.


    In terms of swordsmanship, the two were fundamentally similar.


    At God Lord rank, whether comparing strength or technique,


    there was hardly any difference.


    Both used swords,


    so there wasn''t much variation between their styles.


    Next... it would come down to divine spells!


    Rose once again took the initiative!


    In an instant, her greatsword was enveloped in lightning,


    crackling with a destructive aura.


    "What is that!?"


    As the lightning coursed across Rose''s greatsword,


    its terrifying aura finally extended beyond the arena.


    Even with the magic array''s protection,


    the overwhelming energy seeped out, reaching the spectators.


    Those closest to the stage began to pale,


    their faces turning white from the oppressive force.


    The 5-Element Temple staff quickly acted,


    isolating the aura at the arena''s edge


    to prevent it from affecting the crowd.


    Nevertheless, those who sensed the power emanating from Rose''s greatsword


    were visibly shocked.


    Even several God Kings watching the match through projections


    couldn''t hide their surprise.


    The first to react was the 5-Element God King.


    "Lord Daniel, you... you actually let your daughter... How is this possible?"


    the 5-Element God King exclaimed in utter astonishment.


    He was certain that the power radiating from Rose¡ªor more precisely, her greatsword¡ª


    was the power of a rule.


    Specifically, the Rule of Destruction!


    This... how could this be?


    Daniel was only a few decades old, and Rose was likely only in her twenties or thirties.


    How could she not only reach God Lord rank in such a short time


    but also comprehend a rule?


    The 5-Element God King was utterly stunned.


    After all, they had only been able to achieve God King status by comprehending rules.


    Typically, rules were something they studied as God Sovereigns,


    after a long period of time and careful preparation for their breakthrough to God King.


    But now...


    Rose, while only at God Lord rank,


    had already comprehended a rule?


    And she could even integrate the power of that rule into her attacks?


    What kind of terrifying talent was this?


    At that moment, the 5-Element God King felt like he had been deceived.


    This...


    Daniel hadn''t mentioned that Rose had comprehended a rule!


    The normal progression should have been:


    first learn divine spells,


    then identify the rules embedded in those spells,


    become proficient in certain divine spells,


    and eventually choose a rule to master. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If mastery reached a sufficient level,


    one would have the chance to become a God King.


    But with Rose, it seemed like the process had been completely reversed.


    Wasn''t this supposed to be a battle of divine spells?


    Who starts with the direct use of a rule!?


    Seeing this, the 5-Element God King felt his confidence shatter.


    Now, he only hoped his juniors wouldn''t be foolish enough


    to challenge Rose head-on.


    If they couldn''t win, they should just surrender¡ªit wouldn''t be shameful.


    With that thought, the 5-Element God King glanced at Daniel.


    It seemed...


    Daniel had been setting him up from the start.


    And the worst part? He had walked right into it, clueless.


    It was over. Completely over.


    From the moment he agreed to Daniel''s bet,


    he had already lost.


    Even though one of his juniors had nearly reached Half-Step God Sovereign rank,


    it meant nothing against Rose, who had comprehended a rule.


    While Rose prepared to strike,


    Gurlitt was not idle.


    Swinging his sword,


    he summoned an overwhelming surge of death energy.


    This was one of Gurlitt''s divine spells¡ª


    harnessing death energy to directly attack his opponent.


    Anyone who wished to avoid death would have only one option: surrender.


    Being tainted by death energy would rapidly drain one''s lifespan,


    continuing until the energy naturally dissipated over time.


    This was the most terrifying aspect of death energy.


    It was also why Gurlitt was Brightsun World''s top prodigy.


    No one dared to force him to use his full strength.


    With such a fearsome divine spell,


    Gurlitt seemed destined never to lose.


    Even the God Kings watching the battle frowned at this sight.


    None of them had expected someone to master such a divine spell.


    Ink Sea God King, experienced and knowledgeable,


    immediately recognized the energy.


    "Lord Daniel, Gurlitt is using death energy! If a living being is tainted by it, the consequences could be disastrous. I think¡ª"


    "It''s fine. I trust Rose!"


    At this moment, Daniel wasn''t worried at all.


    Rose had mastered the Rule of Destruction.


    Destruction wasn''t merely about obliteration;


    it also encompassed rebirth.


    Daniel had even taught Rose ancient divine spells from the Life Temple.


    He believed she would excel far beyond expectations.


    Death energy?


    In the face of the Life Temple''s ancient divine spells,


    it was nothing.


    So, Daniel''s confidence remained unshaken.


    The two fighters moved once more.


    Rose''s strike carried infinite destruction,


    while Gurlitt''s attack surged with death energy.


    When their attacks collided,


    the power of destruction surged from Rose''s greatsword.


    The death energy couldn''t even get close to her,


    let alone harm her.


    The overwhelming force of destruction obliterated everything in an instant.


    Gurlitt''s figure was sent flying,


    landing below the arena.

 Chapter271-The Drawing of Lots

    Rose achieved ultimate victory.And yet...


    she hadn''t even used the ancient divine spell Daniel had taught her.


    She won just like that.


    Her opponent hadn''t even forced her to reveal her trump card.


    Or rather, it seemed like Rose had simply chosen a random card from her hand and defeated Gurlitt.


    This battle left the audience utterly stunned.


    Cheers erupted for Rose.


    Before the match, almost everyone believed Rose would lose.


    After all, Brightsun World was a renowned Upper God Realm in the 5-Element God Realm.


    How bad could the young prodigies from such a world be?


    Perhaps they couldn''t compare to those from the 5-Element Temple,


    but surely, they wouldn''t lose to someone from a little-known Crossbridge World.


    Moreover, Crossbridge World was an Earth God Realm.


    How could someone from Crossbridge World possibly be a match for Gurlitt?


    What''s more, Gurlitt had been in the God Realm for decades.


    And Rose?


    It was said that she had only ascended to the God Realm a few years ago.


    That alone said it all.


    A person from an Earth God Realm ascending to the God Realm might at best reach the peak of Earth God rank.


    Even if they had been in the God Realm for a few years, how much could they really have improved?


    There was no way they could compete with Gurlitt!


    But after the battle began,


    the audience''s impressions were immediately overturned.


    To their utter surprise,


    Rose was able to fight Gurlitt to a standstill!


    The clash of their swords was entirely even.


    Only later did they begin using the power of rules.


    No one expected the battle to end so quickly.


    Rose''s victory was swift and decisive,


    with an overwhelming and aggressive style.


    Fast as the wind, fierce as fire.


    Throughout the match, Rose consistently took the initiative.


    Gurlitt was forced into a defensive position,


    even resorting to his ultimate divine spell as a last resort.


    Yet even that move failed to make any impact.


    Gurlitt''s death energy had no effect on Rose.


    Before the death energy could even get close to her, it was completely destroyed.


    At this moment, the crowd roared Rose''s name.


    Her strength had earned their respect!


    Rose, however, left the arena as if she had just won an insignificant skirmish.


    The second-round battles continued intensely.


    Before long, the final ten contestants were determined.


    Among them were Rose and Reed,


    alongside three participants from the 5-Element Temple and several from other factions.


    In the final ten, there was a minor adjustment to the rules.


    The rule preventing participants from the same world from facing each other was removed.


    The matches would now be determined through blind drawing of lots.


    This meant that some might end up facing someone from their own faction.


    The results would now be entirely up to chance.


    Among the remaining ten participants,


    only Crossbridge World and the 5-Element Temple had multiple representatives.


    It was obvious to everyone that the new rule favored other factions.


    The change was also intended to showcase the fairness of the competition hosted by the 5-Element Temple.


    The drawing process didn''t take long,


    and soon the matchups were announced.


    The results were surprising.


    Among the ten finalists,


    both participants from Crossbridge World and both from the 5-Element Temple


    were paired against each other.


    This essentially turned into internal duels.


    For these two factions, this was naturally unfavorable,


    as it meant fewer chances for their members to advance to the semifinals.


    However, the outcome made the competition appear even more fair and impartial to the audience.


    Even the 5-Element Temple had internal matches,


    proving that the drawing process was fair.


    Rose and Reed''s match was scheduled for later.


    The first match was a showdown between two participants from the 5-Element Temple.


    Daniel glanced at the 5-Element God King.


    "Did you arrange this on purpose?"


    The 5-Element God King sighed in exasperation.


    "No, I didn''t! It really came from the draw. I don''t know how this happened.


    If it were up to me, I would''ve kept the 5-Element Temple participants apart.


    Lord Daniel, you have to believe me!"


    The 5-Element God King was clearly frustrated.


    He hadn''t expected such a result.


    Though it looked like he had manipulated the draw,


    he could guarantee that the outcome was purely by chance.


    Who could have predicted this?


    The 5-Element God King could only try his best to explain.


    Daniel, however, seemed unbothered.


    "Hmm. This might actually be good. It''ll let me see the difference between them," he said.


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King realized there was no need to explain further.


    Naturally, Daniel was referring to Rose and Reed. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Rose was Daniel''s daughter.


    Reed, on the other hand, was the first of his students to ascend from Crossbridge World.


    The two had sparred back in Crossbridge World.


    Daniel wondered how much had changed in the years since.


    Explore new worlds at empire


    As Daniel watched the arena, his mind was filled with these thoughts.


    Currently, the two contestants from the 5-Element Temple were battling.


    Both were juniors of the 5-Element God King.


    They had sparred many times before,


    so the outcome of this match was practically predetermined.


    Still, to maintain the 5-Element Temple''s reputation,


    their battle was made to look "spectacular."


    Indeed, it was all about dazzling divine spells.


    But in terms of actual power and destruction...


    it was more like a light show.


    At least the audience seemed enthralled.


    After all, they were God Lord rank,


    and they were from the 5-Element Temple.


    To the audience, it was a spectacular display,


    with divine spells so varied and dazzling that they couldn''t look away.


    Soon, both contestants unleashed their "ultimate moves,"


    and one was defeated.


    The battle perfectly embodied the saying:


    "Friendship first, competition second."


    Such a fight could only fool casual spectators.


    Those who understood what was happening naturally wouldn''t say much.


    After all, this was the 5-Element Temple.


    It was clear they had already discussed and decided the outcome.


    The spectacle was merely for show,


    to avoid public criticism.


    Thus, the battle was designed to be an extremely "exciting" match,


    a feast for the eyes.


    Those who understood wouldn''t expose it,


    and those who didn''t would simply think it was brilliant.


    Afterward, projection stones of the match would be sold,


    allowing people to relive the "epic" battle at home.


    With that, the first match concluded.


    There were several more exciting battles to come.


    However, Daniel remained focused on Rose and Reed''s upcoming match.


    A few days later, their match finally began.


    On the arena, Rose drew her sword,


    and Reed took out his spear.


    In the second round, Reed had not been as relaxed as in the first.


    He had used his spear in several matches,


    and his wide, sweeping attacks had drawn plenty of attention.


    Many spectators enjoyed watching such a weapon in action.


    "I didn''t expect us to face each other here," Rose said.


    "Yeah. But I''ve already lost to you," Reed admitted openly.


    There was nothing shameful about it.


    After all, his rank was lower than Rose''s.


    When Reed had ascended,


    he already knew Rose had surpassed him.


    She had held off her ascension despite reaching Heavenly God rank,


    waiting for the right moment.


    In the God Realm, Rose''s progress had only accelerated.


    Reed, on the other hand, had only recently reached God Lord rank.


    By all accounts, he was no match for Rose.

 Chapter272-Completely Different Rules!

    For Reed, admitting his shortcomings was nothing to be ashamed of.He could readily acknowledge it without hesitation.


    "Are you going to concede? Without even making a move?" Rose asked.


    This was a rare opportunity for the two of them to face off, and Rose wasn''t willing to let it go so easily. Experience more tales on empire


    If Reed planned to surrender, Rose would be disappointed.


    "Of course not. I admit there''s a gap between us in rank, but that doesn''t mean I''m giving up!


    Even though there''s a disparity, I still want to challenge you!"


    Reed was never someone to back down in the face of difficulty.


    Back in the Mortal Realm, Daniel had summoned the projections of tier-sages from the River of Time,


    challenging Reed to fight them.


    At the time, Reed was only tier-silver in rank,


    with no combat experience or skills to speak of.


    All he had was a refusal to admit defeat.


    Though he was repeatedly beaten, he always¡­


    chose to challenge again.


    He wasn''t afraid of failure;


    he only feared being unable to rise again after failing.


    Even though he knew he might not be able to defeat Rose, Reed still stood his ground without fear.


    Pointing his spear at Rose, he said:


    "Come on! I want to see just how strong you''ve become!" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Rose laughed.


    That was the Reed she knew!


    She disappeared from her spot, her greatsword slashing down toward Reed.


    The eyes of everyone in the audience were fixed on the arena and the two combatants.


    To them, there was no difference between Rose and Reed¡ª


    both were from Crossbridge World.


    They didn''t know much about either of them.


    Rose, at least, had left an impression,


    having defeated Brightsun World''s Gurlitt.


    The audience remembered her clearly.


    But Reed¡­


    to them, he was simply a skilled spear user.


    Judging from their earlier conversation,


    it was evident the two had a good relationship.


    And since Reed had openly admitted he might not be a match for Rose,


    what would the outcome of this fight be?


    Some in the audience even believed the battle would merely be a performance.


    After several clashes between the greatsword and spear, both unleashed their respective powers.


    Rose once again used her Rule of Destruction!


    The destructive aura emanated outward.


    Thankfully, the staff maintaining order quickly acted,


    blocking the aura within the arena.


    This prevented it from spreading and affecting the surrounding spectators.


    Even a trace of that aura could have a significant impact on weaker individuals.


    The audience was not unfamiliar with Rose''s technique.


    Recognizing it immediately, they exclaimed:


    "That''s the move!"


    "Yes, the one that defeated Gurlitt! Do you think Reed can withstand it?"


    "Probably not. If Gurlitt couldn''t, then Rose might actually win the championship!"


    "Who could possibly withstand such a terrifying strike?"


    Some of the spectators who had been close enough to experience Rose''s previous attack shuddered at the memory.


    They couldn''t forget just how terrifying that technique had been.


    Even a trace of its aura had instilled fear in them.


    Who could stand against such an attack?


    Within the God Lord rank, it was practically invincible!


    But Reed, facing Rose''s strike, didn''t dodge at all.


    His choice was¡­


    to counter with offense!


    He abandoned all defense and attacked directly!


    Back in Crossbridge World, he had heard of Rose''s nickname, the Death Goddess.


    He had even seen her fight before.


    He had thought long and hard about how to counter this move.


    And he realized¡ª


    simply blocking it wouldn''t work!


    The Rule of Destruction couldn''t be blocked!


    There was only one way¡ª


    to break it with overwhelming force!


    Reed thrust his spear forward,


    imbued with his own intent¡ªhis spear intent.


    From a young age, Reed had loved spears.


    At Crossbridge Academy, he had always used a spear.


    Later, when Daniel summoned tier-sages from the Sacred Time River,


    Reed had also challenged them with his spear.


    To Reed, the spear was everything.


    It had accompanied him through countless defeats and victories.


    This thrust contained all of Reed''s understanding¡ª


    his Spear Rule.


    As the spear tip collided with the sword blade,


    the clash of their rules caused massive destruction around them.


    No one had expected this.


    Reed was far stronger than the so-called Gurlitt.


    Although Gurlitt possessed a formidable death energy divine spell,


    his mastery of divine spells was limited to techniques.


    He hadn''t comprehended any rules related to death.


    But Reed was different.


    He had mastered his spear,


    and his rule was the Rule of the Spear.


    Two completely different rules collided.


    The magic array surrounding the arena showed signs of cracking.


    Seeing this, the 5-Element God King quickly reinforced the array,


    strengthening it to prevent it from breaking.


    Rose''s Rule of Destruction wasn''t directly targeting the magic array,


    but the array was still affected by it,


    slowly being eroded.


    "Lord Daniel, your daughter''s Rule of Destruction is so unreasonable!


    The array I just reinforced won''t last much longer!"


    the 5-Element God King complained.


    Hearing this, Daniel laughed and said:


    "You''re right; it won''t last much longer."


    Daniel knew full well that back in the Mortal Realm,


    Rose had already comprehended the opposing but complementary rules of Destruction and Rebirth.


    He wasn''t sure how she would use them after refining her abilities in the God Realm,


    but he was certain the current magic array couldn''t hold for long.


    This time, the 5-Element God King stopped holding back,


    directly using divine crystals to enhance the magic array.


    The reinforcement focused on countering the Rule of Destruction.


    Divine crystals were indeed powerful.


    When used to enhance a specific aspect,


    they could tailor the array to resist certain forces.


    With the array strengthened by divine crystals,


    the 5-Element God King no longer needed to intervene personally.


    The surrounding audience was awestruck.


    They had seen the 5-Element God King in action,


    and they realized just how strong Rose and Reed were.


    The fact that their battle required the 5-Element God King to repeatedly reinforce the magic array¡­


    was terrifying.


    Even the previous battles in the 5-Element Temple,


    despite their grand spectacle,


    hadn''t forced a God King to repair the arena''s array.


    But now, the 5-Element God King had intervened multiple times.


    Clearly, Rose and Reed''s battle was on an entirely different level from the others!


    Fortunately¡­


    their bad luck in the draw had them facing off early.


    Otherwise, it was entirely possible for Crossbridge World to have two people in the semifinals.


    Thinking about this,


    the audience realized just how terrifying Crossbridge World was.


    These two had only ascended to the God Realm a few years ago,


    yet they had already surpassed most prodigies from other worlds.


    No wonder Crossbridge World occupied such a large central area in Ascension City.


    It all made sense now!


    At this moment, the battle in the arena changed once again.


    Rose''s aura of Destruction suddenly transformed!


    Destruction and Rebirth¡ªtwo completely different and opposing forces¡ª


    appeared on Rose simultaneously,


    harmoniously intertwined.


    In an instant, the pressure on Reed increased dramatically!


    Previously, Reed had relied on his Rule of the Spear to withstand Rose''s attacks.


    But now, with the sudden appearance of a new rule,


    he could no longer hold his ground!

 Chapter273-The Mighty Rose

    At this moment, even the magic array reinforced with divine crystals by the 5-Element God King could not withstand the destruction caused by the two different rules.The damage caused by these two distinct rules was far from being as simple as adding their effects together.


    The destructive result was over ten times greater!


    In an instant, the magic array shattered!


    Even the 5-Element God King hadn''t expected this outcome.


    He wanted to intervene immediately, but it was too late.


    The opposing forces of Destruction and Rebirth surged toward the spectators around the arena.


    The audience, seeing the magic array shatter, knew things were going terribly wrong.


    They wanted to flee, but at that moment, there was no way to escape!


    The opposing rules'' auras were rushing straight at them.


    At that critical moment, Daniel acted.


    Just before the aura reached the spectators, an invisible barrier appeared, blocking the two opposing forces of the rules.


    The auras were stopped from harming anyone.


    The spectators breathed a collective sigh of relief.


    They had thought something disastrous would happen.


    Thankfully... thankfully, there was a God King present, and no accidents occurred.


    The 5-Element God King, watching from the stands, also sighed in relief.


    He quickly turned to Daniel and said:


    "Thank you, Lord Daniel! If it weren''t for you, this would have ended in disaster!"


    "It''s nothing. Even I didn''t expect Rose to have grown to this extent!"


    Destruction and Rebirth¡ªthese two rules were only meant for Rose to get a basic grasp of initially.


    Rules from the Mortal Realm were relatively weaker compared to those in the God Realm.


    After arriving in the God Realm, Daniel had given Rose an ancient divine spell as a trump card.


    However, what he hadn''t expected was that Rose had also comprehended the two opposing rules of the God Realm during her time there.


    Although her mastery was still at a relatively low level,


    her ability to use these rules gave her an overwhelming advantage over those who hadn''t comprehended any rules.


    Reed had managed to contend with the Rule of Destruction purely due to his unique qualities.


    The Rule of the Spear...


    it was likely that such a rule didn''t even exist in the God Realm before Reed manifested it.


    But now, with Reed''s usage, it had emerged as a new addition to the spectrum of rules.


    As the greatest beneficiary of this development, Reed was certainly extraordinary.


    Yet even so, he could not compare to Rose''s dual rules.


    These weren''t just any two rules;


    they were Destruction and Rebirth¡ªtwo rules fundamentally opposed to each other.


    For Rose to master and harmoniously wield these two contradictory rules,


    her power was naturally unparalleled.


    Daniel had never imagined that Rose could comprehend the God Realm''s rules of Destruction and Rebirth in just a few years.


    But Rose had truly achieved it.


    While proud, Daniel stepped in to block the overflowing aura from the arena,


    preventing it from harming the spectators.


    After all, these people were from the 5-Element God Realm.


    If such an incident occurred during the first event of its kind,


    it would create a major headache for the 5-Element God King.


    The 5-Element God King was indeed worried.


    He knew the capabilities of his juniors well, Your journey continues on empire


    and Rose''s immense strength and dual-rule mastery had him deeply concerned.


    Even at his peak as a God Lord, he could never have controlled such rules!


    Rose, however, had already mastered and effortlessly utilized these opposing rules at her rank.


    It was enough to make anyone feel inadequate.


    The 5-Element God King instinctively glanced at Daniel. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a daughter like this, her father had to be even more terrifying¡­


    No wonder they were family!


    After Daniel intervened to stop the attack,


    the battle in the arena had already settled.


    The result was clear.


    Reed lay on the ground.


    To be precise, he lay in a large crater.


    The original arena was completely unrecognizable.


    Yes, the arena had been utterly destroyed by Rose''s strike.


    Reed, lying in the pit,


    was still being ravaged by the opposing forces of Destruction and Rebirth coursing through his body.


    He couldn''t heal his injuries on his own.


    The rules had to be purged first before recovery could begin.


    However...


    Reed no longer had any strength left.


    He could only hope Rose would help.


    At that moment, a strange power surged into Reed''s body.


    In an instant, it cleared away the power of the rules within him,


    and even healed his internal injuries.


    The next moment, Reed was back on his feet, full of vigor.


    He quickly realized what had happened.


    Only one person could have healed him so quickly.


    Reed immediately bowed toward the sky and said,


    "Thank you, Headmaster."


    Then, he left the arena.


    Rose advanced to the next round.


    "What a brilliant display, truly magnificent!"


    Ink Sea God King exclaimed as he watched the battle.


    At last, he truly understood what kind of people Daniel''s students...


    or rather, the people of Crossbridge World... really were.


    One had comprehended the opposing rules of Destruction and Rebirth,


    and could wield them with power far greater than a single rule alone.


    The other had mastered the exceptionally unique Rule of the Spear,


    and could hold his own against the Rule of Destruction.


    They were indeed Daniel''s students¡ª


    absolute geniuses!


    No, monsters!


    If it weren''t for the 5-Element God King''s lottery system,


    these two would likely have faced each other in the finals.


    As for the 5-Element Temple...


    well, the two remaining contestants from the temple had already been seen in action.


    To be blunt,


    they weren''t even in the same league as Rose and Reed.


    While the two from the 5-Element Temple were strong within the God Lord rank,


    Rose and Reed¡­


    were they really still just at the God Lord rank?


    It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say the two were already at half-step God King rank!


    From God Lord to God Sovereign rank,


    all that was needed was time.


    With enough time, the transition was practically inevitable.


    But the leap from God Sovereign to God King¡­


    that was a far greater challenge.


    For Rose and Reed, already wielding their respective rules,


    their path to becoming God Kings in the future was practically guaranteed.


    It was clear that Daniel would soon have two more young God Kings by his side.


    Compared to these young prodigies...


    others felt utterly insignificant.


    Arya and the other two, for instance, had only reached God King rank thanks to Daniel''s Life Elixir.


    Now, comparing themselves to Rose and Reed, they felt deeply ashamed.


    The 5-Element God King, however, was preoccupied with another matter.


    Judging by the current situation...


    Rose''s odds of winning the championship were almost certain.


    Which meant...


    he would have to marry that Beast Clan Fox God King?


    The 5-Element God King took a deep breath and began convincing himself.


    It''s just a Fox God King... ignoring the fact that she''s from the Beast Clan, she''s not bad.


    Especially with that figure, those features, and the way she moves¡­


    Wait!


    Why was he already finding her not so hard to accept?


    Was it possible he might actually be okay with marrying her?


    At that moment, his communicator buzzed.


    It was his friend, the former Grand Elder of Greenwood God Realm.


    "5-Elements! I did it! I''ve finally broken through to God King rank!


    Where is Lord Daniel? I must thank him in person!"


    From his voice, the Grand Elder''s excitement was palpable.


    Normally, 5-Elements would have been overjoyed by his friend''s breakthrough.


    But...


    with Rose and Reed''s brilliance fresh in his mind,


    he couldn''t help but think¡­


    You''re just an old man who took forever to reach God King.


    What''s there to celebrate?

 Chapter274-The End of the Tournament

    The Grand Elder, upon advancing to God King, came to Daniel immediately.For an elder of his age, his eyes brimmed with tears of gratitude.


    He never expected such a dramatic turn in his life.


    Originally, he had stayed in Greenwood God Realm, overseeing the realm''s attempts at ascension,


    hoping he might glean some benefit and advance from God Sovereign to God King.


    But as centuries passed, not a single trace of success appeared.


    Time wore on, and the Grand Elder grew increasingly anxious.


    Would his breakthrough to God King remain forever out of reach?


    It was during this time that the 5-Element God King reached out to him.


    The two had been friends in the past.


    One had ascended to God King, while the other remained in Greenwood God Realm as its Grand Elder.


    The 5-Element God King purchased information about realm ascension with divine stones.


    The Grand Elder, thinking it wouldn''t matter, revealed some details.


    After all, the 5-Element God King was already a God King and would likely come across such information eventually.


    Little did the Grand Elder know, this decision would change his life.


    Eventually, he left Greenwood God Realm, betraying his former realm to join the 5-Element God King in the 5-Element God Realm.


    And to his surprise, his chance to break through to God King presented itself there.


    Life truly is unpredictable.


    After achieving God King rank, the Grand Elder rushed to Daniel, kneeling in gratitude.


    "Thank you, Lord Daniel. Without you, I would never have broken through to God King in this lifetime. From now on, if you need anything, Lomont will do it, even if it costs me my life!"


    Yes, the Grand Elder''s name was Lomont.


    "It''s fine. From now on, just stay in the 5-Element God Realm," Daniel replied calmly.


    Having gained another God King as a subordinate didn''t seem to make much difference to Daniel.


    At times, it felt similar to the wealth he had accumulated.


    Much like his divine stones and divine crystals, which had become mere numbers to him,


    spending them barely registered as significant.


    "Yes!" Lomont replied enthusiastically, finding a seat nearby and greeting the others present.


    Over the years, he had gotten to know many of them.


    Previously, due to his rank, Lomont had always been cautious and reserved.


    Now, as a God King, he could finally relax and act more naturally.


    The subsequent battles in the tournament were comparatively less remarkable.


    After witnessing the match between Reed and Rose,


    it was clear that the bar had been set incredibly high.


    This was true even for the God Kings observing the tournament.


    The only exception was Lomont, who, having been occupied with his breakthrough,


    found these battles extremely exciting.


    He had never imagined that the battles among the younger generation could be so captivating¡ª


    especially Daniel''s daughter, Rose.


    So young and only at God Lord rank,


    yet she had already mastered the power of rules.


    However, when Lomont voiced his admiration,


    he noticed the other God Kings didn''t seem particularly moved.


    They weren''t eager to agree with him.


    This puzzled Lomont.


    Aren''t these young people incredibly strong?


    Even the 5-Element Temple''s representative, the 5-Element God King''s junior, wasn''t weak!


    Finally, the 5-Element God King broke the silence:


    "Alright, alright, I know my juniors'' level.


    Compared to Lord Daniel''s daughter, they''re not even worth mentioning¡­"


    Enjoy new chapters from empire


    With that, the 5-Element God King handed Lomont a projection stone.


    It contained the battle between Rose and Reed.


    After watching it, Lomont fell silent.


    For the rest of the tournament, he became a quiet spectator,


    saying nothing more.


    His expectations had been reset.


    The strength displayed by Rose and Reed far surpassed the limits of the God Lord rank.


    They were in a league of their own.


    Were it not for the random draw,


    those two would undoubtedly have faced off in the finals.


    As it stood, the final champion would be either Rose


    or the 5-Element God King''s junior. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For the audience, this was a once-in-a-lifetime showdown.


    Rose was undoubtedly the strongest competitor they had seen in this tournament.


    As for the 5-Element Temple''s representative¡­


    while strong, he seemed to lack something.


    The final match arrived quickly.


    The 5-Element Temple''s representative was a junior named Kester,


    a straightforward God Lord rank competitor


    who had mastered several 5-Element divine spells.


    His battles were visually spectacular.


    With gold, wood, water, fire, and earth elements on display,


    his fights were nothing short of dazzling.


    It was no wonder that his previous match against another 5-Element Temple representative


    was described as a "visual feast."


    The match between Kester and Rose had no unexpected twists.


    In the end, Rose "accidentally" stepped out of the arena,


    resulting in her defeat.


    Kester was crowned champion of the tournament.


    Rose, content with second place, accepted the outcome graciously.


    She harbored no dissatisfaction.


    After all, this was the first tournament organized by the 5-Element God King.


    If the 5-Element Temple had been defeated in their inaugural event,


    it wouldn''t reflect well on them.


    Daniel had instructed Rose to hold back slightly.


    After her battle with Reed, no one could doubt Rose''s strength.


    The rankings and rewards were meaningless to Rose.


    What truly mattered was her father''s approval.


    To Rose, the tournament lost its significance after her match with Reed.


    The remaining competitors weren''t even on Reed''s level.


    Fighting them offered no growth for her.


    She''d rather focus on studying the ancient divine spell her father had given her.


    Thus, the 5-Element God Realm''s first tournament for young prodigies concluded.


    As per the bet, Daniel had lost.


    "What a pity... we won''t get to see that now," Ink Sea God King remarked wistfully.


    Curious, Lomont asked,


    "What do you mean, Brother Ink Sea?"


    "Well, 5-Elements and Lord Daniel had a wager. If 5-Elements lost,


    he''d marry that Fox Clan God King."


    Unfortunately, with Rose''s defeat,


    they wouldn''t get to enjoy the spectacle.


    "No, there''s still a chance, isn''t that right, 5-Elements?"


    Daniel said, looking at the 5-Element God King with a smile.


    The 5-Element God King looked slightly embarrassed.


    Daniel had noticed something over the past few days¡ª


    the Fox Clan God King had been moved from her cell to a better room.


    She was no longer held in the dungeon, unlike the other two Beast Clan God Kings.


    Moreover, the 5-Element God King had been visiting her frequently,


    often at odd hours.


    After being called out by Daniel,


    the 5-Element God King gave up pretending.


    "You''ve already noticed, Lord Daniel, so I''ll admit it!


    Even though Kester won the championship,


    it''s clear to everyone that your daughter and Reed are the strongest competitors.


    I, 5-Elements, am willing to honor my wager!"


    "Come on! I''ve known you for almost ten thousand years.


    I know your character better than that.


    You''ve fallen for that Fox Clan God King, haven''t you?


    She is quite beautiful, after all," Lomont interjected, teasingly.


    The 5-Element God King shot Lomont a resentful look.


    "Well then, if you''ve made up your mind, start preparing for the wedding.


    I''ll make sure to attend," Daniel said.


    "Lord Daniel, are you planning to leave?"


    "Yes. I''ve spent years in the 5-Element God Realm.


    It''s time to explore other places.


    Especially Greenwood God Realm.


    After all these years, they should have made some progress in their study of realm ascension.


    I''d like to see if there''s anything I can learn from them."

 Chapter275-The Wedding of the 5-Element God King

    The entire 5-Element God Realm was abuzz with the news.Shortly after the young prodigy tournament concluded, an announcement from the 5-Element Temple spread like wildfire:


    The 5-Element God King was marrying a God King from the Beast Clan.


    Years ago, the greatest threat to the 5-Element God Realm had been the Beast Clan.


    During that devastating war, countless humans perished.


    It was only after that war that the 5-Element God King gathered the scattered human survivors


    and built a city around the 5-Element Temple to defend against the Beast Clan.


    This was how the current 5-Element God Realm came to be.


    For many, the Beast Clan was a buried trauma, a thunderclap in their memories.


    Now, the announcement that the 5-Element God King would marry a God King from the Beast Clan was hard to accept for many.


    The news caused an uproar.


    Some argued that this decision betrayed the memory of those who had died at the hands of the Beast Clan.


    Others held an entirely opposite view.


    The 5-Element God Realm had utterly crushed the Beast Clan back then!


    The Beast Clan''s million-strong army was reduced to less than a tenth,


    and the survivors fled in disgrace.


    So what if the 5-Element God King married a Beast Clan God King?


    There was no problem with that!


    In short, the announcement sparked heated debates.


    However, the discussions among the people of the 5-Element God Realm remained verbal and did not escalate.


    After all, the 5-Element God King had every right to do as he pleased.


    The million-strong Beast Clan army had been vanquished by him.


    Marrying a single Beast Clan God King? What of it?


    Meanwhile, the 5-Element Temple was bustling with activity.


    Everyone in the temple knew about the upcoming wedding, and the atmosphere was lively.


    The wedding itself was low-key.


    Apart from Daniel and a few God Kings, no external guests were invited.


    The event concluded smoothly and without any disruptions.


    Still, the news spread rapidly.


    A marriage between a human God King and a Beast Clan God King was far too shocking to remain quiet.


    The next morning, the 5-Element God King, sporting dark circles under his eyes,


    made his way to Daniel.


    "Judging by your appearance, you must have had a long night!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel took one look at the 5-Element God King and instantly guessed what had transpired, laughing.


    The 5-Element God King, perhaps due to lack of sleep or some other reason,


    unintentionally responded to Daniel''s comment:


    "You have no idea, Lord Daniel. The Fox Clan physique is just¡­ wait!"


    Halfway through his sentence, he realized he shouldn''t continue.


    Hurriedly, he changed the topic:


    "Lord Daniel, I actually came to speak with you about something else."


    "Go on."


    "Well, after my wedding yesterday, starting last night and continuing into this morning,


    I''ve been receiving inquiries from numerous people.


    Most of them are individuals I''ve crossed paths with in the God Realm.


    They''re all trying to find out more about me."


    The 5-Element God King hesitated for a moment before asking:


    "Lord Daniel, is this matter really causing such a huge stir?"


    He had never anticipated that marrying a Beast Clan God King would have such far-reaching consequences.


    If he had known, he might have decisively refused¡­


    Although, last night was indeed enjoyable¡­


    But setting that aside, wasn''t this a separate issue?


    "Remove your doubts," Daniel said calmly.


    "A marriage between a human God King and a Beast Clan God King is an unprecedented event in the God Realm.


    5-Elements, you can rest assured¡ªyou''ve made a name for yourself across the entire God Realm."


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King looked dismayed:


    "Does that mean I''ve taken a loss here?"


    "Not necessarily. It''s just fame¡ªnothing more," Daniel reassured him.


    "Really?"


    "Yes."


    In truth, most in the God Realm likely viewed the event as mere gossip.


    After all, the 5-Element God Realm had suffered the worst during the Beast Clan invasion.


    The million-strong Beast Clan army had indeed caused devastating destruction in the 5-Element God Realm¡ª


    a fact no one could deny.


    Yet now, even within the 5-Element God Realm,


    there was substantial support for the 5-Element God King''s decision.


    After all, it was he who had decisively crushed the Beast Clan''s arrogance and driven them away in defeat.


    Under such circumstances, marrying a Beast Clan God King could even be seen as magnanimity.


    Within the 5-Element God Realm, there was little opposition.


    As for the rest of the God Realm? Their opinions mattered even less.


    "By the way, do you remember that incident?" Daniel asked.


    "What incident?"


    "After the Beast Clan army retreated, someone left you a message,


    saying that the rise of the Beast Clan was inevitable."


    "Oh, yes! I remember that clearly!"


    The 5-Element God King quickly responded.


    The person who left that message had also left behind a terrifying aura.


    The aura had been so overwhelming that it reminded the 5-Element God King of his first encounter with Daniel.


    Looking back now, however, it didn''t seem quite as formidable.


    Still, he was curious about why Daniel had brought it up.


    Noticing the 5-Element God King''s puzzled expression, Daniel explained:


    "Well, if that individual claimed the rise of the Beast Clan was unstoppable,


    doesn''t that mean your 5-Element God Realm now includes a part of the Beast Clan?"


    Daniel smiled knowingly at the 5-Element God King.


    At that moment, the 5-Element God King, still groggy from the previous night,


    felt as though his mind had suddenly cleared.


    "Yes! With this marriage, our 5-Element God Realm technically has a Beast Clan member now.


    This makes our expansion into the God Realm''s central regions completely reasonable!


    It''s only fitting for the 5-Element God Realm to rise!"


    The 5-Element God King laughed heartily as he came to this realization.


    "Thank you, Lord Daniel. I''ll be heading back now. Last night really wore me out¡ª


    I need to rest properly," he said as he hurried off,


    leaving as energetically as he had arrived.


    Daniel''s suggestion indeed held some merit.


    The shadowy figure who had left that message had warned Daniel against using power beyond the God King level


    or interfering with the destinies of other races,


    claiming that the rise of the Beast Clan was inevitable.


    But Daniel didn''t believe such words.


    What good could come from such secretive individuals?


    Find exclusive stories on empire


    He was determined to see for himself if the so-called rise of the Beast Clan was truly inevitable.


    If it was, the 5-Element God King would undoubtedly benefit.


    If not, then those spreading such rumors were certainly suspicious.


    There was another reason Daniel had encouraged the 5-Element God King''s actions.


    In the ancient ruins he had explored, including the fallen Divine Dynasty and the Life Temple,


    Daniel had noticed a common theme.


    In those ancient powers, there seemed to be no such divisions between races as there were now.


    Back then, all races coexisted within a single force, working together for a shared purpose.


    This stood in stark contrast to the present God Realm,


    dominated by humans while the Beast Clan was pushed to the southernmost regions.


    Considering the shadowy figure''s talk of the Beast Clan''s rise,


    Daniel formed a simple hypothesis:


    Perhaps the so-called calamity was not merely a simple catastrophe.


    It could represent a reshuffling of the God Realm''s order.


    After the calamity, the current balance of power and territories would be cleansed.


    The new powers that emerged after the calamity might resemble those of the ancient past,


    where all races coexisted within a single force.


    It wouldn''t be just the Beast Clan rising¡ª


    all races would find their place in the aftermath.


    The only certainty?


    The human race would lose its current dominance.

 Chapter276-Preparing to Depart

    After reaching his conclusion, even Daniel was startled.The implications of such a conclusion were, frankly, terrifying.


    Currently, the dominance of the human race in the God Realm was undeniable,


    stemming from several factors.


    Firstly, in terms of high-end combat power, the number of God Kings among humans


    far exceeded that of any other race.


    Take the 5-Element God Realm and its neighboring God Realms, for example.


    The combined might of these God Kings alone was enough to hold off the Beast Clan.


    And this was just the frontier.


    If these God Realms could unite,


    even a million-strong Beast Clan army would hardly pose a threat.


    Given the heritage of these human God Realms, dealing with such a force wouldn''t be an issue.


    Unfortunately¡­


    internal conflicts had led to the current fractured state.


    Beyond their God Kings, the human race boasted an overwhelming number of mid-level and lower-tier fighters.


    Additionally, every God Realm controlled its own Mortal Realms,


    ensuring a continuous supply of power from the bottom to the top.


    In such circumstances, how could any other race possibly rise?


    Daniel couldn''t see any plausible path.


    Indeed, in the current God Realm,


    human dominance over other races was absolute.


    This was true not just for their high-end combat power,


    but also for their overwhelming population at all levels.


    To return to the balance of the past¡­


    the first step would be to reduce the human population¡ª


    both at the top and at the bottom.


    In this light, the so-called calamity became clearer.


    It was likely a calamity specifically targeting the human race.


    As for the form it would take or its scale, Daniel couldn''t yet say.


    But¡­


    this calamity seemed inevitable.


    The question remained: who, if anyone, could escape its grasp?


    Several days later, Rose successfully advanced beyond the God Lord rank.


    Reed, too, was close, just one step away from God Lord.


    For these two, who had already mastered the power of rules,


    the progression from God Lord to God Sovereign posed no challenges¡ª


    it was merely a matter of time.


    Daniel gave each of them a few drops of Life Elixir.


    While such elixir was typically too potent for anyone below God Sovereign,


    Daniel had faith in them.


    As expected, the results were soon evident.


    With this, both had essentially joined the ranks of the God Realm''s high-end combatants.


    Looking at the two of them, Daniel realized it was time for him to leave.


    "Are you ready?"


    "Yes," Rose replied without hesitation.


    She couldn''t imagine remaining idle.


    For the past few years, she had been focused on rapidly increasing her strength.


    But the God Realm was vast, and she had yet to make her mark.


    Your journey continues on empire


    Reed, driven by similar motivations, nodded in agreement.


    Now that they had sufficient power to protect themselves,


    they could confidently explore the God Realm.


    With their abilities and mastery of rules, they would face little danger.


    Thus, Daniel knew his departure was due.


    "Are you really leaving, Lord Daniel?" the 5-Element God King asked.


    "Yes, it''s time I explored other places."


    "And us¡­" Ink Sea God King trailed off.


    "You should stay here with 5-Elements for now.


    I have other matters to attend to."


    "Understood!"


    Daniel then left the 5-Element God Realm, accompanied by Rose, Reed, and their followers.


    Before parting, Daniel asked the two,


    "What are your plans?"


    "Father, I plan to proceed cautiously in the God Realm," Rose replied.


    "I''ll focus on improving the strength of my people.


    Otherwise¡­ being the sole God Lord means little."


    Daniel nodded in approval. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reed, on the other hand, had a more aggressive approach:


    "Headmaster, I plan to do as we did in our world¡ª


    head straight for the center of the God Realm."


    "If that''s your choice, you''ve picked the harder path. Be careful."


    "Yes!" Reed replied, undeterred.


    Daniel considered their paths and gave each of them divine stones and items for protection.


    Additionally, he handed Rose the Star Map.


    Since Rose aimed to grow stronger, exploring ruins might be ideal.


    Moreover, two critical fragments of the Star Map were still missing,


    and Daniel suspected they might be hidden within such ruins.


    Thus, Rose''s journey to these ruins could potentially uncover the fragments


    while simultaneously strengthening her and her followers.


    After equipping them, Daniel departed with Big White and Elise.


    At the edge of the 5-Element God Realm,


    Daniel and his companions prepared to head north, toward the God Realm''s center.


    "Father, it feels like it''s just us again," Big White remarked, perched on Daniel''s shoulder, sounding a bit bored.


    "Why? Do you want to stay in the 5-Element God Realm?" Daniel asked.


    Leaving Big White behind wasn''t out of the question.


    However, given Daniel''s plans to visit the Greenwood God Realm to investigate realm ascension,


    Big White''s presence was necessary.


    Otherwise, the relatively safe 5-Element God Realm would have been a comfortable place for Big White to stay.


    "Not really. I just feel like we didn''t spend enough time with Sister Rose before separating again.


    I like it when there are more people around.


    It''d be nice if that clumsy uncle came along to argue with me."


    Clumsy¡­ uncle?


    Daniel looked at Big White, puzzled.


    Could he mean the 5-Element God King?


    It did seem to fit.


    Just then, a figure hurriedly approached from behind.


    "Lord Daniel! Wait for me! Lord Daniel!"


    "Hey, it''s the clumsy uncle!"


    Big White exclaimed upon hearing the voice, glancing back.


    Sure enough, the clumsy uncle in question was the 5-Element God King.


    However, this time, he hadn''t come in person.


    Instead, he had sent an avatar, just as he had when Daniel first met him.


    "What are you doing here?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    Logically, the 5-Element God King should have been with his wife in the 5-Element God Realm,


    especially so soon after their wedding.


    "What else? I''m coming with you, of course!"


    The 5-Element God King replied matter-of-factly.


    "Shouldn''t you be managing your God Realm?"


    "The God Realm¡­ well, it does need managing,


    but this is just an avatar!


    I can move freely with it!"


    Daniel thought for a moment and asked,


    "You can control both your main body and this avatar simultaneously, right?"


    "I can, but splitting my attention causes issues.


    While the 5-Element God Realm is safe,


    this avatar won''t function at full strength if I''m distracted¡ª


    especially in dangerous situations."


    "So, you''ll need to focus entirely on controlling this avatar,


    handling 5-Element God Realm matters only when things are calm?"


    "Well¡­ yes and no.


    To be honest, Lomont and Ink Sea have been managing everything so efficiently,


    I barely have to do anything."


    After Lomont''s promotion to God King,


    his speed and precision in handling affairs had been remarkable.


    Even Ink Sea God King was impressed.


    As a result, the 5-Element God King found himself free enough


    to accompany Daniel on this journey with his avatar.


    "Still, it feels like you''re just afraid to go home at night," Daniel remarked.


    "Afraid? Me? The 5-Element God King, scared of a mere Fox Clan God King?


    Who would believe that nonsense?"


    "Your trembling legs make it pretty convincing," Daniel retorted with a smirk.

 Chapter277-Greenwood Temple

    Hearing Daniel''s remark, the 5-Element God King instinctively clasped his legs together.Only then did he realize one thing: this was just his avatar!


    What did his main body''s nervousness have to do with his avatar?


    Still, he had been startled.


    Embarrassed, he quickly relaxed.


    Noticing Daniel''s amused expression, the 5-Element God King felt a little awkward,


    unsure of what to say to change the subject.


    "Fine, if you''re coming along, let''s go," Daniel said.


    "Alright! Lord Daniel, where are we heading?


    I might not know everything, but when it comes to the God Realm, I''m the expert!"


    "I''m planning to head to the Greenwood God Realm," Daniel replied.


    "Oh, that place, I''m familiar¡­ wait, what? Greenwood God Realm?"


    At the mention of Greenwood God Realm, unpleasant memories flooded the 5-Element God King''s mind.


    Those two months of hiding and fleeing in Greenwood God Realm had left him with a vivid impression.


    He even knew the defensive layout of every corner of the realm.


    Don''t ask how; just know that facing life and death transformed him.


    But then he remembered¡ªthis time, he wasn''t sneaking around with Lomont, the former elder.


    This time, he had Daniel by his side.


    That realization instantly calmed the 5-Element God King.


    He shook off the bad memories.


    This time, he thought, he''d reclaim his dignity.


    Who cared about the Greenwood God King? He''d kneel if necessary!


    Turning to Daniel, he asked,


    "Lord Daniel, what''s the purpose of your visit to the Greenwood God Realm this time?"


    "Do you remember what I inquired about when I first spoke with this avatar of yours?" Daniel asked.


    How could the 5-Element God King forget?


    The topic of world ascension had nearly cost him his life,


    forcing him to flee for two months, narrowly escaping burial in Greenwood God Realm.


    "Of course, I remember, Lord Daniel.


    So, your objective this time is still about world ascension?"


    "Exactly. It''s still about world ascension. Enjoy more content from empire


    I plan to see firsthand what progress Greenwood God Realm has made.


    I recall you mentioned last time that their former elder was discovered."


    "Moreover, Greenwood God Realm truly had some results.


    That''s why I''m heading there to investigate.


    World ascension¡­ is something I''m very interested in."


    "Absolutely! I''m interested too!"


    Perched on Daniel''s shoulder, Big White chimed in eagerly.


    After all, it wouldn''t be long before its world ascended,


    and it wouldn''t hurt to gain some insight in advance.


    "Children shouldn''t interrupt when grown-ups are talking,"


    the 5-Element God King said, looking at Big White.


    "Do you even know what world ascension is?"


    "Dummy uncle is such a dummy," Big White retorted before collapsing into laughter on Daniel''s shoulder.


    The 5-Element God King chose to ignore the remark, opting to take the high road.


    The group set off toward the Greenwood God Realm.


    The Greenwood God Realm was one of the most powerful God Realms in the southern regions.


    Its ruler, the Greenwood God King, was an ancient and seasoned God King.


    It was this prestige that allowed him to study world ascension.


    Unlike the chaos caused by the Beast Clan''s invasions elsewhere,


    Greenwood God Realm remained unscathed.


    In fact, its strength and stability had attracted refugees from affected realms.


    Those with the means to migrate here¡ªwhether through wealth or power¡ªdid so.


    As a result, Greenwood God Realm had flourished even further in recent years.


    Over the past few years, two major events had occurred in the Greenwood God Realm.


    The first was the defection of its former elder. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the Greenwood God King himself had taken action to apprehend the fleeing elder,


    but to no avail.


    Rumors circulated that the elder had likely aligned himself with a God King from the central God Realm,


    making it politically untenable for Greenwood God Realm to pursue him further.


    Another rumor suggested the elder had already been killed by the Greenwood God King,


    explaining the lack of follow-up.


    Either way, the incident wasn''t something Greenwood God Realm wanted to publicize.


    The second major event involved the relocation of Greenwood Temple,


    the realm''s capital.


    At the time, many witnesses had watched as a massive hand lifted the entire temple


    and set it down in a new location.


    This sparked widespread speculation.


    Some theorized Greenwood God Realm was preparing for war with a neighboring realm.


    This caused widespread unease until Greenwood God Realm issued a public statement:


    Unless unrest occurred, including but not limited to Beast Clan incursions,


    Greenwood God Realm would not move against Lunar God Realm.


    Yes, Lunar God Realm¡ªone of the twin realms at the center of the God Realm.


    Eventually, the speculation died down as Greenwood God Realm refrained from any provocative actions.


    Its temple''s relocation brought it closer to the central God Realm,


    which many viewed as a positive development.


    When Daniel and his companions arrived,


    it felt like stepping into a primordial forest.


    The lush greenery was almost surreal.


    "Is this really Greenwood Temple?


    It feels completely different from the 5-Element God Realm!" Big White exclaimed.


    Even from the outskirts, the towering trees and dense forest were awe-inspiring.


    "Is this really a temple?"


    Such questions were common for first-time visitors to Greenwood Temple.


    Even the 5-Element God King had been awestruck during his first visit.


    He had never imagined a temple could look like this.


    He recalled how the former elder had teased him relentlessly for his amazement.


    But now, he was finally in a position to tease someone else!


    "Never seen anything like it, have you?


    This is Greenwood Temple!


    Every God King designs their temple according to their aesthetic preferences


    and the rules they master.


    As for my 5-Element Temple, it''s built to be as practical and unembellished as possible¡ª


    every material used efficiently, appealing to all tastes!"


    "Look at this place, though.


    These exaggerated trees were clearly forced into existence by Greenwood God King''s rule."


    The 5-Element God King couldn''t resist taking a jab at Greenwood God King,


    avenging his past humiliation.


    "I see! So does that mean Greenwood Temple is somewhere within this forest?"


    Big White asked curiously.


    "No, it''s not within the forest.


    This entire forest is Greenwood Temple!"


    The 5-Element God King gestured toward the vast expanse of trees.


    Indeed, Greenwood Temple wasn''t a singular building.


    Unlike 5-Element Temple, which was a standalone structure, Greenwood Temple encompassed an entire forest.


    Rather than a traditional temple, it resembled a sprawling city,


    similar to the 5-Element Temple and its surrounding cities.


    Many powerful beings chose to reside within this forest.


    Each tree functioned as a dwelling,


    and their interiors were unimaginably spacious.


    This was something the 5-Element God King had learned firsthand


    during those two months of hiding with Lomont.


    It was no wonder so many people enjoyed living in such a tranquil, green environment.


    Of course, such accommodations were reserved for the wealthy or powerful.


    The rest of Greenwood God Realm''s population lived in more conventional areas,


    much like those in the 5-Element God Realm.

 Chapter278-Hes Just Messing with Me on Purpose!

    Only in Greenwood God Realm could a place feel so unique and distinct.Greenwood Temple was enormous.


    The Greenwood God King resided at the very center of the sprawling forest.


    As they approached the outskirts of the woodland, the group finally saw its vast expanse in full,


    along with the throngs of people constantly moving in and out.


    "Dummy uncle, isn''t this place massive?"


    "Of course! Think about the cities surrounding 5-Element God Realm¡ªthere are so many people there.


    Here, there''s probably even more!"


    By this point, the 5-Element God King no longer bothered to argue about the nickname "dummy uncle."


    He had been called that throughout their journey,


    and no matter how much he objected, it seemed to make no difference.


    Eventually, he resigned himself to it.


    At least Big White addressed Daniel as "father" and called him "uncle."


    That elevated his status by a generation, didn''t it?


    So, he let it slide.


    "Let''s head in first," the 5-Element God King said, walking toward the long queue.


    "The inspections at Greenwood Temple are very thorough,


    and there''s also a significant flow of people here."


    "Wait a minute! Isn''t that other line over there practically empty?


    Why not go that way?"


    Big White had spotted a line with almost no people in it and curiously asked the 5-Element God King.


    "That''s because¡­ that''s the paid express lane.


    Each person has to pay 1,000 divine stones to use it!


    It''s basically daylight robbery!


    And that''s just the entry fee. If you leave and want to re-enter, it''ll cost another 1,000!"


    The 5-Element God King spoke with a tone of resentment.


    Why did it cost so much to get in?


    They were making an absolute fortune.


    Meanwhile, his 5-Element Temple didn''t charge fees like this¡­


    then again, no one really visited anyway.


    Sigh. Comparisons were maddening.


    Hearing this, Daniel simply waved his hand dismissively.


    "Let''s just go. There''s no need to pinch divine stones¡ªthis isn''t something worth saving on."


    With that, the group approached the express lane and handed over 4,000 divine stones to the gatekeeper.


    "I''m sorry, but here''s 1,000 divine stones refunded to you.


    The spiritual beast on your shoulder doesn''t require an entry fee,"


    the gatekeeper said, returning the stones.


    Daniel pocketed the divine stones.


    His extravagant display had already drawn the attention of those around them,


    especially to the small white beast on his shoulder.


    "Wow, that little creature is so cute!"


    "Miss, shall we try negotiating with that man to buy it?"


    an elderly man beside a young woman suggested.


    "No need. I''m not one to snatch someone else''s belongings.


    I just think it''s adorable," the woman replied.


    She glanced once more at the beast before turning away.


    "We can''t afford to delay any further.


    We''ve already been held up too long.


    I understand the importance of getting back on track," she added.


    "I''m glad you understand, miss.


    Still, now that we''re in Greenwood God Realm and close to 5-Element God Realm, S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    stopping here briefly shouldn''t be an issue¡­"


    The young woman pondered for a moment but ultimately said,


    "Let''s not waste any more time. Reaching 5-Element God Realm is our priority."


    Once inside, Daniel saw for himself how Greenwood Temple aligned with the 5-Element God King''s description.


    From the outside, it appeared to be an endless forest.


    Inside, it resembled a bustling city.


    Stalls lined the roads, selling goods.


    Inns and taverns were everywhere.


    The only difference was that every building was a massive tree,


    giving the area a unique charm.


    "Dummy uncle, don''t just stand there. Look around! Take it all in!"


    Big White perched on Daniel''s shoulder, urging the 5-Element God King.


    The 5-Element God King frowned slightly.


    "Look around? What''s there to see?"


    Everything here¡ªthe shops, inns, stalls¡ª


    was no different from what surrounded the 5-Element Temple.


    He couldn''t understand what Big White was asking him to observe.


    "Look closely. Study how they''ve managed their temple so well.


    Maybe you can apply it when you get back," Big White said.


    The 5-Element God King was speechless.


    Was this something you could learn just by looking?


    Success here came from Greenwood God Realm''s inherent strength


    and advantageous location¡ªthings the 5-Element God Realm couldn''t replicate.


    It was like someone teaching you how to get rich by saying,


    "It''s easy! Just deposit a billion divine stones in the bank, and you''ll earn loads of interest every year."


    Who wouldn''t want that?


    The problem was¡­ did you have the billion to begin with?


    Without that starting capital, no amount of learning could make it work.


    After wandering around for a while, they chose a luxurious inn to rest in.


    Since they booked a private room, they had dedicated service staff.


    The 5-Element God King remained impeccably polite,


    carefully avoiding anything that might remind him of past events that left his legs trembling.


    Daniel asked,


    "Has there been anything unusual in Greenwood God Realm recently?


    I''ve noticed almost everyone here has a small beast with them."


    The attendant replied,


    "Ah, yes, sir. Recently, a trend for beast fights has swept through Greenwood Temple,


    which is why nearly everyone has one.


    This trend might fade soon, though."


    Hearing this explanation, the group understood.


    Big White had noticed the phenomenon upon entering and initially thought it was unique to Greenwood Temple.


    Even the 5-Element God King was unfamiliar with it¡ªthis hadn''t been the case during his previous visit.


    Now, they knew it was tied to the popularity of beast fights.


    Clearly, someone was driving this trend from behind the scenes.


    Otherwise, beast fights?


    In a place like Greenwood Temple, it didn''t seem like the sort of thing that could naturally gain traction.


    Especially given the dense forest¡ªit didn''t even seem suited for such events.


    If this had happened in 5-Element God Realm, it might have made more sense.


    They could even capture Beast Clan cubs for such purposes¡­


    cough cough¡ªbut that''s veering off-topic.


    The attendant, sensing their interest, added,


    "Recently, there have been some notable events near Greenwood God Realm,


    such as those involving the 5-Element God Realm¡­"


    "The 5-Element God Realm?"


    Daniel glanced at the 5-Element God King and asked,


    "What about it?"


    "Well, the 5-Element God Realm is located south of Greenwood God Realm, near the Beast Clan''s territory.


    I heard that the 5-Element God King recently did something incredible¡ª


    he, a God King, actually married a Beast Clan God King."


    The attendant spoke with amazement. Discover exclusive tales on empire


    "Apparently, the 5-Element God Realm has been promoting the idea of equality between humans and the Beast Clan.


    Even here in Greenwood Temple, people have been discussing it."


    "What are they saying?"


    "Most people think¡­ why should the Beast Clan,


    a group that can only occupy a corner of the God Realm,


    ever be considered equal to us humans?


    The Beast Clan can''t match humans and should only serve as their playthings!


    Because of this sentiment, some arenas have even started offering compensation


    to owners if their beasts die during fights.


    If you''re interested, you absolutely shouldn''t miss the beast fights¡ªthey''re quite entertaining!"


    After hearing this, Daniel dismissed the attendant


    and activated a soundproofing magic array.


    He had noticed the 5-Element God King''s face darken.


    "Lord Daniel, I see it now¡ªGreenwood God King is doing this on purpose to mess with me!"


    Daniel chuckled.


    "Well, you did take their elder and all that information about world ascension.


    What did you expect? Compliments?


    Relax. These minor incidents wouldn''t have even reached 5-Element God Realm if you hadn''t come here."

 Chapter279-Encountering the Young Girl Again

    Although the 5-Element God King wanted to throw a tantrum at this moment, Daniel wasn''t wrong in what he said.Judging by the looks of the Greenwood God King, he must have been utterly infuriated last time when the 5-Element God King escaped with Great Elder Lomont. Otherwise, he wouldn''t resort to such tactics to disgust him now. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the expression of the 5-Element God King, it was clear that the Greenwood God King had succeeded. He had truly managed to disgust him thoroughly.


    "Actually, if you think about it carefully, the Greenwood God King didn''t really say anything bad about you, did he? You can just talk to him directly and clear the air," Daniel suggested.


    "That''s true. But I''ll keep a record of this. I''ll make sure he pays for it in the future!" the 5-Element God King said fiercely.


    Once the 5-Element God King had mostly calmed down, Daniel signaled for the server to come back in. As a professional, the server naturally sensed that this guest seemed to have some dissatisfaction with the policies of the Greenwood Temple. Thus, upon returning, the server subtly changed the topic, though it was still related to the 5-Element God Realm.


    However, this time, the topic left the 5-Element God King at a loss for words.


    "In fact, not everyone thinks that way. There are some people in the Greenwood God Realm who feel that the 5-Element God King''s actions are quite in line with their ideals. Some even wish to go to the 5-Element God Realm," the server said, furrowing his brow before continuing, "But recently, there seems to be some issue with the teleport array connecting the Greenwood God Realm and the 5-Element God Realm..."


    The Greenwood God Realm and the 5-Element God Realm were connected by a teleport array. However, Daniel and his group had not used the teleport array to travel.


    Since their strength was formidable, traveling here directly only took a few days. Along the way, they could also gather information about the situation in the Greenwood God Realm.


    Another key reason was the trouble caused by the 5-Element God King in the Greenwood God Realm last time. It was likely that the higher-ups of the Greenwood God Realm were already gnashing their teeth in hatred for the 5-Element God King.


    If the 5-Element God King''s avatar used the teleport array to arrive in the Greenwood God Realm... he would likely be exposed immediately.


    Thus, they didn''t use the teleport array.


    Now, it seemed that the teleport array wasn''t just unavailable; there might be a deeper issue. Judging from the server''s tone, it wasn''t simply a matter of the teleport array being broken.


    After resting at the inn for a while, they left, planning to head toward the teleport array.


    Since this was still only the outer region of the Greenwood Temple, accessing the inner area required using a small teleport array. Additionally, the teleport array leading to the 5-Element God Realm was located within the inner area.


    This led Daniel to speculate that this arrangement wasn''t solely for security purposes but also to prevent anyone from the 5-Element God Realm from entering the Greenwood God Realm again.


    It was evident that the Greenwood God Realm was now on high alert against the 5-Element God Realm.


    Arriving at the mini teleport array in the outer area, Daniel noticed a familiar face¡ªit was the young girl they had encountered at the city gate earlier.


    Back then, she had stared at Big White for quite some time. Now, here she was again.


    This time, the girl was still staring at Big White.


    Big White, no fool, naturally sensed her gaze. Whispering to Daniel, he said, "Dad, I think someone''s watching me."


    Big White signaled with his eyes toward the direction of the girl.


    Daniel noticed this and replied, "It''s nothing. She''s just looking at you because you''re cute. You''re acting as if she''s planning to do something to you."


    At first glance, Daniel could tell that the girl''s strength was likely at the Human God rank, and she appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old. Moreover, she seemed to possess an interesting talent¡ªthe ability to communicate with spirit beasts.


    "That girl has someone with her¡ªa rather strong old man, probably at the God Lord rank. He''s likely her bodyguard," the 5-Element God King remarked.


    Since they had nothing else to do at the moment, they decided to treat this as a way to pass the time.


    "It''s probably because Big White is particularly adorable, so she''s drawn to him," Elise said with a laugh.


    "Hehe, Elise-sis, you sure know how to say nice things," Big White replied, grinning.


    As they chatted, the girl seemed to be arguing with the elderly man beside her. Moments later, she approached them.


    A small bird perched atop her head.


    Upon approaching, she greeted them, "Hello, everyone. My name is Cyr."


    "Do you need something?" Daniel asked.


    "We''ve met before, haven''t we? At the Greenwood Temple''s entrance. I really like that little white creature on your shoulder. May I ask what its name is?"


    Big White spoke up on his own, "I''m King White!"


    This name was something Big White made up on the spot. Since everyone was calling themselves God Kings, why not King White? Dropping the "God" part, he became King White.


    Big White''s sudden speech startled the girl named Cyr. She hadn''t expected a spirit beast to talk.


    "King White? Can I call you Whitey?" Cyr asked hesitantly.


    "No! You can call me Big White," Big White rejected her outright. Unexpectedly, his made-up name was completely disregarded. It seemed he should have just introduced himself as Big White from the start.


    Cyr chuckled, "But you''re not big at all!"


    "That doesn''t matter. I... I''ll grow big someday!"


    "..."


    Soon, Cyr and Big White were chatting and laughing together.


    Before long, the elderly man sternly approached and said, "Miss, we must leave now."


    Cyr looked reluctant. "I''m sorry, Big White, I have to say goodbye. But I''m happy to have met you. If we meet again, can we be friends?"


    "No problem," Big White replied, feeling no animosity toward the unfamiliar girl.


    At that moment, the elderly man suddenly said, "Miss, if you like that little creature so much, why not just buy it?"


    "Yorton-uncle!" Cyr exclaimed unhappily.


    Clearly, the old man''s words embarrassed her. At the Greenwood Temple''s entrance, she had already stated that she would never do such a thing. How could one use divine stones to snatch a beloved companion?


    Every spirit beast shares a bond with its master akin to that of family. How could she bear to take that away?


    Back then, Cyr had outright rejected Yorton''s suggestion. Yet, here he was, saying it again, and in front of the very people involved! How could he speak so thoughtlessly?


    "Friend, you heard what I said. If you''re willing, I can offer a very good price," Yorton said to Daniel.


    Finding it amusing, Daniel asked, "What price are you offering?"


    "I see this spirit beast isn''t one for combat, likely more ornamental. Therefore, I''m willing to pay ten times the market value¡ª100,000 divine stones. What do you think?"


    Before Daniel could respond, the 5-Element God King burst into laughter.


    "Hahaha... Big White is literally the consciousness of an entire world, and he''s only worth 100,000 divine stones?


    Find your next adventure on empire


    "Oh, this is too funny!"


    Unable to resist, the 5-Element God King quickly took out a memory stone to record the scene.

 Chapter280-Spirit Beast Sect

    The 5-Element God King''s laughter triggered a fierce urge in Big White to attack him. If Daniel hadn''t stopped him, Big White might have already pounced on him.The 5-Element God King''s behavior caused the old man to frown, mistakenly thinking that the group found the price too low.


    Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire


    But¡­ based on the market value, spirit beasts with purely ornamental value indeed went for such a price.


    Spirit beasts themselves didn''t have particularly high market values. Only due to the beast-fighting craze in Greenwood Temple recently had combat-capable spirit beasts seen a significant increase in price.


    For ornamental spirit beasts without combat abilities, the price difference was naturally substantial. Thus, the old man believed that his offer of 100,000 divine stones was already very fair.


    Yet, these people seemed to think the price was still too low, which struck him as excessively greedy! Few understood the spirit beast market better than he did!


    "My friends, ornamental spirit beasts are priced like this on the market. Even if you shout to the heavens, the price is only around 10,000 divine stones. My offer of 100,000 divine stones is no exaggeration," the old man said, frowning.


    Daniel smiled before responding, "The price is indeed fine, but there''s one more important thing¡ªwhether Big White is willing to go with you. That''s the key."


    "If it''s willing, then naturally, there''s no problem," Daniel added.


    He then began discussing the matter with Big White. This time, however, he communicated through telepathy rather than speaking aloud.


    The girl named Cyr waited anxiously, like a student awaiting exam results. After a long while, the conversation stopped.


    Cyr looked at Daniel excitedly. "So? What''s the result?"


    "Alright, it agreed to go with you," Daniel said.


    "Yay!" the girl cheered, as if she had accomplished something incredible.


    "Thank you, Uncle! I''ll take good care of Big White. If I have time, I''ll bring it to visit you," Cyr said, hugging Big White as she left.


    The 5-Element God King, however, watched the scene unfold with a puzzled expression.


    "My lord, did you really sell Big White? And what were you two discussing privately just now?" the 5-Element God King asked.


    He could hardly believe Daniel would sell Big White for 100,000 divine stones. After all¡­


    Those 100,000 divine stones were barely pocket change to Daniel. Even a casual slip through his fingers would amount to far more than that.


    So, this offer of 100,000 divine stones¡­ it had to be a scam, right?


    "My lord, you didn''t¡­ plan to have Big White steal from them and then return, did you?"


    Hearing the 5-Element God King''s ridiculous suggestion, Daniel regretted his earlier restraint. He should''ve let Big White give him a good beating instead.


    With a grim face, Daniel paused before replying, "Do I seem like that kind of person? You''re making me sound so shady. Do you still want divine stones in the future?"


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King looked as if struck by lightning. Hastily, he said, "My lord! Lord Daniel! I was wrong! I shouldn''t have said such nonsense. As for divine stones¡­ I''ll make sure to help you spend even more! The 5-Element God Realm has such a massive deficit, after all!"


    "Hmph. Actually, Big White just told me that the girl not only has the ability to communicate with spirit beasts but also likely possesses a hidden talent. It went along with her to test whether it could lure her over," Daniel explained.


    The 5-Element God King immediately understood.


    So, that''s the plan!


    "If that''s the case, why not directly recruit¡­ I mean, invite such a talent to join us? Judging by appearances, she likely belongs to a force that only has a God Sovereign at its peak," the 5-Element God King said.


    "It''s fine. We still have a few days left anyway. Let Big White have some fun. It doesn''t really matter," Daniel replied.


    "Frankly, listening to you two bicker every day is giving me a headache. This will give me some peace and quiet. We''ll talk about it again when we leave."


    "Hehe," the 5-Element God King responded with a standard grin.


    Cyr, holding Big White, entered the mini teleport array with the old man by her side.


    "Miss, didn''t I say so? As long as we show enough sincerity, they''ll be willing to part with it," the old man said, speaking with the tone of an experienced negotiator.


    However, Cyr didn''t appreciate such tactics.


    "Uncle Yorton, please don''t do this again. Just because I like something doesn''t mean I have to buy it. Simply encountering it is a wonderful experience in itself," Cyr said.


    Although Big White was now in her possession, she disliked Yorton''s approach.


    "If Big White hadn''t agreed, I wouldn''t have bought it either," she insisted.


    The old man sighed helplessly, feeling a significant disconnect in their perspectives.


    Big White lay quietly in Cyr''s arms, listening to the conversation between her and the old man. It made no movements, as if exhausted from speaking earlier¡ªor perhaps lost in emotions from parting with its former master.


    In reality, Big White maintained contact with Daniel throughout the journey.


    Their conversations revealed many interesting details. For instance, Cyr and the old man belonged to a faction called the Spirit Beast Sect, where the girl was being groomed as the next head priestess.


    The Spirit Beast Sect specialized in raising spirit beasts and growing alongside them, viewing spirit beasts as companions.


    Of course, the sect''s primary income came from selling spirit beasts. Recently, with the beast-fighting craze, the prices of their spirit beasts had skyrocketed.


    However¡­


    The Spirit Beast Sect seemed dissatisfied with the current situation. They were planning to leave the Greenwood God Realm and relocate to a place akin to Shangri-La¡ªa haven free from beast-fighting and slaughter for entertainment.


    But in an era where everyone in the God Realm was preparing for the inevitable Apocalypse, such a place seemed implausible.


    The 5-Element God King found it absurd. "This girl and her so-called Spirit Beast Sect are likely being deceived. How could such a place exist now?" S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Especially on the eve of the Apocalypse, every faction was scrambling for survival. Accepting an external force like theirs seemed impossible.


    If any faction claimed immunity from the chaos of the Apocalypse, it was undoubtedly bluffing.


    Even in the central God Realms of Sun and Moon, no God King dared make such a claim. The Apocalypse would inevitably sweep through the entire God Realm, leaving no sanctuary.


    Daniel, however, thought differently. Perhaps they had found a Mortal Realm unaffected by the Apocalypse.


    It wasn''t impossible.


    But in a Mortal Realm, only a small number of people could descend, and their primary goal would be to preserve the Spirit Beast Sect''s legacy. It would fall far short of a Shangri-La.


    Moreover¡­ who could guarantee that the Apocalypse wouldn''t affect the Mortal Realm as well?


    For now, neither dwelled on the matter.


    Over the next few days, thanks to Big White, Cyr frequently "coincidentally" encountered Daniel and his group. Through these repeated encounters, their relationship shifted from friendly strangers to a familiar camaraderie.


    However, Uncle Yorton began to feel something was amiss. How could there be so many coincidences?

 Chapter281-The Past of the 5-Element God King

    Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library EmpireIf not for Big White, there was no way such "coincidences" could have occurred.


    "To be honest, this young girl is quite nice. She has a good personality and seems very kind," the 5-Element God King remarked, watching the girl''s departing figure.


    Daniel glanced at the 5-Element God King and said, "She''s just a young girl. Besides, didn''t you just get married? If you miss your wife, you can always switch back. I can take care of your avatar."


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King hurriedly shook his head.


    "I¡­ I think I''ll just stay here with you for a few more days. You know¡­ to recover a bit," he stammered. "And Daniel, let me be clear¡ªI have no inappropriate thoughts about that girl. I was just making an observation."


    "By the way, 5-Element, you''ve had a wife before, haven''t you?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes," the 5-Element God King nodded. He had indeed had a wife. Otherwise, the younger generations in the 5-Element Temple wouldn''t exist.


    "You''ve never mentioned it."


    "There''s not much to say about it. My first wife... that was nearly twenty thousand years ago. Back then, I was just an ordinary person, completely unaware of cultivation.


    "Later, I somehow ended up taking a talent test. I performed well, and a faction recruited me. She was my senior sister. We had a deep bond," he explained.


    "But unfortunately, she passed away. She couldn''t break through and died of old age."


    This was the story of the 5-Element God King''s first marriage¡ªa union both happy and tragic.


    Her limited talent contrasted sharply with the 5-Element God King''s immense potential. Their differing lifespans created an unbridgeable chasm of life and death.


    From that point on, the 5-Element God King seemed to seal those memories in his heart. He protected several generations of descendants before fading from their awareness. None of his descendants remembered they had such an ancestor.


    The 5-Element God King''s second wife came into his life when he became a High God. The daughter of a powerful faction forcibly brought him into marriage.


    At first, the 5-Element God King wasn''t very willing. Later¡­ he embraced it.


    The outcome, however, was similar to before. The 5-Element God King achieved godhood, but his wife stagnated at the God Sovereign level, unable to progress further.


    The younger generations currently in the 5-Element Temple were mostly descendants of his second wife.


    "I''ve kept all this to myself and never told anyone. Daniel, you''re the first to hear it," the 5-Element God King confessed.


    "And now? Have you let it go?" Daniel asked.


    "Honestly, saying it out loud feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I think I''ve let it go," the 5-Element God King said with a smile.


    "Alright then. Let''s move on to the main task. It''s time to have a chat with the Greenwood God King," Daniel said.


    "Sure! But Daniel, the Greenwood God King is probably in the secret realm of the Greenwood Temple. Last time, I had Lomont helping me from the inside, and it still took a lot of effort to get in," the 5-Element God King recalled.


    Back then, he found it incredibly cumbersome. The Greenwood God King had turned his temple into a massive city and even resided within a secret realm. It was absurd.


    In comparison, his own 5-Element Temple had only a simple magic array.


    Hearing this, Daniel frowned. He had assumed finding the Greenwood God King would be straightforward, but it seemed unnecessarily complicated. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What if we force him to come to us? Wouldn''t that be easier?" Daniel suggested, looking at the 5-Element God King.


    That''s it! The 5-Element God King realized he had overlooked the obvious. Why bother figuring out how to enter the secret realm when they could just summon the Greenwood God King to meet them?


    "You''re right! Let''s do that!" the 5-Element God King agreed.


    Just then, Daniel paused, receiving a telepathic message from Big White.


    The 5-Element God King waited silently for the outcome.


    Daniel''s expression shifted subtly before he turned to the 5-Element God King and said, "Something''s come up on Big White''s end. Let''s head over there first."


    "Alright!"


    Inside a lavishly decorated room:


    "Why isn''t it working again? We had an agreement!" Yorton muttered, frowning. He dared not raise his voice, as they were now at someone else''s mercy.


    Cyr, holding Big White, stood behind the old man.


    In front of them sat a young man. After glancing at Yorton, the young man replied, "What can I do? This is the rule set by those above. Maybe the Greenwood God King himself decreed it. In any case, don''t expect the teleport array between the Greenwood God Realm and the 5-Element God Realm to open anytime soon."


    Yorton''s frown deepened. "When will the teleport array reopen, then?"


    "That''s hard to say. Maybe it''s just a temporary precaution, and you can leave after a few days. But it could also take a month or two. We''ve never encountered something like this before," the young man said.


    "You''re deliberately making things difficult for us!" Yorton snapped, unable to hold back any longer. The young man''s attitude was clearly dismissive despite knowing the urgency of their situation.


    "Watch your tone, Elder Yorton! This isn''t the Spirit Beast Sect, where you can boss people around," the young man sneered.


    He had once been a member of the Spirit Beast Sect but had left due to certain conflicts.


    "The truth is, the higher-ups are under pressure. The Greenwood God King is furious over that whole ''equality for all races'' thing promoted by the 5-Element God King. That''s what sparked the recent beast-fighting craze. So, trying to travel to the 5-Element God Realm right now? It''s going to be difficult," the young man explained quietly.


    However, he added, "I do know someone who manages the teleport magic array. If you please him, you might be able to sneak through. After all, not many from the Spirit Beast Sect would be traveling, so it shouldn''t cause too much trouble."


    "What do we need to do?" Yorton asked immediately. This was their only chance to reach the 5-Element God Realm, and he couldn''t let it slip away.


    "The person in charge isn''t interested in money or women. Lately, he''s been obsessed with beast fights. Unfortunately, his chosen spirit beasts keep losing. If you can help him win a few matches, I''m sure he''ll help you," the young man suggested, eyeing the bird perched on Cyr''s head.


    He knew the Spirit Beast Sect''s sacred artifact was a bird like this one. Perhaps this bird had extraordinary combat capabilities. If it performed well in beast fights, it would be beneficial for everyone involved¡ªand he would get his share as well.


    Two-way deals like this weren''t new to him.


    "What?!" Yorton immediately rejected the idea. There was no way he would agree to it.


    Cyr''s bird wasn''t just any spirit beast; it was the Spirit Beast Sect''s Divine Bird! There was no way it could be used for something as degrading as beast fights.


    Moreover, the Spirit Beast Sect had always been opposed to beast fighting. It was entirely against their principles.

 Chapter282-Am I Truly Worthy?

    "You''re delusional!" Yorton immediately retorted."That is the Spirit Beast Sect''s sacred artifact. Do you not understand? Moreover, our Spirit Beast Sect would never agree to such a thing!"


    Beast fights... Watching spirit beasts engage in brutal combat was something the Spirit Beast Sect could never accept. Let alone sending the Divine Bird to fight.


    "As expected, you''re stuck in the past. In that case, find your own solution," the man said dismissively.


    It was this very mindset of the Spirit Beast Sect that had led the man to leave the sect in the first place. He believed he had made the right choice.


    The Spirit Beast Sect was wrong!


    Look at the current beast-fighting craze¡ªwasn''t everyone enjoying it?


    "Hmph!" Yorton snorted coldly before leaving the room with Cyr.


    "Take care," the man said, turning back to his seat and resuming his snack.


    Just as he started to eat, Cyr suddenly turned around and re-entered the room.


    "What you just said¡ªis it true?" Cyr asked, staring at the man.


    "What?"


    "You said winning a beast fight would allow us to use the teleport array to reach the 5-Element God Realm."


    "Of course! Though I don''t care much for the Spirit Beast Sect, I am a man of my word. If you win a few matches, there will be no issue. However¡­" The man looked regretfully at the small bird perched atop Cyr''s head. "I meant you should find a mature spirit beast from your sect..."


    "No, the one fighting won''t be it. It''ll be Big White," Cyr declared, lifting Big White from her arms.


    "?"


    The man froze for a moment, unsure how to react.


    What could he even say?


    It was as if he''d asked for a mature Divine Bird or at least a powerful spirit beast suited for combat... and instead was handed this?


    What the heck was this little thing?


    This small creature, about the size of a puppy, couldn''t possibly do anything!


    This was a beast fight, not a competition for cuteness or obedience.


    Was she kidding?


    After some time, Cyr emerged from the room, still holding Big White.


    Yorton, waiting outside, said, "Let''s go. It seems there''s no hope for now. We should return to the Spirit Beast Sect."


    Just as they were about to leave earlier, Cyr had asked him to wait, claiming she had a solution for reaching the 5-Element God Realm.


    Yorton had been skeptical. What solution could Cyr possibly have?


    When she finally came out, he still wasn''t hopeful. After all, what could Cyr possibly do when even he had no options?


    The Spirit Beast Sect would never allow beast fights.


    "Uncle Yorton, he agreed! Tomorrow morning, we''re heading to the Ultimate Beast Arena," Cyr said cheerfully.


    "???"


    Yorton''s mind was full of question marks.


    Why had the man agreed?


    And... what would Cyr use for the fight?


    The young Divine Bird?


    Noticing Yorton''s confusion, Cyr explained, "Big White! He agreed to let Big White participate in the fight."


    Hearing this, Yorton felt a wave of dizziness.


    Big White¡­


    Sure, it was purchased for 100,000 divine stones, but it was nowhere near a combat-capable spirit beast!


    Especially¡­


    Looking at Big White''s tiny limbs, it seemed like it would be devoured in one bite.


    What baffled him even more was that the man had agreed to this! S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Agreed to let Big White fight?


    Yorton felt like the world was going mad. Had he truly grown too old, too outdated to understand?


    "Uncle Yorton, we need to go!" Cyr said, hugging Big White as she headed forward.


    Yorton followed in a daze, unsure of what he was doing.


    Meanwhile, back in the room, the young man sat, staring in disbelief at the direction Cyr had gone.


    His lips were tinged with blood, and his eyes were filled with shock.


    What had just happened?


    If his memory wasn''t failing him, the little white beast had suddenly darted over and kicked him...


    The next thing he knew, his body had been hurled backward, slamming heavily against the wall.


    What the hell just happened?


    The young man couldn''t comprehend it.


    The small white beast had looked so adorable, completely non-threatening¡ªa creature meant for ornamental purposes!


    How could it possibly possess such overwhelming power?


    That kick alone¡­ its strength must have been at the Earth God rank!


    In a luxurious inn, the 5-Element God King sat in a daze, struggling to process the news he had just heard from Daniel.


    Daniel had told him that the so-called "Shangri-La" that Cyr and her Spirit Beast Sect sought was none other than the 5-Element God Realm.


    Just a day ago, the 5-Element God King had confidently declared that, on the eve of the Apocalypse, such a Shangri-La was impossible. They must have been deceived!


    How could such a place exist?


    Yet, it turned out that their so-called Shangri-La was his 5-Element God Realm?!!


    How could that be?


    The 5-Element God Realm was far from being any kind of Shangri-La. Just a few years ago, it had emerged from the chaos of the Beast Clan war and was still in the early stages of recovery and development.


    What right did he have to be considered a Shangri-La?


    Hearing this, the 5-Element God King''s mind went blank, and his expression grew increasingly complicated.


    "Perhaps, Cyr and her faction truly believe that a place advocating equality among all races, where a God King would marry a Beast Clan God King, is their idea of Shangri-La. At the very least, it''s better than a realm that forces spirit beasts to kill each other for entertainment," Daniel said, looking at the conflicted 5-Element God King.


    At that moment, the 5-Element God King''s eyes reflected a mixture of hesitation, struggle, and hope.


    "Lord Daniel, do you think¡­ do you think I''m truly worthy of their expectations?"


    "Do you think I can live up to their belief in the 5-Element God Realm as an ideal place? Am I capable of that?"


    The 5-Element God King seemed to be asking Daniel, but in truth, he was asking himself.


    Could he truly make all races, all people, content?


    "You''re working toward that goal, aren''t you? As long as you''re willing to try, you can achieve it," Daniel said.


    "Yes! I can do it! I can live up to their expectations!" the 5-Element God King said, a determined light flashing in his eyes.


    At the Ultimate Beast Arena:


    This was the so-called Ultimate Beast Arena, named for its top-tier facilities and high-quality beast fights. Ordinary spirit beasts couldn''t even qualify to enter.


    Every spirit beast allowed to fight here was immensely powerful.


    "Damn that Greenwood God King!"


    The 5-Element God King cursed as he found their seats and sat down.


    The fights hadn''t started yet, but that didn''t stop the 5-Element God King from ranting.


    Since arriving at the Greenwood Temple, his most frequently uttered phrase had been cursing the Greenwood God King.


    "Just a beast arena, and they charge tens of thousands of divine stones for entry? That bastard is raking it in! If I had this kind of talent, I''d be swimming in wealth by now!"


    "No, this needs to go on the list!" Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Saying this, the 5-Element God King pulled out a piece of paper and began jotting things down.


    Not just the arena.


    A quick glance at the paper showed a detailed record of every expense incurred since entering the Greenwood Temple, starting with the entry fee.


    Though he hadn''t spent the divine stones himself, he meticulously noted everything.


    After all, when it came time to cause trouble, a well-documented list would make his case all the stronger.


    As the 5-Element God King saw it, his actions were entirely for the public good!


    This wasn''t about personal grievances¡ªdefinitely not!

 Chapter283-This Little Beast, This Terrifying?

    After recording this debt, the Five-Element God King put away the paper and pen in his hands.Then he looked toward the center of the arena.


    At this moment, the match had not yet started.


    The surrounding crowd was full of excitement, eagerly awaiting the beginning of the battle.


    "My lord, I can''t quite understand. Why did you let Big White participate in this beast fight? Wouldn''t it have been simpler to just take Big White and go directly to find the Greenwood God King?"


    The Five-Element God King couldn''t understand why things had to be made so complicated.


    "Do you know why so many people mock or even oppose your talk about so-called equality among all races?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? It must be that bastard Greenwood God King''s doing! I suspect he''s been secretly smearing me all these years. Otherwise, why else would things be like this?"


    "The Greenwood God King is only part of the reason. The most important point is this: aside from groups like the Spirit Beast Sect, which support you because of their ideology, why would anyone else back you?"


    Daniel looked at the Five-Element God King and asked.


    "Of course, it''s because¡­ because¡­"


    The Five-Element God King stammered for a long time but couldn''t come up with a proper answer.


    He truly hadn''t given much thought to these questions before.


    In the past, he had only managed affairs within the Five-Element God Realm and had little understanding of matters outside of it.


    Thus, he always attributed such issues to his nemesis, the Greenwood God King.


    In fact, while the Greenwood God King might have spread some defamatory rumors about him, it was mostly limited to beast fights.


    "In the context of an impending apocalypse, what do you think is the most important thing to an average person?"


    Daniel looked at the Five-Element God King and asked.


    "I think it must be safety," the Five-Element God King thought for a moment and replied.


    "Exactly. In such circumstances, people prioritize safety above all else. And that safety comes entirely from overwhelming power."


    "The truth is, no matter what ideas you propose, they will inevitably be ridiculed in these times. This is entirely normal. Without power, no matter what you say, people will see you as a clown."


    Daniel looked at the Five-Element God King as he spoke.


    At this moment, the Five-Element God King finally understood Daniel''s meaning.


    "So, my lord, what should I do?"


    "Wait. Your chance to act will come. Only when these people recognize your power will they be willing to believe in your ability to protect them."


    Daniel gazed at the beast arena.


    ¡­


    On the other side, Yorton was still feeling incredibly anxious.


    The spirit beast he had bought for 100,000 divine stones¡ªcould it really survive in this beast arena?


    No matter how he looked at it, that small figure seemed completely incapable of winning.


    "Miss, how about¡­ we wait a few more days? Maybe the situation will change, and we can go directly to the Five-Element God Realm."


    Fighting through beast battles didn''t feel very reliable!


    The risks were too great.


    Besides¡­


    As a member of the Spirit Beast Sect, Yorton couldn''t bear to watch such an adorable little beast face death.


    Thus, he tried to persuade the young lady.


    But Cyr was full of confidence:


    "Uncle Yorton, don''t worry! Big White will definitely win!"


    Cyr said firmly.


    She still remembered how, just yesterday, Big White had kicked that man away with a single blow.


    Moreover, Big White had told her that in just a few days, the teleportation array to the Five-Element God Realm would permanently open.


    She had known Big White for several days now, and Cyr trusted that Big White would not lie to her.


    ¡­


    In the beast arena, strict rules governed the fights.


    Currently, there were two different types of matches.


    One was a battle under roughly the same level of strength.


    The other was a blind-match rule.


    In a blind match, neither side knew the strength of the other''s spirit beast beforehand, and they would send their beasts into the fight.


    Often, the most adrenaline-pumping moments came from such blind matches.


    This was because wildly mismatched battles could occur, as well as evenly matched clashes. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire


    A beast fight without bloodshed wasn''t worthy of being called a beast fight.


    Blind matches made things even more exciting.


    This time, Big White participated in such a match.


    As for the first type of match¡­


    There was likely no way anyone could measure Big White''s true strength.


    It was simply unsolvable.


    But blind matches¡­


    Offered more room to maneuver!


    When Big White entered the arena, everyone froze.


    They didn''t even react at first.


    Compared to the combat spirit beast standing opposite it, Big White''s size was worlds apart.


    It looked entirely like it was about to be crushed.


    Some people immediately burst into laughter.


    "Who would do this? Sending a decorative spirit beast into the arena¡­"


    "If you don''t want your divine stones, give them to me! No need to waste them like this!"


    "How amusing. I wonder which wealthy person enjoys doing such things."


    "I''d say the organizers are clever, opening with such a bloody scene to instantly ignite the atmosphere, huh?"


    "¡­"


    The spectators, numbering many, began chattering.


    Hearing the surrounding remarks, Yorton felt uneasy.


    Soon, the announcer declared the start of the battle.


    Yorton even closed his eyes.


    But in the next moment, he heard gasps of shock from the crowd.


    Cautiously, he peeked through squinted eyes.


    What¡­ did he see?


    At this moment, Yorton could hardly believe his own eyes.


    That tiny Big White had¡­


    Had knocked down the combat spirit beast that was many times its size!


    Moreover, this wasn''t a simple injury; the spirit beast had sustained severe damage and would need extensive recovery time.


    And how much time had passed since the fight began¡­


    Barely a dozen seconds?


    Realizing this, Yorton was utterly stunned.


    Was Big White capable of such terrifying power?


    Then Yorton suddenly thought of a key point. While the combatants in blind matches didn''t know each other''s spirit beasts, the arena management certainly did.


    The arena must have seen Big White''s entry and tried to set up the match, but they could never have anticipated Big White''s true strength.


    Listening to the crowd''s discussions, Yorton realized that Big White''s opponent this time was a spirit beast with over ten consecutive victories in the arena.


    Clearly, this match had been deliberately arranged.


    But unexpectedly, the arena had miscalculated.


    Would the Ultimate Beast Arena simply let this matter rest?


    The answer was no!


    Because at that moment, the auras of numerous God Sovereigns enveloped the arena:


    "Whose spirit beast is this?" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Three God Lords and two God Sovereigns had already appeared at the edge of the stage, surrounding Big White in the center.


    They wouldn''t let Big White leave, clearly intent on discovering who had brought such a spirit beast to disrupt their arena.


    But Big White, trapped in the center, was having none of it.


    It unleashed its full power, attacking the surrounding God Lords and God Sovereigns.


    And, most shockingly of all¡­


    Those God Lords and God Sovereigns were no match for Big White!


    Big White merely brushed past them, sending them flying.


    Even those individuals couldn''t fathom how such a tiny spirit beast could possess such power.


    Let alone their spirit beasts¡­


    They themselves couldn''t withstand such a terrifying force!


    For a moment, as they got back on their feet, they gazed at Big White with greedy eyes.


    This was their beast arena.


    If they could forcibly buy such a powerful spirit beast¡­


    Then money would flow endlessly!


    As for whether the original owner would agree?


    Hah, in the Ultimate Beast Arena, no one could refuse!


    And just now, a God Sovereign had already asked once.


    Throughout the entire arena, no one had dared to respond.


    Which meant¡­ this little beast was unowned!


    And if it was unowned, then it belonged to the Ultimate Beast Arena!

 Chapter284-The Greed of the Beast Arena

    Almost instantly, the top brass of the Ultimate Beast Arena made a decision:They had to capture this little beast!


    They had to keep it within the Ultimate Beast Arena at all costs!


    In an instant, all the God Sovereigns sprang into action!


    Among them, some were like the trio of Aileah from before¡ªjust one step away from reaching God King rank.


    Such a formidable lineup rushed toward Big White.


    At this moment, Yorton was barely breathing, utterly panicked and at a loss.


    "Miss¡­ What¡­ what do we do now?!"


    On the other hand, Cyr was the complete opposite of Yorton.


    Watching the scene unfold, Cyr was calm and reassured Yorton:


    "Uncle Yorton, don''t worry. Big White will be fine! Someone will definitely come to save Big White."


    "Save?"


    Yorton frowned. How could anyone save them in this situation?


    With so many God Sovereigns and God Lords¡­


    Unless a God King intervened¡­


    Otherwise, it was absolutely impossible¡­


    But the next moment, something shocking happened!


    Those who rushed toward Big White¡­


    Were instead sent flying back even faster! Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire


    They couldn''t even touch Big White, let alone harm it.


    Big White remained in the center, as calm and leisurely as ever.


    It was as if everything that had just happened had no effect on it at all.


    Dealing with so many God Lords and God Sovereigns was as easy as taking a casual stroll.


    "This¡­"


    Even Yorton didn''t know what to say anymore.


    He had no idea what was happening before his eyes.


    The situation had become completely incomprehensible!


    Wasn''t this just a decorative spirit beast purchased for 100,000 divine stones? How could it possess such terrifying power?


    The world was far too bizarre.


    At that moment, the God Sovereigns who had been repelled by Big White got back on their feet:


    "Quick! Report to the God King! This creature¡­ is definitely no ordinary spirit beast! It''s absolutely¡­ absolutely a Beast Clan God King!"


    A Beast Clan God King!


    To most of the onlookers, this was an utterly foreign term.


    After all, the Beast Clan lived far to the south, secluded and isolated.


    For countless millennia, it had always been this way.


    Most people here had never even heard of the Beast Clan.


    It was only thanks to the recent marriage of the Five-Element God King to a Beast Clan God King that people first learned of the term Beast Clan.


    Of course, they had laughed it off. After all, a human marrying someone from the Beast Clan?


    What a disgrace.


    Could any Beast Clan God King possibly match the might of a human God King?


    The concept of a Beast Clan God King was something these people had no concrete understanding of.


    However, this was not the case for those within the beast arena.


    Due to their involvement in beast battles, most of them had at least heard some news about the Five-Element God Realm.


    They were also aware of the recent events involving the Five-Element God Realm.


    The Five-Element God Realm had been invaded on a massive scale by the Beast Clan.


    After years of stalemate, they had finally driven the invaders out.


    But the Beast Clan had not gone dormant.


    Despite suffering heavy losses in the Five-Element God Realm, the Beast Clan still had the power to invade other God Realms, even though they dared not approach the Five-Element God Realm again.


    Although the Greenwood Temple''s beast arena often mocked the Five-Element God King, they were well aware of how terrifying the Beast Clan could be.


    And the Five-Element God King went without saying.


    Now, this little white beast displayed such terrifying power that even multiple God Sovereigns were no match for it. There was only one explanation!


    This was a Beast Clan God King!


    At the same time, a terrifying thought crossed their minds:


    Could the Beast Clan armies have bypassed the southern God Realms and reached the Greenwood Temple directly?


    Panic spread among them.


    They hurried to report the matter to the Five-Element Temple, seeking help.


    As for Big White¡­


    It happily chased after the God Sovereigns.


    Daniel had already given Big White permission to play however it wanted in the beast arena.


    Big White''s task was to create as much chaos as possible in the arena, drawing the attention of the Greenwood Temple''s God Kings¡ªideally, even the Greenwood God King himself.


    So Big White fully embraced its role.


    It chased the God Lords and God Sovereigns around, leaving them running in circles.


    These individuals stood no chance against Big White, unable to withstand even a single blow.


    Big White, on the other hand, was having a great time.


    Whenever it caught up to someone, it would send them flying with a single kick.


    Very quickly!


    Three God King auras descended directly from the sky!


    In the Greenwood God Realm, aside from the Greenwood God King himself, there were other God Kings as well.


    However, they were not as powerful as the Greenwood God King, though they were still quite formidable.


    The Five-Element God King immediately recognized them as the same trio that had forced him to flee back when he was in the Greenwood God Realm.


    At the time, he had avoided engaging them for fear of being delayed too long and giving the Greenwood God King a chance to arrive. Otherwise, he would have taken care of them then and there.


    Though in the end¡­


    He still hadn''t escaped.


    The Greenwood God King had found him anyway.


    "It''s your turn," Daniel''s voice rang in the Five-Element God King''s ears.


    That voice was like a heavenly melody.


    The Five-Element God King immediately understood.


    Without hesitation, he stopped concealing his aura. A powerful God King aura radiated from him.


    The Five-Element God King then approached the trio and declared:


    "Where is Greenwood?!" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His voice echoed through the skies.


    Everyone in the Ultimate Beast Arena could hear it.


    The three God Kings naturally noticed the Five-Element God King.


    Of course, the Five-Element God King had made such a high-profile appearance precisely to draw everyone''s attention.


    "What?!"


    "The Five-Element God King?!"


    "You dare return to our Greenwood God Realm? This time, you''ll die with no place to bury yourself¡­"


    "It seems this God King rank Beast Clan spirit beast is also one of your schemes!"


    "Since you''ve come to our Greenwood God Realm, attack! Capture him now!"


    "¡­"


    The trio spoke as they prepared to launch their most powerful divine spells.


    At this moment, the Five-Element God King also activated his own divine spell.


    However, instead of attacking or defending, he chose the flashiest option among his repertoire.


    As everyone knew, Five-Element Divine Spells, thanks to the five elements, often boasted dazzling visual effects.


    The Five-Element God King, being someone who occasionally enjoyed showing off, had privately refined these spells.


    Now, he stood tall and declared righteously:


    "The behavior of the Greenwood God Realm is disgraceful! This is a spirit beast from the Five-Element God Realm. What does it have to do with your Greenwood God Realm''s beast arena? Seeing its strength, you wish to claim it as your own? Such banditry! Let Greenwood come face me!"


    With a mighty shout, the Five-Element God King unleashed the power of the five elements around him.


    Metal, wood, water, fire, and earth¡ªthe five elements swirled around him in an incredibly dazzling display.


    Never mind the actual power; it was all about aesthetics and intimidation.


    For a moment, even the spectators in the arena were awestruck by the sheer majesty of the Five-Element God King.


    "So this is the Five-Element God King? He''s not like the rumors at all!"


    "If someone like him can propose equality among all races, it actually makes sense."


    "Maybe the Five-Element God Realm will be better after all?"


    "¡­"


    Yorton stood dumbfounded, staring into the sky.


    He recognized the Five-Element God King!


    It was the same man who had traveled with the person who sold them Big White.


    Were they in the Greenwood God Realm for a purpose?


    Suddenly, Yorton recalled something Cyr had mentioned before¡ªthe teleportation array issue would be resolved today.


    Could it be¡­


    Had Cyr already known that he was the Five-Element God King?


    In that case, their journey to the Five-Element God Realm could be resolved!


    Yorton turned to look at Cyr, only to find her gazing at the sky with excitement.


    Then she said to him, "Uncle Yorton, look! That man is the Five-Element God King!"

 Chapter285-Greenwood, If You Dont Come Out, Ill Come to You!

    Hmm?Yorton was a little puzzled. Could it be that Cyr didn''t actually know this man was the Five-Element God King?


    That shouldn''t be right!


    If she didn''t know, where did all her confidence come from earlier?


    It didn''t add up¡­


    At this moment, Yorton couldn''t quite figure it out.


    Meanwhile, Cyr asked nervously:


    "Uncle Yorton, do you think the Five-Element God King can handle three opponents at once? Won''t he lose?"


    From Cyr''s perspective, the Five-Element God King was just one God King, while the other side had three. One against three¡­


    There was no need to think about it¡ªthree was definitely greater than one!


    Could it be that the Five-Element God King might lose?


    Moreover, from what the three God Kings had said earlier, it seemed there was deep animosity between them and the Five-Element God King.


    This time, they would surely fight to the death!


    If¡­


    If the Five-Element God King were killed here, wouldn''t their plans to go to the Five-Element God Realm, their dream sanctuary, be ruined?


    So at this moment, Cyr anxiously watched the sky, hoping the Five-Element God King would emerge victorious.


    After all, she had heard about the Five-Element God Realm''s concept of equality among all races, which perfectly aligned with the values of the Spirit Beast Sect.


    Everyone in the Spirit Beast Sect believed that the Five-Element God Realm was their ideal sanctuary.


    The entire sect longed to go there.


    If the Five-Element God King were to lose now¡­


    Wouldn''t all their efforts over the past days have been for nothing?


    So¡­


    Both Cyr and Yorton desperately hoped the Five-Element God King would defeat the three God Kings.


    In the sky, the Five-Element God King faced three opponents alone.


    He didn''t seem to be at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.


    At this moment, the three God Kings had finished casting their divine spells.


    Even from a distance, the Five-Element God King could feel the terrifying energy emanating from the completed spells.


    If these divine spells hit him¡­


    He''d probably suffer serious injuries, right?


    The Five-Element God King thought to himself.


    Fortunately, he had Lord Daniel!


    This time, Lord Daniel had personally instructed him to simply show off and leave the rest to him.


    As a result, the divine spells surrounding the Five-Element God King were neither offensive nor defensive.


    They were purely for show.


    If those three divine spells hit him head-on¡­


    He wouldn''t die, but it would hurt like hell!


    Even if this was just an avatar, it wouldn''t be pleasant!


    Lord Daniel, hurry up already!


    The Five-Element God King kept calling out to Daniel in his heart.


    At this moment, the three God Kings had finished preparing their spells.


    They glared at the Five-Element God King and shouted:


    "Five-Element God King, die!"


    The three divine spells simultaneously shot toward the Five-Element God King.


    And then, Daniel made his move!


    First, the three divine spells disappeared into thin air, having no effect whatsoever.


    Next, a giant hand appeared in front of the Five-Element God King, grabbing the three God Kings and vanishing along with them.


    "Call Greenwood out," Daniel''s voice echoed in the Five-Element God King''s mind.


    The Five-Element God King immediately understood what to do. He shouted loudly:


    "Greenwood! Come out here!"


    The next moment, a spatial ripple suddenly appeared in the sky.


    The Five-Element God King sensed the ripple and looked up.


    A secret realm!


    He instantly recognized the aura of a secret realm.


    So that meant¡­


    Greenwood God King''s secret realm had been hidden in the sky all along?


    At this moment, Daniel spoke again:


    "Be more imposing. Charge straight in."


    The Five-Element God King got the message. Amplifying his voice with a divine spell, he shouted:


    "Greenwood, if you don''t dare face me, I''ll come to you!"


    With his special effects maxed out, he charged upward.


    As he approached the edge of the secret realm, Daniel appeared beside him and brought him into the secret realm.


    The Five-Element God King''s figure disappeared from sight.


    Although the Five-Element God King himself was gone, the dramatic impression he left behind lingered in the arena.


    No one had expected the Five-Element God King to take such a bold stance in seeking out the Greenwood God King.


    Wasn''t the Greenwood God Realm supposed to be the strongest of the God Realms?


    Hadn''t the southern God Realms always been considered backwaters?


    But today¡­


    It didn''t seem that way anymore!


    Just the Five-Element God King alone could provoke the Greenwood Temple so brazenly.


    Even when outnumbered three to one, he wasn''t at a disadvantage¡­


    No, this wasn''t just "not at a disadvantage."


    It was clear¡­


    The Five-Element God King hadn''t even needed to act, and the three opponents had already lost the ability to resist.


    For a moment, the entire arena buzzed with discussions about the Five-Element God King''s strength.


    His performance didn''t align with someone who had only been a God King for less than 10,000 years.


    Could it be that the Greenwood God King was actually afraid of him?


    This realization left everyone in a panic.


    If the Five-Element God King was truly stronger than the Greenwood God King, what would happen when the Apocalypse came and the Greenwood God King couldn''t protect them?


    Maybe they should go directly to the Five-Element God Realm instead?


    The Five-Element God King seemed trustworthy and reliable!


    And it appeared he had specifically come to the Greenwood God Realm for something related to beast battles?


    Hiss¡­


    Thinking of this, the crowd began hiding their battle beasts.


    They quickly contacted their families and relatives, turning their beasts into purely ornamental spirit beasts.


    They stopped participating in beast battles altogether. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the meantime¡­


    They began preparing to head to the Five-Element God Realm.


    At this moment, Big White had finished playing around and returned to the stands.


    The spectators immediately made way for it.


    Joking aside, this was the being that had chased God Lords and God Sovereigns around like prey.


    Who would dare provoke it?


    Big White walked straight to Cyr and said:


    "Well? Didn''t I tell you? Everything''s fine! And the teleportation array to the Five-Element God Realm will be open very soon."


    Cyr asked curiously:


    "Big White, did you know all along that man was the Five-Element God King?"


    "Of course. I came here with him."


    At this moment, Yorton suddenly recalled something. Among the Five-Element God King''s group, the leader wasn''t actually the Five-Element God King.


    It was that man named Daniel.


    It seemed everything revolved around him.


    And the terrifying spirit beasts accompanying him, like Big White¡­


    Who exactly was this Daniel?


    "So, what about Lord Daniel? Did he come with the Five-Element God King too?"


    "My dad isn''t following the Five-Element God King. It''s the other way around¡ªthe Five-Element God King thick-skinnedly followed him here! Just relax. There won''t be any issues with going to the Five-Element God Realm."


    Hearing this, Cyr said:


    "Thank you, Big White."


    "You''re welcome. We''ll meet again in the Five-Element God Realm."


    ¡­


    Inside the secret realm, the Five-Element God King swaggered forward, carrying the three God Kings Daniel had just captured.


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    Daniel''s aura enveloped the entire secret realm, sealing it off completely.


    At this moment, no one could leave the secret realm.


    After all, he was here to find someone.


    No one could escape.


    The Five-Element God King, emboldened by Daniel''s power, shouted loudly as he marched ahead:


    "Greenwood! Greenwood God King, come out and face me!"


    Just then, a group of people appeared within the secret realm.


    They looked at the arrogant Five-Element God King and exclaimed:


    "Five-Element! How dare you come here!"

 Chapter286-Veteran God Kings Always Have Secrets

    Among the group, the leader became furious upon seeing the Five-Element God King."The Five-Element God King? That guy?!"


    "Wait, how does he even dare to come back?!"


    "Quick, inform the God King! I didn''t expect this guy to return at such a time¡ªhe must have a death wish!"


    "Some of you, come with me! Let''s capture this guy!"


    "¡­"


    The crowd was in an uproar.


    Daniel could clearly see that there were indeed one or two God Kings among them, though even fewer than the number of God Kings the Five-Element God King was holding in his hands.


    As for their talk of capturing the Five-Element God King¡­


    It was all just bluster.


    Not one of them dared to move.


    They were all bark and no bite.


    "Silence!"


    Daniel used his aura to immediately silence the noisy group.


    The overwhelming pressure Daniel exerted shut them up instantly.


    No one dared utter another word.


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    After all¡­


    This terrifying presence¡­ was it their imagination, or did this man standing behind the Five-Element God King seem even stronger than their own God King?


    "Where is Greenwood God King?" Daniel asked.


    "The God King¡­ is inside."


    "Inside? Well, I know the way. Let me lead you, my lord!" the Five-Element God King offered, stepping forward.


    Daniel followed behind him.


    "You seem familiar with this place," Daniel remarked, puzzled.


    "Of course! Years ago, Lomont was still the Grand Elder here. He was discovered and sent me to rescue him. Step by step, I made my way here based on his instructions. There used to be a magic array that directly connected to this secret realm, likely something Lomont had set up as a failsafe for himself."


    "That array seems to have been destroyed now. That''s why I''m so familiar with this place. The Greenwood God King usually stays in the innermost part of the secret realm and almost never comes out."


    "It was just bad luck that day¡­"


    This was the first time Daniel had heard the Five-Element God King recount his experiences in the Greenwood God Realm.


    Previously, all Daniel knew was that the Five-Element God King and the Grand Elder had been hiding within the Greenwood God Realm.


    He hadn''t expected that the Five-Element God King had even entered this secret realm before.


    Although it wasn''t through normal means, the fact that he had made it in and out alive was remarkable.


    As the Five-Element God King led the way, a powerful God King aura suddenly appeared and directly attacked him!


    The Five-Element God King had been on guard. The moment the aura emerged, he immediately dodged behind Daniel.


    The attack struck¡­


    Or rather, it didn''t. Before it could reach Daniel, it dissipated into nothingness.


    "Hm?"


    A surprised voice rang out.


    Moments later, the Greenwood God King appeared.


    "Who are you, sir? What is your relationship with the one who stole confidential information from my Greenwood God Realm?"


    "It was I who instructed him to investigate those matters," Daniel replied.


    The Greenwood God King furrowed his brows.


    "Before the Apocalypse, you''re already exposing yourself without regard for secrecy? Aren''t you afraid that other entities will take notice, one ranked beyond kingship?"


    Beyond kingship?


    Daniel caught onto this phrase.


    It seemed to refer to ranks above God King.


    However, that wasn''t why Daniel had come here today.


    "I''ll ask, and you''ll answer," Daniel stated.


    The Greenwood God King nodded, signaling his willingness to cooperate.


    Because at that moment, the Greenwood God King remembered something.


    A few years ago, the Five-Element God Realm had faced an alliance of God Kings from several realms, along with an army of a million from the Beast Clan.


    No single God King''s power could withstand such a siege.


    Yet the Five-Element God King had held out for two years, eventually annihilating the Beast Clan''s army.


    That terrifying aura had even been felt by the Greenwood God King.


    Now, seeing the relationship between the Five-Element God King and this rank-above-kingship figure before him, the Greenwood God King understood.


    This man was powerful enough to take on the Beast Clan''s forces directly and clearly had no fear of being exposed.


    If he refused to cooperate¡­


    He might meet a terrible fate.


    After all, this man had already dealt with multiple God Kings. Adding one more Greenwood God King wouldn''t make a difference.


    "Please, ask your questions," the Greenwood God King replied, his tone growing respectful.


    "Tell me about the Apocalypse in the God Realms. Start from the beginning," Daniel said.


    Daniel had heard about the Apocalypse from those around him but had never received a definitive answer.


    As a veteran God King, the Greenwood God King would likely provide a more accurate account.


    "The concept of the Apocalypse originated from the Divine Dynasty¡ªyes, the one you''re aware of. Though it was destroyed, its presence seems to linger everywhere in the God Realms today."


    "When that mirror shattered, it foretold the coming Apocalypse. When it arrives, nothing in the God Realms will escape, not even those of ranks above kingship."


    As he spoke, the Greenwood God King carefully observed Daniel''s expression.


    Yet Daniel''s face remained utterly indifferent, as though these matters had nothing to do with him.


    "Is it related to the Beast Clan''s invasion?" Daniel asked.


    "No, the Beast Clan''s invasion of the human race is unrelated to the Apocalypse. To be precise¡­ they just want to survive."


    The Five-Element God King was stunned.


    As a relatively young God King, he was unaware of these secrets.


    "Why invade the human race to survive?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    The Greenwood God King looked curiously at Daniel.


    Was this man truly of a rank beyond kingship?


    How could he not know such basic things?


    "It''s because, according to prophecy, only the central Sun and Lunar God Realm has a slim chance of survival."


    "So the Beast Clan isn''t trying to attack the human race; they''re trying to enter the Sun and Lunar God Realm."


    "Naturally, the same applies to us human God Kings."


    This was even more true for the Greenwood Temple.


    Previously, the Five-Element God King had sought to expand the Five-Element God Realm toward the center of the God Realms, following the Greenwood God Realm''s example.


    It turned out there was indeed an advantage to doing so.


    The Five-Element God King nodded in agreement.


    Veteran God Kings truly kept their secrets well!


    If he hadn''t come here with Daniel, he might never have learned about this.


    "You didn''t know?"


    Daniel noticed the Five-Element God King''s expression and realized he, too, had only just discovered this information.


    Daniel had assumed that the Five-Element God King had mirrored the Greenwood God King''s actions because he knew some hidden truth, albeit vaguely.


    But now it seemed¡­


    He didn''t know anything. He was simply imitating blindly.


    "This information can only be obtained from that mirror by those of a rank beyond kingship or close to it," the Greenwood God King explained.


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    At the time, he had only recently arrived in the God Realms and hadn''t even heard of this so-called mirror.


    All he''d heard was the Five-Element God King talking about the impending Apocalypse¡­


    If he had known earlier, he would have gone to see this mysterious mirror himself.


    "Aside from the Sun and Lunar God Realm¡­ what about the other God Realms?"


    "They will all be destroyed," the Greenwood God King replied.


    All destroyed?!


    Hearing this, the Five-Element God King was utterly shocked.


    All the effort he had poured into building his realm over the years¡­


    Would all be for naught in the Apocalypse?


    At that moment, he recalled the news he had overheard upon entering the Greenwood God Realm. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Greenwood God King had moved the Greenwood Temple to the far north, closest to the Lunar God Realm, declaring that as long as the Greenwood God Realm stood, he would remain there.


    So, if signs of the Apocalypse appeared, the Greenwood God King would decisively attack the Lunar God Realm and enter it?


    These veteran God Kings¡­ truly were cunning!

 Chapter287-The Mystery of Ascension

    When the Apocalypse arrives, all God Realms will be destroyed except for the central Sun and Lunar God Realm, which holds a slim chance of survival.Daniel was confident he could protect both the Five-Element God Realm and the Crossbridge World, no matter what unforeseen circumstances arose.


    With his questions about the Apocalypse answered, Daniel''s focus shifted to the matter of world ascension.


    This was a critical issue, as it directly impacted Big White and the entire Crossbridge World. There was no room for carelessness.


    "I heard that the Greenwood God Realm has been researching world ascension, is that correct?"


    The Greenwood God King''s expression hardened. Sure enough, this subject was unavoidable.


    From the moment the Grand Elder had begun gathering information on the matter, the Greenwood God King had been paying attention.


    But he hadn''t expected that the Grand Elder would ultimately summon the Five-Element God King, allowing them both to escape the secret realm.


    This had left the Greenwood God King furious.


    He had immediately ordered the capture of the two throughout the Greenwood Temple and the Greenwood God Realm.


    What he hadn''t anticipated was the Five-Element God King''s abilities and the Grand Elder''s familiarity with the Greenwood Temple and the Greenwood God Realm. They had evaded capture for two months.


    This only stoked the Greenwood God King''s anger further.


    Finally, the Greenwood God King decided to act personally.


    He had located their tracks¡­


    Only to see an unfamiliar God King use a teleportation array to intervene just as he was about to catch them.


    Out of caution, the Greenwood God King had to abandon the pursuit.


    Fortunately, the Grand Elder had only uncovered information about the Level 12 Forge.


    That was a small mercy.


    Given more time, deeper secrets might have been exposed.


    But now, the person behind it all had personally come to the Greenwood God Realm.


    How could his purpose be merely to learn about the Apocalypse, something that anyone could know?


    Sure enough¡­


    After a series of questions, the topic finally circled back to world ascension.


    The Greenwood God King had no choice but to respond.


    Bracing himself, he answered:


    "That''s correct. The Greenwood God Realm currently has two Mortal Realms, both of which meet the criteria for ascension. We''ve been assisting these worlds in their progression."


    "One of them has reached God Lord rank, while the other has just recently ascended to God Sovereign rank."


    Daniel was slightly surprised by this.


    A God Sovereign rank world¡­


    That was nearly the pinnacle below the God Realms.


    He hadn''t expected the Greenwood God Realm to have achieved such a feat.


    This visit was proving more fruitful than he had anticipated.


    "I''ve heard that the process of world ascension is linked to breaking through to a rank beyond God King. Is that true?"


    Hearing this, the Greenwood God King''s expression turned complex, as though unsure how to respond. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Finally, he spoke:


    "That claim originates from the now-destroyed Divine Dynasty. It''s merely speculation¡ªa theory about another way to avoid the Apocalypse."


    "Given that you''re already of a rank beyond God King, you should know more about it than I do."


    Daniel immediately understood why the Greenwood God King had shown such a strange expression earlier.


    Because¡­


    Daniel himself was already at a rank beyond God King. How could he not know this?


    The Greenwood God King''s words were effectively saying: "You''ve already reached that level. Why are you asking me, someone who hasn''t?"


    Shouldn''t you already know the answer?


    But Daniel genuinely didn''t know! His breakthrough¡­ well, let''s just say his strength had allowed him to bypass the struggles others faced.


    So all he could do was silently complain to himself.


    How was he supposed to know it would turn out like this?


    After all this, the conversation had circled back to the Apocalypse¡­ proving once again that rumors were unreliable.


    "My breakthrough to a rank beyond God King was somewhat unique, so it can''t be generalized," Daniel explained, then asked:


    "During the process of world ascension, have you encountered any anomalies or irregularities?"


    This was the question Daniel cared about the most.


    The Life Temple''s failure was a lesson he had not forgotten.


    The Greenwood God King shook his head.


    "There haven''t been any anomalies, except¡­ the resource consumption has been quite significant."


    No issues?


    Daniel was puzzled.


    If there were no problems, then what had happened with the Life Temple?


    Could it be that the anomalies only appeared during the final stages of ascension?


    Daniel speculated and asked:


    "Are there any Mortal Realms in the God Realms that have successfully ascended? I mean, are there factions that have achieved this?"


    Initially, Daniel recalled the Five-Element God King mentioning that no one in the God Realms had managed to achieve this.


    But after speaking with the Greenwood God King, Daniel noticed a pattern:


    Perspectives differed depending on one''s standing.


    Compared to the Greenwood God King, the Five-Element God King was still relatively inexperienced, especially given his position in a more peripheral region.


    He didn''t intentionally omit information; he simply didn''t know.


    Daniel hoped the Greenwood God King might offer a different perspective.


    Sure enough, when Daniel posed the question, the Greenwood God King responded immediately:


    "There are indeed such cases."


    As expected!


    Daniel had guessed right.


    Just as he suspected, the Five-Element God King''s information channels were too narrow and limited.


    Unlike the Greenwood God King, a veteran who had stood at the center of events. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    Until now, Daniel had thought only a superpower like the Temple of All Souls had successfully attempted ascension.


    But they had ultimately failed, ascending their world only to destroy themselves in the process.


    Now, hearing the Greenwood God King''s words, Daniel realized this wasn''t the whole story.


    The God Realms¡­


    "To my knowledge, in the Sun and Lunar God Realms, at least two Mortal Realms have reached God King rank," the Greenwood God King explained.


    "One of these Mortal Realms is almost as vast as a God Realm itself."


    "Ruling such a Mortal Realm is practically equivalent to controlling a God Realm."


    "In other major regions, there may also be successful cases, but no information has been made public."


    The Sun and Lunar God Realms dared to announce their success because they had the strength to back it up.


    As for other regions¡­ they lacked such confidence.


    The Sun and Lunar God Realms¡­ No wonder the prophecy claimed they were the only realms with a chance of surviving the Apocalypse.


    The central God Realms were indeed exceptional.


    "Do you know how these two Mortal Realms achieved ascension?"


    "Did they merge with the God Realms, or did they remain independent as before?"


    Hearing this, the Greenwood God King seemed puzzled and replied:


    "Of course, they remained independent. They are entire worlds, after all! How could they merge with the God Realms?"


    Daniel frowned at this answer.


    This was different from what he had expected.


    He had assumed that the final step in world ascension involved merging with the God Realms¡ªand that the Life Temple had made a mistake during this process, resulting in their failure.


    But the Greenwood God King''s response suggested otherwise.


    It seemed that the final step of ascension¡­


    Did not require merging with the God Realms at all.


    So why had the Life Temple attempted to directly integrate their Mortal Realm into the God Realms?


    Daniel couldn''t understand.


    Logically, such a powerful faction, even possessing ancient divine spells, wouldn''t make such a foolish mistake.


    Could it be that their method was a necessary step, but¡­ they had skipped some crucial details?


    Or was the Life Temple''s entire approach inherently flawed?

 Chapter288-Journey to the Mortal Realm

    The myriad mysteries swirled in Daniel''s mind.Finally, he asked outright, "Have you ever heard of the Life Temple?"


    This time, the Greenwood God King shook his head, indicating that he had never heard of such a faction.


    That made sense.


    The Life Temple was located in the Eastern Wastes, and even the local God Kings there had only pieced together information about it through ancient texts and ruins.


    It was perfectly normal for the Greenwood God King to know nothing about it.


    Daniel moved on to another question:


    "Earlier, you mentioned that the Greenwood God Realm has two unique Mortal Realms suitable for ascension. What criteria determine their suitability? Or, what common traits do these two Mortal Realms share?"


    This was a question that Daniel cared deeply about.


    Unique worlds¡­


    Only unique worlds could ascend. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So, what made a world "unique"?


    And how were such worlds identified?


    The Greenwood God Realm had over a million Mortal Realms.


    How had they determined that only these two qualified as unique worlds capable of ascension?


    Hearing this, the Greenwood God King chuckled before answering:


    "I imagine you''re already aware that we identify these unique worlds through the now-destroyed mirror.


    "In the mirror, eligible worlds are marked by a black halo. This rule is widely known."


    The Five-Element God King nodded in agreement.


    Even he was aware of this.


    "But what most people don''t know," the Greenwood God King continued, "is that all of these unique Mortal Realms share one common trait: they all originate from the World Tree."


    "These unique worlds are fragments of the World Tree. It took me tens of thousands of years, studying countless worlds, to arrive at this conclusion."


    The World Tree¡­


    Hearing this, Daniel froze, falling into deep thought.


    The World Tree was a legendary existence, present at the dawn of creation.


    It had been destroyed during the divine and demonic wars.


    In the Crossbridge World, the Tree of Origin was a fragment of the World Tree.


    This revelation made the Greenwood God King''s statement clear.


    Unique worlds¡­


    Back in the Crossbridge World, the serpent in the Voidland had repeatedly mentioned that the Crossbridge World was special.


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    It now seemed that this was indeed the case!


    A world supported by a fragment of the World Tree.


    "Then, for Mortal Realms originating from the World Tree, ascension should be relatively easy, right?"


    Daniel thought of Big White.


    Over the years, Big White had ascended twice.


    The speed was extraordinary.


    It was for this reason that Daniel had sought out the Greenwood God King for further insights.


    The Greenwood God King nodded.


    "Exactly. Because of their connection to the World Tree, these worlds can bear capacities comparable to a God Realm. With sufficient energy, they can ascend without any bottlenecks."


    Daniel had already witnessed this firsthand.


    The Divine Dynasty, foreseeing the Apocalypse, had left two paths to survival:


    The first was the central Sun and Lunar God Realms, which offered a slim chance of survival.


    The second was world ascension.


    By ascending a Mortal Realm to God King rank, God Kings could take refuge there in the event of the Apocalypse.


    The Divine Dynasty had also specifically pointed out that unique worlds, particularly those connected to the World Tree, could ascend easily.


    Ordinary worlds, however, required not only vast resources but also specific opportunities.


    Worlds connected to the World Tree were an exception, needing only resources.


    This saved significant time and effort.


    Although¡­


    The resources required for world ascension were so immense that many God Kings could not afford them.


    Take the Five-Element God King beside Daniel, for instance.


    Forget world ascension¡ªhe''d struggle just to upgrade his forge to Level 12.


    "Can we visit the two Mortal Realms you mentioned?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes. The Greenwood Temple has always maintained passages to the Voidland outside these worlds.


    "However, entering the worlds themselves is more complicated. Even with my strength, a God Sovereign-ranked world cannot withstand me."


    This was because excessively powerful beings entering a world could destabilize it, leading to its collapse.


    Daniel understood this all too well.


    He had almost been unable to return to the Crossbridge World for the same reason.


    Thankfully, he had crafted the Ring of Origin, integrating himself with the world and enabling his return.


    "Then let''s go take a look," Daniel said, his curiosity piqued by these unique worlds.


    "Please, follow me," the Greenwood God King replied, leading the way.


    The group moved to another location.


    After stepping into a magic array, they vanished.


    The Greenwood Temple housed many God Kings beyond the three that Daniel had previously captured.


    However, these God Kings didn''t roam outside; they guarded specific locations, such as the magic array connecting to the Mortal Realms.


    Initially, Daniel had considered bringing Big White along but ultimately decided against it.


    After all¡­


    The Greenwood God King was a veteran, well-versed in such matters. He would undoubtedly recognize Big White''s true nature.


    When the three reappeared, they stood on an altar.


    The altar bore a teleportation magic array, surrounded by a Voidland.


    Daniel could see a world floating in the distance, suspended in the void.


    Nearby, a silver river stretched endlessly¡ªa Sacred Time River belonging to the world.


    "This Sacred Time River is quite beautiful," Daniel remarked, gazing at it.


    It reminded him of the Sacred Time River in the Crossbridge World.


    After all this time, had it been restored?


    After all, Big White had ascended twice.


    "Every world has its own Sacred Time River, visible from the void surrounding the Mortal Realms," the Greenwood God King explained.


    "Hmm¡­" Daniel responded quietly, subconsciously rubbing his nose¡ªa sign of guilt.


    The Five-Element God King wore a peculiar expression.


    He was well aware of what had happened to the Crossbridge World''s Sacred Time River, as he had meddled with it himself.


    What he hadn''t anticipated was that Daniel would go so far as to destroy it outright.


    The Greenwood God King noticed the odd looks on their faces and was about to ask when Daniel quickly interjected:


    "Let''s go see the World Tree!"


    "Of course. This way," the Greenwood God King replied.


    The three figures flew swiftly through the Voidland.


    Soon, the Greenwood God King came to a stop.


    Before them stood a massive, green stone.


    "This is the world''s consciousness," the Greenwood God King explained.


    "Greetings, God King," a voice echoed from within the green stone.


    "A fragment of the World Tree resides within it. Please, follow me," the Greenwood God King said.


    As he finished speaking, an entrance appeared in the green stone, allowing the three to enter.


    The Greenwood God King led the way, stopping shortly after.


    Before them was a branch.


    From this branch, Daniel sensed a familiar aura.


    It was similar to that of the Tree of Origin in the Crossbridge World.


    However, the Tree of Origin had been reborn from a fragment of the World Tree, so there were some differences.


    "This is a branch of the World Tree," the Greenwood God King said.


    Daniel nodded.


    The Greenwood God King continued, "This branch progresses through eighteen stages. Currently, it is at the fifteenth stage.


    "With each subsequent stage, the differences become more pronounced."

 Chapter289-Fruit of Rule

    "How do the stages correspond to ranks?"This was Daniel''s first time hearing that the World Tree had stages.


    After all, Big White''s situation was already unique. Learning more wouldn''t hurt.


    "For example, the fifteenth stage corresponds to the God Lord rank. The sixteenth stage corresponds to the God Sovereign rank, and the seventeenth stage corresponds to the God King rank," the Greenwood God King explained.


    "If it can grow to the eighteenth stage, it might come close to resembling the original World Tree, capable of sheltering an entire world."


    Daniel vaguely remembered the old oracle mentioning something similar.


    "But some say that these branches of the World Tree could reach a nineteenth stage," the Greenwood God King added with a joking tone.


    "If that ever happened, it would become a true World Tree, connecting all realms across the cosmos."


    This statement carried an air of disbelief.


    After all¡­


    No one could test this theory.


    Even now, ranks above God King were rare in the God Realms. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cultivating a world to the eighteenth stage was already an insurmountable task, let alone the supposed nineteenth stage, which remained purely speculative.


    Daniel nodded.


    Big White was currently at the God rank. There was still a long way to go before reaching the God King rank.


    When Big White reached that level, they would know if the theory held any truth.


    Daniel''s gaze shifted to the branch of the World Tree before him.


    Among the lush green leaves of the canopy, hundreds of tiny fruits hung, almost indistinguishable from the leaves themselves.


    Had Daniel not been observing closely, he might not have noticed them.


    Using his mind power, Daniel probed the fruits.


    Within them, he sensed an intense concentration of rules¡ªdenser even than the rule pills he had obtained from the Life Temple''s furnace, which Big White often consumed.


    "What are these fruits?"


    "These are called Fruits of Rule. They form on the World Tree after a world ascends to the God Lord rank.


    "If consumed by the deities of this world, they can quickly elevate them to the God Lord rank," the Greenwood God King explained.


    Hearing this, Daniel began to understand.


    These fruits resembled the White Lotus that Big White had used before, designed to help beings reach a world''s rank ceiling as quickly as possible.


    However, the Fruit of Rule seemed superior, as it contained genuine power of rules. Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    When Big White reached the God Lord rank, it might also produce something similar.


    Daniel turned to the Greenwood God King.


    "I''d like to purchase some of these Fruits of Rule. Name your price."


    The Greenwood God King was momentarily stunned.


    These fruits¡­


    What use could they have?


    After all, the Fruit of Rule was only effective for the beings of its specific world. For others, it had no effect.


    Worried that Daniel might not have understood, the Greenwood God King explained again:


    "These Fruits of Rule are only effective for the deities of this world. For beings from other worlds, they have no effect."


    The Greenwood God King made sure to be extra clear this time.


    "I know. I just want to study them," Daniel replied.


    Study them?


    "In that case, I can give you some as a gift," the Greenwood God King offered with a smile.


    Turning a potential hassle into goodwill was an excellent trade in his eyes.


    But Daniel wasn''t about to agree.


    Because¡­ he wanted all of the Fruits of Rule.


    "Just name a price. There''s no need for charity on this matter," Daniel insisted.


    "Alright, for a God Lord rank Fruit of Rule¡­ how about 10 billion divine stones each? Or 2,000 divine crystals apiece," the Greenwood God King proposed after some thought.


    Daniel considered it and then asked, "How many of these Fruits of Rule do you have right now?"


    Hearing this, the Greenwood God King felt a bit unsure about Daniel''s intentions.


    Typically, someone would only ask this question if they intended to buy them all.


    "If you''re only planning to study them¡­ do you really need so many? Even though the God Lord rank Fruits of Rule aren''t particularly useful to the Greenwood Temple, it''s still¡­"


    "20,000 divine crystals per fruit. If you disagree, just pretend I never asked," Daniel interrupted decisively.


    At that moment, the Greenwood God King''s mind went blank.


    He had never encountered such a straightforward approach.


    This¡­


    This was brute force through sheer wealth!


    The Five-Element God King straightened his back, glancing at the Greenwood God King.


    He recognized that expression on the Greenwood God King''s face all too well.


    It was the same one he''d worn the first time Daniel had displayed his immense wealth¡ªlike a provincial God King who had never seen the world.


    After being exposed to Daniel''s wealth several times, the Five-Element God King had grown somewhat accustomed to his occasional offhand remarks and his utter disregard for divine stones and divine crystals, treating them as mere trifles.


    Indeed, the Greenwood God King had never seen anything like this before!


    Who would casually offer 20,000 divine crystals for a single Fruit of Rule?


    After all, divine crystals were highly strategic resources in the God Realms.


    For instance, the Five-Element God King had withstood the siege of a million-strong Beast Clan army and ten God Kings for two years thanks to divine crystals, which powered his magic arrays and fortifications.


    The importance of divine crystals was undeniable.


    As a veteran God King, the Greenwood God King understood their significance even better than the Five-Element God King.


    Thus, he was utterly shocked.


    Compared to the Fruits of Rule, the divine crystals'' immediate strategic value was far more critical!


    Especially since he planned to attack the Lunar God Realm before the Apocalypse struck.


    If he had such a supply of divine crystals to enhance his forces'' equipment and weapons, it would be a tremendous advantage.


    How could he possibly refuse?


    "Are you certain? I have about a thousand of these Fruits of Rule," the Greenwood God King asked cautiously.


    The promise of so many divine crystals made his breathing quicken.


    He feared that the deal might fall through.


    Hearing this, Daniel realized that the Greenwood God King likely only had this many left.


    "Alright. I''ll give you the divine crystals now," Daniel said, preparing to retrieve them.


    The Greenwood God King quickly interjected, "Please, no rush. Let''s wait until we''re back in the God Realm to finalize the transaction. The Fruits of Rule are stored there."


    Although the Greenwood God King was nearly overwhelmed by excitement, he retained a sliver of rationality when it came to something as important as divine crystals.


    "Fair enough," Daniel agreed.


    After all, paying upon delivery was reasonable.


    Then, as if something had occurred to him, Daniel asked, "By the way, does a God Sovereign-ranked world also produce Fruits of Rule?"


    Earlier, the Greenwood God King had mentioned that the World Tree began producing these fruits after a world reached the God Lord rank.


    If this applied to God King-ranked worlds, it would surely apply to God Sovereign-ranked worlds too.


    Upon hearing this, the Greenwood God King''s breathing grew even more labored.


    This time, his eyes turned bloodshot, making him look like a beast ready to pounce.


    Even the Five-Element God King, watching this transformation, instinctively moved away.


    He couldn''t help but recall his own reaction upon hearing about the vast wealth and countless divine crystals of the Ink Sea God King.


    Had his expression been just as wild and ravenous back then?

 Chapter290-The Complete Forge

    The group left the God Lord-ranked world and arrived outside the God Sovereign-ranked world.On the altar, their figures materialized.


    This place differed significantly from the Voidland of the God Lord-ranked world.


    Here¡­


    It was bustling with activity.


    Outside the altar stood several distinct structures, and within them were numerous mages hard at work.


    "What are they doing?" Daniel asked.


    The Greenwood God King hesitated before explaining:


    "They''re filtering those eligible to enter the God Realm ahead of time.


    "The Will of the World of this God Sovereign-ranked world and I have an agreement: mages who pass the selection process can have the Gate to the God Realm opened for them in advance, allowing them to enter the God Realm directly.


    "Even those who haven''t yet reached the world''s upper limit of strength can ascend to the God Realm through this process."


    Daniel was taken aback. Such a method?


    But¡­


    On further thought, it made sense.


    This world was already God Sovereign-ranked.


    How far could a mage at the God Sovereign rank be from the God King rank?


    The God Realm was meant to be a place of ascension, not a realm where mortals spent tens of thousands of years trying to reach the God King rank.


    That sounded ridiculous.


    This process benefited the mortals, allowing outstanding individuals to enter the God Realm earlier, rather than waiting until they reached the God Sovereign rank to ascend.


    Otherwise, what purpose would the God Realm serve? To wait for them to find opportunities to ascend to the God King rank?


    "Let''s head to the World Tree," Daniel said.


    "Of course. Please follow me," the Greenwood God King replied, leading the way.


    The World Tree of the God Sovereign-ranked world was visibly different from that of the God Lord-ranked world.


    It was larger and more imposing, exuding the same familiar aura.


    Now, Daniel was certain.


    These so-called unique worlds were indeed connected to the World Tree.


    Just like Big White.


    And the Crossbridge World as well.


    Back in the God Lord-ranked world, Daniel had noticed numerous Level 12 Forges beneath the World Tree.


    Here, in the God Sovereign-ranked world, there were even more.


    Among these Level 12 Forges, one stood out.


    It was distinctly different from the others. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire


    This¡­


    It had to be the Level 13 Forge!


    The information the Five-Element God King had gathered was accurate¡ªthere truly was a Level 13 Forge.


    "Greenwood, I have a question," Daniel said.


    "Please ask," the Greenwood God King replied respectfully.


    "How long did it take to elevate this world to its current God Sovereign rank?"


    The Greenwood God King did a rough calculation before answering:


    "When I first discovered this world, it had just ascended to the Celestial God Realm.


    "From that point, I began nurturing it. Altogether¡­ it has taken approximately 900,000 years."


    How long?


    Nine hundred thousand years?


    Daniel fell silent, stunned by the number.


    He hadn''t expected that cultivating a world could take so long.


    Even 90 years would have seemed like a long time to him, let alone adding the word "thousand" to it.


    And the most pressing issue was that Daniel didn''t have that kind of time¡ªnot even 90 years.


    The Apocalypse of the God Realm could arrive at any moment.


    There was no way he''d be given such an extended timeline.


    "Did you use forges from the beginning to nurture the world?" Daniel asked.


    "No, not initially. At first, I didn''t know how to facilitate world ascension, so I tried various methods¡­ experimenting continuously.


    "It took me centuries of trial and error before discovering the refining method for forges.


    "Then I spent several more centuries creating the first Level 12 Forge.


    "After accumulating resources for millennia, I finally had over a hundred Level 12 Forges and one Level 13 Forge."


    The Greenwood God King''s explanation was detailed.


    Daniel understood now.


    This was the standard process for a God King nurturing a world.


    Fortunately, Daniel hadn''t gone through such trouble.


    He had thrown tens of thousands of forges into the Crossbridge World right from the start, coupled with the items he''d obtained from the Life Temple.


    Thanks to these resources, Big White had ascended rapidly.


    "By the way, the Greenwood God Realm shouldn''t lack divine stones now. Why is there only one Level 13 Forge?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    "That''s because, above Level 12, divine stones are no longer sufficient. Or rather, they cannot meet the requirements for a Level 13 Forge.


    "What''s needed are divine crystals!


    "And divine crystals are extremely rare, even after all these years. I''ve only managed to gather a small portion¡­"


    As he spoke, the Greenwood God King glanced at Daniel enviously.


    If he had access to the kind of wealth Daniel possessed, not only could he fully equip the Greenwood Temple''s forces, but he could also produce multiple Level 13 Forges!


    "How many divine crystals does a Level 13 Forge require?" Daniel asked.


    "Ten million.


    "And a Level 13 Forge produces a special liquid that serves as the best nourishment for the World Tree."


    "Is there anything beyond Level 13? Or is it the highest tier?" Daniel continued.


    "There''s one more tier¡ªLevel 14¡ªthe final level. It requires hundreds of billions of divine crystals to construct," the Greenwood God King said after a brief pause.


    "And the pinnacle forge produces Life Elixirs, capable of creating God Kings¡­"


    A pinnacle forge¡­ with such an effect?


    Daniel thought of the jade vial in his possession, which also contained Life Elixirs.


    However, the elixir in the vial only produced one drop every thousand years.


    A forge, on the other hand, could produce one drop per year.


    In other words, with a Level 14 Forge, one God King could be created every three years.


    With several such forges¡­


    Mass-producing God Kings might genuinely become a reality!


    "Are there many factions in the God Realm with Level 14 Forges?" Daniel asked.


    Given the astronomical resources required, he doubted any faction could afford one.


    "Impossible," the Greenwood God King replied firmly. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Among the top factions of the God Realm, there are only a few dozen stronger than the Greenwood God Realm.


    "They may have a few more Level 13 Forges than us, but none could possess a Level 14 Forge!"


    The Greenwood God King was certain of this.


    If any faction had a Level 14 Forge, producing one God King every three years, the God Realm would no longer be as fragmented as it was.


    It would have long been unified.


    However, Daniel had a different perspective.


    Just as the Five-Element God King had once sounded equally confident when discussing the secrets of the God Realm, only to seem na?ve in front of the Greenwood God King.


    Now, could it be that the Greenwood God King was similarly limited in his knowledge?


    "Could it be that you simply lack the strength to come into contact with such factions?" Daniel asked.


    "You must be joking!" the Greenwood God King replied, striving to maintain a polite tone.


    "The top factions in the God Realm maintain contact with one another.


    "As long as those of a rank beyond God King don''t intervene, we are the rulers of the God Realm.


    "Even among those ranked beyond kingship, I can generally guess their origins."


    Daniel cast a pointed look at the Greenwood God King.


    The Greenwood God King coughed awkwardly.


    "Er¡­ except for you, of course."


    Deciding to change the subject, Daniel asked, "Are you sure there''s no complete forge in the God Realm?"


    "I''m certain. Unless a faction as powerful as the ancient Divine Dynasty reemerges, there won''t be a complete forge in the God Realm!"

 Chapter291-The Confused Greenwood God King

    After hearing the Greenwood God King''s explanation, Daniel finally understood.It seemed the divine crystals of the God Realm were indeed scarce and subject to strict limitations.


    "I see. Which factions have individuals at ranks beyond God King?" Daniel asked.


    Taking the opportunity, he sought more information.


    He was also curious about the individual who had left that warning in the Five-Element God Realm.


    The Greenwood God King began listing them: sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "In the Sun and Lunar God Realms, there are two ancient families:


    "One is the La Family, and the other is the Theseus Family. These two families represent the most powerful forces of the Sun God Realm and the Lunar God Realm respectively, and each has members at ranks beyond God King.


    "Besides them, there are several other factions in those domains.


    "The Godlink Consortium also has such individuals, as does the Beast Clan.


    "There are also a few others who have disappeared over the ages. Altogether, there are about ten factions."


    Daniel committed the list to memory.


    From this, it seemed likely that the Greenwood God King was being truthful: the God Realm truly lacked any faction capable of possessing a complete forge.


    Daniel calculated the divine crystals in his possession.


    If he used them all for forge construction, he estimated he could create over 30,000 forges.


    If all those forges were dedicated to individuals nearing the God King rank, it could potentially produce over 3,000 new God Kings every year.


    This was a staggering number.


    Of course, most of the resources would need to be used for Big White''s growth.


    "Do you have the complete method for crafting a Level 14 Forge?" Daniel asked.


    The Greenwood God King nodded.


    Such methods weren''t exactly rare; what truly mattered were the divine crystals.


    A Level 14 Forge required an astronomical amount of them, making it nearly impossible to construct.


    "Alright. Include the Fruits of Rule and the forge-crafting method in a single deal. Name a price¡ªI''ll pay entirely in divine crystals."


    After a brief calculation, the Greenwood God King provided a total:


    Over a thousand God Lord-ranked Fruits of Rule, three hundred God Sovereign-ranked Fruits of Rule, and the method to craft a Level 14 Forge¡ªall together for 1 billion divine crystals.


    Most of the cost came from the Fruits of Rule, while the crafting method was practically a freebie.


    Without hesitation, Daniel agreed to the payment.


    The only slight disappointment was that this God Sovereign-ranked world had only recently ascended, so it only had about three hundred Fruits of Rule.


    He would make do for now and visit factions with God King-ranked worlds later for greater gains.


    When the Greenwood God King received the 1 billion divine crystals, he was utterly stunned.


    He could hardly believe he had acquired such a vast fortune¡ªit felt like a dream.


    After all, it had taken him hundreds of thousands of years to accumulate a mere ten million.


    Now, just by selling some Fruits of Rule, he had earned 1 billion.


    The Greenwood God King couldn''t shake the feeling that it was too good to be true.


    If only he had met Daniel tens of thousands of years earlier! Perhaps his efforts to ascend a Mortal Realm would have progressed far more rapidly.


    Having concluded the transaction, Daniel lost interest in the Mortal Realms and suggested they return to the Greenwood Temple.


    Through the magic array, the three of them reappeared in the Greenwood Temple.


    The Greenwood God King handed over the Fruits of Rule and the crafting method to Daniel.


    Even now, the Greenwood God King found it hard to believe.


    When Daniel had first arrived in the secret realm, he had sealed all the entrances and exits, leaving the Greenwood God King in despair.


    Only someone at a rank beyond God King could have accomplished such a feat.


    And what would such a powerful individual want here?


    Given that the Five-Element God King was also present, the Greenwood God King initially assumed that this was some sort of revenge plot orchestrated by the Five-Element God King with the backing of a formidable patron.


    In a sense, he was right¡ªthe Five-Element God King had indeed found a powerful patron.


    But there was no revenge involved.


    Instead, Daniel had merely asked him a few basic questions¡ªthings even regular God Kings might know¡ªand then¡­


    Paid him 1 billion divine crystals for his trouble.


    Considering that someone at a rank beyond God King could have simply taken everything by force without any explanation, this courtesy left the Greenwood God King completely baffled.


    It was his first time encountering such a polite individual at that level of power.


    He felt utterly disoriented.


    "What are you thinking about?" Daniel asked, noticing the Greenwood God King''s dazed expression.


    "Nothing¡­ I was just counting the divine crystals¡­" the Greenwood God King replied awkwardly.


    Daniel gave him a look but said nothing.


    A God King needing to count divine crystals?


    It was obviously an excuse, but Daniel didn''t bother exposing it.


    Instead, he turned his thoughts to Big White''s future ascension.


    Perhaps he could emulate the Greenwood God Realm by building an altar in the Voidland outside the Crossbridge World, enabling talented young individuals to enter the God Realm early.


    The Crossbridge World felt too small for the grand plans he envisioned.


    And then there was the matter of upgrading the Crossbridge World''s forges to Level 14.


    The more Daniel thought about it, the more work seemed to pile up.


    He also needed to update Genesis, the book he had written.


    The highest rank described in its current version only reached High God.


    Rose was already approaching that rank.


    If he didn''t update it soon, she might need to look elsewhere for guidance.


    So many tasks awaited him!


    Daniel turned back to the Greenwood God King.


    "Greenwood, there''s one more thing."


    Snapping out of his thoughts, the Greenwood God King quickly responded:


    "Yes, what is it?"


    "When I first arrived at the Greenwood Temple, I noticed a lot of propaganda slandering the Five-Element God Realm. What''s the reason for that?"


    The Greenwood God King explained:


    "Several years ago, the Five-Element God King and our temple''s former elder stole many of our secrets and fled.


    "Because of that incident, many of the temple''s higher-ups harbor a deep hatred for the Five-Element God King. Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire


    "That''s why the propaganda here has been so heavily targeted against the Five-Element God Realm. Should we remove it?"


    "Yes. Remove all negative propaganda about the Five-Element God Realm.


    "Also, reopen the teleport array between the Greenwood Temple and the Five-Element God Realm, and establish a new array connecting directly to the outer city of the Five-Element Temple," Daniel instructed.


    "Understood. I''ll handle it," the Greenwood God King agreed readily.


    For him, such tasks were trivial.


    However, after agreeing, a lingering question gnawed at him.


    Why was Daniel so focused on developing the Five-Element God Realm?


    With his power and wealth, Daniel could easily relocate everyone he cared about to the Sun and Lunar God Realms and secure an excellent position there.


    Why bother with the Five-Element God Realm, a place that was destined to be destroyed?


    After all, no one knew when the Apocalypse would strike.

 Chapter292-Spirit Beast Sect

    The Greenwood God King was deeply puzzled.He couldn''t understand why Daniel was investing so much effort into something so thankless.


    If the Apocalypse arrived, wouldn''t all this effort go to waste?


    So, the Greenwood God King asked, confused:


    "My lord, if the Apocalypse does come, wouldn''t all this be for nothing?"


    "You don''t need to worry about that," Daniel replied.


    "Understood!"


    At that moment, the Five-Element God King seemed to have a thought, muttering to himself:


    "Gold Board¡­ Apocalypse¡­ Gold Board¡­"


    Daniel glanced at him, unsure of what the Five-Element God King was muttering about this time.


    The Greenwood God King, however, let out a curious sound.


    "Hm? Has the Five-Element God King interacted with a rank-beyond-God King before?"


    Hearing this, Daniel recalled the warning left by a rank-beyond-God King for the Five-Element God King.


    But it was merely a voice transmission, with no further action.


    Was the Five-Element God King''s current strange behavior related to that transmission?


    Daniel looked at the Greenwood God King, waiting for an explanation.


    The Greenwood God King explained:


    "This might be due to the influence of that rank-beyond-God King''s power. When you displayed strength beyond the God King rank earlier, it might have triggered some sort of mechanism."


    Daniel recalled the warning from the mysterious rank-beyond-God King, advising him not to use strength beyond the God King rank, as it could lead to a backlash.


    However, Daniel himself hadn''t experienced any backlash.


    Instead, the Five-Element God King seemed to have been affected by the voice transmission.


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    Unlucky guy, Daniel thought.


    Daniel decided to eliminate the source of the problem, using his mind power to destroy the mental imprint left by the rank-beyond-God King.


    The Five-Element God King promptly fainted.


    A short while later, he woke up again, unharmed.


    "Huh? What just happened? I think I passed out?"


    "You''re fine. Don''t worry about it," Daniel said.


    "Oh."


    "By the way, those words you were muttering earlier¡ªGold Board, Apocalypse¡ªdo you know what they mean?" Daniel asked.


    The Greenwood God King quickly answered:


    "I do. The so-called Gold Board is said to be a relic passed down from the Divine Dynasty."


    Really? Does everything have to be tied to the Divine Dynasty?


    If it was so powerful, how did it end up destroyed?


    Daniel couldn''t help but feel a bit exasperated.


    The Divine Dynasty had even predicted the Apocalypse and devised methods to survive it. So how had it failed to foresee its own demise?


    "The Gold Board is said to contain power capable of resisting the Apocalypse.


    "But only individuals under 100 years old can make it onto the board.


    "As a result, factions across the God Realm are actively seeking young prodigies under 100 years old," the Greenwood God King explained.


    Hearing this, Daniel turned to look at the Five-Element God King.


    So, this guy had no idea what it all meant and was just parroting what he''d heard.


    "What about the Greenwood God Realm? How are you doing in this regard?"


    "For now, we have one God King with mediocre standing. Based on the rankings of the Gold Board¡­ they likely wouldn''t even place.


    "I plan to cast a wider net and hope to find stronger prodigies before the Apocalypse arrives," the Greenwood God King replied.


    Hearing this, Daniel glanced at the Five-Element God King again.


    The disparity between the Five-Element God Realm and the Greenwood God Realm was glaring.


    The Five-Element God King kept his head down, too embarrassed to speak.


    Clearly, he had been outclassed.


    "Alright. Keep a close watch on the teleport array and ensure there are no oversights. Also, if you find anything similar to the Fruits of Rule, contact me directly¡ªI have plenty of divine crystals," Daniel said.


    He shared his communication method, and the two added each other as contacts.


    "You can count on me," the Greenwood God King assured him.


    At the Ultimate Beast Arena, no one dared move.


    After the Five-Element God King had called for the Greenwood God King to come out, the crowd realized that at least one rank-beyond-God King was here to settle a score with the Greenwood God King. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And that individual was terrifyingly powerful.


    Even when outnumbered three to one, they showed no signs of struggle.


    Now¡­


    It seemed like trouble was brewing for the Greenwood Temple.


    And then there was the white Beast Clan God King who had been in the arena earlier.


    Not someone to be trifled with.


    The crowd had originally come to enjoy the beast battles.


    The fact that the Beast Clan God King hadn''t killed them outright was already a testament to their good temper.


    Who would dare flee now?


    No one wanted to risk being the bird that stuck out and got shot down.


    "Do you think the Five-Element God King will be alright? I heard the Greenwood God King is quite powerful and nearly killed him before," Cyr said worriedly.


    "Hahaha, no need to worry! Everything will be fine! My dad¡­ er¡­ the Greenwood God King is nothing to him!" Big White exclaimed.


    "Really?"


    "Of course! Even if the entire God Realm falls apart, my dad will be fine!"


    "Alright, stop bragging. Things here are settled," Daniel''s voice came from behind them.


    "Dad!" Big White rushed over to him.


    Daniel stopped Big White with one hand and turned to Cyr.


    "I heard from Big White that your Spirit Beast Sect plans to relocate entirely to the Five-Element God Realm. Is that true?"


    Cyr nodded quickly.


    "I see¡­" Daniel looked around and noticed that everyone''s attention was focused on him.


    The sight of someone restraining a terrifying Beast Clan God King had stunned the entire arena.


    What kind of person was this man?


    The entire Ultimate Beast Arena was abuzz with curiosity, making Daniel feel a bit awkward. He turned to Cyr and said:


    "This isn''t the right place to discuss things. Let''s find somewhere more private."


    With that, he disappeared, taking Cyr, Yorton, and the others with him.


    Moments after Daniel left, the Greenwood Temple finally sent people to handle the aftermath.


    In a private room at an inn, Cyr and Yorton sat with Daniel''s group.


    Cyr began explaining the Spirit Beast Sect.


    The Spirit Beast Sect was a faction centered around spirit beasts.


    Their combat, rank advancement, and day-to-day life were all closely tied to spirit beasts.


    For them, spirit beasts were their closest companions.


    Many similar factions existed across various god realms.


    Initially, the Spirit Beast Sect''s position had been unremarkable.


    However, when the Beast Clan began its invasion, the sect found itself in an awkward situation.


    After all, spirit beasts were still beasts.


    This led to them being distrusted by both humans and the Beast Clan.


    Thankfully, the Five-Element God King had held strong, repelling the Beast Clan''s invasion and giving the sect some breathing room.


    Meanwhile, the Greenwood Temple''s promotion of beast battles led to a surge in demand for spirit beasts.


    Although the sect refused to sell combat-oriented spirit beasts, they did sell ornamental ones.


    However, this was at odds with their core philosophy.


    When news came that the Five-Element God King had married a Beast Clan God King and declared a vision of equality among all races, the Spirit Beast Sect was overjoyed.


    The Five-Element God King''s ideals aligned perfectly with theirs.


    Thus, the sect decided to relocate entirely to the Five-Element God Realm¡ªa massive undertaking.


    Cyr and Yorton were sent ahead to assess whether the Five-Element God Realm would be a suitable home for their spirit beasts.


    After all¡­


    The Five-Element God Realm was still recovering from the Beast Clan''s invasion, and the sect had concerns about its environment.

 Chapter293-Return

    Unfortunately, when Cyr and Yorton arrived at Greenwood Temple, they encountered a significant problem: the teleport array to the Five-Element God Realm had been deactivated, shut down unilaterally by Greenwood Temple.This caused great anxiety for them and led to the events that followed.


    "That''s the situation," Cyr explained.


    After hearing everything, Daniel glanced at the Five-Element God King and said:


    "Don''t worry about the teleport array. It will be operational soon. Additionally, a teleport array directly connecting Greenwood Temple to the outer city of the Five-Element Temple will also be established. You won''t face any obstacles."


    Having addressed the immediate concerns, Daniel continued:


    "However, finding a place in the Five-Element God Realm that''s suitable for spirit beasts to live in will require your own efforts. You''ll have to carefully select and search for such a location."


    Although the Five-Element God King had been actively attracting new residents, areas suitable for human habitation weren''t necessarily ideal for spirit beasts. Daniel was acutely aware of this.


    The lands trampled and destroyed by the Beast Clan wouldn''t recover so easily.


    "Thank you, my lord. In fact, when I learned you were associated with the Five-Element God Realm, I had already made my decision," Cyr said, looking at Daniel.


    "No, no, I''m not the ruler of the Five-Element God Realm. He is¡ªthe Five-Element God King," Daniel said, pointing at the Five-Element God King beside him.


    "But even the Five-Element God King listens to you, doesn''t he?" Cyr said with a smile.


    Daniel had no response to that¡ªit wasn''t exactly wrong.


    Daniel then retrieved the 100,000 divine stones that Yorton had given him earlier and returned them.


    "Big White is family to me, so selling him to you was never an option. It''s only right to return these to you now."


    Originally, Big White had mentioned wanting to "persuade" this girl to join them. But as it turned out, Cyr was already determined to move to the Five-Element God Realm.


    "Well, it''s time for us to leave," Daniel said, preparing to depart. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The trip to Greenwood God Realm had been incredibly valuable to him.


    He had uncovered numerous secrets: insights into the Apocalypse, the process of world ascension, and most importantly, information about the lv14 forge.


    With all that in hand, it was time to return to the Five-Element God Realm and focus on Big White''s next ascension.


    As for the Apocalypse¡­ he''d deal with it when it came.


    Soon after, Greenwood Temple announced several major decisions:


    Effective immediately, all beast battle arenas would be shut down, and all associated benefits canceled.The teleport array connecting Greenwood Temple and the Five-Element God Realm would be permanently operational, allowing free travel.Greenwood God Realm and the Five-Element God Realm were now officially allies, bound by a pact of mutual cooperation and non-betrayal.


    These announcements shocked both Greenwood God Realm and the Five-Element God Realm.


    In the minds of most, the Greenwood God Realm was like a capital city, while the Five-Element God Realm was a remote village.


    But now¡­


    The two were allied?


    It was a development straight out of a storybook¡ªunbelievable to many.


    There were even rumors suggesting that the Five-Element God King had stormed Greenwood Temple, forcing the Greenwood God King into submission.


    Most dismissed such stories as absurd.


    The Greenwood God King was an old and powerful God King. How could a newly ascended Five-Element God King possibly defeat him?


    To most, such rumors were nothing more than fanciful jokes.


    Moments later, Daniel''s group returned to the skies above the Five-Element Temple.


    On the way to Greenwood God Realm, they had taken their time to observe the surroundings. But on the return journey, there was no need to waste time.


    From the air, Daniel looked down at the city below, which was bustling with life following the recent competition among prodigies.


    "Five-Element, you should head back to the temple," Daniel said.


    "You''re not coming with me?" the Five-Element God King asked.


    "No, I need to find a quiet place to seclude myself," Daniel replied.


    "Alright, but where will you go? How can I contact you if I need to?"


    "I''ll let you know once I''ve settled down."


    "Understood."


    After saying their goodbyes, the Five-Element God King left.


    "Dad, where are we going?" Big White asked.


    "South," Daniel said after some thought.


    He led Big White and Elise southward.


    The southern region, previously invaded by the Beast Clan, hadn''t recovered as well as other parts of the Five-Element God Realm.


    While other areas were thriving, the south remained a land of ruins.


    Eventually, they arrived at Ascension City¡ªthe first place Daniel had stayed after entering the God Realm.


    Thanks to the magic arrays Daniel had set up, the city was still intact.


    "Oh! Dad, this is the first place we stayed!" Big White exclaimed upon seeing it.


    "That''s right. We''ll be staying here for a while," Daniel said, stepping through the gates.


    "It''s a shame no one lives here anymore."


    "That''s because everyone has moved to the new Ascension City outside the Five-Element Temple," Daniel explained.


    "It''s so deserted!" Big White lamented.


    "Don''t worry. If everything goes smoothly, this place will soon flourish again," Daniel said, looking outside.


    "I''m planning to enter seclusion for a while. Elise, if you get bored, feel free to explore the virtual world or do some shopping."


    "Yes, Headmaster," Elise replied.


    Daniel then retrieved two Fruits of Rule from his spatial storage and placed them in front of Big White.


    "Try these," he said.


    Big White eagerly approached, inspecting the two fruits¡ªa God Lord rank fruit and a God Sovereign rank fruit.


    "What are these, Dad?" Big White asked.


    "Something tasty. Don''t worry about it¡ªjust try them," Daniel said.


    "Alright!" Big White began devouring the fruits.


    "They don''t have much flavor," Big White remarked after finishing them, smacking his lips.


    Daniel watched as the fruits'' rule energy rapidly merged into Big White''s body, creating a radiant glow.


    Big White had ascended.


    Crossbridge World


    Winterrealm


    Nora and Nina had long since completed the task Daniel had assigned them¡ªplanting the trees.


    Both had reached the peak of the Heavenly God rank and were ready to ascend at any moment.


    However, due to the Coven''s leadership, Nina had held back, choosing not to ascend to the God Realm for now.


    With Green still in Winterrealm, the three of them gathered there.


    The original group of five had now been reduced to three.


    Green, too, had chosen to wait rather than ascend.


    "Have you noticed? The world seems to be expanding again," Green remarked.


    The world had grown from a Human God rank realm to Earth God rank, then to Heavenly God rank, each time outpacing their followers.


    Green''s observation carried a clear implication: the world was on the verge of another ascension.


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    "Ugh! If this keeps up, I''ll have to wait even longer! Big White is ascending so quickly. Maybe I should contact the Headmaster and ask him to slow down Big White''s followers for me," Nina grumbled.


    "There''s no helping it. Why don''t you ascend first? I''ll stay behind to manage the Mortal Realm," Green suggested.

 Chapter294-Another Ascension

    "That''s out of the question. The Coven was built up bit by bit by me. How could I ascend alone?""If I''m going to ascend, I''ll bring them with me," Nina said firmly.


    She then turned to Ryze.


    "Ryze, why don''t you ascend first? I was the one who forcibly made you join the Coven. You don''t have to abide by its rules."


    Ryze, originally this generation''s oracle, had seen his traditional responsibilities as the keeper of heritage and prophecy rendered moot after Daniel''s tree-planting initiative.


    Realizing that his purpose had come to an end, Ryze had spent years following Nina and had fully embraced his role as a member of the Coven.


    "No, I''m part of the Coven. If you''re not planning to ascend to the God Realm, what''s the point of me going? Should I go alone?"


    "Nora¡­" Nina looked at her sister. But, well¡­ if Nora had wanted to ascend, she would have done so long ago.


    Just then, an unusual fluctuation swept through the world.


    As peak Heavenly Gods, they all felt the shift.


    "The ascension is starting," Green remarked.


    Indeed, this time it was the world itself ascending.


    Big White, having consumed the two fruits, was enveloped in a radiant white light. Daniel set up a magic array to ensure that no energy leaked out.


    The ascension process was swift.


    In just a few minutes, Big White completed its ascension.


    When the light dissipated, the small, snowy-white beast was gone. In its place stood a slender youth with striking white hair.


    "Dad! I look just like you now!"


    Daniel stared at the now-human Big White for a long time before finally saying:


    "You really do look like me."


    At first, the resemblance seemed trivial, but the thought of Big White, the Will of World, taking on his appearance gave Daniel pause.


    Although Daniel had always treated Big White as his child, this transformation was unsettling. A Will of World, bearing his likeness¡ªwhat could that mean?


    After a long silence, Daniel asked:


    "Did you do this on purpose?"


    "On purpose? What do you mean? Dad, what are you talking about?" Big White replied, clearly confused.


    "How did you end up like this?"


    "Like this? You mean, looking like a human? It just happened naturally after this ascension. Why? Is there something strange about it?"


    Big White seemed puzzled.


    Daniel handed a mirror to Big White.


    When Big White saw its reflection, it was visibly startled, almost dropping the mirror.


    "Dad, why do I see you¡ªthe younger you¡ªin the mirror?!"


    Daniel sighed. Could it be that Big White was simply looking at itself?


    Seeing Daniel''s expression, Big White seemed to realize something.


    "Wait! Dad, this reflection looks like me! Why do I look exactly like you?"


    Daniel fell silent, unable to make sense of it.


    "Do you feel anything unusual? Any discomfort?" Daniel asked.


    "Discomfort?" Big White moved its body around and replied:


    "Nope! Everything feels great. This human body is amazing! No wonder so many Beast Clan members choose to take human form¡ªit''s awesome!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel spent some time correcting Big White''s habits, which still carried remnants of its beastly instincts, before asking:


    "Did the world change again this time?"


    "It''s grown a lot bigger. Oh, and there are over six thousand White Lotuses now."


    The previous ascension had produced three thousand White Lotuses, but this time, the number had doubled.


    Daniel checked and saw that the number of world nodes had also doubled.


    "Dad, should we let these White Lotuses choose their own paths again this time?"


    "Not yet. Let me check the state of the world first."


    This time, Daniel had an idea: to transport Riverside City directly to the God Realm.


    If successful, the process would require a substantial number of White Lotuses. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire


    Switching his perspective to the world''s interior, Daniel focused on Crossbridge Academy.


    Rowan, now the deputy headmaster, was also feeling the effects of the world''s ascension.


    After painstakingly reaching the Earth God rank, Rowan had been on the verge of advancing to the Heavenly God rank and ascending to the God Realm to find Daniel.


    But with the world itself ascending to the High God rank, Rowan realized his efforts would need to start anew.


    He felt utterly defeated.


    Just then, he thought he heard Daniel''s voice.


    "Sigh¡­ I must miss the headmaster so much that I''m imagining things," Rowan murmured.


    "Director Rowan!"


    This time, Daniel''s voice was unmistakable. Rowan could no longer dismiss it as a hallucination.


    "Headmaster Daniel? Is that you? Are you contacting me from the God Realm?"


    "Yes. I need your help with something," Daniel said.


    "Of course! Just tell me what you need."


    "I''m planning to move the entire Riverside City to the God Realm. Inform everyone there to stay calm and not panic."


    "Understood. Leave it to me!" Rowan replied before rushing to make arrangements.


    Daniel watched the preparations in Riverside City. Once everyone had returned to their homes, he turned to Big White.


    "Let''s do it!"


    Big White nodded and began directing the White Lotuses toward Riverside City.


    Daniel extended his hand, summoning the power of rule.


    Countless White Lotuses gathered, helping to stabilize Riverside City as Daniel anchored it.


    Winterrealm


    Nina looked to the sky and gasped.


    "Look! These White Lotuses¡ªif we can get them, everyone can quickly advance to the High God rank!"


    Excited, Nina flew toward the White Lotuses, but she noticed something unusual. A dozen of them were all moving in the same direction.


    Determined, Nina reached out to grab one.


    However, as soon as her hand touched it, a powerful force repelled her, sending her flying.


    The White Lotuses continued to float away.


    Unwilling to give up, Nina focused her efforts on a single Lotus, only to be repelled again by the force emanating from it.


    Frustrated, she returned to the garden, looking disheveled.


    "What happened? Weren''t you going to grab those White Lotuses?" Green asked, noticing Nina''s state.


    "Don''t even get me started!" Nina huffed.


    "This time, the White Lotuses are different. They''re imbued with an incredibly powerful energy that''s impossible for us to touch. I tried to grab one and got thrown back. I don''t know what''s going on!"


    Green frowned, deep in thought.


    In the past, White Lotuses could simply be picked up and absorbed. This time was different.


    "Could it be¡­ because of the headmaster? Maybe he''s using the White Lotuses for something," Green suggested.

 Chapter295-Entering the God Realm

    "Headmaster?"After hearing Green''s words, everyone was filled with doubt.


    If it was Daniel, then it would indeed make sense.


    But wasn''t the headmaster currently in the God Realm? How could he manage this?


    At that moment, Ryze took out his array disk. Golden light flickered in his eyes as he began calculating the destination of the White Lotus flowers based on the slight angle differences in their flight paths through the sky.


    By analyzing the tiny deviations in the angles of the White Lotus flowers'' flight paths, Ryze quickly determined their ultimate destination.


    That place was...


    Upon seeing the results, Ryze was taken aback.


    Because Green had actually guessed correctly.


    The place where all the White Lotus flowers converged was none other than Riverside City!


    Inside Riverside City, Crossbridge Academy had already notified all residents of the city to return home immediately and not linger outside.


    The message was practically executed immediately, thanks to Crossbridge Academy''s years of control over Riverside City.


    Some daring individuals, however, crouched by their windows to see what was happening.


    "Maybe Lord Daniel has returned from the God Realm and is planning to expand Riverside City."


    "I think he''s preparing to bring the prodigies to ascend to the God Realm."


    "..."


    These remarks were, of course, taken as jokes.


    After all, how could one return to the Mortal Realm after ascending to the God Realm?


    It was simply impossible!


    So, these were just idle jokes.


    As some people discussed loudly with their neighbors, they suddenly saw many White Lotus flowers appear in the sky.


    The White Lotus flowers came from all directions, gathering in Riverside City.


    The residents of Riverside City were well aware of what this meant.


    Over the past few years, many young prodigies from Crossbridge Academy had mentioned receiving such White Lotus flowers.


    Thus, the residents of Riverside City naturally understood the opportunity these White Lotus flowers represented.


    But no one dared to act at this moment.


    Because only one person could summon such a large number of White Lotus flowers to converge over Riverside City, and that person was none other than Daniel, who had already ascended to the God Realm.


    So¡­


    Had Daniel truly returned from the God Realm?


    The people found it hard to believe.


    "Father, I''ve gathered all the White Lotus flowers in Riverside City."


    "When I was trying to gather them, there were even people who attempted to snatch them."


    "But fortunately, I drove away those who tried to seize the White Lotus flowers."


    Upon hearing Big White''s words, Daniel nodded.


    Given Big White''s current level, mere mortals from Crossbridge World were indeed no match for him.


    "Now that everything is ready, let''s begin."


    Daniel said.


    Then, he looked toward Crossbridge World, extended his hand, and a large number of divine crystals appeared around him.


    The divine crystals formed a massive barrier-like structure, piercing through space and enclosing Riverside City.


    Within Crossbridge Academy, the lake that had accumulated energy over the years began to release its power, extracted by Daniel.


    "Open for me!"


    As Daniel''s voice fell, a rift appeared in space, leading directly to Crossbridge World.


    Daniel began using his mind power to quickly set up a magic array, stabilizing the rift.


    While doing this, he also connected directly with Crossbridge World.


    The aura of the God Realm started seeping into Crossbridge World through this rift.


    At this moment, even Big White felt immense pressure.


    Although he had advanced several times, it was still incredibly challenging for him to face the laws and aura of the God Realm.


    At that moment, Daniel acted decisively!


    In an instant, the entire Riverside City appeared stationary within the dilapidated Ascension City.


    The entire city appeared here, but...


    Around Riverside City was an extremely powerful barrier, making it look dreamlike.


    It seemed to exist in this world, yet not truly part of it.


    In Crossbridge World, Riverside City had now risen into the sky.


    The original site of Riverside City was left as a massive crater.


    Inside Riverside City, the residents began to notice something unusual.


    The surrounding environment seemed to have changed¡ªthe sun in the sky, the nearby vegetation, even the distant scenery had all become incredibly unique.


    It no longer resembled the area surrounding the original Riverside City.


    Everyone was utterly baffled, staying inside their homes and not daring to venture out.


    This change was something Crossbridge Academy had warned them about in advance, so they waited for an explanation from the academy.


    Even within Crossbridge Academy, there was widespread confusion about what was happening.


    They had only been told by Vice Headmaster Rowan to notify everyone in Riverside City, but no one had mentioned what exactly was going to happen. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, they watched the events unfold in complete astonishment.


    Even Rowan himself was dumbfounded.


    What on earth was happening to Crossbridge Academy and Riverside City?


    At that moment, Rowan saw a familiar face appear before him.


    He could hardly believe his eyes:


    "Da... Daniel?"


    Rowan exclaimed in shock.


    He had never thought he would ever see Daniel again.


    Moreover, beside Daniel stood a boy who bore a striking resemblance to him.


    The boy smiled and said to him,


    "Welcome to the God Realm, uncle."


    "God Realm?"


    Rowan was stunned.


    He had never imagined that this place could be the legendary God Realm.


    For years, he had sought a breakthrough to enter the God Realm, but the world''s ascension had left him frustrated.


    And now, he had entered the God Realm in such an unimaginable way.


    Even he could not comprehend it.


    "All these years, you''ve worked hard, Rowan."


    "It was nothing. It''s my duty."


    After Daniel left, Rowan had essentially become the acting headmaster.


    Handling numerous affairs, large and small, had been exhausting.


    But all that weariness vanished the moment he saw Daniel again.


    "Alright, go gather the academy''s current leadership. I need to hold a brief meeting to explain what''s happening and to quickly reassure the academy''s students and the residents of Riverside City." Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Daniel said swiftly.


    Crossbridge World.


    At this moment, Riverside City was suspended high in the sky.


    On the ground below, a multicolored pillar of light remained, connecting the city to the sky.


    Many people wanted to investigate this pillar of light and the sudden elevation of Riverside City, but their attempts to probe the colorful pillar proved fruitless.


    The pillar was incredibly resilient and remained completely unmoved.


    Their attacks had no effect on it.


    As everyone wondered what this mysterious pillar was, several powerful auras approached from a distance.


    Everyone recognized the insignias of the factions these individuals represented.


    They included members of Coven and other Crossbridge Academy locations.


    Nora, Nina, Green, and others had arrived.


    After Ryze calculated that the White Lotus flowers were converging on Riverside City, the group had rushed here immediately.


    However, they arrived too late to witness the earth-shaking scene.


    When they arrived, all they could see was the current state of Riverside City.


    "As expected¡­ this is the handiwork of the headmaster."


    Green remarked in awe at the spectacle before him.


    The group began attempting to investigate the colorful pillar in their own ways.


    Nina even flew into the air, directly beneath Riverside City, attempting to break through!

 Chapter296-Selection

    Soon, the first to retreat was Ryze.Frowning, he looked at the array disk in his hand and said,


    "This thing doesn''t seem to be related to a magic array... I can''t figure out any way to crack it."


    Ryze was a bit disappointed.


    He had always prided himself on being unparalleled in array mastery, but he never expected to encounter such a situation.


    As for the multicolored pillar...


    It was clearly a product of a magic array, but he couldn''t make any breakthrough at all.


    He could only wait to see if someone else had a solution.


    Shortly after, Nora appeared beside Ryze and said,


    "I can''t use the rules to infiltrate this thing at all. It''s as if it''s a single complete entity."


    At that moment, a figure suddenly fell to the ground.


    It was Nina.


    Nina got up from the ground, holding her reddened forehead.


    "What is this thing? I tried entering through various spatial methods, but I couldn''t get in at all."


    These people were at the pinnacle of Crossbridge World.


    Now, even they couldn''t do anything about the multicolored pillar.


    This could only mean one thing.


    "I wonder what the headmaster is up to this time."


    "Forget it, we''ve never been able to understand the headmaster''s methods. Let''s just wait for him to explain it himself."


    ...


    Returning to the familiar environment, Daniel immediately felt a sense of ease.


    This kind of setting was more suited to him.


    The current Riverside City was in a very peculiar state.


    Its main body was situated in the God Realm, yet it also had a way to connect with Crossbridge World.


    "Big White, notify the Five-Element God King and ask him to come here. Tell him I have something to discuss with him."


    After Daniel finished speaking, he began walking toward the meeting room.


    In the meeting room, the familiar faces of the academy''s senior staff remained.


    However, Daniel also noticed a few new faces.


    Of course, these weren''t the main focus.


    "Headmaster!"


    "Daniel!"


    "..."


    The moment these people saw Daniel, they were all extremely excited.


    Daniel waved his hand, signaling them to calm down.


    "I''ve been observing Crossbridge Academy''s growth over the years. Today''s Crossbridge Academy is a result of everyone''s hard work."


    Daniel''s words of encouragement brought smiles to everyone''s faces.


    "This time, what happened was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision, so I only had time to notify Director Rowan¡­ oh, I mean Vice Headmaster Rowan now."


    "Additionally, I need to briefly explain the current situation in the God Realm to avoid causing unnecessary confusion."


    Daniel began describing the overall situation of the God Realm.


    For instance, the current location of Riverside City, the invasion of the Five-Element God Realm beast clan, and the looming Apocalypse in the God Realm.


    He also mentioned his plans, such as using Riverside City to achieve the same effect as Greenwood God Realm¡ªselecting prodigies in advance and bringing them into the God Realm.


    After hearing Daniel''s explanation, everyone in the meeting room fell silent.


    After a long pause, Rowan finally spoke,


    "Is the God Realm really that dangerous?"


    "It''s indeed dangerous, but crises come with opportunities. This is also a chance for training and growth."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, everyone nodded. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Crossbridge Academy had almost achieved an invincible status in the Mortal Realm.


    Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    Many students found it difficult to obtain the challenges they needed.


    Now that they were in the God Realm, it presented a great opportunity.


    An easy journey rarely fosters growth.


    Currently, the students had it too easy.


    "Daniel, what do you plan to do?"


    Daniel took out a token.


    "Now, Riverside City serves as a channel connecting the two realms. This token allows free travel between Crossbridge World and the God Realm."


    "You can now set the rules for selection. If someone meets the criteria, you can distribute these tokens to bring them into Riverside City."


    Rowan took the token and immediately sensed a powerful spatial force emanating from it.


    At the same time, he could feel the familiar aura of Crossbridge World.


    "By the way, this token can only be used by native beings of Crossbridge World, and only those within the world''s power limit."


    "What about those beyond the limit?"


    "They would be immediately detected and obliterated by the Will of the World in the God Realm."


    Hearing Daniel''s explanation, everyone quickly nodded, indicating they understood the rules.


    Big White, however, looked at Daniel with a puzzled expression. It wondered whether such a rule truly existed.


    As the Will of the World for Crossbridge World, it had never heard of this.


    "Headmaster, we understand the rules, but what exactly should we do? We have no experience in this."


    "Don''t worry. Someone will arrive soon. The Five-Element God King will be here shortly. You can discuss the details with him. Remember, my goal is to make Crossbridge Academy a truly powerful force, not one that becomes prey after I''m gone."


    Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.


    Daniel then gave them a few more minor instructions.


    At that moment, a familiar voice echoed through the room.


    "Lord Daniel, what''s so urgent that you called me? Thankfully, I wasn''t far away and could get here in time."


    The Five-Element God King spoke as he walked in.


    Then he looked around at the people present, appearing somewhat confused.


    Who were these people?


    And who was the boy standing beside Daniel, looking so much like him?


    As these thoughts crossed his mind, the Five-Element God King suddenly noticed something unusual.


    This place¡­


    It felt odd!


    It somewhat resembled the God Realm, but he was certain this wasn''t purely the aura of the God Realm.


    Instead, it contained hints of the Mortal Realm.


    The Five-Element God King instantly extended his mind power to investigate the surroundings.


    In his perception, this city was inhabited by a large number of ordinary people.


    Moreover...


    At the city''s edges, it seemed to be adapting to and integrating with the God Realm.


    After noticing this, a terrifying guess emerged in the Five-Element God King''s mind.


    Could it be that Daniel had directly transported an entire city from the Mortal Realm?


    This guess shocked the Five-Element God King.


    He had never imagined that such a feat was even possible.


    After all, he had studied the Mortal Realm multiple times and even wanted to visit Crossbridge World himself.


    He knew very well how difficult it was for a God King to extend their influence into the Mortal Realm.


    Transporting an entire city, along with its inhabitants, from the Mortal Realm to the God Realm was an unimaginable challenge.


    The Five-Element God King couldn''t even begin to fathom how Daniel, despite his strength, had accomplished such a monumental task.


    This level of interference from the God Realm should have posed significant restrictions.


    The Five-Element God King''s astonishment caused everyone around him to frown.


    Who was this person?


    Why did he seem so jumpy and far from composed?


    Seeing this, Daniel introduced him to the group,


    "This is the Five-Element God King. From now on, you can discuss the specifics with him."


    As Daniel''s words fell, everyone in the meeting room was shocked.


    They hadn''t expected this individual to be the ruler of the Five-Element God Realm¡ªthe Five-Element God King!


    From Daniel''s earlier introduction, they already knew that a God King was among the highest-ranked entities in the God Realm.


    "Lord Daniel, what do you need me to do?"


    The Five-Element God King asked, looking at Daniel with a puzzled expression.


    But Daniel didn''t elaborate. Instead, he said,


    "It''s about selecting prodigies to enter the God Realm in advance. You can work out the specific details with them, including subsequent training. My requirement is that before the Apocalypse arrives, Crossbridge Academy must become a formidable force capable of contending with other top powers!"


    After speaking, Daniel slowly disappeared.

 Chapter297-The Passage Between Two Realms

    The Five-Element God King was utterly shocked by Daniel''s words.Lord Daniel''s meaning was¡­


    To make this city¡ªno, this academy¡ªa top-tier power within the God Realm?


    Such ambition truly lived up to Lord Daniel''s reputation!


    However, becoming one of the most powerful forces in the God Realm¡­


    Previously, the Five-Element God King believed that his Five-Element God Realm barely qualified as a top-tier force.


    After all, with the existence of the Ink Sea God King and four other God Kings, the Five-Element God Realm could boast six God Kings!


    Such a realm should have a decent ranking within the God Realm.


    But what the Five-Element God King had not expected was¡­


    After witnessing the foundation of the Greenwood God Realm, he had completely abandoned such thoughts.


    When compared to the Greenwood God Realm, the Five-Element God Realm¡­


    Was nothing!


    The resources and configuration of the Greenwood God Realm had left the Five-Element God King envious for a long time.


    A God Sovereign, a God Lord-rank Mortal Realm, and even numerous God Kings¡ªthough some were of average strength.


    Moreover, even among prodigies under a hundred years old, it was possible to find one who had become a God King.


    This was entirely out of the Five-Element God Realm''s league. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In hindsight, the fact that he had managed to escape from the Greenwood God Realm back then could only be attributed to sheer luck.


    Otherwise, he might have perished there.


    So when Daniel declared his intention to make Crossbridge Academy a top-tier power, the Five-Element God King couldn''t help but feel it was an impossible task.


    ¡­


    After disappearing, Daniel began preparing to enter closed-door cultivation once again.


    This time, his goal was to forge tens of thousands of level 14 forges and place them throughout Crossbridge World.


    By then, Big White''s growth rate would be nothing short of terrifying.


    Meanwhile, after finalizing the general plan with the Five-Element God King, Rowan understood that many people in the Mortal Realm were likely waiting for an explanation.


    He sent people to reassure the residents of Riverside City while personally heading to Crossbridge World.


    ¡­


    Crossbridge World.


    Green and the others were still standing guard.


    They knew that Daniel wouldn''t do something meaningless.


    No matter what his purpose was, he would eventually provide them with an explanation.


    At that moment, they saw a figure step out from the multicolored pillar of light.


    It was Vice Headmaster Rowan.


    "Director Rowan¡­ Oh no, Vice Headmaster!"


    Nina was the first to greet him.


    "Vice Headmaster, what exactly happened to Riverside City this time? Why has it become like this?"


    Green was the first to ask.


    "It''s like this," Rowan began, recounting Daniel''s earlier explanation to them.


    He made sure they understood the significance of Riverside City entering the God Realm.


    "I see¡­"


    Green nodded, indicating that he fully understood.


    "So Daniel really came back? But why didn''t he come to see us?"


    Nina complained a bit.


    "This time, the headmaster didn''t have any extra time. Even the tasks he arranged for us were hurriedly delegated before he disappeared. He must have had more important matters to attend to," Rowan explained before adding,


    "Also, the headmaster is very satisfied with the three of you."


    "If you don''t believe me, you can come with me to the God Realm and see the headmaster yourself. Then you''ll know everything." Rowan proposed.


    However, after hearing this suggestion, the group fell silent.


    "I think I''ll pass. I need to finish dealing with some matters here before heading to the God Realm."


    "As for me, I''d rather enter the God Realm through its official gates. This method doesn''t feel right."


    Green echoed similar sentiments.


    Seeing their refusals, Rowan didn''t insist.


    "By the way, Vice Headmaster, do you know anything about Rose and Reed, who ascended to the God Realm earlier?" Nina asked at this point.


    "I''ve only heard bits and pieces from the headmaster. Rose and Reed recently achieved remarkable results in a competition within the God Realm," Rowan replied.


    "Both of them are now close to reaching the rank of God Lord."


    Hearing Rowan''s words, the other three were astonished.


    They hadn''t expected that in just a few years, Rose and Reed had already left them far behind.


    It seemed the God Realm truly was extraordinary!


    "But don''t let this discourage you. Remember, this is the God Realm. Crossbridge World places significant limits on you. Once you enter the God Realm, that''s when you''ll truly soar," Rowan encouraged them.


    In fact, the three of them had long been capable of ascending to the God Realm.


    However, they were reluctant because their subordinates hadn''t reached the appropriate levels.


    They couldn''t bring themselves to leave them behind.


    In truth, when Daniel was in the God Realm, he had instructed Rowan to have Green and the others stay in the Mortal Realm a little longer.


    No one knew the exact reason why.


    But now, it seemed there was no need to invoke Daniel''s name to convince them.


    This was a good sign, proving that Daniel''s judgment wasn''t wrong.


    After chatting with them for a while, Rowan left.


    He hadn''t forgotten his main task: to announce the details of the selection process and other plans he had discussed with the Five-Element God King to the entire Mortal Realm.


    Through the various branches of Crossbridge Academy, Rowan and the others disseminated the information.


    At the Riverside City Sanctuary, a selection would be held.


    The Dragon Gate Challenge.


    Anyone who successfully crossed the Dragon Gate would gain the qualification to ascend directly to the God Realm.


    They wouldn''t even need to reach the peak level of the Mortal Realm.


    This announcement caused an uproar across Crossbridge World.


    For those who had reached the world''s limit over the past few years, it presented a difficult choice.


    Should they ascend to the God Realm?


    Ascending meant stepping into the unknown, with an uncertain future.


    But staying behind risked facing another world upgrade, which would raise the ascension threshold.


    This dilemma had frustrated many people.


    Some had already prepared to ascend, even inviting friends to witness their ascension ceremony.


    But at the most critical moment, they found themselves stuck.


    The world''s upgrade prevented their ascension.


    This awkward situation had occurred more than once.


    Thus, everyone who reached the world''s limit felt torn.


    ¡­


    As for Daniel, he was currently in closed-door cultivation.


    Around him floated a vast collection of books and divine spells.


    Numerous automated magic arrays continuously forged level 14 forges.


    Daniel was perfecting Genesis. Once completed, he planned to send it to Rose and Reed first.


    They were likely in need of such a resource.


    This time, Daniel had incorporated many commonly used divine spells into Genesis.


    These had been gathered from the Life Temple.


    The divine spells covered various fields and provided Daniel with excellent reference material.


    The divine spell manuscripts floated in the air, and whenever Daniel needed them, passages of text would flow toward him,


    eventually appearing in the blank book in his hands.


    That''s right¡ªthis was the next chapter of Genesis that Daniel was preparing to complete.


    It was still being compiled continuously.


    Occasionally, sections that didn''t fit needed revisions and adjustments.


    At the same time, Daniel discovered something remarkable:


    The ancient divine spell from the Life Temple could be practiced not only by humans but also by beings like Big White.


    This discovery was undoubtedly a significant breakthrough. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    It even accelerated Big White''s progress considerably.


    Now, Daniel was ready for everything¡ªonly the final piece was missing!


    As for that crucial final piece¡­


    Daniel glanced at the neatly arranged level 14 forges.


    When the time came, they would all be deployed across Crossbridge World.


    He couldn''t wait to see how terrifying Big White''s growth rate would become!

 Chapter298-Heading to Riverside City

    New Ascension City.Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    The Ascension City outside the Five-Elements Template had been expanded yet again.


    Yes, with the passage of time, the population in Ascension City had continued to grow.


    But one thing that never changed was Crossbridge Town, which always remained at the center of Ascension City.


    Crane was a guide.


    Once, he was merely a guide from an Earth God-ranked world, huddling together with other guides of similar rank to get by.


    But over the years, as more people ascended from Crossbridge World and as Crossbridge World continued to grow stronger, Crane''s status naturally rose as well.


    However, Crane remained steadfast in his commitment to being a guide.


    Over the past few years, Rose and Reed had made significant names for themselves in the God Realm.


    At the same time, the reputation of Crossbridge World had steadily risen in the surrounding regions.


    Even neighboring God Realms now knew about the formidable Mortal Realm within the Five-Element God Realm known as Crossbridge World.


    What was even more terrifying was the speed at which Crossbridge World had progressed.


    In just a few short years, it had advanced from an Earth God-ranked world to a Heavenly God-ranked world, and then to a High God-ranked world¡­


    Compared to other worlds, Crossbridge World''s rate of advancement was like a rocket, leaving others far behind with no chance of comparison.


    In addition to this, many had taken notice of a mysterious city called Riverside City that had appeared in the southern region of the God Realm.


    It seemed to have fallen from the sky without any prior warning or known origin.


    Within Riverside City, there was also a place called Crossbridge Academy.


    The prodigies emerging from there were incredibly strong.


    Even if they started off weak, they always managed to grow stronger.


    "Crane, I''m so jealous of you!"


    Every day, Crane would hear this complaint from his friend when he arrived at the Ascension Grounds.


    "Can''t you say something else for once?"


    "No way! If I change it, it won''t be sincere anymore. Sincerity moves mountains, you know. Maybe one day, my world will also produce someone as powerful as Lord Daniel."


    Back then, Crane and his friend had both witnessed Daniel''s ascension to the God Realm.


    But in just a few years, Crossbridge Town had become so unrecognizable. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even Crane had changed significantly.


    Still, because he was Crane''s friend, most people treated him with respect.


    "Speaking of which, Crane, I really want to see what Crossbridge World looks like now!"


    Hearing this, Crane sighed and said,


    "I feel the same. It''s been hundreds of years since I left Crossbridge World. I''d love to see what my homeland has become."


    "How many people do you think will ascend today?"


    "I''m not sure, but it''s said that the ones ascending today are important figures. Apparently, many people from Riverside City are here to welcome them."


    "Riverside City?"


    Crane''s friend immediately thought of the connection between Crossbridge World and the similarly named Crossbridge Sanctuary in Riverside City.


    "Yeah, just wait here."


    Crane didn''t want to elaborate on Riverside City, as he wasn''t sure of Daniel''s stance on the matter.


    At that moment, the light of the Ascension Grounds lit up.


    This signaled that someone was ascending.


    Many people who had been outside quickly came in to watch.


    When the light faded, a female figure appeared on the Ascension Grounds.


    "Welcome, Head!"


    Nina nodded but said nothing.


    Behind her were Green and Nora.


    This time, the three of them were ascending together.


    As for their followers¡­


    They had already entered Riverside City through the selection process.


    "Ladies, I am a guide from Crossbridge Town. Please follow me."


    At this moment, Crane stepped forward and spoke.


    "Crossbridge Town? We were headed for Riverside City."


    ...


    At Crossbridge Academy.


    Nora, Nina, and Green met with Daniel.


    "Headmaster! It''s been so long! And Sister Elise, you''re here too!"


    Nina was the first to break the silence.


    After all these years, Nina hadn''t changed much¡ªshe was still the same Nina as before.


    "It''s been a long time, Nina. This time, I''ve prepared lots of delicacies from the God Realm for you. Don''t forget to take them with you when you leave," Elise said.


    She knew the three were here just to see Daniel and had no plans to stay long.


    "By the way, Headmaster, what are Rose and Reed''s current strengths?"


    "God Lord. But they''ve already mastered their rules, so they have no bottlenecks before reaching High God Sovereign," Daniel explained.


    "Huh? They''ve gotten that strong already? That won''t do¡ªI need to start working harder," Nina said with a frown.


    The other two didn''t say anything, but their expressions conveyed the same sentiment.


    Looking at them, Daniel was very pleased and then asked,


    "Have you thought about where you''re going next?"


    "I already decided before I got here!" Nina replied, sharing her plans.


    During their journey to Riverside City, Nina had gathered extensive information about recent events in the God Realm, including the movements of the Beast Clan.


    Although the Beast Clan was no longer attacking the Five-Element God Realm, they had shifted their focus to other areas.


    The Beast Clan was now targeting regions where even the Five-Element God King couldn''t intervene.


    The God Kings in those areas were too weak to stop the Beast Clan, and their forces had advanced to the edge of the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    That area had essentially become a battleground for various races.


    Many factions sent their forces there for training, and Nina intended to do the same.


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded in approval. Nina had indeed matured¡ªthis was an unexpectedly reliable plan.


    "Alright, head to the Five-Elements Template and use the teleportation array to reach the Greenwood God Realm. Find the Greenwood God King¡ªhe will arrange everything for you," Daniel instructed.


    The Greenwood God Realm was close to the area Nina mentioned, making it an ideal location.


    "Headmaster, don''t you want to come with us? I heard it''s incredibly exciting over there," Nina said.


    "No, this is your generation''s mission. I won''t interfere. Oh, before you leave, I have a task for you."


    "Headmaster, don''t worry! Just say it¡ªwe''ll definitely get it done!" Nina said confidently, pounding her chest.


    "Here''s the task: once you''re out there, help me find something called the Divine Dynasty Relic. It might be located in some ruins. Of course, some people might already have it," Daniel said.


    Rose had explored several ruins over the past few years and found a few Divine Dynasty Relics, but the two fragments from the Star Map remained missing.


    Thus, Daniel entrusted this task to Nina and the others.


    The more people searching, the better the chances.


    "Alright, it''s getting late. Rest up and head out soon. I''ve received word that the Beast Clan is likely planning a major offensive soon. It may be a brutal battle, but it''s also an excellent training opportunity for you."


    "Leave it to us!" Nina said confidently.


    Originally, she had planned to stay with Daniel for a few days and enjoy Elise''s cooking.


    But now, it seemed she''d have to wait for another opportunity.


    After all, Nina was no longer alone.


    As the head of Coven, she had to take responsibility for her people.


    Elise handed over the food she had prepared in advance to Nina and the others.


    "This time, I''ve prepared enough for the three of you. The ingredients are ones I''ve gathered in the God Realm over the years, so the taste is guaranteed to be excellent," Elise said encouragingly.


    "Headmaster, we''ll be off now."


    "Alright, go ahead."


    "And remember, let me know in advance if you''re going to disappear again!" Nina said seriously to Daniel.


    "I will," Daniel replied.

 Chapter299-Gaining Fame on the Battlefield

    It was just like¡­that time outside Mistwood.


    Daniel''s disappearance back then had left Nina worried for a long time.


    Precisely because of that, when Nina saw Daniel again, she made sure to remind him with those words.


    Elise watched this scene unfold and was reminded of what had happened to them before.


    Perhaps that experience had been an unforgettable event for Nina.


    It was likely the reason why it left such a profound impact on her heart.


    "Nina looks like she hasn''t changed at all since then¡ªshe''s still the same as she was back then," Elise said from the side.


    "No, she''s grown up," Daniel replied.


    ¡­


    Nina and the others only stayed in Riverside City for a short time.


    Their primary goal was to meet Daniel and confirm whether their plans for the future were on the right track.


    After Daniel affirmed their decision to head to the Beast Clan''s battlefield, they had no doubts left.


    After all, Daniel had been in the God Realm for a long time.


    Even more surprising to the three was that the moment they arrived in the Greenwood God Realm via the teleportation magic array, someone was already there to greet them.


    This person even called them by name.


    "How does this God King know our names?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? It must be the headmaster. Didn''t he tell us yesterday when we left that if we needed anything, we could go to this Greenwood God King?"


    "Looks like the headmaster''s reputation works well even in the God Realm!"


    "Let''s focus on planning our next steps. I don''t want to lead our people to their deaths."


    "How about we ask the Greenwood God King for information on the battlefield? We can''t just go in blind."


    "That''s a good idea¡­"


    Under the guidance of a lead attendant, they arrived at their quarters and immediately asked,


    "Can you provide us with some recent information about the Beast Clan battlefield?"


    "Of course, please wait a moment."


    Shortly after, the attendant returned with information on the recent events of the Beast Clan battlefield.


    The Beast Clan had invaded the human God Realms.


    After failing repeatedly during their prolonged assault on the Five-Element God Realm¡ªwhere they lost over half their forces¡ªthey abandoned their efforts there and turned to other God Realms.


    What the Beast Clan hadn''t anticipated was that these other God Realms presented far less resistance compared to the Five-Element God Realm.


    In some cases, they required minimal effort to completely conquer them.


    This unexpected development allowed the Beast Clan to bypass the Five-Element God Realm entirely and move toward the central regions of the God Realm.


    Initially, this strategy was effective.


    The Beast Clan armies even reached the borders of the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    However, it was here that they faced fierce resistance.


    They had intended to launch a decisive offensive into the Sun and Lunar God Realm, but the human forces there fought back with incredible determination.


    Moreover, several factions began using the battlefield as a training ground for their young disciples.


    To the Beast Clan, it felt as though these human forces were endless and impossible to defeat.


    On the first day of battle, the Beast Clan might gain the upper hand.


    But by the second day, it was as though they were facing an entirely new army.


    In response, the Beast Clan started mobilizing reinforcements from other God Realms to the front lines.


    While the human forces indeed suffered significant casualties, they had the advantage of sheer numbers.


    Additionally, the battlefield proved to be an excellent training ground.


    Many soldiers who were injured and recovered would return to achieve even higher kill ratios, often trading a hundred casualties on the enemy for just ten on their side.


    War had always been the fastest path to growth.


    After reading through this intelligence, Nina was thoroughly satisfied.


    As she expected, this was the perfect place for their next move.


    "Let''s head there tomorrow. I heard Greenwood God Realm has a teleportation array that leads directly to the battlefield," Nina suggested.


    "I have no objections," Green replied.


    "Good. This time, I want Coven to make its name known in the God Realm!" Nina declared with determination.


    The next morning, Coven''s team departed for the battlefield.


    This was the front line of the war between the Beast Clan and the human forces.


    It was a merciless hell¡ªa place of constant death.


    Every day, countless lives were lost.


    Those who were merely injured were fortunate, as they still had a chance to recover.


    But those who died¡­


    There was often no opportunity to even recover their corpses.


    The sheer number of people, and the sheer volume of bodies, made it impossible to manage.


    Four years passed in the blink of an eye.


    In this hellish place, Coven''s name rose like a brilliant star.


    At first, Coven was entirely unknown.


    After all, with a leader only at the High God level, how strong could the faction possibly be?


    Yet within just a few years, Coven had proven everyone wrong.


    For one, Coven''s leader, the "Nightmare" Nina, was a fearsome figure capable of killing enemies in their sleep.


    Even if someone didn''t want to sleep, they would be forcibly put to sleep.


    One of her most notable feats was using her High God-level power to put a God Lord into a deep sleep and then kill him.


    This level of terrifying strength earned her the respect of all.


    Then there was Nora.


    Her deadly music was unparalleled.


    Whenever Nora''s melodies echoed across the battlefield, the Beast Clan would desperately cover their ears to block out the sound.


    Because once they heard it, they would die.


    This was a lesson learned through the countless lives of the Beast Clan.


    Nora had mastered the relevant rules, making it impossible for weaker Beast Clan members to escape even by covering their ears.


    The deadly music seemed to emerge directly from their minds.


    Eventually, the Beast Clan developed a countermeasure by creating war drums that not only boosted their morale but also neutralized the effects of Nora''s music.


    This reduced the death toll among the Beast Clan.


    And then there was Ryze.


    Ryze''s expertise lay in magic arrays.


    Typically, magic arrays were nearly useless on the battlefield, as it was almost impossible to set up a battlefield-wide array without being detected. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Ryze was different.


    While he couldn''t cover an entire battlefield, his strength lay in deploying small-scale magic arrays.


    Without needing much preparation, he could simply toss divine stones into selected areas as if playing a coloring game.


    Once the stones landed, a magic array would instantly form.


    Human soldiers within these arrays would gain immense courage, healing from injuries much faster.


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    As for the Beast Clan trapped within them¡­


    Their only fate was death.


    Ryze''s true strength, however, lay in his one-on-one combat applications of magic arrays.


    He had once single-handedly held off two Beast Clan God Sovereigns with his arrays.


    Although he was severely injured afterward, this feat demonstrated the immense power of his magic arrays.


    For most people, attempting such a thing would mean certain death, as they would be torn apart by the Beast Clan Sovereigns within moments.


    But Ryze accomplished it.


    Thanks to these three pillars, Coven achieved what seemed impossible.


    Their accomplishments brought Coven into the spotlight.


    It was then that people realized Coven wasn''t just an ordinary faction¡ªit was composed of prodigies.


    At first, their levels were low, even lower than most others on the battlefield.


    But their rapid growth astonished everyone.


    Their rise was so fast that it was almost unbelievable!

 Chapter300-Beast Clans Movements

    It seemed that every member of Coven upgraded at an unusually fast rate, just like their head, Nina.Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire


    However, compared to Nina, the rest were still far behind.


    But when compared to others on this battlefield¡­


    The gap was an entirely different matter.


    This battlefield, though referred to as such, was almost as vast as a God Realm itself.


    The Beast Clan appeared to come from all directions.


    The humans had only one city as their base, along with a few temporary strongholds.


    These locations maintained constant communication to guard against sudden Beast Clan attacks.


    The distances between them were short enough for timely support and rescue when the Beast Clan launched an assault.


    From these bases, humans ventured out daily to explore the Beast Clan''s movements and, if possible, kill more of them.


    Compared to the cities, these strongholds were built with practicality in mind¡ªa place to live and nothing more.


    "I heard from a friend that Coven is recruiting again!"


    "Coven? No way! I remember they recruited a batch just a few months ago. It''s impossible they''re recruiting again so soon."


    "No, no, you''re talking about outdated news! A few months ago, they tried to recruit, but their standards were so high that almost no one could meet the Nightmare Witch''s expectations. So, in the end, nothing came of it."


    "This time is different. This time, they''re doing it in a test format. As long as you meet the baseline requirements, you can join Coven''s stronghold."


    On an open ground, a man spoke to a few others nearby.


    "Baseline? What''s the baseline?"


    "How should I know? Probably strength or talent. This is my first time here, too."


    "Thanks for the explanation, brother."


    The first man to speak responded.


    "By the way, are we safe staying here tonight? Will the Beast Clan attack us?"


    "Relax. I scouted ahead, and this is one of the safest routes. Beast Clan activity here is minimal. Plus, look where we are¡ªnear a Coven stronghold!"


    "That''s true. Even the Beast Clan wouldn''t be stupid enough to attack a place like this."


    As the two chatted excitedly, an unfamiliar voice interrupted:


    "Don''t be so sure. This route might become dangerous in the next few days."


    They turned to the direction of the voice and saw a man they hadn''t noticed before.


    When had he arrived?


    How much of their conversation had he overheard?


    They realized that none of them had noticed his presence until he spoke.


    Could this man be a powerful figure?


    Their nerves instantly heightened.


    If there were strong individuals nearby, they could only be from Coven.


    Quickly recalling their earlier conversation, they assured themselves that nothing they said could have offended Coven.


    This thought brought them some relief.


    "May I ask who you are?"


    One of the braver individuals in the group spoke up.


    "You don''t need to know. Just leave this area early tomorrow," the man replied.


    After speaking, Ryze disappeared.


    He had simply passed by and kindly offered them a warning.


    If they listened, good; if not, it was no concern to him.


    But the truth was, this area had indeed become unsafe.


    According to the latest information, the Beast Clan¡­


    might be preparing for a massive offensive!


    For some time now, the Beast Clan''s attacks had been relatively weak.


    Many people had noticed this.


    Such actions clearly suggested something was brewing within the Beast Clan.


    There had to be a reason.


    At Coven, they had long speculated about the Beast Clan''s intentions.


    The consensus was that the Beast Clan was preparing for a larger assault, possibly a full-scale attack.


    This raised the classic dilemma of whether to abandon the Coven stronghold and retreat to safer territory.


    Ultimately, Nina decided to hold the line for now and retreat only if absolutely necessary.


    This decision also explained why Coven was currently recruiting¡ªdefending against the Beast Clan required manpower.


    Moreover, during a potential retreat, everyone would need to be evacuated together.


    This meant they needed disciplined recruits.


    Otherwise, mistakes during battle or retreat could prove fatal.


    For this reason, Nina''s selection process was always exceptionally stringent.


    As a result, Coven often recruited only a handful of people at a time, leaving significant gaps in manpower at their stronghold.


    In recent days, even Nora and Ryze had personally ventured out to scout the Beast Clan''s movements and uncover their true plans.


    Ryze had just returned from one such expedition, which was why he had warned those resting nearby.


    To him, the current situation was far more precarious than before.


    The Beast Clan''s attack could begin at any moment, so it was better to leave the area sooner rather than later.


    Ryze returned to the stronghold.


    "So, what did you find today?" Nina asked from her chair.


    Ryze shook his head.


    "Still nothing unusual. The Beast Clan is being unusually patient this time¡ªso much time has passed, and yet there''s no sign of movement."


    Ryze sat down and added,


    "This makes me even more convinced that the Beast Clan is planning something big."


    "That''s certainly possible. I have the same feeling. That''s why I''m sticking to my original suggestion: we should retreat," Ryze said, looking at Nina.


    "No way. We haven''t even seen any sign of the Beast Clan yet. If we retreat now¡­ it''ll harm morale, and leaving this stronghold defenseless would greatly impact the other strongholds," Nina argued.


    Seeming to remember something, she continued,


    "If we hold out here, even for one day, that so-called House Caesar will have to hold out as well. Besides, they don''t seem to have noticed the current anomalies yet." S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    House Caesar was a well-known family in the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    Nina had learned about them shortly after arriving here.


    The members of House Caesar were notoriously arrogant, speaking as if their noses were always in the air.


    People like that either had powerful families or both personal and family strength.


    In this case, the House Caesar representatives fell into the former category.


    Their personal strength wasn''t even on par with their followers.


    Still, the name "House Caesar" carried significant weight and influence.


    When they first arrived, House Caesar had clashed with Coven a few times.


    Although these conflicts didn''t seem to matter during later battles, Nina wasn''t one to forget.


    "How about we launch a surprise attack on House Caesar''s stronghold? Maybe we can break their defensive magic array before the Beast Clan arrives. That would make things easier for the Beast Clan," Nina suggested.


    Ryze shook his head in exasperation.


    "While I agree those House Caesar weaklings are annoying, there''s no need to go that far.


    "I''m not doing something like that," Ryze said firmly.


    Though he found House Caesar''s representatives detestable, their stronghold housed many others who had come under the family''s banner.


    Those people were innocent.


    Naturally, Ryze opposed Nina''s idea.


    "Don''t take it so seriously. I was just joking," Nina said.


    Just as she finished speaking, Nora suddenly appeared.


    "Sister Nora, you scared me! Can''t you enter a bit more slowly next time? Popping up like this is really startling!" Nina said, looking at Nora.


    "I''ll consider it. I didn''t find any signs of movement on my end either. The Beast Clan seems completely normal," Nora replied.

 Chapter301-The True All-Out Offensive!

    Nora''s tone carried a rare hint of complaint.There was no helping it¡ªover the past few days, everyone had taken turns scouting the movements of the Beast Clan army.


    But this time, the Beast Clan seemed determined to stay hidden.


    There was no way to gamble on when they might suddenly launch an attack.


    So they had no choice but to use this tedious method, checking on the Beast Clan''s movements at fixed times each day.


    This task could only be done by them; no one else could survive if the Beast Clan discovered them.


    Only the few of them had the ability to return alive even if spotted by the enemy.


    Suddenly, they heard a thunderous roar.


    They exchanged glances.


    "Judging by the sound, it''s coming from the direction of the Beast Clan."


    "The energy feels like it''s definitely god king rank."


    "Is the Beast Clan''s all-out offensive finally starting?"


    "..."


    As they discussed the situation, they saw an immensely powerful divine spell shoot out from the sky.


    In an instant, the last city on the battlefield was destroyed by this divine spell.


    "Damn it! A god king-ranked Beast Clan member actually showed up? They''re not even pretending anymore!"


    "God king¡­ that''s far beyond what we can handle!"


    This time, the Beast Clan deployed not only god king-ranked forces but also an enormous army.


    The scale of this offensive was far greater than any prior attack.


    Their goal was clear: to invade the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    "What should we do?"


    Ryze pondered aloud.


    He had originally suggested retreating, but now¡­


    The city they had planned to use as a temporary refuge during the retreat had already been obliterated in a single strike.


    This meant they had no backup.


    If they stayed here to hold their ground, it would truly be a death sentence.


    Even if Nina wanted to defend this position, Ryze would have to persuade her to leave.


    They couldn''t remain here any longer¡ªit was simply impossible.


    "What about those House Caesar guys?"


    Nina''s question took Ryze by surprise.


    "House Caesar? Who knows what they''re doing. But we need to leave now," Ryze said.


    He couldn''t believe that at a time like this, Nina was still thinking about House Caesar.


    For all he knew, they had either already fled or abandoned their people and ran off.


    What other options could there be?


    Worrying about them now was the least meaningful thing to do.


    "Fine, forget them. Let''s get moving¡­ but where are we heading?"


    Nina looked at Ryze and Nora for suggestions.


    "Obviously, back to Crossbridge Academy. This is the Beast Clan''s all-out offensive. No matter what happens, we should at least report back and let everyone know we''re safe," Ryze suggested.


    "Good idea. Let''s go with that. And it''s the perfect chance to test the temporary teleportation array that was set up recently," Nina agreed.


    Since this was just a stronghold, it often lacked sufficient resources.


    To buy supplies, they had to travel to a city in the rear, which wasted a lot of time.


    There were teleportation magic arrays, of course, but¡­


    Due to interference from House Caesar, Coven''s teleportation magic array had been out of commission for a long time.


    At one point, Nina became so frustrated that she kicked out the technicians sent by the city to repair the array.


    She then had someone contact the Greenwood God King in the Greenwood God Realm to see if he could provide a teleportation array.


    To her surprise, he did.


    Since then, the stronghold had rarely run short on supplies.


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    The goods from Greenwood God Realm were not only plentiful but also much cheaper than those from the battlefield cities, where prices were exorbitantly high due to their proximity to the warzone.


    Last month, Greenwood God Realm sent a team to construct a temporary teleportation magic array.


    It could transport large numbers of people at once but would break down after a few uses.


    When Greenwood God King sent the team, he mentioned it was arranged by Daniel, who was concerned that the stronghold might face threats. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now, it was proving its value.


    Nina immediately issued an order for everyone in the stronghold to head to the temporary teleportation array and evacuate.


    There was no way they could withstand the Beast Clan''s all-out offensive.


    Staying here would only lead to death.


    Their only option was to return to Greenwood God Realm.


    That night, almost all the young heirs from major families and powerful factions activated their trump cards to flee the area.


    Those who remained in the city, unable to escape the divine spells of the god king-ranked Beast Clan, perished.


    The rest were trampled to death by the advancing Beast Clan forces.


    ¡­


    "Sir! Lord Daniel!"


    The Five-Element God King rushed into Crossbridge Academy, his voice as loud and distinctive as ever, even before he appeared.


    "What now? What''s got you so worked up?"


    "It''s starting!"


    "Your child is being born?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    The Five-Element God King had been married to a fox clan God King for several years, and her belly had been growing noticeably over the past two years.


    Daniel figured the baby was due this month.


    "What child? I''m talking about the Beast Clan!"


    "The Beast Clan?"


    Daniel, who was busy crafting level 14 forges, hadn''t paid any attention to the Beast Clan''s activities lately.


    "What about them? Are they attacking the Five-Element God Realm again?"


    "Lord, you must be joking. After your last strike, no Beast Clan member dares to come near the Five-Element God Realm! They''ve been avoiding us ever since," the Five-Element God King said smugly.


    Though it wasn''t clear why he was so proud¡ªit had little to do with him.


    "No, no, that''s not what I''m talking about. The Beast Clan is indeed launching an attack, but not against the Five-Element God Realm. Their target is the Sun and Lunar God Realm¡ªthe very heart of the God Realm!"


    Hearing this, Daniel understood.


    "The Beast Clan attacking isn''t exactly news. They''ve been fighting there for ages, and many people have even gained fame because of it," Daniel replied.


    Indeed, this wasn''t new.


    Nina''s Coven, for instance, had earned considerable renown thanks to their battles with the Beast Clan in that area.


    "No, Lord, listen to me¡ªthis time is different. It''s an all-out offensive!"


    "They''ve reportedly deployed god king-level forces and launched a full-scale assault right from the start. They''ve already destroyed the largest supply and defense city on the battlefield with a single strike."


    "Apparently, many young heirs from prominent families were in the city, and they all perished in that attack.


    "This time, the Beast Clan is going all out. They might actually succeed in breaching the Sun and Lunar God Realm! If that happens¡­ it could determine the fate of both humans and the Beast Clan."


    The Five-Element God King spoke with urgency.


    "Oh," Daniel said calmly, as if uninterested.


    This response left the previously excited Five-Element God King feeling deflated.


    "By the way, when is your child due?" Daniel asked.


    "My child¡­ should be born in the next few days," the Five-Element God King replied.


    "And your wife? Is she feeling well? Emotionally and physically?"


    "She''s doing great. Ever since the fox clan was relocated here, she''s been in high spirits every day," the Five-Element God King said with a smile.


    Then he remembered why he had come in the first place.


    Once again, Daniel had managed to steer the conversation off course.


    He quickly refocused and said,


    "Lord, aren''t you concerned about this ultimate battle? If we lose, the entire Sun and Lunar God Realm could fall into the hands of the Beast Clan!"


    The Five-Element God King was deeply worried.


    If the Beast Clan succeeded, it could mean humanity losing its dominance over the God Realm, potentially leading to even greater chaos in the future.


    The thought reminded him of the God Realms that had already been invaded by the Beast Clan¡­

 Chapter302-The Five-Element God Kings Daughter

    Back then, the Five-Element God King had sent the other God Kings back to their own God Realms.But what he hadn''t expected was how utterly incapable those God Kings would prove to be.


    It seemed the Beast Clan barely had to exert any effort to completely overrun those God Realms.


    Of course, the resurgence of the Beast Clan armies was also a mystery.


    Back then, nearly 90% of the Beast Clan forces had been wiped out by that single strike from Daniel¡ªnearly a total annihilation.


    Yet now, where had all these new Beast Clan armies come from?


    Even now, it seemed utterly baffling.


    These Beast Clan forces no longer dared to invade the Five-Element God Realm, that much was true.


    But they were still able to launch invasions from areas far removed from the Five-Element God Realm, places that the Five-Element God King couldn''t intervene in, nor block effectively.


    As a result, while the Five-Element God Realm enjoyed peace, the other burdened God Realms¡­


    They were the ones truly carrying the weight, and they suffered greatly.


    Many of these God Realms were entirely overrun, leading to dire consequences.


    This was why the Beast Clan had managed to reach the borders of the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    In hindsight, much of the blame fell on those God Realms'' God Kings.


    If they hadn''t plotted against the Five-Element God King back then, how could things have deteriorated to this extent?


    Now, with the Beast Clan''s full-scale offensive, if the Sun and Lunar God Realm couldn''t hold the line, things would undoubtedly spiral into chaos.


    While the Five-Element God King fretted about these developments, Daniel remained calm.


    "You worry too much. Relax, the sky isn''t going to fall," Daniel said, his tone steady.


    After all, the Sun and Lunar God Realm was nothing like the weaker God Realms near the Five-Element God Realm.


    Just the factions with God King-level and above power listed by the Greenwood God King were enough to give the Beast Clan a hard time.


    And besides, unless the Beast Clan deployed forces above God King rank, the human side wouldn''t escalate either.


    From what the Five-Element God King described, the highest-ranked force involved on the Beast Clan''s side appeared to be a single God King.


    It was unlikely to involve anything beyond that.


    At that moment, Daniel''s communicator lit up¡ªit was a message from the Greenwood God King.


    Unlike the Five-Element God King, who panicked at every rumor, the Greenwood God King''s realm was much closer to the battlefield.


    His information was far more reliable than whatever chain of hearsay the Five-Element God King had picked up.


    Daniel read through the Greenwood God King''s report and quickly grasped the situation.


    This so-called "all-out offensive" by the Beast Clan¡­


    It seemed more like a lot of noise with little substance.


    Even the God King-ranked Beast Clan had sent only a single representative.


    It hardly looked like a decisive battle¡ªit appeared to be more of a test.


    A test to gauge the bottom line of factions with power above God King rank.


    If those factions didn''t react, it would signal to the Beast Clan that they could interfere more deeply in the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    But if those factions did react¡­


    The Beast Clan''s God King could retreat easily.


    As long as neither side escalated beyond the God King rank, both were bound by an unspoken rule to not involve higher-tier powers.


    Breaking that rule would lead to an all-out clash involving powers above God King rank from the very start.


    This time, the Beast Clan''s God King was essentially lighting a fuse, signaling the Beast Clan''s readiness for a full invasion.


    Now it was up to the factions of the Sun and Lunar God Realm to decide how to respond.


    "Even if a God King-rank figure from the Beast Clan intervened, it wouldn''t change much," Daniel said.


    "At most, the frontline might shift slightly closer to the Sun and Lunar God Realm. But that''s it.


    "Those factions will never let the Beast Clan fully breach their God Realm borders," Daniel concluded with certainty.


    At that moment, Daniel suddenly looked into the distance as a subtle wave of energy rippled toward him.


    "Huh? What''s that¡­"


    The Five-Element God King asked, confused.


    "Could it be starting already? But could something happening now really send shockwaves all the way to the Five-Element God Realm?"


    "You fool, your child is being born!" Daniel suddenly reminded him.


    "Ah?"


    The Five-Element God King froze for a moment before vanishing in an instant, speeding toward the Five-Elements Template as fast as he could.


    The fox God King, his wife, was in the Five-Elements Template, both resting and preparing for childbirth.


    Above the Five-Elements Template, a pure white flower floated serenely in the air, surrounded by countless blossoms blooming in unison.


    This phenomenon quickly drew the attention of those nearby.


    Though people weren''t allowed inside the Five-Elements Template to witness the scene, many watched in awe from the outside. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gradually, some noticed that the flowers emitted a subtle fragrance.


    Remarkably, this aroma seemed to heal their hidden ailments, leaving them refreshed and invigorated.


    "Such a phenomenon must mean the birth of a prodigy!"


    "Wait! Look at the direction¡­ is it the Five-Elements Template?"


    "Could it be¡­"


    The crowd couldn''t help but speculate.


    Had the fox God King, whom the Five-Element God King married years ago, finally given birth?


    Among the onlookers was a young girl with a small bird perched on her shoulder.


    She gazed at the scene with wide eyes.


    "I knew it! I came to the right place. This truly is the perfect location for our Spirit Beast Sect!" Cyr exclaimed.


    Over the past few years, the Spirit Beast Sect had relocated here.


    To witness the birth of the fox God King''s child accompanied by such a grand phenomenon only reinforced their belief in this decision.


    At the same time, a strange resonance emanated from Cyr''s body, subtly aligning with the floating flower in the sky.


    Meanwhile, the Five-Element God King had become a blur of motion, moving so fast that even his form was indistinguishable.


    "When did the Five-Element God King get this fast? That''s the flying divine spell I just mastered!" Big White exclaimed in disbelief.


    "He''s anxious. That''s all," Elise explained as she followed behind.


    Three figures rushed toward the Five-Elements Template together.


    "Dad, what was it like when I was born?" Big White asked, glancing at the celestial phenomenon in the sky.


    "Something like this, though even more spectacular. But I used a magic array to seal off the area, so I was the only one who saw it," Daniel replied.


    Big White pouted, dissatisfied.


    "If more people had seen it, it would''ve been amazing!"


    The Five-Element God King hurried into the temple.


    "How''s my wife? Where is she? How''s the baby?" he asked in rapid succession.


    "God King, your wife has given birth. Both mother and daughter are safe," a servant reported.


    "Hahaha¡­ Wonderful!"


    The Five-Element God King burst into laughter before rushing inside.


    "Let''s wait here," Daniel said, stopping.


    "There''s no rush. Let the family have their moment," he added.


    Moments later, the Five-Element God King emerged, grinning ear to ear with his newborn daughter in his arms.


    "Lord Daniel, look! This is my daughter!"


    "Isn''t she adorable?" he said, his face full of love.


    The infant didn''t cry; she gazed curiously at the adults around her.


    The fox ears on her head were a strikingly prominent feature.


    Daniel observed the child closely and noticed an extraordinary aura emanating from her.


    It reminded him of the Tree of Origin.


    This infant seemed to resonate with the entire God Realm, as if the realm itself extended its goodwill toward her.


    In a way, her status within the God Realm was second only to Big White''s status in Crossbridge World.


    And Big White, after all, was the Will of World for Crossbridge World.


    As for this child¡­


    Daniel glanced at the Five-Element God King. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Well, it seemed that fools truly had their own kind of fortune.


    Daniel had no intention of explaining this further.


    As her father, the Five-Element God King likely only wished for his daughter to grow up healthy and happy¡ªnot burdened by the weight of fate or destined greatness.

 Chapter303-Naming

    "Congratulations, Five-Elements," Daniel said with a smile as he addressed the Five-Element God King.Big White and Elise also offered their congratulations.


    "Hahaha¡­ today is truly a joyous day!"


    The Five-Element God King laughed heartily. While he laughed often, this time everyone could sense his genuine happiness.


    "By the way, I came here in a rush and didn''t prepare anything special, but here''s a little something for your daughter," Daniel said, handing over a small bottle to the Five-Element God King.


    The Five-Element God King took the bottle with a puzzled expression and casually asked,


    "Lord Daniel, you''re being too kind. This gift¡­ wait, what is this?"


    "Thirty thousand drops of Life Elixir," Daniel replied.


    "Thirty th¡­ wait, did I hear that right? Life Elixir?!"


    The Five-Element God King''s voice instantly rose several octaves.


    He was well aware of just how rare Life Elixir was!


    Not long ago, he had personally used a few drops of Life Elixir that Daniel had gifted him to help Lomont break through to God King rank.


    And during his time in the Greenwood God Realm, he had heard firsthand from the Greenwood God King that even the most powerful level-14 forge could only produce one drop of Life Elixir per year.


    Its value was beyond words.


    Life Elixir wasn''t just for individual consumption¡ªit was a resource designed to nourish and elevate entire worlds.


    When used by individuals, it required at least a God Sovereign rank to handle its immense power; anyone below that risked dire consequences.


    Yet now, this tiny bottle contained 30,000 drops?!


    The Five-Element God King couldn''t believe his ears.


    He knew Daniel likely had a considerable stockpile of Life Elixir, but he never imagined Daniel would casually give away such a vast quantity¡ªespecially for his newborn daughter.


    Was this even usable?


    At this moment, the Five-Element God King had no idea just how extraordinary his daughter''s potential was.


    To him, gifting Life Elixir to his daughter seemed like an enormous waste.


    "Lord Daniel, my daughter can''t possibly use something like this for now. How about I hold onto it for safekeeping?" he suggested.


    "No need. Just give it to her directly; there won''t be any issues," Daniel replied calmly.


    "Ah?"


    The Five-Element God King hesitated, unsure if this was even safe. Could a child handle such a substance?


    "Father, why haven''t you ever given me something like that?" Big White interjected, sounding a little envious.


    "When you reach God Lord rank, we''ll talk," Daniel said firmly, dismissing the complaint.


    For now, Life Elixir wasn''t suitable for Big White. It wasn''t that he couldn''t consume it, but he wouldn''t be able to absorb its full potential. Forcing it could even backfire.


    This was why Daniel had withheld it from Big White. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Lord Daniel, this is far too valuable a gift," a soft voice interjected.


    The fox God King emerged from the room, dressed neatly despite having just given birth. Though the childbirth had taken a toll on her body, her recovery as a God King was swift.


    Over the years, she had come to understand Daniel''s immense power.


    The Five-Element God King often shared tidbits with her, so she knew just how extraordinary Daniel was.


    Upon hearing that Daniel had gifted 30,000 drops of Life Elixir, she hurried to voice her concerns.


    She fully grasped the rarity of Life Elixir and feared for their daughter''s safety should anyone covet such a treasure.


    Daniel wouldn''t always be around to protect them.


    "Don''t worry," Daniel said reassuringly. "I understand your concerns, but I won''t hand it over in its current form."


    With that, Daniel took the bottle from the Five-Element God King''s hand.


    The bottle shattered, and the Life Elixir spilled out, releasing a powerful energy that spread in all directions.


    It seemed poised to trigger a grand celestial phenomenon.


    Daniel raised his hand, instantly containing the energy.


    The previously untamed Life Elixir immediately calmed, coalescing in Daniel''s grasp.


    The elixir condensed further, shrinking into a small, luminous bead.


    With a flick of Daniel''s wrist, the bead floated into the baby''s body, settling in her spiritual sea.


    It gently radiated vitality, continuously enhancing the infant''s essence of life.


    Coupled with the God Realm''s unique goodwill toward this child, life-related rules of the realm began to gravitate around her naturally.


    "Thank you, Lord Daniel."


    "Thank you," the couple said in unison, bowing deeply.


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    With Daniel''s method, they no longer had to worry about anyone coveting the gift. Their daughter would grow up safely and thrive.


    "By the way, have you named your daughter yet?" Daniel asked, glancing at the Five-Element God King.


    The Five-Element God King froze.


    A name?


    He hadn''t thought of that at all.


    Typically, a name should have been decided before the child''s birth.


    But the Five-Element God King had been so busy that he assumed the fox God King would handle it.


    Meanwhile, the fox God King, being from the Beast Clan, thought the father should decide.


    As a result, the child was born, and they realized, much to their embarrassment, that she had no name.


    "Well¡­ we haven''t settled on a name yet," the Five-Element God King admitted awkwardly.


    All eyes turned toward him.


    After a brief pause, he glanced at Big White and blurted,


    "How about Whitey? When she was born, I remember seeing White Lotus flowers blooming in the sky. Whitey seems fitting!"


    The group collectively turned to look at Big White, then back at the Five-Element God King, their expressions full of disapproval.


    Seriously? He couldn''t even put in a little effort?


    This level of naming was on par with Nina''s dubious talent for naming things.


    "Whitey isn''t bad, but it''s¡­ not great," Big White said, frowning.


    "What''s wrong with it? I think it sounds lovely!" the Five-Element God King argued.


    "It''s just that Nina has a spell beast named Whitey. It''s a snow eagle," Big White pointed out.


    The Five-Element God King was instantly speechless. After a moment, he exclaimed,


    "I''ve got it! Lily! I''ll name her Lily!"


    Daniel couldn''t help but shake his head at the Five-Element God King''s naming skills.


    It was clear he preferred to recycle existing names rather than come up with something original.


    Still, no one had any objections.


    Though "Lily" was a bit plain, it was undeniably better than "Whitey."


    Of course, the Five-Element God King lamented Nina''s earlier claim on the name "Whitey."


    If his daughter had been named Whitey, she would''ve been just as safe as Big White¡ªperfectly protected.


    But this was unnecessary overthinking.


    Lily, surrounded by the goodwill of the God Realm itself, would never face true danger.


    In fact, anyone who dared to harm Lily would have far more to worry about.


    After chatting for a while, the group prepared to leave, recognizing that the fox God King, having just given birth, likely had much to discuss with her husband.


    But just as they were about to depart, the fox God King suddenly stood up.


    "Lord Daniel, I¡­ I have something I wish to discuss with you privately," she said hesitantly.

 Chapter304-The Fox God Kings Plea

    Hearing the fox God King''s request, Daniel raised an eyebrow, puzzled.He didn''t recall having any personal connection with her, so why would she want to speak to him alone?


    If there were any issues, she could have simply asked the Five-Element God King to relay them.


    Thus, Daniel was genuinely curious. The first time he noticed the fox God King was in the dungeon, where he overheard conversations between the Beast Clan God Kings and thought she seemed decent.


    That''s when he came up with the idea of having the Five-Element God King marry her.


    As far as Daniel knew, the fox God King shouldn''t even be aware of his involvement in those matters.


    So, what exactly did she want to talk about?


    The Five-Element God King also turned to Daniel, waiting for his response.


    "Alright, I''ll agree to it," Daniel said.


    Hearing this, the fox God King let out a sigh of relief. She followed Daniel into a separate room.


    "What is it you want to talk about? Honestly, most things you could have relayed through Five-Elements," Daniel said.


    At that moment, the fox God King suddenly dropped to her knees.


    "What are you doing?"


    Daniel frowned slightly and used his mind power to lift her back to her feet.


    "Lord Daniel, I''ve always known that my relationship with Five-Elements was orchestrated by you," she began, her voice trembling with emotion.


    "Even though it was arranged, I can say we truly love each other. If you have any plans¡­ I beg you, please spare Lily. She''s innocent. Even if you want me to do something, I won''t refuse."


    Her voice was laced with desperation and a faint sob.


    It was clear she was determined to protect her daughter at all costs.


    But¡­


    Daniel found her plea confusing.


    From the fox God King''s perspective, Daniel''s actions inspired both awe and dread.


    After all, her marriage to the Five-Element God King had been arranged by Daniel.


    Now, with Lily''s birth accompanied by celestial phenomena and the priceless gift of thirty thousand drops of Life Elixir, how could she not be suspicious?


    To her, Daniel was a figure far above even the strongest God Kings. If he wanted to kill her, it would take no effort at all.


    What terrified her more than death was the possibility that Daniel''s every action was part of a larger scheme, one centered on her newborn daughter.


    After all, thirty thousand drops of Life Elixir was a staggering amount.


    She knelt there, her heart racing, consumed by the fear that her daughter had been drawn into a grand design beyond comprehension.


    Hearing her words, Daniel fell silent for a moment before responding, "It seems¡­ you''ve misunderstood something."


    It appeared that while the Five-Element God King had shared many things with his wife, he had left out certain key details.


    As a result, the fox God King had an incomplete understanding of Daniel, leading her to form mistaken conclusions.


    Coupled with the historical mistreatment of the fox clan within the Beast Clan, it seemed she had developed a sense of paranoia.


    This paranoia likely fueled an elaborate, albeit flawed, conspiracy theory in her mind.


    Frankly, Daniel found the situation a little exasperating.


    Given the fox God King''s perspective, her assumptions weren''t entirely implausible.


    After all, Daniel''s seemingly extravagant generosity and his habit of supporting his people without hesitation could easily be misunderstood.


    "Honestly, this is Five-Elements'' fault," Daniel thought.


    "I won''t deny it. In the beginning, I did have certain thoughts in mind," Daniel admitted.


    Hearing this, the fox God King nearly dropped to her knees again, but Daniel''s mind power kept her upright.


    "However, after my journey to the Greenwood God Realm, I realized such schemes were unnecessary.


    Whether human or Beast Clan, everyone is equal under the looming Apocalypse."


    He continued, "So, no, there''s no hidden agenda involving Lily.


    Frankly, if Five-Elements had been more forthcoming about me, this misunderstanding wouldn''t have happened." sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Your daughter will grow up safe and healthy," Daniel assured her, his voice steady and sincere.


    These words came from the depths of his heart. He always took care of those around him, and Lily''s unique circumstances ensured she would never face danger.


    Unless the Will of World of the God Realm itself suffered severe damage, Lily''s safety was virtually guaranteed.


    Hearing Daniel''s assurance, the fox God King finally began to relax. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude.


    Her feelings were complex. Years ago, she would never have imagined marrying a human God King, let alone giving birth to his child.


    Now, as a mother, she found herself pleading for her daughter''s safety¡ªa testament to the strength of a mother''s love.


    At that moment, Daniel noticed something unusual.


    "I couldn''t help but notice¡­ the restriction on your soul hasn''t been removed yet?" he asked.


    When the three Beast Clan God Kings were first imprisoned in the Five-Elements Template, restrictions had been placed on their souls to ensure they wouldn''t cause trouble.


    Later, when the Five-Element God King married the fox God King, Daniel had provided the method to remove her restriction.


    Yet, it seemed the restriction was still there.


    "It doesn''t seem to affect you much, but isn''t it uncomfortable, like wearing shackles?" Daniel asked.


    "This restriction was personally placed by Five-Elements. I''ve been waiting for him to remove it himself," she replied softly.


    "Ah¡­ well, you might be waiting for a long time," Daniel said, shaking his head.


    He knew the Five-Element God King well enough to predict this outcome.


    The man had a knack for getting distracted, especially with trivial matters.


    For instance, even on the day his wife gave birth, he had been preoccupied with the Beast Clan''s invasion of the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    As if the Beast Clan could even conquer such a place!


    As for removing the restriction, the Five-Element God King had likely either forgotten about it entirely or assumed he had already taken care of it.


    "But no matter how long I have to wait, I''m willing to. This is something between the two of us," she said firmly.


    Her words were filled with quiet determination, and Daniel couldn''t help but feel impressed by her patience and devotion.


    With this, their conversation came to an end.


    As Daniel prepared to leave, he turned to the Five-Element God King and said,


    "When you have time, bring your wife and Lily to Crossbridge Academy. The lake there will benefit them greatly. It''s the same for Big White now."


    The Five-Element God King immediately perked up.


    "Don''t worry, Lord Daniel! I''ll be visiting your place every day!" he declared shamelessly.


    If there were benefits to be had, he wasn''t going to miss out.


    Even if he was too busy, he''d make sure his daughter spent time there.


    The group chuckled at his antics.


    The fox God King, holding Lily, also expressed her gratitude.


    "Thank you, Lord Daniel. We''ll be sure to visit."


    The lake at Crossbridge Academy, surrounded by powerful forges, was a site of immense energy.


    Even without directly consuming resources, simply absorbing the ambient energy would be highly beneficial.


    After saying their goodbyes, Daniel and his group prepared to return to Crossbridge Academy.


    Just then, a figure appeared before Daniel and reported,


    "Lord Daniel, the girl you asked us to monitor suddenly broke through today.


    "She seemed to sense our presence, so we withdrew before she discovered us."

 Chapter305-A Special Gift

    Upon hearing this report, Daniel nodded and dismissed the messenger.The girl being referred to was Cyr, the little girl from the Spirit Beast Sect.


    Big White had once suggested bringing Cyr to the Five-Element God Realm because of her extremely unique talent.


    However, after learning that the Spirit Beast Sect''s ultimate goal was to settle in the Five-Element God Realm anyway, there was no need for further persuasion.


    Since then, Daniel had instructed someone to keep an eye on Cyr and report back whenever something noteworthy happened.


    Now, that moment had arrived.


    Hearing this news, Daniel immediately led his group back to Crossbridge Academy, where Cyr was already standing by the lakeside, gazing toward the direction of the Five-Elements Template.


    Suddenly, a few figures appeared beside her, nearly startling her.


    Looking closer, she recognized them¡ªUncle Daniel, Sister Elise, and¡­ a human-shaped Big White?


    However, the moment she laid eyes on Big White, Cyr''s expression changed. Her head dropped immediately, as if she had just seen something terrifying.


    Noticing her reaction, Daniel realized that Cyr must have awakened her innate talent and was now able to perceive Big White''s true essence.


    Big White tilted its head and said with a playful smile, "What''s wrong, Cyr? Can''t even look at me? Were you scared by how much I look like my dad?"


    "Alright, don''t frighten her," Daniel interjected. "Cyr has probably seen through your true nature."


    "Really? Is that it?"


    Cyr timidly nodded.


    She had indeed seen through Big White''s true identity. What she had perceived made her heart pound in fear.


    This was no ordinary entity¡ªBig White was the Will of a World, a being that could never truly be domesticated, even as a so-called spirit beast.


    Realizing this truth had sent shivers down her spine. What she had once thought of as a harmless being was, in fact, one of the most formidable entities in existence.


    Her fear stemmed from hindsight¡ªhow close she had been to a force she barely understood.


    Cyr''s talent was extraordinary: a natural-born affinity with all things under heaven and earth.


    It was this innate gift that had first sparked Big White''s interest in bringing Cyr to the Five-Element God Realm. Even before Cyr had awakened her abilities, Big White could sense the potential she held¡ªa gift invaluable to the growth of any world.


    "Do you feel anything special right now?" Daniel asked Cyr gently.


    "Something special?" Cyr hesitated, then carefully replied, "The whole world feels¡­ warm and gentle. Especially here¡ªit feels very comforting." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her voice was soft and uncertain, as if worried about saying something wrong.


    "Hmm, that''s no surprise. This place is particularly nurturing," Daniel affirmed.


    The aura surrounding them was tied to Crossbridge World, which was flourishing and evolving thanks to Daniel''s efforts.


    With countless forges spread across the world, transforming its environment, the lake by Crossbridge Academy was particularly abundant in life energy.


    "This is the essence of Crossbridge World," Daniel explained. "If you''d like, I can arrange for someone to take you there. You''re welcome to stay if it suits you."


    Cyr''s eyes brightened. She had, of course, heard of Crossbridge World. In fact, nearly everyone in the Five-Element God Realm was familiar with its name.


    "I''d love to!" she exclaimed, excitement lighting up her face.


    The idea of living in Crossbridge World, a realm bursting with growth and vitality, was immensely appealing to her.


    "Uncle Daniel, I can feel that Crossbridge World is growing, and it feels like the perfect place for me. It''s where I belong," she said earnestly.


    Daniel considered her words carefully before asking, "Have you made up your mind?"


    "Yes, I''ve decided," she replied with determination.


    "In that case," Daniel said, "I''ll teach you a divine spell. You must train diligently with it, understand?"


    "Also, if anyone from your Spirit Beast Sect wishes to enter Crossbridge World, they''re welcome. They can contact either me or Big White."


    Cyr nodded eagerly, her face lighting up with gratitude.


    Big White chimed in with a grin, "Cyr, I hope you enjoy your time in Crossbridge World. On behalf of the world itself, welcome! And hey, if anyone dares to bother you, just call me. I''ll handle them!"


    Hearing this, Cyr''s nervousness faded, replaced by a shy but sincere smile.


    Daniel then passed on an ancient divine spell from the Life Temple to Cyr.


    This spell seemed almost tailor-made for her. With her innate affinity for life and nature, Cyr was the perfect candidate to master it.


    Once she fully developed her abilities, Daniel could only imagine the transformative effects she might bring to Crossbridge World. It might even surpass his expectations, happening sooner than he anticipated.


    Meanwhile, the war at the center of the God Realm was progressing in ways that surprised even Daniel.


    The outcome had been far from what he or the Five-Element God King had expected.


    In Daniel''s calculations, no matter how much strength the Beast Clan mustered, it should have been impossible for them to shake the foundations of the powerful factions entrenched in the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    However, the actual performance of the so-called god king-level factions had been embarrassingly poor.


    When the Five-Element God King relayed updates, Daniel initially thought he was joking.


    It turned out that many of these factions, after centuries of peace, were completely unprepared for war. Their ineptitude bordered on disgraceful, even humiliating the reputation of humanity in the God Realm.


    Adding to the chaos, the Beast Clan''s offensive was extraordinarily fierce, pushing their forces dangerously close to the central regions of the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    The House of La and the House of Theseus, two of the realm''s most prominent families, were forced to deploy substantial resources and manpower just to hold the line against the invading armies.


    This outcome baffled Daniel. He had assumed the Beast Clan would be unable to achieve significant gains unless god king-level entities joined the fray.


    Instead, he had overestimated the combat capabilities of the Sun and Lunar God Realm''s factions. Years of complacency had dulled their ability to wage effective warfare.


    By contrast, the Five-Element God Realm¡ªled by the Five-Element God King¡ªstood as a shining example of resilience.


    Despite facing immense pressure in the past, the Five-Element God Realm had successfully fended off the Beast Clan for two years.


    Now, as refugees fled the war-torn regions of the Sun and Lunar God Realm, many sought safety in the Five-Element God Realm, which was widely regarded as the safest haven in the God Realm.


    The stark contrast was evident to all. The Five-Element God King had not only repelled the Beast Clan but had crushed their forces so thoroughly that no Beast Clan dared enter his territory again.


    This made the Five-Element God Realm a beacon of security, attracting countless displaced families and smaller factions seeking refuge.


    Meanwhile, those who had abandoned their positions in the Sun and Lunar God Realm¡ªleaving cities and civilians to the mercy of the Beast Clan¡ªwere scrambling to salvage their reputations.


    Despite their cowardice, they were hailed as heroes by the uninformed.


    Yet Daniel, observing the situation from afar, understood the truth.


    These so-called saviors had only fled to save themselves, leaving others to bear the brunt of the war''s devastation.

 Chapter306-The Merciless God Realm

    At first, when Daniel learned about the situation, he was truly shocked¡ªor perhaps more accurately, infuriated.How could so many powerful forces in the Sun and Lunar God Realm have allowed things to deteriorate to this extent?


    However, as more information trickled in, Daniel began to understand the larger picture.


    The mass exodus of people fleeing toward surrounding god realms signified one thing: aside from the top-tier forces capable of resisting the Beast Clan, the rest had no choice but to retreat.


    Some might hope to seek refuge under these top-tier factions, but why would those factions protect them?


    Naturally, it was out of the question.


    This created a bizarre phenomenon:


    The top-tier forces remained in the Sun and Lunar God Realm, fighting the Beast Clan, while the ordinary folk, as well as small- to mid-tier factions, fled en masse.


    By the time most of these smaller factions had evacuated, even the parasites within the great families and elite factions had been largely purged by the onslaught of the Beast Clan.


    What remained were the true elites.


    With such refined forces and united resolve, resisting the Beast Clan no longer seemed impossible.


    On the surface, this strategy made sense. As long as one ignored the looming Apocalypse, which no one but a select few knew about, the situation appeared manageable.


    But therein lay the problem.


    The Apocalypse was imminent.


    According to the Divine Dynasty''s prophecy, the Sun and Lunar God Realm was the only place with even a sliver of hope to survive the Apocalypse.


    Now, the only ones left in the Sun and Lunar God Realm were the original top-tier forces, along with god kings like Greenwood God King, who had prior knowledge of the prophecy and had brought their loyal subordinates to reinforce the realm.


    So, while things looked fine on the surface, beneath it all was a web of manipulation and schemes.


    Eventually, Daniel lost interest in these matters.


    The more he learned, the more disheartening it became.


    On the other hand, the Five-Element God Realm took this opportunity to expand once again, acquiring vast swathes of land and populations.


    Daniel knew that his primary focus during the Apocalypse would be to safeguard the Five-Element God Realm.


    As for the Beast Clan armies, they had long since learned that the Five-Element God Realm was not to be trifled with. After all, this realm harbored a potential god king-level entity capable of taking action at any moment.


    As the Five-Element God Realm continued to expand, the Beast Clan''s forces began taking even longer detours to avoid it.


    In fact, they even went so far as to build a magic array specifically for teleporting their armies, just to bypass the Five-Element God Realm altogether.


    As a result, the Five-Element God Realm grew increasingly peaceful and serene.


    Crossbridge Academy


    "And so, I grabbed that villain with my bare hands! At that very moment, his god king arrived and was about to shout, ''Spare him!'' But I wasn''t afraid! Villains like that deserve only one fate¡ªdeath!"


    Big White recounted one of his "heroic tales" with an air of righteousness.


    This time, it was his fifty-third story about braving the Arena of Beasts and rescuing a spirit beast from the clutches of multiple god kings.


    Seated around him was a little girl with fox ears atop her head. As she listened to Big White''s story, her eyes sparkled with admiration, and she clapped her hands excitedly.


    "That''s amazing, Big White! What happened next? What did that god king do afterward?"


    "At the time, I was merely an earth god, so when the god king''s overwhelming aura descended upon me like a towering mountain, I¡ª"


    Before Big White could finish his story, Fox God King approached them.


    "Big White, Lily, it''s time to eat."


    "Okay, Aunt Fox."


    "Mommy, Big White is so incredible! Today, he defeated a god king while he was still an earth god. Daddy is so pitiful¡­" Lily remarked.


    It seemed that Big White''s daily stories for Lily varied in content.


    Sometimes they were about infiltrating the Arena of Beasts, sometimes about exploring secret realms, and other times about defeating formidable foes.


    The stories always followed a similar formula: an enemy of god king rank would appear, only to be vanquished by Big White.


    Of course, in these tales, Big White''s strength differed each time, ranging from earth god to heavenly god and beyond.


    Lily, however, didn''t care about these inconsistencies. She simply loved the idea of triumphing over evil and hearing about acts of bravery.


    As for the defeated god kings in the stories¡­


    Lily naturally associated them with her father, the Five-Element God King, since he was the only god king she knew besides her mother.


    Hearing Lily''s words, Fox God King sighed helplessly.


    She couldn''t pinpoint when Lily had developed such a strong fascination for Big White''s fantastical tales.


    "Big White, perhaps it''s best if you stop telling Lily these stories," Fox God King suggested.


    What if Lily grew up and actually ventured into a secret realm one day?


    "Especially these battle stories," she added.


    "Got it, Aunt Fox. Next time, I''ll tell Lily a love story! Once upon a time¡ª"


    As Big White began weaving yet another story, with Lily already preparing to listen intently, Fox God King interrupted quickly.


    "Let''s eat first! Otherwise, the food will get cold."


    Over the past few years, Fox God King had grown accustomed to spending her days at Crossbridge Academy with Lily, and the two were now inseparable.


    She led the two "children" into the dining hall, where Daniel was already seated. Seeing everyone gathered, he called for the meal to begin.


    As for the Five-Element God King, there was no need to worry about him. He would inevitably show up at the right time.


    Just as they started eating, the familiar voice of the Five-Element God King rang out:


    "Big Brother, I''ve just received some crucial news from my friend¡ª"


    As he spoke, he walked into the room, his usual jovial demeanor intact.


    Over the years, their relationship had grown closer, to the point where Daniel had asked the Five-Element God King and Fox God King to simply call him Big Brother.


    The formal "Lord Daniel" was too cumbersome, and Daniel wasn''t one for unnecessary ceremony.


    The Five-Element God King saw everyone eating and promptly declared, "Perfect timing! I''m starving."


    Without hesitation, he sat in his designated seat.


    "Lily, do you miss Daddy?" he asked, turning to his daughter.


    "Come here, let Daddy give you a kiss!"


    With his scruffy beard, he leaned in to kiss Lily on the forehead, eliciting a frown from the little girl.


    His rough stubble was genuinely uncomfortable.


    Perhaps this was why Lily found it so easy to imagine Big White''s stories, where a god king-level villain¡ªoften subconsciously associated with her father¡ªwas defeated.


    Everything had its reasons, after all.


    Just a few bites into the meal, the Five-Element God King seemed to remember something.


    "Big Brother, about that matter¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Daniel interrupted.


    "Let''s eat first. Whatever it is, we can talk about it after the meal."


    This silenced the Five-Element God King, who obediently focused on eating.


    After the meal, Daniel leaned back and asked, "Alright, what''s this important matter? Let me guess¡ªsomething about the Sun and Lunar God Realm, correct?"


    "As expected, Big Brother, you guessed it!" the Five-Element God King exclaimed.


    "It''s about the Sun and Lunar God Realm. Word from Greenwood God King is that both sides seem to be preparing for a final showdown. There''s been hardly any activity in the past few days."


    "Their big players are likely planning something major."


    Daniel instantly understood.


    The "big players" referred to the god king-level entities and above.


    This time, those top-tier factions had masterfully orchestrated events.


    By using the Beast Clan''s invasion as a pretext, they had purged numerous lesser factions from the Sun and Lunar God Realm while also eliminating parasites within their own ranks. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What remained were elite forces, primed to fight for the last sliver of hope amidst the Apocalypse.


    It was a brilliant and ruthless calculation.


    But¡­


    These factions showed no regard for human lives, treating the deaths of others as mere tools in their grand designs.


    To them, those outside their circles were little more than expendable resources¡ªlower beings unworthy of consideration.


    In this merciless cleansing, the Five-Element God King could only do his best to shelter and integrate the survivors.


    The God Realm is merciless, and the top-tier factions are even more so.

 Chapter307-The War Settles

    "What a pity. The Sun and Lunar God Realm, once the safest and most complete region of the entire God Realm, has now been reduced to this..."The Five-Element God King spoke with a complicated expression.


    After the Beast Clan''s invasion, countless lives had been lost in the Sun and Lunar God Realm, and even more people had been displaced, fleeing from the center of the God Realm to other regions, such as the Five-Element God Realm.


    Over the past few years, the Five-Element God Realm had been consistently taking in refugees from the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    Back in the Greenwood God Realm, the Five-Element God King had overheard the Greenwood God King explain the truth of the Apocalypse. These people appeared to have escaped danger, but in reality, they had also distanced themselves from the safest place in the God Realm.


    The Five-Element God King found himself at a loss for words.


    "The Sun and Lunar God Realm should have been the safest place in the entire God Realm, but now it has turned into this..."


    He spoke with a sense of regret.


    Unlike other god kings, the Five-Element God King had always done his utmost in such matters. Over the past few years, most of the Five-Element God Realm''s budget had been spent on resettling those who had fled.


    As the population continued to increase, the Five-Element God Realm''s economy had experienced significant strain, to the point where the Five-Element God King had to request additional divine stones from Daniel to tide them over this period.


    Once this phase passed, the influx of population would bring about a demographic dividend, allowing the Five-Element God Realm to experience a brief period of exponential growth.


    Seeing the Five-Element God King''s expression, Daniel understood what he was thinking and reassured him:


    "Enough of that. You''re just the god king of the Five-Element God Realm. One person''s power is limited; you can''t possibly care for everyone in the entire God Realm."


    The Five-Element God King nodded.


    He knew this better than anyone, having ruled the Five-Element God Realm for so many years. His earlier words were merely a moment of emotional expression.


    Quickly shaking off those feelings, he said:


    "Big Brother, I reckon that when the time comes, there will likely be god king-level entities and above joining the battle. Would you like to come with me to take a look?"


    Hearing this, Daniel shook his head decisively.


    He had no interest in watching.


    It was just a fight involving god kings and above, nothing extraordinary. Spending time with the kids seemed far more meaningful.


    "It''s not worth it. You can go if you want, but be careful. You have a little daughter now."


    "Don''t worry, Big Brother. I won''t be a hero. I''ll stick close to the Greenwood God King."


    The Five-Element God King promised.


    Daniel nodded.


    Recently, Big White had reached the high god rank, and it wouldn''t be long before it advanced to the god lord rank. At such a critical juncture, Daniel had no time to worry about what was happening outside.


    To him, this was just another round of posturing before negotiations.


    This time, the Sun and Lunar God Realm''s top forces would likely agree to allow the Beast Clan into their realm, but only at a significant cost.


    The years of Beast Clan invasions, forcing non-elite populations to flee, were probably part of the bargaining conditions.


    As for the battles now unfolding, they were likely just pre-negotiation skirmishes.


    Both sides would let their god king-level entities and above display their might, flex their muscles a bit, and eventually settle things peacefully.


    In the end, the matter with the Beast Clan would quiet down¡ªat least for now.


    Of course, if anyone dared to break the agreement later, it could all flare up again.


    Thinking of this, Daniel couldn''t help but sigh.


    What was the point of it all?


    The Five-Element God King noticed Daniel''s sigh and thought he might have something on his mind. He said:


    "Big Brother, I''ll take my leave then."


    "Don''t be in such a rush to leave. Lily is already five years old; you should spend more time with her."


    Daniel added, thinking about how Big White was always telling Lily those nonsensical stories. Most likely, whenever Lily looked at the Five-Element God King, she envisioned the god king villains that Big White described being defeated.


    "She''s still young now, but she''ll understand when she''s older."


    The Five-Element God King shook his head without saying much.


    Over the past few years, he had been so preoccupied with resettling the influx of refugees into the Five-Element God Realm that he barely had time to eat with his family, let alone spend quality time with his daughter.


    After chatting for a while longer, the Five-Element God King finally left.


    Daniel thought for a moment and decided to send a message to Rose and Reed, advising them to hold off on traveling outside for the time being.


    The God Realm was far too chaotic right now.


    Once the Beast Clan situation calmed down, they could consider venturing out again.


    A few days later, Daniel sensed a peculiar wave of energy coming from the north.


    It was the power of entities above the god king rank.


    Daniel could easily discern it¡ªthis energy far exceeded the limits of a god king.


    In other words, the Sun and Lunar God Realm was finally witnessing the involvement of god kings and above.


    Typically, if someone of that level lost patience, it was likely a Beast Clan god king.


    Moments later, several more waves of energy rippled out.


    The entire process lasted about two to three hours before it began to subside.


    Anyone with mana could sense the sheer terror of the battle taking place.


    Those above the human god rank could even feel the subtle disruptions in the God Realm''s laws.


    Such was the impact of god kings and above clashing.


    However, the God Realm''s ability to repair itself was remarkable. It wouldn''t take long for the disrupted laws to fully recover.


    The larger-scale disruption caused by Daniel''s previous display of power was due to his deliberate intent to leave a lasting impression on the Beast Clan, ensuring they understood that the Five-Element God Realm was off-limits.


    And it seemed to have worked.


    This time, however, the clash between god kings and above seemed more like a show of force rather than a serious conflict.


    As Daniel was reflecting on this, his communicator began to ring incessantly.


    He pulled it out to see that it was the Five-Element God King, sending a barrage of messages.


    The god king''s face was filled with excitement:


    "Big Brother, you wouldn''t believe it! I saw that Beast Clan god king above rank! Well, not in person, but I saw their power! Damn, it was terrifying!"


    "They obliterated entire mountains with a single move. The dozens of god kings at the front couldn''t even withstand a single cold snort!"


    "Later, the Sun and Lunar God Realm''s god kings above rank finally joined the battle!"


    "Right now, they''re engaged in an incredibly intense fight!"


    The messages stopped coming, likely due to the intense energy disruptions affecting communications. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once things calmed down, the messages resumed.


    "Big Brother, it''s over. They''ve stopped fighting. Thankfully, the Greenwood God King was there, or I might have been seriously injured."


    The next message didn''t come for a while, so Daniel asked:


    "What''s the outcome?"


    "They''re probably negotiating now. Thankfully, they don''t plan to continue fighting. Otherwise, at this rate, there wouldn''t be a God Realm left, let alone an Apocalypse to worry about."


    Hearing this, Daniel shook his head.


    If the God Realm could be destroyed so easily, the Will of the World would have intervened long ago to curb such reckless behavior.


    Unlike the fractured state of Crossbridge World, the God Realm had a fully intact consciousness.


    If these god kings and above could truly destroy the world so easily, the Will of the World would have already taken action against them.


    Just like how Big White could exact vengeance on anyone in Crossbridge World at will, the God Realm''s Will of the World wouldn''t tolerate such actions.


    The earlier display of intense fighting¡­


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    Daniel had a strong feeling there was more theater than substance involved.

 Chapter308-The Negotiation Venue

    "Alright, go gather some intel for now.""Got it, big bro! Just wait for my live updates!"


    The Five-Element God King said this and then fell silent.


    Over the next few days, he would occasionally update Daniel about the latest progress between the two sides.


    Since the ceasefire, it seemed as though the two factions were competing to display their respective strengths. The number of powerful figures gathered around kept growing. Even someone as thick-skinned as the Five-Element God King started to feel a little embarrassed.


    For now, the Sun and Lunar God Realm and the Beast Clan had completely halted their conflict. For days, there had been no clashes, not even minor skirmishes, which was truly astonishing.


    The Beast Clan openly displayed its full strength this time, taking a stance as if to say, "If you don''t agree, we''ll fight you right here."


    One day, the Five-Element God King contacted Daniel, his expression unusually complicated.


    Seeing him like this, Daniel asked curiously, "What''s wrong with you?"


    In Daniel''s understanding, the Five-Element God King typically wouldn''t show such an expression unless faced with an exceptionally tricky situation.


    For him to act like this after just watching the proceedings¡­ What could have happened?


    "Big bro, I don''t even know how to explain this¡­ It''s a long story."


    "Take your time and tell me. No rush."


    "Alright, I''ll explain it slowly."


    Hearing this, the Five-Element God King began recounting everything in detail.


    After the Beast Clan had displayed its full strength, the humans naturally couldn''t maintain a completely hardline stance. Ultimately, it was about negotiations.


    But where to hold the talks?


    This had been the sticking point for days.


    Both sides proposed locations that the other found unacceptable due to potential risks. This back-and-forth dragged on for days, with the Five-Element God King spending all that time essentially waiting around for them to sort it out.


    Finally, someone¡ªwho must have been extraordinarily cunning¡ªsuggested that the negotiations be held in a place where both sides could feel safe and trusted.


    Across the entire God Realm, there was only one place that fit the bill¡­


    The Five-Element God Realm!


    Yes, both the Sun and Lunar God Realm and the Beast Clan shockingly agreed to this seemingly absurd proposal.


    Thus, it was decided: the final negotiations would be held in New Ascension City within the Five-Element God Realm. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For the factions from the Sun and Lunar God Realm, the presence of a human god king-level entity and above in the Five-Element God Realm ensured their safety. After all, this powerful figure had previously obliterated so many Beast Clan forces¡ªit wasn''t an issue.


    As for the Beast Clan, they were swayed by the Five-Element God Realm''s slogan of equality for all races, which wasn''t just talk¡ªit was being implemented.


    This included the integration of the Fox God King''s clan and other oppressed Beast Clan groups. Within the Five-Element God Realm, they had independent territories and were no longer mistreated, as long as they didn''t harm others.


    Such a life was enviable.


    So, to the Beast Clan, the Five-Element God Realm seemed trustworthy, despite housing a terrifyingly powerful figure. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Moreover, the Beast Clan had spent years avoiding the Five-Element God Realm altogether, so there wasn''t much to worry about.


    Thus, both sides reached an agreement surprisingly quickly, and the final negotiations were set to take place in New Ascension City within the Five-Element God Realm.


    "It''s fine. If it''s in the Five-Element God Realm, nothing will happen as long as I''m here. Even those god king-level entities and above won''t dare stir up trouble."


    Seeing the Five-Element God King''s worried expression, Daniel reassured him.


    With Daniel''s guarantee, the Five-Element God King finally exhaled in relief.


    Previously, he had been deeply concerned about potential accidents¡ªwhether these factions might cause destruction or harm people within the Five-Element God Realm.


    But now, with Daniel''s assurance, he was brimming with confidence. His earlier fretful demeanor vanished.


    "Big bro, with your support, everything will be fine! But tell me, do you think they chose the Five-Element God Realm because of my slogans? Like ''equality for all races'' and so on?"


    Daniel looked at him with a "you must be joking" expression.


    Honestly, while Daniel was long accustomed to the Five-Element God King''s antics, this still took him by surprise.


    "Or is it because I married the Fox God King? That way, the humans trust me, and the Beast Clan trusts her?"


    Daniel decided it wasn''t worth responding to. Let the guy fantasize all he wants.


    "By the way, what''s your plan for these negotiations?"


    Daniel asked.


    Hearing this, the Five-Element God King was momentarily stunned.


    What plan?


    The negotiations were between the Sun and Lunar God Realm and the Beast Clan¡ªwhat did they have to do with him, the ruler of the Five-Element God Realm?


    Weren''t they just using his territory for a little chat? Did they expect to brawl in the Five-Element God Realm?


    The Five-Element God King was utterly baffled by Daniel''s question.


    "Big bro, what¡­ what do you mean? I don''t quite understand."


    "Let me put it this way¡ªdo you have any goals for these negotiations? Any outcomes you''d like to see achieved?"


    Daniel clarified.


    But the more he explained, the more confused the Five-Element God King became.


    "Big bro, I still don''t get it. Isn''t this their business? What does it have to do with me?"


    At this point, Daniel gave up on trying to reason with him and said directly:


    "Think about it. Both sides want to use the Five-Element God Realm as the venue. Can''t you seize this opportunity to make a grand event of it? Use it to boost the Five-Element God Realm''s reputation across the entire God Realm and make everyone know the name of the Five-Element God King?"


    "Hiss¡­"


    The Five-Element God King inhaled sharply.


    Why hadn''t he thought of this?


    If everyone learned about the conditions within the Five-Element God Realm and saw how refugees had been resettled there, wouldn''t that attract even more people?


    "Big bro, you''re a genius! Why didn''t I think of this? So, how should I go about it?"


    "Livestream it. Don''t you get it? Broadcast the negotiations in real-time to every god realm. Show the first-hand perspective of the talks between humans and the Beast Clan. Imagine how many people would want to watch!"


    "But¡­ negotiations only last a few hours. What kind of promotion can I do in that time¡­"


    "Start now! Promote it beforehand! Announce the event to all god realms, introduce the negotiations and their significance, and highlight the venue¡ªthe Five-Element God Realm. Got it?"


    After Daniel broke it down like this, the Five-Element God King immediately understood.


    "Wait a minute, big bro. Say that again, slower this time. I need to write it down and get Old Mo and the others to brainstorm ideas!"


    Daniel didn''t know whether to laugh or cry.


    "Just check our chat log. I''m not repeating myself."


    With that, Daniel put his communicator back into his spatial storage and stopped paying attention.


    Sometimes, he felt like he and the Five-Element God King were on completely different wavelengths.

 Chapter309-Publicity

    In just a few days, a piece of news spread like wildfire, igniting excitement across the God Realm.Rumors began circulating throughout every god realm, stating that the long and arduous battle between humans and the Beast Clan in the Sun and Lunar God Realm was finally coming to an end. Both sides had decided to conduct a historic negotiation¡ªone that would shape the future of not only the two races but also the God Realm itself.


    This negotiation was deemed of utmost importance, and the chosen venue reflected its significance: the Ascension City of the Five-Element God Realm. Furthermore, the city had invested heavily in the event, sending out a large number of projection stones capable of broadcasting the negotiations live, down to every detail. These projection stones were installed in the main cities of every god realm, ensuring that only the most populous and central locations could witness the event.


    With countdown timers displayed prominently on the projection stones¡ªdown to the very second¡ªanticipation only grew stronger.


    The broadcast wasn''t just about the negotiation itself; it also introduced the venue, Ascension City, located in the Five-Element God Realm.


    The introduction started with the history of Ascension City¡ªor at least what little history there was, considering the city was only a few years old. The narrative began with the Beast Clan''s invasion of the Five-Element God Realm, highlighting the drastic changes and achievements the realm had made in recent years, particularly its commitment to equality among all races.


    The broadcast even featured examples of Beast Clan members living peacefully in the Five-Element God Realm. Additionally, the Spirit Beast Sect was enlisted to film promotional footage, showcasing the harmonious coexistence between humans and spirit beasts.


    For many in the God Realm, this was the first time seeing such a place. It sparked admiration and curiosity about the Five-Element God Realm.


    "Is what they''re saying about the Five-Element God Realm true? Can the conditions there really be this good?"


    "I''m not sure, but I think I saw my old neighbor in the footage! He escaped south back then¡ªhe might''ve ended up in the Five-Element God Realm. I saw him with a house!"


    "What? If that''s true, then the Five-Element God Realm isn''t lying!"


    "Humans and the Beast Clan living in harmony? That''s got to be fake! No way that''s possible¡ªit''s insulting to our intelligence!"


    "Yeah, negotiations? There''s no way we could negotiate with the Beast Clan!"


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    "Stop saying that. Don''t you guys know? Years ago, the Five-Element God King married a Beast Clan God King. That''s old news! So, whatever else is on those projection stones might be fake, but that''s one thing you can''t argue with!"


    "What? Seriously?"


    "Absolutely! You can ask anyone¡ªit''s common knowledge by now."


    Soon, discussions about the Five-Element God Realm became the hottest topic in the God Realm, even overshadowing the original subject of the negotiations.


    People seemed to forget what initially drew them in; now, they were all talking about the Five-Element God Realm.


    Meanwhile, in Crossbridge Academy, Rose and Reed had returned immediately upon receiving Daniel''s message. For the first time since their separation in the Mortal Realm, the five of them were reunited.


    The reunion was filled with emotion.


    Back then, they were merely standout students at the academy¡ªnothing more than slightly more gifted peers. But now, each of them had become renowned figures in the God Realm.


    "By the way, are you two about to break through to God King rank?" Nina asked, looking at Rose and Reed.


    Reed scratched his head awkwardly. "Not me. I''m still quite a ways off. I probably need to build up my foundation a bit more first."


    Rose, however, nodded and said, "I''m close. I think I''ll be breaking through to God King soon."


    Hearing this, Nina couldn''t help but look envious.


    "Wow¡­ Rose, you''ll be the first among us to reach God King, won''t you? Ugh, it''s so unfair! Why can''t I break through? It''s so frustrating!"


    Rose looked at Nina with concern. While Nina was always playful, this seemed a bit excessive. Her emotions appeared erratic, almost out of control.


    "Nina, are you alright?"


    "Oh, nothing! Haha, did I embarrass myself again? I''ve been on the battlefield for years, and with the constant war in the Sun and Lunar God Realm, the dreams I''ve had¡­ well, they''ve been affecting me too. Sigh¡­"


    Nina let out a sigh.


    Her abilities were intrinsically tied to dreams and nightmares, so it wasn''t surprising that the ongoing war had influenced her deeply.


    The others could only sigh helplessly. Nina''s condition was something she alone had to resolve.


    As long as she insisted she was fine, they could only respect her boundaries.


    "It''s good that you''re all back," Daniel said as he walked over, accompanied by Elise, Big White, and Lily.


    "Lily, let me introduce you!" Big White began, enthusiastically introducing Lily to the group.


    "This is my big sister!"


    "Big Sister, hello!" Lily greeted immediately.


    Rose chuckled at the scene and said, "Lily, hello. Don''t listen to him¡ªjust call me Rose."


    "Okay, Rose!"


    "This is Reed."


    "Reed, hello!"


    "Hello, Lily." Reed smiled warmly.


    "And this is Nora."


    "Nora, hi!"


    "Let me tell you, Lily¡ªNora plays the most beautiful music!"


    "Really?" Lily looked at Nora expectantly.


    "That''s right. If you ever can''t sleep at night, I''ll play you a lullaby."


    "Yay! Thank you, Nora!"


    "And this is Nina. But stay back a little, or you might have nightmares!"


    "Big White, are you asking for a beating?" Nina retorted, raising her hand to smack him.


    Big White quickly dodged.


    Lily, meanwhile, looked curiously at Nina.


    "Nina, I feel like I''ve seen you before!"


    "Huh? Where did you see Nina before?" Big White asked, equally puzzled.


    After all, he didn''t recall any time Lily could''ve met Nina. He had been looking after Lily for years and hadn''t seen Nina himself.


    "In my dreams! Nina was always sitting by the lake, crying."


    "Wha¡ªNo way! Don''t make things up! You must be mistaken!" Nina stammered, quickly pulling Green into the conversation.


    "This is Green. Say hello!"


    "Green, hi!" Lily obediently greeted him.


    With Green''s help, Nina managed to divert attention from the awkward moment.


    Though everyone chose not to press the issue, Daniel knew the truth.


    The lake Lily mentioned was likely the deepest part of the God Realm¡ªthe convergence of all nightmares. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Given the constant death and despair brought by the war in recent years, it was no surprise that Nina had been affected.


    Ultimately, this was something Nina had to overcome herself. If she could, she might even break through to God King in one step.

 Chapter310-The Arrival of All Parties!

    No one else could help Nina. Daniel understood this well.Perhaps others also understood, at least partially, which was why no one pointed it out. They would wait until Nina came to terms with it herself¡ªperhaps then, she would choose to share it with them.


    "Alright, everyone, take a seat," Daniel said, gesturing for everyone to sit down.


    "This time, the God Realm may very well be on the brink of a major upheaval," Daniel said, looking at everyone. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "An upheaval? Isn''t humanity and the Beast Clan preparing to negotiate in Ascension City?" Rose asked, puzzled.


    She and the others were unaware of the God Realm Apocalypse and its implications, so they naturally had such questions.


    "In truth, I suspect that the God Realm Apocalypse may be on the verge of beginning. That''s why the factions in the Sun and Lunar God Realm have moved so quickly to negotiate with the Beast Clan," Daniel explained.


    "But what exactly the Apocalypse entails, no one knows for sure. From the information I''ve gathered so far, only by being within the Sun and Lunar God Realm does one have a chance of surviving the Apocalypse."


    Daniel''s words left everyone in silence. After a long pause, Rose finally spoke.


    "This¡­ this is terrifying!"


    "To force others to flee the Sun and Lunar God Realm just to secure their own survival¡­ isn''t that too cruel?"


    Clearly, the group wasn''t as slow-witted as the Five-Element God King. A slight hint from Daniel was enough for them to grasp the key point.


    "Exactly. This so-called war in the Sun and Lunar God Realm was essentially a transaction between its factions and the Beast Clan," Daniel said, pausing to give them time to process his words. Then, he continued, "So, for the time being, none of you should leave here. Stay in Crossbridge Academy. Only consider venturing out after you''ve reached God King rank."


    The God Realm would undoubtedly undergo drastic changes in the future.


    Even then, Daniel speculated that merely becoming a God King might not be enough to avoid the Apocalypse. After all, this was an event that even those above God King rank feared deeply, driving them to desperate measures to enter the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    This clearly indicated that the Apocalypse was no simple matter.


    However, once his companions reached God King rank, they would at least have the means to escape back to the Five-Element God Realm should they face danger. With Daniel present, they would be safe.


    "We''ll do as the headmaster says," the group replied, one by one.


    The conversation shifted to sharing their experiences in the God Realm over the past few years. Some stories were filled with hardships, others with joy.


    Suddenly, a message came from the Five-Element God King.


    "Big Brother, they''re here!"


    From this message, Daniel immediately understood that the "they" referred to the factions from the Sun and Lunar God Realm and the Beast Clan.


    "I see. I''ll be in Ascension City, so don''t worry. Nothing will go wrong."


    "Got it, Big Brother!"


    Reassured by Daniel''s words, the Five-Element God King felt a surge of confidence.


    Turning to the group, Daniel said, "Alright, let''s head to Ascension City together and see how this negotiation unfolds."


    With that, Daniel led everyone to Ascension City.


    Meanwhile, in various other god realms, countless people gathered around the projection stones, their eyes glued to the live broadcast.


    Despite the large crowds, there was no noise. Even discussions were kept to quiet whispers.


    As for the wealthy, they accessed the Godlink Consortium''s virtual platform to watch in private.


    Yes, the Godlink Consortium offered a special service, allowing the upper echelons to view the negotiations in their own exclusive space, free from outside interference.


    Why did the consortium go to such lengths? Naturally, because their largest client was the Five-Element God Realm, and this entire projection setup had been commissioned by them.


    The live broadcast began with the Five-Element God King and the Fox God King making their appearance, followed by other God Kings from the Five-Element God Realm, showcasing the realm''s strength.


    "Wow, the Five-Element God Realm doesn''t seem weak at all!"


    "With this many God Kings, and even some from the Beast Clan, they''re certainly living up to their claim of equality among races!"


    "Indeed. And didn''t I hear that the Greenwood God Realm is allied with the Five-Element God Realm? That''s impressive!"


    Most viewers were unaware of Daniel''s presence within the Five-Element God Realm.


    "Honey, do you think it was a bad idea to reveal all our God Kings at once? This is basically showing all our cards," the Five-Element God King whispered to the Fox God King.


    The Fox God King''s expression turned complex.


    "Is it possible¡­ that even all of our so-called cards combined wouldn''t measure up to one of Big Brother''s fingers?"


    The Five-Element God King fell silent. He couldn''t argue with that.


    Soon after, the teleportation array lit up, and one by one, the God Kings of the top factions arrived.


    These were figures who had once shaken the God Realm with their deeds.


    Among them were some unfamiliar faces¡ªindividuals who appeared ordinary yet stood at the forefront, clearly acting as representatives.


    The Five-Element God King stepped forward and greeted them.


    "Distinguished guests, this negotiation is of monumental importance, so I have personally come to welcome you¡­"


    Watching this scene, countless God Kings in other god realms felt an overwhelming sense of envy.


    These figures arriving through the teleportation array represented the pinnacle of the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    To even show one''s face before them would be a once-in-a-lifetime honor.


    But here was the Five-Element God King, basking in the spotlight!


    Then, his tone shifted.


    "But let me remind you of something!"


    "The Five-Element God Realm is a land of peace. Any private duels are strictly prohibited!"


    "Violators will be expelled from the Five-Element God Realm, permanently banned from ever returning!"


    "Consider yourselves warned!"


    The Five-Element God King''s bold declaration echoed in everyone''s minds, lingering long after the words had been spoken.


    "Is this guy insane?"


    "They''re only holding the negotiations here because it''s convenient. Does he really think he''s all that?"


    "This won''t end well¡­ Someone''s going to lose it."


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    In the crowd, an elderly man stepped forward and spoke coldly.


    "Five-Element God King, are you abandoning your allegiance to humanity and siding with the Beast Clan?"


    "And who are you?" the Five-Element God King retorted. "Don''t try to guilt-trip me. If you don''t want to negotiate, then leave. Oh, and feel free to have your family withdraw from the Sun and Lunar God Realm, too."


    His words were sharp, leaving the elder speechless.


    The man''s face turned red as he tried to respond.


    "Well¡­ My House Theseus¡­"


    He paused abruptly, his expression shifting.


    "I apologize. My earlier words were out of line. We will strictly adhere to the rules here."


    "Good. It''s always admirable to correct one''s mistakes. Now, follow me to the negotiation venue in Ascension City," the Five-Element God King said with a smirk.

 Chapter311-Both Parties Arrive

    At that moment, upon witnessing the scene, almost everyone was utterly stunned.Because¡­


    The old man who spoke first belonged to none other than House Theseus, the undisputed top family in the Lunar God Realm!


    For such a supreme God King, to dare to reprimand a member of the 5-Element God King face-to-face¡ªwas he genuinely tired of living and eager to learn what it felt like to die?


    Everyone believed that the 5-Element God King''s actions would inevitably lead to one outcome.


    Yet, no one anticipated what actually transpired.


    The ultimate result? The God King from the Lunar God Realm, the very pinnacle of its top family, apologized voluntarily?


    This¡­ this was impossible!!!


    The onlookers simply could not imagine such a thing happening!


    How could this be?


    Something so outrageous¡­


    Had it truly unfolded right before their eyes?


    That 5-Element God King had actually reprimanded the God King of House Theseus.


    And that Lunar God Realm figure, a towering existence, didn''t offer even the slightest rebuttal.


    Instead, they obediently apologized!


    Good heavens, am I still dreaming?


    Why would a figure so prominent in the God Realm, among its elite, bow down to the 5-Element God King?


    In this instant, many people found their understanding of the 5-Element God King completely shattered and rebuilt.


    Originally, they thought the 5-Element God King was merely a reckless fool, unafraid of death, rashly reprimanding someone way out of their league.


    But unexpectedly¡­


    That God King apologized!


    So, this must mean¡­


    There''s undoubtedly something extraordinary about the 5-Element God Realm!


    Otherwise, how could they compel such a formidable figure to apologize?


    No one else could pull this off.


    At this moment, even more people became captivated by the audacity of the 5-Element God King.


    But more so, they were drawn to his confidence.


    Because for him to act so boldly, yet remain unharmed, it was impossible for him to have no backing.


    The 5-Element God King must have someone behind him, someone capable of standing toe-to-toe with House Theseus, allowing the Lunar God Realm figure to back down so decisively.


    Otherwise¡­


    As a member of one of the top families in the Sun & Lunar God Realm, how could they possibly apologize to a God King from an unknown realm?


    It didn''t make sense! Not exterminating their entire family would already be considered mercy.


    Thus¡­


    There must be deeper reasons at play, and that reason was¡­


    House Theseus dared not escalate matters here. They feared the 5-Element God King.


    Otherwise, there''d be no need for apologies¡ªthey could simply ignore him or even humiliate him.


    After all¡­


    The arrogance of the Sun & Lunar God Realm''s top-tier families was widely known.


    Even if not known personally, surely rumors had been heard, right? S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These elite families were all high and mighty, looking down on middle-tier or smaller factions. Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire


    As for the 5-Element God Realm?


    It was nothing more than a remote and inconsequential realm.


    In fact, many of the spectators watching through projection stones had no idea where the 5-Element God Realm was located.


    Let alone those haughty families from the heart of the God Realm.


    For such an apology to occur was, in itself, proof of extraordinary capability.


    Daniel hovered in mid-air, watching the scene unfold.


    Big White sighed:


    "Ah, no fight. I was hoping for some action!"


    "If I weren''t here, there might have been a fight," Daniel said, glancing in a certain direction with a smile.


    "Oh, Dad, you mean that guy didn''t dare make a move because he saw you?"


    "It wasn''t him who saw me, but the people behind him," Daniel replied as he descended.


    By now, there wasn''t much left to see.


    After the 5-Element God King escorted everyone into the pre-arranged negotiation venue, he joined Daniel and the others.


    "Big Brother, so you were here all along!"


    The 5-Element God King''s voice trembled slightly, clearly revealing that his earlier composure had been forced.


    After all, this was his first time facing such a grand spectacle.


    When confronted by the Lunar God Realm''s God King, he had been terrified.


    But remembering that Daniel had his back, he had managed to act confidently.


    In hindsight, though, he realized he might have been overly bold at the time.


    What if the opponent had been reckless¡­


    He didn''t dare imagine.


    "Don''t worry, nothing will happen," Daniel reassured.


    "And you should focus on improving your strength."


    Daniel glanced at the 5-Element God King as he spoke.


    Over the years, the 5-Element God King''s strength had barely improved, remaining at the God King level.


    Even the Fox God King was close to surpassing him.


    Years ago, Daniel had given the 5-Element God King thousands of drops of Life Elixir.


    "Big Brother is right. You should prioritize your own strength. I bet you handed out the Life Elixir as rewards to others, didn''t you?" said the Fox God King, chiming in.


    "Well¡­ I was only thinking about the development of the 5-Element God Realm! As its leader, there''s been so much to manage in recent years. So, I used the Life Elixir as incentives¡­"


    "Enough. Take this and focus on improving yourself," Daniel said, handing over another vial.


    Inside were yet another few thousand drops of Life Elixir.


    Let''s just hope this guy doesn''t squander them again.


    The 5-Element God King, holding the vial, felt a bit embarrassed.


    "Thank you, Big Brother."


    "Alright, take a break. You look tense¡ªsweating even," Daniel said, glancing at him.


    "Well, of course! Those words might''ve seemed simple, but it felt like the entire God Realm was watching me! I was so nervous!"


    The 5-Element God King finally relaxed, chuckling.


    "Big Brother, the Beast Clan seems to have arrived. I''ll head over first," the Fox God King said before departing.


    The Beast Clan''s arrival caused no disturbances, thanks to the Fox God King and several other Beast Clan God Kings who had previously worked together.


    Everything proceeded smoothly as they entered the arranged venue.


    "This negotiation should start soon, right?"


    "Those beasts look fiercer than ever!"


    "Tell me about it! Can this negotiation really succeed?"


    "It will! With so many of us humans here, we''ll crush the negotiations!"


    "Idiot. If we were truly that strong, we wouldn''t have been forced to the negotiation table. We''d have driven the Beast Clan out of the Sun & Lunar God Realm long ago!"


    "Instead of sitting here negotiating with them!"


    "¡­"


    These words quickly shattered the prior belief in human dominance.


    Indeed.


    Despite being humans, it was hard to muster confidence this time.


    If humans could truly win, there wouldn''t have been such an exodus from the Sun & Lunar God Realm.


    It should''ve been the Beast Clan that left instead!


    The venue had been designed with the Beast Clan''s large sizes in mind.


    Though appearing modest from the outside, it was surprisingly spacious within, thanks to a carefully constructed magic array.


    The 5-Element God Realm and Godlink Consortium teams were jointly live-streaming the negotiations.


    The interior was lavish and vast, providing ample room for the God Kings of both factions to negotiate.


    Yet Daniel knew the outcome of these talks had long been determined.


    At this point, it was merely procedural.


    Or perhaps a final tug-of-war over marginal interests to conclude the conflict.


    Big White, viewing everything firsthand, was thoroughly entertained.


    For him, these so-called negotiations were essentially no different from an argument:


    You propose, I refute; I propose, you refute.


    In the end, Big White was satisfied.

 Chapter312-The Tedious Negotiations

    Aside from Big White, even the audience watching through the projection stones from across the God Realm felt thoroughly entertained.They were exceptionally satisfied.


    After all, when else would they have the chance to witness such a scene?


    These were the top-tier powerhouses of the God Realm, bickering and haggling as though they were buying goods at a marketplace.


    It was simply too amusing.


    Perhaps because they were so engrossed in the argument, two God Kings even appeared ready to fight at one point.


    But for some reason, as if by an unspoken agreement, both parties simultaneously stopped, lowered their weapons, and ceased speaking altogether.


    Daniel, however, had no interest in watching such antics.


    Since Big White was so invested, Daniel let him enjoy the spectacle.


    Daniel himself only needed to wait for the final outcome.


    His purpose in being there was merely to observe the God Kings and those behind them.


    The first round of negotiations lasted almost an entire day and night.


    When it finally ended, Daniel noticed that the 5-Element God King''s eyes were bloodshot.


    "What''s wrong?" Daniel casually asked.


    The 5-Element God King didn''t answer. Instead, he slumped into a chair, utterly dejected.


    "Don''t even ask, Big Brother. Honestly, I''m starting to suspect whether they came here to negotiate or to start another war¡­"


    Throughout the entire process, the 5-Element God King had been on edge, fearing a fight might break out at any moment.


    Yet somehow, just like a miracle, both sides repeatedly pulled back at the last second.


    Tensions would escalate, then subside, only to rise again¡­


    The cycle of near-conflict felt like an endless loop.


    And everyone involved seemed remarkably adept at dragging things out.


    They had argued over everything¡ªfrom the fall of the ancient Divine Dynasty to the birth of the God Realm itself.


    In the end, the humans demanded that the Beast Clan vacate all human territories and pay massive reparations.


    Without these conditions, peace would be impossible.


    On the other hand, the Beast Clan insisted that the humans officially recognize their sovereignty in the God Realm.


    Furthermore, they claimed the Sun & Lunar God Realm as their rightful domain, demanded the humans evacuate, and insisted that reparations be paid for the million years they had been excluded from the God Realm''s core.


    Unless these demands were met, the Beast Clan declared, peace was off the table.


    After hearing these terms, the 5-Element God King concluded that neither side was genuinely interested in peace.


    Both appeared to have come with the intent to resume the war.


    "It really does seem that way. I was listening with you, Uncle 5 Elements, and honestly, both sides'' demands are ridiculously unreasonable. Dad, why don''t they just keep fighting instead of making these absurd demands?"


    Big White chimed in with a complaint.


    At first, he had found the proceedings quite entertaining.


    But as time went on, it became increasingly dull.


    This war of words was far less exciting than an actual battle.


    All this back-and-forth posturing¡ªwithout any fighting¡ªwas utterly boring.


    "That''s just how negotiations work. You make your demands, they make theirs, and the two sides push and pull, argue and refute, until eventually arriving at a mutually acceptable outcome. That''s why I didn''t bother watching them bicker and decided to just wait for the result."


    Daniel smiled as he addressed the two.


    "Oh, I see. In that case, I won''t bother watching either! It''s so boring. I''d rather tell Lily a story than listen to these God Kings!"


    Big White flopped onto the table with a sigh.


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    The 5-Element God King, however, wasn''t so fortunate.


    As a neutral party, he was required to be present at all times for such proceedings.


    Now that the first round of negotiations had concluded, he finally had a moment to rest.


    And in that brief respite, he began plotting ways to slack off during the second round.


    With the way things were going, it was obvious the negotiations wouldn''t reach a resolution anytime soon.


    The demands from both sides were far too outrageous for any consensus to be achieved quickly.


    Even during the few days of ongoing negotiations, there had been small-scale skirmishes in the Sun & Lunar God Realm.


    Sometimes the humans provoked the Beast Clan, and sometimes it was the other way around.


    Although no large-scale battles broke out, such minor clashes were inevitable.


    The humans of the Sun & Lunar God Realm weren''t going to capitulate easily.


    As time dragged on, they believed that the scales of victory would ultimately tip in their favor.


    Such confidence was unwavering among these top-tier factions.


    As for the Beast Clan, their stance was even simpler:


    If they couldn''t enter the Sun & Lunar God Realm, they were prepared to fight to the death, determined to drag their enemies down with them.


    And so, the stalemate persisted.


    The Beast Clan''s all-or-nothing approach meant that even if the humans of the Sun & Lunar God Realm eventually achieved victory, it would be a Pyrrhic one.


    Survivors would likely be few.


    Was it really worth it?


    But the problem was, neither side was willing to agree to the other''s terms.


    Thus, the deadlock continued.


    Those in other parts of the God Realm watching the negotiations began to feel uneasy.


    The Beast Clan''s demands were terrifying.


    If they successfully conquered the Sun & Lunar God Realm, these demands would no longer be hypothetical¡ªthey''d become reality.


    On the other hand, if the war dragged on, there was the fear that its flames might eventually spread to their own domains.


    In truth, such worries from ordinary people were entirely unnecessary.


    This conflict had nothing to do with them.


    The Beast Clan''s activities were confined to the Sun & Lunar God Realm.


    Once again, the 5-Element God King appeared before Daniel, utterly exhausted.


    "Big Brother, you''ve got it easy, not caring or worrying about anything. I''m genuinely worn out¡­"


    "Honestly, I''m starting to think they really do intend to fight. The tension grows thicker by the day¡­"


    The 5-Element God King lamented.


    Several times now, he had felt certain that hostilities were about to break out.


    "It''s fine. If they start fighting, don''t stop them. Just watch. If they break anything, tally it up and charge them a hundredfold in compensation."


    "Huh? Can we really do that?"


    "Why not? This venue was specially prepared by the 5-Element God Realm for the first-ever negotiations between humans and the Beast Clan. Every detail, every emotion, is steeped in the spirit of equality. And that spirit is priceless. Make a note of that."


    "Got it! If they break anything, I''ll charge them on the spot!"


    The 5-Element God King''s mood instantly improved, his face lighting up with joy.


    This was the way to handle things! Big Brother always had the best ideas!


    "Now I''m kind of hoping they do start fighting!"


    As soon as the 5-Element God King finished speaking, an angry voice suddenly rang out.


    It was the voice of a top God King from House La. in the Sun God Realm.


    "Blood Dragon! You Beast Clan scum! You''ve gone too far! Do you really think I''m afraid to act?"


    Immediately, another sharp voice retorted:


    "Act? Ha! You humans are nothing but cowards! Go ahead, act! See if I laugh myself to death! What good would that do for you?"


    This second voice belonged to none other than the Blood Dragon of the Beast Clan.


    The tone of their exchange made it abundantly clear: a fight was imminent.


    And this was all happening during a live broadcast!


    If they actually started fighting¡­


    The 5-Element God King''s mind raced, calculating how much divine stone compensation would be owed.


    "5 Elements, your mouth really is something else¡­ It''s like whatever you say comes true!"


    A true jinx.


    "Big Brother, I''m heading over to keep an eye on things. If they break anything, I''ll charge them ten times its value!"


    With that, the 5-Element God King swiftly departed.


    Daniel, meanwhile, wiped the smile from his face.


    He knew that this impending conflict was likely a deliberate provocation.


    Without the backing of the powers behind them, those two God Kings wouldn''t dare act so boldly.


    It was clear: the forces behind both the humans and the Beast Clan were testing him. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Did they want to gauge his strength up close?


    Daniel was now curious to see exactly what gave them the confidence to try something like this.

 Chapter313-The True Motive

    At first, Daniel had thought that choosing this location for the negotiations was simply because, within the 5-Element God Realm, it was a neutral zone for both the humans and the Beast Clan.Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire


    This neutrality seemed to satisfy both parties.


    However, after today''s events, it was clear that the true motive was something else entirely.


    The real target appeared to be Daniel himself.


    More specifically, it was the God King Beyond Rank who stood behind the 5-Element God Realm.


    That was why this situation had unfolded today.


    Daniel''s gaze grew colder.


    If they wanted to test him, they''d better be prepared to face his wrath.


    In an instant, Daniel''s figure vanished.


    The 5-Element God King arrived at the negotiation site.


    By now, the two God Kings¡ªone human and one from the Beast Clan¡ªhad already left the venue and taken to the skies.


    Otherwise, their voices wouldn''t have carried so far.


    Of course, it was also possible that they had done this intentionally.


    "Your Beast Clan will be annihilated to the last!"


    Aurelian La declared.


    He was a powerful God King from House La., serving as their representative in the negotiations.


    "Who''s afraid of whom? Human God Kings are unworthy opponents for us! Today, I''ll show you that humans are nothing but trash!"


    The Blood Dragon God King retorted with equal contempt.


    At this moment, those watching through the projection stones began to feel uneasy.


    They had come to see a resolution to the war, not to witness the two sides clash again!


    If a fight broke out here¡­


    Wouldn''t the 5-Element God Realm get caught up in the flames of war?


    After days of promotion, many who had come to know the 5-Element God Realm through the projection stones had developed a deep admiration for it.


    But now¡­


    Would this Shangri-La be destroyed today?


    Many people couldn''t bear the thought.


    How wonderful it would be if the 5-Element God Realm could survive this crisis unscathed!


    Unfortunately, that seemed impossible now.


    The negotiations were on the verge of collapsing.


    And if a fight broke out during the talks, everyone knew what would follow:


    The negotiations would break down entirely.


    The war would reignite.


    And the first battleground of this new war would undoubtedly be the 5-Element God Realm.


    This was why so many people hoped to avoid such an outcome.


    But hope alone couldn''t change reality.


    Unless someone stepped in now to stop the fight from happening¡­


    But that seemed unlikely.


    At this moment, the 5-Element God King appeared!


    "Stop!"


    A booming voice reverberated across Ascension City.


    The two God Kings who were about to clash froze, turning to look in the direction of the voice.


    Every camera, every gaze, was now fixed on the 5-Element God King.


    Yes, it was the 5-Element God King who had shouted.


    He had arrived.


    As the leader of the 5-Element God Realm, its final hope, could he stop this war from erupting?


    All eyes were on him, filled with anticipation.


    "That''s the 5-Element God King!"


    "He''s here! He''ll definitely stop the fighting!"


    "Exactly! He said as much before the negotiations began!"


    "Come on, don''t kid yourselves. Do you even know what kind of power the 5-Element God King has? Do you understand the strength of Aurelian La from House La., or that of the Blood Dragon God King from the Beast Clan?"


    "True. Honestly, it''s ridiculous how some people blindly praise him. The 5-Element God King is just an ordinary God King from a small, insignificant realm. How can he compare to these top-tier beings?"


    "Still, it takes guts to call for a halt in such a situation. I wouldn''t dare. So I respect him!"


    "Right! The 5-Element God King is a true man of courage!"


    "The bravest God King of humankind!"


    "¡­"


    The 5-Element God King had no idea how others were discussing him at that moment.


    Right now, he was standing before two of the God Realm''s most powerful God Kings, facing their piercing gazes.


    Yet he showed no fear.


    He approached them and, with unwavering righteousness, said:


    "Fighting here¡ªis that your idea of a death wish?"


    ???


    Everyone was stunned by his words.


    They couldn''t believe what they were hearing.


    Most had expected the 5-Element God King to plead with the two God Kings for the greater good, urging them not to fight.


    Some had even imagined he might try to stop the battle by sacrificing himself.


    Or perhaps that he would join forces with the human God King to oppose the Beast Clan''s God King.


    But¡­


    Who could have predicted this turn of events?


    The 5-Element God King¡­


    Was outright scolding two top-tier God Kings?


    What was going on?


    No one could make sense of it!


    "I warned you before! Fighting during the negotiations, especially in my 5-Element God Realm..."


    "If you continue to disregard my warnings and act recklessly, then don''t bother leaving¡ªstay here forever!"


    The 5-Element God King spoke coldly, his eyes fixed on the two opposing God Kings.


    ??? S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After hearing this, the crowd fell into stunned silence.


    Their minds seemed to freeze, unable to process what they''d just witnessed.


    Was fear simply not in the 5-Element God King''s vocabulary?


    How could he say something like that?


    The entirety of Ascension City erupted.


    Both human and Beast Clan delegations were in uproar.


    And so were¡­


    All those watching through the projection stones.


    This was what the 5-Element God King had to say? It was simply too bold!


    No one could believe it¡­


    That the 5-Element God King could utter such words!


    Undoubtedly, this was a public slap in the face for both the Sun & Lunar God Realm and the Beast Clan, delivered before everyone.


    "5-Element God King!!! You will pay for this with your life!"


    Aurelian was furious beyond words.


    Though he had come here with a mission, the 5-Element God King''s attitude had made him disregard it entirely.


    All he wanted now was to kill this man!


    On the other side, the Blood Dragon God King was equally enraged.


    No matter the outcome, the 5-Element God King had to die.


    No one could save him.


    In the next moment, a radiant divine spell, blazing like the sun, appeared in Aurelian''s hand and was hurled toward the 5-Element God King.


    Simultaneously, an incredibly terrifying bloodline divine spell erupted from the Blood Dragon God King.


    From below, more God Kings emerged from the negotiation venue.


    The 5-Element God King''s earlier words had been spoken openly, without any attempt at secrecy.


    In fact, he had deliberately amplified his voice with a divine spell to ensure that everyone could hear him clearly.


    His stance was unmistakable to anyone who wasn''t deaf.


    As a result¡­


    The God Kings below couldn''t hold back any longer.


    A weaker individual had dared to speak so brazenly¡ªwhere would their dignity go if they didn''t act?


    So, in that moment, all the God Kings present launched their most powerful attacks against the 5-Element God King.


    They didn''t care about potential interference or overlapping strikes.


    Their goal was singular: to kill the 5-Element God King.


    The rest could wait.

 Chapter314-All Kneel!

    In a way, the 5-Element God King managed to reconcile the human God Kings from the Sun & Lunar God Realm and the beast clan''s God Kings.In this light, choosing the 5-Element God Realm as the venue didn''t seem like a mistake.


    At this moment, dozens of attacks were launched toward the 5-Element God King.


    The screen focused entirely on the 5-Element God King.


    "It''s over¡­ There''s no way the 5-Element God King can withstand such an attack!"


    "It''s not just the 5-Element God King! At this level, even Ascension City might be completely destroyed!"


    "For anyone less than a top-tier God King, there''s no chance to escape! Only death awaits!"


    "Alas, what a pity for the 5-Element God King¡­ Someone like him, there probably isn''t a second in the God Realm, is there?"


    "Indeed! I remember, he''s probably the one most devoted to the peace of the God Realm."


    "He attended almost every negotiation, yet every time it failed, he would leave with a sigh¡­"


    "¡­"


    Those watching the projection stone all felt regret for the imminent demise of the 5-Element God King.


    However, on the screen, there wasn''t a trace of fear on the 5-Element God King''s face.


    It was as if, at this moment, even death didn''t matter!


    This scene alone was an immense inspiration to everyone watching.


    Because they knew that the God Realm still had such a person.


    Someone unafraid of death.


    Just as all the attacks were about to land on the 5-Element God King¡­


    In that instant, the world seemed to freeze; everything halted.


    Even the attacks.


    The next moment, all the divine spells, all the attacks, dissipated before the 5-Element God King.


    Yes.


    Everything vanished, leaving the 5-Element God King entirely unharmed. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the God Kings themselves looked on in disbelief at the scene before them.


    The 5-Element God King, however, maintained his original expression, unshaken by the events.


    It was as if he had anticipated this outcome all along.


    At this moment, those watching through the projection stone were left speechless.


    What kind of terrifying power or artifact could achieve such a feat?


    To block all the attacks from so many God Kings at once¡­


    It was utterly inconceivable!


    Just looking at those attacks was daunting enough.


    The screen shifted back to the God Kings.


    At this moment, their faces turned pale for some unknown reason.


    Their entire beings seemed weighed down by an invisible force, forcing them to kneel on the ground.


    At that moment, the 5-Element God King''s voice rang out:


    "If you can''t negotiate, that''s fine; I''ll help you!"


    The calm tone of the 5-Element God King had an effect akin to a nuclear explosion.


    From beginning to end, he was composed, indifferent.


    It was as if these God Kings posed no threat to him whatsoever.


    And the truth was, they didn''t!


    The God Kings had no way of affecting the 5-Element God King.


    The entire God Realm audience watching through the projection stone was left speechless.


    The 5-Element God King''s words echoed in their minds like a morning bell and evening drum.


    "He''s so cool! I can''t take it anymore! The 5-Element God King is officially my idol!"


    "From the very beginning, was every word, every syllable, part of your plan?"


    "The 5-Element God King didn''t lie. He really could do it! Overwhelm all the God Kings!"


    "So, the propaganda about equality among all races wasn''t just empty talk!"


    "Because whether they''re Sun & Lunar God Realm God Kings or beast clan God Kings, they all have to kneel!"


    "No wonder the 5-Element God King is so confident! It turns out he has overwhelming strength to back it up!"


    "¡­"


    Those watching through the projection stone were already beyond words, their minds overturned repeatedly.


    In any case, at this moment, everyone had become fanatical supporters of the 5-Element God King.


    Because the 5-Element God King truly could achieve equality among all races!


    Perhaps only someone like him could accomplish the great task of unifying the God Realm!


    The Sun & Lunar God Realm God Kings and the beast clan God Kings all looked at the 5-Element God King with disbelief in their eyes.


    They couldn''t believe someone could possess such terrifying power.


    "No¡­ Impossible¡­ How can such a terrifying existence exist¡­"


    "Who are you, really?"


    "In today''s God Realm, how can there be someone like you? This is simply impossible!"


    "¡­"


    At this moment, Daniel suddenly appeared.


    Because he heard what Aurelian had said: "in today''s God Realm." Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire


    "What do you mean by ''today''s God Realm''?"


    Seeing the figure suddenly appear before him, Aurelian suddenly realized something. This person might be the one behind the 5-Element God King!


    The aura on this figure was completely inscrutable, as if he were an ordinary person.


    "So, does that mean there was a ''former God Realm'' as well?"


    Before Aurelian could answer Daniel''s question, he remained caught up in shock over Daniel''s identity.


    A rank above God King.


    He had indeed encountered such beings before.


    Even quite a few.


    Because House La. had a patriarch above the God King rank.


    Among forces with such individuals, there was at least some level of mutual understanding.


    But this entirely unfamiliar existence above the God King rank before him¡ªwhere did he come from?


    Seeing that Aurelian didn''t intend to answer, Daniel didn''t hesitate. He extended his right hand, his fingertips touching Aurelian''s brow, and pulled.


    A vast amount of memories was forcibly extracted from Aurelian''s mind.


    Daniel didn''t plan to show any mercy.


    Since they wanted to test him through the 5-Element God Realm, they had to be prepared to bear his wrath.


    And this method was just a small interest payment.


    Aurelian screamed in agony.


    Having memories forcibly extracted from his brain was tantamount to having his soul torn apart.


    He could only endure this inhuman torment, his body immobilized by Daniel''s power.


    At this moment, a terrifying aura emanated from behind him, accompanied by a single phrase:


    "Friend, show mercy. Let''s talk."


    Daniel ignored it, continuing to extract the memories.


    "Friend, we were wrong. Please spare his life!"


    "We have a common enemy. If we stand against each other, the God Realm may not survive!"


    After reviewing the extracted memories, Daniel found nothing of value and stopped his actions.


    "Who are you?"


    The aura from the other side was far stronger than any of the beings above the God King rank Daniel had previously sensed.


    "Yes, stronger even than those few hiding in certain places right now."


    "We are the current rulers of the God Realm."


    Rulers?


    This was the first time Daniel had heard such a title.


    "Good. I have something to discuss with you as well."


    After saying this, Daniel turned to the 5-Element God King and said:


    "I''m leaving this to you. These people won''t dare try anything. Get the negotiations finalized before I return."


    "Understood, big brother. Don''t worry. I''ll get it done!" the 5-Element God King responded.


    Daniel then glanced at the hiding spots of those above the God King rank, exuding a hint of killing intent.


    The individuals there immediately lowered their heads, trembling.


    Daniel''s gaze served as a warning:


    Restrain yourselves and don''t interfere with the 5-Element God King''s work. Otherwise¡­ that killing intent would become a reality.


    With that, Daniel vanished.


    Since the other party had sent a voice transmission, Daniel naturally had a way to trace its origin.


    The atmosphere seemed to collectively sigh in relief as Daniel and the other terrifying entities left.


    The 5-Element God King looked at the gathered God Kings and said:


    "All right, my big brother is gone. Everyone¡ªbeast clan included¡ªstand up and return to the negotiation hall! This time, get the terms finalized quickly!"

 Chapter315-The Rulers

    After speaking, Daniel left to find the other party, disappearing from sight.At this moment, everyone finally understood why the negotiation location had been chosen as the 5-Element God Realm¡ªbecause such a powerful existence resided there!


    Who exactly was this person?


    Many were deeply puzzled by the scene unfolding before them.


    They saw the God Kings launching attacks, only to be suppressed. Then, a very young man appeared, approached the House La. God King, and, without any unnecessary movements, simply extended his index finger. With that simple action, vast amounts of imagery emerged from Aurelian''s brow.


    These images were all memories from Aurelian''s mind.


    These were¡­


    The memories of a top-tier God King!


    Yet they were extracted so easily and effortlessly?


    No one could believe what they were witnessing.


    "Who is this person?"


    "Why have we never seen him before?"


    "Is he a hidden powerhouse from the 5-Element God Realm?"


    "¡­"


    In the Eastern Wastes, at the God King Court


    The God Kings there were naturally observing this as well.


    When they saw Daniel appear and casually extract the memories of Aurelian, they were astounded.


    Because¡­


    This was simply too terrifying!


    "After all these years, this lord''s power remains as fearsome as ever," remarked a God King who had once fought Daniel and been defeated in a single move.


    "So this is the mysterious powerhouse you encountered in the ruins of the Life Temple?"


    "Yes, that''s him. We even extended an invitation to him, but he declined."


    "It seems he ultimately chose the 5-Element God Realm¡­"


    At this point, some things became clear.


    Why had the Greenwood God Realm suddenly announced an alliance with the relatively unknown 5-Element God Realm?


    It was likely because of this man.


    Now, seeing him suppress even the most powerful God King from the Sun God Realm''s House La., the God Kings of the court felt deep regret.


    If they had known, they would have done everything possible to build a relationship with him instead of leaving after a simple inquiry.


    Now¡­


    All they felt was remorse.


    "Do you think there''s still a chance? Perhaps we should go to the 5-Element God Realm in person. No matter what, we must establish good relations with them. This might be our only hope of surviving the Apocalypse!"


    "That makes sense. I''ll go tomorrow!"


    "I''ll go too!"


    "How about we all go together? If worst comes to worst, we can join the 5-Element God Realm ourselves."


    "Hiss¡­ That''s actually a good idea!"


    "¡­"


    Everyone agreed it made sense.


    After all, no one knew what the Apocalypse would bring or if they could survive it. Joining the 5-Element God Realm might be the best option.


    The 5-Element God Realm didn''t have many God Kings compared to others.


    So joining now wouldn''t be too late!


    The Projection Stone


    The scenes displayed on the projection stone were shocking.


    No one had imagined that the God Kings, the most powerful forces in the God Realm, could be so utterly suppressed.


    They were trampled like ants, unable to resist at all.


    For everyone watching, this was an unimaginable display of power.


    How could the attacks of the God Kings, the pinnacle of the God Realm''s strength, have no effect on the 5-Element God King?


    And how did the 5-Element God King make the God Kings kneel, seemingly unable to bear the pressure, half-kneeling on the ground, struggling?


    It wasn''t until Daniel appeared that the audience realized the truth.


    Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire


    Daniel was the mysterious powerhouse behind the 5-Element God King, capable of crushing the God Kings so thoroughly.


    Of course, the live broadcast couldn''t transmit the voices of the rulers of the God Realm.


    Thus, the audience didn''t know what had been said.


    Daniel, who had been extracting memories, suddenly instructed the 5-Element God King to pay attention to the negotiations. After issuing a few threatening remarks, he disappeared.


    Everything seemed to return to the way it was at the start.


    Now, the 5-Element God King stood dominant, while the God Kings lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.


    Although the audience didn''t know what had happened in the interim, they understood one thing:


    The war seemed to be over!


    Although the negotiations hadn''t officially begun, they had already concluded.


    Because this time, there had to be a result, and it had to be a peaceful one.


    This was what the mysterious powerhouse had demanded.


    Many people began cheering.


    They cheered for peace, for the 5-Element God King, and for the mysterious powerhouse.


    Some even packed their belongings, preparing to head to the 5-Element God Realm.


    With such a mysterious powerhouse present, the 5-Element God Realm was undoubtedly the safest place in the entire God Realm.


    In the Void


    Daniel continued flying, following the direction indicated by the voice transmission.


    Along the way, he saw various guiding markers.


    Were these left behind by the other party to prevent him from losing his way?


    For Daniel, however, they weren''t particularly necessary.


    Soon, he arrived at his destination.


    Amid the vast chaos, there was a residence exuding signs of human habitation.


    It was a small courtyard.


    An invisible barrier shielded it from the chaotic aura, protecting everything within.


    At the entrance of the courtyard, four figures seemed to be waiting for him.


    An old man, a woman, a child, and a dragon.


    When Daniel arrived, all four pairs of eyes immediately focused on him.


    Curiosity, surprise, astonishment, scrutiny¡­


    A myriad of emotions filled their gazes.


    Daniel walked in calmly, also observing the group.


    "Friend, welcome," the old man said.


    It was this old man''s voice that had been communicating with Daniel through the voice transmission, so the voice was somewhat familiar.


    "So¡­ is this where the real negotiations are taking place?" Daniel glanced at the four of them and asked.


    "Indeed," the old man replied.


    The four of them then sat around a table.


    The old man stood up and poured a cup of hot tea for everyone.


    "Friend¡­"


    The old man began to speak but was interrupted by Daniel.


    At this moment, the other three turned their eyes to Daniel.


    Daniel, however, acted as if he didn''t notice their gazes and said, S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Isn''t it a bit too early to talk about friendship? I need an explanation for what you''ve been doing lately."


    There was no trace of politeness in Daniel''s tone.


    Because these people had tried to force his hand.


    If he hadn''t acted today, those two God Kings would have fought in Ascension City.


    Daniel had no doubt about the destruction a top-tier human God King and a beast clan God King could cause.


    Thus, he was furious.


    "As a member of the God Realm, you should be aware of the state the God Realm is in now!"


    The woman among them spoke:


    "The God Realm is already on the brink of collapse. When the Apocalypse arrives, everything you hold dear will be destroyed!"


    "That''s why we must become allies, to survive the Apocalypse together and grasp that slim chance of survival!"


    The others also voiced their agreement.


    In truth, their goal in forcing Daniel to appear was to negotiate with him.


    Even though Daniel rarely acted, they acknowledged his power.


    Now it seemed their judgment was correct.


    They wanted to bring Daniel into their fold.

 Chapter316-Demanding an Explanation

    Hearing their words, Daniel nodded.At this point, he clearly understood their stance.


    These individuals didn''t seem to think they had done anything wrong.


    Everything they had done was for one purpose: the God Realm.


    As long as it was for the future of the God Realm, any action could be justified.


    It was as if slapping that purpose onto their actions absolved them of all guilt, elevating them to a moral high ground.


    But Daniel¡­


    He never subscribed to such logic.


    Moral coercion?


    Sorry, he wasn''t interested.


    Daniel had no sense of belonging to the God Realm.


    All he cared about was protecting the people around him.


    At most, he might include the 5-Element God Realm in that consideration.


    "Whether the God Realm is destroyed or not doesn''t concern me."


    "And how I survive the Apocalypse has nothing to do with you."


    "As I said, if you can''t give me an explanation for your actions this year, then there''s no need for us to continue this conversation."


    Daniel''s tone was calm but carried a palpable threat.


    The group frowned.


    They hadn''t forced Daniel out to fight him but to use the God Realm''s greater good to persuade him to join their cause.


    However, Daniel''s attitude was shockingly resolute¡ªfar beyond their expectations.


    His stance was firm and utterly unconcerned, as if he didn''t fear the impending Apocalypse at all.


    Could it be¡­


    This man truly didn''t care if the 5-Element God Realm was destroyed?


    Or did he only see it as a temporary residence, indifferent to its fate?


    If that were the case, their original strategy was completely ineffective.


    Their entire plan had been to appeal to Daniel using the idea of the greater good.


    After all, as someone above the God King rank, how could he not have any attachments within the God Realm?


    Yet now, Daniel seemed entirely unrestrained, as if he truly didn''t care.


    The group was at a loss.


    After a long silence, the old man finally spoke:


    "Since you insist on an explanation, let me give you one."


    The old man spoke slowly and steadily:


    "Do you remember the time in the 5-Element God Realm when you killed that massive beast clan army with a single strike?"


    Back then, Daniel had destroyed nearly a million beast clan soldiers in one blow to prevent a joint attack by the beast clan and the human God Realm.


    He had even issued a warning to the beast clan.


    Daniel nodded.


    Of course, he remembered.


    It was precisely because of that event that he realized God Kings weren''t the highest-ranking beings in the God Realm.


    There had always been those stronger than God Kings. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However¡­


    Despite their power, these individuals rarely intervened or left any traces in the God Realm.


    Had Daniel not acted that time, they likely wouldn''t have reached out to him.


    "Was it you?"


    Daniel asked the old man.


    "It wasn''t me¡­ nor anyone here. It was others. They simply wanted to ensure that before the true Apocalypse arrived, you wouldn''t intervene again. Because when beings like us take action, we leave marks on the world."


    "Such marks can have a profound impact on the heavens and earth. When the Apocalypse comes, the heavens might prioritize settling accounts with us. That''s why those above the God King rank rarely act."


    The old man explained.


    "It was then that we took notice of you."


    Beings above the God King rank were few in the God Realm.


    A figure like Daniel, with no known background or history, was an anomaly.


    It was as if he had appeared out of nowhere.


    "How could a being above the God King rank exist without any ties?"


    It seemed impossible.


    Even the process of becoming a God King usually drew attention.


    But Daniel perfectly fit the description of someone who appeared out of thin air.


    "We wanted to learn about you, to know where you stood. So we began gathering information about you."


    After that, Daniel had ceased his interventions.


    He spent his time in seclusion, developing the 5-Element God Realm.


    "Since you no longer acted, we had no reason to seek you out. But now, things are different."


    The old man''s tone shifted, his demeanor changing as well.


    "How are they different?" Daniel asked.


    "The Apocalypse is near¡ªvery near! While we don''t know the exact timing, what was once a vague concept has now become clear. We must unite!"


    "At the very least, we need to identify who is friend and who is foe. So we used the negotiations as a pretext to draw you out. However, what we didn''t expect was¡­"


    The old man trailed off, seemingly unsure how to continue.


    "You didn''t expect my power to exceed your expectations, did you?" Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    Daniel smiled.


    The old man nodded, acknowledging Daniel''s remark.


    "You''re right. Your methods, your strength¡ªthey far surpassed what we anticipated. Under normal circumstances, someone like you shouldn''t exist in the current God Realm¡­"


    "That''s why we''re so curious about where you come from."


    Daniel hadn''t expected their honesty.


    They had answered his questions truthfully, without any attempt to conceal information.


    This left him somewhat unsure of how to proceed.


    Maintaining a hostile stance seemed unnecessary since their goal was ultimately to unite forces.


    Their methods had just been foolishly clumsy.


    These people were undeniably rigid in their ways.


    "What are your identities?" Daniel asked.


    The old man introduced himself:


    "I am La, the founder of House La."


    "I am Audrey, the creator of House Theseus," said the woman.


    "Beast God," the dragon-headed figure stated.


    Finally, the child spoke:


    "Nar, founder of the Godlink Consortium."


    Daniel glanced at the child but said nothing.


    The individuals before him were undeniably the most powerful beings in the God Realm.


    The old man and the woman were the founders of the Sun and Lunar God Realm''s most prestigious families.


    The dragon-headed figure, the Beast God, was essentially the creator of the beast clan.


    Even the child, while less imposing than the others, was not to be underestimated.


    The founder of the Godlink Consortium¡­


    Such a position held unparalleled influence in the God Realm.


    Daniel introduced himself in turn:


    "Daniel, from Crossbridge World."


    Hearing Daniel''s introduction, La was taken aback.


    Daniel¡­


    Wasn''t from the God Realm but the Mortal Realm?


    If that were the case¡­


    Some questions were finally answered.


    For instance, why Daniel had no history of development.


    After all, every being had a growth trajectory.


    To rise through the ranks inevitably involved interacting with others.


    Upon becoming a God King, one''s name would inevitably spread.


    Yet Daniel''s past was shrouded in mystery.


    No matter how much they investigated, they found no trace of him.


    It was as if he had appeared out of nowhere.


    Some had suspected he came from the Mortal Realm.


    But that idea seemed absurd.


    The Mortal Realm?


    Could it really produce someone above the God King rank?


    What kind of miraculous Mortal Realm could do that?


    Even the God Realm lacked such a Mortal Realm!


    Creating such a realm would require a Level 14 Forge¡ªa feat nearly impossible in the current God Realm.


    Yet now, Daniel had admitted it himself:


    He had ascended to the God Realm from the Mortal Realm.


    So how had he achieved it?

 Chapter317-The Truth About the Divine Dynasty and the Apocalypse

    After Daniel spoke, the others stared at him in astonishment.They couldn''t believe it!


    The Mortal Realm?


    How could a being above the God King rank possibly come from the Mortal Realm?


    God King-level Mortal Realms were rare, and only a handful of forces possessed such realms.


    But even in those realms, someone like Daniel was unheard of.


    A God Sovereign? A God Lord?


    Impossible!


    Crossbridge World¡­


    They had never even heard of it.


    It was likely not even a High God-level realm, and yet it had produced a being as terrifying as Daniel, who surpassed the God King rank.


    Who could believe such a thing?


    "How¡­ How are you so powerful?"


    La asked in disbelief.


    Hearing the question, Daniel smiled and replied:


    "Honestly, that''s something I''ve always wondered about myself."


    In fact, Daniel had searched for clues about the mysterious library within himself but had found no answers. Even the library defied his understanding.


    After Daniel''s response, the group fell into a contemplative silence.


    To become a being above the God King rank was a feat reserved for the most exceptional individuals.


    And those present were the cr¨¨me de la cr¨¨me of the God Realm.


    To others, they were the ones to be envied.


    But today¡­


    They found themselves envying Daniel.


    It was almost enough to make them grit their teeth.


    "Perhaps it''s because the Apocalypse is approaching. When it descends, it''s natural for unexpected phenomena to occur," La remarked, his tone steady.


    Among the group, his temperament was the most composed, likely due to his age and experience.


    "Perhaps."


    For now, they could only attribute it to the looming Apocalypse.


    "There''s another matter. Earlier, I heard that God King mention the ''current God Realm.'' Does that mean there was a previous God Realm? What''s the difference?"


    Daniel asked, glancing at the group.


    It was his first time hearing such terminology, which had prompted him to reveal himself in search of answers.


    However, before he could extract the memories he sought, La''s voice transmission had interrupted him.


    Hearing Daniel''s question, the group''s expressions turned heavy, and they sighed in unison, as if a burden had been lifted.


    Finally, La answered:


    "Your question confirms that you truly are from the Mortal Realm. If you were from the God Realm, someone at your level would already know these things."


    Daniel frowned, puzzled.


    "The current God Realm¡­ has long reached its limit. We, the rulers of the God Realm, are that limit. It is impossible for another being of our level to emerge."


    Still confused, Daniel pressed further.


    La continued his explanation:


    "In the beginning, when the world was born, a rare and special material emerged. Only with this material could beings of our rank¡ªthe rulers¡ªcome into existence.


    "But during the era of the Divine Dynasty, this material was almost entirely consumed. Now, in the current God Realm, only we remain. Another being like us cannot emerge¡ªexcept for you."


    La''s explanation brought clarity to Daniel. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It turned out the limitations of the God Realm itself were responsible.


    Due to the scarcity of that special material, it was nearly impossible for another being of ruler-level strength to appear.


    But Daniel was an anomaly, transcending the limits of this world.


    This was why his existence seemed so extraordinary.


    Yet¡­


    Daniel felt as if there was still untapped potential within him.


    If he fully unleashed it¡­


    What rank would he reach?


    Daniel couldn''t say for sure.


    Perhaps¡­


    It would be like his experience in the Crossbridge World¡ªwhere he couldn''t return.


    And this time, he might find himself rejected by the God Realm altogether.


    "So, currently, the so-called rulers¡­ it''s just the four of you?"


    Daniel asked, looking at the group.


    "That''s correct. Including you, that makes five," La replied.


    At that moment, Audrey interjected:


    "But beyond the sky, there are more!"


    Beyond the sky?


    Which beyond the sky was she referring to?


    Daniel was confused.


    Weren''t they already in the chaos beyond the God Realm?


    What other "beyond the sky" could there be?


    "Are you saying the Apocalypse descending upon the God Realm is coming from ''beyond the sky''?"


    If the Apocalypse and the idea of "beyond the sky" were related, Daniel could begin to understand.


    The chaos surrounding them didn''t seem peaceful.


    It appeared these ruler-level beings weren''t here to avoid something but rather to monitor something.


    "Do you know about the destruction of the Divine Dynasty?"


    Audrey continued.


    "The destruction of the Divine Dynasty¡­ I''ve been investigating it, but I''ve found no results."


    Daniel thought of the Star Map, which he had long been searching for but was still missing two fragments of.


    The fact that Audrey brought up the destruction of the Divine Dynasty likely meant it was connected to the Apocalypse originating from "beyond the sky."


    And if the Divine Dynasty had accurately predicted the Apocalypse, did that mean the dynasty''s destruction was tied to this "beyond the sky" Apocalypse?


    Daniel quickly pieced it together. Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire


    Audrey''s subsequent words confirmed his theory:


    "Over the years, we''ve uncovered some clues. During its reign, the Divine Dynasty ruled over countless worlds and fought a terrifying force across them all."


    "We now believe that this force is the Devil of Chaos."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    The Devil of Chaos¡­


    He wasn''t unfamiliar with it, having read about it before.


    These beings were gods born of chaos, innately powerful.


    Their existence predated even the creation of worlds.


    And now¡­


    These four rulers regarded them as real threats.


    "So, the Devil of Chaos destroyed the Divine Dynasty?"


    For the Divine Dynasty to leave such dire warnings, the Devils of Chaos must have been terrifying indeed.


    However, when Daniel voiced his conjecture, the others shook their heads.


    "They were possibly involved, but we can''t be certain. If the Devils of Chaos had destroyed the Divine Dynasty, the God Realm would have become their dwelling place long ago," La explained.


    But that hadn''t happened.


    The God Realm was still ruled by humans.


    "Our investigations revealed that the Divine Dynasty was indeed waging war against the Devils of Chaos. Evidence of this can be found across the worlds. Moreover, after the Divine Dynasty disappeared, the Devils of Chaos also vanished inexplicably."


    "So while the Devils of Chaos are undoubtedly connected to the Divine Dynasty''s demise, it''s unclear if they were directly responsible," Audrey clarified.


    Daniel nodded in understanding.


    There was a connection, but it wasn''t absolute.


    At this moment, Daniel recalled something from the Crossbridge World:


    The story told by the old oracle.


    The tale began with a war between gods and demons.


    If he connected it to the current events¡­


    It seemed clear: the so-called gods and demons were actually the Divine Dynasty and the Devils of Chaos.


    The story ended with the growth and decline of the Crossbridge World, but the god-demon war was left unresolved.


    How could such a massive conflict simply vanish without a trace?


    The only explanation was that both sides disappeared at a specific moment in time.

 Chapter318-What Is the Gold Board?

    Only such a conclusion, and nothing else, could make sense of everything.Daniel nodded and asked,


    "So, the God Realm''s Apocalypse refers to the Devils of Chaos, which will reappear outside the God Realm at some point in the future to resume their attack on it?"


    Audrey nodded.


    "That is our current hypothesis, and it is also the most likely explanation."


    At this point, La added,


    "The destruction of the Divine Dynasty, the disappearance of the Dark Gods, and even the vanishing of the sacred beasts that once existed¡ªthere are still many unanswered questions surrounding these events!"


    Daniel turned to the Beast God and asked, S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You''re the Beast God here. Surely you know many secrets, right?"


    Hearing Daniel''s question, the others froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.


    The Beast God''s face turned visibly pale, mixed with embarrassment.


    "Haha, the Beast God? He''s merely the current Beast God. Every ruler emerging from the beast clan inherits the title of Beast God. So no, he doesn''t know much about the past."


    "Oh, so it''s just a title¡­"


    "In truth, the current God Realm is indeed on the brink of collapse. We haven''t lied about that. Compared to its past glory, the God Realm is now far weaker than ever before¡­"


    There was no other way to describe it.


    During the era of the Divine Dynasty, the God Realm was at its most expansive and powerful, ruling over countless worlds.


    Even the special material required to create rulers was exhausted during that time.


    That period could be described as a golden age, where countless geniuses emerged.


    Otherwise, such rare resources couldn''t have been consumed to such an extent.


    However, at the height of its prosperity, the Divine Dynasty abruptly disappeared¡ªlikely due to the emergence of the chaotic gods and demons.


    After that cataclysmic battle, the God Realm seemed to have withered, and even now, it has yet to recover.


    Today¡­


    Only four rulers exist, those who ascended through normal means.


    Even a fifth ruler cannot appear because the God Realm cannot sustain so many.


    Daniel, an anomaly, reached his rank through extraordinary circumstances, not through the normal system.


    Although the exact number of rulers during the Divine Dynasty remains unclear, it was undoubtedly far more than the current four.


    This means¡­


    The strength of the God Realm has been reduced to an alarming degree.


    "That''s why we have no choice but to unite. Only by standing together can we hope to survive this Apocalypse," La said again.


    "So, your solution was to start a war and let the two races exhaust their forces first?"


    This was the part Daniel found most baffling.


    He had originally assumed the Apocalypse would involve some natural selection process, where survival became harder as populations increased.


    But he never imagined it would come in the form of an external invasion from "beyond the sky."


    Even more absurdly, these people chose to engage in infighting instead of preserving their forces, fighting among themselves to the death.


    Daniel could hardly fathom their reasoning.


    "These sacrifices were necessary. We needed to ensure that only the best from each race survived the Apocalypse," La explained.


    "Such battles had to happen."


    La wasn''t entirely wrong.


    Indeed, the top factions in the Sun and Lunar God Realms had been purged of corruption, leaving only their elite members.


    "Now that we''ve identified the true talents, the battles can end. At this point, it''s just minor skirmishes."


    "What happened today was to discuss these matters with you."


    "So, what''s next? What''s your plan?"


    Daniel asked, looking at the group.


    Having filtered out the truly outstanding individuals, what came next? Was it time to board some metaphorical "Noah''s Ark"?


    "In the time ahead, we aim to create the most ideal and prosperous environment for cultivation," La explained.


    "We want every living being to have the chance to fully realize their potential until the Apocalypse finally arrives."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded in agreement.


    After such extreme and brutal wars, the resulting peace would indeed feel hard-won.


    Moreover, in the eyes of many, the beast clan''s threat wasn''t entirely neutralized.


    The ongoing negotiations meant the beast clan would remain in the Sun and Lunar God Realms.


    When would the next war break out?


    In such an environment, a form of competition might emerge¡ªa rivalry between humans and the beast clan.


    "You''ve advanced? Then I must advance too!"


    A fear of being outgunned could develop.


    Both sides would likely think similarly:


    If the number of strong individuals on their side is too low, how can they prevent another attack?


    "Very well. If that''s the case, I have no objections. I assume peace in the God Realm will arrive once I return," Daniel said.


    After a moment''s thought, he continued,


    "By the way, I have another question. When I was told not to interfere in the God Realm, someone mentioned that during the Apocalypse, there would be something called the Gold Board. What is that about?"


    Previously, the Greenwood God King had informed Daniel that the Gold Board would select peerless talents under a hundred years old and give them the method to save the God Realm.


    Daniel remained skeptical of this claim.


    He suspected it was due to the Greenwood God King''s limited knowledge and inability to access higher-level information.


    The four before him, being the most powerful in the God Realm, would surely know the truth.


    "The Gold Board¡­ It might indeed hold the power to resist the Apocalypse," La replied.


    "But whether it can succeed, we don''t know. The Gold Board is a creation of the Divine Dynasty."


    In truth, the Gold Board was formed from the original essence of the nine most powerful rulers of the Divine Dynasty.


    They left behind their most precious essences within the Gold Board.


    When the Apocalypse comes, those who reach the Gold Board¡ªspecifically the top nine¡ªcan absorb these essences and ascend to ruler-level strength. Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire


    This was La and the others'' most significant preparation against the Apocalypse.


    When the Apocalypse arrives, they would use the Gold Board to create nine powerful rulers to fend off the threat.


    "What are the rules of the Gold Board? Or how are the inheritors chosen?"


    "We don''t know."


    La shook his head.


    "The specific rules are unclear, but what we can confirm is that those who ascend the Gold Board will almost certainly be under a hundred years old."


    A hundred years old¡ªa reasonable age.


    In the God Realm, that age represents youth.


    To achieve great power at that age is itself a sign of exceptional talent.


    The Gold Board was likely designed to find such individuals.


    Of course, raw talent without character might not suffice either¡­


    But these were Daniel''s own speculations.


    "The Gold Board will consist of nine pieces during the Apocalypse, each representing the legacy of one of the nine rulers," La explained.


    Nine pieces¡­


    Daniel pondered. Perhaps these nine Gold Boards could be an opportunity for Rose and the others to compete.


    If they succeeded, they could ascend directly to ruler-level status, becoming the pinnacles of the God Realm.


    Moreover¡­


    Being recognized by the Gold Board was itself a testament to one''s strength.


    This would be¡­


    A contest of the God Realm''s brightest talents on a level playing field.


    Battling against such talents would also be a form of training.


    How could one become the strongest without defeating their peers and claiming the Gold Board?


    La glanced at Daniel with a complicated expression.


    He hadn''t expected Daniel to lack such fundamental knowledge about the God Realm.


    Then again, considering Daniel''s ascent from the Mortal Realm, it was understandable.


    "If you have any further questions, feel free to ask," La said.

 Chapter319-A Transaction?

    This time, Daniel truly had no more questions.All his doubts had been addressed.


    The secrets of the God Realm no longer seemed so mysterious to him.


    The so-called Apocalypse was highly likely connected to the Devils of Chaos.


    If that were the case, Daniel now had a way to prepare for it.


    "I don''t have anything else. By the way, that mirror¡ªmany have said that its shattering marks the beginning of the Apocalypse. Why is that?"


    "That mirror can predict certain events. Perhaps it truly observed some sign, leading to its shattering. Most likely, it foresaw the return of the Devils of Chaos," Audrey explained.


    Daniel nodded.


    Both the 5-Element God King and the Greenwood God King had relied on that mirror to locate or lock onto certain things. The mirror seemed to possess incredibly powerful search capabilities.


    It was entirely reasonable that it could detect the revival of the Devils of Chaos.


    After receiving so many answers, Daniel now had a thorough understanding of the Apocalypse.


    Essentially, the Divine Dynasty and the Devils of Chaos had vanished after a great battle, though the reasons remained unclear.


    But the Devils of Chaos didn''t truly disappear¡ªthey showed signs of returning.


    As for the Divine Dynasty''s rulers¡­


    It seemed they were gone forever.


    However, the Divine Dynasty had left behind legacies¡ªwhether they could still be used remained uncertain.


    As for the Gold Boards, Daniel decided to let Rose and the others compete for them when the time came.


    Devils of Chaos¡­


    He would see their true nature once they appeared.


    For now, if the rulers'' strength was the benchmark, Daniel was confident he could handle them.


    "All right, I''ve understood everything I need to. I won''t interfere with your plans moving forward," Daniel said as he prepared to leave.


    The four others were visibly surprised.


    They hadn''t expected this outcome.


    They had laid out everything before Daniel. Shouldn''t he have responded in some way?


    The four were deeply puzzled.


    Currently, there were only five ruler-level beings in the entire God Realm, including Daniel.


    If these five didn''t work together now, how could they possibly defeat the Devils of Chaos and protect the God Realm?


    For any reasonable person, the natural reaction after learning these secrets would be to join them in safeguarding the God Realm''s peace.


    But Daniel''s reaction had entirely defied their expectations.


    After hearing everything, Daniel''s first response was essentially, "I know now, and I won''t interfere with you."


    But the key issue was that they weren''t seeking a non-interference agreement.


    They needed Daniel''s cooperation!


    This left the group feeling exasperated.


    "Wait!" La called out, stopping Daniel.


    "Are you truly not considering joining us?" La asked.


    "I have no intention of joining you. I admit I lack the selflessness you possess. I only wish to protect the 5-Element God Realm," Daniel replied.


    One of the God Kings showed visible displeasure.


    They had laid everything out so clearly. How could this man still not understand?


    "If the entire God Realm is destroyed by the Devils of Chaos, how can you possibly protect the 5-Element God Realm? The only way is for us to unite and fight against the Devils of Chaos!" Audrey said urgently, her tone filled with frustration.


    If the God Realm fell into the hands of the Devils of Chaos, how could Daniel alone safeguard the 5-Element God Realm?


    The best course of action was obviously to join forces, the five of them working together to protect the God Realm.


    "I have my own methods," Daniel said.


    "Your own methods? Protecting the entire 5-Element God Realm by yourself? That''s absolutely impossible!"


    "Audrey!" La intervened, stopping her from continuing.


    He noticed that Daniel''s expression had soured, and there was no need to escalate the tension further.


    La sought to ease the situation.


    "If Daniel doesn''t wish to join us, that''s fine. After all, we were already prepared to face this ourselves.


    "Finding and befriending a new ally today is already a good outcome. Rest assured, we will not target the 5-Element God Realm in the future."


    Hearing La''s words, Daniel''s expression softened.


    "That''s good to hear. I''m someone who enjoys making friends, by the way. I have some divine stones¡ªcould I trade with you for some items?"


    La''s eyes immediately filled with confusion, as did those of the others.


    Trade?


    What did Daniel mean by that? S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group was completely baffled.


    The others turned to the ruler of the Godlink Consortium.


    After all, he was the true merchant among them.


    Daniel ended up staying in the courtyard for an entire day, only leaving when he was fully satisfied.


    After Daniel''s departure, the four rulers were left in shock, still struggling to process what had just happened.


    "This¡­"


    It was as if they couldn''t accept the reality of what had just transpired.


    "Was this real?" La finally asked as he sat down, sounding as though he were talking to himself.


    The others shared his expression of disbelief.


    Nar, the ruler of the Godlink Consortium, slapped his own face as if trying to wake up and said,


    "With all my years of business experience, I feel like¡­ this can''t be real."


    "This¡­ this is absolutely impossible!" Nar exclaimed.


    For even the founder of the Godlink Consortium to find the situation implausible spoke volumes about how bizarre it had been for the rest.


    What had just happened defied all logic.


    Daniel had asked to trade with them.


    For beings of their level, such an offer should hold no appeal.


    Divine stones meant nothing to them.


    And yet¡­


    Nar initially thought Daniel lacked access to purchase channels and had even considered giving him a top-tier array disk to grant him maximum credit in virtual trade systems.


    But he never expected the sheer volume of divine stones Daniel produced¡ªit was utterly staggering!


    Even Nar, the founder of the Godlink Consortium, was left astonished.


    "No matter how unbelievable it seems, it''s true¡­"


    Even Audrey, who had previously shown little enthusiasm for Daniel, now wore a complicated expression, seemingly at a loss for words.


    The sheer volume of resources Daniel offered had been overwhelming.


    "Should we¡­ calculate it? It seems Daniel spent quite a lot of divine stones here¡­" La suggested, glancing at the others.


    During that single day, Daniel had used divine stones to purchase numerous items from them.


    As rulers of the God Realm, they naturally possessed vast accumulations of treasures.


    This transaction with Daniel had been¡­ unique.


    Yes, that was the word: unique.


    It was a trading experience so novel and distinctive that they couldn''t find the right words to describe it.


    For beings of their rank, divine stones were almost meaningless¡ªmere numbers.


    How could they possibly use divine stones for trade?


    And yet, they had not only accepted but were also thoroughly shocked by the experience.


    All they could say was that Daniel''s divine stone reserves were extraordinarily vast.

 Chapter320-Daniel, the Unconventional

    "So, just how many divine stones did he take out earlier?"Audrey asked in disbelief.


    "Based on my rough estimate, the four of us combined now have about six billion," Nar replied.


    As someone who had started out as a merchant, he had an innate sensitivity to numbers.


    "I had 1.6 billion here. He bought 1.6 billion worth of items from me."


    "I''m at 2.1 billion," Nar added.


    "I had only 1.2 billion," the Beast God said in a low voice.


    "I had just over 1.4 billion," Audrey said, her expression complicated.


    "So, he spent a total of 6.3 billion divine stones from us? No, he brought out 6.3 billion divine stones all at once? Is this even reasonable?" Audrey asked, looking at the others, especially Nar.


    As the founder of the Godlink Consortium, Nar should have been the most knowledgeable.


    "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!" Nar exclaimed, visibly agitated.


    To him, such a thing shouldn''t have been possible at all.


    "This kind of situation cannot happen. I''ve calculated it before¡ªamong the top factions in the God Realm, they collectively control over 90% of all divine stones across the worlds.


    "The remaining divine stones combined wouldn''t exceed three billion!"


    "This is because the total number of divine stones across all worlds is only enough to forge two Level 14 forges," La added calmly.


    "Then how do we explain these 6.3 billion divine stones?"


    And it wasn''t just the 6.3 billion.


    Daniel had only spent 6.3 billion because he had found items worth that much among their collected treasures.


    Based on the speed at which Daniel had taken out the divine stones, it was clear he could have produced even more if needed.


    The only reason he spent just this amount was that he only found items worth buying up to that value.


    "How should I know? This defies explanation! Even as the founder of the Godlink Consortium, I can''t explain this! That man¡ªhe''s simply not normal!" Nar said, his tone bordering on despair.


    He couldn''t comprehend why this was happening.


    Daniel, as a person, couldn''t be understood using conventional logic.


    His inexplicable strength¡ª


    In a God Realm where it should have been impossible for another ruler to emerge, Daniel had become the fifth ruler.


    And he hadn''t even achieved this under their watchful eyes.


    It was likely he had ascended to ruler rank in the Mortal Realm before coming to the God Realm¡­


    No, was that even something a normal person could do?


    Leaving aside how he had managed to suppress his ascension in the Mortal Realm, what kind of Mortal Realm could sustain a ruler without being destroyed?


    Such a thing was simply unscientific!


    What''s more, Daniel''s association with the 5-Element God Realm stemmed from its connection to the Crossbridge World, which was the Mortal Realm of the 5-Element God Realm.


    In the brief time since Daniel''s visit, they had already investigated.


    The Crossbridge World was now a High God-rank world.


    In recent years, it had risen significantly in rank, having only recently reached High God status.


    A few years ago, it had been just an Earth God-rank world.


    An Earth God-rank world producing a ruler?


    Even thinking about it seemed utterly absurd.


    Yet¡­


    This bizarre event had occurred.


    All these peculiar, illogical, and unexplainable occurrences seemed perfectly natural when it came to Daniel.


    It was maddening!


    And the most astonishing part¡ªDaniel had spent all these divine stones with a smile on his face, as if he had profited from the exchange.


    Nar, with his vast business experience, understood that such an attitude could only mean one thing: Daniel still had far more divine stones at his disposal.


    To him, these 6.3 billion divine stones were merely a drop in the bucket, entirely insignificant.


    Only this explanation made sense.


    But the problem was, this explanation was the least logical one of all.


    How could one person possess so many divine stones?


    Could all the top factions of the God Realm combined even muster such a sum?


    "Should we call him back and ask?" Audrey suggested.


    "No," La immediately replied.


    "We''ve just managed to ease our relationship with him. The God Realm is in no condition to endure a battle between rulers. With the Apocalypse looming, it''s unnecessary to provoke a rare ally like him."


    "And his strength¡­ might not be any less than ours," La added cautiously.


    Daniel had become a ruler without their knowledge and could produce such an extraordinary number of divine stones.


    Who could guarantee his strength wasn''t as terrifying as his resources?


    There was no need to test him. The God Realm couldn''t afford such risks right now.


    Avoiding unnecessary trouble was the most prudent course of action.


    "If provoking him leads to animosity, he could easily turn against us. At such a critical moment, there''s no point in creating additional problems," La concluded.


    "You''re right. In the face of the Apocalypse, petty schemes are meaningless. Maintaining a good relationship with someone like him is the better approach," Audrey agreed, finally understanding.


    Daniel, as they had observed, wasn''t a bad person.


    If anything, he seemed deeply protective of those he cared about¡ªthough, at present, that concern was limited to the 5-Element God Realm.


    "Actually, we could take a different perspective. Since he likes to trade, why not keep trading with him?" Nar suggested.


    The four of them then reviewed what Daniel had purchased from them.


    The list was extensive.


    It included large quantities of rare fruits, spirit beast meat, heavenly treasures, relics of the Divine Dynasty, pills, divine spells, and more.


    While the volume was significant, these only accounted for a small portion of the 6.3 billion divine stones he spent.


    The bulk of his expenditure was on a specific type of item: Fruits of Rule.


    Yes, Daniel''s primary purchases were Fruits of Rule.


    These were the items that had consumed the majority of the divine stones.


    Fruits of Rule for God Lord, God Sovereign, and God King ranks¡ªthese accounted for the bulk of the 6.3 billion divine stones.


    Seeing this, the rulers were perplexed. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Because¡­


    Were these items even useful?


    Fruits of Rule were produced by Mortal Realms to provide shortcuts for their inhabitants, enabling them to quickly reach the realm''s power ceiling.


    However, these items were only effective for beings native to the realm that produced them. For anyone from another realm, they were entirely useless.


    They all knew Daniel hailed from the Crossbridge World, as he had openly stated.


    So why would he need these items? They would be utterly useless to him!


    Yet the key point was that Daniel had smiled when he saw these Fruits of Rule. It seemed these were the items he was most pleased to acquire.


    The very items the rulers considered the least useful were apparently Daniel''s most sought-after treasures.


    These things¡­ didn''t even taste good!


    Even Nar, who had conducted business across countless worlds, couldn''t fathom why Daniel placed such value on them.

 Chapter321-The Trade Must Continue!

    "I think¡­ when it comes to Daniel, it''s best not to dwell on his logic. There''s no need to overanalyze his actions¡ªthat''s the wisest approach."La spoke while glancing at the group, especially Nar.


    At the moment, Nar looked completely distressed, constantly tugging at his hair as if he were on the verge of collapse.


    La had no choice but to console him, advising him not to overthink Daniel''s behavior.


    After all, no matter how much they tried, the conclusion would always be the same:


    Daniel simply didn''t conform to normal logic.


    Here was a powerful ruler who somehow didn''t know basic information that even God Kings understood.


    On top of that, he possessed an absurdly large amount of divine stones.


    Given all this, having a peculiar hobby¡ªsuch as collecting those Mortal Realm Fruits of Rule¡ªseemed entirely fitting for someone as unconventional as Daniel.


    "Our primary concern now should be: How many divine stones does Daniel actually have? And how many can we trade with him for?"


    This was the crucial question.


    If Daniel had enough divine stones, they might even be able to gather enough to forge a Level 14 Forge¡ª


    A development that could provide them with an additional safeguard when the Apocalypse inevitably came.


    Hearing La''s words, the group nodded in agreement.


    He was absolutely right.


    "As for divine stones, I think we can rest easy. Earlier, when Daniel brought out his divine stones, his entire focus was on those Fruits of Rule," Nar began analyzing.


    "I know that expression all too well¡ªit''s the look of someone utterly confident in their financial resources.


    "To Daniel, the Fruits of Rule are what he values most. And when he heard the price, he didn''t hesitate at all."


    "In other words, he must have at least 12 billion divine stones on hand to feel so unconcerned."


    "Are you saying we don''t need to worry about his supply of divine stones?" Audrey asked, looking at Nar.


    "Exactly. What we should focus on now isn''t whether Daniel has enough divine stones, but how much we can trade from him. Even if it means gathering enough for a Level 14 Forge, it''ll be worth it," Nar replied.


    "If we stick to the same pricing as today, I could probably trade about 4 billion divine stones'' worth of items," La offered.


    "I''d estimate about the same," added the Beast God.


    Nar glanced at the two before saying,


    "To be honest, these Fruits of Rule are completely useless to us. If we can trade them for enough divine stones to forge a Level 14 Forge, that''s a resource that will actually make a difference in the Apocalypse." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "With the Apocalypse looming, holding onto these Fruits of Rule serves no purpose."


    After Nar finished speaking, the group fell silent.


    After a long pause, the four resumed their discussion.


    This time, they were entirely transparent with one another.


    Through their calculations, they realized that if they sold their remaining Fruits of Rule at today''s rates¡ª


    They could easily gather enough divine stones to create a Level 14 Forge!


    It wasn''t even a challenge.


    Realizing this, even Nar couldn''t help but take a deep breath.


    He had never imagined that something as difficult as forging a Level 14 Forge¡ªsomething even the Divine Dynasty barely managed¡ª


    Might actually become a reality in their hands.


    A Level 14 Forge¡­


    "Are we about to make history?" La asked, almost in disbelief.


    "For now, let''s all get prepared. Once everything is ready, we''ll reach out to Daniel together," La suggested.


    "This time, we must show utmost sincerity. We need him to accept these Fruits of Rule at all costs."


    The four readily agreed and immediately left the chaotic void, returning to their respective factions to begin preparations.


    The Fruits of Rule they were about to offer were treasures their factions had accumulated over countless years.


    It would take some effort to gather them all.


    Meanwhile, Daniel was in a great mood.


    He never imagined the rulers would have so many Fruits of Rule on hand.


    This haul would significantly accelerate Big White''s progress.


    Previously, Daniel had considered visiting high-ranking Mortal Realms to buy their Fruits of Rule one by one.


    But today, he had directly met the creators of four top factions.


    And just like that, he had acquired a massive amount in one go.


    Daniel was certain that the rulers still had more Fruits of Rule in their possession.


    However, trade was a mutual agreement.


    Forcing the issue wouldn''t be appropriate.


    For now, what he had purchased was already enough for Big White to break through to the God Sovereign rank.


    If he needed more later, he could simply approach them again.


    After all¡­


    He could always pay a little extra.


    To Daniel, divine stones were now almost irrelevant.


    Carrying around such a large number was more of a hassle than anything.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, the projection stone was broadcasting the situation at the negotiation site.


    Earlier, although the two God Kings from the human and beast clans hadn''t engaged in an actual fight, their mere presence had destroyed much of the venue.


    Now, the 5-Element God King was meticulously inspecting the damage and calculating the costs, demanding compensation from those responsible.


    The viewers watching the projection stone couldn''t help but comment.


    The 5-Element God King''s actions gave the impression of blatant extortion.


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    Was this really about encouraging peace talks between the two factions?


    The projection showed him pointing to a damaged cup, meticulously calculating its value.


    "This cup¡­ I watched it being crafted myself. It was made during the founding of Ascension City¡ªback when we were still resisting the beast clan¡­"


    After recounting a heartfelt story, he assigned a price a hundred times its actual value.


    "Isn''t this just daylight robbery? It''s just a cup! How can he justify such an outrageous price?"


    "Actually, it''s reasonable. Considering those God Kings nearly started a fight that could''ve cost the 5-Element God King his life, asking for a few divine stones is fair."


    "Exactly! These are top-tier God Kings¡ªdivine stones are nothing to them."


    "They''re lucky to still be alive!"


    "Sigh¡­ When will this all end? I just want to see the day peace finally arrives."


    Fortunately, the damage to the venue wasn''t extensive, so the compensation process was relatively quick.


    The God Kings from the Sun and Lunar God Realms and the beast clan dared not utter a single complaint.


    Even when the 5-Element God King recounted his exaggerated stories, any God King who tried to argue was immediately silenced.


    The subsequent negotiations proceeded slowly but peacefully.


    During this time, the 5-Element God King merely served tea to everyone.


    The two sides refrained from further arguments, maintaining an atmosphere of harmony.


    Finally, the 5-Element God King stood, addressing both sides:


    "I believe you all now know what needs to be done."


    Moments earlier, he had received a message from Daniel:


    The higher-ups had given their approval, and the negotiations could proceed officially.


    With the 5-Element God King''s words, the God Kings from both sides smiled and began dividing the Sun and Lunar God Realm''s territories accordingly.


    The peace talks had officially begun.

 Chapter322-Peace Arrives

    After about two and a half days, a peace treaty for the Sun & Lunar God Realm was finally laid out on the table.Representatives from both factions signed their names on it.


    This moment marked the end of the years-long war in the Sun & Lunar God Realm.


    "Well then, congratulations to everyone. From now on, we can finally pursue peaceful development."


    The God Kings from both sides didn''t look particularly pleased.


    Clearly, they still bore grudges over being extorted by the 5-Element God King earlier.


    Or perhaps they resented being forced to kneel before him under Daniel''s overwhelming pressure.


    Either way, aside from the 5-Element God King, no one seemed genuinely happy.


    But that didn''t matter.


    What mattered was that the matter had been resolved satisfactorily.


    Moreover, the live broadcast of the negotiations had greatly bolstered the 5-Element God Realm''s reputation.


    From now on, the entire God Realm would know about the 5-Element God King''s incredible feat of humbling the realm''s most powerful God Kings.


    The 5-Element God Realm would also be recognized as one of the safest places in the entire God Realm.


    During the negotiations, the 5-Element God King even received reports from Mokai, the God King.


    It seemed that more and more people were arriving in the 5-Element God Realm, having been drawn there by what they saw in the live broadcast.


    In short, everything was flourishing, moving toward prosperity.


    At the conclusion of the live broadcast, the 5-Element God King stood at the center, holding up the treaty to proclaim the arrival of peace.


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    Officials were also present to announce the final terms of the agreement.


    As previously discussed, the beast clan was granted control over one-third of the Sun & Lunar God Realm.


    This division was only possible because many smaller human factions had left the area.


    The remaining territories remained under the control of the top human factions.


    The areas surrounding the 5-Element God Realm, however, saw no beast clan presence.


    This was because the 5-Element God Realm was still steadily expanding its borders.


    Setting up beast clan territories nearby would be¡­ exceedingly risky.


    Naturally, some dissatisfaction arose.


    The contested lands had originally belonged to humans, and now they were under beast clan control due to the latter''s invasion. This was a major source of discontent.


    However, the majority of people had no objections.


    The fear and anxiety of wartime were finally over.


    Peace had come.


    They no longer had to worry about the beast clan taking over the Sun & Lunar God Realm and launching a full-scale assault on the entire God Realm.


    Shortly after the treaty was signed, a major announcement was made during the live broadcast, sending waves of excitement throughout the God Realm.


    This wasn''t just any announcement.


    All the top factions in the Sun & Lunar God Realm were opening their resources to the public!


    Yes, all their training resources, secret realms, and more were now accessible to the entire God Realm.


    Of course, there were conditions.


    These benefits were primarily available to those with exceptional talent.


    Ordinary or less gifted individuals could still try their luck, though the benefits for them were limited.


    Alchemy, forging, enlightenment, divine spells¡­


    Every resource imaginable was now available.


    Even the beast clan contributed its own resources.


    This exchange wasn''t restricted by race¡ªboth humans and beast clan members could access each other''s offerings.


    Such generosity silenced many of the lingering disputes.


    After all, wars and peace agreements might seem distant concerns for the average person, but tangible benefits? Those were immediate.


    Although the secret realms were limited to those with talent, how could anyone know their potential without trying?


    What if they were one of the chosen?


    It cost nothing to try. After all, who wouldn''t take a chance?


    With so many enticing opportunities, many set out for the Sun & Lunar God Realm.


    ¡­


    Back in the 5-Element God Realm, Daniel returned to Crossbridge Academy with a few of his students.


    "Headmaster, those secret realms in the Sun & Lunar God Realm sound fascinating! Why aren''t you letting us go?" Nina asked.


    She and the others had planned to go but were stopped by Daniel, who promptly brought them back to the academy.


    "There''s no need to go now. Most of the resources they''re offering are junk¡ªnothing worth your time. The truly valuable treasures are still hidden away," Daniel explained.


    "They probably won''t bring those out until the Apocalypse begins."


    Although the rulers had spoken righteously during their earlier conversations, Daniel knew they wouldn''t easily part with their most prized possessions.


    Those key resources would likely remain sealed away until the Devils of Chaos appeared and concrete threats loomed.


    After all, these were beings who had lived countless years.


    It was impossible for them to expose their trump cards so early.


    "So¡­ what should we do then, Headmaster? Are we just going to wait around?" Nina asked.


    "Don''t worry. Use this time to settle yourselves. I suspect there will soon be a grand competition across the entire God Realm for those under a hundred years old," Daniel said.


    If the Gold Board truly existed, as they had claimed, then it would likely be unveiled soon.


    Granting the Divine Dynasty''s nine rulers'' abilities would take time.


    It couldn''t be done in an instant.


    These secret realm openings were likely just a precursor. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A Gold Board competition would inevitably follow.


    "Oh! Is it like the competition Rose participated in before? I want to go too! I''ll definitely place high!" Nina exclaimed.


    She had heard about how Rose and Reed had made a name for themselves in a similar competition.


    Daniel glanced at Nina and then addressed everyone.


    "This competition will be far different from the last one. This time, it''s the God Realm''s finest.


    "Let me put it this way: When I visited the Greenwood God Realm and spoke with the Greenwood God King, he told me something interesting.


    "The Greenwood God Realm held a similar competition, and the winner¡ªa God King under a hundred years old¡ªwas deemed too weak by the Greenwood God King, who decided to select someone else."


    "In other words, among the top factions, there are incredibly strong God Kings.


    "These are the opponents you''ll face in this competition."


    Over the past few years, Rose and the others had endured numerous trials.


    But they had never faced the young elites of the Sun & Lunar God Realm''s top factions.


    Those opponents would be legitimate God Kings.


    In fact, some would be stronger than God Kings who ruled entire realms.


    For the five students, their current levels still fell short.


    Hearing Daniel''s words, the five became visibly serious.


    They could sense the formidable nature of their future opponents from his tone.


    The God Realm was vast.


    Even Rose and Reed, who had ventured beyond the 5-Element God Realm, had barely scratched the surface of the Sun & Lunar God Realm.


    They had yet to encounter the so-called "young elites."


    But in the upcoming competition, such elites would undoubtedly emerge.


    A God King rank? That would merely be the baseline.


    "Alright, don''t worry too much. I''ve prepared plenty of resources for you. You''ll surpass them in no time¡ªI believe in your abilities," Daniel reassured them.


    "For now, go back and wait for my word."

 Chapter323-Ninas Dilemma

    As the others were preparing to leave, Daniel spoke up and stopped Nina."Nina, stay behind."


    Nina paused and turned to look at Daniel.


    The others left, though Rose had a suspicion¡ªit was likely about Nina''s own issues.


    They had all noticed that Nina seemed to be struggling recently, especially since arriving in the God Realm.


    Perhaps it was the years of war.


    Nina must have encountered something in her dreams during that time. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    War always brought pain and an array of negative emotions.


    Due to Nina''s unique nature, she was bound to come into contact with those emotions.


    Now, those negative feelings had begun to weigh on her, creating immense pressure.


    It seemed she had been forcing herself to endure, never allowing herself to fully recover.


    Daniel had likely decided to address this issue for Nina now.


    As Nora left, she gave Nina an encouraging glance and patted her shoulder, urging her to be brave.


    Moments later, it was just Nina and Daniel left in the room.


    Nina lowered her head, while Daniel waited, seemingly expecting her to say something.


    But Nina remained silent, staring at the floor.


    "Nina, how have you been lately?" Daniel asked.


    "I''m fine! Headmaster, why do you ask?"


    "Are you really fine?" Daniel pressed.


    "Of course! I''ve been doing great recently. No problems, no accidents, and certainly no trouble¡­"


    Nina spoke quickly, as if trying to deny something.


    Daniel sighed as he looked at her.


    "I¡­ I can handle it on my own¡­ I''ll get through this, I promise."


    Her voice grew softer, and her head hung lower, as though she couldn''t bear to meet Daniel''s gaze.


    Dreams were a mysterious domain.


    For every sweet dream, there was also a nightmare.


    For someone like Nora, such experiences wouldn''t be an issue; her trials within the half-divine artifact had already fortified her against any darkness.


    But Nina was different.


    She hadn''t experienced enough to resist the horrors she encountered in her dreams.


    Thus, the current situation had arisen.


    The countless resentments, the pain of those who had died in war, the anguish of losing loved ones¡ªall these negative emotions were drawn to Nina.


    Her current state of mind wasn''t strong enough to withstand them, leading to her unique predicament.


    "Nina, come here," Daniel said.


    "Okay," Nina responded, stepping closer to him.


    As she approached, Daniel placed a finger on her forehead.


    In an instant, the surroundings shifted.


    Nina was no longer at Crossbridge Academy but had been transported to a peculiar place.


    It was a place she knew all too well.


    Every night, she found herself here, constantly haunted by the negative emotions and restless spirits.


    "This place¡­ is the Lake of Sin, isn''t it?" Daniel asked, gazing at the pitch-black lake.


    This was Nina''s dreamscape, and at the same time, it was the deepest layer of the God Realm''s dreams.


    The God Realm''s most profound dreams resided here.


    In the sky, there were multiple suns of different colors, their light dyeing the world in surreal hues.


    The landscape was strange yet beautiful¡ªcascading waterfalls, verdant grasslands, crimson flowers, and fluttering butterflies.


    "Did you create this yourself?" Daniel asked, his gaze fixed on the distant scenery.


    "Not entirely. Much of it is made up of the dreams of other living beings. I just made a few adjustments," Nina said confidently.


    This dream realm was her domain, so she spoke with a sense of pride.


    "It''s rare to see you so modest," Daniel remarked with a faint smile.


    Since Nina had constructed this herself, it was only natural for her to be a bit humble about it.


    "So, what''s your plan?"


    Nina''s gaze lingered on the distant horizon, a flicker of complexity passing through her eyes.


    "I want to make this a reality. I want to create a world where everyone can live in peace and beauty forever," she said.


    A world without nightmares, without conflict, where everyone could dwell in harmony.


    That was Nina''s dream.


    But turning a dream realm into reality wasn''t something anyone understood better than Daniel.


    Even for him, it was an incredibly challenging task.


    Achieving it would require an unparalleled mastery of the underlying rules of existence¡ªsomething even Daniel hadn''t fully grasped.


    "It''s a daunting goal," Daniel said, looking at Nina.


    "I know. The me of today can''t achieve it. All I can do now is make this place a little better."


    "And with my current power, I can''t even touch the original essence of dream rules," Nina admitted.


    "But I do have an idea. If the time comes, maybe I can work with Nora and use her world and my dreamscape together to create something similar."


    Daniel shook his head gently.


    "I believe in your abilities, and I trust your vision. But¡­"


    His eyes shifted to the ground beneath Nina''s feet.


    There, a pool of pitch-black water roiled like a swamp, thick and bubbling.


    "This is the collective malice, the reservoir of all negative emotions."


    If Nina wanted to replace reality with her dreamscape, what would become of this evil?


    It wouldn''t simply vanish.


    It would either remain, corrupting the world, or¡­ Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    Someone would have to bear it all.


    "Yes, someone would have to bear this burden. Only then could your dream have a chance of becoming reality."


    "I¡­ I want to try," Nina said timidly.


    For years, she had faced this malice alone.


    It had even begun to affect her emotions, causing her to lose control at times.


    Her friends had noticed something was wrong with her.


    "Nina, no one has ever accomplished such a thing. You won''t succeed," Daniel said.


    Carrying such a burden was far too cruel for someone like Nina.


    If she chose to take on all this malice alone, she would eventually crumble under its weight.


    "Headmaster, I still want to try! You''ve transcended this world, haven''t you? That means nothing is impossible if I''m willing to try!"


    "I''m willing to give everything I have for this goal!"


    Nina had long realized that no matter how strong she grew, she could never catch up to Daniel.


    In the God Realm, God King rank was supposed to be the ultimate pinnacle.


    Yet even as she approached that rank, Daniel remained far beyond her reach.


    She knew his power had surpassed all worldly limits.


    "And besides, if I do get overwhelmed, Headmaster, you can always help me¡­ right? Worst case, the dream just stays a dream," Nina said with a faint smile.


    Daniel fell silent.


    After a moment, he finally spoke.


    "Yes, you still have me. At the very least, I can help you resolve your current problem."


    His gaze shifted to the lake.


    The black water churned like a mire, emanating an aura of loathing and despair.


    It was the accumulation of all negative emotions, a place that instinctively repelled all living beings.

 Chapter324-A Solution

    This dark lake was the root cause of Nina''s emotional turmoil. Daniel had come here specifically to address this issue.The black lake waters rippled ominously.


    "Headmaster, what¡­ what should I do?" Nina asked.


    "This depends on what you want to do," Daniel replied, his gaze fixed on the black waters.


    "Good and evil, joy and anger, positive and negative emotions¡ªall of them are just choices of the mind. At their core, they''re no different," he explained.


    "I can help you dissolve these emotions or even transform all the malice into goodwill. But whatever the solution, it''s ultimately up to you. After all, this place is something you''ve constructed yourself."


    Nina stood quietly, her eyes devoid of emotion as she stared at the lake.


    After a long silence, she smiled faintly.


    "Headmaster, you''re right. Good and evil are just a matter of perspective. Wherever there is life, malice will inevitably arise. It''s something we can''t avoid."


    "If that''s the case, no matter what I do, I can''t escape from this. Even if you cleanse these waters now and make them clear, it would only be a temporary solution."


    As long as life continued, thoughts would persist. And where there was conflict, malice would always be born anew.


    The lake would eventually return to its current state.


    Nina couldn''t rely on Daniel forever.


    She turned to face him.


    "Headmaster, is there a way for me to truly accept these waters? Or perhaps, for them to fully accept me?"


    Nina asked this with unwavering seriousness.


    Seeing her determination, Daniel understood that Nina had already made up her mind.


    She had chosen her path, no matter how difficult it might be.


    No matter¡­


    "Are you sure? Once you take this step, there''s no turning back," Daniel said.


    In truth, he didn''t want Nina to choose this path.


    But he also knew how deeply she cared about her convictions.


    As her mentor and as the headmaster, all he could do was ask one last time if she was certain.


    "Headmaster, you know the kind of person I am. If I''ve made this decision, I won''t look back," Nina replied firmly.


    Daniel was silent for a long moment before he finally spoke.


    "Alright, there is a way."


    "Come with me," he said, taking Nina''s hand¡ªjust as he had done years ago when she was still a little girl.


    Now, Nina had grown up, becoming someone with her own aspirations and resolve.


    The two of them stepped onto the lake''s surface.


    Walking across it as if on solid ground, they moved forward¡ªDaniel leading, Nina following.


    Though the lake appeared small from the shore, stepping onto it revealed its vastness. It seemed to stretch endlessly.


    After a long journey, they reached the center of the lake.


    Daniel turned to Nina.


    "I''m going to place you in the center of this malice. You''ll become entwined with it, merging with all of it until you are one."


    "When that happens, you''ll be able to bear it all, to contain it. Perhaps¡­"


    "When you emerge, everything will change¡ªeven you may become unrecognizable."


    "Are you ready for this?" Daniel asked, one final time.


    "Headmaster, I''ve thought it through," Nina said, closing her eyes.


    She was ready to accept whatever would come.


    Daniel noticed her eyelids trembling¡ªclearly, she was nervous.


    But she was smiling.


    "Headmaster, no matter what I become, you''ll come to take me away, won''t you?"


    "Yes, I will," Daniel reassured her.


    "Good. Then let''s begin," Nina said.


    Daniel sighed, then gently supported her neck as he lowered her onto the surface of the lake.


    Her long hair spread out over the water as he released her.


    The black lake, like a swamp, began to engulf Nina''s body, pulling her deeper and deeper.


    As the waters began to cover her completely, a small glimmer of light appeared on Daniel''s fingertip.


    The light shot into Nina''s forehead.


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    "I hope this will be your lifeline, Nina. Don''t let me down," Daniel murmured.


    With that, he disappeared.


    As soon as he was gone, the entire dreamscape began to shift.


    The black waters of the lake started to overflow.


    From the center of the lake, decay began to spread outward. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The vibrant colors of the dreamscape faded, replaced by withering and ruin.


    Back in the real world, Daniel returned to Crossbridge Academy.


    It was time to start preparing for others now that Nina''s path had been set.


    First, there was Big White.


    Big White''s growth was uniquely tied to the advancement of Crossbridge World. As the world''s level rose, so would Big White''s strength.


    When Crossbridge World eventually reached God King rank, Big White''s power might even rival the domain''s most powerful guardians.


    At that point, Big White competing in the so-called under-hundred-year-old prodigy tournament would be an overwhelming display of dominance.


    It would be a complete mismatch¡ªno one could stand against him.


    Of course, if he stood out too much, there was always the question of whether God Realm''s Will of the World might intervene.


    Next was Lily, the daughter of the 5-Element God King and the Fox God King.


    Lily was a significant figure¡ªfavored by the God Realm''s Will of the World.


    She could be described as the God Realm''s chosen one, protected and nurtured by the realm itself.


    She would undoubtedly ascend to the rank of a guardian in time, her growth almost guaranteed.


    For her, it was only a matter of when.


    With these two, there was little to worry about.


    That left Rose and the others.


    The arrival of the Gold Board was likely within the next decade. Rose and her peers would undoubtedly meet the criteria to compete.


    The best course of action now was to continue cultivating their abilities.


    Nina''s situation would no longer require immediate attention. Daniel would wait and observe how she integrated with the lake''s malice before taking further steps.


    For now, his focus shifted to the remaining four.


    It was time to call in some help.


    Throughout the years, Daniel had mostly kept to himself, but now he needed insights into what ruins, secret realms, or artifacts might best suit their growth.


    And he had connections.


    The earlier transactions with La and the other guardians had gone exceptionally well. Daniel could still feel their eagerness.


    If anyone knew about hidden treasures or opportunities, it would be them.


    With his decision made, Daniel reached out to La and the others.


    Months had passed since the peace talks concluded.


    Yet the joy from that victory lingered, as though the celebration was still ongoing.


    For the people of the God Realm, it was a time of relief and healing.


    The years of war had inflicted suffering on countless lives.


    Now, with the top factions setting aside their differences and sharing resources¡ªsecret realms, training grounds, and more¡ªthe joy of peace had only deepened.


    The mood across the realm was one of mutual support and harmony.


    People no longer fought over resources or held onto old grievances. Instead, they worked together with kindness and understanding.


    The atmosphere throughout the God Realm improved dramatically.

 Chapter325-Individual Arrangements

    Everything seemed to be moving toward universal harmony.Now, the people of the God Realm appeared to have a single goal: to grow stronger.


    That''s right.


    All conflicts and grudges vanished, as though everyone had come to a unanimous agreement that strength was the only pursuit left.


    The neighbor next door had a breakthrough after entering a secret realm?


    Impossible to accept¡ªtomorrow, the whole family must go try their luck.


    Someone else''s child advanced in rank?


    Then today, their own child must advance too!


    If everyone else was progressing and one stayed in place, wouldn''t that be the same as falling behind?


    Everything was flourishing; everything was improving.


    But only a select few knew that beneath this prosperity lay countless risks and dangers.


    "So¡­ you''re saying that only a small portion of people will survive the Apocalypse?" Rose asked, her tone filled with disbelief.


    Over the past months, Rose and the others had been cultivating and stabilizing their power in the Crossbridge Academy.


    After reflecting on their experiences and refining themselves, Rose and Reed had both reached the verge of a breakthrough to the God King rank.


    As for Nora and Green, they had also made significant progress. Although they were still some distance from the God King rank, it was only a matter of time before they reached it.


    "That''s correct," Daniel said, looking at the group. "According to what those individuals said, if we can''t fend off the Devils of Chaos¡­ the entire God Realm will cease to exist."


    The concept of the Apocalypse was not unfamiliar to them, as it was a recurring topic in the God Realm.


    But it was the first time they had heard the truth about it directly from Daniel.


    None of them had imagined it would be such a cruel reality.


    The Devils of Chaos¡­


    If this Apocalypse couldn''t be overcome, would only death await?


    "Father, will our Crossbridge World also end up like this?" Rose asked Daniel.


    "Oh, Crossbridge World? Of course not. I''ll always protect our old world and ensure nothing happens to it. After all, it''s where we come from," Daniel replied.


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    "And the same goes for the entire 5-Element God Realm."


    Hearing this, the group was momentarily stunned.


    What else could they say?


    Headmaster was headmaster, always with his own unique flair.


    What they initially thought was a terrifying Apocalypse, involving dark gods born of chaos, now seemed far less daunting.


    If Daniel could protect both Crossbridge World and the 5-Element God Realm without issue¡­


    Then perhaps there wasn''t much need to worry about the Apocalypse after all. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t let your guard down just because of that!" Daniel''s voice cut through their thoughts.


    "No matter what, it''s always better to protect all worlds."


    "By the way, I''ve already found suitable training opportunities for each of you," Daniel said, extending his hand.


    Two scenes appeared above his palm: one of clear skies with a blazing sun, and the other of a cold, quiet night with a radiant moon hanging high.


    "In the Sun & Lunar God Realm, there are two secret realms, each controlled by a different family," Daniel explained.


    "These were once training grounds under divine dynasty control. Back then, the divine dynasty used these secret realms to train their forces."


    "They''re known as the most powerful secret realms in the God Realm, and rightfully so. In theory, they could allow you to ascend directly to ranks above the God King, perhaps even to that of a guardian."


    "So don''t miss this opportunity. Rose, Reed, these are prepared for you two."


    Both nodded in acknowledgment.


    "Prepare yourselves well. Someone will come to take you there in a few days," Daniel instructed.


    The Sun and Moon Secret Realms were the core treasures of House La and House Theseus.


    Only the most elite members of these families were granted access to these realms for training.


    Daniel had spent a considerable sum to secure these spots.


    Next, Daniel turned to Nora and Green.


    To his surprise, Nora had approached him earlier, stating that she didn''t need any additional training opportunities. She planned to explore the entire God Realm after reaching the God King rank to refine her understanding of the rules.


    As for Green, he had outright declared his intention to forgo competing for the Gold Board.


    This had also surprised Daniel, though Green''s reasoning was simple: he was preparing to get married to a girl Daniel had met before.


    Each had their own aspirations, so Daniel didn''t push further.


    Now, only Rose and Reed were set to compete for the Gold Board.


    Originally, Daniel had hoped all five of them would give it a try.


    Well, plans had changed.


    As he considered his next steps, Elise walked over, carrying a plate of freshly prepared food.


    "Headmaster, where did everyone go? I thought they were all here, so I brought out my new dish to share," Elise said.


    "No matter. I''m still here," Daniel said, taking a bite.


    It tasted excellent, as expected.


    "By the way, Elise, have you thought about trying your hand at the Gold Board competition?"


    Hearing this, Elise smiled awkwardly.


    "Headmaster, I''m just a girl¡ªwhat do I know about fighting? Gold Board and all that¡­ let''s leave it to others. I''ll stick to cooking," Elise said.


    Seeing her response, Daniel could only shake his head.


    If Elise had shown interest, Daniel would have made arrangements to help her prepare.


    But since she had no desire, he didn''t insist.


    Just then, a timid voice came from the lake nearby.


    "Headmaster¡­ may I¡­ may I try?"


    Daniel turned to see a golden carp poking its head out of the water, looking at him nervously.


    This golden carp had been living in the lake for years, ever since Daniel had placed the forges at the bottom of the water and moved Riverside City to the God Realm.


    It had even once beaten up Rikki, a bearfolk cub.


    Unbeknownst to everyone, the carp¡ªor rather, the King Shark¡ªhad quietly advanced to the God King rank.


    "You want to compete for the Gold Board?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes, Headmaster. I know I''ve always lived in this lake, but if I could earn the Gold Board and become a guardian¡­ it would mean everything for my descendants. Please, grant me this chance," the King Shark pleaded.


    "And why should I give you this opportunity?" Daniel asked.


    "I¡­ I''m willing to do anything for you in return. Anything! Please, just give me this chance!"


    With that, the King Shark opened its mental sea, fully exposing it to Daniel''s inspection.


    This was an offer of total submission¡ªeven to the point of becoming a slave.


    After leaving a mark in the King Shark''s mental sea with his mind power, Daniel finally said:


    "Very well, I agree."


    "Thank you, Headmaster!"


    The King Shark bowed before retreating into the lake.

 Chapter326-Daniels Exploration

    "Phew¡­ that makes three spots now," Elise said with a sigh of relief.She had been worried that Daniel would insist on her joining the Gold Board competition. Thankfully, with King Shark stepping up, Daniel surely wouldn''t ask her to participate anymore, right?


    "If you joined, we''d be sweeping up four Gold Boards," Daniel remarked.


    "Headmaster, please spare me. I''m perfectly happy just cooking in peace. Fighting and all that¡­ it''s just not for me," Elise said quickly, waving her hands.


    Daniel shook his head and let the topic drop. After a moment, as if remembering something, he asked:


    "By the way¡­ your aunt and your family¡ªthey came to the God Realm with us, didn''t they? It''s been a while. Have you gone back to visit them?"


    Elise froze for a moment before answering.


    "I did go back once, right after Riverside City arrived in the God Realm. But¡­ there''s no reason to stay long. If I stay too long, some people might start having unnecessary ideas. That wouldn''t be good," she said calmly.


    "That''s still your family. You should visit when you can. Who knows? After the Apocalypse, you might not get another chance," Daniel said.


    Elise paused, her expression turning complicated.


    "Headmaster, are you trying to send me away?"


    "No matter what happens, I want to stay by your side! You need someone like me here, don''t you?" Elise said, looking directly at him.


    She could sense something unusual. Daniel wasn''t acting like himself. Over the years, Elise had come to understand Daniel well, and this was not his usual behavior.


    Finally, Daniel let out a long sigh and said, "The truth is, I have something I need to do."


    "What could you be doing that requires you to send me away?" Elise asked.


    "Something¡­ very dangerous," Daniel replied.


    Elise was taken aback.


    Such a tone, such words¡ªshe had never heard them from Daniel before.


    That was right.


    Daniel almost never used words like "dangerous" to describe anything. It was rare, if not unheard of, for him to show any apprehension.


    But now, in this moment, she could hear it.


    "Is it because of the Apocalypse?"


    "The Apocalypse has never been anything worth worrying about, Elise."


    Even if the God Realm were to fall, it wouldn''t affect Crossbridge World.


    "What I''m about to do¡­"


    Daniel paused, then changed the subject slightly and asked:


    "Elise, do you believe that there exists something in this world capable of producing mana stones, mana crystals, divine stones, and divine crystals infinitely? Something that can also generate limitless power¡ªeven surpassing the might of world creation itself?"


    Daniel''s words made Elise frown.


    What he was saying¡­


    It went against everything she knew.


    It sounded like the fanciful imagination of a child.


    But Elise knew Daniel wouldn''t say something like this without reason.


    "Headmaster, are you saying¡­"


    "Yes. What I intend to do next is search for such a thing. Everything about it is unknown, and I have no guarantees."


    What Daniel spoke of was tied to the secrets of his own existence.


    Now that Crossbridge World was on the verge of becoming a God King-rank world, and everything in Crossbridge Academy was progressing smoothly¡ªRose and the others included¡ªDaniel felt it was time to seek answers to the questions that had lingered in his heart for so long.


    Why was he in this world?


    What was the library that had chosen him?


    "You''re going to embark on such a dangerous journey now?" Elise asked.


    "More or less. At this stage, I''m only planning an initial investigation¡ªnothing too risky. At least¡­ not before the Apocalypse arrives. The real exploration will have to wait," Daniel explained.


    He knew this endeavor wouldn''t be as simple as it seemed.


    "Then I''ll stay here. After the Apocalypse, I''ll leave," Elise said firmly.


    Daniel sighed. "If you want to leave, you can do so anytime."


    Beneath the surface of the lake, King Shark swam to its deepest part.


    There, a life elixir was stored.


    Daniel had left a single command embedded in its mind¡ªa command it could never defy: to guard the lake and Crossbridge Academy with its life.


    This command would be passed down through its bloodline for generations.


    ¡­


    Ten years passed.


    During this decade, Daniel traveled across the God Realm, delving into its many corners.


    He visited all the major factions, poring over their vast libraries.


    He explored every secret realm and forbidden zone he could find since the creation of the God Realm.


    In the process, he stumbled upon a surprising truth.


    The Will of the God Realm¡ªor rather, the God Realm itself¡ªhad no consciousness.


    It functioned as an objective system, a set of rules designed solely to maintain balance within the God Realm.


    Beyond this purpose, it did nothing.


    While this discovery intrigued Daniel, what shocked him even more was the realization that the God Realm lacked a Sacred Time River.


    That''s right¡ªthe God Realm simply didn''t have one.


    The Sacred Time River was an essential feature of any developing world. It served as the chronicle of a world''s progress, recording its history.


    Even Crossbridge World, whose Sacred Time River Daniel had destroyed, had begun forming a new one as the world continued to grow.


    Yet in the God Realm, no such river existed.


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    This baffling absence suggested something deeply unusual.


    After exhaustive research, Daniel confirmed that while the God Realm lacked a Sacred Time River, it did possess something similar¡ªa record of every event since the God Realm''s inception.


    But no one knew what form this record took or where it was located.


    Many had searched for it, including some of the most powerful entities in the God Realm, but all attempts ended in failure.


    This mysterious record came to be known as the Genesis Chronicle.


    It even inspired the formation of an organization dedicated to its discovery, comprised entirely of guardians and other high-ranking beings.


    Their goal was to uncover the origins of all worlds by finding the Genesis Chronicle. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But¡­


    They failed.


    The organization dissolved, its members disheartened.


    During the divine dynasty era, their dream of uncovering the Genesis Chronicle was abandoned.


    Why?


    Because the faint clues they uncovered pointed beyond the God Realm¡ªto the chaotic void.


    The idea was absurd.


    The Genesis Chronicle, the record of everything in the God Realm, lying in the chaos?


    What''s next? Would it turn out to be in the hands of the Devils of Chaos?


    Faced with this ridiculous conclusion, the organization disbanded.


    Its members ridiculed their own folly, lamenting the wasted years spent chasing a phantom.

 Chapter327-Apocalypse Descends!

    After seeing these records, Daniel was also stunned.He hadn''t expected the other party''s outcome to be like this.


    But...


    It also aligned with his understanding.


    If it were really that easy to find, then the Chronicles of Creation wouldn''t be so hard to find records on.


    These were just some clues Daniel had found after sifting through a vast amount of material.


    However, looking at the final result of the investigation from this organization, the clues had led them outside the God Realm to the Chaos.


    Chaos could be considered a very broad concept.


    The Devil of Chaos was also born in the Chaos.


    If one had to go into the Chaos to search, Daniel certainly didn''t have that kind of time.


    Because he had already spent too much time.


    It would be impossible to venture into the Chaos now.


    A trip to the Chaos, who knows when one would return from it?


    If he wanted to go into the Chaos, he would have to at least wait until the Apocalypse was over.


    At least for now, it was impossible.


    Nina was still asleep.


    Daniel would have to wait for Nina to wake up.


    He wasn''t even sure what Nina''s condition was right now.


    So, in the following years, Daniel returned to Crossbridge Academy.


    He waited.


    From time to time, he would also return to the Greenwood God Realm to check on the situation.


    The Greenwood God King said he had selected a new youth to compete for the Gold Borad.


    In the footage, a very ordinary-looking young man was facing an opponent much stronger than him.


    But the young man still killed his opponent.


    "How is he?"


    The Greenwood God King asked Daniel.


    "This is the person I''ve selected in these years. He has extraordinary talent. Compared to the previous one I selected, he''s much stronger."


    Daniel nodded.


    Indeed, this young man was much stronger than the previous one selected by the Greenwood God King.


    However, Daniel''s nod only referred to that part of the question.


    As for the previous one...


    Daniel could only say that, within the Greenwood God Realm, this young man was indeed strong.


    But if the Greenwood God King expected this young man to seize the Gold Borad, Daniel would say it was unlikely.


    Because over the years, he had seen many youths from top-tier factions who were preparing to compete for the Gold Borad.


    Their strength was far greater than that of the young man chosen by the Greenwood God King.


    Those prodigies, many of whom could even give some God Kings a hard time, would still easily retreat unscathed even when facing a veteran God King like the Greenwood God King.


    This was the gap.


    "Since you have faith in this youth, you should speed things up, because in these next few years, the Gold Borad might appear at any time."


    It might happen the next moment or tomorrow. The Gold Borad might just appear right away.


    So Daniel advised the Greenwood God King to use whatever means he had as soon as possible, if...


    His goal was the Gold Borad.


    The Greenwood God King smiled and shook his head, then said:


    "My Lord, I am aware of this. If it''s about competing by strength, just relying on my Greenwood God Realm, we can''t compare to those top-tier factions. So..."


    "I have faith in this youth because of the special fate he carries."


    "So... now I can only rely on luck. Maybe with some good luck, I might even pick up a Gold Borad." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel nodded.


    Since the Greenwood God King had already thought like this, Daniel had nothing more to say.


    He hoped the other party could succeed.


    But speaking of luck...


    He did have a very strong luck-based contender on his side.


    The entire person was even specially favored by the God Realm.


    If Lily were to come, she might actually be able to secure a Gold Borad.


    However, the 5-Element God King couple would definitely not agree to that.


    After all, opportunities and duties are matched.


    If someone gained such a great benefit without any effort, they certainly couldn''t just act as if nothing had happened when the Apocalypse arrived.


    For the couple, they would rather let Lily live her life like this than let her obtain a Gold Borad.


    Each Gold Borad represented responsibility.


    The responsibility of guarding the God Realm before the Apocalypse.


    While Daniel and the Greenwood God King were chatting, suddenly, a strange fluctuation enveloped the entire God Realm.


    Almost everyone in the God Realm could feel this unusual fluctuation.


    A look of confusion appeared on the Greenwood God King''s face.


    Because he had never felt such an abnormal fluctuation before.


    This scene made him feel... astonished.


    Could it be that the Gold Borad is about to descend?


    At that moment, Daniel''s communicator went off wildly.


    It was a message from La.


    The message from La. was very simple, only a few words!


    "They''ve come!"


    Just those simple four words were enough to prove the urgency of the situation.


    At this moment, La. couldn''t even say more.


    Meanwhile, in the far east of the God Realm,


    this place was even a distance from the Eastern Wastes.


    Desolation was the main feature here.


    No living beings, no creatures could survive here.


    The eternal barren desert was the main feature of this land.


    At that moment, a tall figure emerged from the desert.


    It walked toward the human-populated Eastern Wastes.


    From a distance, someone saw this figure and was about to ask where it had come from.


    But just before he could speak, the tall figure vanished.


    When it reappeared, it was right in front of the person.


    At the same time, the figure''s arm pierced through the person''s chest.


    The person was torn apart right on the spot.


    The tall figure seemed to have no emotional disturbance from killing another living being, then continued walking forward.


    Soon, it approached a human settlement.


    The air was filled with the presence of human life.


    The tall figure seemed to feel a sense of excitement.


    Then...


    With a flick of its right hand!


    A massive explosion occurred in the entire town.


    This was a very strange rule.


    The explosion occurred silently.


    Then, it quickly condensed into a point, before vanishing into the air.


    After the explosion, all the people disappeared.


    But the buildings remained in place.


    The tall figure continued to walk forward.


    After a long time, the buildings gradually turned to dust and disappeared.


    As the tall figure continued to walk,


    it seemed to gain more companions from behind.


    Even from the sky, massive fireballs began to fall.


    The fireballs crashed toward the places where the people lived.


    From the fireballs, emerged figures with tall, twisted faces.


    They used the same method to slaughter the people.


    No! Not just humans.


    Their targets were all living creatures.


    It was on this day that the top forces in the God Realm jointly issued an emergency announcement!


    "The Apocalypse has arrived! Each must face their destiny!"


    After that, the top forces began activating their defensive magic arrays, preparing for the possible incoming invasion.


    At this moment, the sky above the entire God Realm began to turn an ominous yellow-gray color.


    It no longer had the clarity it once did.


    In the sky, fireballs descended, trailing long tails behind them.


    They kept falling across the God Realm.


    At first, it was only the Eastern Wastes, but now the areas where these fireballs fell were continuously expanding.


    Many people, upon hearing the announcement from the God Realm''s top forces, were taken aback.


    At first, when people said the Apocalypse was about to arrive, many panicked.


    Some even began leaving their homes, searching for safer places.


    But in the past decade, the Apocalypse had not come, and instead, the God Realm had remained harmonious and prosperous. Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire


    This made many people forget about the matter.


    But today, with this announcement, everyone was reminded of it once again!


    The Apocalypse...


    It has come!


    And it has already descended!


    While they were curious about what the Apocalypse was, some of the smaller factions in the Eastern Wastes had already sensed it!

 Chapter328-Devil of Chaos

    Even in a stroke of extremely bad luck, a massive fireball directly descended upon the residence.After the fireball hit the ground, it quickly extinguished.


    A tall figure emerged from the fireball.


    No!


    The fireball was only burning the figure''s back.


    As the figure landed on the ground, the flames naturally extinguished.


    Some bizarre and grotesque figures emerged from within.


    These figures emitted a highly uncomfortable aura.


    Then, they made their move, causing an explosion that engulfed the entire area.


    Soon after, it turned into a singularity and disappeared.


    Before anyone could react, all those within the area were already dead.


    "What exactly happened?"


    There was no way for any messages to be transmitted from the places that had encountered the Devil of Chaos.


    Even places that had not encountered the Devil of Chaos could not receive any messages.


    Not even the 5-Element god realm was an exception.


    "How''s the 5-Element god realm doing?"


    "Big Brother!"


    When Daniel returned, the 5-Element god king''s brows were furrowed deeply, resembling the shape of a Chinese character for ''´¨'' (a river).


    "Since the announcement from the forces in God Realm about the Apocalypse, several cities in the 5-Element god realm have lost contact. If we consider the lost cities as being completely wiped out, then at least tens of millions of lives have been lost."


    The 5-Element god king sighed.


    He had no solution. Even though he was a god king, the situation had escalated in the blink of an eye, and even if he had rushed over immediately, it would have been too late!


    "Right now, everyone has already gone out to stop those beings, but their methods are strange. I''m a bit worried."


    The 5-Element god king had not left, staying at the 5-Element Temple.


    But because of this, he was unable to know exactly who was causing the chaos in his god realm¡­


    He felt extremely anxious as he couldn''t take action himself.


    At present, in the 5-Element god realm, there were already more than thirty god kings from the human race and the beast clan.


    Even so, within the first moment of the Devil of Chaos'' arrival, nearly ten million lives were lost.


    As for other places...


    There was no need to even mention it.


    And now, the most critical question was, how many Devils of Chaos were there?


    Were they still continuously appearing?


    "The situation in Greenwood god realm is similar, but their god king numbers are far greater than those in 5-Element god realm, so things are a bit better there."


    Daniel said.


    He had just returned from Greenwood god realm.


    Although 5-Element god realm had been developing over the past decade, it still couldn''t compare to an old powerhouse like Greenwood god realm.


    "Big Brother, I''m currently gathering information on the dark gods appearing in various regions. It seems that¡­ there aren''t many dark gods appearing in Sun and Lunar god realm." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The closer one was to the center of the God Realm, the fewer dark gods there were.


    Of course, it could also be due to the initial stages of the situation.


    "It seems this is what the divine dynasty prophesied¡ªthat only by being close to the center could there be a glimmer of hope. But for now, we should deal with the dark gods in the god realms."


    "Don''t worry too much. Currently, the dark god forces are still something a god king can handle. Even a god sovereign can resolve the issue. After a while, once the pressure in Greenwood god realm eases, they will send reinforcements. I''ll head back to Crossbridge Academy first."


    Daniel comforted the 5-Element god king before leaving for Crossbridge Academy.


    The 5-Element god realm was now under invasion by dark gods.


    How could Crossbridge Academy escape?


    However, many people remained behind in Crossbridge Academy.


    The students, as well as the teachers, all went into battle to confront the dark gods.


    Perhaps because of the special ancient aura in the area, the number of dark gods around Riverside city was nearly the highest in the entire 5-Element god realm.


    It was also the densest.


    Nora, Green, and Elise all went into battle at this time.


    Suddenly, those dark gods, who had been fighting them just moments ago, seemed to freeze for a second.


    Then, they simply vanished.


    Everyone at Crossbridge Academy was bewildered.


    They were all prepared to fight the dark gods, but before the battle even began, the enemy was already wiped out?


    Some had already guessed that such a move could only be done by one person in Riverside city¡ªDaniel!


    As expected, not long after, Daniel''s voice came through:


    "Everyone, come back first. Let''s discuss our next steps."


    This time, Crossbridge Academy mobilized everyone.


    Over the years, there had been no shortage of god kings in Crossbridge Academy.


    Most had been out adventuring, only recently returning to the academy.


    "Now, the Apocalypse sweeping through the God Realm has finally arrived."


    "It''s time for the entire God Realm to know our name¡ªCrossbridge."


    "From today, all god king level and above will go out to eliminate those Devils of Chaos and assist the 5-Element god realm!"


    Daniel''s brief words directly ignited the fighting spirit of everyone present.


    After the brief speech, the students swiftly departed in all directions.


    Only Nora, Green, and a few others remained behind.


    They hadn''t left because Daniel had requested it.


    Someone had to stay behind to ensure Riverside city''s safety.


    The presence of the Devils of Chaos around Riverside city at the beginning was highly unusual.


    Because throughout the 5-Element god realm, there were probably not as many dark gods as there were near Riverside city.


    If something was special about this place, Daniel could only think of the connection to the Crossbridge world.


    And also... the lv14 forge in the lake.


    These were the few possible leads.


    "By the way, where are Big White and Lily?"


    "Lily must have sensed something when the Apocalypse began and left. As for Big White¡­ he should have followed her."


    Upon hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    With Big White around, there was no need to worry about the Devils of Chaos.


    They would be no match for Big White in its current state.


    Lily was also safe.


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    To be honest, Lily was under the protection of the God Realm, so theoretically, she should be safe from harm.


    But since the Devils of Chaos didn''t belong to the God Realm...


    With Big White with her, Daniel could feel reassured.


    "Headmaster, what about Rose and Reed? Haven''t they finished yet?"


    Since the two of them entered the secret realm, there had been no news.


    So Rowan was a little worried.


    "Don''t worry. They''re fine. They''ve been in the secret realm of Sun and Lunar god realm."


    Considering the timing, they should be coming out soon.


    Just in time for the dark god invasion, which means¡­


    Gold Borad should also be opening soon.


    "Oh¡­"


    Rowan nodded and then continued to ask:


    "Headmaster, why are only those at the god king level taking action? Those below god king could still assist in rescue operations or transporting supplies!"


    Rowan was puzzled by this point.


    Since Daniel had talked about making Crossbridge''s name known, aside from killing dark gods, saving people was also crucial.


    So Daniel shouldn''t have forgotten this aspect.


    "No need to rush."


    Regarding Rowan''s suggestion, Daniel had considered it but discarded the idea.


    "Back when the divine dynasty''s prophecy mentioned the arrival of the dark gods, it stated that only Sun and Lunar god realm had a slim chance of survival."


    "But now?"


    The dark gods that appeared in the 5-Element god realm could be easily killed by a god king level being.


    This didn''t match the prophecy at all, which said that only Sun and Lunar god realm had a chance to survive.


    Currently, even in god realms where dark gods had appeared, they could be completely wiped out with minimal cost.


    This hardly qualified as an Apocalypse!


    Unless¡­


    These dark gods were just the first wave!


    Stronger dark gods may appear later!


    Thus, this consideration was why Daniel hadn''t allowed everyone to leave.

 Chapter329-Nina in the Dream

    "If I wanted to, I wouldn''t even need to send everyone out. With just one thought, I could eliminate all those dark gods right now, but¡­""I''m worried about what comes next!"


    As Daniel said this, Rowan immediately understood.


    "I think I get it now. Headmaster, what you mean is¡­ this invasion of dark gods is likely just the beginning? Or, to put it another way, this is just the start, and even more terrifying dark gods will invade later?"


    "That''s very likely. Because these dark gods alone don''t have the power to destroy the God Realm to the extent of only leaving behind the Sun and Lunar god realms."


    If that''s the case, then the true Apocalypse, when it arrives, will be far more terrifying than this invasion.


    "Looks like¡­ things are really unsettled right now!"


    After hearing Daniel''s words, Rowan couldn''t help but sigh.


    At times like these, Crossbridge World is truly unfriendly.


    However, the good news is, with Daniel here, there shouldn''t be any fatal dangers.


    "This prelude will probably end soon. After the true Gold Borad descends, the real Apocalypse will begin."


    Daniel said, deep in thought.


    In conversations with La. and others, it seemed that the arrival of Gold Borad might mark a special turning point.


    After that, there would be a period of time before the inheritors of Gold Borad became powerful enough to control the realms. Then, the real enemy behind it all would show itself.


    "So for now, we just maintain the status quo. The main thing is to keep the situation inside the 5-Element god realm stable, clearing out the dark gods."


    "If we do well, if we exceed expectations, then we''ll have the energy to help other god realms and make a name for Crossbridge World."


    Afterward, the group discussed some plans for the future and made sure there was nothing more to add before they dispersed.


    Daniel, however, stayed behind, looking into the distance.


    He was deeply worried.


    The situation with Nina¡­


    If she doesn''t wake up soon, it''ll be even harder for her. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    In just ten days, the entire God Realm had already suffered an Apocalypse.


    In the face of such a devastating surprise attack, one-tenth of the life in the God Realm had evaporated.


    Yes, that''s right, one-tenth of all living beings perished during the dark god''s surprise invasion.


    After that, the various god realms and forces responded.


    The god kings and god sovereigns all took action, striking heavy blows at the dark gods.


    After the counterattacks, they realized that the dark gods weren''t that difficult to deal with.


    Ordinary god kings could eliminate them.


    As for the god sovereigns, a few working together could also wipe out these dark gods.


    It was just a bit more troublesome.


    At the same time, mages with the ability were organized to help move ordinary people to safety.


    During this process, many more were killed by the dark gods.


    Except for the Sun and Lunar god realms, the rest of the God Realm had been reduced to a scene of devastation.


    Places invaded and massacred by the dark gods had turned into desolate wastelands.


    As time went on, the methods of the dark gods grew increasingly strange and powerful, making any defense almost impossible.


    In some places, the Mortal Realm passages were destroyed before they could even be evacuated, obliterated by the dark gods.


    At this moment, in a world filled with desolation, a powerful dark god appeared.


    A mass of black lines covered the entire world.


    This towering figure stepped into the realm, looking down at the black lines.


    Like rules themselves, they covered the entire world.


    The world fell silent, engulfed in a dull gray.


    These black lines were evil.


    Pure and extreme evil.


    The lines spread from a certain direction.


    The dark god followed the black lines, walking toward the center.


    It was a vast expanse of black water.


    Upon seeing this, the dark god emitted a series of strange noises, almost as if it were excitedly shouting.


    The dark god approached the lake.


    This scene seemed to intrigue it.


    It was something it had never seen before.


    It was baffled. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why would such a scene appear in a dream?


    Evil was not being constrained; instead, it was beginning to dominate the entire dream.


    This was¡­ too interesting!


    The dark god extended its hand into the black water.


    It seemed to be sensing something.


    But just at that moment, the black lines began to retract toward the water.


    In an instant, the entire world seemed to come alive.


    It changed completely from before.


    The once calm surface of the lake began to churn.


    The dark god stared in confusion at what was happening.


    This was something it could not understand.


    Why¡­ was this happening?


    The dark god''s confusion only deepened as the surrounding environment continued to change.


    It had no idea why this change occurred.


    Until¡­


    From the churning surface of the lake, a figure emerged.


    It was a girl.


    The girl stood suspended over the water, her eyes closed.


    The dark god seemed a bit excited and continued speaking.


    But the girl did not open her eyes.


    So, the dark god took action!


    It lunged toward the girl.


    An evil aura erupted from its body.


    But¡­


    Before it could grab her, the water in the lake suddenly surged again.


    As if countless arms, made of the black water, emerged from the depths.


    They grabbed the dark god''s body, holding it immobile.


    The dark god struggled, but couldn''t break free.


    At that moment, the dark god noticed something: the girl had opened her eyes!


    Blood-red eyes, staring at the dark god.


    An intense gaze filled with hatred.


    In that moment, the Devil of Chaos, once fearless and unafraid of death, suddenly felt a surge of fear.


    For no apparent reason, it was an innate terror rising from deep within.


    The black lake, once calm, had now turned blood red.


    Blood-red water, blood-red arms.


    At this moment, they all seemed to exert strength, as if they wanted to kill the dark god right here and now.


    The dark god panicked. It cried out in human language:


    "Let¡­ let me go!"


    "We''re not enemies! I can help you make better use of this evil! We''re friends!"


    "We should cooperate for a better future¡­"


    But the girl didn''t seem to hear the dark god''s words at all.


    The blood-red arms tightened and dragged the dark god deep into the lake.


    Half of its body was swallowed by the water, but at this moment, the dark god was not panicking. It even kept saying:


    "You can''t kill me!"


    "Nina! Let go of that guy!"


    At that moment, Daniel''s figure appeared on the scene.


    Originally, he had anticipated that Nina might have been affected by the death of so many, leading to some sort of accident.


    So, he had come here.


    But he hadn''t expected that he would arrive late.


    One dark god had already arrived here before him.


    Thankfully, the dark god had been killed by Nina, not the other way around.


    But clearly, Nina''s current state was far from normal.


    Daniel tentatively called out to her.


    But Nina didn''t respond.


    Her blood-red eyes fixed on Daniel, seemingly ready to attack.


    If Daniel took another step forward, she would strike without hesitation.


    "Such a fool!"


    Daniel shook his head, sighing.


    How could the evil thoughts of living beings be so easily overcome?


    Right now, it was clear that Nina was being heavily influenced by these emotions.


    Because what Nina had to face was not just the evil thoughts from before but also the spirits of the dead from today¡­


    The sheer number of them was terrifying.


    In the next instant, Daniel appeared right in front of Nina.


    Nina didn''t seem to react in time.


    Her blood-red eyes quickly locked onto Daniel.


    The water beneath them was still trying to attack!

 Chapter330-Restoration

    At the moment Nina was about to attack Daniel, Daniel looked into her eyes and slowly spoke:"Nina, I''ve come to take you."


    In that instant, the once tumultuous blood-colored lake began to calm down. The blood-red hue slowly faded away.


    The bloodlight in Nina''s eyes also flickered and disappeared. Her body trembled, as if she were desperately trying to escape from something.


    At the same time, a white light spot appeared on her forehead.


    In that instant, the terrifying aura around Nina vanished. Her body continued to fall downward.


    Daniel caught Nina''s hand and brought her to the ground. He didn''t let her fall back into the lake.


    "What¡­ happened to me?"


    Nina woke up and saw Daniel, asking in confusion.


    As she spoke, the eerie silence of the world disappeared. It was replaced by a peaceful atmosphere.


    The world was now full of vibrant life, just like the beautiful, peaceful scenery Daniel had seen when he first arrived here.


    Naturally, Daniel noticed these changes. All these transformations had been caused by Nina.


    "Nina, you should rest for a while. In fact, nothing happens overnight. What you need to do now is take some time to rest."


    Nina glanced around, then looked at Daniel, her nose tingling. Tears filled her eyes instantly:


    "Headmaster¡­ I feel like¡­ I''ve failed."


    "You were so close, Nina. You just missed it by a little. It''s not failure. If it wasn''t for that dark god, I believe you would''ve succeeded," Daniel comforted.


    Without the interference of the dark god, Daniel would have still intervened in Nina''s actions. During this time, with so many people dying, the resentment here had become terrifying.


    It was as if¡­ sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The blood-red power Nina had just unleashed was clearly influenced by the resentments of those who had died, triggered by the dark god.


    That was why the entire lake had turned blood-red. It was the hatred of the dead for the dark god.


    Nina had been used as a tool of vengeance in this process.


    "Alright, I''ll definitely succeed next time. I won''t let Headmaster''s trust go to waste!"


    "Die!"


    Just then, as Nina was no longer the intermediary, the dark god naturally broke free from its restraints. It immediately launched an attack at the two of them.


    Even when attacking, it spoke in the human language.


    Daniel didn''t even bother to look at it and made his move directly!


    With a slap, the dark god was instantly pressed to the ground by Daniel, completely unable to resist.


    At that moment, the dark god revealed its true form.


    Its face twisted, and its features were barely recognizable. All that could be seen were two large eyeballs.


    Nina looked at the unfamiliar appearance and immediately felt nauseous.


    "Headmaster, what¡­ what is this dark god?"


    "This is the Apocalypse from God Realm."


    "Apocalypse?"


    Upon hearing Daniel''s words, Nina looked at him in confusion and asked:


    "Headmaster, can this thing really be called Apocalypse? I feel like I could handle it!"


    "Don''t just feel it; you can definitely handle this kind of thing. But¡­"


    "But what?"


    "I suspect that this dark god''s power is just a precursor, not even the beginning. It''s likely just a warning. If this dark god''s strength was enough to destroy God Realm, that would be almost impossible!"


    Even without Daniel''s intervention, the god kings of God Realm would be able to handle it.


    Not to mention the divine dynasty of the past.


    If the enemy was only of this level, Daniel would even suspect that the divine dynasty was so weak that it fought a stalemate with such an entity.


    "And this dark god, which has almost descended into the Crossbridge world, is the only one that speaks our human language. So I think it might have some use."


    It was for this reason that Daniel wanted to keep it alive. Maybe they could learn something about the Devil of Chaos or the truth behind Apocalypse.


    Daniel directly grabbed the dark god and returned to Crossbridge Academy in God Realm.


    The dark god was casually thrown to the ground by Daniel.


    Perhaps knowing it could not escape from Daniel''s grasp, the dark god didn''t even try to run away. It knew such an action would be meaningless.


    "What is this?"


    When Elise saw the dark god on the ground, she asked in confusion.


    "This is a dark god. It appeared in God Realm and killed countless people."


    After hearing Daniel''s answer, Elise immediately showed a look of disgust.


    "Nina, you''ve finally returned!"


    When Elise saw Nina''s figure, she happily said.


    Nina was naturally very happy to see her and longed for Elise''s cooking.


    At the same time, she curiously asked:


    "How long have I been asleep?"


    Nina noticed that the surroundings seemed different from what she had seen before. Even the aura on Elise had reached the level of a god king.


    So¡­ just how long had she been asleep?


    "About ten years. A lot of things have happened during these ten years," Daniel explained.


    "So¡­ what about everyone else?"


    "Rose and Reed are still in the secret realm. The others have gone out to kill the dark gods. When the dark gods first attacked God Realm, it caused massive destruction, but now, with the counterattack from Crossbridge Academy, things have improved significantly."


    "I see¡­"


    "By the way, if you want to, you can go take a look."


    At this moment, even though Nina had failed to carry out the plan of absorbing the negative emotions of living beings, her strength was not to be underestimated. Her understanding of the rules had also improved greatly compared to before.


    Now, Nina could be said to be close to having the strength of a god king or even surpassing it.


    These dark gods were no problem for her.


    After hearing Daniel''s suggestion, Nina nodded and said:


    "Since that''s the case, I''ll go find Nora sister! I also have some ideas I want to share with her. By the way, Headmaster, remember to tell Elise sister to save me some food for when I come back tonight!"


    After saying that, Nina quickly disappeared.


    It was as if she hadn''t changed at all, impulsively acting as she pleased.


    After Nina left, Daniel turned his attention back to the Devil of Chaos on the ground.


    Although the Devil of Chaos had been crushed and captured by Daniel, it didn''t give in.


    "Our world will ultimately be destroyed! No one can escape!"


    Daniel looked at the dark god and said:


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    "Tell me everything about your situation and your goals. I''ll consider letting you die quickly."


    Without any torture.


    "Dream on! Humans¡­ you will never get any information from me. I will never submit!"


    "I see¡­ Alright, I won''t force you."


    Daniel said, then immediately used a large amount of mind power to impact the dark god''s soul.


    At the same time, a finger was already pointed at its forehead.


    Daniel had previously used this move on the god king of the Sun God Realm. Today, he used it again on this dark god.


    Worried about any traps in the dark god''s mind, Daniel first used mind power to strike at its soul, and then began extracting memories.


    The memories of the dark god were like a scroll, slowly being drawn out by Daniel.


    For such an entity, Daniel naturally felt no mercy.


    Once all the memories of the dark god were extracted, it had no chance of surviving.


    "Headmaster, where did Nina go? I still haven''t asked her how much she plans to eat!"


    At that moment, Elise walked over and asked.


    "Nina should have gone to find Nora. She told me to remind you to save her some food for when she comes back tonight."

 Chapter331-The Memory of the Devil of Chaos

    "I see. Then I understand. I''ll just make some dishes that can be saved for later tonight," Elise said, before leaving.Meanwhile, Daniel began reviewing the memories of this Devil of Chaos.


    At the beginning, there was no impression of birth in the Devil''s memories. It was as if it had been an adult from the start. In fact, its strength was already fixed at the level of a god king, and it was one of the leaders of a group of Devils of Chaos.


    It then followed its instincts, continuously increasing its strength, until it became a higher-ranking commander.


    The number of Devils of Chaos under its command also grew.


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    At this point, the Devil of Chaos seemed to have obtained its own name and special power. Perhaps only after reaching such a level of power could one gain such abilities.


    In any case, this god king had acquired the power of fear¡ªthe Fear God King.


    Daniel also noted that there were a total of ten god kings of this level.


    This seemed to be the pinnacle of the Devils of Chaos. In the memory of this god king, Daniel didn''t encounter any god kings stronger than this one.


    It was as though this was the most powerful god king.


    Then, this god king began learning languages¡ªmany different languages.


    Not only this god king, but even all the other god kings seemed to be waiting, as if waiting for some sort of command.


    And then, the day arrived.


    The invasion began.


    Thus, the Fear God King led its subordinates in the invasion of the God Realm, with the goal of killing all living beings.


    However, this particular group was somewhat special.


    Unlike other god kings who would kill all beings they encountered, this group of god kings specifically targeted other worlds.


    Yes, their goal was to invade worlds like the Dream World and even some Mortal Realms.


    The memory of this god king was not very detailed, and soon Daniel had gone through it all.


    After viewing the memories of this Devil of Chaos, Daniel began to have doubts.


    He noticed that, in the memories of this god king, the total number of god kings invading the God Realm was only this many.


    That is, only the other god kings of the same level as the Fear God King, along with the other god kings they commanded. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was the entire number of Devils of Chaos invading the God Realm.


    This was puzzling to Daniel.


    In his understanding, even a commanding level god king like the Fear God King would only be a slight problem for someone like Nina, who was infinitely close to a rank above god king.


    In fact, when Nina was influenced in the Dream World, that god king wasn''t even a match for her.


    Given that level of power, there wouldn''t need to be a ruler-level being involved.


    Just the top-tier forces and the existing god kings of the God Realm working together should be enough to deal with the crisis.


    There would certainly be many casualties in the process, but the crisis could hardly be called an apocalypse.


    It wouldn''t even be a situation where only the Sun and Lunar god realms would survive the apocalypse.


    So, what was the real reason behind the divine dynasty''s prophecy?


    Daniel wondered if the so-called Gold Borad''s descent was the key moment when everything would change. He thought it might be the beginning of the true danger that had been foretold.


    Furthermore, Daniel was curious about how the divine dynasty''s nine rulers, who used their original essences to create the Gold Borad, played a role in all of this.


    He had the qualifications to compete for it himself. After all, Daniel was still not yet a hundred years old!


    ...


    As time passed, the danger posed by the Devils of Chaos was gradually decreasing.


    In the early stages, when all the forces were unprepared, many people were killed by the Devils of Chaos.


    However, now, the number of deaths caused by the Devils of Chaos was slowly decreasing.


    In the 5-Element god realm, god kings were being deployed to slay the invading god kings.


    Even the god kings of Crossbridge Academy joined the battle, eliminating all the invading god kings and saving many lives.


    Soon, the support from the Greenwood god realm also arrived, making the situation even more secure. The 5-Element god realm was beginning to stabilize.


    In contrast, some other god realms, which had few god kings, were facing real despair.


    The people in these realms could only keep fleeing¡ªrunning toward the Sun and Lunar god realms or the 5-Element god realm. They were like aimless zombies, just trying to escape.


    The Sun and Lunar god realm offered some temporary relief, but the top-tier forces there refused to let anyone in.


    Fortunately, the number of Devils of Chaos in the Sun and Lunar god realm was the smallest, so it was relatively safe, and many people''s lives were spared.


    Those who fled to the 5-Element god realm were given basic shelter, at least not having to worry about being killed by god kings.


    But in the ordinary god realms, there were hardly any survivors.


    The situation in places like the Eastern Wastes, which Daniel had once visited, was especially dire.


    Even the god kings there had all escaped to the 5-Element god realm, becoming part of it to help eliminate the Devils of Chaos.


    This was the situation in most god realms.


    It was clear that a few god kings alone couldn''t defend against the threat of the Devils of Chaos and couldn''t protect the people in those realms.


    Gradually, the people in other god realms began to grow frustrated.


    The top-tier forces in the Sun and Lunar god realm had shown no sign of taking any action against the Devils of Chaos.


    Instead, they had locked themselves away and refused to let anyone in or out.


    This behavior was criticized as cowardly.


    They enjoyed the best resources and positions in the God Realm, but when the crisis came, they didn''t even act as well as the 5-Element god realm.


    The super forces were now being blamed and insulted.


    The goodwill they had accumulated by opening their resources and secret realms had dissipated.


    Facing the tide of insults, these super forces seemed to be unbothered, as if they hadn''t heard a thing. They continued to shut themselves off, as though preparing for something.


    House La''s Secret Realm


    "Brother Gray, I heard you reached the thirteenth level of the secret realm last time?"


    "Not only that, Brother Gray stayed in the thirteenth level of the secret realm for half a month. Even most of the core disciples can''t reach that level!"


    At the entrance of House La''s secret realm, a group of young people were showering praise on Gray.


    The secret realm of House La had once been a training ground for the divine dynasty, and it was extremely harsh.


    There were a total of eighteen levels, each level becoming exponentially harder as one ascended.

 Chapter332-The One Who Walked Out of the Secret Realm

    Especially above the fifteenth floor, which is even harder to reach.It is almost considered impossible to get there.


    And the secret realms above the fifteenth floor, in the past thousand years, have only been climbed by the most brilliant talents of House La.


    Most of the core disciples of other families only make it to the fifteenth or thirteenth floor.


    But this generation of House La. seems to have experienced an explosion of potential.


    In fact, two young prodigies from House La. have already reached the eighteenth floor.


    One of them stayed on the seventeenth floor for two whole years before finally breaking through to the eighteenth floor last year.


    The other has been on the eighteenth floor for about four years now.


    It''s almost four times longer than the former.


    Thus, this generation of House La. is truly a surge of potential.


    With such talent, it is easy to imagine what kind of achievements they will make in the future.


    Especially now, during the arrival of the Apocalypse. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Perhaps for the entire human race, this could be an unforgettable chapter.


    The crowd began to discuss these matters.


    At that moment, someone suddenly asked:


    "What about that one?"


    It was just a light question.


    No names, information, or identities were mentioned, but at that instant, everyone fell silent.


    It was as if that sentence had touched upon a forbidden topic.


    After a brief silence, someone finally spoke slowly:


    "I heard¡­ that person should have entered the eighteenth floor a long time ago, right? If you calculate the time, it''s been about ten years."


    Upon hearing this, everyone gasped.


    It is well known that there is a forbidden figure in House La.


    This person, to be precise, is a bastard daughter.


    But she holds the right to inherit House La.


    And yet, she is a bastard daughter.


    Normally, people would overlook such matters.


    A bastard daughter would hardly be mentioned in such a prominent family.


    But this one is different.


    Her talent is considered heaven-defying.


    Without any resources, she managed to completely crush two prodigies of the same generation.


    She became the forbidden figure within House La.


    And from the whispered words of those around, it''s clear that entering the eighteenth floor of the secret realm is already a mark of an extraordinary individual.


    And this person entered the eighteenth floor ten years ago and has been there for a full ten years. One can imagine how terrifying she must be.


    At this point, some people suddenly remembered something.


    That is, in the eighteenth floor, it''s not just House La. people.


    There are outsiders who have also entered the eighteenth floor. And¡­


    They too have been there for ten years!


    As these people were discussing this information, suddenly, the voices in the crowd grew quieter.


    Even those who had been talking were reminded by their friends to keep quiet, not daring to speak a word.


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    Because they saw a man''s figure walking out from the secret realm.


    This seemed to be that outsider.


    The outsider who entered the secret realm ten years ago.


    And behind him was a woman''s figure, someone they were quite familiar with.


    It was the forbidden figure of House La.


    So, no one dared to speak.


    And in the woman''s arms, she was holding a child.


    Wait¡­


    What exactly is happening here?


    The people''s eyes were filled with disbelief.


    This was a scene they never expected!


    A child?!!!


    That forbidden bastard daughter, actually had a child with that outsider?


    "Are you really leaving?"


    The woman asked.


    "Yeah, it''s been ten years already. It''s time for me to go. This place is not my home."


    Reed replied.


    "Alright, then I''ll go with you."


    "You don''t have to do this¡­"


    "This isn''t my home either! When my mother was still alive, she told me, ''Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.'' Now that you are the child''s father, I can''t leave you."


    "Then let''s go together. I believe everyone will accept you."


    Ten years is enough to change a lot.


    Especially during this time, with the invasion of the Devil of Chaos.


    But the people of House La. never imagined that what was happening right in front of them would be so unimaginable.


    This event was even more inconceivable than the god king invasion.


    The woman, who could crush any prodigy of House La., actually¡­ fell in love with that outsider, and now they had a child together.


    This was something no one could believe.


    It was as shocking as the Devil of Chaos invading the God Realm.


    ...


    Daniel looked at Reed, the child in Reed''s arms, and the woman behind him with confusion.


    "I never expected it, Reed, you''ve really done well! After so many years, you even have a child now."


    "Headmaster, this¡­ it''s fate."


    "Well, since you already have a family, you need to be more cautious. You''ve heard about the Devil of Chaos invasion, right?"


    "Yeah, I heard about it on my way here. I even met Green and the others."


    "Well, in my opinion, this god king invasion is just a start, a kind of test. The real danger, or what we call the Apocalypse, will come after the competition for the Gold Borad. So¡­ Reed, you need to consider this carefully."


    Daniel said with a serious tone.


    Then, his tone changed:


    "Of course, I''m just saying, if the so-called Apocalypse only involves these god kings, then it will be quite easy. By the way, Reed, introduce your wife."


    "She''s Saya, from House La¡­"


    Reed began, but hesitated.


    It was Saya who spoke first:


    "I''m the illegitimate daughter of House La''s current head."


    Daniel looked at her. From her tone, Daniel could sense that this girl, named Saya, didn''t seem to have a very pleasant relationship with House La.


    There was even a trace of hatred in her tone.


    And the girl''s strength, naturally, was quite formidable.


    "I haven''t had much experience with elders, so if I''ve offended you in any way, I hope you can forgive me."


    Saya said.


    "No problem, I don''t have any rigid rules here. Whatever makes you comfortable."


    Daniel replied. He himself didn''t like rigid rules.


    "By the way, how did you two meet?"


    A bastard daughter from House La., and Reed, who entered the secret realm ten years ago.


    They couldn''t have met in the secret realm, fallen in love, and had a child, right?


    "Ten years ago, I had just entered the secret realm and reached the eighteenth floor when I met Saya for the first time."


    Reed recalled.


    "That was when I was in a dangerous situation."


    Saya added.


    "Then, was it a ''hero saving the beauty'' kind of story?"


    Daniel asked, guessing.


    "No, he almost killed me along with the person attacking me."


    Saya said calmly.


    "At that time¡­ I thought you were a trap too¡­"


    Reed said, feeling a little embarrassed.


    Although he had explained this many times, it still made him feel uncomfortable when he thought about it now.


    However, it was precisely because of Reed''s attack that fate was sealed between the two.


    Saya used Reed''s attack to escape danger.


    At the same time, they formed a grudge.


    And so, it was ''you hit me, I chase you.''


    Through constant battles, their feelings naturally developed.


    In the end, the two chose to be together.


    "Well, that''s interesting. But it''s a pretty good ending."


    "Headmaster, I heard Reed say that he respects you greatly, and in his heart, you''re like a father to him¡­"


    Saya said.


    At this, Reed lowered his head, feeling very embarrassed.


    Daniel looked at Reed and laughed.


    At that time, he had just crossed over and faced the soon-to-close Crossbridge Academy.


    He had to deal with those orphans, those children.


    Hadn''t he also treated those children like his own descendants?


    "Welcome to Crossbridge Academy. From now on, we''re all family."

 Chapter333-Warning

    Hearing Daniel''s words, Saya also smiled.Being accepted and recognized by Daniel was the most important thing to her.


    Throughout this journey, Saya''s greatest worry had been this. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Perhaps it was because of her experiences and encounters in House La.


    Despite Reed telling her many stories about Daniel, Saya still felt fear and concern.


    What if Daniel didn''t want to accept her?


    What if he rejected her because of his concerns about House La.?


    These worries, at this moment, all turned into smiles.


    Nothing was more important to Saya than Daniel''s recognition.


    "Headmaster, there''s one more thing I haven''t mentioned. Because of my special identity, House La. might cause you trouble..."


    Saya said with some hesitation, expressing the worry that had been on her mind.


    She couldn''t hide this matter.


    Because she was the strongest genius in House La. in the past thousand years.


    Even though she was a illegitimate daughter, before she showcased her talents, House La. had been excluding her.


    But no matter what, the current fact was that Saya was the strongest of the younger generation!


    She was the most powerful person in House La.


    Even other geniuses could only be crushed in front of her.


    However, House La. might cause trouble because she was here.


    This was Saya''s biggest concern.


    After hearing Saya''s worries, Daniel instead laughed.


    He then comforted her, saying:


    "Don''t worry, this isn''t a problem. I''ll go talk to House La. soon, and if you want, you can even become the head and control the entire family. There''s no problem with that."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Saya was stunned.


    As a member of House La., even though she was an illegitimate daughter, she understood the special significance of the name "La."


    Only one person in the entire family was worthy of using that name.


    That person was the patriarch who founded the entire family.


    Daniel, the headmaster, knew their patriarch?


    How could this be?


    "You¡­ know our family''s patriarch?"


    "Yes, not long ago, he was the first to inform me about the God King invasion. It''s been a while since I''ve seen him¡­"


    Daniel thought for a moment and said.


    "Anyway, you don''t need to worry about this matter. By the way, you haven''t held your wedding yet, right? There are some things that can''t be left out."


    As Daniel spoke, he looked at Reed:


    "Reed, you need to pay attention to this. You''ve got a child now, and the girl should have a wedding! Fortunately, the Devils of Chaos inside the 5-Element God Realm have been eradicated. It''s time for a happy event."


    To lighten the sadness caused by the Devils of Chaos.


    "Headmaster, I understand!"


    "Hmm, you can ask Elise or Nina for help with this."


    Daniel hinted.


    After all, there was no girl who didn''t want to have a grand wedding.


    Of course, asking Nina was just to see what kind of wedding she dreamed of.


    Preemptive planning.


    That way, they could leave the couple with an unforgettable memory.


    After chatting about a few more things, Reed and his wife left.


    After seeing them off, Daniel couldn''t sit still.


    Reed already had a wife and a child.


    The events of ten years ago...


    What about Rose?


    She was still in the secret realm, after all!


    Wouldn''t she have some unexpected surprise for him as well?


    Thinking of this, Daniel couldn''t sit still.


    But then he thought, Rose was not the type of child to act recklessly.


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    She always thought things through carefully, so there shouldn''t be any accidents...


    But, better safe than sorry.


    Thinking of this, Daniel stood up.


    Forget it, he''d go take a look.


    Let''s see how Rose is doing.


    If she, like Reed, was about to give him a surprise with a grandchild...


    Well, Daniel would be surprised, but he''d still bless them.


    But if it were Rose...


    No, I''m going to deal with that yellow-haired guy, just wait and see!


    Daniel quickly disappeared from his place and headed for House Theseus in the Lunar God Realm.


    Naturally, Daniel''s movements didn''t escape Audrey''s notice.


    Audrey even personally came out to greet him.


    When Audrey sensed Daniel''s aura, she was startled.


    Because Daniel almost never came to visit them proactively.


    Or rather, never came to visit her alone.


    This was the first time she had seen him act this way.


    She almost thought there was some abnormal situation with the Devils of Chaos again.


    It was only after Daniel explained that he had come to check on his daughter in the secret realm that Audrey breathed a sigh of relief.


    So the two of them waited outside the secret realm.


    "Daniel, actually, you don''t have to be so anxious. According to the timing, your daughter should be out in a couple of days."


    Audrey said.


    "I''m not in a hurry. I just wanted to see if she''s been slacking off in there."


    Daniel replied stubbornly.


    At this moment, Rose emerged from the secret realm.


    Behind her, there was a man following her.


    "Father, you''ve come to pick me up?"


    Rose said as she quickly ran over.


    The man behind her bowed respectfully, saying:


    "Greetings, patriarch."


    Rose came to Daniel''s side.


    "Who is that person?"


    Daniel looked at the man and asked.


    "That? I met him inside the secret realm. He should be from House Theseus."


    Rose answered, following Daniel''s gaze.


    "Don''t you recognize him?"


    "I don''t recognize him. He was just behind me when I was leaving the secret realm."


    After hearing Rose''s words, Daniel finally relaxed.


    The killing intent he had felt earlier disappeared completely.


    Thankfully, it wasn''t as he had initially feared.


    At first, Daniel had truly intended to kill the man behind Rose.


    But after hearing Rose''s explanation, that killing intent dissipated completely.


    Then he said, "By the way, I came to pick you up today because Reed is getting married soon."


    "Really? He''s finally come around! Who is she? You didn''t do a good job vetting him, did you?"


    "She''s a great woman, both in terms of strength and character. They''re a perfect match."


    "Well, that''s good."


    After saying this, Daniel left with Rose.


    Audrey had been watching the situation the entire time.


    After confirming that Daniel had left, she walked up to the younger man and said:


    "Get up."


    "Thank you, patriarch."


    Audrey looked at the younger man and asked:


    "The girl just now, what''s your relationship with her?"


    "I met her when I left the secret realm."


    "And her strength? How do you feel about her?"


    The man thought for a moment before replying:


    "Her strength isn''t weak. At least... in the short time I spent with her, she made me feel a sense of pressure."


    After hearing this, Audrey nodded and said:


    "If you encounter this girl again, keep your distance."


    "Patriarch, is she... really that strong?"


    "Her strength is indeed stronger than yours, but that''s not the point. Do you know? Actually, just now, you almost died."


    Audrey warned.


    Because she had been right beside Daniel at that moment, she could clearly sense the change in his aura.


    When Rose and the younger man came out, Daniel was genuinely ready to kill House Theseus''s younger member without hesitation.


    Even though Audrey, the patriarch of House Theseus, was right there.


    Daniel showed no hesitation in his killing intent.


    It wasn''t until he heard his daughter''s words that that killing intent faded away.


    In Audrey''s eyes, Daniel was undoubtedly a very protective father, a complete daughter''s slave.


    As for people like him...


    Audrey had no way of judging.


    So she could only advise her junior to stay far away from Rose in the future!

 Chapter334-The Message of the Fragment

    On the way back to Crossbridge Academy, Daniel had asked a few probing questions and finally confirmed the truth.The man who had been following Rose was indeed the one who had coincidentally emerged from the secret realm with her.


    They had no connection whatsoever.


    Once these facts were confirmed, Daniel could finally relax.


    And these probing questions were enough for Rose to deduce Daniel''s true purpose.


    "Dad, aren''t you just making an excuse to take me back for the wedding? Your real purpose is to see if I know any men, or if I''ve done something like Reed, right?"


    Rose looked at Daniel and questioned him.


    At that moment, Daniel started to joke:


    "How could I be that kind of person? You know I care about you¡­ If you happen to meet a good guy, that''s a good thing, right? By the way, Reed''s wedding seems to be starting soon, and Nora and Nina will be back too. It''s been a long time since you''ve seen them, hasn''t it?"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Rose confirmed her suspicions.


    She said no more because she knew Daniel would never admit his true intentions.


    So, Rose chose to take a different approach:


    "Dad, instead of worrying about me, why don''t you focus on yourself? I don''t really mind having an extra stepmother. By the way, that patriarch from House Theseus, I think she''s really nice, and quite beautiful..."


    Upon hearing Rose''s words, Daniel''s expression immediately changed:


    "You child, don''t talk nonsense, let''s head back quickly."


    Saying this, the two returned to Crossbridge Academy.


    Less than half a day after Daniel left,


    Crossbridge Academy had already started to decorate for the occasion.


    Even Riverside City was the same.


    Although no one really knew why,


    the atmosphere was festive¡ªlively and full of excitement!


    During this time, everyone had been busy running around,


    hunting down those randomly spawning Devils of Chaos.


    In recent days, there had finally been some progress.


    The Devils of Chaos had almost been completely wiped out from the 5-Element God Realm.


    At this point, Reed''s wedding preparations were about to begin.


    He came from one of the top families in the Sun God Realm.


    Many top-tier forces sent gifts to congratulate him.


    Even the Beast Clan sent their own congratulatory gift.


    Of course, Daniel knew that it must have been a gesture from the Beast God.


    After all, this was a wedding between his younger generation and La.''s younger generation.


    The other Realm Heads naturally had to send their gifts.


    On the day of the wedding, even Saya''s father,


    the current Head of House La., came to the 5-Element God Realm.


    He personally attended his daughter''s wedding,


    wearing a smile the entire time, and not daring to show any sign of displeasure.


    During the wedding, everyone was in high spirits.


    It seemed that the bloodshed and sorrow caused by the Devils of Chaos had been somewhat alleviated by this joyous event.


    After the wedding, the God Realms returned to their usual state.


    The Devils of Chaos had almost completely disappeared from the 5-Element God Realm.


    But in other God Realms, the Devils of Chaos were still wreaking havoc.


    Eventually, the Sun and Lunar God Realms couldn''t stand by any longer.


    They sent out numerous God Kings to assist in eliminating the Devils of Chaos.


    Naturally, Daniel didn''t lag behind.


    He sent groups of Crossbridge Academy students to action,


    heading into various God Realms to hunt down the Devils of Chaos.


    Each student was given a registration procedure,


    so that in case of a life-threatening situation, the magic array would quickly teleport them back.


    Daniel had truly covered all the precautions.


    With the support of numerous God Kings,


    the Devils of Chaos, who had once been rampant in other God Realms, were gradually being reduced.


    They were on the verge of disappearing completely.


    Daniel also noticed that the number of Devils of Chaos in the entire God Realm had diminished dramatically.


    Compared to the initial days, they could now be said to be nearly extinct.


    The Apocalypse caused by the Devils of Chaos was, in all likelihood, over.


    Many people were celebrating the approaching victory.


    But Daniel, as always, knew that the real victory was still far from being achieved.


    During the process of eliminating the Devils of Chaos,


    more and more young prodigies had emerged in the eyes of the people of the God Realm.


    In addition to the top prodigies from the Sun and Lunar God Realms,


    a brand new force also appeared in the God Realm:


    Crossbridge Academy!


    Indeed, the prodigies from Crossbridge Academy,


    whether in terms of quantity or strength, could easily surpass all the other prodigies combined.


    This demonstrated the terrifying power of this new force.


    It was said that Crossbridge Academy was located within the 5-Element God Realm,


    and this made many people''s impressions of the 5-Element God Realm much more positive.


    In fact, many people flocked to the 5-Element God Realm just to see this incredible place.


    "Speaking of which, Big White hasn''t come back in quite some time."


    Daniel was enjoying Elise''s cooking when he reminisced.


    "Yes, Headmaster, since the last time Big White came back for Reed''s wedding,


    it''s been almost half a year, and we haven''t seen him again."


    Elise agreed, adding,


    "But this is inevitable. After all, kids grow up and need their own lives."


    Now, in the Crossbridge world, Daniel didn''t have to worry anymore.


    With those lv14 forges, they could upgrade themselves autonomously.


    So, Daniel wasn''t too concerned about Big White leaving.


    "By the way, Headmaster, do you think Big White and Lily might end up like Reed?"


    Elise smiled affectionately as she said.


    She had watched these two little ones grow up,


    so in her heart, she hoped that this might indeed work out.


    Daniel thought for a moment and realized that it was indeed possible.


    Both of them were special cases filled with La.''s potential.


    Big White was the incarnation of the Will of the World,


    while Lily was a hybrid of humans and the Beast Clan, even protected by the will of the entire God Realm.


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    Who knows¡­


    Perhaps these two little ones really could make it to the end?


    "Speaking of which, Headmaster, I do miss the old days, when we were all together.


    Now, it''s hard to see everyone even once a year¡­"


    Elise said with a touch of nostalgia.


    "There''s nothing we can do about it. All good things must come to an end,


    separation is the way of life¡­"


    Daniel replied.


    He had clearly understood what Elise was trying to say.


    After the Apocalypse, he would indeed have to leave.


    There were things he needed to investigate thoroughly,


    so he couldn''t stay here any longer.


    At that moment, a spatial fluctuation sounded.


    Rose stepped out and hurriedly said upon seeing Daniel:


    "Father, I found it!"


    Daniel looked at his daughter with some confusion.


    Rose had some injuries on her body, likely from a recent battle.


    "What did you find?"


    Daniel couldn''t remember asking Rose to search for anything.


    This time, Rose didn''t answer directly but instead stretched out her hand.


    In her hand, a diamond-shaped object was floating.


    At the top of the object, rays of light emitted.


    Instantly, a complete Star Map appeared before Daniel.


    Looking at the Star Map, Daniel was momentarily stunned.


    This was the first time he had seen the incomplete Star Map from the divine dynasty''s relics.


    Later, he had collected many relics of the divine dynasty,


    but this Star Map had never been fully completed. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eventually, he had given the task of completing it to Rose.


    This matter had slipped Daniel''s mind.


    But what surprised him was that Rose had never forgotten,


    and had been continuously searching.


    "But I haven''t collected everything yet, because there''s still one fragment missing."


    Rose spoke up,


    and Daniel noticed that in the center of the Star Map, there indeed was a missing piece.


    "This fragment, where did you find it?"


    "It''s from the House Theseus'' secret realm. I''ve been there these past few days,


    and I found this."


    Rose said as she handed the Star Map to Daniel, continuing,


    "I suspect¡­ House La.''s secret realm might hold the final piece."

 Chapter335-The Secret Realm Rules, Unbreakable!

    Upon hearing Rose''s words, Daniel also looked at the map in his hand.If Rose had found this fragment within the secret realm of House Theseus, then it was very likely that the other fragment was hidden within House La.''s secret realm.


    Because this Star Map was likely the greatest and hardest to find relic left by the divine dynasty. After searching through all the divine dynasty''s relics, Daniel was left with just these final two pieces.


    Thus, it was very likely that these two remaining secret realms hid the crucial fragments. This fit perfectly with the ritualistic significance.


    "Father, how about I send a message to Reed and have him search the secret realm thoroughly?" Rose suggested.


    After the wedding, Reed had participated in the mission to defeat the Devil of Chaos. Later, he once again entered the eighteenth level of House La.''s secret realm, along with his wife. Currently, Reed was in the eighteenth level of House La.''s secret realm.


    That''s why Rose made the suggestion.


    However, Daniel replied, "No need. I''ll go myself."


    With that, Daniel vanished.


    Outside House La.''s secret realm, the young people were still discussing matters within the family.


    Of course, this time, the topic had shifted entirely from the previous two geniuses to Saya.


    The reason being, Saya''s status had changed ¡ª she was no longer a mere illegitimate daughter. In fact, the family head had publicly stated that, should Saya be willing, she would be the next head of House La.


    This public declaration signified one thing: Saya was no longer a taboo in House La., but the brightest star among the younger generation. In fact, no one would be able to compete for the position of head if Saya desired it. She was the strongest of the younger generation, without question.


    "Among the younger generation, there should be no one who can compare to Saya, right? After all, she stayed in the eighteenth level of the secret realm for ten years!"


    "Even the previous two geniuses were far from her level!"


    "That''s true, and you know what? Saya''s child has already spent a long time in the secret realm¡­"


    Indeed, Saya and Reed''s child had spent even more time in the secret realm than the two other young geniuses of House La. It could almost be said that Saya becoming the head of House La. was a done deal. Even her child could be considered the next head.


    Such a scenario was nearly unimaginable in the history of House La.


    Difficult to comprehend.


    "Phew¡­"


    At that moment, a man walked out from the secret realm, extremely excited, and said, "I did it! I successfully stayed in the fifteenth level of the secret realm for one year!"


    In the past, such an accomplishment would have surely shocked those around him. However, now, only those who were familiar with the man would casually congratulate him.


    After all, there was an even more explosive topic at hand. Saya becoming the head of House La. was almost certain. But what about Saya''s child? Did they have the qualification to inherit House La.?


    After all, Saya''s husband wasn''t from House La.


    According to the rules¡­


    High in the sky, two figures watched the discussions below.


    Even La. couldn''t help but cough a couple of times, trying to alleviate the awkwardness.


    "These young people are so curious about these things... I''ll teach them a lesson another day."


    "I can understand. After all, they''re all under a hundred years old. It''s only natural for them to gossip about these things," Daniel replied in understanding.


    Then, La. turned to Daniel and asked, "Did you come this time to find Reed? He just entered, but I can have someone call him out."


    "No, I''m here for something else. It''s not to find Reed," Daniel said.


    "Ah, I see¡­ Is there anything I can help you with?"


    "I''ll handle it myself. I''m here to find something in the secret realm," Daniel replied.


    Hearing this, La. quickly said, "Find something? I must be honest, this secret realm has strict restrictions. Only people under a hundred years of age are allowed to enter. Although we, as the overseers, have the strength to force our way in, it would be a destructive blow to the secret realm!"


    If Daniel forced his way in, La. couldn''t stop him. But he wanted to persuade him, since Daniel wasn''t someone unreasonable. A little persuasion might work.


    The restriction of the secret realm wasn''t based on strength, but on age. Only those under a hundred could enter. Anyone over that age would be rejected.


    It was still just a secret realm, though. Daniel could force his way in, but doing so would destroy it.


    La. noticed that Daniel seemed completely serious, as if he wasn''t joking.


    "You¡­ really want to go in?" La. asked, his voice filled with disbelief.


    "Of course," Daniel answered.


    "The secret realm still has younger generations inside. If you force your way in, it will have a very negative impact on them. There''s even a chance of severe injury due to spatial rifts!"


    La. knew that Daniel cared deeply for his younger generations. How could he possibly do such a thing?


    Daniel was speechless and replied, "Isn''t there a possibility that I actually meet the conditions to enter the secret realm?" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before La. could respond, Daniel had already appeared at the entrance to the secret realm and walked in.


    The secret realm didn''t show any signs of rejecting Daniel. It was as though he perfectly met the requirements.


    At that moment, La. was completely stunned.


    He could hardly believe his eyes. How could Daniel¡­


    Actually meet the conditions? What''s going on?


    La. couldn''t believe what he was seeing. How had Daniel managed to bypass the rules of the secret realm and enter?


    At this moment, La. began to wonder if the secret realm''s rules had encountered some unexpected anomaly.


    Then, La. also appeared at the entrance to the secret realm, intending to test it out himself. Perhaps¡­


    There had been some unforeseen issue with the secret realm''s rules today?


    But as soon as he tried to enter, La. felt an intense sense of rejection.


    Indeed, the secret realm''s rules were intact; it was rejecting him.


    If La. attempted to force his way in, the secret realm might collapse. That would be the best-case scenario. The worst case could involve harming those inside.


    Naturally, La. didn''t intend to force his way in.


    Now, La. was deeply puzzled. How had Daniel managed to enter? What method had he used to deceive the secret realm''s rules?


    According to common sense, this shouldn''t be possible.


    Just then, a unified voice came from behind La.


    "Greetings, Patriarch!"


    The young members of House La., who had been gossiping, suddenly noticed a familiar elderly figure at the entrance to the secret realm.


    It was none other than House La.''s patriarch ¡ª the creator of the family, La.!


    He was still alive in the world.


    Those from House La. immediately recognized the figure and saluted, calling out in unison. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    La. only then realized that the young people had noticed him. He quickly used his power to make them rise, then disappeared swiftly.


    There was no need for him to appear before the younger generations. His presence could easily cause panic.


    Especially when the patriarch was at the entrance to the secret realm. Could it be because they hadn''t ascended to the highest level of the secret realm?

 Chapter336-The Doubtful La.

    La. is very clear about this point.So, normally, he tries to minimize his appearances in front of the public.


    Because when someone like him appears before the younger generation, no matter what action he takes, it will cause a huge stir.


    Even the last time, when he had the current head accept Saya, he did it all by himself.


    No one else knew about it, except for him.


    This time, however, his appearance was purely accidental.


    Because La. never expected that Daniel would be able to enter directly.


    So, after studying the rules of the secret realm, he suddenly forgot that there were so many descendants of other families behind him.


    After hearing that sound, La. disappeared without a trace.


    Once those people saw La. vanish, they didn''t linger for long and continued to do their own things.


    Especially after La. appeared at the entrance of the secret realm, many people turned back and entered the secret realm again, eager to challenge it once more.


    They absolutely couldn''t lose face in front of their ancestors!


    Even though the ancestor had already disappeared.


    La. hid nearby, watching these younger generations enter the secret realm one after another.


    He, however, continued to study the loopholes in the secret realm''s rules.


    Daniel¡­ how did he get in?


    But no matter how much La. studied, he couldn''t find any loopholes.


    That was the most frustrating part.


    At that moment, La. suddenly thought of something.


    That was, before entering, Daniel had said something.


    "Is it possible that I am in compliance with the rules?"


    La.''s mind instantly recalled those words.


    At that time, his first reaction was¡­ impossible?


    Because Daniel, like him, was a ruler.


    He was even the fifth ruler in the God Realm.


    How could he possibly comply with the secret realm''s rules?


    That was completely unreasonable.


    For a person to become a ruler, and at an age not exceeding a hundred years old?


    Could a person really achieve such a thing?


    Even La., after living for so many years, could hardly imagine it.


    Because if Daniel really was under a hundred¡­


    It would also mean one thing¡ªGold Borad, and even Daniel, would have the qualifications to participate?


    Damn!


    How could this happen?


    If a ruler participated in Gold Borad and obtained the original essence left behind by another ruler¡­


    What kind of level would that person reach?


    La. couldn''t even imagine such a thing.


    In the end, La. sighed.


    Because he felt that thinking about these things was meaningless.


    In the current environment, Daniel was their ally.


    Yes!


    Daniel was still their ally.


    In the face of the potential Apocalypse, the stronger their allies were, the better it would be for them and for the God Realm, wouldn''t it?


    However¡­


    Originally, they had anticipated that the participants in Gold Borad might change slightly.


    After coming to this realization, La. sent the same message to the other three:


    "There are nine Gold Borad, but now only eight remain."


    After receiving La.''s cryptic message, the other rulers were also puzzled.


    Because they didn''t understand what La. meant by that.


    "Alright, let''s find a time, and I''ll explain everything to you. For now, you can understand that there are only eight Gold Borad left for us to compete for."


    ...


    Daniel entered the secret realm and quickly reached the eighteenth level.


    The environment in the eighteenth level of the secret realm was far harsher than the outside world.


    But similarly, the resources here were incredibly abundant.


    Daniel, with just a glance using his mind power, could spot many rare herbs and treasures around. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Living here for a long time would not only provide countless resources, but the extreme environment would also continuously temper the body.


    It would maximize the effectiveness of these medicinal materials.


    Indeed¡­


    Such a secret realm was perfect for those with extraordinary talent.


    However, Daniel understood that he wasn''t here to gather these medicinal materials. He was here to find that last fragment.


    At that moment, a voice came from behind.


    "Who are you? Why are you here? I''ve never seen you before!"


    Daniel turned around.


    A somewhat familiar young man appeared.


    After thinking for a moment, Daniel finally remembered when he had seen this person.


    Previously, at Reed''s wedding, the person had come as a family member of Saya.


    He should be one of House La.''s two prodigies.


    However, Daniel had no intention of explaining anything to him.


    So, he just left.


    At the same time, he activated his mind power to its maximum, fully searching for any traces of divine dynasty relics or fragments.


    However, Daniel didn''t expect the person to chase after him.


    He loudly shouted, "Be careful! It''s very dangerous ahead!"


    After shouting, the person stopped chasing.


    He probably just wanted to give that warning, right?


    It seemed reasonable, as the secret realm was almost exclusively accessed by people from House La.


    Over the years, only Reed had been an exception.


    Dean stopped in his tracks.


    He didn''t plan on continuing to chase.


    If he pursued further, he might end up stumbling into that area by mistake.


    That was a very dangerous place.


    After the family''s relationship with Saya had improved, she had warned them before entering the secret realm.


    She had said that direction was incredibly dangerous, and she herself had nearly been trapped there, unable to escape.


    So, she had warned the others not to go in that direction.


    Because of this, Dean had planned to warn that stranger.


    But who would''ve thought?


    That person had directly flown towards the dangerous area.


    Although Dean didn''t know the person, he felt it was necessary to remind him.


    But Dean also worried about his own safety, yet the stranger was already dangerously close to that place.


    So, he could only shout loudly to warn him.


    Although Dean wasn''t sure if the person could hear him.


    He had done everything he could.


    Dean stopped and prepared to turn back.


    But just then, he suddenly heard a loud noise in the distance.


    Then, a large amount of dust was kicked up.


    It was as if a fierce battle was taking place.


    "Could it be that the other person has fallen into the trap? Is this his final struggle?"


    Thinking this, Dean, who had initially planned to leave, found himself caught in an inner dilemma.


    Should he leave, or should he help?


    He didn''t know the person.


    But Dean knew the area ahead was extremely dangerous.


    If he turned around and left, that stranger from House La. might die there.


    After all, that was the place that even Saya had called dangerous.


    If someone fell into that place, it would be a one-way road to death!


    After some thought, Dean ultimately decided to go after the stranger and save him.


    After all, every family member who made it to the eighteenth level of the secret realm was a rare resource.


    He couldn''t just watch him die.


    Dean chased after him.


    However, what appeared before him was a massive pit.


    Yes.


    It was a giant pit.


    It looked as if something had come down from the sky and pressed down, causing the destruction.


    Seeing this, Dean couldn''t believe his eyes.


    Because according to the information Saya had told him.


    The environment here was the most dangerous.


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    Because it was possible that everything one saw was fake.


    Those fatal threats were often hidden in what seemed like peaceful surroundings.


    But now, what Dean was seeing was undoubtedly not a natural formation.


    So¡­


    Was this the result of the battle that just took place with that person?


    Did the person¡­ cause such destruction with his own strength?


    Dean could hardly believe it.


    Because this was the eighteenth level of the secret realm. To cause such destruction here, one must possess incredible strength!

 Chapter337-The Final Star Map

    Daniel pressed forward.No matter what obstacles appeared in his way, he simply struck them down with a single palm.


    Under his hand, the dangers within the secret realm were nothing at all.


    Or rather, the entire secret realm wasn''t much in Daniel''s eyes.


    Soon, Daniel arrived at what seemed to be the core area.


    He even saw a magic array.


    A very simple one, used for concealment.


    Is someone here?


    According to what the person he encountered on the eighteenth floor had said, this place should be extremely dangerous, yet there was someone here?


    Daniel hesitated for only a moment, then dismantled the magic array with a single motion.


    A dilapidated hall appeared before him.


    Daniel walked straight into the hall.


    At that moment, a figure charged at him.


    Suddenly, it halted.


    Saya looked at Daniel in disbelief:


    "Headmaster, how did you end up here?"


    Saya never expected Daniel would appear in this secret realm.


    What was even more unbelievable was that the secret realm was unharmed.


    How did he manage that?


    During Saya and Reed''s wedding, Saya had naturally noticed that Daniel''s strength was on par with her family''s patriarch.


    Otherwise, her father wouldn''t have been that formidable.


    But this powerful Daniel had directly ignored the rules of the secret realm and entered it?


    Even her patriarch wouldn''t be able to accomplish such a feat.


    Upon seeing Daniel, Saya immediately stopped her attack.


    "Are you and Reed exploring here?"


    "Yes, Headmaster. We came here for this place. It''s very dangerous¡­"


    Saya spoke, and just then, a figure rushed toward Daniel.


    "Who!"


    Reed didn''t even have time to discern who the enemy was.


    He didn''t know why Saya had stopped here instead of attacking.


    His attack had already come toward Daniel.


    Daniel couldn''t be bothered to do anything; he simply suspended Reed in midair.


    At that moment, Reed realized that the person he was attacking was actually Daniel.


    He stood there, momentarily dumbfounded.


    "How old are you, and still so reckless? You''re a father now, you should be more composed in the future."


    Daniel looked at Reed and said, then gently lowered him down.


    "Headmaster, why are you here? Is there something going on?"


    "Mm, I''m here to find something."


    Daniel replied.


    "Find something? Headmaster, you could have let me handle it."


    Reed said.


    But Daniel didn''t respond to that. Instead, he said:


    "You two continue exploring. I''ll go ahead."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Daniel''s figure disappeared.


    He reappeared deep within the ruined remains.


    With his mind power fully activated, he carefully searched the surroundings.


    Eventually, Daniel found a very special divine dynasty artifact.


    In just a few seconds, he opened the divine dynasty relic.


    Indeed, his earlier guesses were correct.


    The last fragments had been collected by Daniel.


    He never expected the final two pieces would be in such a place.


    However, it also made Daniel curious about the secret hidden within this Star Map.


    So, Daniel gathered the last fragment.


    In his hand, there was a diamond-shaped object.


    At that moment, the Star Map reappeared.


    The final piece was completed.


    A complete picture emerged before Daniel''s eyes.


    Countless lines intertwined.


    Daniel immediately saw that this¡­


    Was a magic array.


    And not just any magic array, but a complete teleportation magic array.


    Daniel couldn''t tell where this teleportation magic array led.


    But given that the divine dynasty had put so much effort into leaving behind such a teleportation magic array, it was clear that this teleportation magic array was likely tied to something significant.


    So, Daniel left the place, taking Reed and Saya with him as he departed.


    A day later, at Crossbridge Academy.


    This time, Rose and the others gathered together.


    Even Big White and Lily returned to the academy.


    Everything was because Daniel urgently called them back.


    "I plan to leave for a while,"


    Daniel said to everyone.


    "Father, why? Is it because of the Star Map?"


    Rose seemed to know something and asked.


    Daniel nodded, then took out the diamond-shaped object and said:


    "I''ve gathered all the pieces of this Star Map. But what I didn''t expect is that it''s actually a teleportation magic array. A teleportation magic array whose destination is unknown."


    Everyone could tell that this complex teleportation magic array was no ordinary one, even though they weren''t experts in magic arrays.


    "Headmaster, are you really going? The so-called Gold Borad could appear at any moment!"


    Rowan said.


    He was responsible for managing the students at the academy.


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    Daniel''s earlier words, he remembered clearly.


    The Devil of Chaos was no threat to the God Realm.


    But once the Gold Borad appeared, true danger would descend upon the God Realm.


    Rowan was concerned that Daniel''s departure at such a crucial moment might cause problems.


    "I believe you all can handle it. After all, with Rose, Reed, and Saya, you can deal with three Gold Borads."


    With the Gold Borad''s certainty, the God Realm wouldn''t face any immediate danger.


    Since the divine dynasty had already prophesied these events, they had made preparations. There should be enough time for the Gold Borad holders to refine the original essence within the Gold Borads.


    There wouldn''t be any rush.


    "This Star Map has cost me a great deal of effort, so I must go and investigate. The reason I''ve gathered you all today is to warn you to be extra cautious! During my absence, keep an eye on the 5-Element God Realm and Riverside City."


    "Don''t worry, I won''t delay. I''ll return within three years at most,"


    Daniel said, looking at Nina.


    He knew that this was Nina''s biggest worry.


    After speaking, everyone went off to tend to their respective matters.


    Only Elise stayed by Daniel''s side.


    "Headmaster, did you foresee something this time?"


    Elise understood Daniel well. If Daniel wasn''t foreseeing something, he wouldn''t leave at such a critical moment.


    The divine dynasty''s Star Map could be explored at any time, right? There was no need to go now.


    "Something like that. I have a feeling this journey might unravel some mysteries. Don''t worry, there won''t be any accidents."


    Daniel said, then immediately activated the teleportation array from the Star Map and stepped into it.


    He vanished. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as Daniel''s figure disappeared, a massive palace descended from the sky over the entire God Realm.


    Everyone in the God Realm could witness this spectacle.


    However, this palace seemed to be a mere illusion.


    Golden light continuously emanated from the palace.


    Nine beams of golden light, towering and reaching the sky, circled the palace.


    Gradually, the illusion of the palace grew fainter.


    The golden light also began to dim.


    Until everyone could clearly see the golden items radiating light.


    They were golden lists!


    Gold Borad!


    At that moment, as Daniel had just left, the Gold Borad descended with a thunderous roar!


    All the top forces immediately began to make their moves.


    Ordinary people didn''t know, but those at the top of the forces certainly understood the meaning of the Gold Borad!


    They knew full well what the Gold Borad represented!


    With the arrival of the Gold Borad, it meant the Apocalypse might be taking a new turn!

 Chapter338-Gold Borad Appears!

    Everyone in the God Realm can see Gold Borad.At the same time, this marks the beginning of the Gold Borad competition.


    Because of Daniel''s departure, the people of Crossbridge Academy have not separated, and they gather once again at this moment.


    "Is this the Gold Borad that headmaster mentioned? It feels... a little strange!"


    Nina looked up at the Gold Borad in the sky, which radiated a golden glow, and spoke.


    "Indeed, headmaster just left, and right after, Gold Borad appeared. It''s obvious¡­ it seems like it was afraid of headmaster,"


    Elise also commented.


    Upon hearing Elise''s words, everyone nodded in agreement.


    The timing of Gold Borad''s appearance was indeed too suspicious.


    It appeared immediately after Daniel used the teleportation magic array to leave.


    It seemed as if it was waiting for Daniel to leave before showing up at just the right moment.


    At this point, Saya''s communicator also lit up.


    It was a message from House La.


    The message only contained one thing: the matter concerning the Gold Borad competition. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    Saya looked apologetically at everyone and said:


    "I need to return to my family. It''s probably because of the Gold Borad as well. I will pass on the news when I can."


    "And¡­ if we meet later, I won''t take action against anyone."


    Saya said as she left Du Heng Academy and headed towards her family.


    Big White looked at Reed in confusion:


    "What did she mean by that last sentence?"


    "Perhaps¡­ she''s worried that we might run into each other during the Gold Borad competition,"


    Reed replied.


    Then, a brief meeting began among the group.


    Rowan presided, and the remaining members were the strongest and most central figures at Du Heng Academy.


    "The situation is quite complicated right now, so I think we should discuss what to do next for the academy,"


    Rowan began.


    "The Apocalypse in the God Realm is something we will inevitably face. I''ve heard my father mention that the appearance of Gold Borad signifies a major event. It''s likely that the true Apocalypse will begin from here."


    Rose was the first to speak:


    "So, I will compete for Gold Borad! There is a chance to become the ruler within Gold Borad, and only by becoming the ruler can one possess the power to protect everything."


    Rose''s goal was very clear¡ªshe wanted to compete for Gold Borad.


    Now that Daniel had left, the highest level of combat power in the 5-Element God Realm, or rather in Crossbridge Academy, was only those who were above God Kings.


    The gap between them and the ruler was vast.


    Without the power of the ruler, nothing could be done in the future Apocalypse.


    One would essentially be cannon fodder.


    Therefore, competing for Gold Borad was a must.


    If you don''t become the ruler, you''re just an ant!


    "I agree with Rose. This time, almost all the top forces in the God Realm and the God Realm itself will send people to compete. Our Crossbridge Academy must participate as well!"


    "And for the younger people in the academy, this is also a good opportunity."


    "In the competition, they will also get a chance to see the young talents of other forces."


    Rose and Reed spoke one after another, basically setting the tone.


    High-level combat forces would compete for Gold Borad to become the ruler.


    Only in this way could everything be protected in the future Apocalypse.


    As for the young people in the academy, this was a chance to open their eyes to the world.


    The final focus was on Gold Borad.


    Rowan glanced at everyone and then asked: S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who among you plans to compete for Gold Borad?"


    "I definitely will,"


    Rose said decisively.


    The others had no objections, as Rose had already expressed her strong intention earlier.


    "I will as well,"


    Reed said.


    "By the way, Saya has gone back too. This way, at least three people from our academy will be able to guarantee obtaining Gold Borad."


    Rowan nodded, as he had expected this result.


    He then looked at the rest of the people and let them decide for themselves.


    Nina and Nora didn''t plan to participate in the Gold Borad competition.


    They seemed to have other plans.


    As for Green, he also planned to stay at the academy and didn''t intend to compete for Gold Borad.


    Big White planned to go with Lily to observe but wasn''t sure if he would compete for Gold Borad.


    Elise also planned to stay at the academy.


    It seemed clear now: Rose and Reed would go to compete for Gold Borad, while the rest would stay at the academy.


    Just then, Elise suddenly spoke up:


    "Don''t forget about something¡ªthe king shark in the lake is also going to participate in the Gold Borad competition. Headmaster already approved it."


    "Huh? I didn''t know about this,"


    Rowan said.


    If Elise hadn''t reminded him, he wouldn''t have known about this matter at all.


    With this, it seemed that four people from Crossbridge Academy would participate in the competition for Gold Borad¡­


    Things were becoming safer for them.


    With the Devil of Chaos destroyed, Gold Borad had appeared.


    More and more young people began preparing to leave for the Sun and Lunar God Realms, all planning to compete for Gold Borad.


    ¡­


    In a ruined palace.


    No one knew which world this palace belonged to, but it stood in the middle of a forest.


    Or rather¡­


    This palace, which had been abandoned for countless years, had become overgrown with trees.


    Just at this moment, a beam of light suddenly illuminated a place within the palace.


    The light from a teleportation magic array.


    Then, a figure appeared in the palace.


    Daniel glanced around.


    Although the palace was in ruins and surrounded by towering trees, it still maintained a certain sense of order.


    It was as if, though abandoned, the main layout of the place was still intact.


    Daniel walked through the palace.


    The style of the palace was somewhat strange.


    Because¡­


    It was simply too large!


    It didn''t fit human aesthetics at all.


    Could it be¡­ a beast clan''s palace?


    Daniel noticed various fierce beasts carved into the pillars and walls.


    At the same time, he was feeling the surrounding rules.


    It seemed like this place was still within the God Realm.


    Because the rules here were the same as those in the God Realm.


    But Daniel didn''t sense the usual rigid God Realm consciousness¡­


    This place felt more like a mini world.


    Could it be that this is a mini world separated from the Divine Dynasty period?


    Divided off, and now waiting for something?


    What was it waiting for?


    As Daniel walked forward, he pondered this question.


    At that moment, a strong life force suddenly appeared.


    Daniel quickly focused his gaze on a statue.


    He saw that a statue, which had been placed at the main gate, suddenly opened its eyes.


    No!


    This wasn''t a statue!


    With such a powerful life force, it was clearly a unicorn!


    A divine beast, the unicorn!


    However, this unicorn was clearly not in a normal state.


    It had no flesh or blood¡ªits body was the statue itself!


    Or rather, its soul and body had merged into the statue.


    "Human?!"


    The unicorn looked at Daniel and spoke.


    The creature before Daniel was undeniably a genuine unicorn.


    However, unicorns of this kind had disappeared after the Divine Dynasty.


    Even the beast clans themselves doubted whether such creatures ever existed.


    It seemed that this mini world was indeed separated from the Divine Dynasty period.


    Otherwise, there wouldn''t be a unicorn guarding this place.


    In order to understand what had happened, Daniel had to get answers from this unicorn¡­


    Or perhaps, find clues within this divine temple!


    Daniel asked:


    "Unicorn, what happened here?"


    However, the unicorn didn''t answer Daniel''s question. Instead, it opened its mouth slightly and shot out a large amount of flames toward Daniel.


    The flames surrounded him.


    "Human, kneel!"


    The unicorn''s voice echoed through the empty palace!

 Chapter339-The Unicorn Clan

    If it were an ordinary god king here, upon hearing the unicorn''s voice, they would likely be directly intimidated on the spot, followed by being engulfed by flames.But this is Daniel.


    The terrifying aura radiating from the unicorn had absolutely no effect on Daniel.


    In fact, Daniel was able to calmly observe the unicorn''s actions without any sign of concern.


    Even the flames the unicorn spewed out had no real effect on Daniel.


    When those flames approached Daniel, they even avoided his body entirely, merely engulfing the area around him.


    Around him, it was as if there were an invisible barrier blocking the flames.


    Daniel''s calm demeanor seemed to enrage the unicorn.


    It had never encountered a human so audacious, one that completely disregarded its majesty and attacks.


    Upon seeing Daniel''s attitude, the unicorn was genuinely infuriated.


    Even the sculpted shell on its body quickly shed, revealing its true form¡ªthe flowing mane of fur.


    At this moment, due to the unicorn''s anger, its fur was wildly flying in the air.


    "Humans, I command you to kneel!" the unicorn shouted in fury.


    Daniel could not understand. Was this creature dumb? Why was it so determined to make him kneel?


    Couldn''t they just have a normal conversation?


    "Shut up!"


    At first, Daniel held back because the other party was a divine beast, the unicorn, hoping it would behave.


    But unexpectedly, his patience only fueled the unicorn''s arrogance.


    Since that''s the case, Daniel saw no reason to hold back anymore!


    The flames that the unicorn breathed out reached Daniel''s front. This time, it seemed the unicorn had increased the intensity of the flames, trying to break through Daniel''s invisible barrier.


    But Daniel was not going to retreat this time; he acted immediately.


    With a sweep of his hand, the flames were instantly dispersed.


    Then, his figure vanished from sight.


    When Daniel dispersed the flames with a single hand, the unicorn realized something was wrong.


    At first, it was merely testing the waters with its attacks.


    The fact that Daniel could block them wasn''t a big deal.


    Even its aura seemed to have no effect on him.


    The human must have something extraordinary about him to achieve this.


    However, standing here, a human was already an offense in itself.


    This time, the unicorn decided to get serious.


    It unleashed a powerful fireball directly at Daniel.


    This time, no matter what kind of artifact Daniel had, he would not be able to block such a force.


    But what happened next stunned the unicorn.


    Daniel didn''t seem affected at all.


    In fact¡­


    He took the initiative, extending his hand to casually slap the fireball aside.


    The unicorn couldn''t see through Daniel''s strength, but it knew the power of this attack.


    For Daniel to dismiss it so effortlessly meant his strength far exceeded its own.


    At this moment, the unicorn realized something was wrong.


    But Daniel''s figure had already disappeared from the spot.


    In the next moment, he appeared directly in front of the unicorn.


    His fist, with incredible force, slammed into the unicorn''s head.


    Daniel didn''t use any other powers; just pure physical strength, and with this strike, he shattered the entire palace floor beneath him.


    The unicorn''s head was deeply embedded in the ground.


    At that moment, the unicorn was stunned.


    Daniel''s punch had sent its brain into a blank state.


    There was no awareness left.


    Before the unicorn could react, Daniel grabbed its neck, yanked its head out of the ground, and then slammed it down again.


    This time, the strength was even greater than before.


    Cracks spread across the ground, and large fissures appeared.


    The palace floor was several meters thick.


    But Daniel''s two attacks had created two massive craters.


    Each larger than the last.


    Daniel stopped to observe the unicorn''s reaction.


    Its attitude had greatly displeased him.


    The first punch had been because it attacked first.


    The second one was due to its arrogant attitude.


    Daniel believed that after these two strikes, the unicorn would understand how it should behave when facing him.


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    It shouldn''t look down on him from such a high position.


    If this unicorn weren''t likely the last one in the world, Daniel might have even considered storing it in his storage crystal and bringing it back to Elise for research on new recipes.


    Daniel looked at the now motionless unicorn and spoke:


    "I know you''re not dead, stop pretending!"


    The vitality within the unicorn was still very strong.


    This could not be deceived by Daniel.


    After taking two hits from Daniel, the unicorn''s vitality hadn''t diminished much.


    This was a divine beast, after all. Even in such a form, it was still very tenacious. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing Daniel''s words, the unicorn hurriedly lifted its head and obediently said:


    "Spare me! I''ll do anything you ask!"


    The unicorn, now battered and broken, pleaded pitifully.


    Despite its injuries, the wounds were rapidly healing, but the unicorn didn''t want to go through that kind of pain again.


    So, it quickly submitted.


    "Next, I''ll ask, and you''ll answer, understood?" Daniel asked, looking at the unicorn.


    The unicorn hurriedly nodded, as if pecking rice, not daring to delay.


    Daniel then began to ask his questions.


    From the unicorn, he learned the information he needed.


    This palace was called the "Hall of Guidance."


    It was somewhat similar to the place of guidance in the God Realm.


    As for what the guidance was for, it didn''t know.


    All it knew was that it was here to wait for a human to arrive.


    Yes, it was waiting to guide a human.


    Apparently, the role of a guide was rotated every million years.


    This unicorn had been here for nearly 900,000 years.


    It had been quite a long time.


    It was supposed to just sleep through this period and wait for the next unicorn to come and take over.


    But Daniel had come at this time, which made the unicorn a bit displeased.


    In its impression, unicorns were supposed to be superior to humans, so it thought it would punish Daniel a little.


    But then, it hit a wall.


    "So, what you mean is, there are other unicorns besides you?" Daniel asked, looking at the unicorn.


    "Yes, but they''re not in this world; they''re in other worlds. Without my guidance, they cannot be found," the unicorn replied.


    When Daniel asked this question, his tone carried a murderous intent.


    Originally, Daniel had already disliked the unicorn greatly.


    If it weren''t for the fact that it might be the last unicorn¡­


    Oh, now that it wasn''t, it meant the unicorn could be brought back for Elise to cook!


    The unicorn, being a species that naturally sensed danger, immediately realized that Daniel truly wanted to kill it.


    So, it hurriedly said, hoping to save its life.


    "This palace was built by the Divine Dynasty?" Daniel asked.


    "This was built by our patriarch. I''ve heard from the elders that it is somehow related to the Divine Dynasty," the unicorn replied.


    Daniel''s gaze grew even more menacing.


    He almost wanted to extract the unicorn''s memories entirely.


    That way, he''d know how to find other unicorns.


    "I¡­ I¡­ still have value! Finding our world doesn''t have a fixed route. It depends entirely on talent! I was born not long ago, and don''t know much. If you find our world, the patriarch will surely know more!"

 Chapter340-Arrival at the Unicorn Realm

    After sensing the increasingly dangerous aura coming from Daniel, the unicorn quickly spoke.The unicorn could sense that if it didn''t say something soon, it might really die here.


    Upon hearing the unicorn''s words, Daniel''s previous killing intent seemed to dissipate slightly.


    Because according to what the unicorn said, even if it extracted the unicorn''s memories, it wouldn''t be able to find the world where the unicorn lived.


    This was one of the unique talents of their kind.


    Thus, in order to find the unicorn''s world, Daniel would have to rely on this unicorn''s ability.


    "Also, the patriarch asked me to bring you to him. If there are any questions, the patriarch will certainly give you perfect answers."


    The unicorn added.


    Daniel could only say, "Then take me there."


    Soon, Daniel mounted the unicorn.


    The two figures left the mini world together.


    Daniel also learned the unicorn''s name: Dark Jew.


    At least in terms of its talent, Dark Jew was indeed not lying.


    After leaving the mini world, they entered the Chaos.


    At this point, Daniel guessed that they were still quite a distance from the God Realm.


    Within the Chaos, it was difficult to discern direction clearly.


    Unless there was a lingering aura left somewhere initially, one could only rely on their own aura to sense the direction.


    Whether it was the God Realm or the Crossbridge world, Daniel could easily identify them, as both had remnants of his aura.


    Based on this, Daniel could deduce that they were not far from the God Realm.


    He could even feel his faint presence.


    After leaving the mini world, Dark Jew began to accelerate.


    Its figure turned into a blur.


    It continued running through the Chaos.


    Although it had been beaten up by Daniel not long ago, it didn''t affect its performance.


    In fact, due to the unicorn''s nature, even at such a high speed, Daniel didn''t feel any bumps or the effects of the surrounding Chaos.


    Daniel wasn''t sure how long they had been running through the Chaos.


    But soon, he sensed the presence of life ahead.


    The dense vitality could even be felt outside of this world.


    From the outside, this world had a distinct green hue.


    "My lord, this is the world where we live," Dark Jew said, looking at the world ahead.


    "Alright, take me to see your patriarch."


    After running for a long time, Dark Jew didn''t even sound the least bit fatigued.


    In fact, because of the world''s vitality, Dark Jew''s energy was beginning to recover.


    Daniel noticed this subtle change in the unicorn.


    It seemed that this world was specially created or discovered for the unicorns to thrive in.


    Even the rules of the world benefited them.


    Perhaps other divine beasts hadn''t perished but were instead living in their own worlds?


    Daniel kept this hypothesis in his mind.


    Then, he began observing this world.


    Because of the world''s extremely unique rules, its scenery was also quite different.


    The vast green hue Daniel saw was actually due to the countless towering trees in this world.


    These massive trees, along with the abundant vitality, created a paradise of life.


    Daniel also noticed that in some places with especially dense vitality, elemental beings appeared.


    This was something that didn''t exist in the God Realm.


    After a few breaths, Daniel saw a towering mountain peak.


    It was like a massive pillar holding up the sky and earth.


    A divine beast''s aura emanated from it.


    This was the gathering place of the unicorns.


    Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Dark Jew changed direction and flew straight toward the pillar-like mountain peak.


    "Why didn''t you fly straight to the top of the mountain from the beginning? Why stop at the base?" Daniel asked in confusion. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Because it''s not allowed, my lord. You don''t understand, this mountain is very special. You can only fly up from the base; you can''t fly up from the outside," Dark Jew said, struggling to fly upward.


    Soon, Daniel saw a second unicorn.


    It was the second unicorn he had seen.


    This unicorn was lying there, seemingly resting.


    Behind it, there appeared to be a portal.


    Daniel noticed that the strength of this unicorn seemed to be above God King level.


    After sensing the presence of its kin, the unicorn opened its eyes.


    "Dark Jew? Why are you back suddenly instead of in the reception hall? You left without permission; be careful or the patriarch will punish you for another million years!"


    "Of course, it was the patriarch who sent me to receive the human, and I''ve brought them here!" Dark Jew proudly said.


    It had already forgotten about the beating it had taken from Daniel earlier.


    Now, it was the great hero who had completed the patriarch''s mission!


    The unicorn glanced at Daniel and then respectfully lowered its head.


    "Ah, a distinguished guest. Please come in. The patriarch has been waiting for a long time."


    After the unicorn finished speaking, the door behind it opened.


    Dark Jew then led Daniel inside.


    "Didn''t you say the reception hall is on a rotation? Why did you just say something about punishment?" Daniel asked.


    "It''s indeed on a rotation... but punishment is punishment. It''s not a contradiction, right, my lord? Can''t punishment be on rotation too?"


    Hearing Dark Jew''s words, Daniel was somewhat at a loss for words.


    He decided to meet the unicorn patriarch first.


    Maybe once he met them, everything would become clear.


    Once inside, Daniel found that they were inside the mountain, which was like a pillar in the sky.


    Many unicorns lived there.


    Some were old, some weak, but even the weakest unicorns had God King level strength.


    Dark Jew seemed eager not to waste time, so it quickly moved forward.


    They entered an ancient palace.


    Within Daniel''s perception, there was an extremely terrifying aura within the palace, even far stronger than La.''s.


    This was probably the unicorn patriarch.


    "Patriarch, I''ve completed the mission! I''ve brought the person you wanted!" Dark Jew shouted loudly after entering the hall.


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    Its voice echoed through the empty palace.


    At the sound of Dark Jew''s cry, a unicorn figure slowly emerged.


    Its body was withered and frail, like a candle in the wind.


    But the aura it exuded was incredibly strong.


    It hobbled toward Daniel.


    Daniel dismounted from Dark Jew and looked at the elderly figure.


    Perhaps¡­ this figure was the strongest being he had ever seen.


    The unicorn patriarch.


    After Daniel dismounted, Dark Jew hurriedly ran to the unicorn patriarch.


    It seemed relieved to be away from Daniel, like it had escaped danger.


    The unicorn patriarch didn''t acknowledge Dark Jew and instead turned directly to Daniel.


    "This child is quite mischievous. He must have done something to offend you. I apologize on his behalf."


    "Fine, I''ll give you face," Daniel replied.


    Then, with a wave of the unicorn patriarch''s hand, Dark Jew''s body froze completely.


    A gentle breeze blew, and Dark Jew was lifted into the air as though it were paper.


    "Patriarch, what are you doing! I... I can''t control my body anymore."


    "Go to the Heavenly Punishment Cliff and reflect on your actions," the unicorn patriarch said as Dark Jew''s figure vanished.


    Then, turning to Daniel, the patriarch said: "I apologize for the disturbance. But¡­ you''re a bit late..."


    "Late? Do you know who I am?"


    "I don''t, but¡­ someone was always going to come. You were supposed to arrive much earlier. Now, you''re a bit late."


    The patriarch spoke in a cryptic manner, leaving Daniel unsure of how to respond.


    It seemed that these people liked to speak in riddles, making it hard to understand them.


    "I''ve come to ask you some questions."


    "Yes, I know."

 Chapter341-Unicorn Patriarch

    The unicorn patriarch seemed to have guessed what Daniel wanted to say, and continued:"I know you have many questions, and likewise, I have a lot to tell you. It is my responsibility. Please, follow me."


    Saying this, the unicorn patriarch led the way, with Daniel following behind.


    The two figures left the palace and arrived at the back of the palace.


    Here, there was a lake. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the center of the lake, there was a pavilion.


    At this point, the unicorn patriarch had transformed into human form and sat down on a chair.


    Daniel sat across from him.


    "Go ahead, ask your questions."


    The unicorn patriarch spoke.


    "You must have many doubts."


    Daniel immediately spoke up:


    "What about the divine dynasty? You must know about it."


    "The divine dynasty... I naturally know of it."


    The unicorn patriarch said, his eyes showing a hint of nostalgia.


    "I was once one of the nine rulers..."


    "What?"


    Upon hearing this, Daniel was shocked.


    Because he had heard about it from La.


    The nine rulers of the divine dynasty transformed their original essence into the Gold Borad and left behind their legacy.


    This allowed those who inherited the Gold Borad to quickly gain the power of a ruler.


    If that was the case...


    Why could the unicorn patriarch still be standing before him?


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    Shouldn''t he have disappeared from this world after doing such a thing?


    The unicorn patriarch seemed to have noticed the surprise on Daniel''s face and slowly explained:


    "I am not one of the nine who left behind the Gold Borad."


    This made sense.


    "Then you must know about the Apocalypse prophesied by the divine dynasty?"


    Daniel continued asking.


    Since the other party was also a ruler, he should be very familiar with the Apocalypse.


    "Yes, I know this very well. In fact, I was also one of the participants in the prophecy."


    "Then what exactly is the Apocalypse?"


    Daniel finally asked the question that had been weighing on his mind.


    The divine dynasty, the Apocalypse¡ªthese had always been surrounded by mystery, leaving him with no clue.


    And now, he was finally able to get the answer directly from the unicorn patriarch, who had personally participated in the prophecy of the divine dynasty.


    The unicorn patriarch''s eyes darkened, and he said:


    "This disaster is enough to threaten all the realms."


    "It will destroy everything."


    The unicorn patriarch added.


    "Devil of Chaos?"


    Daniel asked, confused.


    According to what La. and others had said, the divine dynasty had fought against the Devil of Chaos in the realms.


    The Devil of Chaos might be the source of the Apocalypse.


    But the early Devils of Chaos were too weak to destroy the realms.


    In fact, by the time Daniel left, those Devils of Chaos had been completely wiped out.


    Unless the number of dark gods within Chaos was nearly countless and could infinitely reproduce in a short time,


    Otherwise, it would be almost impossible to destroy the God Realm.


    With Daniel''s anticipation, the unicorn patriarch answered:


    "Those creatures... They don''t even know why they exist. How could they possibly have the power to destroy the realms?"


    The unicorn patriarch was clearly disdainful of the Devils of Chaos.


    The divine dynasty, according to La. and others'' speculations, must have been much stronger than the current God Realm.


    In fact, even the rulers of the divine dynasty numbered several.


    At one point, the rulers of the divine dynasty almost exhausted all the opportunities for becoming a ruler in the world.


    This demonstrated the disparity in strength.


    The nine rulers were even willing to leave their original essence for future generations.


    This was the fundamental difference.


    So, how could the Devils of Chaos, who posed no great threat to the current God Realm, possibly threaten the divine dynasty?


    It was simply impossible.


    Therefore, the unicorn patriarch was utterly dismissive.


    Then he solemnly said:


    "The real disaster comes from a terrifying unknown."


    This statement left Daniel even more puzzled.


    Unknown? What did that mean?


    "What do you mean by this? Don''t you know what the final Apocalypse is?"


    Upon hearing Daniel''s question, the unicorn patriarch gave a bitter smile and said:


    "Yes, I don''t know¡­ If I did, then how could the divine dynasty have chosen to destroy itself? And our entire unicorn clan would not have been hiding in this Chaos."


    Hearing this from the unicorn patriarch left Daniel slightly disappointed.


    He had originally thought that he would get some answers about the Apocalypse from the unicorn patriarch, but he had not expected that the unicorn patriarch truly knew nothing.


    "Although I don''t know the exact details, I believe you must have some guesses or ideas, right? Otherwise, how could the prophecy have been left behind, stating that only the central region of the God Realm could survive the Apocalypse?"


    The fact that they had accurately said that only the central region of the God Realm could survive the Apocalypse meant they must have some basis.


    However, as soon as Daniel spoke these words, he saw the unicorn patriarch across from him, looking extremely shocked, as if hearing something completely unbelievable.


    "What... did you just say? The prophecy left by the divine dynasty mentioned that?"


    Upon hearing the unicorn patriarch''s question, Daniel realized that the situation was more serious than he had thought.


    "The prophecy of the Apocalypse says that only the central region of the God Realm might have a chance of survival. Isn''t that the prophecy left by the divine dynasty?"


    "Impossible!"


    The unicorn patriarch immediately rebutted.


    "The prophecy we left behind clearly stated that when the Apocalypse arrives, one must stay away from the center of the God Realm, especially the Sun and Lunar god realms. This place... will be the first to be destroyed!"


    Upon hearing the unicorn patriarch''s words, Daniel was stunned.


    Because ever since he had learned about the prophecy of the Apocalypse and the central region of the God Realm,


    Every person he knew had believed this, even those from the beast clans, who were willing to do anything to enter the central region of the God Realm,


    All for the chance to survive the Apocalypse.


    But now, the unicorn patriarch was telling him that all of this was wrong!


    And that the Sun and Lunar god realms would be the first places to be destroyed in the Apocalypse?!


    This completely opposite information left Daniel in a daze.


    Whether it was La. and the other rulers or the god kings, they all believed the prophecy.


    They were all thinking about moving to the center of the God Realm,


    Which meant they weren''t trying to deceive him¡ªthis was simply what they believed.


    But the unicorn patriarch''s statement was the exact opposite.


    If we rule out all other possibilities, then the only remaining explanation was that the prophecy left by the divine dynasty had been altered by some entity!


    And that entity must be far more powerful than La.,


    Otherwise, La. would never have trusted such a prophecy for so long.


    "Was the prophecy left by the divine dynasty on the Fate Mirror?"


    Daniel asked, confirming.


    Because that mirror was how others knew the prophecy left by the divine dynasty.


    But it was also through that mirror that the world received the completely opposite prophecy of the Apocalypse.


    Unfortunately...


    That mirror had shattered shortly after Daniel arrived in the God Realm,


    Leaving him unable to confirm if the mirror had been tampered with.


    But based on the current conclusion, it was clear that the mirror had indeed been tampered with.


    The false prophecy had been spread all along.


    "Yes, the Fate Mirror. It was made using shards of the shattered forge by the nine rulers. When the Apocalypse arrives, the Fate Mirror will shatter to prevent any accidents."


    "Logically speaking... the mirror shouldn''t have any problems."


    The unicorn patriarch also realized the severity of the issue at this point.


    Furrowing his brows, he said:


    If the Fate Mirror had been tampered with...


    What about the other things left behind by the divine dynasty?


    Could they also be problematic?


    Daniel hadn''t expected that the mirror came from the shards of the forge.


    If he wasn''t mistaken, it should have been from the level 14 forge.

 Chapter342-The Altered Prophecy

    "So, in that case, Daniel could actually create a Destiny Realm for himself now?Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire


    To make up for the loss of not having used it before.


    Greenwood God King once mentioned that the Divine Dynasty had a level 14 forge, but it later disappeared.


    So, it became that mirror?


    But it''s unclear why, originally meant to deliver the Apocalypse prophecy, now the prophecy has been altered.


    It has completely turned in the opposite direction.


    If the true Apocalypse were to come, then the top forces within the Sun and Lunar God Realms, and the Beast Clan¡­


    They would likely face a catastrophe.


    So, who could have done this?


    According to reason, since the Divine Dynasty had such power and could leave a prophecy in the Destiny Realm, they should have had measures to prevent modification.


    But the prophecy they left was eventually altered successfully.


    It became a prophecy leading to death.


    "I know now!"


    At this moment, the Unicorn Patriarch suddenly spoke.


    "It must be those guys! Only they would have such power!"


    "Those guys¡­ they altered the prophecy!"


    The Unicorn Patriarch spoke with utmost certainty.


    This left Daniel confused.


    The Unicorn Patriarch seemed to know their identity, but why didn''t he stop them in the beginning?


    "Who are they?"


    "They are a group¡­ who seek to find the origin of the world."


    The Unicorn Patriarch said.


    Hearing this description, Daniel felt a sense of familiarity.


    Then the Unicorn Patriarch continued:


    "These guys, they call themselves the Church of Origins, and they want to find the records of God Realm''s origins, all the way up to the present."


    After hearing this name, information about these people immediately surfaced in Daniel''s mind.


    Indeed, Daniel had a strong impression of this Church of Origins.


    Because he had once seen their end.


    They had wanted to find the Chronicles of Creation, but ultimately found nothing, causing their organization to disband.


    But¡­


    The Church of Origins should have disbanded before the rise of the Divine Dynasty!


    Could this organization have existed all this time?


    Perhaps¡­ there was some mistake in the previous records?


    "Have you heard of the Church of Origins?"


    "Heard of them?"


    The Unicorn Patriarch seemed highly disdainful:


    "Those bastards, ever since the Divine Dynasty was founded, have never been peaceful. You could say¡­ for millions of years, the Divine Dynasty has been at war with them!"


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s words shocked Daniel.


    The long-time enemy of the Divine Dynasty had actually been the Church of Origins?


    "Then the Devil of Chaos¡­"


    "The Devil of Chaos? They''re just Chaos creatures created by the Church of Origins, and the lowest-level ones at that."


    The Unicorn Patriarch seemed to recall something and continued:


    "These guys are the most troublesome existence in all the realms. The Church of Origins, you could say, is the root cause of the Apocalypse!"


    "The Church of Origins¡­ is really such an entity? In the current records, there''s almost nothing about the Church of Origins. I''ve only found some bits and pieces, that they''ve always been searching for the Chronicles of Creation."


    Daniel spoke up about his understanding of the Church of Origins.


    Then he waited for the Unicorn Patriarch to elaborate further on the true nature of the Church of Origins.


    The Unicorn Patriarch calmed his agitated emotions and began:


    "To talk about those guys, we must start from the founding of the Divine Dynasty¡­"


    As the Unicorn Patriarch spoke, Daniel was stunned.


    He never imagined that the origin of the Divine Dynasty was actually linked to the so-called Church of Origins¡­


    In fact, the Church of Origins hadn''t even been called that at first.


    It had only been a group of like-minded people.


    These people were dissatisfied with the power of their rulers.


    They wanted to break through to higher levels.


    So they began to travel through the realms, trying to find a way to transcend.


    But after a long time, they found no results.


    So, this group of people began to gather and communicate.


    They exchanged ideas, seeking further possibilities.


    The thoughts of many individuals began to converge.


    Finally, a spark was ignited.


    That was the Chronicles of Creation!


    In the God Realm, there existed such a thing.


    It recorded the birth of the God Realm, all the way up to the evolution of the realms.


    It was detailed and complete.


    Such an object was called the Chronicles of Creation.


    As long as they could find it, they would gain all the power!


    Because the Chronicles of Creation contained the records of the formation and development of the world.


    From that, one could reverse-engineer the power to destroy or create worlds.


    The creation of rules, the derivation of rules¡­


    And so on.


    The Chronicles of Creation was the ultimate pursuit of power for these people!


    They didn''t know whether the Chronicles of Creation existed or in what form it might exist.


    Their only goal was to find it!


    Soon after, the Church of Origins was established.


    To search for the Chronicles of Creation.


    These people believed that in order to find the Chronicles of Creation, they must first unite all the realms into a single whole.


    Only then would it be easier to find the Chronicles of Creation.


    So, a giant organization was formed.


    Yes, that was the Divine Dynasty.


    The establishment of the Divine Dynasty symbolized the unity of the God Realm.


    All the rulers worked towards a single great goal.


    The Divine Dynasty connected the realms and built the Ascension Gates and the Landing Grounds.


    These were passages linking the realms.


    All the realms were thus united in this manner.


    Then, these people began their search for the Chronicles of Creation.


    They found some clues.


    "That would be the being known as the Creator God."


    The Unicorn Patriarch said solemnly.


    "Is there really such a being?"


    "There is."


    "Although there''s no concrete evidence, all their efforts pointed in that direction. Indeed, there seems to be an intent that created the realms and Chaos, and the Chronicles of Creation should be a tool for recording or altering this creation."


    The Unicorn Patriarch said.


    "So what happened later?"


    Since they realized such a being existed, they must have tried their best to find it.


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    "After realizing this, part of them became disappointed. Because no matter how hard they tried, they might never break through to the highest rank, as even the world itself had been created by this so-called Creator God."


    "They were unwilling to accept that, unwilling to bow down, so they thought of a way to force the Creator God''s will to come out. They wanted to confront this being, even if it meant facing death."


    This sounded like the ramblings of a madman.


    But it was the truth.


    "So, they decided to strike at the most critical part: the world itself!"


    Since the world was created by the Creator God, if they destroyed all the worlds, the Creator God would surely appear and repair them!


    That was the insane plan of these people.


    Even if it meant their own death.


    Even if¡­


    That so-called Creator God could kill them with a single thought, they were willing to face it.


    "To hear the Way in the morning, die content in the evening."


    This was the mindset of these madmen.


    "At the beginning, they targeted the World Tree. This was the existence that sustains the growth of the world. If the World Tree were severed, the Creator God would definitely appear to repair it. That was their thinking."


    So, the World Tree was destroyed by these people.


    That was the truth behind the destruction of the World Tree.


    After hearing this, Daniel felt¡­ absurd.


    "So, did the so-called Creator God really appear?"


    "No."


    The Unicorn Patriarch shook his head and said:


    "That will, it seemed to be watching from some place, or perhaps just observing these people''s performance. In any case, that will didn''t appear."


    "Even when the World Tree was completely destroyed, there was no sign of it."

 Chapter343-The Truth of History

    "It seems to simply observe everything from some unknown corner," the Unicorn Patriarch said slowly.Even the destruction of the World Tree did not draw a shred of attention from that so-called Great Will.


    There wasn''t the slightest trace of its presence.


    As a result, a small number of people began to question:


    Does the God Realm truly harbor such a will?


    Meanwhile, others became increasingly extreme.


    "This situation caused some to descend into madness. They believed that if the World Tree couldn''t attract the attention of the Great Will, then¡­ why not destroy all the worlds instead?"


    "In that way, the Great Will would definitely reveal itself!"


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s words left Daniel shocked.


    He had never imagined that Apocalypse had begun in such a way¡­


    To destroy entire worlds over a mere possibility?


    He couldn''t comprehend such actions.


    Why would anyone want to do this?


    He couldn''t understand.


    "There was another group that couldn''t accept such an extreme approach, leading to divisions." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such madness could never be universally accepted.


    As a result, disagreements arose within this faction.


    Some refused to endorse such methods.


    Destroying the World Tree was one thing¡ªmost living beings could live perfectly fine without it.


    But to obliterate all worlds¡­


    That idea was far too insane.


    No reasonable person could accept such a thing.


    After all, the myriad realms housed countless living beings.


    Their safety¡­


    These lunatics, in pursuit of an ultimate ideal, could no longer be considered human!


    These divisions eventually led to conflict.


    The battle raged for a long time.


    In fact, one-third of the myriad realms were destroyed during these wars.


    The casualties among living beings were immeasurable.


    This was one of the most brutal wars in the history of the Divine Dynasty.


    In the end, the Divine Dynasty barely managed to prevail against those world-destroying maniacs.


    However, despite their victory, the Divine Dynasty was unable to completely annihilate the defeated faction.


    "Later, those from the Church of Origins continued to fight the Divine Dynasty. They created the Devils of Chaos as tools to destroy worlds."


    "Once these Devils of Chaos were born, they had only one purpose: to annihilate all life."


    "Although the Divine Dynasty was stronger than the Church of Origins, its numbers were limited. Faced with the endless Devils of Chaos and the myriad realms, they were overwhelmed."


    "Thus, the Divine Dynasty gathered all its resources to create a prophecy¡ªa prophecy about the future of the God Realm."


    "The prophecy succeeded¡­"


    The Unicorn Patriarch spoke, his voice tinged with melancholy.


    Yes, the prophecy had indeed succeeded.


    The Divine Dynasty foresaw the Apocalypse of the God Realm, the destruction of the God Realm itself.


    Even the disasters of the myriad realms would originate from the center of the Divine Dynasty.


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s revelations left Daniel astonished.


    He had not expected such a hidden history behind the Devils of Chaos.


    It was utterly unexpected.


    "By the way, you mentioned earlier that the Divine Dynasty''s prophecy about the Apocalypse had been altered?"


    "Yes. We left those words in that mirror. In theory, no one should have been able to alter them¡ªexcept¡­ those people! Those from the Church of Origins!"


    Hearing this, Daniel was filled with doubt.


    Why would the Divine Dynasty leave a prophecy behind without safeguards against tampering?


    "Didn''t the Divine Dynasty take precautions against this?"


    "Well¡­"


    After pondering Daniel''s question for a while, the Unicorn Patriarch replied:


    "From what I know, after the fall of the Divine Dynasty, the Devils of Chaos also vanished from the God Realm, and the Church of Origins never reappeared. That''s because the God Emperor of the Divine Dynasty sealed all of them within the Chaos."


    "They weren''t destroyed but were sealed away. Even though they''ve remained imprisoned for years, bypassing the seal to carry out small actions¡ªlike altering the prophecy¡ªshould be relatively easy."


    "Why would they alter the prophecy?"


    Daniel asked.


    "Perhaps because, at the time the prophecy was made, they weren''t yet sealed and had learned part of its contents."


    "By altering the prophecy, they used it to gather the beings of the God Realm at the center, where they could annihilate them all at once."


    After hearing the Unicorn Patriarch''s explanation, Daniel finally understood some of the things he had seen in the memory of the Devils of Chaos.


    The Devils of Chaos had been created.


    They had no childhood or formative stages.


    They followed one unyielding command.


    Perhaps this was the work of those sealed within the Chaos.


    The Devils of Chaos targeted the peripheral god realms rather than the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    This was to drive the majority of the God Realm''s beings toward the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    With this, all the inconsistencies could be explained.


    "Has the Apocalypse already begun?"


    The Unicorn Patriarch looked at Daniel and asked.


    "Not yet. However, due to the earlier appearances of many Devils of Chaos, large numbers of people have already gathered in the Sun and Lunar God Realm. Additionally, in my own God Realm, even more have congregated."


    This was largely due to the efforts of the 5-Element God King, who utilized the Godlink Consortium to spread the word during peace talks between humans and the beast clan.


    Many in the God Realm had developed a familiarity with the 5-Element God Realm.


    When the Devils of Chaos descended, most fled there immediately.


    A smaller number fled to the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    Compared to the 5-Element God Realm, the Sun and Lunar God Realm was less popular¡ªafter all, it was still home to the beast clan.


    Many feared the beasts as much as the Devils of Chaos.


    After hearing Daniel''s response, the Unicorn Patriarch sighed and said:


    "You shouldn''t have come here at this time. With your strength, you could have protected them."


    "Even if the Apocalypse truly descended¡­"


    Daniel disagreed with the Unicorn Patriarch''s assessment.


    "If I hadn''t come here, I wouldn''t have uncovered the truth of the Apocalypse."


    "But this place is far from the God Realm. Even if you can sense its direction, it would take at least a year to return."


    The Unicorn Patriarch understood the implications.


    In such a critical period, a year was long enough for everything to change.


    By the time Daniel returned, the Apocalypse might have already engulfed the God Realm.


    Such a delay would be a waste.


    Daniel could have protected more people during the Apocalypse.


    But if an unforeseen event occurred¡­


    A year would be more than enough.


    The teleportation array in the Guidance Hall was a one-way magic array, making it impossible to use it to return to the God Realm.


    "A year is too long. Here''s the thing¡ªwe unicorns possess a treasure capable of crossing the Chaos. It can reduce your travel time by more than half. Although it will be destroyed after one use, it''s the only option right now."


    Even though the Unicorn Patriarch had long been away from the God Realm, he still deeply cherished it.


    He didn''t want the God Realm or the myriad realms to face destruction.


    Daniel nodded.


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s suggestion was indeed a good one.


    It would allow him to return to the God Realm as quickly as possible.

 Chapter344-The Unicorn Clans Treasure

    If what the Unicorn Patriarch said was true, and the Apocalypse would begin with the destruction of the Sun and Lunar God Realm, then Rose could very well be in danger!Before Daniel left, Rose had been training in the secret realm of House Theseus. She only returned to Crossbridge Academy after obtaining the fragments.


    After Daniel''s departure, according to her original plan, she would likely continue venturing into the secret realm. If the Apocalypse descended while she was there, Rose would be in grave danger!


    At this thought, Daniel felt an inexplicable sense of unease creeping into his heart.


    "Before I leave, I have a few questions. How exactly did the Divine Dynasty fall? And why did the nine rulers of the Divine Dynasty sacrifice their original essence to create the Gold Board?


    Why was the Star Map left behind, leading to the Guidance Hall, with the last two fragments located in the two secret realms of the Sun and Lunar God Realm?"


    Daniel posed a series of questions, but the Unicorn Patriarch merely shook his head.


    "I can''t answer most of your questions," it said before explaining:


    "After the prophecy of the Apocalypse''s arrival was made, I led the Unicorn Clan away from the God Realm. I could sense that our clan couldn''t withstand such a calamity, so I fled to the Chaos."


    "What happened afterward, I''m not entirely sure. Perhaps this was part of the Divine Dynasty''s contingency plan," the Unicorn Patriarch said.


    It had no knowledge of these matters.


    Daniel couldn''t comment much on this.


    The Unicorn Patriarch fled to save the Unicorn Clan. Facing an insurmountable disaster, escape was indeed one way to survive.


    Now, the Unicorn Clan seemed to be living well in the Chaos.


    However, Daniel couldn''t shake the feeling that something was missing¡ªsomething crucial.


    "Hurry and set out. Such news must be delivered to the God Realm immediately, or the consequences will be catastrophic."


    "I understand."


    Daniel replied, following behind the Unicorn Patriarch as they headed toward where the treasure was stored.


    The journey to the Unicorn Clan had gone far too smoothly, almost unnaturally so.


    Still, Daniel didn''t see any issues.


    The secrets he had learned were already enough.


    He could discern that the Unicorn Patriarch''s words were likely truthful.


    At such a time, there was no reason for deception.


    The Unicorn Patriarch wasn''t wrong¡ªApocalypse could descend upon the God Realm at any moment.


    Daniel had to return there as soon as possible.


    "By the way, I heard from Dark Jew that you personally built the Guidance Hall, correct?"


    "Yes, it was on the orders of the God Emperor at the time. Back then, I didn''t understand the purpose of such an undertaking, but now I do."


    "The God Emperor foresaw that the prophecy might be tampered with and made preparations accordingly. But¡­ you''ve come too late. If you had arrived earlier, perhaps you could''ve stopped them¡­"


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s words gave Daniel an odd feeling, prompting him to ask,


    "I''ve heard that during the Divine Dynasty, besides the Unicorn Clan, there were also the Ancestral Dragon and Ancestral Phoenix clans. Like you, they seem to have vanished from the God Realm. Do you still have contact with them?"


    "No, we Unicorns were the first to leave, so I don''t know their circumstances. In all these years in the Chaos, I haven''t encountered any other living beings."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    It seemed that the Ancestral Dragon and Ancestral Phoenix clans had also chosen to leave, like the Unicorns.


    Otherwise, there wouldn''t be any trace of them in the God Realm.


    "Let''s hurry. Every moment we delay here puts the lives of the God Realm''s beings at greater risk," the Unicorn Patriarch urged.


    Daniel quickly followed.


    The two figures reached a location outside the mountains, where the Unicorn Patriarch took out a stone and opened a door.


    A strange stone disk appeared before them.


    The Unicorn Patriarch placed the stone into the disk, and soon, a phantom door materialized.


    "Go on. Once you step through, you''ll be able to quickly return to the God Realm. As long as you can pinpoint its location, you can head back immediately," the Unicorn Patriarch said.


    At this moment, Daniel seemed far more composed than before. Relaxing visibly, he said,


    "By the way, I came here in such a rush that I haven''t had the chance to look around the Unicorn Clan. Let me see some of your other treasures!"


    "Please don''t joke around. Time is of the essence. If the Apocalypse truly arrives, it will be too late for regrets. If you want to visit after the Apocalypse ends, you''re welcome then."


    "Fine, it''s settled then. After the Apocalypse, I''ll come for a proper visit."


    "Of course. We will give you a grand welcome," the Unicorn Patriarch replied.


    Daniel approached the phantom door.


    Just as he was about to step through, he suddenly paused and said,


    "Why don''t you return to the God Realm with me? An extra hand would be a great help."


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s expression darkened.


    "I haven''t considered returning to the God Realm since leaving it millions of years ago."


    "Really?"


    "Yes. I''m just an old relic. Even if I went back, I wouldn''t be of much use. Although I seem strong, I know I don''t have much time left," the Unicorn Patriarch said.


    Daniel nodded and prepared to step into the door. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Unicorn Patriarch, relieved, prepared to leave.


    Suddenly, Daniel stopped again and walked back toward the Unicorn Patriarch.


    "By the way, I just remembered something."


    "What is it?"


    "I haven''t said goodbye to Dark Jew yet. Where''s Punishment Cliff? I''ll go bid him farewell."


    "Oh, that? Punishment Cliff is forbidden to outsiders. I''ll pass the message to Dark Jew for you."


    "Really? What a pity. Is it on the mountaintop that looks like a pillar? When I arrived, I heard Dark Jew mention that the mountain can only be climbed from its base. Why is that? Is there a magic array in place?"


    Hearing Daniel''s questions, the Unicorn Patriarch grew increasingly impatient.


    Suddenly, an overwhelming aura erupted from its body.


    Transforming into a massive unicorn, it charged at Daniel, unleashing a terrifying attack.


    After a deafening explosion, both Daniel and the phantom door disappeared.


    The explosion''s aftermath left the area in ruins, the cave now exposed as open rubble.


    The Unicorn Patriarch sighed in relief, preparing to leave.


    But then, a voice came from beside it.


    "Why attack me so suddenly? Why is it so important that I don''t leave through that door?"


    The Unicorn Patriarch turned toward the source of the voice.


    It saw Daniel standing there, unharmed, as if taunting it.


    "Didn''t you want me to deliver the message and save the God Realm? Why do this?"


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s expression turned grim.


    It hadn''t expected its hasty, full-force attack¡ªcontaining 70% of its strength¡ªto leave Daniel completely unscathed.


    Daniel stood there as if nothing had happened, calmly questioning the Unicorn Patriarch.

 Chapter345-The Great Battle!

    At this moment, the Unicorn Patriarch understood.Their pretense was over.


    Sending Daniel away now was nearly impossible.


    The other party also knew there were still secrets left unspoken.


    At this point, it seemed that battle was the only option!


    From the beginning, Daniel appeared to have harbored suspicions about the Unicorn Patriarch.


    He seemed to be stalling, carefully observing its attitude.


    The Unicorn Patriarch asked, "How did you figure it out?"


    "You were too eager. It made me suspicious," Daniel replied.


    When the Unicorn Patriarch tried to send Daniel away with the Unicorn Clan''s treasure, he had already sensed something was amiss.


    A one-way teleportation array with no way to return, and the reliance on the Unicorn Clan''s treasure for departure¡­ everything felt too deliberate.


    Moreover, the Unicorn Patriarch kept urging him to leave, seemingly very concerned about the God Realm. Yet when Daniel invited it to join him, it was at a loss for words.


    These small yet telling moments led Daniel to grow suspicious.


    In the end, the Unicorn Patriarch couldn''t hold back and attacked first.


    "So, why are you so desperate to get rid of me?"


    Daniel asked, hoping the Unicorn Patriarch would answer.


    However, the Unicorn Patriarch''s expression darkened. It looked at Daniel and said:


    "If you refuse to leave, then you''ll stay here forever!"


    With these words, the Unicorn Patriarch''s aura erupted once more.


    This time, it unleashed its full strength, and its power became truly terrifying!


    It even began to approach Daniel''s own strength.


    Thus, Daniel no longer held back either.


    For the first time since achieving his current level of power, he unleashed his full strength.


    Previously, the enemies he had faced were mostly at the level of God Kings.


    He had never fought a Ruler before.


    The Unicorn Patriarch before him was no ordinary Ruler.


    It was the kind of being that had reached the pinnacle of existence.


    Therefore, Daniel dared not show any negligence.


    He charged at the Unicorn Patriarch, his aura overwhelming the latter.


    In that moment, the Unicorn Patriarch''s gaze showed a fleeting trace of confusion.


    Who am I? Where am I?


    What am I supposed to do?


    Because of Daniel''s overwhelming aura, the Unicorn Patriarch felt as though it was facing the God Emperor of the Divine Dynasty from long ago.


    How could such a person exist in the God Realm?


    Could the God Realm still produce such a being?


    At this moment, even the world itself began to tremble.


    Daniel''s full power clashed with the Unicorn Patriarch''s.


    The collision left the Unicorn Patriarch coughing up blood.


    It had never imagined Daniel''s strength would be so immense.


    "This is my first time going all out. It feels a little unfamiliar¡­"


    Daniel remarked as he gazed at the terrified Unicorn Patriarch.


    During his years of seclusion, Daniel had read a vast number of God Realm texts.


    As a result, his combat style had become exceedingly simple.


    He unleashed divine spells one after another, striking the Unicorn Patriarch.


    Moreover, Daniel continually fine-tuned these divine spells during the battle to maximize their effectiveness.


    The continuous explosions resounded, shaking the world itself.


    Other unicorns in the pillar-like mountain began peeking out to see what was happening.


    But before they could fully open their eyes, they were already trembling in fear from the overwhelming aura.


    They didn''t dare look up.


    As the relentless attacks continued, the entire world began to struggle to sustain itself.


    The Unicorn Patriarch realized that if Daniel''s attacks persisted, the world would fall into ruin.


    Thus, it endured its injuries and fled outside the world.


    Naturally, Daniel gave chase.


    He had only used a fraction of his divine spells.


    With the Unicorn Patriarch as such a perfect test subject, how could he let it go?


    Later, when Daniel compiled the Genesis, he could conveniently include some particularly effective divine spells.


    Outside the world, the Unicorn Patriarch began to question its life.


    Never before had it encountered such a terrifying foe.


    The Unicorn Patriarch was now covered in wounds.


    While its life force was abundant, some injuries refused to heal because they were imbued with strange, rule-defying power that blocked recovery.


    Meanwhile, Daniel''s injuries¡ªif any¡ªwere quickly healing.


    The Unicorn Patriarch looked pitiful.


    In its entire life, it had never been so miserable.


    Moreover, Daniel seemed to be using it as a whetstone, relentlessly experimenting with different divine spells and adjusting them in real-time.


    It was infuriating!


    Daniel wasn''t even treating it as an opponent! sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though, to be fair, the Unicorn Patriarch wasn''t human to begin with.


    "Ancestral Dragon! Ancestral Phoenix! Assist me!"


    The Unicorn Patriarch''s shout reverberated.


    Two worlds emerged from the surrounding Chaos.


    While attacking, Daniel remained alert to his surroundings.


    When he saw the two worlds appear, his interest grew.


    These two worlds¡­


    They could hide themselves within the Chaos?


    Even when Daniel first arrived, he hadn''t noticed them.


    Only now did he realize that near the Unicorn Clan''s world, in the Chaos, the worlds of the Ancestral Dragon and Ancestral Phoenix were also hidden.


    Then, Daniel saw a golden dragon baring its claws and a phoenix spreading its wings.


    The two appeared alongside the Unicorn, standing in the Chaos.


    "Unicorn, what''s going on? Is that a human?"


    As the three appeared together, Daniel noticed something peculiar.


    Their combined aura seemed to coalesce into something.


    Looking closely, Daniel saw a small pavilion faintly manifesting.


    Part of the pavilion''s aura seemed linked to the Guidance Hall where Daniel had been.


    Now Daniel understood.


    The reason they wanted him gone so quickly was to keep him from discovering this so-called pavilion.


    Though he didn''t know its purpose, anything the God Emperor of the Divine Dynasty would hide in this manner had to be significant.


    When Daniel first reached the Guidance Hall, he hadn''t noticed the pavilion.


    This was likely because the three clans'' Patriarchs had hidden it.


    Only with all three present did it finally reveal itself.


    How interesting!


    Daniel didn''t know what the pavilion was, but anything hidden so carefully and imperceptible to someone like him was undoubtedly extraordinary.


    In fact, if the Unicorn Patriarch had been more patient and less agitated¡­


    Daniel might already be on his way back to the God Realm.


    But alas, it had been too eager.


    The Ancestral Unicorn looked at Daniel and said:


    "Human, I''ll give you one last chance. Return to the God Realm immediately. The treasure isn''t destroyed; you can still leave."


    After it spoke, the Ancestral Dragon and Ancestral Phoenix also unleashed their terrifying auras, attempting to intimidate Daniel into retreating.


    However, Daniel seemed unfazed.


    Amidst their overwhelming presence, he showed no fear.


    Looking at the three, he said:


    "Originally, I wasn''t very interested. But now¡­ the more you try to stop me, the more I want to see what''s inside that pavilion!"

 Chapter346-What Exactly Are You?

    "Human, you are courting death!"The Ancestral Dragon glared at Daniel and growled.


    Daniel sneered in response and released his own aura to counterbalance the three of them. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You deserve to die!"


    The Ancestral Phoenix echoed.


    Even in the Divine Dynasty of old, the three of them had been among the most powerful beings.


    Despite having nearly reached the end of their lifespans after all these years in the Chaos, they would not tolerate insults from a mere human.


    "Human, you''re seeking your doom!"


    "Enough. This human is no ordinary existence. Let''s use our strongest methods to seal him immediately!"


    The Ancestral Unicorn, battered and bruised, grimly proposed.


    At that moment, the Ancestral Dragon and Ancestral Phoenix both nodded in agreement.


    They had initially paid little attention to what was happening.


    But upon seeing the Ancestral Unicorn''s injuries, they understood.


    If this human could reach this place and maintain such an arrogant demeanor even after the three of them appeared, he clearly had the strength to back it up.


    Thus, they stopped holding back.


    Daniel''s divine spells were completely intercepted by the trio, unable to reach them.


    Simultaneously, the trio''s terrifying power erupted.


    But it wasn''t just their power¡ªbehind them, their worlds began to resonate with their beings!


    The connection between the three and their worlds unleashed an unfathomable force.


    In an instant, three beams of divine light surged toward Daniel''s location.


    There was no time for Daniel to escape.


    He was instantly enveloped by the three beams of light, which formed a tri-colored cage that trapped him.


    Daniel attempted to break free, but it was futile.


    This cage was the strongest seal formed by the combined powers of the Ancestral Dragon, Ancestral Phoenix, and Ancestral Unicorn, along with the resonance of their worlds.


    "Give it up. You cannot escape," the Ancestral Unicorn said as it watched Daniel struggle within the cage.


    "For millions of years, we''ve been guarding against the arrival of beings like you. So¡­ your efforts are meaningless! Even the God Emperor of old could not escape this!"


    The Ancestral Unicorn spoke with absolute confidence.


    "What is that pavilion? Why have you hidden it?"


    Daniel asked from within the cage.


    "At this point, what meaning is there in your questions? Even if you knew the answer, you wouldn''t be able to leave," the Ancestral Unicorn replied.


    "If you had obediently left in the beginning, this wouldn''t have happened. But because of your suspicion and curiosity, the God Realm will now be destroyed by the Apocalypse, and those you hold dear will perish as well."


    The Ancestral Unicorn shook its head as though pitying Daniel.


    "Humans are always like this¡ªfoolish, just like the God Emperor of old¡­ always trying to defy what is already determined," the Ancestral Dragon commented.


    "Indeed. We should focus on protecting our own. Now, no one will disturb us again," the Ancestral Phoenix added. Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    "What are you so afraid of? What is inside that pavilion?"


    Daniel shouted.


    "At this point, your questions don''t matter. If you survive the Apocalypse, we''ll let you out," the Ancestral Unicorn said, preparing to leave.


    But then Daniel sighed.


    "If you refuse to tell me, then I''ll just have to find out myself!"


    Hearing this, the Ancestral Unicorn felt confused.


    Daniel had already tried to break the cage and failed.


    What was the point of more futile efforts?


    Yet his tone was resolute, as if he truly believed he could escape.


    At that moment, a powerful aura pierced through the cage, enveloping the three divine beasts.


    They froze mid-step, staring in disbelief at the cage.


    No, it wasn''t over.


    Daniel''s aura continued to rise, as though it had no limit.


    It kept climbing higher and higher.


    The trio''s expressions filled with shock and confusion.


    Why was this human''s power still growing?


    Eventually, Daniel''s aura stabilized.


    In an instant, the tri-colored cage shattered.


    "I think you''re so hopelessly foolish that you assume everyone else''s ambition is delusional. If I could gather all the Star Map fragments and reach this place¡­"


    "Then, naturally, I have the strength to deal with the likes of you!"


    Even after breaking the cage, Daniel''s terrifying power did not subside.


    Instead, it surged toward the three divine beasts.


    The three divine beasts unleashed their strongest powers, backed by their worlds, in an attempt to block the attack.


    But it was useless.


    Even with their full strength and the resonance of their worlds, they couldn''t withstand Daniel''s casual energy strike.


    At that moment, the three divine beasts finally realized the gap between them and Daniel.


    After breaking their tri-colored seal, Daniel had completely surpassed them, leaving them far behind in his wake.


    "This¡­ this is impossible!"


    The Ancestral Unicorn couldn''t believe it.


    How could a human''s power suddenly skyrocket to such an extent?


    It defied all reason.


    Even for a human, this level of power was unimaginable!


    Was he truly human, or some monster disguised in human form?


    The Unicorn Patriarch was in utter disbelief.


    As the energy shockwave dissipated, Daniel''s aura remained, pressing down on the three divine beasts.


    His mere presence immobilized them, forcing them to lower their heads.


    Daniel approached the Ancestral Unicorn.


    "Now, will you tell me the truth?"


    The Ancestral Unicorn struggled to lift its head, staring at Daniel with shock.


    "You¡­ you''re the Creator God?!"


    Indeed, nothing else could explain Daniel''s state.


    He had already reached the pinnacle of existence, where further progress was supposed to be impossible¡­ yet he had broken through to an even more terrifying level.


    Such a transformation left the Ancestral Unicorn with only one conclusion:


    Daniel must be the Creator God that the Church of Origins had fervently sought after.


    Daniel sighed.


    "Is it possible that, if I were the Creator God, I wouldn''t have almost been tricked by you?"


    "No! You are the Creator God! Only a true deity can transcend the limits of the myriad realms and the Chaos! Even if you''re not the Creator God, you are something closely tied to it!"


    The Ancestral Unicorn''s tone grew frenzied.


    "The being those zealots sacrificed everything to find¡­ has appeared after millions of years? What a joke¡­"


    The Ancestral Unicorn muttered to itself, laughing softly, as if it had lost its mind.


    Of course, Daniel knew himself well.


    If he were the Creator God, would he be so easily manipulated?


    Still, the Ancestral Unicorn''s words provided a potential lead for investigation after the Apocalypse.


    Turning to the other two divine beasts, Daniel asked,


    "So, will you tell me now? What exactly is that pavilion you''re trying so hard to keep me away from? And why are you here?"

 Chapter347-The Truth of the Pavilion

    Daniel looked at the three divine beasts and asked his question.He found it odd that the dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns¡ªonce participants in the prophecy¡ªhad ended up here.


    Had they vanished from the God Realm to guard that pavilion?


    After Daniel posed his question, the Ancestral Unicorn was the first to respond:


    "I understand now! I understand! You are not the Creator God. You are¡­ a representative of the Creator God, sent to end those world-destroying entities!"


    Daniel was utterly speechless.


    Was the Ancestral Unicorn actually insane?


    Ever since he had broken free from the tri-colored cage, the Ancestral Unicorn had been rambling about the Creator God. Now it was spouting nonsense about him being some kind of terminator.


    It was absurd.


    Daniel gave the Ancestral Unicorn a bemused look.


    He didn''t know how to deal with this creature. Should he seal its mouth or knock it unconscious?


    At this rate, the Ancestral Dragon and Ancestral Phoenix would never get a chance to answer his question.


    Just as Daniel was about to act, the Ancestral Unicorn spoke again:


    "Actually¡­ we didn''t come here voluntarily."


    As the Ancestral Unicorn began to explain, Daniel finally started to understand.


    Indeed, the Ancestral Unicorn had been hiding something¡ªor at least part of the truth.


    Initially, the Ancestral Unicorn had led the unicorns out of the God Realm to find a new home in the Chaos. It knew that neither its power nor the Unicorn Clan could survive the prophesied disaster in the God Realm. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire


    Thus, it chose to flee.


    Escaping to the Chaos, the Church of Origins wouldn''t care about mere fugitives, as their goal was to destroy all connected realms.


    The myriad realms referred to those linked to the God Realm.


    The Ancestral Unicorn''s escape seemed logical.


    Following its lead, the dragons and phoenixes also fled the God Realm to join the unicorns. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Together, the three clans sought to create a new mini-world in the Chaos.


    However, unforeseen events unfolded.


    The God Emperor of the Divine Dynasty, after foreseeing the disasters of the future, refused to accept annihilation.


    He and the Divine Dynasty''s members devised an enormous plan.


    The specifics of this plan were unknown to the Ancestral Unicorn, but they were aware that the Church of Origins had been sealed in the Chaos.


    This much, at least, the God Emperor had informed them of.


    The God Emperor had sought them out, explaining the situation:


    The Church of Origins had been sealed in the Chaos, and the God Emperor had voluntarily dismantled the Divine Dynasty.


    He entrusted the three divine beasts with a final contingency plan.


    "That contingency plan is the pavilion you''ve been keeping me from?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes. We three clans owe the God Emperor a debt, so we''ve stayed here to guard that final contingency," the Ancestral Unicorn admitted.


    Daniel couldn''t help but laugh.


    "A debt? Or were you beaten into submission?"


    The actions of the three¡ªhiding the pavilion and the Ancestral Unicorn''s attempts to distract and rush him away¡ªmade it clear.


    It wasn''t out of gratitude or loyalty but something more forced.


    The Ancestral Unicorn didn''t refute Daniel''s claim because it was the truth.


    "Allowing you to approach that pavilion is unacceptable to us. Once you access it, we will become your slaves¡­"


    Hearing this, Daniel finally understood.


    Their resistance was driven by the fact that if he used the pavilion, they would be bound to him as slaves¡ªnot just the three divine beasts but their entire clans.


    With their patriarchs as his subordinates, how could the dragon, phoenix, and unicorn clans escape servitude?


    It was impossible.


    Thus, the three divine beasts had acted deliberately.


    They knew that anyone who could gather the Star Map fragments and find this place must understand the Divine Dynasty''s history and the God Emperor''s plan.


    Once they fell under his control, he would likely order them back to the God Realm to face the Apocalypse¡ªexactly what they had fled to the Chaos to avoid.


    Returning to die in the God Realm was the last thing they wanted.


    So they devised this strategy: hide the pavilion and have the Ancestral Unicorn warn of the Apocalypse to drive him away.


    But because the Ancestral Unicorn grew impatient, Daniel noticed something amiss, ultimately exposing their plan.


    The three divine beasts had then resorted to the abilities they had honed over millennia, attempting to imprison Daniel.


    They never imagined he could transcend their limits in mere moments, shatter their cage, and reach an unimaginable level of power.


    Their efforts to prevent this outcome were in vain.


    "This was never something we could accept! After the Divine Dynasty fell, we returned to the God Realm and hid two fragments in separate secret realms¡­"


    Hearing this, Daniel understood.


    No wonder he had collected nearly all the relics of the God Realm yet failed to complete the Star Map until Rose found a fragment in a secret realm.


    That led him to deduce that another fragment must be in a different secret realm, ultimately completing the Star Map.


    Those secret realms had unique restrictions.


    Most individuals capable of collecting such items were too old to enter, and those young enough often lacked interest in Divine Dynasty relics.


    The Ancestral Unicorn''s method was indeed clever.


    But how had it placed the fragments in those realms?


    "Did you place the fragments in the secret realms yourself? And why didn''t you take them outside the God Realm?"


    "I had a younger member of my clan, who met the age requirements, place them. The fragments bear restrictions from the God Emperor, preventing us from taking them out of the God Realm."


    It seemed the God Emperor had been thorough in his preparations.


    Unfortunately, he hadn''t foreseen the prophecy in the mirror being altered, which led to the congregation of people in the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    The God Emperor had shown no mercy to these three clans that fled.


    "Enough. Hand over the key. I''m going to see what''s inside."


    After Daniel''s command, the three divine beasts sighed as though resigning to their fate.


    They handed over the true key to Daniel.


    Daniel sensed the key''s strong connection to the three divine beasts but paid it no mind.


    The three clans¡­


    To Daniel, they weren''t of significant value.


    What intrigued him most was the God Emperor''s contingency plan.


    Whatever the God Emperor had left behind to counter those enemies must serve a crucial purpose.


    Daniel was eager to uncover the intentions of this God Emperor, who had destroyed his own dynasty millions of years ago to prepare for the Apocalypse.


    What kind of method could such a decisive and visionary individual have devised?


    Key in hand, Daniel walked toward the pavilion to uncover its secrets.

 Chapter348-Echo of Time

    After examining the God Emperor''s contingency plan, Daniel knew he needed to return to the God Realm as quickly as possible.If the prophecy had truly been altered by the Church of Origins, as the Ancestral Unicorn claimed, then trouble was inevitable.


    He only hoped that during his absence, and before he could make it back to the God Realm, Rose would remain safe.


    As Daniel approached the pavilion, he felt the energy from the key in his hand¡ªimbued with the essence of the three patriarchs¡ªgradually merge into his body.


    He realized he could now command the three patriarchs at will.


    If they tried to defy him, he could inflict excruciating pain, a torment worse than death.


    This binding power was absolute.


    Even if Daniel weren''t as strong as he was now¡ªeven if he were just an ordinary human¡ªhe could still wield this control.


    The God Emperor had indeed been ruthless, especially toward the three patriarchs.


    With this arrangement, the fate of the three entire clans was directly under Daniel''s control.


    For most people, this would be an immensely valuable advantage.


    But for Daniel¡­


    Well, he didn''t need such methods to annihilate entire clans if he wished to.


    Of course, Daniel wasn''t some madman. Such a course of action was out of the question for him.


    After fully absorbing the essence of the three divine beasts, Daniel felt he could now access the pavilion.


    He stepped forward, and it felt like passing through a thin membrane.


    Beyond the membrane, Daniel discovered a scene completely different from the simple pavilion outside.


    Inside was an opulent and grandiose hall.


    Magnificent. Lavish.


    Perhaps this was the architectural style of the Divine Dynasty in its prime, Daniel mused.


    Within the hall, there were ten thrones, each occupied by a distinct figure.


    They appeared to be deep in discussion, oblivious to Daniel''s arrival.


    Upon seeing this scene, a single term instantly came to Daniel''s mind:


    Echo of Time.


    This was a unique space created using the rules of time, preserving a specific moment from history¡ªa temporal echo.


    Daniel sensed an intense aura of time rules radiating from the area in front of him.


    As he tried to step forward, a barrier stopped him.


    This was the boundary between the echo and real-time.


    Just as people cannot travel back to the past, even when past events reappear as echoes, the rules of time forbid interference.


    If one were to forcibly interfere, everything here would vanish.


    Understanding this, Daniel stopped in his tracks.


    He realized that this was what the God Emperor had intended for him to see.


    Soon, the central throne''s occupant¡ªa young man¡ªspoke: S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Everyone, the time has come for us to take the final step."


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    The young man''s voice carried a note of exhaustion.


    "We''re ready. Let''s begin," a woman replied.


    The man waved his hand, and nine Gold Boards appeared before the group.


    "These are the vessels. Once you enter them, you will endure endless solitude until the Apocalypse begins, at which point you will reemerge to seek the impossible chance of survival.


    "Are you truly prepared for this?"


    The God Emperor looked at them and asked.


    "Let''s begin!"


    "Even if it''s a million years later, I''ll never forgive those bastards from the Church of Origins!"


    "Whatever the future holds, we must make this final attempt!"


    One by one, they voiced their resolve.


    In truth, they had prepared themselves for this from the start.


    Even if it meant enduring endless years of isolation.


    Even if they might remain sealed in the Gold Boards for eternity.


    For them, this was the best possible outcome.


    What they feared most was awakening to the despair of a world destroyed by the Apocalypse.


    Watching this, Daniel began to understand the situation.


    This must have been the final meeting of the Divine Dynasty before its self-destruction.


    Besides the God Emperor, the other nine figures were the nine Rulers of the Divine Dynasty.


    Even with the barrier of time, Daniel could tell that these individuals were far stronger than the three divine beasts outside.


    Their plan was to seal their original essences into the Gold Boards, preserving their peak combat power until the Apocalypse arrived and they could resume their battle against the Church of Origins.


    "God Emperor, aren''t you coming with us?"


    One of the figures turned to the God Emperor and asked.


    Nine Gold Boards¡ªmeaning the God Emperor had no plans for himself in the future.


    The God Emperor shook his head and said:


    "The Church of Origins must be sealed, and I have one final task to complete."


    "Meeting all of you has been my greatest fortune. There''s no need for sorrow now. Each era has its own mission to fulfill."


    "Perhaps, in the future, someone even greater than us will emerge to end this once and for all."


    No one responded.


    No one followed this line of thought.


    They knew that this parting was eternal.


    The God Emperor wouldn''t be joining them in the future.


    He would remain here, fulfill his mission, and¡­


    Become a part of history along with the Divine Dynasty.


    Watching this, Daniel felt a sense of melancholy.


    The Church of Origins, in their prime, had been admirable in their pursuit of the unknown.


    But later¡­ they succumbed to madness.


    These individuals before him, however, were truly worthy of respect.


    For the sake of the God Realm, for the future, they were willing to sacrifice themselves.


    With their power, they could have easily lived to the present, like the three divine patriarchs outside, albeit diminished in strength.


    But humans were different.


    Even if these individuals survived to the present, their powers would have faded.


    Thus, they chose this method¡ªto preserve their peak strength.


    Even if the chances of success were infinitesimally small, they were willing to try.


    Now, only the God Emperor remained in the grand hall.


    Daniel observed him.


    The final task the God Emperor mentioned must have been the contingency left behind here.


    But what was it?


    The God Emperor stood up from his throne and walked toward Daniel.


    Of course, he wasn''t actually approaching Daniel¡ªthe barrier of time stood between them.


    He was likely heading toward something else.


    Yet, at that moment, the God Emperor paused.


    Their gazes met, transcending millennia.


    "I succeeded! You''ve made it here!"


    The God Emperor smiled and spoke.


    Daniel froze for a moment before realizing what had happened.


    The God Emperor''s understanding of the rules of time must have been incredibly profound. Otherwise, such an occurrence would be impossible.


    This meant that the God Emperor, standing in the past, had "seen" Daniel in the future.


    "Are you satisfied with the gift I left behind?"


    The God Emperor asked.


    Daniel thought for a moment. The "gift" likely referred to the key and the ability to control the three divine beasts.


    "Though this gift may not mean much to you, it can be passed on to your descendants. They too will have the power to command the three clans."


    The God Emperor explained.


    The key, formed from the original essence of the three patriarchs, was something that could be inherited by future generations.


    Of course, as the bloodline passed down, the ability would gradually weaken.


    Daniel knew the God Emperor could hear him.


    "Did those three clans offend you somehow? This seems a bit excessive."

 Chapter349-Intersection of Time

    Daniel posed his question to the God Emperor.According to the God Emperor, the control over the three clans could be passed down through bloodline inheritance, though it would weaken over time.


    However, Daniel believed that such weakening would be limited¡ªbreaking free of this control would likely take over a hundred generations.


    Considering this was the God Realm, where individuals could extend their lifespans through cultivation, a hundred generations seemed an insurmountable hurdle.


    Daniel couldn''t help but think that these three clans must have seriously offended the God Emperor at some point to warrant such harsh treatment.


    Hearing Daniel''s remark, the God Emperor sighed and replied:


    "Truthfully, I didn''t want to do this. But they cared too much about their own clans. They even chose to flee the God Realm. Such behavior¡­ made me worry that in the future, they might side with the Church of Origins."


    If they could abandon the God Realm for their clan''s sake today, who''s to say they wouldn''t turn against the God Realm tomorrow for the same reason?


    "That''s why I had to take such measures. Only this way could I ensure I would find the person I needed."


    At this point, Daniel understood that this was yet another part of the God Emperor''s intricate plan.


    The key was of immense importance to the three clans.


    The three patriarchs would do everything they could to stop anyone from entering the pavilion.


    Thus, anyone who could overcome them and reach the pavilion would undoubtedly be someone of great strength.


    Seeing such a person would allow the God Emperor to rest assured.


    Even though he wouldn''t be around in the future, having someone with power comparable to his own was enough.


    "So, you''ve been waiting here for me?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes. Has the Apocalypse begun in the current God Realm? Does the Sun and Lunar God Realm still exist?"


    "If the destruction of the Sun and Lunar God Realm signifies the start of the Apocalypse, then it hasn''t started yet¡ªat least not when I left the God Realm.


    However, the Church of Origins has already made their move. At some point, they altered the prophecy in the mirror, making everyone believe the Sun and Lunar God Realm was the only safe place. They''ve been using the Devils of Chaos to drive people into the Sun and Lunar God Realm."


    Daniel briefly described the current state of the God Realm to the God Emperor.


    Hearing this, the God Emperor fell silent, then sighed deeply.


    "As I feared, those people have never given up on their goal of destroying everything."


    Daniel, watching the God Emperor''s pensive expression, suddenly had an idea.


    "In your current time¡­ are you still in the Divine Dynasty era?"


    "Yes."


    "Which means, to you, I''m from the future."


    "That''s correct. Why do you ask?"


    "I''m wondering if our interaction might directly change the future¡ªspecifically, the timeline I''m currently in."


    "That idea¡­ We are on the same timeline. I''ve created a breach here, allowing us to communicate," the God Emperor explained.


    "Then how about this? Don''t destroy the Divine Dynasty and see what happens."


    "Why would I do that?" The God Emperor was puzzled.


    The destruction of the Divine Dynasty was an integral part of his plan.


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    Why would Daniel suggest he abandon it?


    "In that case, how about writing my name, Daniel, on all the relics?"


    The God Emperor thought for a moment and then asked:


    "Are you trying to test something?"


    "Exactly. What if we''re not actually on the same timeline?"


    The God Emperor paused in thought.


    "I don''t see how such an action would have any significance."


    "Just try it. It won''t make any difference anyway. Or maybe, you could put yourself into a state of suspended animation and tell me where you are so I can wake you up directly¡­"


    "This is not the time for jokes!" the God Emperor interrupted sternly.


    "Time follows its own rules. Events that have already occurred cannot be changed! If you attempt to forcibly alter the past, the consequences could be unimaginable!"


    "Then what was the point of all this effort? Just to chat with me?"


    The God Emperor considered this and then said:


    "You mentioned that most of the beings in the God Realm are now in the Sun and Lunar God Realm?"


    "Not most, because a lot of them are also in my 5-Element God Realm. Oh, you might not know¡ªit''s located near the territory where the beast clan was expelled, south of the Sun and Lunar God Realm."


    "Maybe you should have paid more attention to the prophecy so it wouldn''t have been altered," Daniel suggested.


    The God Emperor shook his head and rejected the idea.


    "It''s useless. The people of the Church of Origins already know about it. No matter what I do, I cannot stop them.


    The outcome will remain the same."


    "So, at this point, the Church of Origins hasn''t yet appeared in the God Realm, right?" the God Emperor asked.


    "That''s correct. They haven''t appeared yet. By the way, where exactly did you seal those people in the Chaos? Why not just tell me now? I can go find them and catch them off guard!"


    The God Emperor, however, shook his head again.


    "The location of their seal hasn''t been decided yet. In fact, this meeting with you is to discuss where they should be sealed."


    "But you just said the past cannot be changed!"


    Daniel was stunned.


    What exactly was the God Emperor trying to do?


    First, he claimed the past couldn''t be altered.


    Now, he wanted to discuss the location of the seal for the Church of Origins, which surely counted as altering the future.


    Couldn''t Daniel just suggest sealing them near the three clans so he could deal with them immediately after this conversation and return to the God Realm to declare the Apocalypse over?


    "This isn''t altering the past! Have you considered the possibility that, in the true past¡ªor in the correct history¡ªI had already discussed this with someone like you from the future? You''re part of the past!"


    The God Emperor looked at Daniel and smiled.


    What? That''s allowed?


    Daniel was amazed. He hadn''t expected that the God Emperor''s plan would involve him becoming part of history without even realizing it.


    Although it was a bit hard to wrap his head around, the gist was that the God Emperor had used time to reach out to Daniel and made the decision about the seal''s location part of established history.


    Thus, it wasn''t considered altering anything.


    Unbelievable.


    It felt like they were exploiting a loophole in time itself.


    "Well, fine. Why not seal them near the three clans? Once our conversation is over, I can deal with them right away and head back to the God Realm," Daniel said nonchalantly.


    The God Emperor, however, seemed troubled. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Through the barrier of time, I can''t clearly see your strength. Even if you''re confident in defeating them, I must remind you¡ªnever underestimate them!


    "They are madmen¡ªmadmen who want to destroy the entire world. One mistake, and all efforts will be for nothing."


    "Fine. So how do you plan to seal them?" Daniel asked.


    "I intend to merge myself with the Mirror of Fate and use it to seal them.


    With the Mirror of Fate and my power, I can completely trap the Church of Origins."


    Hearing this, Daniel frowned.


    "So, wherever the Mirror of Fate is, that''s where the Church of Origins will be sealed?"


    "Yes, which is why we need to decide the best location for the Mirror of Fate together," the God Emperor replied.


    Daniel thought for a moment and then said:


    "Why not just put it at the center of the God Realm? After all, isn''t that where the Apocalypse is supposed to begin?"

 Chapter350-The Two Mens Plan

    Daniel''s offhand suggestion left the God Emperor in deep thought.After a long pause, the God Emperor said:


    "Very well!"


    "Huh? I was just saying that casually, and you immediately agreed?"


    Daniel was surprised that the God Emperor accepted his suggestion so quickly.


    "Because the center of the God Realm is indeed a suitable location. Additionally, I can set up more measures to prevent any unforeseen incidents."


    For some reason, Daniel felt a sense of hasty decision-making.


    Although he was now involved in a pivotal moment in history, it felt oddly¡­ casual.


    "What about the beings in the God Realm?" Daniel asked.


    "Some of them are currently gathered in the Sun and Lunar God Realm. Although they''re less than half of the total population, many of the top factions are based there."


    If the Church of Origins were sealed at the center of the God Realm, those in the Sun and Lunar God Realm would be the first to suffer.


    The God Emperor considered this and asked:


    "What about the Gold Board? Has it appeared in the God Realm yet?"


    "No, it hadn''t appeared when I left the God Realm."


    "In that case, we can use the Gold Board to leave messages for the future. It could instruct those in the Sun and Lunar God Realm to evacuate the area as soon as possible."


    The God Emperor proposed.


    This idea seemed effective.


    It would allow the message to reach those in the Sun and Lunar God Realm efficiently.


    "But for this to work, I''ll need a trigger to activate the Gold Board''s descent," the God Emperor explained, looking at Daniel.


    "A trigger?"


    "The Gold Board is formed from the original essences of my nine companions. It is linked to the realms. When it senses significant changes in the God Realm, it will descend from the void.


    "Originally, I intended for the Gold Board to descend in areas outside the Sun and Lunar God Realm once the Apocalypse began. But now, it seems adjustments are needed."


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    The God Emperor pondered and then asked:


    "Did you arrive here using the Star Map teleportation array?"


    "Yes. Collecting those Star Map fragments was exhausting. Couldn''t you have designed fewer? The unicorns even hid the last two fragments in secret realms. If not for my daughter, I might not have known about them!"


    Hearing Daniel''s complaints, the God Emperor chuckled and explained:


    "Even though the Church of Origins members are sealed, they might still find ways to meddle. I had to prepare safeguards.


    "Originally, I planned to create over 9,000 fragments, but hearing your reaction¡­ Let''s keep it to just 900 or so." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel almost choked in exasperation.


    You sneaky God Emperor! 9,000 fragments? That would''ve taken forever to collect!


    "I can give my companions your likeness. If the Star Map teleportation array activates and you leave the God Realm, the Gold Board will descend immediately, just in time to warn those in the God Realm''s center."


    "So you''re saying that as soon as I arrived here, the Gold Board would descend?"


    "Can''t it descend before I leave? That way, I could see it myself and warn everyone directly¡­" Daniel muttered.


    The God Emperor sighed and said:


    "Unfortunately, I can''t track your presence. This is the only method available."


    "If that''s the case, then let the Gold Board descend in the center of the God Realm. At least it can reach the greatest number of people there," Daniel suggested.


    "To ensure safety, I''ll have this palace descend along with it. Even if something unexpected happens, this palace, being a treasure itself, can protect some of the beings in the area."


    Daniel nodded. This plan seemed comprehensive.


    "By the way, what''s the deal with the Gold Board? I heard it can directly grant someone the rank of Ruler. But now it seems your companions are inside the Gold Board as well?"


    Hearing this question, the God Emperor fell silent for a long moment before replying:


    "The Gold Board contains their original essences, along with a portion of the resources necessary to become a Ruler.


    "In the God Realm, such resources are limited. With the Gold Board, someone can ascend to the rank of Ruler. My companions will gift everything they have to those they deem worthy."


    With their lives, they forged a legacy.


    Daniel nodded in understanding.


    These individuals, enduring millennia of solitude, did so to offer themselves at the critical moment¡ªto burn brightly and completely for one final instant.


    Such people deserved immense respect.


    "But how will you ensure future beings believe the messages left by the Gold Board? If the information contradicts the altered prophecy, it could cause doubt," Daniel pointed out.


    The God Emperor suddenly realized the issue.


    If the future unfolded as Daniel described, with the Church of Origins having altered the prophecy in the Mirror, any contradictory messages from the Gold Board could lead to hesitation.


    If no one acted on the Gold Board''s message, it would buy the Church of Origins more time.


    By the time their seal was broken, there might not even be anyone ready to merge with the Gold Board.


    At that moment, an idea struck Daniel.


    "Here''s a thought: I''ll give you a list of names. You leave those names in the Gold Board. That way, those individuals will believe the message. Once they become Rulers, they can guide the people of the Sun and Lunar God Realm to migrate."


    "That''s a good idea," the God Emperor agreed.


    "Alright, here are the names: Rose, Reed, Nora, Nina, Green, Saya¡­"


    After Daniel rattled off a dozen names, the God Emperor''s expression darkened, and he interrupted:


    "I only have nine Gold Boards, and you''ve already named more than nine people! Are all these individuals capable of reaching the final stage and claiming a Gold Board?"


    "Of course not. Some might not even participate. That''s why I''m giving you as many names as possible. The more people included, the greater the chance someone will succeed and see the message," Daniel explained.


    The God Emperor paused, then reluctantly agreed.


    "That makes sense¡­ but this scattershot approach feels excessive. Let''s narrow it down to a few individuals with sufficient strength to claim the Gold Board. They must be strong enough to bear its legacy."


    "Alright, then we''ll go with the first nine names I mentioned. They all have strength above that of a God King and possess unique methods. They should be capable."


    "Fine. Provide me with their portraits. I''ll share them with my companions. If these individuals reach the final stage, the legacy will be theirs," the God Emperor replied.


    "Now, about the Gold Board''s descent location¡­"


    "Didn''t you plan to have it descend elsewhere? The center of the God Realm is dangerous," Daniel suggested.


    He couldn''t help but worry. If the plan proceeded as they discussed, Rose would likely head to the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    What if she encountered danger there?


    The God Emperor thought for a moment, then shook his head.


    "The Church of Origins won''t pass up an opportunity like this. To avoid any unforeseen risks, let''s stick with the plan: have the Gold Board descend in the Sun and Lunar God Realm. It will attract others to compete for it, which might deter the Church of Origins from interfering too much."


    Daniel nodded. This approach seemed reasonable.


    "Alright. But once I leave here, I need to return immediately. Who knows what might happen in the meantime?"

 Chapter351-Finalizing the Plan and Departure

    "So, let me summarize. After I leave here, you''ll seal those Church of Origins members inside the Mirror of Fate, and the mirror will be placed beneath the Sun and Lunar God Realm, correct?""That''s right," the God Emperor replied.


    "Alright, I''ve got no issues. What about you? If everything''s settled, I''ll head back to the God Realm."


    "There''s nothing more to discuss. We''ve finalized the plans. If everything works as intended, you''ll find a glimmer of hope in the Apocalypse."


    Daniel nodded.


    "And you?"


    "I will merge with the Mirror of Fate and fulfill my final mission," the God Emperor said with a calm smile.


    He had long accepted his fate and didn''t need any reassurance.


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    All he hoped for was that the future would bring a chance to survive the Apocalypse.


    "Then¡­ farewell."


    "Indeed. Let''s hope we meet again in the God Realm of the future¡­"


    With that, Daniel left.


    He knew they would never meet again because when he first arrived in the God Realm, the Mirror of Fate had already shattered.


    As Daniel stepped out of the pavilion, he noticed that the structure behind him was beginning to fade.


    It was disappearing into time itself.


    The pavilion had likely only remained intact this long due to the God Emperor''s power, and now it was returning to its rightful conclusion.


    It was never meant to exist in the present.


    Sighing softly, Daniel composed himself and turned to the three divine beasts.


    "How much time has passed?"


    Daniel noticed that the surroundings looked different from when he first entered the pavilion.


    It was clear that more time had passed outside than it felt like inside.


    "More than half a year," the Ancestral Unicorn answered.


    Half a year?


    Daniel was astonished. He had assumed only a short time had passed outside, but it turned out to be over six months. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon reflection, though, it made sense.


    The pavilion was tied to the realm of time, capable of bridging millions of years and enabling a conversation between two people from entirely different eras.


    Given its nature, the accelerated passage of time outside was understandable.


    But this realization meant Daniel needed to hurry back to the God Realm.


    According to his and the God Emperor''s plan, the Gold Board would have descended into the God Realm the moment Daniel left.


    After six months, the competition for the Gold Board was likely nearing its end.


    If Daniel didn''t return quickly, the Church of Origins might already be on the verge of breaking their seal.


    He trusted that if Rose and the others made it to the final stage of the Gold Board''s competition and saw the message he left, they would act immediately.


    They would surely evacuate everyone from the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    But when that happened, the Church of Origins members¡ªstill sealed¡ªwould likely attempt to break free to stop it.


    Daniel had to get back as soon as possible.


    Turning to the three divine beasts, he asked:


    "Are you still unwilling to return to the God Realm?"


    "We only wish for our clans to survive," the Ancestral Unicorn said.


    "That''s fine, but you must come back to the God Realm with me. I won''t harm your clans," Daniel replied.


    Although the three divine beasts appeared aged and frail, Daniel could feel the immense vitality within them.


    Their powers were nearly at their peak. With their help, they could protect the 5-Element God Realm.


    "As you command, my lord," they responded.


    God Realm


    In the skies above the Sun and Lunar God Realm, the ethereal palace still floated, surrounded by nine Gold Boards.


    Since the Gold Board''s descent, many young prodigies from across the God Realm had gathered.


    The areas surrounding the palace were filled with trials and resources. Passing the trials allowed the participants to strengthen themselves further.


    The closer one got to the palace''s central area, the more difficult the trials became.


    Those who passed the final trial would earn the opportunity to claim a Gold Board and gain its recognition, ascending to the rank of Ruler.


    This opportunity was reserved for prodigies under the age of 100.


    Every participant was doing everything in their power to overcome the trials.


    During this period, people were astonished by the sheer number of prodigies in the God Realm.


    Some individuals rapidly advanced through the trials, becoming stronger step by step, with some even reaching the God King rank.


    Among the renowned factions participating, a new force had caught everyone''s attention over the past six months: Crossbridge Academy.


    Initially, many had never heard of this academy, assuming it was a small, insignificant institution.


    But when Rose, Reed, Big White, and King Shark effortlessly dominated the trials, everyone realized that Crossbridge Academy was far from ordinary.


    To everyone''s surprise, it was revealed that the strongest prodigy of House La. was Reed''s wife from Crossbridge Academy.


    This revelation shocked the entire God Realm.


    Speculation ran rampant: what kind of academy was Crossbridge Academy?


    House La. was arguably the most powerful family in the God Realm, yet Crossbridge Academy was worthy of forming an alliance with them through marriage.


    Over the past six months, these prodigies had made tremendous progress and were now on the verge of reaching the palace''s summit.


    The nine golden boards shone brilliantly above.


    Beneath them were enormous arenas, and participants had to win their way through these arenas to reach the altars below the Gold Boards and vie for recognition.


    Outside the palace, numerous figures hovered in the air, holding Illusion Stones.


    These individuals were from the 5-Element God Realm, responsible for broadcasting the events.


    Since the last time this method was used, the 5-Element God King realized its effectiveness.


    With most of the God Realm''s population now concentrated in the 5-Element God Realm and the Sun and Lunar God Realm due to the Devils of Chaos, this was the perfect opportunity to showcase the prowess of the 5-Element God Realm''s prodigies.


    Crossbridge Academy was a part of the 5-Element God Realm, after all.


    "Attention, everyone! The first group of prodigies is about to emerge at the summit. Which factions will they belong to?"


    As the scenes played out on the Illusion Stone screens, spectators began speculating.


    "It has to be House La.! I heard their top prodigy has dominated their entire family. No one could match them in the trials."


    "House La.? Aren''t they connected to the 5-Element God Realm? That prodigy''s wife is from here."


    "True, that Reed guy is incredible! I think the 5-Element God Realm might take four Gold Boards!"


    "I disagree. The top factions in the Sun and Lunar God Realm aren''t to be underestimated!"


    The spectators were abuzz with debate.


    After the Devils of Chaos were defeated, the past six months had been relatively peaceful, and these debates over the prodigies'' strengths had become a popular pastime.


    However, the competition for the Gold Board was the ultimate test.


    Those who lacked sufficient strength would inevitably be eliminated.

 Chapter352-The Final Trial

    "Hahaha! I finally made it out of that place!"


    Big White laughed as he stepped into the area.


    Looking around, he found himself seemingly alone.


    "Huh? Am I the first one here? Quick, quick, make sure you get my good side!"


    He began striking poses dramatically.


    The audience watching through the Illusion Stones couldn''t believe their eyes.


    "What? How is it White God?"


    "That sly, underhanded guy? How could he be the first to make it out?"


    Anyone who had been following the trials over the past six months was well acquainted with Big White.


    His distinctive antics had earned him the nickname "White God," though notably without the "King" title.


    Big White''s style was carefree and mischievous, giving the impression that he would use any means necessary to pass the trials.


    He even had a tendency to mess with his supposed teammates¡ªat least, that''s how the audience saw it. Big White didn''t seem to view them as teammates at all.


    His flamboyant antics and frequent mugging for the Illusion Stones had made him infamous.


    No one could take him seriously as a potential victor.


    "The fact that he''s the first one out is just unacceptable!"


    "Could White God actually win the first Gold Board? He does have a time advantage now¡­"


    "Please, no! That would be unbearable!" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amid the chatter, Big White continued posing and acting as though he were on top of the world.


    "Sigh, it seems that in all the God Realm, there are no other prodigies who can rival me!"


    "Brother, aren''t you afraid someone will punch you for saying that?"


    Lily arrived, rolling her eyes.


    "What''s there to be afraid of? If I''m the first to arrive, it proves my talent! Anyone who wants to challenge me should think carefully about their chances!" Big White declared, brimming with confidence.


    "Father''s not around, and you''re getting cockier by the day," Rose said as she emerged from the trial area.


    Seeing her, Big White chuckled and finally stopped talking.


    Following Rose was Reed, who paused upon noticing that the others had arrived before him.


    "So, you all made it out already. Looks like I''m a bit late," he said.


    Beside Reed was his wife, Saya.


    This scene left the Illusion Stone audience utterly stunned.


    No one had expected the first group to emerge would all¡­


    all be from Crossbridge Academy.


    Or rather, now considered part of the 5-Element God Realm.


    "Hahaha, I knew it! Our 5-Element God Realm is the strongest! What are those Sun and Lunar God Realm prodigies compared to us?"


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself. This was just a trial. The real competition is still ahead! That''s when the top factions will show their true power!"


    "Still clinging to that, huh? Watch as we crush your Sun and Lunar God Realm pride!"


    While Crossbridge Academy''s group casually chatted, other participants began emerging one after another.


    These included prodigies from the top factions, though they appeared far less composed than the first group.


    Some bore injuries from the trials, while others seemed visibly exhausted.


    King Shark was among this second wave of participants.


    In total, about twenty individuals gathered.


    These were the top twenty young prodigies of the God Realm, and they would compete for the coveted Gold Boards.


    As the last person emerged, the nine Gold Boards in the sky began to glow, encircling the arenas below.


    The audience assumed the final battle was about to begin, but suddenly, a staircase materialized before the competitors.


    The rules of the final trial were revealed:


    The final challenge was to ascend 99 steps. Reaching the top would grant the opportunity to gain recognition from the Gold Boards.


    At first glance, the challenge seemed simple.


    There were no additional restrictions, which relieved some of the participants, especially those carrying injuries from the earlier trials.


    If the final trial had been a direct battle, they would have been at a severe disadvantage.


    "Boring! Is this the grand final challenge? How dull!"


    Predictably, Big White''s voice rang out, accompanied by his signature smug expression.


    Sensing the crowd''s irritation, the 5-Element God King provided a close-up of Big White''s antics, further fueling the audience''s frustration.


    Anyone could see that the trial wouldn''t be as easy as it appeared.


    After all, for these prodigies, 99 steps should pose no difficulty under normal circumstances.


    "Ugh, this White God is insufferable! I just want to slap him!"


    "I''m just here to test my strength. This final trial is meaningless to me. I''ll let you all have it," Big White declared, stepping aside and finding a spot to sit.


    He looked every bit like a spectator, entirely disinterested in participating.


    "Lily, come join me," he called.


    "Okay," Lily replied, though she had no idea why she was being asked to sit out.


    Still, she trusted Big White, much like she had believed his childhood stories about defeating hundreds of God Kings.


    The 5-Element God King sighed at the sight.


    He had expected his daughter to refrain from competing, but seeing the Gold Boards so close yet untouched still felt like a missed opportunity.


    Meanwhile, the camera panned back to the other participants.


    Seeing Big White and Lily opt out of the trial, many felt a wave of relief.


    Two fewer competitors meant better odds for everyone else.


    "Well, if you''re not interested, I''ll go first," Reed said, stepping onto the staircase.


    The moment his foot landed on the first step, he felt an immense pressure.


    Though Reed''s strength was nearly at the God King level, honed through rigorous training in House La.''s secret realms, the pressure from the staircase still caught him off guard.


    After pausing to adjust, he continued upward, taking two steps in quick succession.


    Seeing this, the other competitors felt a surge of competitive spirit and began ascending as well.


    Although Reed had the advantage of being first, the other prodigies from top factions were no pushovers. They closed in on him quickly.


    Initially, the crowd had anticipated an intense battle on the arena floor. Instead, the final trial had turned into a race up the staircase. Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Well, it''s still interesting, I suppose," Greenwood God King remarked quietly.


    "It''s a shame your daughter and that Crossbridge Academy guy opted out. It would''ve made things even more exciting."

 Chapter353-Turns Out White God Rides on His Sisters Coattails!

    At this moment, Greenwood God King stood beside the 5-Element God King, watching the unfolding events and sighing with emotion.


    Greenwood God Realm''s champion, though having made it to the final trial, was clearly outmatched compared to the other contestants.


    The final challenge¡ªascending the staircase¡ªleft no room for clever tricks.


    Greenwood God King had already resigned himself to the outcome.


    However, he was surprised that the 5-Element God King''s daughter had chosen to withdraw from the competition entirely.


    Greenwood God Realm had been among the first realms to form an alliance with the 5-Element God Realm, largely due to Daniel''s influence. Over the years, Greenwood God King and the 5-Element God King had maintained close ties.


    "She''s still too young to bear such responsibility, so¡­ let fate decide. From the start, Lily told me she wasn''t interested in vying for a Gold Board," the 5-Element God King explained.


    "When I saw her participating in the trials, I was a bit worried."


    The two spoke in private, their conversation shielded from external listeners.


    "Ah, I''m envious of you¡­" Greenwood God King muttered, his gaze shifting from his realm''s struggling champion to the Crossbridge Academy representatives.


    At Crossbridge Academy, an Illusion Stone broadcasted the final competition.


    Elise had prepared snacks, ready to watch the show with her friends¡ªit was always more entertaining with company.


    First to arrive were Nora and the Green couple, followed by Rowan. Nina came in last.


    "I didn''t miss anything important, did I?" Nina asked.


    "Not really. Big White and Lily opted out of the competition, so it''s just Rose, Reed, and King Shark representing Crossbridge Academy now," Elise replied.


    "I see¡­" Nina said, turning her attention to the Illusion Stone.


    Elise, meanwhile, was engrossed in a book.


    Nina glanced at it, only to be put off by the sheer amount of text.


    Over the past six months, Elise had spent much of her time either cooking or reading. Even during conversations, she often had a book in hand.


    "Why are they just climbing stairs? That''s so boring. It''d be way more fun if they were fighting!" Nina complained.


    As if on cue, the Illusion Stone showed one of the top-tier contestants launching a surprise attack on an unsuspecting rival.


    The ambushed champion was knocked down the stairs, coughing up blood and unable to continue.


    With only nine Gold Boards for eighteen contestants, it was clear that half would be eliminated.


    If the trial itself didn''t enforce eliminations, the participants would take matters into their own hands.


    Once the first blow was struck, the atmosphere shifted.


    Though the competitors had initially maintained a semblance of camaraderie, it quickly dissolved.


    Still, there were exceptions¡ªspecifically the Crossbridge Academy group and Saya, who quickly banded together to form a tight-knit defense.


    The next attack came from a beast clan champion, targeting Greenwood God Realm''s representative.


    The unsuspecting contestant was sent flying like a broken kite, plummeting to the base of the stairs.


    Fortunately, Big White was there to catch them.


    Being aware of the alliance between Greenwood God Realm and the 5-Element God Realm, he saw it as his duty to intervene.


    Seeing this, Greenwood God King''s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening.


    While he had accepted that his realm''s champion wouldn''t claim a Gold Board, this humiliation was unacceptable.


    Combat erupted across the stairs, with contestants striking at the nearest rivals.


    However, unlike the initial sneak attacks, these clashes were met with heavy resistance¡ªeveryone was now on guard.


    Amidst the chaos, it became clear that the real winners of this infighting were the Crossbridge Academy members.


    Rose, Reed, King Shark, and Saya remained unscathed, their alliance forming an impenetrable unit.


    With sixteen contestants remaining, it became apparent that the Crossbridge Academy group posed a serious threat. If left unchecked, they could claim up to four Gold Boards.


    Realizing this, the remaining contestants shifted their focus.


    Unanimously, their gazes turned toward the Crossbridge Academy alliance.


    The first to strike were two champions from House La., targeting Rose.


    Reed was off-limits due to his connection to Saya, but Rose? To them, she was fair game.


    House Theseus''s champion, who had witnessed Rose''s prowess firsthand in their secret realm, wisely distanced himself from the House La. pair.


    He wanted no part in their folly.


    Sure enough, within moments, the two House La. champions were sent tumbling down the stairs, defeated with ease.


    Their descent ended at the base of the stairs, where they encountered Big White.


    "Oh, attacking my sister, huh? You''re dead!"


    Big White wasted no time, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks.


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    Of course, being aware of Saya''s connection to House La., he held back¡ªslightly.


    "Well, I''ll leave them half-alive. They''re God Kings; they won''t die so easily," he muttered.


    Even Lily joined in, eager to get some action.


    Despite traveling with Big White for so long, she rarely had opportunities to fight.


    Seizing the moment, she prepared a divine spell. The resulting surge of energy was so intense that Big White froze mid-punch.


    Turning to Lily, he shouted, "Lily, what are you doing?" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "They attacked Rose. I''m punishing them with a divine spell," she replied calmly.


    "No! If you use that here, they''ll actually die!" Big White exclaimed, sweat beading on his forehead.


    "Oh, okay. I''ll use a smaller one then," Lily said, compressing the spell.


    While the spell appeared smaller, its concentrated energy was even more potent.


    Big White broke out in a cold sweat.


    "No, no, no! Don''t use divine spells here! The palace is in the sky¡ªit can''t handle an attack like that. Just use your fists like me. They won''t dare fight back anyway."


    Meanwhile, the Illusion Stone audience was left in shock.


    "That Rose¡­ she''s so powerful! Those two House La. champions attacked first, yet she not only blocked them but sent them flying. Her strength is terrifying!"


    "No kidding. But honestly, Lily is even scarier! That divine spell she was about to use¡­ just look at how freaked out White God was!"


    "Exactly! If even White God panicked, she must be incredibly strong!"


    "Turns out White God only acts so cocky because he''s hiding behind his sister! If I had a sister that powerful, I''d be even more unbearable!"

 Chapter354-Whats Going On?

    At this moment, the four Overseers were also observing the scene.


    When Rose effortlessly sent two of House La.''s champions flying like broken kites, Nar chuckled and remarked,


    "What a pity. Looks like your House La. has just lost two spots."


    Originally, with three contestants, House La. had a higher chance of success. But now, with only Saya remaining, their odds had significantly diminished.


    La., however, seemed unfazed and calmly replied,


    "They brought this upon themselves by scheming like that. As long as Saya is there, I believe she''ll succeed."


    As time passed, the number of contestants on the staircase steadily dwindled.


    Now, only ten remained, which meant that¡­


    Just one more person needed to be eliminated, and the nine Gold Boards would have clear owners.


    Among the remaining ten, four were tied to Crossbridge Academy.


    At this point, the first contestant to initiate a fight stepped forward again and addressed the group:


    "Everyone, there are ten of us left, but only nine Gold Boards. I propose we join forces and drive out one last person!"


    He pointed toward the two beast clan contestants and continued,


    "The beast clan once slaughtered tens of thousands of Sun and Lunar God Realm''s people. Today, we should make them pay in blood!"


    Following his words, all eyes turned toward the two beast clan champions.


    "Hmph! Lomon, trying to shift the blame onto us, are you? Let''s see if you survive first!" one of the beast clan members sneered.


    The two immediately launched a joint attack against Lomon.


    On the staircase, fighting while enduring its oppressive pressure was no easy task.


    Under their two-on-one assault, Lomon was quickly forced into retreat.


    At that moment, a sneak attack from below struck Lomon. It came from the first champion he had knocked off the staircase.


    After all, every contestant was a champion in their own right¡ªno one would accept defeat quietly, especially when dirty tactics were involved.


    Seizing the opportunity, the two beast clan champions unleashed their strongest attacks, intending to send Lomon crashing down.


    But just as they struck, an overwhelming aura erupted from Lomon''s body.


    In an instant, he deflected the sneak attack and countered with a powerful blow that sent both beast clan champions plummeting down.


    Now, only eight contestants remained.


    With nine Gold Boards, there would even be a spare.


    Everyone turned their attention to Lomon, whose newfound aura revealed the truth¡ªhe was a rank beyond God King!


    Until now, Lomon had been hiding his strength.


    At the critical moment, he revealed his true rank, stunning everyone present.


    Achieving a rank above God King before the age of 100, Lomon was a champion among champions.


    None of the other contestants came close to his level of power.


    Even Big White, watching from below, was momentarily dumbfounded.


    Someone this strong had been concealing their strength all along?


    Did he enjoy playing the underdog that much?


    "This Gold Board rightfully belongs to humanity! Crossbridge Academy, are you planning to protect this beast clan champion?" Lomon declared.


    "If you want to fight us, go ahead and try. I''ve never faced anyone above God King before," Rose replied without hesitation.


    Reed and Saya similarly signaled their readiness to fight.


    Seeing this, Lomon weighed his options and responded,


    "Very well, we walk different paths. I''ll wait for you at the top! And remember, the Gold Boards aren''t limited to one per person!"


    With that, Lomon unleashed his full power and swiftly ascended to the top of the staircase like a gust of wind.


    "Did I hear that right? This Gold Board competition has someone that strong?"


    "Did you miss it? They called him ''beyond God King''!"


    "Is there really a rank above God King that someone under 100 can achieve? That''s unbelievable!"


    In God Realm, God King was the most revered rank.


    God Kings could live for tens of thousands of years.


    But someone above God King?


    And under 100 years old? sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, the Illusion Stone broadcasts left the 5-Element God King feeling a mix of pride and discomfort.


    He glanced at Greenwood God King beside him and thought, Never mind, I''m fine.


    Greenwood God King, who had been stuck at the God King rank for tens of thousands of years, looked visibly uneasy.


    At the top of the staircase, Lomon stood, watching the Gold Boards begin to burn.


    When Rose, Reed, and the others reached the summit, the Gold Boards had fully ignited, transforming into blazing orbs.


    All eyes turned to the nine fiery orbs, waiting to see who they would choose.


    Lomon was brimming with confidence.


    As someone beyond God King, he believed himself the most suitable candidate for these inheritances.


    Compared to the others, his rank allowed him to assimilate more than one Gold Board.


    Then, one orb floated toward Rose, merging with her.


    Three more orbs followed, merging with Reed, Saya, and King Shark.


    Five fiery orbs remained, while four contestants waited.


    Lomon smirked. With his superior rank, it was inevitable that he would claim two.


    But what happened next stunned everyone.


    Two of the orbs suddenly shot downward, away from the summit.


    "What''s going on? Are those Gold Boards disappearing?"


    "Why would they go down? Could they have chosen someone below?"


    "That''s impossible! The rules clearly state that only those who pass the final trial can receive a Gold Board!"


    "Then what''s happening? Why are they heading downward?"


    No one could explain it.


    The two orbs descended rapidly, heading straight for Big White and Lily.


    In an instant, they merged with the two.


    Everyone, including the fallen contestants, was utterly dumbfounded.


    What just happened?


    Among the spectators, Greenwood God King was equally stunned.


    "5-Element, you''ve been hiding something, haven''t you? Didn''t you say your daughter wasn''t participating? Then why did a Gold Board choose her?"


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    "This¡­ I don''t know! How would I know why the Gold Board moved on its own?" the 5-Element God King stammered, just as baffled as the rest.


    Down below, Big White was watching the entire scene unfold and was utterly baffled. Who could have imagined someone hiding their strength so thoroughly? A rank beyond God King?

 Chapter355-Is This Even Possible?

    Down below, Big White was watching the entire scene unfold and was utterly baffled. Who could have imagined someone hiding their strength so thoroughly? A rank beyond God King?


    From the very start, this person had concealed everything¡ªeven when the final test began, not a single clue was given. Only when everyone was close to the summit did they reveal their true strength.


    "Ultimate schemer," Big White muttered, exhaling a sigh of relief.


    Turning to Lily, he said, "Good thing I predicted this. I knew someone would pull off something sneaky in the final trial. And look¡ªthere they are!"


    Lily nodded.


    If they''d participated in the climb, Crossbridge Academy would have had six people. Even in a six-versus-one scenario, they wouldn''t necessarily lose, especially with their ranks nearing the level beyond God King.


    While Big White was happily spectating, something completely unexpected happened.


    The fireballs, which had been resting atop the staircase, suddenly fell.


    And, inexplicably, they seemed to be heading¡­ directly toward him?


    Big White blinked in confusion, his mind swirling with questions.


    Then, before he could react, the two fireballs flew straight into him and Lily, merging with them instantly.


    "Wait, what''s going on? I didn''t even participate in the final trial! How did this happen?" Big White exclaimed, utterly bewildered.


    The speed of the fireballs left no room for escape. It was like they were stealing the moment, forcing their way in.


    There was no one he could complain to.


    Meanwhile, spectators watching via the Illusion Stones were equally flabbergasted.


    "What? What does this mean?"


    "Did the Gold Board glitch or something?"


    "How can it just fall like that?"


    "Wait a second¡ªWhite God?!"


    "No way! Those two fireballs chose White God and his sister?!"


    "What kind of insane luck is this? They didn''t even complete the final trial!"


    The crowd was in uproar, unable to comprehend how this could happen.


    And judging by Big White''s expression, he wasn''t exactly thrilled about it either.


    Envy and frustration boiled over among the spectators.


    How could someone so undeserving receive such a miraculous gift? If he didn''t want it, they''d gladly take it!


    As Big White fused with the fireball, he muttered, "Seriously, how did this happen?"


    Deep down, he understood. Technically speaking, as the Will of Crossbridge World, the Gold Board was of little significance to him.


    With Daniel providing endless resources and Origin Towers, Big White was confident he could eventually surpass the God King rank¡ªor even become an Overseer.


    Moreover, as the Will of World, his growth was already beyond ordinary limits.


    "This opportunity would''ve been better for someone else," he thought.


    "And Lily? She''s still young¡ªthere''s no need for her to take on the burden of fusing with a Gold Board."


    Suddenly, a voice resonated within his consciousness:


    "You brat, stop complaining! If those four hadn''t acted so quickly, I wouldn''t have noticed you two down here!"


    Startled, Big White realized the voice came from the Gold Board itself.


    "Wait, what? The Gold Board can talk?"


    In his mind, an image of a burly man appeared.


    "I''m one of the Overseers from the divine dynasty. This Gold Board contains my original essence. I''ve been waiting for someone like you¡ªdon''t let me down!"


    "Me? Are you sure you have the right person?" Big White asked, his confusion mounting.


    The burly man responded, "Your name and image were provided by God Emperor himself. You''re Big White, correct?"


    "Uh, yeah. Wait¡ªGod Emperor knows me?" Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    "He said if you had any doubts, I should project this image, and you''d believe me," the man said, forming an image of Daniel within Big White''s consciousness.


    "Dad?! Wait, how do you know my dad?"


    "That, I don''t know. This is all part of God Emperor''s plan. Now focus¡ªI''m about to pass all my knowledge to you. Become an Overseer, reach the pinnacle of this world, and protect it. I''m counting on you¡­"


    Meanwhile, atop the staircase, five remaining contestants watched this bizarre scene in stunned silence.


    How was it possible for those who hadn''t even climbed the stairs to fuse with a Gold Board?


    Still, with three Gold Boards left, the five contestants realized only three would claim them.


    They all turned their wary eyes toward Lomon.


    Among the remaining five, Lomon was the strongest. If left unchecked, he could easily drive them out and take the Gold Boards for himself.


    In an unspoken agreement, the four turned their combined efforts against Lomon.


    But Lomon, showcasing his overwhelming strength beyond God King, not only blocked their attacks but also countered, forcing them to retreat.


    It was clear that the four¡ªdespite their rank as God Kings¡ªcould not match Lomon''s might.


    Just as the situation grew dire, another twist unfolded.


    Two of the remaining fireballs suddenly broke away and descended.


    "5-Element, what''s happening now? Could the remaining contestants below still have a chance?" Greenwood God King asked, his tone tinged with hope.


    If so, maybe their Greenwood God Realm champion wasn''t entirely out of the running?


    But 5-Element God King shook his head. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How would I know? The Gold Board must have its own rules. Though, since one already went to Lily¡­ who knows? Maybe these will just leave entirely."


    And as if on cue, the two fireballs shot out of the palace altogether, heading straight for 5-Element God Realm.


    "Wait, what?!" 5-Element God King exclaimed, thoroughly confused.


    What was going on?


    Before he could process the event, chaos erupted atop the staircase once more.


    With two fireballs gone, Lomon refused to waste another second.


    He struck decisively, attempting to seize the final fireball.


    But as his hand reached for it, the fireball erupted with a surge of immense energy, blocking his advance.


    Lomon merely smirked, then did something shocking: he plunged his hand into his chest, pulling out his own heart.


    As his heart pulsed in his hand, thick black mist spread across the platform.


    "Wait¡ªwhat is this power?"


    The four others, still reeling from their earlier defeat, stared in disbelief.


    The other four contestants atop the staircase could scarcely believe what they were sensing from Lomon. They were all too familiar with the aura radiating from him.

 Chapter356-The Aura of the Devil of Chaos!

    The other four contestants atop the staircase could scarcely believe what they were sensing from Lomon. They were all too familiar with the aura radiating from him.


    And that familiarity bred disbelief.


    The aura emanating from Lomon was unmistakably the aura of the Devil of Chaos!


    During the Devil of Chaos''s invasion of the God Realm, these individuals, as God Kings of top factions, had naturally been dispatched to various realms to provide aid. In the process, they had slain many Devils of Chaos.


    This made them intimately familiar with the distinct, ominous energy of these entities.


    But now¡­


    To feel that same energy coming from a fellow human¡ªLomon¡ªwas utterly inconceivable.


    The heart Lomon had just extracted, surrounded by its black mist, bore that exact aura.


    How could this be possible?


    A human, possessing the essence of the Devil of Chaos?


    This was supposed to be an impossibility. The malevolent Dark Gods killed any humans they encountered outright. There was no scenario where they would cooperate with mortals.


    Why, then, was this happening?


    Meanwhile, the four Overseers watching the Gold Board contest were equally stunned.


    The sight of the two fireballs descending from the staircase, fusing with Big White and Lily¡ªwho hadn''t even participated in the final trial¡ªleft them speechless.


    "How does this even make sense? The Gold Board wasn''t supposed to work like this! What was the point of the final trial if people who didn''t climb the stairs could still fuse with the Gold Board?" Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Nar, from Godlink Consortium, was especially frustrated. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Their realm''s contestant had reached the top but hadn''t fused with any Gold Board. Meanwhile, Big White and Lily¡ªsitting far below¡ªhad been chosen.


    The comparison was maddening.


    "Calm down. There are still three Gold Boards left," La. replied evenly.


    "Oh, it''s easy for you to say that," Nar shot back, his voice dripping with frustration. "Your family''s precious ''prodigy'' already fused with a Gold Board. Meanwhile, Godlink Consortium hasn''t received a single one."


    His gaze flicked between the four contestants atop the staircase and the two below who had already fused.


    Then something clicked.


    "Wait a minute¡­ Have you noticed that everyone who''s fused with a Gold Board so far has one thing in common¡ªthey''re all connected to Daniel?"


    Audrey frowned.


    Nar''s observation wasn''t without merit.


    Whether it was the contestants at the top or those at the bottom, everyone who had fused with a Gold Board shared some connection with Daniel.


    Turning to La., Audrey asked pointedly, "La., did you know something beforehand? Is that why you arranged for Saya to marry into Crossbridge Academy?"


    Suspicion crept into her tone.


    How else could this be explained?


    La. raised his hands defensively.


    "You''re jumping to conclusions! I''ve stayed out of family matters for years. This is nothing but fate."


    "Fate? Nonsense! You knew something and kept it from us!" Nar growled, clearly losing his patience.


    Beside him, Beast God remained silent, his attention fixed on the Illusion Stone.


    "Oh, and you!" Nar turned his ire to Beast God. "Let''s not forget your so-called ''hidden gem''¡ªthat shark! You''ve been playing the long game, haven''t you?"


    Beast God arched a brow. "I don''t know what you''re talking about. That shark isn''t even human."


    Nar groaned.


    At least there were still three Gold Boards left. There was hope yet.


    But just as this thought crossed his mind, two more fireballs abruptly flew away from the palace.


    Heading straight for 5-Element God Realm.


    At Crossbridge Academy, the spectators watching the Illusion Stone noticed two fireballs streaking through the sky.


    They resembled the Gold Board fireballs seen during the contest.


    Could these be¡­ actual Gold Boards?


    Nina, munching on her snacks, gestured for everyone to look up.


    One fireball descended into her body, fusing with her.


    The other merged with Nora.


    Nar, still watching through the Illusion Stone, slammed his hands against his seat.


    "See?! I knew it! Everything revolves around Daniel! It''s like he''s orchestrated this entire thing!"


    Audrey nodded grimly.


    "It''s too coincidental. Every single person chosen by the Gold Board is connected to Daniel. And now, two more have fused¡ªright there in Crossbridge Academy. It''s absurd."


    Just as she finished, her eyes widened.


    "Wait! Look!"


    She pointed at the Illusion Stone, drawing everyone''s attention.


    In the palace, Lomon had just extracted his heart.


    Black mist billowed outward, suffused with a sinister aura.


    Nar and Audrey froze, their faces pale.


    "That¡­ that''s the aura of the Devil of Chaos!"


    "He''s their contingency plan!" Audrey exclaimed.


    "We can''t let him succeed!"


    Without hesitation, the four Overseers tore through space, appearing just outside the palace.


    Within the palace, Lomon smirked as he gazed at the fireball above him.


    His voice, now unrecognizable, echoed ominously:


    "You actually thought your little contingency plans could stop us?


    "But it''s meaningless. One fragment of essence¡­ is enough."


    The heart in his hand pulsated violently, sprouting tendrils of dark energy that latched onto the fireball, dragging it toward him.


    The tendrils lashed out further, targeting the other four contestants and even Rose''s group.


    However, the lingering power of the Gold Board repelled them.


    Outside the palace, Nar''s fists clenched in helpless fury.


    The palace''s defenses were too strong. Breaking through in time to stop Lomon was impossible.


    "What now? That Devil of Chaos clearly has a plan."


    "Evacuate the area," Audrey suggested. "We can''t risk anyone else being caught in whatever this is. Start moving people to other God Realms immediately."


    Nar reluctantly agreed.


    The Overseers began shepherding lower-ranked individuals away, ensuring their safety while bracing for what might come next.


    Inside the palace, Rose stood in her mindscape, face-to-face with a woman¡ªone of the nine Overseers from the divine dynasty.


    The woman relayed every detail of God Emperor''s instructions, including Daniel''s name and likeness, to earn Rose''s trust.


    The information left Rose reeling.


    A man from ten million years ago had not only known her name but also her father''s?


    It was mind-boggling.


    And yet, the evidence was undeniable.


    Rose took a deep breath, forcing herself to process it all.


    Then, with a wry smile, she muttered to herself:


    "Well¡­ if my father''s involved, I suppose nothing''s too far-fetched."

 Chapter357-Fusion Complete!

    "The center of Apocalypse is within the Sun and Lunar God Realm at the heart of the God Realm. This place will become incredibly dangerous! Therefore, everyone must evacuate immediately!"


    "The God Emperor told us that the prophecy we left in the Mirror of Fate would be altered by those beings."


    "By then... which is now for you, I''m afraid the Sun and Lunar God Realm must already have a large number of people gathered there, right?"


    Upon hearing this question, Rose nodded.


    Because of the conflict involving the Devil of Chaos and the Gold Board, the Sun and Lunar God Realm was indeed densely populated at this time.


    If what this woman said was true... then this situation was extremely perilous!


    But who could have imagined that the prophecy left by the divine dynasty would be completely altered into the exact opposite result?


    The prophecy Daniel initially shared with Rose stated that only the Sun and Lunar God Realm was the safest place in the God Realm.


    However, the real prophecy was the exact opposite.


    The first place to be destroyed was, in fact, the Sun and Lunar God Realm!


    "Such a thing... can anyone truly believe it? Even if I believe it, others will definitely doubt it!"


    Rose knew that this belief was deeply ingrained in many people''s minds.


    It was only because of her brief time in the God Realm and the mention of her father Daniel that she was convinced.


    But what about everyone else? The people of the God Realm wouldn''t believe this so easily, would they?


    "With just you alone, it would indeed be very difficult. But I''ve just discovered that among the names given to us by the God Emperor, six people are present on the scene. If you six become the custodians, you''ll gain even greater power to protect the common people and evacuate them from the Sun and Lunar God Realm."


    As the woman spoke, a purple aura appeared in her hand.


    "This is the aura left behind from the dawn of creation. If you can fuse with this, along with my original essence, becoming a custodian won''t be a problem at all."


    "What about you, after I fuse with your original essence?"


    Rose asked the woman with a complex expression.


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    "Me? Naturally, I''ll fulfill my mission and vanish into the world."


    The woman replied calmly.


    "Aren''t you afraid of death?"


    Rose asked curiously.


    "Death? In fact, I should have perished along with the divine dynasty eons ago. But to protect all living beings across the realms, we chose to merge our original essence into the Gold Board, awaiting this moment."


    "The lives of all beings in the multiverse shouldn''t be extinguished like this! Do your best to carry on our will and protect the God Realm."


    With that, she pushed the purple aura toward Rose.


    Rose no longer hesitated but began absorbing it.


    Since the other party had chosen to sacrifice herself, this was not the time for Rose to waver.


    ¡­


    Outside, the Fox God King anxiously observed the scene from the 5-Element Temple.


    Lily had fallen unconscious due to merging with the Gold Board.


    During the fusion process, the lingering power of the Gold Board would protect her.


    However¡­


    The Fox God King had seen something earlier.


    Within the palace was a hidden contingency left by the Devil of Chaos, who was also attempting to fuse with the Gold Board.


    If that individual succeeded first and attacked Lily¡­


    The Fox God King was growing increasingly anxious.


    But she couldn''t leave.


    The 5-Element Temple required someone to manage it.


    Not long ago, the custodians had brought many people over from the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    At this moment, a flurry of commands was being issued from the 5-Element Temple, organizing and resettling the refugees brought by the custodians.


    On the temple''s steps, the first to awaken was Lomon!


    This was an outcome no one had anticipated.


    Lomon''s aura was rapidly growing stronger.


    Step by step¡­ he became a custodian.


    And even¡­ reached the pinnacle of a custodian''s power!


    This was a level that La and the others had yet to attain.


    Outside the palace, La and the others looked grim.


    They hadn''t expected to be outmaneuvered by the Devil of Chaos at such a critical moment!


    Moreover, the Devil of Chaos had now become an extraordinarily powerful custodian.


    Even they were no match for him!


    The palace, which they once thought impregnable, now paradoxically served as their shield.


    Witnessing this, La and the others wore conflicted expressions.


    Lomon radiated an overwhelming aura of the Devil of Chaos.


    "So this is the power of a custodian? How marvelous!"


    "And you think you can stop me? Once I leave here, I will tear each of you apart and devour you!"


    At this moment, Lomon''s gaze seemed to pierce through the palace barrier, locking onto La and the others outside.


    The four of them shuddered involuntarily.


    They never imagined that, after so many years as custodians, they would experience such terror again¡­


    "Utterly futile!"


    Lomon declared, as the tentacles gripping the four prodigies began converging toward him.


    He devoured each of them one by one.


    Then, his gaze shifted to the others in the palace, eventually locking onto Lily.


    Something about Lily drew his attention¡ªan indescribable, unique aura.


    Without hesitation, Lomon charged toward her.


    He felt that devouring Lily would elevate him even further!


    Even though he was already at the peak of custodian power, he believed that consuming Lily would allow him to surpass his limits.


    Driven by an insatiable hunger, Lomon yearned to see what lay beyond his current rank.


    Tentacles erupted from Lomon, reaching for Lily to devour her.


    But just then, a divine radiance flashed.


    The tentacles extending toward Lily were severed cleanly!


    "No one can harm her while I''m here!"


    At that moment, Big White appeared, standing before Lomon.


    He, too, had awakened, his gaze fixed on Lomon with intense killing intent.


    Big White''s aura had also reached the pinnacle of custodian power!


    "Big White! Lily is counting on you!"


    Outside, the 5-Element God King shouted excitedly at the scene.


    He didn''t know if Big White could hear him, but he couldn''t help but yell out.


    The situation moments earlier had been far too perilous!


    If not for that last-second intervention, Lily might have been captured by the terrifying entity.


    "You think you can stop me?"


    Lomon sneered at Big White.


    Of course, he remembered Big White.


    He had never seen this guy as capable of anything.


    His impression of Big White was of a lucky fool¡ªa clown who thrived on sheer luck.


    So why should such a guy stand in his way now?


    "Then how about adding me?" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A flash of sword light followed!


    Lomon suddenly felt a weight lifted from his body.


    His arm had been severed by the sword light!


    Rose had awakened.


    Lomon turned his gaze to Rose.


    He soon realized something terrifying.


    His severed arm wasn''t regenerating.


    As a custodian at his level, he should have been able to regenerate even if his entire body was destroyed.


    But the arm severed by Rose seemed to have vanished entirely, as if it had never existed.


    "Damn it!"


    Cursing, Lomon grew a new arm from his waist.


    Unable to regenerate the original, he opted to sprout a new one.


    "We''re here too!"


    At that moment, Reed and the others awakened!

 Chapter358-Daniels Return

    "Great! Excellent! Quickly destroy that guy! He''s the backup left by the Devil of Chaos!"


    Outside, La shouted anxiously upon seeing the scene.


    He was certain that his voice would reach the children inside the palace.


    After all, these children now possessed the peak power of custodians.


    "No, this guy isn''t a backup of the Devil of Chaos but rather... a backup of the Church of Origins!"


    Rose said, staring at Lomon.


    "So everyone has already received the information left by the headmaster! In that case, let''s eliminate this guy first!" Reed added.


    "Alright!"


    With that, the six in the palace began attacking as one.


    Outside, La and the others were filled with confusion.


    They could hear the conversation inside the palace.


    But precisely because they heard it, they were perplexed.


    The Church of Origins...


    What was that?


    It seemed that Rose and the others had learned secrets unknown to them during this process.


    La frowned.


    He had studied the history of the divine dynasty, yet he had never heard of the Church of Origins.


    As the four custodians outside were pondering, a woman''s voice came from behind. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Because everyone was deceived by the Church of Origins."


    La turned to see two figures approaching.


    The overwhelming aura of peak custodians emanated from them, affirming their identity.


    These two were Nora and Nina.


    Having successfully fused with the Gold Board, they had also received the information Daniel left behind.


    "Deceived? What do you mean?" La asked, puzzled.


    The other three custodians also turned their attention to Nora and Nina.


    "The prophecy in the Mirror of Fate was, in fact, altered by the Church of Origins! The true prophecy was that during the Apocalypse, the Sun and Lunar God Realm would be the first place destroyed!" Nina explained.


    She also gave a brief introduction to the Church of Origins.


    After hearing Nina''s explanation, the four custodians were stunned and could hardly believe what they had learned.


    Yes, they couldn''t believe it...


    The prophecy had been tampered with!


    And behind the Devil of Chaos and everything else was an organization called the Church of Origins!


    "Patriarch, they''re right! The custodians of the divine dynasty left messages for all of us in the Gold Board!" Saya''s voice echoed from within the palace.


    La fell silent for a moment before deciding to believe them.


    "If that''s the case, then it means the Sun and Lunar God Realm at the center of the God Realm isn''t safe. Only the other god realms outside the Sun and Lunar God Realm are safe!"


    "We need to evacuate everyone from the Sun and Lunar God Realm!"


    As for the evacuation location, it was beyond doubt¡ªthe area near the 5-Element God Realm was the only viable option!


    The custodians outside the palace began taking action.


    Nora and Nina also joined the evacuation efforts. Their peak-level power allowed them to transport more people each time.


    Inside the palace, the battle''s outcome was becoming increasingly clear.


    Lomon alone was no match for six opponents of the same level.


    He was now being utterly suppressed.


    Yet Lomon seemed entirely unfazed.


    "Even if you defeat me, so what? You cannot escape the fate of death!"


    "Even if we can''t escape ultimate death, we will have fought! That was true millennia ago, and it remains true now!"


    "We will stand against your Church of Origins to the very end!"


    This was a legacy from millennia ago.


    Those who endured endless loneliness through the ages did so to pass down this will to the present day.


    As their successors, they would not be intimidated by a few words from Lomon.


    "Give it up. You have no chance of winning!" Reed declared.


    "Hahaha... chance of winning? My victory was decided long ago! Your stupidity knows no bounds!" Lomon retorted with madness.


    "Only by destroying everything can we achieve the true future!"


    Lomon''s aura began to grow increasingly violent, and his body started to expand.


    Seeing this, Rose immediately shouted, "Stay away from him; he''s going to self-destruct!"


    As her words fell, a massive explosion erupted within the palace!


    ...


    A giant spatial rift suddenly appeared in the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    The rift was filled with endless Chaos energy.


    Daniel emerged from the Chaos.


    "Damn it, I finally made it!" he muttered, relieved as he surveyed his surroundings.


    He was certain he had returned to the God Realm.


    Behind him were three divine beast patriarchs.


    Daniel couldn''t help but feel fortunate that during his battles with the three divine beasts, he had absorbed just enough power.


    Otherwise, he might not have been able to return to the God Realm this time.


    Back then, Daniel had deliberately drawn power, wary of such an outcome.


    Fortunately, his current strength was just enough to enter the God Realm.


    "I wonder if my arrangements with the God Emperor had any effect..." Daniel murmured to himself.


    He then noticed the sky filled with the unique aura of the Devil of Chaos!


    Realizing the danger, Daniel quickly ascended, dispersing the Devil of Chaos''s aura.


    Among the Chaos energy, he naturally found remnants of the Devil of Chaos and casually eliminated them.


    At that moment, a powerful aura surged toward him.


    It was...


    The aura of a custodian!


    But not an ordinary one like La. This was a custodian at the peak level, akin to the three divine beasts!


    The three divine beasts instinctively stepped in front of Daniel.


    Although Daniel''s power made such protection unnecessary, the beasts felt compelled to demonstrate their loyalty.


    They faced the figure approaching Daniel.


    It was a woman.


    "Father? You''re back?!" Rose''s surprised voice rang out.


    "Yes, I may have been away for too long. What''s happening in the God Realm? Did something go wrong after you fused with the Gold Board?" Daniel asked.


    From Rose''s aura, Daniel could tell a few things.


    For one, his daughter had successfully fused with the Gold Board and reached the peak of custodian power.


    This meant she had received the messages he left behind.


    However...


    The strong presence of the Devil of Chaos in the God Realm indicated an unforeseen complication.


    "The fusion went smoothly. We weren''t in much danger, but many other lives in the God Realm suffered heavy casualties due to the Church of Origins'' schemes," Rose explained.


    After Lomon''s explosion in the palace, the barrier protecting it had been instantly destroyed.


    Although the palace itself remained unscathed, the barrier, powered by a magic array, was obliterated by the explosion.


    Moreover, the explosion tore open a spatial rift.


    The Church of Origins had long prepared for this.


    Lomon''s heart was the critical element.


    Without it, the explosion wouldn''t have been powerful enough to tear through space.


    Beyond the rift lay an unending army of Devils of Chaos, invading the God Realm!


    Nora and Nina had resisted the first wave of the onslaught.


    Once Rose and the others recovered from the explosion, they joined the battle.


    However...


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    The Devil of Chaos army was endless, and even their combined efforts couldn''t prevent some from slipping through.

 Chapter359-Entering the Rift

    The dark gods that Rose and the others failed to intercept emerged from the rift into the God Realm, initiating a second attack.


    This time was entirely different from before.


    The Devil of Chaos had increased significantly in both quantity and quality, far surpassing the earlier assault.


    Previously, their side had gained eight custodians who had reached the pinnacle.


    But now, the leaders among the Devil of Chaos were on par with or above the god king level.


    In terms of overall strength, they were vastly superior to the previous wave.


    Since this wave of Devil of Chaos had emerged within the Sun and Lunar God Realm, La quickly devised a plan.


    He proposed that the top factions work together to construct a massive magic array, encompassing nearly the entire Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    The magic array would seal off the Sun and Lunar God Realm from the rest of the God Realm, especially the 5-Element God Realm, trapping the Devil of Chaos entirely within.


    At the core of the magic array, representatives from every major family stood guard, with even the weakest being at a prominent level of power.


    While not every family had individuals at or above the god king level, some of the top factions contributed personnel to ensure that each core location was sufficiently defended to resist the Devil of Chaos.


    Meanwhile, Rose and the others were inside the Sun and Lunar God Realm, hunting down the god king-level and higher beings among the Devil of Chaos.


    The Sun and Lunar God Realm had become a veritable den of demons, overrun by Devil of Chaos that seemed endless.


    No matter how many Rose and the others killed, their numbers never dwindled.


    Even with Rose and her team''s relentless efforts to eliminate the Devil of Chaos, they continued to appear in an unending stream.


    The cores of the magic array were under constant attack by the Devil of Chaos.


    Although Rose and her team''s efforts temporarily alleviated the pressure on the array, it was only a temporary reprieve.


    As the number of Devil of Chaos grew, even the pinnacle custodians like Rose and her team could not see any hope of completely eradicating them.


    There was no clear path to destroying these seemingly infinite beings.


    "Has the entire Sun and Lunar God Realm fallen into such a state?" Daniel asked Rose.


    "More or less. Most of the Devil of Chaos are heading toward the magic array cores. Apocalypse has already descended," Rose replied.


    After hearing his daughter''s words, Daniel still wasn''t entirely convinced.


    In his earlier conversations with the God Emperor, Daniel had a vague premonition that the Apocalypse, as understood by the God Emperor, was an utterly terrifying event.


    What was happening now, while seemingly hopeless, did not align with that vision.


    "By the way, can you contact La and the others?"


    "Yes, we stay in contact during operations."


    "Good. Get in touch with them and head to the rift."


    "Yes, Father. They should be near the rift now. We can go directly," Rose said.


    Together, they made their way to the rift.


    Devil of Chaos continued to emerge from the rift, but only in small numbers¡ªabout a dozen at a time.


    Daniel glanced at the rift and asked, "Where are they?"


    "I just contacted them. They''re around the rift," Rose replied.


    "I see¡­ let''s wait here, then," Daniel said, gazing into the rift.


    From the rift, he sensed a familiar Chaos aura.


    Having recently returned to the God Realm, Daniel found the sensation unmistakably recognizable.


    Soon, Reed and the others arrived, followed by La and his team.


    Reed and his group had now reached the pinnacle of custodian power, vastly outstripping La and his team in strength.


    Despite this, Reed maintained his respect for La.


    La looked at Daniel with a complicated expression.


    He hadn''t expected that in the struggle for the Gold Board, Daniel would emerge as the biggest winner.


    Among the eight new pinnacle custodians, seven were from Crossbridge Academy¡ªDaniel''s students or family.


    The exception was Saya, who was part of House La, likely due to being Reed''s wife.


    "I plan to enter the rift," Daniel announced.


    "Are you going to eliminate the Devil of Chaos? Their numbers are endless!" La frowned.


    He was familiar with the rift''s situation.


    After the first wave of Devil of Chaos was repelled, La had ventured into the rift himself.


    What he saw was utter despair¡ªa boundless Chaos filled with countless Devil of Chaos.


    He couldn''t even begin to count their numbers.


    La had retreated to the God Realm, fully aware of the hopelessness within the rift.


    What could Daniel accomplish by entering it?


    "To prevent unexpected situations, you all should return to the magic array cores," Daniel said, ignoring La''s question.


    "I have my reasons for what I must do," Daniel finally addressed La.


    "Be careful, Father," Rose said before departing.


    She trusted her father''s judgment and knew he had his reasons. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With his strength, nothing could go wrong.


    Reed and the others bid farewell to Daniel and left as well.


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    Daniel entered the rift.


    The first thing he saw was a dense mass of Devil of Chaos below him.


    This time, Daniel didn''t suppress his aura.


    The moment he entered the rift, every Devil of Chaos immediately noticed him, their eyes filled with hostility.


    Designed to kill all living beings, they charged toward Daniel, intent on eliminating him.


    In an instant, a massive hand descended!


    The countless Devil of Chaos were reduced to ashes.


    Outside, Rose glanced back at the rift, her expression worried.


    She noticed something¡ªthe Chaos aura within the rift seemed to be dissipating.


    Normally, the rift was shrouded in thick black mist, a phenomenon caused by the concentration of Devil of Chaos.


    This black mist constantly emanated from the rift and slowly dispersed.


    The Devil of Chaos emerged from this mist.


    Now, however, Rose clearly saw that the mist was thinning, and no more Devil of Chaos were emerging from the rift.


    "Sis, what are you looking at?" Big White asked.


    "Look at the rift. Doesn''t it seem like the mist is dissipating?" Rose replied.


    "It does. It''s definitely weaker than before," Big White agreed.


    "Could Dad have killed all the Devil of Chaos in there? Well, that would make sense. Dad seems capable of anything. But if that''s the case¡­ why are we still guarding the magic array cores? Surely more Devil of Chaos won''t appear from somewhere else?"


    Rose thought of Daniel''s serious demeanor earlier and said,


    "Stop overthinking it. Let''s head to the magic array cores. If Dad said so, something unexpected will happen soon!"


    "Fine. On the way back, let''s clean up any remaining Devil of Chaos," Big White replied.

 Chapter360-The Fate Array Disk

    With a single strike, Daniel annihilated the entire swarm of Devils of Chaos.


    The rift fell silent.


    The noises from the Devils of Chaos had completely disappeared.


    Daniel looked downward and sensed a strange aura, entirely different from that of the Devils of Chaos.


    At that moment, a thought crossed his mind.


    Previously, the God Emperor had mentioned sealing the Church of Origins within the Mirror of Fate, which was then placed beneath the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    This rift¡­


    And the powerful Devils of Chaos that emerged from it¡­


    It all made sense now.


    This was the place where the God Emperor had sealed the Church of Origins.


    Otherwise, there was no way to explain why so many Devils of Chaos had appeared here. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In other words¡­


    Below lay the Mirror of Fate, as well as the God Emperor himself.


    Daniel thought of the man who had sacrificed himself to seal the Church of Origins for millions of years.


    Determined, Daniel descended further.


    After a long descent, he finally noticed an isolated mini-world below.


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    Taking a deep breath, Daniel stepped inside.


    He had no idea if the man was still there after all these years.


    Would he still be the same heroic figure Daniel had once met at the pavilion?


    Upon entering the mini-world, everything changed.


    The first impression Daniel had was how clean it was.


    Yes, clean.


    There were no Devils of Chaos or their ominous aura¡ªjust an immaculate, independent space.


    Beneath his feet lay a massive array disk.


    The array disk was engraved with countless magic arrays, as if it was designed to be entirely filled with them.


    A powerful force of destiny emanated from the array disk.


    Could this array disk be the true body of the Mirror of Fate?


    Daniel examined the array disk closely and noticed a crack at its center, similar to the rift in the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    An eerie aura seeped from the crack, one that clashed with the essence of the God Realm.


    Of course, within this Chaos-shrouded mini-world, the atmosphere wasn''t as disruptive.


    Daniel approached the crack cautiously, wanting to uncover what lay within.


    At the same time, he remained on high alert.


    This was, after all, the Mirror of Fate¡ªthe place where the Church of Origins was sealed.


    As he moved, Daniel noticed something strange about the magic arrays on the ground.


    Yes, something felt off.


    The arrays, though intricate, seemed to follow a peculiar order.


    Daniel stopped moving forward and instead observed the surrounding arrays carefully.


    He expanded his mind power to envelop the entire Mirror of Fate.


    At that moment, his perspective broadened.


    He finally realized why the array disk felt so peculiar.


    The strange feeling came from the disorganized placement of the magic arrays.


    They seemed haphazardly etched, scattered here and there with no discernible pattern.


    But for something as significant as the Mirror of Fate¡­


    How could it be designed so carelessly?


    When Daniel''s mind power covered the entire array disk, he understood the truth.


    The magic arrays weren''t randomly placed¡ªthey served a different purpose.


    The seemingly jumbled arrays formed words left behind by the God Emperor.


    Each set of arrays combined to create a message.


    "I should have left you more. When the Apocalypse descends, I will capture the aura of the destined one. You can use this to face the Apocalypse."


    Some of the message was obscured by the rift, but Daniel could make out most of it.


    It was a message the God Emperor had left millions of years ago in the Mirror of Fate, along with a mechanism to detect the aura of the destined one.


    The idea was to relay this information to Daniel, potentially helping the God Realm survive the Apocalypse.


    This was likely something the God Emperor had thought of after their conversation.


    Unable to notify Daniel through other means, he devised this method.


    The God Emperor worried that any message left in the Mirror of Fate might be tampered with by the Church of Origins, as had happened before.


    To ensure the correct information reached Daniel, he created this massive array disk and encoded the message within the arrays.


    Seeing this, Daniel could almost picture the God Emperor''s relentless efforts millions of years ago to leave these critical instructions.


    Following the instructions, Daniel found the object the God Emperor had left for him.


    Activating the magic array as directed, a glowing sphere emerged, slowly floating upward.


    Daniel probed the sphere with his mind power.


    It was inscribed with numerous magic arrays.


    After breaking the arrays, the contents of the sphere were revealed.


    But to Daniel''s surprise¡­


    There was nothing inside.


    Yes, nothing.


    The sphere was empty.


    This discovery left Daniel disappointed.


    Perhaps the God Emperor had failed.


    While he had managed to leave this message, he hadn''t captured the aura of the destined one.


    If that were true¡­


    The Apocalypse facing the God Realm couldn''t be safely overcome under normal circumstances.


    Daniel considered this possibility, but then another thought struck him.


    If the God Emperor went to such lengths to convey this message across millennia, he must have been confident it could be achieved.


    Otherwise¡­


    He wouldn''t have invested so much effort in creating the array disk and its magic arrays.


    Resolute, Daniel began examining the glowing sphere more closely.


    Suddenly, he stepped back and threw a punch.


    The punch shattered the sphere, causing the entire mini-world to tremble.


    The broken pieces of the sphere scattered across the array disk below.


    In the next moment, the array disk transformed into a smooth, reflective surface.


    Daniel could see his own reflection on the massive mirror.


    This was the true Mirror of Fate.


    At the center of the mirror, the crack remained.


    "Show yourself!" Daniel demanded, scanning his surroundings.


    As his voice echoed, a blood-red pupil appeared within the Mirror of Fate.


    A blurred figure began to emerge within the reflection.


    "Did you tamper with the God Emperor''s creation as well?" Daniel asked the figure.


    Unable to find anything useful in the glowing sphere, Daniel suspected there was no destined one after all.


    However, he realized something else¡ªthe God Emperor wouldn''t have taken such elaborate measures without purpose.


    The only explanation was that something sealed within the Mirror of Fate had intervened.


    Perhaps the aura had been taken by the Church of Origins.


    Without hesitation, Daniel shattered the sphere.


    Given that this place was essentially the enemy''s domain, who knew what traps or tricks might have been hidden inside?


    After Daniel destroyed the sphere, the figure in the mirror seemed to abandon any pretense of hiding and revealed itself fully.

 Chapter361-The Pursuit of Origins

    The blood-red eyes stared at Daniel.


    "Did you tamper with it, or did you take it?" Daniel asked, his gaze fixed on the figure.


    The figure didn''t respond immediately but continued to stare at him. After a while, a mechanical voice replied,


    "The God Emperor¡­ that foolish man¡­"


    It seemed that the speaker hadn''t used their voice in ages. Daniel could tell they were adapting to speaking again, and their speech became increasingly fluid.


    In their tone, Daniel detected a deep hatred for the God Emperor¡ªan almost hysterical loathing.


    The voice, unmistakably feminine, carried an eerie resonance.


    "So, did you take it?" Daniel pressed.


    The woman remained silent, as if lost in thought, then slowly responded.


    In her hand was a glowing sphere, nearly identical to the one Daniel had found.


    However, Daniel noticed something inside this sphere¡ªa trace of the aura that the God Emperor had described, belonging to the destined one.


    "I don''t care what you intend to do. Hand it over now!" Daniel demanded.


    "The God Emperor¡­ he had no idea what I discovered! He''s a fool who could never comprehend true greatness!"


    "He didn''t understand¡­ what the world was truly meant to be!"


    "Only I¡ªor rather, we¡ªcan guide all beings to a truly perfect future!"


    The woman''s voice grew more confident as she spoke.


    Through the reflective surface of the Mirror of Fate, Daniel saw her figure surrounded by a blood-red light, which was seeping into the mirror itself.


    Perhaps she had been sealed for so long that meaningful conversation was beyond her.


    Or maybe¡­


    These members of the Church of Origins were all lunatics to begin with.


    Regardless, Daniel knew he had to obtain what the God Emperor had left for him.


    He placed his fingers on the mirror''s surface.


    The Mirror of Fate was a creation of the divine dynasty, forged with every resource at their disposal, even a Level-14 forge.


    It was strong enough to seal beings like the Church of Origins, a testament to its power.


    But to Daniel, it was just a mirror.


    The moment his fingers touched the surface, cracks began to spread across it, the sound echoing ominously.


    "If you won''t hand it over, I''ll just take it myself!" Daniel declared.


    As his words fell, the cracks on the Mirror of Fate multiplied and deepened until, in the next instant, the mirror shattered entirely. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without hesitation, Daniel lunged at the figure.


    The two faced off directly.


    "What a hassle. Must I do everything myself? Now, will you hand it over?" Daniel''s presence enveloped the woman, pressing down like an immense weight.


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    "Hahaha¡­"


    But the woman seemed unaffected, breaking into laughter instead.


    Her reaction puzzled Daniel.


    Had she gone mad?


    It seemed like the only plausible explanation for her behavior.


    "I knew it¡­ this is the only answer! I''ve finally found the truth!" the woman exclaimed, her eyes locking onto Daniel.


    "The god of creation''s executor of finality!"


    "You''ve finally arrived!"


    Daniel froze momentarily at her words.


    Executor¡­


    A substitute for the Creator God, destined to bring judgment and end the chaos.


    He had heard something similar before from the Ancestral Unicorn.


    Now, this woman had uttered the same words.


    Did they all believe that he was the god''s executor?


    "Are you talking about me?" Daniel asked.


    "Who else? Is there anyone else here but you? The god''s executor! The amusing part is that you seem completely unaware of your true identity!" the woman replied mockingly.


    Daniel dismissed the claim in his mind.


    He knew exactly who he was.


    His only concern had always been Rose and his loved ones¡ªperhaps now, even the Crossbridge World.


    He prepared to snatch the glowing sphere from her hands.


    But as he took a step forward, an intense sense of dissonance surged through him.


    The sensation grew stronger with each step, making Daniel feel as though he wasn''t in the same universe as her.


    It felt like standing in the void between two realities.


    This strangeness forced Daniel to pull back.


    He couldn''t risk moving recklessly without understanding the situation.


    He wasn''t afraid of her schemes, confident that his strength could crush anything in his path.


    What concerned him was the distance¡ªthe place where the woman stood seemed impossibly far from the God Realm.


    Now he understood why his presence had no effect on her¡ªshe wasn''t even in the same universe.


    "You don''t know your true identity, do you? Don''t you want to find out?" the woman taunted, her tone dripping with mockery.


    Daniel remained silent.


    He knew his own identity better than anyone.


    His past life, those countless days and nights in the library, and the journey that had brought him to this world as Daniel.


    It was all crystal clear in his mind.


    But how had it all happened?


    Why had he crossed over?


    Why had he been in the library in the first place?


    Could the answers to these questions lie here?


    A sudden fear gripped Daniel''s heart.


    Did this woman truly know something he didn''t?


    "Do you know?" he asked cautiously.


    "Of course! I know everything. Come here, and I''ll tell you everything you want to know¡ªeven this!" she replied, waving the glowing sphere in her hand.


    "I''ll find you. But not now," Daniel said firmly.


    The Church of Origins might already be in the God Realm¡ªor somewhere across the multiverse.


    Daniel needed to prepare.


    Although the three divine beasts were likely at Crossbridge Academy in the 5-Element God Realm, he couldn''t rest easy.


    "So¡­ you''re hesitating because of something¡ªor someone¡ªin the God Realm, aren''t you? These are all typical tricks of the Creator God!"


    "That foolish God Emperor also betrayed us for such meaningless things!"


    The mention of the God Emperor stirred an uncontrollable rage in the woman.


    "The God Emperor did what he did for all living beings! He could have had an endless life, like you, but instead, he chose to seal you for millions of years¡­"


    Daniel thought of the God Emperor, who had likely disappeared entirely by now.


    He couldn''t help but respect the man.


    "For all living beings? Hahaha¡­ what a colossal joke! That fool has no right to speak of saving lives! What hope is there for beings with their paths entirely severed? Only we care for all living beings!"


    "Destroying the multiverse and killing all living beings¡ªthat''s your way of caring for them? Utterly ridiculous!" Daniel retorted.

 Chapter362-A Terrifying Surge!

    Daniel stared at the figure and mocked her mercilessly.


    How could these people utter such absurdities?


    Destroying everything for the sake of all living beings?


    "Exactly. That is our belief and the very thing we are doing," the woman said, her tone unwavering.


    "You cannot understand us now, but¡­ this is the only correct path!"


    With a wave of her hand, a cavern appeared behind her.


    "Once, I was just like you. But then, I discovered a place like this."


    Daniel could see inside the cavern.


    It was filled with countless bones, as if they were part of the very ground itself.


    "For billions of years, countless people have entered such caverns, sacrificing themselves so that all living beings could find a path forward. Even though their ultimate fate was to become bones like these, they did so willingly."


    "They were the most honorable of people! They were the pioneers who dared to die for the beings of the multiverse," the woman said with a look of reverence.


    But then her tone shifted sharply.


    "When they perished, they conveyed one unified message: destroy the multiverse, kill all living beings!"


    "Only by doing so can we create¡­ a true future!"


    "How laughable. Kill all living beings, and where will that future exist?" Daniel retorted.


    "As long as this world is freed from the Creator God''s grasp, all beings will have an infinite future!" the woman declared.


    Daniel sighed deeply.


    He had indeed underestimated the extremity of the Church of Origins.


    These people were, as others had described, utterly mad.


    For the so-called goal of breaking limits, they were incapable of rational conversation.


    "Only by doing this can the Creator God be permanently removed from this world, never again influencing its operations!"


    "Only then will there no longer be any beings that defy the rules of our world!"


    "All beings will control their own destiny."


    At this point, Daniel''s brows furrowed.


    The woman''s words contained a phrase that caught his attention:


    Beings that defy the rules of the world¡­


    Was she referring to him?


    Daniel knew that his own power had already surpassed the limits of a custodian.


    He was on the verge of being beyond what the God Realm could sustain.


    Under normal circumstances, such an existence should not have been possible.


    "This is our true purpose! Destroying the world and killing all beings is not the goal¡ªit is merely a means!"


    "Only by making the Creator God realize that the ants he created, the beings he shaped, can shake the foundation of his creations¡­"


    "Only then might he understand this: our destiny will be in our own hands!" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As she spoke, the bones in the cavern began to emit a powerful energy.


    Dim white light started radiating from the skeletal remains, eventually gathering in the woman''s hand.


    At the center of her right hand, the light condensed and concentrated.


    Even from where he stood, Daniel could feel the overwhelming power in her hand.


    This was the last remnant of energy left by those who had perished in the cavern over billions of years.


    The final gift of those who sought a future for living beings.


    The woman''s gaze locked onto Daniel.


    "This is the culmination of everyone''s efforts! To kill you¡­ the executor of the god''s will!"


    With that, she pushed the glowing energy orb toward Daniel.


    This was the hatred of billions condensed over eons, their despair over a hopeless future, transformed into a singular attack.


    "Can humans kill gods? Isn''t humanity supposed to be as insignificant as ants before the divine?"


    "Yes, humanity is inherently weak. Compared to gods, we are indeed as insignificant as ants."


    "But does such weakness mean we should despair and stop moving forward?"


    "No!"


    "Even ants have their own rage! Only by making the Creator God feel our fury will they understand the power of ants!"


    "We may be weak, but¡­ we are not alone!"


    The woman''s memory replayed these words¡ªa testament to the collective will of those who sought to slay the gods.


    This attack represented the wishes of countless beings to overthrow divinity.


    It moved toward Daniel with devastating force, even surpassing the limits of the world.


    Daniel noticed that as the energy orb moved closer, the surrounding space began to distort.


    Even light itself bent around the orb.


    At that moment, Daniel faced a dire choice.


    Confronted with this overwhelming attack, he had two options.


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    The first was to dodge.


    The orb was terrifying, but its speed was not fast.


    Daniel could easily evade it.


    He could step forward into the spatial rift where the woman stood¡ªa step that seemed short but would take him across infinite space.


    By doing so, Daniel would avoid the explosion.


    But if he dodged¡­


    The energy orb would detonate within the God Realm.


    The multiverse would be devastated.


    And most importantly, the Crossbridge World would not survive.


    The second option was to extract all of his power.


    He could use his strength to resist the energy orb alone.


    While some worlds would still be destroyed, Daniel could at least ensure that the Crossbridge World and Rose would remain untouched.


    However¡­


    If he chose this path, Daniel would never be able to return to the God Realm.


    Daniel watched the scene before him.


    Countless thoughts raced through his mind.


    Finally, he took a deep breath.


    Perhaps because of the many places he had seen, the countless people he had met, and the vast experiences he had accumulated, Daniel hesitated.


    In the end, he chose to extract all of his power to block the energy orb.


    ¡­


    At the magic array''s core, Rose suddenly felt a sense of dread.


    Nothing had happened yet, but her emotions were turbulent, and she couldn''t calm herself.


    It felt as though something was about to occur.


    Rose looked toward the rift, hoping her fears were unfounded.


    But then, she saw a gray beam of light shoot skyward¡ªa pillar of light.


    "What is that? Could it be that Dad is fighting the Church of Origins?" Big White asked, staring at the pillar.


    "Will Dad win? Sis, I''m worried. Should we go help him? After all, we''re at the pinnacle of custodian power now¡­" Big White turned to Rose.


    "It''s useless. If Daniel can''t resolve it, sending more people would just be sending them to their deaths," the Ancestral Unicorn interjected.


    "So we''re just supposed to watch?"


    At that moment, Rose suddenly swung her sword at a nearby space.


    Nina tumbled out of the void.


    "Nina!"


    "Rose¡­ I¡­ I want to go see what''s happening! With such a commotion, the headmaster must need our support!"


    "Don''t go!" Rose said, her frustration evident.


    As time passed, her unease grew stronger.


    She didn''t know why, but she felt an overwhelming urge to cry.


    "All we can do now is follow Father''s orders and guard the magic array''s core! That terrifying disturbance¡­ it''s not something we can interfere with!"


    Rose stared at the central pillar of light.


    Suddenly, the pillar expanded.


    What had initially seemed no wider than a finger began to rapidly grow in size!

 Chapter363-Youre Wrong!

    At this very moment,


    Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    The pillar of light kept expanding!


    This¡­ was an incredibly terrifying explosion!


    In an instant, the earth was destroyed. The entire Sun and Lunar God Realm began to collapse!


    Yes, the ground of the entire Sun and Lunar God Realm cracked and shattered at this very moment!


    Upon witnessing this scene, Ra hurriedly shouted:


    "Retreat! Everyone at the core of the magic array, retreat immediately! You can no longer stay here¡ªevacuate to other god realms quickly!"


    As Ra spoke, his figure vanished swiftly. At the same time, the other overseers also quickly departed.


    The cores of these magic arrays were mostly located on the outskirts of the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    Thus, everyone retreated rapidly.


    Rose and the others also moved to a safe location.


    Watching the scene unfolding in the Sun and Lunar God Realm,


    They were utterly shocked.


    At this moment, the Sun and Lunar God Realm had already been destroyed by that pillar of light!


    It was an unfathomably terrifying energy surge.


    It was as if it erupted from the depths of the earth¡­


    Continuously destroying the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    The entire Sun and Lunar God Realm was being obliterated.


    This explosion was horrifying beyond measure!


    The powerful energy could be felt across the entire God Realm.


    The ground began to tremble violently.


    At this moment, the three divine beasts suddenly recalled something.


    "The prophecy¡­ This is the prophecy from long ago! It has finally come true!"


    Once, the Divine Dynasty had exhausted its resources to make a prophecy.


    And now, at this very moment, that prophecy had become reality!


    When the Apocalypse descended, the first place to be destroyed would be the heart of the God Realm¡ªthe Sun and Lunar God Realm!


    Yet, this was not the end. It was merely the beginning¡ª


    The prelude to destruction!


    After the Sun and Lunar God Realm was destroyed,


    The Apocalypse¡ªthe Apocalypse of all realms¡ªwas about to descend!


    Hearing the ancestral unicorn''s words, Ra and the others fell into deep thought.


    The ancestral unicorn''s statement undeniably confirmed one thing:


    The Apocalypse was truly approaching.


    What followed would be the most challenging period.


    All realms of existence would face annihilation.


    Rose, staring at the void where the ground had been, and the endless chaos below, murmured to herself:


    "Father¡­ are you okay?"


    At the rift in the universe,


    Daniel stood, using all his strength to block the woman''s strike.


    But some of the aftershocks still escaped from around him.


    Daniel was certain that the direction of those aftershocks would lead to the God Realm.


    However, when he descended earlier, he had been in the Sun and Lunar God Realm.


    There were practically no people there,


    So no one would be harmed.


    Daniel merely glanced briefly and then focused all his attention on fending off the woman''s attack.


    Now, the attack was over.


    Daniel had successfully withstood it.


    The God Realm¡­


    Should have only suffered some damage within the Sun and Lunar God Realm, right?


    Yet at this moment, Daniel suddenly thought of something:


    The prophecy made by the Divine Dynasty¡ªwhen the Sun and Lunar God Realm was destroyed, the true Apocalypse would descend.


    Does this mean¡­


    That the Sun and Lunar God Realm has indeed been destroyed?


    "Now, have you achieved the result you desired?"


    The woman looked at Daniel and said:


    "You did indeed stop me, sparing the God Realm and many other worlds from destruction. But as the price, you will never be able to return to the God Realm."


    "This, too, is the result the Creator God wished for. Without even appearing, He has managed to steer everything toward His intended outcome."


    Daniel said nothing.


    At that moment, he simply couldn''t let her destroy everything.


    He could have chosen to leave, but only if he couldn''t handle the attack.


    Since he had the power, Daniel chose not to leave. Instead, he took the hit directly.


    The price he paid was that he could never return to the God Realm. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "To stand against such a Creator God with our mortal bodies is merely throwing eggs against a stone¡­"


    The woman sighed.


    The final strike, formed from the collective will of countless dead souls, ultimately failed.


    It was blocked by the Creator God''s proxy.


    As she spoke, the woman handed a sphere of light to Daniel.


    "This is what you''ve always sought. Take it, though the answer inside¡­ may not be what you want."


    The sphere of light floated toward Daniel.


    When Daniel caught it, he broke the magic array on its surface and opened it.


    Within, a dynamic scene unfolded before him.


    This¡­


    This was from when he was still in Ascension City.


    After buying that estate, Daniel had been preparing to use withered grass to arrange a magic array in the courtyard.


    Elise stood beside him at the time.


    Seeing this scene, Daniel sighed deeply.


    Perhaps¡­


    He should have realized all of this much earlier.


    The Apocalypse¡­


    Was it him all along?


    The destruction of the Sun and Lunar God Realm¡­


    "We still failed."


    The woman sighed, though her tone carried no disappointment.


    Instead, there was a sense of relief.


    "Although we failed, countless other beings in the future will follow in our footsteps!


    As long as the Creator God continues to rule our universe and all life cannot govern their own destinies, then someday, others will do as we did!"


    "Until one day, everything in this world truly belongs to its own beings."


    As she spoke, her eyes gleamed with longing,


    As if she could already see that future world.


    "I''ve been talking so long, and yet I don''t even know your name."


    Daniel looked at the woman and said.


    "My name?"


    The woman paused before replying.


    "My name faded away with time. After tens of millions of years, names have lost their meaning."


    "Does anyone still remember the name of the God Emperor?


    The Church of Origins and the Divine Dynasty¡ªhe and I built them together."


    Her voice carried a trace of reminiscence,


    As if mourning that bygone era.


    Perhaps, in the beginning, the two of them were close friends,


    Or comrades fighting side by side.


    But over time,


    Their paths diverged drastically,


    Leading them to entirely opposing choices.


    One chose to massacre living beings; the other chose to protect them.


    "You and the God Emperor are alike. I''m not here to judge your actions. But I believe your initial beliefs¡­ were wrong!"


    Daniel looked at the woman and said.


    The woman stared at him in surprise.


    "What did you just say?"


    She was wrong?


    How could she be wrong?


    "How am I wrong?"


    Daniel exhaled deeply. His immense power distorted the surrounding space.


    "Your greatest mistake is your understanding of the Creator God! That''s where you''re gravely mistaken."


    "You''ve never seen the Creator God, have you? You''ve never interacted with Him. So how can you be so certain of His true intentions?"


    The woman frowned and replied:


    "Even now, you refuse to believe in the Creator God''s existence?"


    "No, I think such a being likely exists. But¡­ He is definitely not what you imagine¡ªmeticulous, omnipotent, with every detail preordained!"


    Daniel shook his head and said:


    "If the Creator God truly had such power, how could there be such a glaring flaw?"


    "Flaw? What flaw are you talking about?"


    The woman was puzzled.


    "The real flaw¡­ is me!"


    As Daniel spoke, he snapped his fingers.


    In that instant, due to his overwhelming power, cracks began to appear everywhere around him!


    Even the surrounding void and chaos were reduced to fragments.


    "You seem to have forgotten one thing: I cannot return to the God Realm, not because of any external force, but because of my own power! A power so immense that it can destroy everything!"


    "If I wish, I can obliterate all realms of existence in an instant!"

 Chapter364-The Flaw of the Divine

    Daniel''s words clearly stunned the woman.


    She hadn''t considered this possibility.


    Indeed!


    If the Creator God had everything meticulously planned, how could He overlook such a critical point?


    Now, Daniel had grown so powerful that even the God Realm could no longer contain him.


    Even the slightest action from him could cause the entire world to tremble.


    Given such immense power¡­


    Daniel undeniably possessed the ability to destroy all worlds.


    If this were the case, why hadn''t the Creator God done anything to restrain Daniel or eliminate him?


    If Daniel were the Creator God''s appointed proxy, meant to stop and end the Church of Origins'' actions,


    Then why, after Daniel had grown to such a terrifying extent, was there no contingency plan left to limit him?


    Unless¡­


    The Creator God hadn''t thought that far ahead?


    "So, I believe the true Creator God isn''t what you imagine Him to be. There are discrepancies," Daniel said.


    "But how can you be so certain of your judgment?" the woman asked.


    "The Creator God likely doesn''t show Himself easily¡ªor perhaps He''s been waiting for the right time and place."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, the woman fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly:


    "If that''s the case¡­ then there is indeed a place¡­"


    The woman then looked into the depths of the cave and continued:


    "In ancient times, sages sought to meet the Creator God, and so they carved out this path."


    This place was the rift of the universe,


    A fissure that might provide a glimpse of the Creator God.


    It was a method devised by those ancient beings who sought to break their limits.


    Later, others with the same goal came here, but most ended up as the bones scattered throughout the cave.


    In the end, they failed to meet the so-called Creator God.


    The resentment and power left behind on their remains, after countless years,


    Had been harnessed by the woman,


    Unleashing that terrifying strike.


    Had Daniel not blocked it,


    That attack would have annihilated everything.


    "At the end of this path of bones lies an altar. The ancient sages intended to use it to communicate and connect with the Creator God," she explained.


    "If there''s any place where the Creator God might appear or be contacted, it would be that altar."


    Hearing this, Daniel glanced toward the cave.


    The cave stretched endlessly, its depths unfathomable.


    It seemed to extend beyond the universe itself.


    If he ventured inside, there was no telling when¡ªor if¡ªhe could return.


    After a moment of thought, Daniel said,


    "Wait for me. I need to take care of something first."


    As he finished speaking, Daniel no longer concealed his aura!


    Like a torrential flood, his power surged across all realms of existence.


    On the outskirts of the Sun and Lunar God Realm, Rose and the others stood watching. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The once grand God Realm was now void,


    Reduced to chaos and destruction.


    Everything had been obliterated.


    But¡­


    What about Father?


    What had happened to him?


    At that moment, a powerful aura enveloped the entire God Realm.


    It emanated from the chaotic void.


    Within that aura was a sense of familiarity to Rose.


    "It''s Father!"


    Tears streamed down Rose''s face as she spoke.


    Nina, too, was overcome with emotion.


    "Sis, I feel it too. That''s definitely Father''s aura. He''s fine."


    The earlier devastation of the Sun and Lunar God Realm had left them believing they''d never see Daniel again.


    But to their surprise, his presence had returned¡ª


    And with it, a surge of immense power!


    This power was repairing the God Realm.


    Without the Sun and Lunar God Realm at its center, the God Realm had been on the verge of breaking apart.


    A world without its core was like a structure missing its adhesive¡ª


    If nothing was done, the God Realm would inevitably shatter.


    But now, Daniel''s immense power flowed into the God Realm,


    Sealing its cracks and stabilizing it.


    "What!"


    The ancestral unicorn was stunned at the sight.


    It had lived for countless ages, fully aware of how difficult such a feat was.


    The god realms, previously on the brink of separation, were now forcibly held together.


    What was even more terrifying¡­


    The realms disconnected from the God Realm due to the explosion


    Were now also being drawn back by this incredible power.


    A cacophony of sounds echoed¡ª


    The sound of the Mortal Realm reconnecting with the God Realm.


    "Is he¡­ reuniting all the realms?"


    The ancestral dragon spoke in disbelief.


    Minutes later, the original God Realm was no more.


    In its place was a newly unified God Realm.


    At its center, the void left by the destruction of the Sun and Lunar God Realm had vanished.


    All the god realms fit seamlessly together.


    Moreover, the Mortal Realm and the god realms were now interconnected.


    At the points of connection, traces of magic arrays appeared,


    And faint chaotic energy lingered.


    But these were only temporary.


    As the world continued to merge,


    The forcibly fused continents would eventually integrate perfectly without any anomalies.


    Daniel let out a breath of relief.


    Then, with a wave of his hand, three shadows slowly moved toward the God Realm.


    These were the worlds of the three divine beast races.


    Now that the Apocalypse had been addressed to some extent,


    There was no need for these races to remain hidden in the chaos.


    Their worlds were pulled into the God Realm.


    Daniel had fulfilled his promise to the three divine beasts.


    Then, Daniel acted once more.


    This time, a brand-new world emerged: Crossbridge World!


    Originally a part of the Mortal Realm,


    Daniel''s gesture brought it into the God Realm, placing it next to the 5-Element God Realm.


    All the worlds were now interconnected, forming a supercontinent.


    Feeling something was still missing,


    Daniel raised Riverside City from the 5-Element God Realm into the sky.


    As it ascended, its size expanded.


    Moments later, Riverside City was suspended in the air,


    Its massive form shimmering with the words "Crossbridge."


    Thus, the countless realms vanished,


    Leaving behind a singular, unified supercontinent!


    The woman stared at Daniel''s casual gestures.


    This terrifying power¡­


    Was it on par with that of the Creator God?


    If so¡­


    What difference was there between him and a god?


    At this moment, the woman finally believed Daniel''s earlier words.


    Everything was because she had overestimated the Creator God, imagining Him as too powerful, too perfect, too meticulous.


    But what if¡­


    He wasn''t so flawless and was, in fact, riddled with oversights?


    Take Daniel, for instance.


    With a mere wave of his hand,


    He had reorganized all the realms without the slightest delay.


    Throughout the process, the woman carefully observed Daniel.


    His expression remained calm, devoid of any strain¡ª


    As if to say this was no big deal,


    No effort at all.


    After completing his task, Daniel appeared unfazed.


    At this point¡­


    Had Daniel grown so powerful as to rival the Creator God?


    The woman even wondered:


    If the Creator God Himself were present,


    Could He even stop Daniel in his current state?


    Daniel had now ascended to a level that could only be described as terrifying.


    Standing at the edge of the unified realm, Daniel thought for a moment before saying:


    "One last thing to do."

 Chapter365-Reconstructing the God Realm

    At this moment, everyone remaining at the scene stared at the astonishing events unfolding before them, utterly speechless.


    In the span of just a few minutes,


    They had witnessed the destruction of the Sun and Lunar God Realm, followed by Daniel successfully repairing the breach.


    Then came the seamless fusion of worlds.


    They could clearly feel the tremors beneath their feet as the shattered realms of existence were restored,


    Rebuilt into an entirely new and unified world by Daniel.


    Such an act¡­


    Was unimaginable.


    Surely only the legendary Creator God could accomplish such a feat.


    At this point, the ancestral unicorn recalled an idea that had emerged when the three divine beasts were defeated by Daniel long ago.


    Daniel might indeed be the one chosen by the Creator God to prevent the Apocalypse and put an end to the Church of Origins.


    And now, it seemed likely that this was true!


    If not, how could Daniel wield such power, comparable to the act of creation itself?


    At the same time, another thought occurred to the ancestral unicorn:


    With Daniel''s current level of power¡­


    Was it even possible for him to return to the God Realm? sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I can sense that our world seems to have been relocated and now borders the God Realm,"


    The ancestral dragon suddenly remarked.


    Though faint, the energy was undeniable.


    Hearing this, both the ancestral phoenix and the ancestral unicorn began to verify the claim.


    Soon, all three confirmed it to be true.


    Indeed, the worlds inhabited by their three races had been fused into the new God Realm by Daniel.


    Even the three divine beasts were at a loss for words.


    "Our prophecy was correct. The God Realm was indeed destroyed by an event like the Apocalypse,"


    "And it started with the Sun and Lunar God Realm¡­"


    This scene reminded the divine beasts of the prophecy they had once crafted together during their time in the Divine Dynasty.


    The destruction of the Sun and Lunar God Realm¡ªthe heart of the God Realm¡ªwas something they had foreseen.


    But none of them had anticipated the events that followed,


    Nor the outcome they now witnessed.


    Even these divine beasts, seasoned by countless trials and tribulations, were left speechless.


    Meanwhile, Rose and the others were most concerned about Daniel''s whereabouts.


    Though it was clear that the integration of the God Realm and the other realms was Daniel''s work,


    And they could sense his presence in the energy flowing through the worlds,


    They still hadn''t seen him.


    "Don''t worry, Sis. Dad won''t be in danger! He''s so powerful¡ªhow could anything happen to him? We just need to wait for him, like always,"


    Big White said, comforting Rose.


    Just then, an inexplicable white light appeared around Rose, Big White, and the others.


    Suddenly, a powerful pull emanated from the void.


    "Haha, I knew Dad would be fine! See, Sis? I told you so!"


    As the white light flashed, they all disappeared from where they stood.


    When they opened their eyes again and looked around, they found themselves in an unfamiliar place.


    All around them was a vast void,


    And within it, endless chaos.


    Then, they saw a familiar figure standing in the distance.


    "Dad!"


    Rose called out, running toward him,


    But was stopped by an invisible force.


    "Don''t come near me,"


    Daniel said, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness.


    Rose stopped in her tracks, unsure of what to say.


    It was then that she noticed something.


    Around Daniel were cracks¡ª


    Cracks in the very fabric of the void itself.


    Simply standing there, Daniel''s overwhelming power was causing the void to fracture.


    This terrifying aura¡­


    "Father¡­"


    Rose''s voice carried a tinge of sadness.


    Daniel smiled.


    "It''s alright."


    Looking at the familiar faces before him,


    Daniel felt an unbreakable bond.


    These were the people he couldn''t leave behind in this world.


    "Now, I have something very dangerous to do. It might take a long time."


    "The new world is still in its infancy, and I need you all to help it grow."


    Hearing this, everyone''s expressions changed.


    Rose had already started crying.


    Daniel created a private space for just himself and Rose.


    "Father, can''t you stay?"


    When they were alone, Rose''s voice was choked with sobs.


    Daniel wanted to wipe away her tears,


    But he couldn''t¡ªnot anymore.


    His immense power made it impossible for him to get close to her without harming her.


    All he could do was say:


    "Silly girl, I''ve watched your growth from afar all this time. Do you blame me for not being there for you?"


    "No, I could never blame you. I know you''ve done everything for my sake."


    "I don''t know how to put it, but I''ve always felt that everyone has their own path to walk. As your father, I shouldn''t interfere too much¡­"


    Rose wiped her tears and said:


    "I know you''re right, but every time we part, it feels like we barely have enough time together. Sometimes¡­ I just want to stay with you forever, Father."


    She choked on her words again, tears streaming down her face.


    "Alright, stop talking like I''m about to die. I''m just leaving temporarily¡ªI''ll be back. Who knows? Maybe when I return, all these problems will be solved."


    Hearing this, Rose managed to stop crying.


    "And while I''m gone, as the elder sibling, you need to look after Big White. He might look like an adult, but he''s no better than a child. Also, take care of this newborn world."


    Rose nodded at Daniel''s instructions.


    Daniel extended his hand, producing three energy spheres of different colors.


    "These are the original essence marks of the three divine beasts. I''m giving them to you. With these, you can command them unconditionally."


    He passed the essence marks to Rose.


    "Remember, no matter what happens, our home is at Crossbridge Academy."


    Rose accepted the essence marks and hesitated before asking:


    "Dad¡­ can I hug you one last time?"


    "No. At this point, even I''m afraid of what I might do."


    Daniel then summoned Big White into the private space and said:


    "While I''m gone, listen to your sister, got it?"


    "¡­Okay."


    Big White''s mood was somber.


    "Oh, by the way, do you like Lily?"


    "What? I¡­ I¡­"


    Big White stammered, caught off guard.


    "If you like her, then go for it. Don''t waste time and regret it later. I won''t be able to help you then."


    Big White''s face turned red with embarrassment.


    This was like a parent reading a child''s secret diary they thought was well-hidden,


    Only to bring it out in the open one day.


    "Dad, did you call me here just to say this?"


    "Of course not. But both you and Lily are special. No one can predict where your paths will lead. However¡­"


    "I hope you''ll always remember this: Crossbridge World is your birthplace. Protect it at all costs, okay? I''ve placed it close to the 5-Element God Realm."


    "You don''t need to tell me twice! I''ll definitely protect it!"


    Big White replied firmly.

 Chapter366-Farewell

    He was the Will of the World for Crossbridge World, so naturally, he would fulfill his duty.


    "But Dad, are you really¡­ not coming back?"


    "I can''t say for sure. This time, I might be facing a particularly formidable opponent."


    Hearing this, Big White lifted his head to look at Daniel.


    "Dad, does that mean when we pay respects to you in the future, we''ll have to come to this space to do it?"


    Daniel: ???


    Suppressing his irritation, Daniel dissolved the private space and turned to the others.


    "Green, I''ll leave the academy in your hands. You''ve done a great job so far. I hope you can live up to everything your grandfather stood for."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Green couldn''t hold back his tears.


    "I understand," he said, his voice trembling.


    "Headmaster, how long will you be gone this time?"


    Nina asked, her eyes red as she looked at Daniel. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This time¡­ I really can''t say."


    Daniel sighed.


    He knew that this time, he might have to face the Creator God Himself.


    As for when he might return, no one could predict.


    To confront a being capable of creating worlds¡­


    The mere thought of such a challenge made it impossible for Daniel to foresee the outcome.


    Even though he now possessed the power to reshape worlds,


    Daniel couldn''t confidently guarantee there wouldn''t be any complications.


    "No matter what, Headmaster, you promised me before. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you have to give me a timeframe!"


    Nina insisted, her voice resolute.


    After some thought, Daniel said:


    "Alright¡­ how about ten thousand years?"


    "Fine! Ten thousand years, then. I''ll wait for you, Headmaster!"


    Nina declared firmly.


    Daniel sighed inwardly.


    Still such a child at heart¡­


    Ten thousand years¡­


    Even if unexpected issues arose, time would likely smooth them over.


    "By the way, how''s that dream world you mentioned creating with Nora coming along?"


    "It''s nearly ready. Nora and I have both become Sovereigns. Once we return, we can fully realize our initial ideas."


    "Headmaster, you have to promise¡ªten thousand years, you''ll come back!"


    "I promise," Daniel said with a smile.


    Afterward, Daniel said his goodbyes to the rest of the group.


    Finally, he turned to Elise.


    "This time, I''ll probably be gone for a long while. I won''t get to enjoy your cooking anymore. But it''s not because of what happened before¡ªit''s something else."


    "Headmaster, will we meet again?"


    "Then work hard to improve your strength. Become a Sovereign, and you''ll be able to wait for my return!"


    "Okay! By then, I''ll have created lots of new dishes, and I promise they''ll satisfy you."


    After finishing his farewells, Daniel felt a pang of loss.


    Ever since arriving in Crossbridge World, he had always been an invincible presence.


    Yet the time he''d spent with those around him had been far too brief. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    Most of his days were spent in seclusion,


    Rarely stopping to enjoy life.


    Perhaps the one who had accompanied him the longest was Elise.


    After sending everyone away, the figure of the woman from the Church of Origins reappeared.


    She had stayed out of sight during the farewells, waiting patiently for Daniel to finish.


    "Are you ready?"


    The woman asked, looking at Daniel.


    Daniel didn''t answer immediately.


    Instead, he gazed at the newly reconstructed God Realm,


    The world he had created.


    After a long moment, he turned and walked toward her.


    It took some time to reach her location.


    Here, the space was safe from destruction,


    For it lay outside the universe itself.


    Daniel arrived at the entrance of a cave,


    Where he saw countless bleached bones.


    The path ahead was paved with these remains,


    A road made of pure white bones.


    "So many people chose to leave their lives here," Daniel said softly.


    "Yes," the woman replied.


    "These were sages unwilling to fall into oblivion. They left their power within their bones, releasing their final, wrathful cry against the Creator God."


    A cry that Daniel had entirely blocked.


    Leading the way, the woman continued forward.


    Suddenly, a question struck Daniel.


    The God Emperor had claimed to have sealed the members of the Church of Origins together.


    Yet from the very beginning, he had only seen this woman.


    Where were the others?


    "Is the Church of Origins down to just you? Why haven''t I seen anyone else?" Daniel asked.


    The woman stopped in her tracks and pointed to her head.


    "They''re all here."


    It was then Daniel realized¡ªher soul contained the fused essences of over ten individuals.


    No wonder her spiritual power was so immense and terrifying,


    Able to harness the energy from the bones with nothing but her voice.


    Indeed, all power came at a price.


    The woman then asked,


    "Are you confident about this?"


    "You should know, shouldn''t you? Facing such a being, how could I possibly be confident?"


    Daniel chuckled.


    "I just want to understand why He left such a glaring flaw¡ªme."


    Daniel''s tone lightened,


    No longer burdened by the heaviness of his earlier farewells.


    The two continued walking, unsure how far they had gone.


    Eventually, the path of bones came to an end.


    They were no longer within the cave.


    Instead, they stood in what seemed to be a separate dimension.


    At the center was a dark red altar,


    Reeking of blood.


    "That''s it!" the woman said.


    "That altar was created to communicate with the Creator God. But every attempt ended in failure.


    "No one received any response from the deity.


    If the Creator God truly exists and has consciousness, He must be utterly indifferent to mortal pleas."


    Daniel nodded, looking at the bloodstained altar.


    Then he asked,


    "Are you coming with me?"


    "How could I? Perhaps in this entire universe, only you have the qualifications to do so."


    To directly confront the Creator God¡­


    Only Daniel could achieve this.


    No one else.


    By now, Daniel''s power was likely approaching that of the Creator God.


    Without responding, Daniel asked,


    "What will you do next?"


    The woman replied,


    "My fate was decided long ago¡ªmillions of years ago.


    "In truth, I should have died then, along with him¡­


    Though he betrayed me."


    She gestured to the countless bones around them.


    "This path of bones you see¡­ it''s where I''ll end as well.


    "Sometimes, death is a blessing."


    With that, she turned and began walking back the way they had come.


    "The rest is up to you. My task is complete."


    Now, Daniel stood alone in the vast, silent space.


    He climbed the altar, reaching its peak.


    The once-silent void seemed to stir.


    A faint breeze swept through.


    Daniel spoke.


    "I''m here. It''s time for you to show yourself."


    His voice echoed across the space.


    Daniel knew he had caught the Creator God''s attention.


    Now, he only needed to draw Him out.


    As Daniel waited, the void finally shifted.


    A single eye opened at the edge of the void,


    Cold and emotionless,


    Radiating an innate indifference.

 Chapter367-Compromise

    The moment that eye opened, Daniel immediately noticed it.


    In this vast space, it was the only anomaly. So¡­


    Was this the Creator God?


    Could a single eye represent the Creator God?


    Daniel looked at it and asked,


    "Are you the Creator God?"


    But the entity did not respond, continuing to stare at him instead.


    At that moment, a stream of information suddenly entered Daniel''s mind.


    The information contained what the Creator God wished to convey:


    It explained that the Creator God had created this world and had always observed its growth from a higher-dimensional perspective. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Creator God never actively intervened but watched everything unfold from a transcendent vantage point.


    Then came the Church of Origins.


    They sought the Chronicles of Creation and the Creator God,


    But they failed to achieve their goal.


    Instead, they discovered that the entire universe was like an aquarium,


    And all living beings were like fish confined to it.


    No matter how hard they tried, they were always bound within this glass container.


    Thus, the Church of Origins resolved to shatter the aquarium,


    To give the fish inside a chance to escape.


    But the God Emperor and others, unwilling to sacrifice all life to fulfill the Church''s ambitions,


    Gathered their strength to oppose them.


    This led to a war lasting millions of years.


    In the end, the God Emperor lost.


    Unable to completely destroy the Church of Origins,


    He sealed them away until his own power dissipated into nothingness.


    The Church of Origins, in turn, concentrated the strength of countless beings¡ª


    Those who had died in their pursuit of the Creator God.


    They prepared an attack that could destroy the universe entirely,


    Shattering the aquarium.


    As the Creator God, such a scenario could not be allowed.


    Thus, using the World Tree, the Chronicles of Creation, and a fragment of memory,


    The Creator God created a being that far exceeded the limits of this universe¡ª


    An agent to end the chaos.


    This agent grew step by step,


    Eventually reaching the rift of the universe,


    Successfully blocking the strike that the Church of Origins had prepared for endless ages.


    Following the destruction of the multiverse,


    A new God Realm was reborn.


    As for the Creator God,


    After creating the agent, He ceased to intervene entirely.


    Everything afterward was accomplished by the agent himself.


    The Creator God was a being beyond all dimensions,


    Utterly indifferent to whether the world was destroyed.


    Perhaps He merely wanted to conduct an experiment,


    To see whether the divine being He had created could truly break the shackles of the universe.


    After absorbing this information, Daniel stood motionless,


    Lost in thought.


    It was clear now.


    The agent¡­ was him.


    Suddenly, Daniel let out a chuckle.


    "Higher-dimensional beings¡­ So this is what they''re like?"


    No wonder the Church of Origins had been so despairing.


    The Creator God wasn''t even of the same dimension.


    No wonder they could never make contact.


    The Creator God had always been present.


    But to perceive Him, one had to reach a certain level of existence.


    Even a god king, or perhaps even a sovereign, might not be capable of receiving information from such a higher-dimensional entity.


    Or¡­


    The Creator God simply didn''t care enough to bother.


    "So, does this mean I was created by you?" Daniel asked.


    Soon, another stream of information entered his mind:


    "Yes, and no."


    Without the Creator God, Daniel wouldn''t exist.


    But Daniel himself was born from the natural elements of this universe.


    He was not entirely the Creator God''s creation.


    Daniel learned that his true form was the trunk of the World Tree.


    Hearing this, Daniel suddenly understood.


    No wonder¡­


    No wonder Big White looked so much like him.


    After all, he himself was the essence of the World Tree,


    Which made it entirely reasonable for Big White to resemble him.


    In truth, Big White could even be considered his child.


    As Daniel processed this revelation, more information flooded his mind.


    When the Creator God created the agent,


    He hadn''t anticipated what would come next.


    He couldn''t control whether the agent would be good or evil.


    Daniel''s journey to this point had been entirely shaped by his own choices.


    It was destiny unfolding naturally.


    Understanding this, Daniel still had one lingering question:


    "Now that you''ve achieved your original goal, and I''ve stopped the Church of Origins'' plan,


    What are you going to do with me? Are you going to kill me?"


    Daniel asked calmly, staring into the black eye before him.


    Shortly after, the Creator God''s response appeared in Daniel''s mind.


    It conveyed the message that within this dimension, the Creator God had complete control.


    But Daniel wasn''t intimidated.


    "Everything you''ve said¡­ is nonsense to me!"


    "You think that being a higher-dimensional entity gives you control over everything?"


    "Maybe you could do that once, but look at me now. If you truly had absolute control, I wouldn''t be standing here questioning you."


    Daniel''s words were a challenge, his gaze unyielding.


    A torrent of information flooded Daniel''s mind,


    Threatening him directly:


    As long as Daniel existed within this universe,


    The Creator God could kill him at any time,


    Or reduce him to a mere mortal and end his life. Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire


    This was a blatant threat.


    But Daniel simply laughed.


    Yes, he laughed.


    "Why waste your breath? If you can do it, then do it!"


    The Creator God responded, conveying a grudging truth:


    Because Daniel was partly His creation,


    The Creator God would not destroy him unless absolutely necessary.


    But Daniel needed to stop provoking Him,


    Or there would be consequences.


    "Then go ahead!"


    Daniel sneered, looking into the black eye.


    He could feel the anger radiating from the entity.


    For a moment, Daniel waited for the Creator God to act.


    Then, something unexpected happened.


    Another eye appeared in the darkness,


    Fixating on the Creator God''s eye.


    Then another, and another.


    Countless eyes opened in the void,


    All staring at the Creator God.


    The space around them transformed into a realm of countless watchful gazes,


    All focused on the Creator God.


    In that instant, the Creator God faltered,


    Becoming completely silent.


    Seeing this, Daniel immediately realized the truth.


    "I see it now!"


    "You''re not the final authority!


    There are even higher-dimensional beings watching over you,


    And they won''t let you do as you please in this world!"


    This revelation explained why the Creator God couldn''t kill Daniel,


    Resorting instead to empty threats.


    But Daniel wasn''t buying it.


    If anything, his defiance had pushed the Creator God into irrational anger.

 Chapter368-Another Choice

    After losing his composure, the Creator God attempted to strike at Daniel.


    But in doing so, He provoked the higher-dimensional beings watching over Him.


    Those countless eyes were proof of their presence.


    In His anger, the Creator God had revealed His greatest vulnerability to Daniel.


    From Daniel''s perspective, it was clear that the Creator God couldn''t harm him.


    The higher beings observing the Creator God wouldn''t allow Him to act recklessly.


    "Let''s talk, Daniel,"


    The Creator God said for the first time, initiating a conversation.


    "What do you want to talk about?"


    Knowing the Creator God had limitations, Daniel''s confidence surged.


    "The new God Realm has been fully rebuilt. As the agent, you''ve fulfilled your purpose. I don''t want you interfering with the natural development of this world anymore,"


    The Creator God stated.


    "That''s simple. Give me a way to ascend to your dimension, and I''ll leave this world alone."


    Daniel replied without hesitation.


    But the Creator God immediately responded:


    "No. I cannot do that. It''s beyond my power."


    "In that case, I''ll stay here. I''ll guide this world in whatever direction I see fit¡ªdepending, of course, on my mood."


    Daniel said, his tone tinged with defiance.


    The Creator God fell silent for a moment before finally speaking:


    "You may propose your terms."


    "Terms?"


    Hearing this, Daniel began to consider.


    What would he truly want at this point?


    Daniel now stood at the pinnacle of the universe.


    There was no one stronger than him.


    The Crossbridge Academy and Crossbridge World were thriving, and many had even become Sovereigns.


    There was no immediate danger or pressing issue to resolve.


    What, then, could he possibly ask for?


    After some thought, Daniel answered:


    "You must leave this world entirely and never interfere with it again. If you can do that, I''ll disappear too."


    To live free of interference, to be the master of their own destiny¡ª


    That was likely the dream of countless beings.


    The Creator God was silent for a long while before finally replying:


    "Very well. Now that the world has reached this level of completeness, I can leave forever and cease to interfere."


    "You won''t go back on your word?"


    "With those watchers behind me, I couldn''t go back on it even if I wanted to."


    "That''s good. Though, honestly, it seems like I have no choice but to trust you,"


    Daniel said with a wry smile.


    "If I were to stay like this much longer, I''d probably grow bored anyway."


    Daniel, after all, had become unimaginably powerful.


    Aside from observing the new God Realm, there was little left for him to do.


    Ever since coming to this world, Daniel had always been invincible,


    Facing every challenge with overwhelming strength.


    Wealth? He had more than he could ever count.


    In truth, he had already lost some of the joy of achieving things.


    "Alright, then. Let''s both leave this world. Everyone''s happy."


    As Daniel finished speaking, he noticed that some of the watching eyes shifted their focus to him,


    While others remained fixed on the Creator God.


    After a long silence, the Creator God spoke again:


    "I can offer you two choices now.


    "First, as we discussed: I leave, you disappear, and this world ends for both of us. It would be a perfect conclusion.


    "Second, I leave, but you can choose another way to continue your story. However, your current power and wealth will not remain."


    Hearing this, Daniel fell into deep thought.


    He hadn''t expected to be presented with such an option.


    This second path would mean losing all his strength and wealth,


    But he could return to the God Realm in a new form.


    Wouldn''t that mean he might have the chance to see Rose, Big White, Nina, and the others again?


    "I need more details about the second option. What does it entail?"


    Daniel asked.


    "Rebirth,"


    The Creator God explained slowly.


    "To avoid disrupting the natural flow of this new world, your rebirth may happen far in the future. The minimum time span would be a million years."


    Hearing this, Daniel asked:


    "A million years later¡­ would Rose and the others still exist?"


    "I don''t know. Once the universe develops on its own, everything becomes uncertain.


    By then, the world you created may still be thriving under your followers'' rule,


    Or the entire new God Realm may have been destroyed. The probabilities are equal."


    "Now, make your choice."


    After delivering these words, the Creator God waited silently for Daniel''s decision.


    "If I choose the second path, will the knowledge I gained from the library¡ªChronicles of Creation¡ªstill remain?"


    "Yes. That knowledge will stay with you. But your strength and other possessions will not."


    Daniel nodded.


    Even without that knowledge, it wouldn''t have mattered much.


    He had already acquired enough understanding while compiling Genesis.


    A million years¡­


    Neither too long nor too short.


    Anything could happen in that time. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What if, upon his rebirth, those he cherished were no longer there?


    What would that future look like?


    But¡­


    Rose, Big White, Nina, Elise¡­


    They were all waiting for him.


    They were the ties that bound his heart.


    "I''ll give you time to think. There''s no need to rush your decision,"


    The Creator God offered.


    After a long silence, Daniel finally looked up at the Creator God and said:


    "Truthfully, I appear to have a choice, but in reality, I don''t¡ªdo I?" Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire


    After all, Daniel couldn''t transcend this dimension.


    Even if he chose the first option, he would only become another Creator God-like being in this dimension,


    A mere observer, unable to interact with those he cared about as before.


    To Daniel, that was unacceptable.


    Thus¡­


    He had only one real option: the second path.


    "If I awaken a million years from now and Rose is still there¡­


    I''ll see my family again!"


    "I''ve made my decision. I choose the second path¡ªrebirth in a million years!"


    Cold river water surrounded Daniel.


    He felt his limbs twitching as the suffocating sensation grew stronger.


    Desperately, he waved his arms,


    Fighting his way toward the surface.


    Breaking through the water, Daniel gasped for air,


    Greedily breathing in the fresh air.


    He swam to the riverbank and dragged himself ashore,


    Collapsing on the ground, drenched and exhausted.


    Lying there, he realized that his body no longer contained a trace of mana.


    He had truly become an ordinary human.


    After resting for a while, Daniel sat up and surveyed his surroundings.


    A small, tranquil river stretched before him, its waters so clear that fish could be seen swimming beneath the surface.


    Around him were forests and towering mountains¡ª


    A completely wild landscape, devoid of any sign of human habitation.


    A breeze swept by, and Daniel shivered involuntarily.


    For the first time, he realized that, without mana to protect him,


    Even something as simple as wet clothes could make him vulnerable to illness.


    "So¡­ I''ve really become an ordinary person?"


    Daniel murmured to himself, still struggling to accept this reality.


    The events at the altar felt as though they had happened just moments ago¡­

 Chapter369-A Stranger in the Wilderness

    After his conversation with the Creator God, Daniel came to understand that both the Creator God and the watchers behind Him were higher-dimensional beings, gazing down on everything from above.


    Through their final discussion, Daniel struck an agreement with the Creator God.


    He would be reborn a million years later as an ordinary person.


    "I never thought¡­ a million years would pass just like that,"


    Daniel muttered as he looked around.


    Quickly, he began gathering dry wood and grass to start a fire.


    Now that he was an ordinary human, his soaked clothes were a real problem.


    Without a fire, he could catch a cold¡ªor worse, die of exposure before he ever had the chance to reunite with Rose.


    After working tirelessly for a while, Daniel managed to get a fire going.


    At that moment, his stomach growled loudly.


    "Ah, now I need food," he sighed.


    Using broken tree branches, stones, and twigs, he fashioned a makeshift spear.


    The fish in the river seemed unaccustomed to human activity and didn''t react when Daniel waded in.


    Taking advantage of their stillness, he easily speared several large fish.


    Soon, they were roasting over the fire.


    Daniel ate in silence, lamenting the lack of seasoning¡ªand the absence of Elise.


    Just as he was biting into his bland fish, he looked up at the sky and shouted:


    "Creator God! I curse you! Show yourself!"


    His voice echoed through the forest, but there was no response.


    It seemed the Creator God truly had left.


    After finishing his meal, Daniel began inspecting his body.


    He had no mana whatsoever.


    Even his magical aptitude seemed just as poor as it had been when he first arrived at Crossbridge Academy¡ª


    A hopeless "waste."


    However, his understanding of cultivation techniques and his memories were still intact.


    His Genesis, written long ago, seemed perfectly tailored to his current state.


    But Daniel wasn''t in any rush to cultivate.


    This time, there was no academy to save and no enemies trying to kill him.


    For once, he could live for himself.


    Even if danger arose, Daniel had other means to protect himself¡ª


    Blood magic or mind power could serve as substitutes for mana if necessary.


    For now, he decided to explore this world, curious to see how it had changed after a million years.


    While Daniel was eating, a small figure cautiously approached him.


    "Who¡­ who are you?"


    The timid voice made Daniel turn his head.


    It was a little girl, staring at him with wide, curious eyes.


    "Do you want a fish?" Daniel asked.


    "Thank you."


    "You''re welcome. I can''t eat all of them by myself anyway."


    After finishing one fish, Daniel found it tasteless.


    It was just food to fill his stomach, nothing more.


    The second fish was optional, so he handed it to the girl.


    If this child could wander here, it meant people must live nearby¡ª


    Perhaps a few families or even a village.


    "Grandpa says you should always say thank you when someone is kind to you," the girl said firmly as she took the fish.


    Hearing this, Daniel smiled.


    "Your grandpa sounds like a good man. And you''re a very kind girl." S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The girl giggled at the compliment.


    "Grandpa says the fish in this river are special¡ªmagical fish. Thank you for sharing one with me."


    As the girl took a bite, Daniel paused, intrigued.


    Magical fish?


    After a moment, he noticed it too:


    When he had eaten the fish earlier, a faint trace of mana had briefly surfaced in his body.


    But due to his terrible magical aptitude, the mana dissipated almost immediately.


    This made Daniel fully realize how poor his magical talent was in his current body.


    Just then, a voice called out from a distance:


    "Little one! Where are you? What are you doing there?"


    "Grandpa!"


    The girl stood and waved at the approaching figure.


    Daniel turned to see an elderly man.


    Though his hair was white, he looked robust and energetic, his voice strong and clear.


    He carried a large basket on his back, filled with unknown items.


    Upon spotting the campfire, Daniel, and the fish in his granddaughter''s hands, the old man became cautious.


    "Who are you?"


    The old man''s sharp eyes scanned Daniel''s attire.


    It was clear that Daniel wasn''t from their village¡ªhe was an outsider.


    Daniel thought for a moment before replying,


    "I''m a traveler from Riverside City."


    "A city-dweller? How did you end up here?"


    Hearing this, Daniel realized the old man didn''t recognize the name Riverside City.


    In his time, he had personally relocated Riverside City to the skies of the new God Realm.


    If it was now unknown, it could only mean one of two things:


    Either this place was extremely remote, or¡­ something had happened to the city over the past million years.


    Daniel hoped it was the former.


    "I¡­ was betrayed and ended up stranded here," Daniel said vaguely.


    "Are you one of those¡­ mages?" the old man asked skeptically.


    Before Daniel could respond, the little girl chimed in:


    "Grandpa, he''s not a bad person! I saw him start a fire by rubbing sticks together, not with flint!"


    ???


    Hearing this, Daniel finally realized¡ª


    This child had been spying on him all along!


    In his weakened state, Daniel hadn''t sensed her presence nearby.


    If he had, he would''ve called her out immediately.


    The old man relaxed slightly after hearing his granddaughter''s explanation.


    This stranger was just an ordinary person, stranded and alone.


    "Well, young man, you won''t survive out here on your own. This place is desolate¡ªhardly anyone passes through.


    You''d better come with us. We''ll take you out of here."


    "Thank you," Daniel said with a nod.


    "Big brother, come with us! I''ll teach you how to cook fish properly¡ªyour way is too bland to keep you alive!"


    The little girl chirped happily.


    Daniel didn''t know how to respond.


    What kind of child was this?


    She seemed polite at first, but her words were unexpectedly sharp.


    Perhaps the old man''s strict reminders about manners were to keep his granddaughter from inadvertently offending everyone she met.


    "Alright, I''ll follow you. But once we''re out of here, I won''t trouble you further."


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    The trio set off along a narrow path.


    As they walked, Daniel learned that there was a small village beyond the mountains.


    The old man and the little girl were from that village, living a simple and quiet life.

 Chapter370-Tuck Village

    The village was called Tuck Village.


    Roughly 200 households resided there, tucked away deep within the mountains, rarely interacting with the outside world.


    Daniel was one of the few outsiders they had ever encountered.


    An old man served as the village''s blacksmith.


    He would often venture into the mountains to collect iron ore, which he would bring back to forge.


    Daniel could sense something peculiar about the old man.


    At his age, he shouldn''t have been so physically strong and vigorous, let alone capable of carrying out the demanding work of a blacksmith.


    From the old man''s words, Daniel learned something else:


    Apparently, due to an ancestral curse, no one in Tuck Village was able to learn magic.


    However, this wasn''t something that seemed to bother the villagers much.


    Even without magic, the people of this small village continued to live their lives, generation after generation.


    It had little impact on them.


    "Young man, this Riverside City you mentioned¡ªit must be quite far from here, right?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If you''ve never heard of it, then yes, it''s quite far."


    "I see... Oh, by the way, there''s something I need to warn you about: stay away from that river. There are spell beasts in it!"


    "Consider yourself lucky today. You managed to catch some fish from the river, but normally, we wouldn''t dare go near it. If you get too close, you might get dragged under by a spell beast and eaten alive!"


    The old man warned Daniel with a serious tone.


    Daniel nodded.


    He had floated up from that very river and hadn''t encountered any spell beasts.


    Still, it must have been pure luck.


    If he had been unlucky enough to encounter a spell beast while submerged¡­


    This second chance at life would have ended right there.


    As they chatted, the two walked toward the edge of the village.


    At the entrance, Daniel noticed an old stone monument engraved with the words Tuck Village.


    The monument appeared ancient, weathered by time.


    These three words¡­


    Daniel recognized them.


    They were written in a script widely used in the God Realm in ancient times.


    "Young man, can you read these words? This is our village''s name¡ªTuck Village. It''s been passed down from our ancestors and is said to be thousands of years old."


    "But nowadays, most people can''t recognize this script. It''s so ancient that it''s been lost to time."


    Daniel nodded thoughtfully.


    The Creator God had told him that his reincarnation would take place on a timeline spanning millions of years.


    He wondered¡­


    Were Rose and the others still around? Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Come on, stay at my place for a few days," the old man offered, leading Daniel into the village.


    The village was large, and the houses were arranged in a tidy layout.


    It was midday, and many families were preparing lunch.


    As they walked, Daniel noticed the villagers casting curious glances his way.


    His clothing stood out, starkly contrasting with the simplicity of Tuck Village.


    Daniel also noticed that the villagers didn''t seem to have any mana.


    Perhaps, as the old man said, it was a hereditary issue that prevented them from cultivating magic.


    But¡­ it didn''t seem to matter much.


    "Uncle Flinn! You''re back!"


    "Flinn, you''re not heading into the mountains this afternoon, are you? I''ll bring that hoe over for you to take a look at¡ªit''s not working as well as it used to."


    Along the way, many villagers greeted the old man.


    It was clear that as the only blacksmith in the village, the old man held a significant position.


    After a while, Daniel arrived at the old man''s home.


    "Is it just you two living here?"


    "Yes. My son was bitten to death by a wild beast while searching for iron ore in the mountains. Afterward, my daughter-in-law left with a merchant caravan and never returned. Now, it''s just me and my granddaughter."


    As he spoke, the old man glanced at Daniel, his tone tinged with envy and regret:


    "If my son could''ve learned magic, maybe things wouldn''t have turned out this way."


    "Unable to learn magic? Haven''t the people of your village ever tried to figure out why? You could follow one of those merchant caravans to seek answers elsewhere."


    Since there were merchant caravans, there must be towns nearby.


    And where there were towns, there were surely mages.


    "From my grandfather''s grandfather''s time, we''ve been searching for answers. My family has been blacksmiths for generations, and as we age, it gets harder to keep up with the work¡­"


    The old man began unpacking the iron ore from his basket.


    When he removed his shirt, Daniel was surprised to see that the old man''s physique was incredibly robust.


    He didn''t look like an old man at all¡ªhe looked like a strong, vigorous man in his prime.


    "About a year ago, a strange man came to the village, claiming he could help us solve this issue," the old man continued.


    "It seemed to have some effect. The children who followed him to learn seemed to grow healthier. If it proves effective, I plan to send my granddaughter to him as well."


    "That uncle is a good man, just like Big Brother here," the little girl chimed in. "Last time, he even scared off a big fish!"


    "Ah, that was a spell beast, which is why I keep warning you to stay away from the river," the old man said.


    "That strange man also told us that many mages in the outside world are bad people. He said we should inform him immediately if we encounter one."


    Daniel nodded in agreement.


    When he first arrived in the Crossbridge World, he was almost killed by a mage.


    So he could understand the old man''s wariness.


    The old man shared what little he knew about the outside world, including mages, though most of his information came from the strange man''s stories.


    Nowadays, everyone could supposedly learn magic, even those without natural talent.


    It was said that something called Genesis made this possible.


    But the old man didn''t mention whether he had ever tried learning Genesis.


    Perhaps one of his ancestors had already tried¡ªand failed.


    Daniel hadn''t expected the Genesis Manual he had written to have become widely adopted in the God Realm¡ªor rather, the new God Realm.


    It was a shame he hadn''t been around to witness it happen.


    As they continued chatting, Daniel and the old man grew more familiar with each other.


    The old man, who rarely had someone to talk to, seemed happy to have a listener.


    The little girl, too, was delighted to have a "big brother" to play with.


    Though Daniel had been reincarnated, his appearance remained largely unchanged¡ªif anything, he looked a few years younger, like a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old.


    That afternoon, the little girl went off to play with her friends.


    Daniel stayed behind with the old man to work on forging iron.


    He helped by working the bellows, intensifying the flames.


    "Haha! Young man, you don''t seem like someone who''s used to hard labor. Probably a pampered rich kid, huh?"


    The old man laughed as he watched Daniel.


    "Don''t overdo it with the bellows, or you''ll exhaust yourself in no time."


    No sooner had the old man finished speaking than Daniel felt his arms grow heavy with fatigue.


    His limbs felt so weak he could barely move.


    "Haha, see? I wasn''t wrong, was I? Take a break and let me handle it."


    "No need¡ªI can manage!"


    Daniel responded, immediately beginning to cultivate using the Genesis Manual, which he had written himself.


    Familiar with every aspect of Genesis, Daniel quickly drew out his first trace of mana.


    Using this trace of mana, he strengthened his body.


    In an instant, the fatigue vanished entirely.

 Chapter371-Why Dont You Be My Apprentice?

    After dispelling the exhaustion in his body, Daniel immediately stopped cultivating.


    At the moment, he wasn''t particularly interested in acquiring more mana.


    Even so, his physique had already improved significantly.


    His movements while operating the bellows became stronger and more efficient, drawing a puzzled look from the old man.


    The old man distinctly remembered that Daniel had appeared utterly exhausted earlier. So how had he suddenly regained his strength?


    Not just regained¡ªhe now seemed stronger than ever, far beyond what his frame would suggest.


    As the old man watched in curiosity, the flames in the forge roared to life under Daniel''s efforts.


    Putting aside his confusion, the old man focused on adding the iron ore into the crucible for smelting.


    "Young man, your strength seems to have suddenly improved quite a bit!" the old man remarked in admiration as he worked.


    "Yeah, I just wasn''t using the proper technique earlier," Daniel replied confidently.


    But just as he spoke, he applied too much force.


    The bellow''s handle snapped with a loud crack.


    Because of his sudden surge in strength and the speed at which he had been moving, the entire bellows collapsed in an instant.


    "This¡­"


    The old man stood frozen, unsure of how to react.


    It was the first time he''d ever witnessed something like this.


    Surely it wasn''t because the young man was too strong and broke the bellows?


    At a loss for words, the old man simply stared at the ruined bellows.


    Daniel, after a brief moment of silence, offered, "Don''t worry, I''ll fix it."


    Flinn didn''t know how to respond.


    In truth, he didn''t want Daniel meddling with the bellows.


    After all, it was crafted from a special kind of wood and wasn''t easy to replace.


    Now that it was destroyed, Flinn felt as though his heart were bleeding.


    But Daniel was still a guest, and Flinn couldn''t bring himself to criticize him.


    What''s more, Daniel''s intentions had been good¡­


    Still, this bellows was something truly irreplaceable!


    Flinn watched as Daniel began repairing the bellows.


    He considered stopping him but hesitated when he noticed something strange about Daniel''s movements.


    Yes, strange was the only word Flinn could think of to describe it.


    Daniel''s technique carried an air of mystery, an almost unnatural precision. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As a blacksmith, Flinn found his mind flooded with ideas just by observing Daniel''s methodical actions.


    It was as if Daniel''s movements embodied some sort of universal truth.


    Though Daniel''s power had diminished since his reincarnation, his deep understanding of universal principles remained intact.


    Unconsciously, these insights seeped into his actions.


    As he worked on the bellows, Daniel recalled a memory from Blackwater Town, north of Crossbridge Academy.


    There, he had once crafted a statue of Rose and the others. Though the statue lacked detailed facial features, it perfectly captured their essence.


    Anyone who knew them would recognize the statue immediately.


    With that memory in mind, Daniel''s hands instinctively incorporated his understanding of those universal principles into the repair process.


    Before long, the bellows was fully restored in Daniel''s hands.


    After reinstalling it, Daniel resumed operating the handle.


    The flames in the forge blazed even brighter than before.


    When Flinn saw the newly repaired bellows, he froze in place for several moments.


    Finally, he stepped forward and said, "Let me give it a try!"


    Hearing Flinn''s request, Daniel stepped aside, allowing the old man to test it for himself.


    To Flinn, this bellows was nothing short of a masterpiece.


    It was as if the heavens themselves couldn''t have crafted a better one.


    Flinn''s eyes burned with admiration.


    As a professional blacksmith, he swore he had never seen anything like this.


    The bellows radiated an innate perfection, as though it had always been destined to take this form.


    After carefully examining it, Flinn turned to Daniel and said, "Young man, would you be interested in becoming my apprentice?"


    In that moment, Flinn''s mind raced with possibilities.


    If Daniel could casually create such a flawless bellows, what else might he be capable of crafting?


    Flinn couldn''t even begin to imagine.


    To him, Daniel was a flawless, unpolished gem.


    Daniel, hearing Flinn''s offer, quickly guessed the old man''s reasoning.


    He must have been impressed by the bellows and saw this as an opportunity to take Daniel under his wing.


    For an ordinary person without any connections, becoming a blacksmith in this isolated village would indeed be a respectable path.


    It would bring respect and stability.


    But Daniel was no ordinary person.


    He still had to find his daughter and reunite with his loved ones, so becoming a blacksmith''s apprentice was out of the question.


    "No need, old man. To be honest, there''s nothing you could teach me. When it comes to this sort of thing, I''ve got quite a bit of experience," Daniel said politely.


    His mastery of universal principles had reached an extraordinary level.


    As for forging¡­


    With a bit of effort, he could easily craft weapons unmatched in the current era.


    To Flinn, however, Daniel''s modest words came off as arrogant.


    Flinn had spent his entire life honing his craft, confident that few could surpass him in skill¡ªlet alone this young man.


    "Young man, I don''t like hearing that kind of talk. Forging isn''t just about hammering metal¡ªit''s a craft full of intricate techniques!"


    Daniel chose not to argue, feeling it unnecessary to debate with Flinn over this.


    "Think it over carefully," the old man urged.


    For the next half month, Daniel stayed at Flinn''s house.


    His main focus during this time was adapting to the local language.


    From the moment the little girl had first spoken to him, Daniel realized that both the language and script had evolved significantly over the ages.


    Thus, he needed to relearn and adjust.


    In his spare time, Daniel helped the old man stoke the forge and occasionally lent a hand to the neighbors.


    "Big Brother Daniel, my brother''s knife can''t chop wood anymore. Could you help us reforge it?"


    A child approached, holding a broad knife with a clearly dulled and nicked blade.


    "Sure, leave it here. I''ll let Flinn know when he gets back."


    "Okay."


    The child set the knife down before leaving.


    Meanwhile, Daniel held an old, yellowed book in his hands.


    Its pages were filled with random, fabricated stories, but that didn''t matter to Daniel.


    His primary purpose was to use the book to practice reading.


    "Big Brother Daniel, you''re reading? Wow, you can read? That''s amazing!"


    To the child, being able to read was a rare and impressive skill.


    Peeking at the book, the child quickly turned away, overwhelmed by the indecipherable text.


    The letters blurred together, making their head spin.


    "Big Brother Daniel, why don''t you try reforging the knife yourself?"


    Daniel shook his head. "I''m not good at that." Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire


    "You can''t be serious! If you can read, you can definitely forge!"


    After all, the book he was reading had come from Flinn''s workshop.


    Over the past two weeks, the villagers had grown accustomed to Daniel''s presence.


    Many had even begun to believe that he might be Flinn''s successor.

 Chapter372-An Uninvited Guest

    Some villagers were already calling Daniel the next blacksmith of Tuck Village.


    Over the past two weeks, this idea had been suggested more than once.


    Each time, Daniel politely declined with a smile.


    Old Flinn could only sigh in regret that Daniel had no interest in learning from him.


    "Brother Daniel, please help me! My brother needs to go into the mountains to chop firewood, and without this knife, we''ll run out of firewood tomorrow¡­"


    The little girl clung to Daniel''s arm, her pleading eyes leaving him no room to refuse.


    "Fine, fine. But once the knife is done, take it straight to your brother," Daniel relented.


    "Okay! Thank you, Brother Daniel!"


    The little girl said sweetly.


    Daniel then lit the forge and began working.


    One hand operated the bellows while the other placed the firewood knife into the furnace.


    Before long, he retrieved the red-hot blade and set it on the platform.


    With a hammer in hand, Daniel struck the glowing knife.


    Clang!


    A crisp sound echoed.


    The rhythmic hammering filled the air.


    At that moment, Daniel''s entire being seemed to merge with the hammer in his hand, his movements fluid and harmonious.


    The little girl stood by, watching in awe, completely mesmerized.


    When Daniel finally finished and handed the newly forged knife to her, it was as if she awoke from a dream.


    She hadn''t even noticed the cold gleam emanating from the blade.


    "All done. Go take it to your brother now," Daniel said, wrapping the knife and handing it to her.


    The little girl hugged the knife and prepared to leave, but just then, a young man approached.


    "What''s going on? Why haven''t you brought the knife inside yet?"


    The young man was the girl''s brother.


    "Brother, the knife is ready. I had Brother Daniel forge it for us," she explained.


    The young man looked at Daniel in confusion, seemingly unable to believe that the knife had been made by him.


    Daniel, meanwhile, was already seated, reading a book.


    The young man hesitated, clearly skeptical.


    He knew Daniel had been staying with old Flinn for some time now, but forging? That seemed like a stretch.


    Though some villagers had speculated that Daniel might be Flinn''s successor, both Daniel and Flinn had denied it every time.


    So how could Daniel have forged the knife?


    The young man gave his sister a doubtful look before unwrapping the knife.


    The moment he saw the blade, his eyes lit up.


    He could immediately tell this was no ordinary knife.


    No¡ªit was far superior to anything he''d ever used before.


    Looking back at Daniel, the young man''s gaze grew complicated. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He couldn''t fathom how Daniel''s forging skills could be this extraordinary.


    This knife¡­


    It was unlike anything he''d ever seen.


    Though he seemed to want to ask something, he ultimately left with his sister without saying a word.


    Daniel set down his book and watched the young man''s retreating figure.


    He could sense something unusual about him¡ªsomething that set him apart from the other villagers.


    Perhaps this young man was a product of the "training" the strange visitor had introduced to the village.


    "Seems like there''s nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe he''s just a well-meaning mage," Daniel murmured to himself.


    He had no intention of interacting with the mysterious individual in the village. Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire


    Once he fully familiarized himself with the language and writing of this era, he planned to leave and move on.


    As evening approached, Flinn returned home with his granddaughter.


    "Brother Daniel!"


    The little girl called out, running toward him.


    Flinn always took his granddaughter with him whenever he went out, as though keeping her close was the only way he felt secure.


    As soon as he entered the courtyard, Flinn''s brow furrowed.


    He turned to Daniel and asked, "Did you use the forge?"


    Daniel hadn''t expected Flinn to notice so quickly.


    Even though he''d cleaned up everything, the old blacksmith had still seen through it at a glance.


    Daniel nodded and replied, "Yes, I did. I grilled something to eat while you were out."


    Flinn didn''t press further.


    "Oh, by the way, Flinn, do you have any other books around here?"


    Daniel was getting tired of the one he''d been reading.


    On the surface, it was a book about forging techniques.


    But in reality, it was little more than a collection of exaggerated praise for something called House Oren.


    It claimed that House Oren''s forging techniques were unparalleled, bordering on perfection.


    Daniel didn''t believe a word of it.


    "Have you already finished Forging Legends?"


    "Pretty much. It''s just a bunch of made-up stories. Do you have anything more practical?"


    Daniel disliked fabricated tales like the ones in this book.


    It spent most of its pages heaping excessive praise on House Oren, with flowery descriptions that bordered on absurdity.


    "I suggest you take another look. That book documents the forging history of House Oren, which is considered one of the best in the world today," Flinn said earnestly.


    "Come on, it''s just a bunch of over-the-top compliments. Some parts are outright ridiculous."


    "You''ve never heard of House Oren? If you had, you wouldn''t say that!"


    Flinn shook his head, clearly disappointed.


    This young man didn''t understand the significance of House Oren.


    "Honestly, if you don''t know about House Oren, I''m starting to doubt you''re even from the city!"


    Flinn''s reaction grew more animated as Daniel dismissed the book''s claims.


    Under Daniel''s prompting, Flinn began recounting the history of House Oren, his tone filled with reverence.


    House Oren, according to Flinn, was a legendary family known to both mages and commoners alike.


    The advancements in the forging world today were largely thanks to House Oren''s contributions.


    "If you don''t believe me, you should visit Greenstone City¡ªit''s the closest town outside the mountains. My former mentor is an apprentice in one of House Oren''s branches."


    Flinn handed Daniel a token.


    "When you meet him, you''ll understand what true forging looks like!"


    Flinn''s words piqued Daniel''s interest.


    If it was on his way, he wouldn''t mind taking a look.


    Greenstone City would be his first stop.


    Ten days passed, during which Daniel familiarized himself with the language, writing, and customs of this era.


    Had it been before, he could have learned all of this instantly with mind power.


    But now, as an ordinary person, he had to start from scratch.


    This slower process of learning gave Daniel a surprising sense of satisfaction.


    By now, Daniel was ready to leave the village.


    He planned to bid farewell to Flinn in a couple of days before setting out.


    But one day, a man in a tattered mage''s robe appeared, holding the firewood knife Daniel had forged for the young man.


    "Kid, did you make this knife?"


    The man''s tone was harsh, and his attitude hostile.


    It was clear he was an uninvited guest.


    Daniel turned his gaze toward the man.


    This disheveled figure radiated sloppiness, his mage''s robe patched in several places.


    Yet his eyes shone with sharpness, a stark contrast to his unkempt appearance.

 Chapter373-Turning the Tables

    The man held a knife in his hand, glaring at Daniel with an unfriendly expression.


    Daniel frowned.


    He could sense a strong smell of blood emanating from the man¡ªa thick, pungent odor.


    Clearly, this man was no ordinary individual.


    Usually, anyone who gave Daniel this kind of feeling wasn''t a good person¡ªor a decent mage.


    Before Daniel could respond, the man pressed on with his questioning:


    "How do you know such advanced forging techniques?"


    The man stood there, scrutinizing the firewood knife in his hand. Its design, sharpness, and even the patterns on the blade all spoke of a craftsmanship far beyond the ordinary.


    "Such forging methods¡­ aren''t something just anyone can learn," the man said, his tone accusatory.


    "So, what exactly are you trying to say?" Daniel asked impatiently.


    Originally, he had no intention of seeking out this man, but he hadn''t expected the man to come looking for him instead.


    After sensing the sinister aura radiating from him, Daniel''s expression turned cold.


    "Nothing much. I heard you came from the city?"


    "Yes, Riverside City. Have you heard of it?" Daniel asked.


    The man shook his head.


    "What kind of place is that? I''ve never heard of such a city within a thousand miles. Is it significant in some way?"


    Hearing this, Daniel lost interest and replied simply, "Just a small riverside city."


    He turned his attention back to the book in his hand, nearly finished now.


    "You''re a mage, aren''t you? Or¡­ perhaps you''ve practiced Genesis," the man said. "But it seems you didn''t continue cultivating it."


    "Isn''t it normal to dabble in cultivation?" Daniel countered, dismissing the question.


    "Indeed. The advent of Genesis gave countless people the opportunity to become mages. It has no barriers; anyone can learn it. Even if they don''t become mages, they can still strengthen their bodies."


    "All living beings in this world should be grateful to the person who created this technique," the man said, before abruptly changing the subject.


    "Well, that''s all for today. I won''t disturb you any further. Since we''re living in the same village, feel free to come to me if you ever need help."


    With that, the man turned and left, as if the questions he had just asked were of no consequence.


    Daniel watched the man''s figure disappear into the distance.


    "Interesting¡­"


    Daniel murmured, pulling out a tiny red dot from within his clothes.


    Pinched between his fingers was a tiny insect, about the size of a grain of rice¡ªa type of gu bug.


    Upon closer inspection, Daniel recognized its purpose: mind control.


    This gu bug would burrow through the skin, travel into the brain, and eventually control the person''s consciousness.


    Clearly, this man was far less magnanimous than he pretended to be.


    Then again, considering the sinister aura around him, it was unsurprising that he would resort to such underhanded methods.


    From this, Daniel deduced that the man was not a righteous mage. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anyone who used such techniques likely dabbled in dark magic.


    However, since the man hadn''t harmed anyone in Tuck Village and had even helped the children learn magic, Daniel had seen no reason to confront him before.


    The young man Daniel had observed earlier showed no signs of being manipulated or harmed.


    But why would this man target an outsider like Daniel with such methods?


    Was it just because of a knife? Or perhaps his forging technique?


    As Daniel pondered these questions, he recalled something old Flinn had mentioned:


    Tuck Village had always been wary of mages because of this strange man''s warnings.


    He had told the villagers that mages could be both good and bad, and most mages in the outside world were bad. Therefore, the villagers should always remain vigilant and prevent mages from entering the village.


    This pervasive distrust of mages stemmed from the man''s influence.


    Combined with the sinister aura Daniel had sensed from him earlier, Daniel couldn''t help but suspect the man had ulterior motives for staying in Tuck Village.


    Perhaps his warnings were a way to deter other mages from discovering whatever he was doing here.


    "In that case¡­ I might as well investigate before I leave," Daniel thought.


    Originally, Daniel had planned to avoid getting involved and leave the village quietly.


    But now¡­


    Since the man had provoked him first, Daniel wasn''t about to let it slide.


    Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Daniel pricked his fingertip, letting a drop of blood drip onto the gu bug.


    The insect quickly absorbed the blood.


    "Let''s see what you''re up to," Daniel muttered.


    If necessary, he wouldn''t hesitate to dismantle the man''s plans.


    After all, the man had made the first move.


    That night, Tuck Village was silent, the moon hanging high in the sky.


    Occasionally, the chirping of insects broke the stillness.


    Lying in bed, Daniel opened his eyes.


    He could feel a faint foreign consciousness entering his mind, guiding his actions.


    Following its lead, Daniel got up and walked outside.


    The night air was cold, and Daniel regretted not putting on an extra layer.


    His footsteps echoed in the quiet village as he walked through the empty streets.


    Before long, he arrived at a courtyard in the center of Tuck Village.


    This was where the man lived and trained the young villagers in magic.


    The gates were open, as if inviting visitors in.


    Guided by the faint consciousness in his mind, Daniel entered the courtyard.


    Passing through the yard and down a corridor, he eventually reached a dark opening in one of the rooms.


    "A hidden chamber¡­ just as I thought," Daniel mused, stepping inside.


    The air in the underground room was thick with the smell of blood, so strong it was almost suffocating.


    A large candle burned steadily, its flame casting eerie shadows.


    Around the room were various containers of different sizes, all emanating the metallic scent of blood.


    The man from earlier sat at a table, his gaze fixed on Daniel.


    "Sit down," he commanded.


    Daniel complied, taking a seat directly across from him.


    "What''s your name? Your real name," the man asked.


    "Daniel," he replied calmly.


    "Where are you from?"


    "Riverside City."


    "You''ve cultivated Genesis, haven''t you?"


    These simple questions didn''t bother Daniel, so he answered truthfully.


    The man frowned, surprised that Daniel''s answers matched what he''d said earlier.


    Could it be that this guy was just an honest fool?


    After some thought, the man continued, "Are you part of a faction?"


    "Yes."


    "Will anyone from your faction come here? What''s the strongest power they hold?"


    Daniel paused briefly before replying, "They won''t come. They don''t know I''m here. As for their strength¡­ the strongest among them is a Realm Overseer."

 Chapter374-The Curse of Tuck Village

    Hearing Daniel''s response, the man froze for a moment.


    What rank was that?


    He had never heard of a Realm Overseer. Was it some kind of special designation? Or perhaps it didn''t align with the system of ranks he was familiar with?


    "Does your faction have Tier-Platinum powerhouses?" the man asked skeptically.


    Daniel barely managed to suppress a laugh, but then he replied carefully, enunciating each word:


    "If my orders are strictly followed, the number of Tier-Platinum mages in Riverside City alone¡­ would probably be a small fraction. Maybe less than a few hundred thousand."


    After all, most of them had likely already surpassed that rank.


    Even the Level 14 Forge at Crossbridge Academy¡­ who knows how it was doing now?


    The man''s jaw dropped at Daniel''s words.


    "What¡­"


    He wanted to say, That''s impossible.


    What kind of faction could have hundreds of thousands of Tier-Platinum powerhouses?


    It sounded utterly absurd.


    Tier-Platinum mages weren''t ordinary people. Even a city with hundreds of thousands of regular residents would be a monumental achievement, let alone mages of that rank.


    The man''s eyes narrowed in suspicion as he stared at Daniel.


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    "You''re not under the control of my gu bug, are you?"


    He fixed his gaze on Daniel.


    "How can a mere ordinary person resist the influence of my gu bug?"


    The idea of hundreds of thousands of Tier-Platinum powerhouses was an insult to his intelligence.


    If Daniel''s faction had such overwhelming power, why would someone like him be wandering around in a remote village?


    "You''re right¡ªyour gu bug didn''t affect me. But everything I said just now should be true. Hmm, probably," Daniel replied calmly.


    To the man, however, it sounded like Daniel was mocking him.


    "Shut up! I already knew you weren''t ordinary, but I didn''t expect you to be capable of this¡­"


    The man glared coldly at Daniel and said,


    "Didn''t the elders in your faction teach you¡­ to keep a low profile? You''re just an ordinary person with no discernible strength, yet you dare to act recklessly in front of me!"


    "I was just curious about what you''re up to in this village. And now, it''s clear you''re doing something you don''t want others to know about," Daniel said, glancing at the containers around him.


    The man suddenly let out a grim laugh, one that was both ugly and chilling.


    "In that case, let me teach you a lesson! Curiosity without strength can get you killed!"


    As the man spoke, his pupils turned a ghastly shade of blood-red.


    Streams of blood erupted from his eyes, forming sinister, crimson threads that surged toward Daniel.


    Each thread radiated an evil, blood-soaked aura.


    The threads coiled around Daniel, tightening rapidly, aiming to crush him on the spot.


    But just as the blood threads were about to touch Daniel, they suddenly¡­ stopped.


    It was as if they had lost all their power, freezing in midair.


    The man stared in shock as his attack inexplicably came to a halt, the threads hanging lifelessly.


    He tried to reactivate his spell, but¡­ nothing happened.


    To his horror, he realized that even his own body was immobilized.


    A strange force was traveling back through the blood threads, pinning him in place. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was a backlash¡ªa powerful one¡ªrendering him utterly helpless.


    "Before you try to teach someone else, you should make sure you''ve learned your lesson," Daniel said indifferently.


    "Do you really think I''d confront you without preparing a countermeasure?"


    The man''s face contorted in fear.


    He couldn''t believe it. How could an ordinary person with no mana possibly turn the tables like this?


    His blood-based spells could easily subdue powerful mages, let alone a regular human.


    Crushing Daniel should have been as simple as squashing an ant.


    And yet¡­


    The reality before him was completely different.


    Daniel remained unfazed, while he himself was completely immobilized.


    Daniel began examining the man''s research.


    The underground chamber was filled with jars and containers of various sizes, all brimming with blood.


    The overwhelming stench of blood permeated the air, explaining the suffocating odor.


    If Daniel wanted to uncover the man''s intentions, the best way was to ask him directly.


    "So, what exactly are you researching here? Explain," Daniel said, snapping his fingers.


    The man found himself regaining partial control over his body, though much of it still felt restricted.


    He glared at Daniel, wanting nothing more than to attack him, but he was powerless.


    "Don''t waste your time trying to use your crude spells on me. Just answer my questions," Daniel said coolly.


    "Unless, of course, you''d prefer not to survive this encounter."


    The man''s expression flickered between defiance and fear. Eventually, he chose to relent and began explaining his situation.


    The man''s name was Singriel, and he hailed from a city thousands of miles away from Tuck Village.


    As a child, he had dreamed of becoming a mage.


    When he reached adulthood, he eagerly began practicing Genesis and proved to have decent talent.


    However, he lacked resources.


    Born into poverty, he could only watch as those far less gifted surpassed him, leaving him behind.


    The unfairness of it all drove Singriel to seek alternative paths.


    Eventually, he discovered them¡ªgu bugs and blood magic.


    This path was grueling, dangerous, and demanding.


    It required exceptional talent and¡­ an immense amount of blood.


    Using blood to cultivate gu bugs and cast spells turned him into a pariah.


    Singriel couldn''t openly display his abilities and had to keep his practice hidden.


    The smell of blood clung to him, growing stronger as his practice advanced.


    Still, he refused to give up.


    He continued honing his skills, knowing this was the only path available to him.


    Along the way, he found like-minded individuals, forming a group that trained in secret while evading persecution from larger factions.


    But the relentless hunts didn''t stop.


    Blood magic was too taboo¡ªusing human blood to fuel spells was considered unforgivably evil.


    To escape, Singriel eventually fled to Tuck Village, where he stumbled upon something extraordinary.


    Through his sensitivity to curses and blood, Singriel discovered that the villagers of Tuck Village were unable to become mages due to a bloodline curse.


    This curse was deeply embedded in their blood and had been passed down for generations.


    It completely blocked them from cultivating magic.


    At first, Singriel was terrified.


    A curse of this magnitude had to have been cast by an entity of unimaginable power.


    No ordinary being could lay such a lasting, effective curse across generations.


    But then, a new thought struck him.


    The curse, deeply rooted in their bloodline, was a treasure trove for someone like him.


    Blood¡­ and curses.


    Both were essential to his magic.


    To him, Tuck Village was a sanctuary, a dream come true.


    If he could break through his current limitations¡ªor even unravel the secrets of the bloodline curse¡ªhis power would skyrocket.


    With such strength, he''d no longer need to fear the larger factions hunting him.


    And so, Singriel remained in the village, studying the curse in secret.


    As for the being who cast the curse, he reasoned that they probably no longer cared about the village.


    After all, why would anyone bother with a place full of people who couldn''t cultivate magic?

 Chapter375-A Familiar Curse

    Once Singriel made up his mind, he began his experiments.


    After some thought, he came up with a plan: to deliberately provoke the spell beast in the river and lead it to attack Tuck Village.


    Then, he would step in as the hero who saved the village from the beast, thus gaining the villagers'' trust.


    With this newfound trust, he proposed to help the villagers solve the mystery of why they couldn''t practice magic.


    Though the older generation in Tuck Village had long accepted their inability to use magic¡ªhaving lived without it for generations¡ªthe younger villagers were eager to try.


    Many had once dreamed, in their youth, of being the exception, the one who could break the curse and become a mage.


    But eventually, they all gave up.


    After numerous failed attempts, they realized the curse was absolute.


    No matter what method they tried, even Genesis, which claimed to allow anyone to become a mage, couldn''t work for them.


    For the elders, who had lived most of their lives without magic, hope had long since faded.


    But the younger villagers were still filled with anticipation.


    So, when Singriel, the man who had driven away the spell beast, offered to help them learn magic, they flocked to him with enthusiasm.


    Under this pretense, Singriel collected significant amounts of their blood for his experiments, claiming it was part of the process.


    From their bloodline, he discovered certain unique elements tied to the curse.


    And as a result of his studies, some of the younger villagers even showed slight improvements in their physical conditions. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though his progress on the curse was minimal, these small results earned him great respect among the villagers.


    At least his methods appeared to work.


    After hearing Singriel''s explanation, Daniel fell silent for a moment.


    So, Tuck Village''s inability to produce mages was due to a curse?


    That made sense.


    Old Flinn had mentioned before that the villagers had been unable to practice magic since their ancestors'' time.


    Even their forebears had attempted to find solutions, but to no avail.


    It wasn''t due to any other reason¡ªit was purely because their entire bloodline had been cursed.


    And this curse had lasted for thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years¡­


    The idea that someone would use such a long-lasting and potent method to ensure Tuck Village remained a community of ordinary people was deeply unsettling.


    What kind of grudge could someone have against the villagers to enact such a cruel curse?


    Singriel, noticing Daniel''s reaction, quickly added:


    "I swear, I haven''t harmed anyone in Tuck Village! I''m only using their blood to study the curse and enhance my abilities."


    "Besides, the blood I take doesn''t affect their health in any way."


    "In fact, after months of research, some of the young villagers are already showing minor improvements."


    Singriel''s tone was full of self-justification.


    Daniel acknowledged that, for now, Singriel''s actions hadn''t directly harmed the villagers.


    For instance, the older brother of that little girl hadn''t exhibited any abnormalities.


    But Daniel had other concerns.


    "What progress have you made on studying the curse?"


    Rather than dwell on the morality of Singriel''s actions, Daniel shifted the conversation to the bloodline curse.


    After a pause, Singriel replied, "I''ve made some headway. I''ve identified its rough outline. Give me a few more years, and I should be able to break it completely."


    Daniel nodded.


    Considering Singriel had only been in the village for about half a year, his progress was indeed impressive.


    "Let me see the results of your research," Daniel said.


    Singriel reluctantly raised his right hand¡ªthe only part of his body he could still move¡ªand demonstrated the outline of the curse.


    A blood-red sigil appeared in his palm.


    Singriel wasn''t exaggerating when he said it was only an outline; it was rough but genuine.


    Looking at the sigil, Daniel frowned.


    For some reason, the curse seemed oddly familiar to him, as though he''d seen it before.


    He pondered deeply, searching his memories for a connection.


    Then, a long-buried memory surfaced, something he had almost forgotten.


    Daniel''s eyes widened in shock. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    This¡­


    This was his own creation.


    Years ago, he had crafted this very curse.


    Looking at Singriel, Daniel''s expression shifted to one of pity.


    Because no matter how talented Singriel was, he would never succeed in breaking this curse.


    Not in five years. Not in a hundred.


    Singriel, seeing Daniel''s expression, felt his pride take a hit.


    "What''s with that look? Do you think I can''t break the curse in a few years?" he asked indignantly.


    "No," Daniel replied calmly. "I just think you wouldn''t be able to break it even in a hundred years."


    "Why not?!"


    "Because this curse¡­ I created it."


    Singriel''s face froze in disbelief.


    Years ago, when two major families fell into conflict, one was completely destroyed by Daniel.


    The other surrendered in exchange for its survival.


    As part of the terms, Daniel placed this curse upon their bloodline, ensuring that none of their descendants could ever become mages.


    The curse had been created at a time when Daniel was at the peak of his power.


    He had even referenced ancient knowledge from a god-realm library to enhance its potency.


    Breaking this curse would be impossible for anyone short of a god king, let alone Singriel.


    "Impossible! Give me five years¡ªjust five years¡ªand I''ll break it!" Singriel shouted, unwilling to accept Daniel''s words.


    For Singriel, his talent had always been his source of pride. The idea that his efforts would be futile was unbearable.


    But Daniel understood the intricacies of the curse better than anyone.


    At the time of its creation, he had ensured that no ordinary person could undo it.


    The deeper Singriel delved, the more complex the curse would become.


    Even with his talent, he wouldn''t be able to fully understand, let alone break it.


    "Give up," Daniel said. "Whatever your intentions, you shouldn''t remain in Tuck Village any longer. This village has ties to me."


    Hearing this, Singriel''s expression grew conflicted.


    He struggled with the idea of giving up.


    After years of being mocked and underestimated due to his lack of resources, he had finally found a way to prove his worth.


    Here, in Tuck Village, he''d discovered the perfect conditions to advance his skills.


    And now, he was being told to abandon it all?


    How could he accept that?


    How could he just walk away?

 Chapter376-Time to End This

    A few simple words weren''t enough to make Singriel give up.


    "I''m willing to pay any price! As long as I can¡­ stay here¡­"


    He couldn''t lose this place.


    Only the heavens knew how hard it would be to find another curse like the one in Tuck Village if he were forced to leave.


    He absolutely couldn''t walk away from this opportunity!


    "It''s not possible. Right now, you have only one choice," Daniel said, looking at Singriel.


    With that, Daniel turned and walked toward the door.


    "I need to take care of something. By the time I return, you''d better be gone from this village."


    After saying this, Daniel released the bindings on Singriel and left the underground chamber.


    Left alone, Singriel sat in the chamber, his expression fluctuating between despair and defiance as he wrestled with his final decision.


    It was still night.


    The village was silent as Daniel walked through the empty streets.


    Eventually, he arrived at a place in Tuck Village that resembled an ancestral hall.


    This was where the village''s origins were recorded.


    If the villagers had lived here uninterrupted since ancient times, then this place likely held answers.


    Daniel suspected he was still in Crossbridge World.


    If so¡­


    He had a plan.


    When he established the new God Realm, Daniel had specifically connected Crossbridge World to the 5-Element God Realm.


    As long as he traveled in the right direction, he would eventually reach the 5-Element God Realm.


    Alternatively, a larger city might have a teleportation array connected to the realm.


    Daniel vaulted over the wall and began searching through the ancestral hall.


    Soon, he found a book documenting Tuck Village''s history.


    According to the records, about a thousand years ago, the village''s first chief fled from elsewhere and founded Tuck Village in this remote area.


    The village remained isolated from the outside world, and even after a millennium, it had grown into nothing more than a large village.


    It seemed this thousand-year-old village wasn''t as ancient as Daniel had imagined.


    However, the book didn''t mention where the first chief had fled from, leaving Daniel with no leads.


    "Let it be," he murmured. "What''s meant to happen will happen."


    Closing the book, Daniel left the hall.


    After all these years, he had been reborn in the new God Realm.


    By now, Crossbridge Academy had likely risen to the pinnacle of the God Realm.


    It was time to settle the grudges of the past.


    After all¡­


    The people responsible for those grievances had likely forgotten about the family from Riverside City.


    Daniel arrived at Tuck Village''s only well¡ªthe villagers'' sole source of water.


    From his pocket, he retrieved a small container.


    It was something he had taken from Singriel''s chamber: a vial of the villagers'' blood.


    Daniel opened the container and poured the blood into his right hand.


    Rather than dripping down, the blood hovered above his palm, coalescing into a small sphere.


    With a single thought, Daniel formed a complex sigil out of the blood¡ªa representation of the bloodline curse he had placed long ago.


    It was time for him to undo it.


    Within just a few breaths, the curse was unraveled.


    Daniel then reversed the blood''s flow, letting it drip into the well.


    From now on, any villager who drank from the well would be freed from the curse.


    As he completed this task, a sense of relief washed over him.


    With a quiet sigh, Daniel muttered,


    "So this is why I ended up here¡­ to resolve a karmic debt that''s lasted for who knows how many millennia."


    Turning away, he made his way back to Singriel''s underground chamber.


    When Daniel returned, he found Singriel still there, refusing to leave.


    "You''re not planning to leave, are you?" Daniel asked, staring at him.


    Singriel looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of defiance and despair.


    "Where would I go? The world is vast, but there''s no place for someone like me.


    "Mages despise blood magic. They''ll never accept someone like me."


    "I''ve spent my life with nothing but raw talent and determination. But I''ve had enough of running and hiding!" Singriel said bitterly.


    "So, you''re determined to stay here?" Daniel asked.


    Singriel hesitated before replying, "I¡­ I just have one question. Earlier, you said your faction has hundreds of thousands of Tier-Platinum powerhouses. Is that true?"


    Daniel immediately understood Singriel''s intentions.


    "You want to join my faction?" he asked.


    "Yes! Even if there''s only a sliver of a chance to grow stronger, I won''t let it slip by. I''m willing to pay any price!"


    Singriel''s eyes burned with determination as he spoke.


    But Daniel remained silent, giving no indication of agreement.


    If this had been in the past, he might have given someone like Singriel a chance.


    But now¡­


    Daniel didn''t want to involve himself with such things.


    "As I said before, you have only one choice," Daniel said, rejecting him outright.


    Singriel seemed to have anticipated this response.


    His expression shifted, and the look of defeat in his eyes vanished, replaced by grim resolve.


    "In that case, I''ll take the second path!"


    As he spoke, Singriel''s body began to change.


    A decaying aura radiated from him as his life force rapidly drained away.


    His skin withered, wrinkles multiplying by the second.


    Daniel could see that Singriel had chosen death. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unable to abandon Tuck Village, yet knowing that staying would make him Daniel''s enemy, he had decided to end his life instead.


    To leave would mean being hunted again by other mages.


    For him, there was no refuge left in the world.


    Once brimming with ambition and talent, Singriel had now reached this tragic end.


    Everything that had happened was the result of his own choices.


    Perhaps the world had been unfair to him.


    Daniel watched silently as Singriel''s life ebbed away.


    When it was over, he sealed the underground chamber, ensuring that everything within it would return to dust and ash.


    Perhaps, in some distant future, someone would uncover this place and wonder what had happened here.


    As dawn broke over Tuck Village, old Flinn rose from bed as usual, preparing breakfast and organizing the previous day''s work.


    Around this time, Daniel would typically emerge from his room and chat with him for a while.


    But today, Daniel was nowhere to be seen. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire


    Even after Flinn''s granddaughter had woken up, there was still no sign of him.


    Concerned, Flinn decided to check on Daniel himself.


    When he reached Daniel''s room, he noticed the door was slightly ajar.


    From a distance, it appeared shut, but up close, the crack was visible.


    Pushing the door open, Flinn found the room spotless, as if no one had ever lived there.


    He sighed softly, having expected this.


    He had always known Daniel would leave someday.


    But now that he was truly gone, Flinn felt an inexplicable sense of loss.


    It was as though something familiar, something that had quietly become a part of his life, had suddenly vanished.

 Chapter377-Greenstone City

    Old Flinn shook his head, brushing aside the distracting thoughts from his mind.


    These weren''t matters he should concern himself with.


    A true dragon could never be trapped in a place like this.


    Daniel did not belong to this small village.


    He belonged to the vast world beyond.


    This little village could never hold him.


    As Old Flinn packed his belongings, he suddenly noticed something new on the table in Daniel''s room.


    It was wrapped in cloth.


    Upon closer inspection, Old Flinn found that Daniel had left behind a letter, some forging-related items, and¡­ a complete copy of Genesis.


    ...


    Sunlight filtered through the forest, scattering faint spots of light on the ground.


    Daniel walked along the path.


    The shade from the trees kept the sunlight from feeling oppressive, even as it shone above.


    Long before dawn, Daniel had already left Tuck Village.


    He left behind some items that Old Flinn might find useful, along with instructions on how to break the bloodline curse.


    As for whether they''d choose to study Genesis, that was up to them.


    In truth, even without Daniel, they would have likely found Genesis eventually.


    After all, the magic training manual had already spread far and wide.


    Daniel was now headed toward the nearest city from Tuck Village¡ªthe one Old Flinn had mentioned, where his senior resided.


    Greenstone City, a city that supposedly housed mages.


    As Daniel walked, he instinctively began practicing the methods from Genesis.


    Mana started gathering within him, flowing throughout his body.


    Though his current body still had poor innate talent, it didn''t matter.


    With his wealth of knowledge from before, Daniel had countless ways to overcome such limitations.


    The mana in his body continued to circulate, connecting to the magical circuits within him.


    Once he reached roughly Tier-Silver, Daniel stopped to rest briefly, then quickened his pace toward Greenstone City.


    After about half an hour, he began noticing signs of activity up ahead.


    The sound of hoofbeats rang out from behind him, growing louder by the moment.


    A convoy appeared in the distance behind him¡ªabout twenty people, a dozen horses, and four carriages.


    Three of the carriages were loaded with cargo, while the fourth appeared to carry passengers.


    The convoy passed Daniel quickly, but after traveling some distance ahead, it stopped.


    As Daniel approached, a young girl stood waiting for him.


    "Are you headed to Greenstone City?"


    "Yes."


    "Look at the sweat on your forehead! Why are you walking instead of riding? With just your legs, you might not make it to Greenstone City before nightfall."


    "I just left a small village, and I don''t have much money."


    "How about this¡ªour lady is also headed to Greenstone City. Why don''t you travel with us?"


    Hearing this, Daniel immediately understood that the girl in front of him was a maid.


    At that moment, the curtain of the carriage was drawn back, and a young woman inside glanced at Daniel.


    It seemed like an invitation.


    Moments later, Daniel was seated inside the carriage.


    The interior of the carriage was inscribed with faint magic arrays.


    "My name is Veya. May I ask for your name?"


    "Daniel."


    The woman in the carriage introduced herself.


    "And where are you from, Daniel?"


    "Riverside City, though I doubt you''ve heard of it."


    Veya thought for a moment but couldn''t recall such a place, so she let it go.


    "Riverside City¡­ it must be very far away."


    "Yes, it is."


    At that moment, Daniel still wasn''t entirely sure whether this was the Crossbridge World.


    After all, if the original founder of Tuck Village had escaped to an entirely different world when fleeing, there was no guarantee that this was still Crossbridge World.


    Given how much time had passed¡ªat least a million years, according to the Creator God¡ªanything was possible.


    After some time, Daniel pointed to a white, pearl-like object at the top of the carriage and asked:


    "What is that?"


    Daniel could sense that the faint magic arrays in the carriage seemed to originate from this pearl.


    This black pearl appeared to be the central hub for controlling it all.


    "You''ve never seen something like this before?"


    "No."


    Veya was surprised by Daniel''s answer.


    "I grew up in a small village, so I''m not familiar with these things."


    "That explains it. This is a hub for magic arrays. With it, you can control arrays much more efficiently. Nowadays, you can find these hubs everywhere¡ªfrom large cities to individual households. They''re incredibly convenient."


    "And this was created by House Oren."


    House Oren?


    That family again? S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel had to admit, this invention was indeed quite practical.


    Listening to Veya''s praise for House Oren, Daniel noticed her admiration wasn''t far behind Old Flinn''s enthusiasm.


    At that moment, Daniel began to better understand the reputation of House Oren.


    Perhaps the glowing praise in those books wasn''t entirely exaggerated¡ªthere must be some truth to it.


    Still, this renowned forging family was completely unheard of back when Daniel had left the New God Realm.


    As the carriage traveled further, a massive city came into view.


    This was Greenstone City.


    Carriages, mounts, and even massive beasts lined up at the city gates, all waiting to enter. Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire


    The sight gave Daniel a brief sense of disorientation.


    "This must be your first time in Greenstone City?" Veya asked.


    "Yes, I''ve never been to a place like this before," Daniel replied.


    "Those steel beasts are primarily used for transportation. Their capabilities are thanks to the magic cores created by House Oren. Of course, the cores inside these beasts are far more advanced than the one in this carriage."


    "House Oren''s magic cores have changed everyone''s lives, just like Genesis."


    Veya''s admiration for House Oren was evident.


    Perhaps not quite as fervent as Old Flinn''s, but certainly not far behind.


    After nearly an hour of waiting, the group finally entered Greenstone City.


    "Thank you, Miss Veya, for bringing me to Greenstone City," Daniel said as he prepared to take his leave.


    "Daniel, do you have a place to stay?" Veya asked.


    Someone coming from a small village for the first time was unlikely to have accommodations.


    "I''m planning to go to a place called Velen Forge," Daniel replied.


    "Velen Forge?"


    Veya seemed to recognize the name and asked, "Are you a blacksmith?"


    "Not quite¡ªjust hoping to try my luck there."


    "In that case, farewell," Veya said, boarding her carriage and leaving.


    The name Velen Forge was written on the token Old Flinn had given him.


    Daniel still didn''t know where it was, but he no longer wanted to travel with Veya.


    Inside the carriage, the maid looked at Veya and boldly asked, "Miss, are you really interested in that Tier-Silver rank boy from the countryside? This doesn''t seem like a good match."


    "Don''t be ridiculous," Veya said with a laugh. "I just find him¡­ unusual. There''s something about him that''s hard to explain."


    "What could a Tier-Silver rank person possibly have that''s so unusual?" the maid asked, confused.


    "I can''t quite put it into words. It''s a kind of aura¡ªsomething that calms the mind instantly. It feels like nothing else in the world could disturb you. You wouldn''t understand."

 Chapter378-Yes, We Are Master and Disciple

    Veya glanced at her maid and said,


    "Alright, I get it. You don''t understand. What I''m saying might sound too mystical to you."


    "Yeah, it really does. Honestly, he just seems like a Tier-Silver rank, good-looking, ordinary boy to me. If you''re interested in him, why not just have him kidnapped?"


    "Stop saying nonsense. Watch your mouth."


    "Alright, alright, I won''t say anything more."


    "Let''s go. We still have to visit two other factions. This enlightenment journey is too important to miss. Who knows¡ªperhaps I''ll see Daniel again someday."


    As Veya spoke, she couldn''t shake the inexplicable feeling that fate would bring her and Daniel together again.


    Greenstone City was indeed a large city, bustling with activity.


    The streets were lined with goods of all kinds.


    Daniel had originally planned to try some of the city''s unique delicacies, but when he asked about the prices, he suddenly remembered that he didn''t have a single coin to his name.


    He sighed and gave up on the idea, instead asking around about the location of the forge.


    After asking a few people, Daniel finally arrived at the place.


    The forge was in a relatively secluded part of the city, though it was still quite lively.


    A massive iron horse stood at the entrance of the forge, drawing a crowd of onlookers.


    The horse''s muscular contours were stunningly lifelike, its craftsmanship impeccable.


    "This is Master Dixon''s most prized creation! Truly extraordinary!"


    "Indeed, Master Dixon''s skills are said to be among the top five in all of Greenstone City!"


    Daniel perked up at the mention of Dixon¡ªthe name Old Flinn had spoken of as his senior.


    Old Flinn had praised Dixon highly, even saying that seeing Dixon''s work would reveal what true forging was all about.


    "Are you here to join the forge?"


    "Indeed. Are you here for the same reason, brother?"


    "Of course! Who wouldn''t want to join the forge? If you get in, there''s a direct path to the Artisan''s Sanctuary!"


    "Yes, the Artisan''s Sanctuary is every craftsman''s dream. To be honest, my ultimate goal is to enter the Artisan''s Sanctuary and design my own Magic Array Core."


    Listening to their conversation, Daniel learned about a new power¡ªthe Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    It seemed that Magic Array Cores were developed and produced within the Artisan''s Sanctuary. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire


    The forge appeared to have direct connections to this prestigious place, possibly offering recommendation slots or similar opportunities.


    The two men were just a small sample of the larger crowd gathered at the forge entrance.


    Many of them shared the same ambition: to join the Artisan''s Sanctuary, create their own Magic Array Core, and make a name for themselves across the continent.


    In his previous life, crafting had never been this enticing.


    But now, it seemed young people regarded forging as a noble pursuit.


    This was a phenomenon Daniel had never witnessed before.


    After observing the crowd for a moment, Daniel approached the forge.


    At the entrance, a steward blocked his way.


    "The selection process hasn''t started yet. You can''t go in."


    "You misunderstand. I''m not here for the selection; I''m here to meet someone," Daniel explained, pulling out the token Old Flinn had given him.


    "This is a blacksmith''s token, but¡­"


    The steward examined the token, frowning.


    "I''ve never heard of this blacksmith before."


    No matter how hard the steward racked his brain, he couldn''t recall anyone named Flinn.


    "How about this¡ªtake the token to Master Dixon. He might recognize it," Daniel suggested.


    The steward hesitated for a moment. Though the chances seemed slim, it wasn''t entirely impossible.


    After all, Master Dixon had been renowned for so many years. Perhaps he would know.


    "Fine. Wait here," the steward said.


    Shortly after, the steward returned with a burly young man.


    "It''s him," the steward said, gesturing toward Daniel.


    The young man looked Daniel over and asked, "What''s your relationship with Master Flinn?"


    Daniel thought for a moment and replied, "We''re master and disciple."


    After all, before he left, Daniel had shared his forging insights with Old Flinn, along with a copy of Genesis. That much surely qualified him as at least half a teacher.


    Hearing this, the young man nodded and said, "I see¡­ The master has been waiting for you. Come with me."


    The forge was vast, though sparsely built, with numerous courtyards scattered throughout.


    Each courtyard radiated waves of heat and the constant sound of hammering metal.


    On the way, Daniel struck up a conversation with the young man, learning his name was Ed. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ed was Dixon''s disciple, possessing Emerald-level strength¡ªa rank between Platinum and Diamond.


    "I''ve heard the master say before that Flinn''s forging skills are extraordinary. As a mortal, his abilities rival those of many mages."


    "If Master Flinn had ever had the chance to become a mage, his name would have been celebrated in the forge long ago."


    Daniel nodded in agreement. He knew Old Flinn''s skill well¡ªit was indeed remarkable.


    Flinn''s talent in forging was evident, especially when he was able to grasp new techniques just by watching Daniel''s movements while crafting the bellows.


    This kind of intuitive understanding was a sign of extraordinary talent.


    To most people, Daniel''s actions might simply appear pleasing to the eye.


    But to someone like Flinn, they revealed the rules of the world itself.


    Unfortunately, Flinn was unable to become a mage due to the bloodline curse.


    Before Daniel left, however, he had explained how to break the curse and had left Genesis behind.


    Now, it was up to Flinn whether he wanted to take that step.


    If he did, there should be no issue.


    "Since you share a master-disciple bond with Flinn, the master won''t treat you poorly. But I must warn you, the master has a strict temperament. Be sure to remain humble," Ed advised.


    Daniel nodded in gratitude.


    Ed stepped forward and knocked on the door.


    "Master, I''ve brought him."


    "Come in."


    Ed and Daniel entered the room.


    Inside, there was a furnace blazing brightly.


    A burly man was busy working on some metal.


    When he saw Daniel, he frowned slightly.


    "So skinny?"


    Setting down his tools, the man approached and said, "Sit."


    This burly man was undoubtedly Dixon.


    Dixon studied Daniel for a moment before handing him the blacksmith''s token.


    "How is Flinn these days?"


    "Not great. His son passed away, his daughter-in-law ran off, and now he lives with his granddaughter," Daniel replied honestly.


    "Sigh¡­" Dixon let out a heavy sigh.


    "If I''d known this would happen, I''d never have let him return home!"


    "That kid¡­ he could have had such a bright future!"


    Dixon''s voice carried a trace of anger and frustration.


    It took him a while to calm down.


    "So, you call yourself Flinn''s disciple? How long have you been with him?"


    "A little over a month," Daniel replied.


    "A month? He accepted you as his disciple after just one month? Since when did he become so casual?"


    Daniel hesitated, then clarified, "Actually, I might not have explained it properly. By ''master and disciple,'' I mean¡­ I''m more like half his teacher."


    The moment Daniel said this, the entire room fell silent.


    You''re Flinn''s teacher?


    Then who am I? Should I be calling you uncle-master instead?


    "Are you joking?" Dixon asked, staring at Daniel.

 Chapter379-He Really Knows His Stuff!

    That was Dixon''s first thought.


    How could someone this young possibly be Flinn''s teacher? S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This kid looked no older than twenty!


    And yet he was claiming to be Flinn''s teacher? This was absurd¡ªcompletely turning logic on its head.


    Was he joking? How could this even be possible?


    "I''m not joking at all," Daniel said calmly. "Although I only spent about a month with him, I taught him quite a few things during that time."


    And indeed, in that short span of time, Daniel had provided Old Flinn with valuable inspiration. The forging insights he shared before leaving were invaluable to Flinn.


    So when Daniel said he had taught Flinn a lot, it wasn''t boasting¡ªit was the truth.


    Dixon stared at Daniel with wide eyes.


    "Are you kidding me?!"


    "You brat! How dare you come here spouting nonsense? No one knows Flinn''s abilities better than I do!"


    Dixon was genuinely furious now.


    As Flinn''s senior, Dixon had seen Flinn''s talent firsthand when they studied forging together.


    It was a shame Flinn couldn''t become a mage. After reaching middle age, he left the forge behind.


    Even as a mortal, Dixon had always admired Flinn''s talent, which was comparable to his own.


    If Flinn had been able to become a mage, Dixon firmly believed that Flinn would now stand on equal footing with him as a master blacksmith.


    To Dixon, this young man claiming he could teach Flinn anything was utterly laughable¡ªan insult, even!


    "A kid like you, claiming to be his teacher? You''re insulting both him and me!"


    Dixon slammed his hand on the table, shattering it in his anger.


    Even Ed, Dixon''s apprentice, stepped back in fear.


    This was the first time Ed had seen his teacher so enraged.


    To Dixon, Daniel''s words weren''t just an insult to Flinn¡ªthey were an indirect insult to himself. And that was something Dixon couldn''t tolerate.


    "You''ve got a terrible temper," Daniel remarked calmly. "I once met a master blacksmith who didn''t act like you at all."


    Dixon let out a laugh¡ªnot out of amusement, but from sheer disbelief.


    When emotions run high, laughter is often the result.


    "Oh? So you''re saying you learned your skills from this so-called master blacksmith?"


    "That''s right," Daniel replied, now sounding a bit dismissive.


    "He''s the best blacksmith I''ve ever met. A good man with a great temperament."


    "Is that so? Then tell me, what''s this master''s name?" Dixon asked with a cold sneer.


    "You probably haven''t heard of him. His name is Icarus."


    Icarus was one of the few forging experts Daniel had encountered in his past.


    The man had been introduced to Daniel by Rowan during the expansion of Riverside City.


    Daniel had been pleased with the results of the city''s expansion, and Rowan had once mentioned that Icarus was polite and skilled.


    "Icarus?" Dixon''s expression changed immediately upon hearing the name.


    He didn''t mock Daniel or laugh this time¡ªhe fell silent.


    To most people, the name "Icarus" would seem ordinary, even forgettable.


    But to someone like Dixon, it was impossible to hear that name without immediately associating it with one person: Icarus Oren.


    Many in the world knew of House Oren, whose founding patriarch, Oren, had introduced forging theories that benefited countless blacksmiths and even ordinary people.


    But very few knew that the man who had initially elevated House Oren to greatness bore the name Icarus Oren.


    Dixon fell silent, processing what he had just heard.


    If what Daniel said was true, then such a scenario wasn''t entirely impossible.


    Dixon began to feel he might have overreacted earlier. Perhaps he should have asked more questions before jumping to conclusions.


    "Alright," Dixon said after a pause. "Let me test you. If you really have the skills you claim, then there will absolutely be a place for you in this forge."


    "Fine by me," Daniel replied without hesitation.


    Dixon then began testing Daniel, asking him a series of increasingly complex and diverse questions about forging.


    But to Daniel, the questions were child''s play.


    He answered each one with ease, sometimes even providing more insightful answers than Dixon expected.


    The more Dixon asked, the more astonished he became.


    Even Ed, who was standing nearby, was stunned.


    Many of the questions Dixon posed were so advanced that even Ed didn''t fully understand them.


    Yet Daniel answered them without a moment''s hesitation.


    While Ed was still trying to comprehend the questions themselves, Daniel was already explaining the solutions.


    The gap in their abilities was beyond anything Ed had ever seen.


    Dixon felt the same way.


    Finally, with a hint of hesitation, Dixon asked Daniel about a forging problem that had been troubling him for some time.


    Daniel provided an answer effortlessly, and when Dixon followed Daniel''s reasoning, he realized it was correct!


    At that moment, Dixon''s expression shifted completely.


    He no longer doubted Daniel''s earlier claims.


    The young man before him had likely encountered someone extraordinary¡ªsomeone truly legendary.


    Otherwise, how could he possess such profound forging knowledge?


    How could he so casually solve even the most perplexing issues?


    "I understand now. You were telling the truth," Dixon said, looking at Daniel with newfound respect.


    "I rarely lie," Daniel replied plainly.


    And this time, Dixon believed him without question.


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    "Master Daniel," Dixon said, his tone completely transformed. "What brings you to our forge? Whatever it is, if it''s within our ability, we''ll make it happen."


    Dixon''s abrupt change in attitude left Ed dumbfounded.


    He couldn''t fathom why his teacher had done such a 180, but one thing was clear: Daniel was the real deal.


    "Oh, it''s nothing much," Daniel said. "I''m just looking for a place to stay for now. Of course, I''m not the type to freeload¡ªyou can assign me some tasks if you''d like."


    "Hahaha! You''ve solved one of my biggest problems. Forget freeloading¡ªstay in this forge for the rest of your life if you want! But if you insist, you can work here as a master blacksmith. Just guide these youngsters when you''re in the mood," Dixon said with a hearty laugh.


    "What do you think, Master Daniel?"


    "That sounds fine. Thank you, Master Dixon," Daniel replied.


    He hadn''t expected this outcome at all.


    What started as a simple search for a temporary place to stay had somehow turned into him becoming a master blacksmith at the forge.


    Now, Daniel held a position comparable to Dixon''s, free to offer guidance as he saw fit.


    Dixon had granted him complete freedom, knowing that even the smallest piece of advice from Daniel would be a life-changing revelation for the apprentices.


    After all, Daniel might have encountered the legendary Icarus Oren¡ªthe name Dixon would never forget, even in death.


    Though Daniel didn''t know Icarus''s last name, the combination of the name and the skills Daniel displayed left Dixon with no doubt.


    This young man had crossed paths with Icarus Oren, the ancestor of House Oren!

 Chapter380-The Apprentice Selection

    Coincidentally, not long after Daniel joined the forge, he was presented with his first task: today happened to be the apprentice selection day at Velen Forge.


    This meant Daniel would be involved in evaluating and selecting new apprentices, which also gave him a chance to assert his position and show everyone why he was now referred to as Master Daniel.


    The young people gathered outside the forge earlier were the ones here for the apprentice selection.


    Ed walked alongside Daniel, his expression somewhat complicated.


    He never would have imagined that the young man he had personally escorted here would, in the blink of an eye, rise to the rank of a master blacksmith.


    "Master Daniel, it''s hard to believe how quickly things have changed¡­" Ed said with a sigh.


    "Indeed, I didn''t expect it either. I just wanted to find a temporary place to stay," Daniel replied with a faint smile.


    "For now, I''ll arrange for your accommodations later, but first, we need to oversee today''s apprentice selection," Ed said as he led Daniel toward the forge''s examination area.


    Daniel followed him, and soon they arrived at the examination site.


    Here, more than twenty small forging stations had been set up, each occupied by a candidate.


    Some of the candidates appeared nervous, while others were sitting quietly, eyes closed, trying to calm themselves.


    It was almost like watching students preparing for an exam¡ªwhich, in a way, this was.


    On their way over, Ed had explained the rules of the selection process.


    The examination consisted of two components: theory and practical application, with the latter carrying a 70% weight in the final evaluation.


    Ed brought Daniel to the examination area, where two examiners were already present.


    When they saw Ed and Daniel approaching, the two examiners frowned.


    Ed''s actions seemed suspicious to them¡ªalmost as if he was trying to pull strings and force someone into the selection process.


    "Ed, this kind of behavior isn''t appropriate! If Master Dixon finds out, even we won''t be able to escape responsibility. Take this young man and leave," said one of the examiners, the older of the two.


    Both examiners were senior blacksmiths at the forge and were in charge of overseeing the selection process.


    "You''ve misunderstood," Ed said quickly. "The man behind me is Master Daniel, a newly appointed senior blacksmith at the forge. My teacher, Master Dixon, asked him to assist with the selection."


    The two examiners froze, their gazes shifting to Daniel.


    He looked so young¡ªbarely thirty, if that!


    Could someone this young truly have the qualifications to be a senior blacksmith at the forge?


    Both examiners had devoted decades of their lives to forging to earn their current positions.


    Could this young man, who appeared to have barely begun his career, really be on their level?


    But since Ed mentioned that Master Dixon himself had approved this, they couldn''t object outright.


    Still, they couldn''t help but feel a little skeptical.


    "Alright, Master Daniel, why don''t you start by distributing the test papers to the candidates?"


    "Of course," Daniel replied.


    He distributed the test papers to the seated candidates, many of whom began studying them with intense focus.


    Among the candidates, Daniel recognized two young men who had been discussing the iron horse sculpture outside earlier.


    Whether they recognized Daniel or not remained unclear.


    Once the test papers were handed out, the candidates began working on their answers, concentrating deeply.


    Daniel, Ed, and the two senior examiners walked around the room, monitoring for any signs of cheating or misconduct.


    Not that cheating was likely¡ªafter all, the practical exam carried far more weight than the written portion.


    The theory test was relatively straightforward, with some questions practically designed as giveaways to ensure the results weren''t too harsh.


    As Daniel wandered through the room, he noticed a concerning pattern: some candidates couldn''t even answer the simplest questions, revealing their shaky foundations.


    Only a handful demonstrated a solid grasp of the material, writing thoughtful and accurate answers.


    Others were visibly struggling, some on the verge of submitting blank sheets.


    Of course, this wasn''t a dealbreaker¡ªif someone showed exceptional talent in forging, they could still pass the selection process.


    After all, forging was ultimately about practical skill.


    For Daniel, this atmosphere was a rare experience.


    In his previous life, where apocalyptic events and constant cultivation dominated his time, he''d rarely had the opportunity to witness something like this. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    About an hour later, the theory exam ended, and the test papers were collected.


    The grading began immediately, as the questions were simple enough to mark on the spot.


    Next came the practical exam.


    The task was straightforward: forge a piece of iron.


    This stage tested the candidates'' forging techniques, the refinement of their methods, and the quality of the final product.


    The sound of bellows filled the air as the forges roared to life, and the examination room grew noticeably hotter.


    The three examiners¡ªincluding Daniel¡ªeach monitored a designated area, observing the candidates at work.


    "Master, are you new to the forge?" one young candidate asked, glancing up at Daniel.


    It seemed he had noticed Daniel earlier in the crowd.


    "Focus on the exam," Daniel reminded him with a calm expression.


    The practical exam lasted about three hours¡ªa tedious and repetitive process.


    Eventually, Daniel fetched a chair and sat down, casually observing the candidates as they worked.


    As time passed, the candidates gradually completed their tasks.


    Finally, a bell rang, signaling the end of the practical exam. The completed iron pieces were collected for evaluation.


    The young man who had spoken to Daniel earlier let out a long sigh of relief.


    Daniel had been standing or sitting near him throughout the entire process, which had put the young man under immense pressure.


    His hands had faltered several times, leading to errors that he barely managed to correct.


    When the bell rang, signaling the end, the young man looked at Daniel nervously.


    Daniel simply gave him a small smile.


    To the young man, that smile felt like a death sentence.


    "What does that smile mean?" he thought, panic surging through him.


    "Is he mocking me for making so many mistakes? Am I doomed to fail this exam?"


    A flood of worst-case scenarios filled his mind.


    "All candidates, leave the room immediately! Results will be announced in thirty minutes!"


    The stern voice of one of the senior examiners snapped the young man out of his daze.


    He quickly gathered his belongings and left the room.


    Next came the grading process.


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    The two senior examiners grumbled as they marked the theory papers.


    "Look at this handwriting¡ªit''s unbearable! And there''s so much to read!"


    "Oh, you think that''s bad? Look at this mess!"


    "This handwriting''s neat enough. What''s the problem?"


    "Take a closer look!"


    "What the¡­ what is this gibberish? Such neat handwriting, and it''s all nonsense? We''re testing forging knowledge, not creative writing!"


    "¡­"


    Despite their complaints, the theory papers were graded quickly.


    Then came the evaluation of the iron pieces from the practical exam.


    Out of more than twenty candidates, only four or five passed.


    Interestingly, the young man who had been pressured by Daniel''s presence managed to pass, despite his earlier mistakes.


    Though his forging technique faltered under stress, he managed to correct his errors and produce a decent final product.

 Chapter381-Taking on Apprentices

    After the selection process concluded, Daniel prepared to return to his quarters. He had no interest in sticking around for the announcement of results¡ªit didn''t seem particularly meaningful to him.


    Ed had already told Daniel where his accommodations were, so he simply needed to make his way there.


    On the way, Daniel ran into a familiar figure: Dixon.


    "Master Daniel, how did the selection go?" Dixon asked with a smile.


    "A bit tiring. I just want to rest," Daniel replied plainly, making it clear that he wasn''t in the mood for conversation.


    But Dixon, either oblivious or willfully ignoring Daniel''s tone, cheerfully offered to lead him.


    "Master Daniel, you probably don''t know where your room is yet, do you? Let me show you the way."


    Without waiting for a response, Dixon walked ahead, leading Daniel down the path.


    The room wasn''t far; after only a few steps, they reached a doorway with an open door.


    "This is your place, Master Daniel," Dixon said, gesturing with a welcoming smile. He entered first, almost as if he were the host, and invited Daniel in.


    "Please, have a seat, Master Daniel. Rest for a bit."


    Once Daniel sat down, Dixon leaned forward slightly and asked, "So, what do you think of the new apprentices? Any promising ones?"


    "They seem alright. One or two show some potential," Daniel replied.


    "Is that so?" Dixon said, nodding. "Well, do you fancy taking one under your wing? You''re still young, Master Daniel, but it''s never too early to think about passing on your legacy, is it?"


    Daniel''s expression hardened. Dixon''s intentions couldn''t have been more obvious.


    "I don''t have any legacy to pass on," Daniel replied coldly.


    He had just arrived here, barely spent a day in the forge, and already Dixon was pushing for him to take on an apprentice? The man was certainly impatient.


    "Don''t misunderstand me, Master Daniel," Dixon said with a chuckle. "I just meant that since you''re new to Greenstone City, it might be helpful to have a few people to look after your needs."


    Daniel gave Dixon a sidelong glance.


    "Fine," Daniel said after a pause. "Send a few apprentices my way, but I''m not promising to teach them anything."


    "Of course! How about¡­ ten apprentices?"


    "Ten?" Daniel''s expression immediately darkened, and a visible question mark seemed to hang in the air around him.


    "Three," Daniel said firmly. "Just three. Or no deal."


    "Done!" Dixon replied so quickly it was as if he feared Daniel might change his mind.


    Daniel couldn''t help but feel he''d been played.


    Had Dixon intended to haggle all along? Did he deliberately name a high number, expecting Daniel to negotiate down?


    Now that he thought about it, Dixon might have been overjoyed at getting even three apprentices approved.


    Daniel sighed. He had underestimated the man. For all his gruff exterior, Dixon was a shrewd operator.


    The next morning, Daniel stepped outside to find Ed waiting for him with two other young people.


    Daniel immediately felt a sense of foreboding and asked, "Did Dixon send you three here?"


    "Yes," Ed replied with an awkward smile. "Last night, he told us we''d be working under you. This is my junior apprentice, Betsy, and this is Allen, who just joined the forge yesterday."


    Daniel glanced at Allen and recognized him¡ªit was the young man he had monitored closely during the selection process. Allen had, of course, passed the exam.


    But when Daniel looked at Betsy, he noticed a striking resemblance to Dixon. Suspicious, he asked, "What''s your relationship with Dixon?"


    "She''s the master''s daughter," Ed answered.


    Good grief!


    Daniel''s face twisted into a mix of amusement and disbelief. He had half a mind to march straight to Dixon and confront him.


    Dixon wasn''t just sending his top apprentice¡ªhe''d thrown in his own daughter too! And as for Allen, the lad was likely assigned because Daniel had paid him extra attention during the selection process.


    "Master Daniel, what do you think?" Ed asked hesitantly, clearly embarrassed by his teacher''s antics.


    "Alright, fine," Daniel said with a resigned sigh. "The three of you can stay here. If you have questions about forging, feel free to ask. After all, I can''t stay here for free."


    The three apprentices nodded eagerly, grateful for the opportunity.


    Over the next few days, Daniel''s life settled into a comfortable routine.


    He spent most of his time reading, wandering around the forge, or relaxing. The apprentices rarely disturbed him, and Dixon seemed to pop up frequently for casual chats.


    During this time, Daniel also gathered more information about the Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    It turned out that the forge did have a system of recommendation slots for the Artisan''s Sanctuary. However, the Sanctuary''s requirements were notoriously strict.


    Beyond a high level of forging skill, candidates also needed exceptional magical aptitude.


    This was because most of the Sanctuary''s creations were magical items. Without innate magical talent, designing and crafting such items was nearly impossible.


    Every year, representatives from the Artisan''s Sanctuary visited the forge to scout for potential recruits. However, they hadn''t arrived yet this year and likely wouldn''t until the end of the year. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One morning, as Daniel was preparing to head out, he nearly collided with a frantic Ed.


    "What''s going on? Why are you in such a rush?" Daniel asked.


    "Master Daniel, you need to come quickly! The Artisan''s Sanctuary representatives have arrived, and Master Dixon is recommending you to join. But¡­ it''s not going well," Ed explained hurriedly.


    "Lead the way," Daniel said, his interest piqued.


    At the back of the forge, in a private room¡­


    "Rest assured, Master Dixon," one of the Sanctuary representatives said. "We have the utmost respect for your judgment. However, it''s difficult to believe that a Tier-Silver rank blacksmith could meet our standards. The work we do at the Artisan''s Sanctuary requires skills far beyond what someone at that level could handle."


    "Master Daniel is still young, with limitless potential ahead of him!" Dixon argued passionately, his voice rising.


    But the representative remained unconvinced, his expression cold. Dixon''s words had no effect on him.


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    "Young? Do you think he''s younger than me?"


    The voice came from a young man dressed in luxurious robes, who had been standing quietly until now.


    "This Greenstone City is nothing more than a backwater," he sneered. "Your narrow vision blinds you to what true genius looks like."


    The young man''s mocking tone filled the room.


    "A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well!" he scoffed, drawing furious glares from everyone present.

 Chapter382-If This Isnt Genius, Then What Is It?

    "Are you here to humiliate us?"


    Betsy glared at the young man as she spoke.


    "See? Didn''t I tell you? People from small places like this have no manners. Sigh¡­"


    The young man sighed as if lamenting something.


    "You¡ª"


    Betsy wanted to say more, but Dixon stopped her. At a time like this, arguing over words was meaningless.


    "My lord, you know me. I''ve always been a man of my word and never spout lies."


    "That Master Daniel truly has the ability to enter the Artisan''s Sanctuary!"


    The representative from the Artisan''s Sanctuary looked at Dixon, sighed, and said:


    "Well, we''ve known each other for a long time. I''ll give you one more chance. In a few days, the factions near Greenstone City will host an Enlightenment Competition."


    "If he can achieve a top ten ranking, then I''ll agree to let him join the Artisan''s Sanctuary."


    "If he cannot¡­ then there''s no need to push further."


    With that, the man left with the extravagantly dressed young master.


    Dixon stared at their departing figures, his expression dark and unreadable.


    After they were gone, Daniel and Ed slowly approached.


    "Teacher, where are they?"


    Ed asked, puzzled.


    "They''ve already left."


    Dixon sat back in his chair as he spoke.


    "Senior Brother, you didn''t see how infuriating they were! That guy had the audacity to point at our faces and call Greenstone City some backwater place. He even said we were frogs in a well!"


    Betsy was livid.


    "Father vouched for Master Daniel so firmly, and yet they still refused to let him join. They clearly don''t trust you!"


    "And that Whitey-face¡­ nothing but venom came out of his mouth."


    "Betsy! That''s enough!"


    Dixon interrupted Betsy''s rant.


    From Betsy''s words, Daniel had more or less pieced together what had happened. It seemed the Artisan''s Sanctuary wasn''t keen on accepting him, hence the current predicament.


    "I apologize, Master Daniel. I initially wanted to recommend you to the Artisan''s Sanctuary. However, because of your¡­ abilities, they declined."


    "It''s alright. If they don''t want me, so be it. Honestly, I''m quite happy here."


    Daniel said casually.


    The conversation earlier must have been tense and unpleasant; he could tell from the expressions on Dixon''s and Betsy''s faces.


    Dixon, however, understood that Daniel was just trying to console him. He sighed and said:


    "Sigh, I just can''t stand the thought of your talent going to waste here! You''re destined to shine at the Artisan''s Sanctuary, to become a world-renowned master!"


    Someone who had caught the eye of House Oren''s ancestor couldn''t possibly be ordinary.


    Daniel was momentarily stunned. He hadn''t expected Dixon, who usually seemed intent on wringing him dry, to speak such heartfelt words.


    Moreover, Dixon genuinely cared about his future. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "There''s really no need for all this¡­"


    After all, Daniel didn''t plan to stay in Greenstone City much longer.


    "Don''t worry. My old face still holds some sway. The Artisan''s Sanctuary representatives agreed¡ªif you can secure a top ten finish at the Enlightenment Competition in a few days, they''ll let you join."


    Dixon looked at Daniel and asked:


    "Well, Daniel, my friend, do you think you can do it?"


    "Confidence is not an issue."


    A mere competition like this¡­


    If Daniel wasn''t confident, then his past life might as well have been for nothing.


    With all the knowledge in his head, his progress could skyrocket like a rocket ship if he wanted it to.


    As for the so-called Enlightenment Competition¡­


    Hearing about it made Daniel''s expression turn somewhat peculiar.


    When it came to rule comprehension, Daniel was second to none¡ªthere wasn''t anyone who could even claim to be a close second.


    "That''s great!"


    Hearing Daniel''s response, Dixon smiled.


    "Master Daniel, you must give it your all!"


    Ed encouraged him with a smile as well.


    The room''s atmosphere instantly became warm and cheerful.


    At that moment, another disciple, standing quietly in the corner, hesitated before saying in a low voice:


    "If I''m not mistaken¡­ the minimum requirement to participate in the Enlightenment Competition is tier-gold."


    The smiles on everyone''s faces froze.


    Especially Dixon''s.


    He hadn''t thought of that.


    He''d assumed the Artisan''s Sanctuary was doing him a favor. It turned out¡­


    They were just finding another way to make things difficult.


    Damn it!


    How had he not realized they were trying to sabotage him?


    Daniel was currently only tier-silver.


    And the competition was just a few days away.


    How could someone go from tier-silver to tier-gold in just a few days?


    Even Genesis wasn''t that outrageous!


    This¡­


    What now?


    He had already given Daniel his word¡­


    "Daniel¡­"


    Dixon looked at him, his face filled with guilt.


    It seemed his old face wasn''t worth much after all.


    "It''s fine. Tier-gold, right? Give me a moment¡ªI need to use the restroom."


    Daniel said casually before leaving.


    "Father, what do we do now?"


    Betsy turned to Dixon, worried.


    She had witnessed the humiliation Dixon had endured firsthand.


    "Master Daniel¡­ do you think he''s upset about this?"


    "Sigh¡­ there''s no way around it. It seems Daniel won''t be able to join the Artisan''s Sanctuary this time."


    Dixon sighed deeply.


    As the group lamented, Daniel found a quiet spot outside.


    Of course, he wasn''t actually going to the restroom. Instead, he retrieved a mana stone and began rapidly absorbing its energy.


    Genesis began operating within him.


    After about ten minutes, Daniel returned to the room.


    "Daniel, that was quite the long restroom break¡­"


    Dixon commented when Daniel walked in.


    But his words abruptly stopped.


    Because he noticed something.


    Daniel''s aura¡­


    He had completely surpassed tier-silver!


    "What?!"


    Once again, Dixon was utterly dumbfounded.


    The first time Daniel shocked him was with his incredible forging ability.


    Now, it was his terrifying speed of advancement.


    "You¡­ you just went to the restroom, didn''t you? How did you break through tier-silver on the way back?!"


    "Wait! This¡­ this isn''t gold¡­ it''s platinum?!"


    One revelation after another left Dixon struggling to process what was happening.


    "Oh, I just casually broke through on the way."


    "Casually¡­ broke through?!"


    Hearing Daniel''s nonchalant tone, Dixon was even more stunned.


    This had to be some kind of dream.


    A casual breakthrough took Daniel from tier-silver to platinum?


    This was terrifying!


    "Alright, it''s just one breakthrough. If I only went up one tier at a time, wouldn''t that be boring?"


    Daniel spoke in a tone that others couldn''t even begin to comprehend.


    "Don''t sweat the small stuff. As for that Enlightenment Competition, you can relax¡ªI''ll probably take first place."


    Small stuff???


    Dixon nearly jumped out of his seat.


    Breaking through two tiers at once¡ªhow could that be a small thing?!


    This was the kind of thing that could overturn the heavens!


    At this moment, Dixon had an overwhelming urge to call the Artisan''s Sanctuary representative back.


    Bring them here! Let them see for themselves!


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    This¡­ is this not talent?!


    What Artisan''s Sanctuary? A bunch of blind fools.


    And that extravagantly dressed Whitey-face¡ªsomeone who had been raised but never taught proper manners!


    He dared insult my daughter?


    Dixon clenched his fists. He wanted nothing more than to summon the two of them back and slap them in the face!


    Talentless? Open your eyes and look properly!


    Is this what you call talentless?!

 Chapter383-The Enlightenment Competition

    Daniel''s sudden performance left everyone in the room utterly stunned.


    Who could have imagined that someone could break through two entire ranks in an instant?


    This level of strength¡­


    It was beyond comprehension.


    Even if placed¡­


    No, no matter where one placed him, this would unquestionably be considered the work of a once-in-a-lifetime genius!


    Breaking through ranks seemed as natural to him as eating or drinking. If this wasn''t genius, what else could it be?


    Because of this, no one doubted Daniel when he nonchalantly said he''d casually claim first place in the competition.


    They knew Daniel truly had the ability to make that happen.


    "Well¡­ there''s no need to aim for first. Just making it to the top ten is enough," Dixon said at this moment.


    Now that Daniel had revealed his astonishing talent, Dixon didn''t want to put too much pressure on him.


    "Don''t worry, it''s in the bag."


    Daniel smiled confidently.


    Then, turning his gaze to Ed and Betsy, who were still dumbfounded, he said:


    "You two, are you still planning to be my apprentices? All day long, you''re out running around aimlessly. Half the time, I can''t even find either of you, and when I need help, no one''s around."


    With that, Daniel left the room.


    Ed and Betsy were still in a daze.


    What had just happened? Weren''t they talking about winning the competition?


    Why had the topic suddenly shifted to them? Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire


    They hadn''t done anything wrong!


    Was not bothering Daniel somehow a problem too?


    At that moment, Dixon spoke up behind them:


    "You two fools! Hurry and follow him!"


    "Master Daniel is about to teach you something valuable!"


    Hearing this, the two finally realized the meaning behind Daniel''s words and quickly ran after him, disappearing from the room.


    Watching this scene, Dixon smiled warmly.


    Then, suddenly, he burst into laughter.


    "Hahaha¡­ Isn''t this what they call good karma?"


    Over the next few days, Daniel began looking into the so-called Enlightenment Competition.


    The competition was hosted by a faction known as Thousand Suns Hall.


    This faction was considered one of the most prestigious and powerful groups within a hundred-mile radius.


    Even the mages surrounding Greenstone City viewed joining Thousand Suns Hall as a source of immense pride.


    Naturally, the Enlightenment Competition hosted by Thousand Suns Hall attracted numerous participants.


    This competition was regarded as a potential stepping stone into Thousand Suns Hall itself.


    Many people were eager to participate, even if their chances were slim. That faint glimmer of hope was something they couldn''t bear to give up.


    This time, the turnout was even greater, with competition fiercer than ever.


    The primary reason for this surge in interest was a rumor that had somehow spread before the competition.


    According to the rumor, another, even more powerful faction was secretly watching this year''s Enlightenment Competition from behind the scenes.


    If someone performed exceptionally well, they might catch the attention of this mysterious, powerful faction.


    Thousand Suns Hall was already considered a dominant force in the region. If there was truly an even more powerful entity behind them¡­


    That single rumor was enough to draw in countless hopefuls.


    "Teacher, there are more and more people in Greenstone City these days," Betsy said.


    "It seems like this year''s Enlightenment Competition has attracted a lot of people!"


    "There are only three days left until it starts. Shouldn''t we start making some preparations as well?"


    Betsy''s eagerness mirrored her father''s.


    Daniel had already seen this same behavior in Dixon a week ago. At that time, Daniel had simply told him to relax and leave everything to him.


    Now, with Betsy displaying a similar attitude, Daniel responded in the same calm tone:


    "Relax. There''s nothing to worry about."


    At that moment, Daniel was sitting under a tree, leisurely trimming his fingernails.


    "I''m preparing right now, actually."


    Betsy stared at Daniel in astonishment.


    You call this preparation?


    This wasn''t¡­


    "Teacher, aren''t you just trimming your nails? How is this preparation?"


    Betsy was so exasperated she nearly jumped out of her seat.


    But Daniel remained as unhurried as ever and replied:


    "Since this Enlightenment Competition is a grand event, I naturally need to present myself well. I can''t have our forge''s reputation tarnished, can I?"


    "So, how can this not count as preparation?"


    Daniel looked at Betsy as he asked this.


    "But this¡­"


    Who was going to look at your fingernails during the competition?!


    Daniel merely smiled and didn''t continue explaining.


    After finishing his grooming, he tossed the nail clipper to Betsy.


    Betsy caught the nail clipper, planning to return it to Daniel''s room.


    However, the moment she took a closer look at the nail clipper, she couldn''t tear her eyes away.


    What she noticed wasn''t the nail clipper itself or its function, but the forging techniques that had gone into creating it!


    The craftsmanship exhibited by this nail clipper was breathtaking.


    Daniel smiled as he saw Betsy frozen in place.


    That nail clipper, of course, wasn''t just any ordinary tool.


    Though he had genuinely been trimming his nails, Daniel had infused the nail clipper with countless forging techniques.


    If Betsy could fully comprehend the skills embedded in that nail clipper, she would easily reach the same level of mastery as her father¡ªand earn the title of master.


    Over the past few days, Daniel had been teaching Betsy and Ed quite a lot.


    Every lesson was packed with valuable knowledge, a token of appreciation for Dixon''s kindness.


    Initially, Daniel hadn''t been particularly fond of Dixon.


    After all, the man had always seemed eager to extract as much as he could from him.


    Even when Dixon had sent over three apprentices, Daniel hadn''t paid much attention to them.


    But the recent incident with Artisan''s Sanctuary made Daniel realize something.


    Though Dixon could be a bit overbearing at times, he was, at his core, a good person.


    To have gone to such lengths for Daniel''s sake¡­


    How could Daniel allow him to be humiliated?


    This was Daniel''s way of returning the favor.


    "Alright, take it and study it carefully. It''s yours now."


    Daniel addressed Betsy, snapping her out of her daze.


    "Thank you, Teacher!"


    Then, as if remembering something, Betsy asked:


    "By the way, Teacher, are you sure you''re not going to make any other preparations? Lately, I''ve noticed that many participants have been buying those Magic Array Cores¡­ shouldn''t you get one too?"


    Magic Array Cores were essentially activation devices, but their value lay in the magic arrays they contained.


    Some magic arrays could temporarily boost one''s comprehension abilities, making them highly useful for the Enlightenment Competition.


    Interestingly, Thousand Suns Hall didn''t prohibit the use of such items, which were almost like legal cheats.


    As a result, most participants purchased Magic Array Cores to give themselves an edge.


    Wealthier contestants even splurged on higher-quality cores.


    "Oh, that? I''m broke."


    Daniel replied casually.


    For one, he really didn''t have much money.


    Magic Array Cores weren''t cheap, and during his time in Greenstone City¡ªjust over a month¡ªhe had barely managed to save up for a single mana stone.


    Buying a Magic Array Core was out of the question.


    Of course, the other reason was that Daniel didn''t think it was necessary.


    For someone like him, participating in the Enlightenment Competition was already akin to unfair domination.


    In the entire New God Realm, no one could match Daniel''s comprehension of the rules.


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 Chapter384-The Magic Array Core

    If that was the case, then spending money on a Magic Array Core would feel like cheating¡ªalmost embarrassing. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, if Daniel couldn''t claim first place, that would be an actual disgrace.


    "Don''t worry about it, Teacher! My dad has some Magic Array Cores that can boost comprehension. I could, um, borrow a few for you!"


    Betsy blurted out without a second thought.


    Hearing her words, Daniel couldn''t help but laugh. He cleared his throat and said:


    "No need. I don''t need those things."


    This Betsy¡­ truly a little blabbermouth!


    Seeing Daniel refuse, Betsy hurriedly added:


    "Teacher, I know you''re amazing, but shouldn''t you at least learn more about your opponents'' strength and methods? You''ve been sitting at home all day, and if something goes wrong¡ª"


    Before she could finish, Ed walked in and said:


    "Master Daniel, my teacher wants to see you for a moment."


    "What now? Is he pushing me about the Enlightenment Competition again? I already told him¡ª"


    Daniel assumed that Dixon and Betsy must have come up with the same idea.


    But Ed interrupted:


    "No, this time it''s not about the competition. It''s about something else."


    "What is it?"


    Daniel asked, curious.


    Ed explained:


    "A customer brought in a Magic Array Core for repairs. But the Core seems to be of a very high grade, so my teacher wasn''t sure how to handle it. He''d like you to take a look."


    "A Magic Array Core?"


    "Yes, and it seems to be related to the Enlightenment Competition¡­ Anyway, the customer seems to be in a hurry."


    Betsy was stunned when she heard this.


    Was Daniel''s luck for real?


    This was like being handed a pillow just when you felt sleepy!


    She had just complained about Daniel not leaving the house or learning about his competitors and the Magic Array Cores they were using. And now?


    One literally fell into his lap.


    What kind of luck was this?!


    "Alright, take me there."


    Daniel stood up, and Ed led the way.


    This time, they headed to the forge''s VIP room.


    Inside, Dixon was carefully examining a small object, his expression tense and serious.


    His brow was furrowed so deeply it looked like a permanent crease.


    It was clear that Dixon was completely stumped; otherwise, he wouldn''t look so stressed.


    Hearing footsteps approaching, Dixon set down the Magic Array Core, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to Daniel:


    "Master Daniel, you''re finally here! Come quickly and take a look at this Magic Array Core. I''m completely baffled!"


    "Alright, let me see what''s got Master Dixon so troubled."


    Just as Daniel reached for the Magic Array Core, the customer suddenly looked up at him and exclaimed:


    "It''s you!"


    Hearing her voice, Daniel looked at her in surprise and recognized the woman.


    It was Veya¡ªthe same woman he''d met after leaving Tuck Village.


    "Well, fancy meeting you here."


    Daniel said, feeling a bit nostalgic.


    "You two know each other?"


    Dixon asked, looking between them.


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    "Yes, we traveled together when I first came to Greenstone City," Veya replied.


    "I see¡­"


    Dixon nodded, but then, as if something clicked in his mind, he suddenly smiled and said:


    "Well then, Master Daniel, I''ll leave this Magic Array Core to you. Miss Veya, rest assured¡ªMaster Daniel here is the finest master craftsman at Velen Forge. He''ll definitely repair it for you!"


    After saying this, Dixon quickly excused himself, almost as if fleeing the scene.


    Watching Dixon rush out, Daniel sighed.


    What''s with this guy? Did he think his inability to solve the problem would embarrass him in front of me?


    If he had just stayed, Daniel could''ve taught him how to handle similar problems in the future!


    Shaking his head, Daniel took Dixon''s seat and picked up the Magic Array Core.


    "I never expected you to be a master craftsman at the forge!"


    Veya exclaimed, surprised.


    This revelation explained why she''d felt that Daniel had an unusual aura about him.


    As a master craftsman, Daniel naturally carried an air of tranquility and harmony that could set people at ease.


    For a moment, Veya''s gaze toward Daniel became tinged with admiration.


    "It''s just a coincidence," Daniel replied casually, then began studying the Magic Array Core in his hands.


    To be honest, Daniel had been curious about this device ever since he first saw it on Veya''s carriage.


    Back then, he hadn''t asked about it because it wasn''t his place. He was already grateful enough for the ride.


    After joining the forge, Daniel learned just how valuable Magic Array Cores were.


    But since he''d never had a chance to interact with one, the matter had faded from his mind.


    Now, with Veya standing before him and the Core in his hands, he could finally satisfy his curiosity.


    As Daniel studied the device, the intricacies of the Magic Array Core began to reveal themselves.


    It was an incredibly intricate metal creation that incorporated numerous rare materials, most of which were specifically used for magic array formations.


    Inside the Core were around a dozen tiny magic arrays, etched in a way that allowed them to work seamlessly together.


    Each array served a unique function, yet they all operated in harmony¡ªa marvel of ingenuity.


    Seeing this design reminded Daniel of the massive array disk left behind by the God Emperor.


    That array had been preserved in the form of ancient script, which only highlighted the God Emperor''s unparalleled mastery.


    Among the magic arrays in this Core, one stood out as the most complex and central to its functionality.


    Examining its patterns, Daniel noticed something peculiar¡ªit bore a striking resemblance to the innate patterns of the Tree of Insight he''d encountered in his past life.


    Perhaps this similarity was why the Magic Array Core could enhance a mage''s comprehension.


    "This design¡­ is quite ingenious,"


    Daniel remarked, genuinely impressed.


    Such innovative thinking would have been nearly impossible in the past. But in this era, ideas like this could flourish¡ªwhat a fascinating time!


    By now, Daniel had thoroughly analyzed the Core''s structure.


    A Magic Array Core could be broken down into two main components: the fusion of materials and the etching of the magic arrays.


    While the array etching seemed crucial¡ªafter all, the Core relied on the arrays¡ªthe true challenge lay in the material fusion.


    Each material had to be forged into a precise shape, then assembled into a cohesive unit that resonated with the magic arrays.


    The complexity and difficulty of this process far exceeded that of etching the arrays themselves.


    No wonder¡­


    Daniel recalled overhearing those two young men outside the forge expressing their admiration for the Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    Their greatest dream had been to join the Sanctuary and create their very own Magic Array Core.

 Chapter385-Repaired

    Initially, Daniel didn''t think much of it.


    But now, it was clear that this Magic Array Core was no ordinary item.


    The magic arrays etched into it couldn''t simply be drawn at random. Without the proper materials, haphazard etching could even have adverse effects.


    The role of the craftsman here was akin to that of a conductor orchestrating a symphony.


    They had to consider how each material would interact when fused, what kind of magic arrays would complement it best, and how those arrays could work in perfect harmony with others.


    Mastering all this?


    It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say you could establish a school or lineage based on such expertise alone! Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Now it seemed those two young men Daniel had overheard outside hadn''t been exaggerating.


    If someone managed to design their own Magic Array Core¡ªespecially one with significant effects¡ªbecoming famous would be inevitable.


    As Daniel focused on the Core, Veya watched him closely.


    She noticed how, when he was engrossed in his work, his face had a certain magnetism that was hard to look away from.


    "So, did you find the problem?"


    "Judging by Master Dixon''s reaction earlier, repairing this doesn''t seem easy¡­"


    Veya said softly.


    Daniel nodded and replied:


    "Indeed, it''s not an easy fix."


    The Magic Array Core was incredibly intricate. Even a tiny issue could disrupt its overall functionality.


    In the Core that Veya brought, three of the auxiliary magic arrays had shifted to varying degrees, and the central, most critical part of the Core was even missing a component.


    It wasn''t that Daniel was looking down on Dixon, but¡­


    Even if Dixon were given three months, he likely wouldn''t be able to repair it.


    While Dixon was undoubtedly a master craftsman, he wasn''t well-versed in magic arrays¡ªlet alone the intricate core array that bore similarities to the Tree of Insight''s innate patterns.


    If Daniel hadn''t once brewed tea with leaves from the Tree of Insight during a particularly indulgent phase of his past life, he probably wouldn''t remember these patterns either.


    Without that knowledge, repairing this Core would be impossible. At best, Dixon might be able to stabilize it, but its functionality would be severely diminished.


    For someone like Dixon, this repair was out of reach.


    Veya sighed softly and said:


    "Well, if that''s the case, then I suppose I''ll just use my backup Core instead."


    "Still, I didn''t expect to run into you today. Since fate brought us together, how about we grab a meal later¡ª"


    Before she could finish her sentence, Daniel handed the Magic Array Core back to her.


    "It''s done. Here you go."


    "???"


    For a moment, Veya''s brain struggled to process what had just happened.


    She was still in the middle of inviting Daniel for a meal, and yet¡­


    He was handing the Magic Array Core back to her?


    And¡­ it was done?


    "What? What do you mean, ''done''?"


    Veya asked in confusion.


    "The Magic Array Core. I''ve repaired it,"


    Daniel repeated casually.


    "Huh?"


    Hearing his words clearly this time, Veya was utterly dumbfounded.


    It''s already¡­ fixed?


    Wasn''t it supposed to be difficult?


    "Didn''t you just say it was pretty tricky to repair?"


    Veya asked, still in disbelief.


    "Yes, it was. I had to think about it for quite a while,"


    Daniel replied matter-of-factly.


    From the moment he entered the room to the moment the Core was repaired, he had indeed spent some time on it.


    These days, without the unrestricted use of his previous mind power, tasks like these took a little more effort.


    Back then, he could''ve solved a problem like this with just a glance.


    Now, he had to tinker with it for a bit.


    For Daniel, this already felt like a significant time investment.


    What he didn''t realize was how his offhand remark about "thinking for a while" completely shocked Veya.


    Thinking for a while?


    Veya looked stunned. From the moment Daniel had entered the room, had ten minutes even passed?


    During that time, his expression hadn''t even shown the slightest hint of a frown or struggle.


    It was as if everything had flowed naturally¡ªlike he was merely going through the motions.


    The contrast between Daniel and Master Dixon couldn''t have been more stark.


    One had spent ages furrowing his brow, unable to discern the issue.


    The other had solved it effortlessly in what seemed like no time at all.


    Was Dixon just too inexperienced? Or was Daniel simply too skilled? S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "By the way, what were you saying just now? I didn''t quite catch it¡ªcould you repeat it?"


    Daniel asked, looking at Veya.


    Suddenly, Veya lost the courage she''d had earlier. She stammered:


    "Oh, I was just saying¡­ the weather''s pretty nice today."


    Daniel glanced out the window and nodded.


    "Yeah, it''s not bad."


    "By the way, is the Magic Array Core really fixed?"


    Veya quickly changed the subject back to the Core.


    "Of course. It''s fully repaired. If you don''t believe me, you can test it out."


    Daniel replied confidently.


    In truth, Daniel hadn''t just repaired the Core.


    He had also enhanced the central array by integrating additional Tree of Insight patterns.


    As a result, the Magic Array Core''s ability to boost comprehension had increased several times over.


    It was his way of repaying Veya for her kindness in giving him a ride to Greenstone City.


    Of course, Daniel didn''t mention this to her.


    "I didn''t expect¡­ you to be this skilled."


    Veya said, looking at him in awe.


    Daniel waved his hand dismissively.


    "It''s nothing. By the way, are you planning to participate in the Enlightenment Competition?"


    After all, only mages participating in the competition would carry something like a Magic Array Core.


    This was something Daniel had learned from Betsy.


    Given Veya''s current strength, she was more than qualified to participate.


    "Yes, I am. This year''s competition is different from previous ones. Normally, only Thousand Suns Hall selects talents, but this time, another faction¡ªthe Jade Emerald Society¡ªwill also be scouting participants. The Jade Emerald Society is far more powerful than Thousand Suns Hall."


    Veya explained.


    Hearing this, Daniel finally understood why this year''s competition had attracted so many people.


    And as it turned out, that rumor¡­ was true!


    He had assumed it was just a ploy to draw participants. But there really was a powerful faction watching the competition.


    "This is a rare opportunity. It''s a pity, though, that you''re only at tier-silver. Otherwise, you could''ve¡­"


    Veya''s words trailed off as she suddenly noticed something.


    Daniel''s aura felt¡­ off.


    When she had met him earlier, he was only tier-silver. That much had been clear.


    A tier-silver mage wasn''t even qualified to participate in the Enlightenment Competition; the minimum requirement was tier-gold.


    But now¡­


    As Veya began to lament this "pity," she suddenly realized something shocking.


    Daniel''s aura was no longer that of a tier-silver mage.


    It was stronger.


    Much stronger.


    Her voice trembled as she exclaimed:


    "You¡­ you''re tier-platinum?!"


    Veya was utterly floored.


    In just over a month, he had jumped two ranks?


    What had he been eating?!


    "Yes, I broke through recently. Oh, and by the way, I''ll be participating in the Enlightenment Competition this time as well."


    Daniel said nonchalantly.

 Chapter386-Who Did This!?

    Hearing Daniel''s words, a hint of delight appeared on Veya''s face as she said,


    "Does that mean we''ll most likely meet again at the Enlightenment Competition?"


    Daniel smiled and nodded.


    "Great! Then let''s wish each other good luck!"


    The two chatted for a while longer before bidding each other farewell.


    Daniel returned to the forge and started thinking. Earlier, he had given Betsy a nail clipper as a gift. He couldn''t play favorites, so what should he give Ed?


    An ear-pick, perhaps?


    As for the so-called Enlightenment Competition¡­


    Was there even anything he needed to prepare for?


    Whatever he did would be more than enough.


    That evening, Veya sat in her room, gazing out the window and occasionally letting out a silly laugh.


    Her maid stood nearby, confused and a little alarmed.


    "Miss, you''ve been sitting there daydreaming for hours. Why don''t you get some sleep already?"


    The moon had been up for quite a while, yet Veya was still sitting there, smiling like a fool.


    Hearing her maid''s voice, Veya snapped out of it.


    "Huh? What did you say? Hours? It''s only been a little while!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Miss, what are you talking about? You''ve been out of it since you came back this afternoon. I think someone''s bewitched you!"


    "Stop talking nonsense! Sleep? No, I''m going to cultivate!"


    Veya waved off the suggestion, pulling out the Magic Array Core Daniel had repaired.


    It was something Daniel had personally fixed, so it felt special to her.


    She held the Core in her hand for a moment before beginning her cultivation practice¡ªa special training focused on enhancing comprehension.


    Trying to empty her mind of distractions, Veya activated the Magic Array Core.


    However, as soon as she started using it, something felt¡­ strange.


    Not wrong, exactly.


    More like things were going too smoothly.


    Even when the Magic Array Core had been brand new, it hadn''t produced such extraordinary effects.


    It was as if her mind had entered an unprecedented state of clarity. Problems she had struggled with before suddenly seemed trivial, their solutions immediately obvious.


    The questions and obstacles she had faced in her cultivation all seemed to resolve themselves effortlessly.


    And, inexplicably, she couldn''t help but wonder:


    Why had I been so foolish before? How did I not think of this sooner?


    Veya abruptly stopped cultivating.


    Something about this state felt¡­ off.


    Was this really her?


    Had she really achieved all this herself?


    Her mind was filled with doubt and uncertainty.


    What was happening to her?


    After attempting to resume cultivation several times, Veya''s attention was finally drawn to the Magic Array Core in her hand.


    The only explanation she could think of¡­ was the Core itself.


    "Miss, are you alright? You seem restless today, like you can''t settle into your cultivation,"


    her maid asked, noticing her unease.


    Veya looked at the Magic Array Core in her hand, her expression conflicted.


    She knew that the Core she had purchased shouldn''t be capable of producing effects like this.


    The only possibility¡­ was that something had changed.


    After a moment of hesitation, she turned to her maid and said,


    "Wait here for me."


    With that, she left her room, still holding the Magic Array Core.


    The maid watched her leave, puzzled.


    What''s gotten into her today? She''s been acting strange since she got back this afternoon.


    Did someone¡­ charm her or something?


    Veya went to another room, where her mentor¡ªa middle-aged woman¡ªwas staying.


    "Master, can you take a look at my Magic Array Core?"


    Veya placed the Core on the table.


    "It feels¡­ off somehow. I''m not sure what''s going on."


    The woman sighed.


    "I told you, didn''t I? This is just a small city. How could anyone here repair a Magic Array Core properly? Of course, there''s going to be a problem! You should''ve just used your backup Core¡ª"


    She reached for the Core, intending to set it aside.


    "No, Master, that''s not it! This Magic Array Core seems to be working better than before. Please, take a closer look!"


    The woman frowned but reluctantly agreed.


    "Fine, I''ll take a look¡­"


    She picked up the Magic Array Core again and examined it closely.


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    And then, her expression changed.


    She was stunned to discover that the Core''s grade had been elevated by an entire level!


    This wasn''t just a repair; it was an upgrade.


    Veya might even have a chance to break through again before the Enlightenment Competition started!


    "What? Who repaired this for you? This Magic Array Core has been upgraded by an entire tier!"


    The middle-aged woman had completely abandoned her usual composed demeanor.


    She urgently questioned Veya, because she understood what this meant.


    To not only repair the Core but also enhance it to such a degree required skill far beyond that of the Core''s original creator.


    This level of craftsmanship was practically unheard of.


    Could it be that there was truly a hidden master living in Greenstone City?


    In her mind, Veya saw Daniel''s face.


    But in the end, she chose not to reveal his identity.


    She simply said that she had encountered a peculiar man who had repaired the Core for her free of charge.


    The middle-aged woman could only sigh in amazement at Veya''s good fortune.


    It seemed this opportunity was meant for Veya alone.


    Afterward, Veya returned to her own room.


    Once again, she seemed lost in thought, her mood oscillating between joy and melancholy.


    "Miss, what''s wrong with you today?"


    her maid asked.


    "Nothing. I''m going to sleep now. You should rest, too."


    Veya dismissed her, signaling that she wanted to be left alone.


    The maid could only retreat to her own quarters, baffled.


    Sigh¡­ What''s wrong with Miss today? Did someone steal her heart?


    In her room, Veya stared at the Magic Array Core in her hand.


    As her mentor had said, this was no ordinary item.


    And the person who had modified it to this level¡­


    What kind of extraordinary individual must they be?


    Veya wasn''t na?ve.


    She understood the implications.


    To repair a Magic Array Core while elevating its grade required mastery beyond even what most artisans at the Artisan''s Sanctuary could achieve.


    Such a person would be considered a core disciple there, if not more.


    And yet, here they were, quietly working in a small forge in Greenstone City.


    Even if she performed well at the Enlightenment Competition and caught the attention of the powerful faction behind Thousand Suns Hall¡­


    She and Daniel were destined to walk different paths.


    The gap between them would only grow wider¡ªso wide that they''d eventually be worlds apart.


    Perhaps the only thing connecting them would be the memory of their shared carriage ride outside Greenstone City.


    Daniel was already so brilliant, so extraordinary.


    Veya knew there was no way she could ever match him.


    She liked him, but she also understood that her feelings were futile.


    They were people from entirely different worlds.

 Chapter387-Hostile Gaze

    Three days later, the Enlightenment Competition hosted by Thousand Suns Hall officially began.


    This Enlightenment Competition would last for a total of two days. The first day served as the preliminary round, while the second day would determine the final victor.


    The top ten contestants, the so-called Top Ten, would earn the recognition of major factions.


    Almost all the young people preparing to participate in this competition were eager and ready.


    "Daniel, wake up! I see a lot of people already heading to the Enlightenment Competition!"


    Outside the room, Betsy called out loudly.


    Daniel, however, only slowly emerged at that moment, looking as if he had just woken up.


    "What''s the rush? Why are you calling me so early?" Daniel rubbed his eyes and asked, looking at Betsy with a sleepy expression.


    "Is it time for breakfast?"


    Seeing how sluggish Daniel was, Betsy grew even more anxious.


    "Daniel, how can you still be sleeping?! Today is the first day of the Enlightenment Competition! Almost everyone has already gone to the competition venue to prepare. Hurry up and go!"


    "Alright, alright, I got it."


    Daniel responded lazily.


    He had indeed woken up late today.


    Last night, he had left some things for Dixon. Compared to what he had left for old Flinn, this time, Daniel had been more generous¡ªwhat he left was enough to push Dixon''s forging skills to an even higher level.


    "Okay, okay, I know. There''s no need to rush. Let me wash up and eat first."


    Seeing Daniel''s unhurried attitude, Betsy could only sigh helplessly and rush off to prepare his meal.


    Nearly an hour later, Daniel finally set off with Ed and Betsy toward the center of Greenstone City, where the Enlightenment Competition was being held.


    Upon arrival, Daniel noticed that at the very center of Greenstone City was a lake.


    Initially, it had no official name, but over time, people began calling it Blue Lake.


    Most of the city''s major events were held here.


    From Betsy, Daniel also learned that many cities had lakes at their centers¡ªthis was an ancient tradition. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Forge Workshop wasn''t far from Greenstone City''s center, so the three of them arrived quickly.


    Looking around, Daniel saw a vast crowd¡ªblack heads stretching as far as the eye could see.


    Ed even felt a bit dizzy from seeing so many people.


    Among them, at least half were young mages, most of whom were participating in the Enlightenment Competition.


    There were roughly ten thousand competitors.


    It was, without a doubt, a grand event.


    "Daniel, over there!"


    Betsy grabbed Daniel''s arm, leading him through the crowd.


    After weaving through the sea of people, they finally arrived under a tall tree near the lake.


    A large canopy tent provided shade, with several people standing beneath it.


    Daniel recognized them¡ªthey were from the Forge Workshop.


    As the largest forge workshop in Greenstone City, Velen''s Forge had naturally received an invitation to attend this grand event.


    They had a designated viewing area.


    After sitting down, Daniel glanced around and noticed many other shaded tents, some even more luxurious.


    Some factions had even set up pavilions for themselves.


    Out on the lake, Thousand Suns Hall''s grand floating ship loomed over the water.


    "Daniel, look! That''s Thousand Suns Hall''s ship!"


    Betsy pointed excitedly at the vessel, her voice full of enthusiasm.


    But Daniel didn''t seem particularly interested.


    "When does the competition start?"


    With the entire area packed with people, Daniel felt slightly uncomfortable in the bustling environment.


    "Around noon, I think," Betsy replied.


    "Daniel, just so you know, based on past competitions, today alone will eliminate over ninety percent of the participants. Be prepared!"


    Ed reminded him, sounding a bit anxious.


    But Daniel wasn''t concerned at all.


    If he actually needed to prepare for a competition like this, that would just be bullying the others.


    Although, to be fair¡­ his very participation was already bullying.


    "Oh, by the way¡­ has anyone come to cause trouble?"


    Since Betsy had called him so early, there was still a long time before the competition started.


    Feeling a little bored, Daniel asked Ed.


    "Cause trouble? Daniel, you mean¡­"


    "Well, actually, right now, everyone is focused on the competition. No one has time to stir up trouble," Ed explained.


    "Besides, when we first picked our spot, we deliberately chose an area surrounded by friendly factions."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    "Alright, if that''s the case¡­ then why is that guy over there staring at us with such hostility?"


    As he spoke, he casually pointed toward a two-story pavilion not far away.


    On the second floor, a young man in luxurious robes was glaring at them.


    Or rather¡­


    He was glaring at the Forge Workshop''s group with clear hostility.


    "It''s him! That guy! He was with the Artisan''s Sanctuary before, badmouthing us!"


    Betsy''s face turned angry the moment she recognized him.


    Daniel raised an eyebrow.


    So¡­


    That pavilion belonged to Artisan''s Sanctuary, huh?


    "Daniel, you still want to join Artisan''s Sanctuary, right? You mustn''t cause any trouble with them now!"


    Ed noticed Daniel''s expression and hurriedly reminded him.


    Getting into a conflict with those guys at this moment would be a terrible idea.


    Daniel simply shrugged and said,


    "Relax, I''m not the type to start trouble."


    As he spoke, he met the young man''s gaze.


    At that very moment, the young man also locked eyes with Daniel.


    Their gazes collided.


    Daniel slowly and deliberately mouthed two words:


    "Trash."


    On the second floor of the pavilion, Greg had been looking in the Forge Workshop''s direction when he saw Daniel.


    And then, clear as day, he saw Daniel mouth those words.


    Greg''s expression instantly darkened.


    He hadn''t expected that Forge Workshop brat to dare insult him so openly!


    At the same time, Greg sensed Daniel''s aura.


    It was no longer Tier-Silver.


    It had¡­


    Risen to Platinum Rank?


    Upon realizing this, Greg let out a cold sneer.


    "How foolish."


    "A country bumpkin like him¡­ just because he advanced from Tier-Silver to Tier-Platinum, he thinks he can challenge me?"


    Beside him, another member of Artisan''s Sanctuary also noticed this.


    "Before, Dixon said he was only Tier-Silver¡­ yet in just a few days, he reached Platinum Rank? He must have used some special elixirs."


    Sighing, the Artisan''s Sanctuary member shook his head.


    "Enlightenment Competition isn''t about raw strength. Wasting one''s potential for a temporary boost¡­ he''s only sealing his own fate."


    Burning through one''s own potential just to level up and perform well in the Enlightenment Competition?


    In his eyes, such an action was utterly foolish.


    It was self-destructive.


    After all, the Enlightenment Competition was about comprehension¡ªnot brute strength.


    No matter how powerful you were¡­


    What was the point?


    Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    And Platinum Rank?


    Wasting one''s future potential just to reach Platinum Rank?


    "He has no chance of ranking high."


    "This year''s Enlightenment Competition has attracted the finest talents from countless factions. He will be nothing more than a stepping stone."

 Chapter388-The First Trial

    "That young man from Velen''s Forge has no hope whatsoever."


    In truth, he had never intended to recruit anyone from Velen''s Forge in the first place.


    He was merely following protocol by attending.


    After all, did he not already know what kind of place Greenstone City was?


    The city''s ceiling was limited¡ªit was only good for acting as a feeder force to Artisan''s Sanctuary, supplying talent when needed¡­


    But that was something for the future.


    So, this Enlightenment Competition had only been proposed as a test to make things difficult.


    The true intent was simply to crush any ambitions the forge had and keep them focused on their work.


    Greg suddenly had an idea.


    Turning to the man from Artisan''s Sanctuary, he said:


    "Sir, if that''s the case, I''d also like to participate. It would be a good chance to see the true talents of other factions¡­ and to teach a certain frog in a well what real geniuses look like!"


    The Artisan''s Sanctuary representative knew exactly what Greg was up to.


    After all, he had heard Greg mumbling to himself earlier.


    Greg was talented, no doubt.


    But he was also arrogant.


    Overconfident.


    Then again, most young prodigies were like that.


    It was nothing unusual.


    Besides, Greenstone City''s Enlightenment Competition tested five elements. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    Greg met all the participation criteria.


    "Fine, go ahead. Just don''t overdo it."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Greg responded, then returned to his seat.


    His gaze locked onto Velen''s Forge, specifically Daniel.


    His eyes gleamed with anticipation.


    Time passed quickly.


    The Enlightenment Competition was about to begin.


    At that moment, a golden light shot out from the Thousand Suns Hall''s floating ship at the center of the lake.


    A golden barrier momentarily enveloped the entire Blue Lake, then vanished.


    Instantly, the once-noisy crowd fell silent.


    "Is it starting?"


    Daniel glanced around and murmured.


    He had already learned the details of the first trial from Dixon.


    The First Trial: Crossing the Lake


    That''s right.


    Competitors had to travel from the shoreline to Lake Island at the center.


    Reaching the island meant passing the first trial.


    It sounded simple¡ªbut in reality, it was anything but.


    That golden light released by Thousand Suns Hall wasn''t just for show.


    It activated a complex magic array, which divided the lake''s surface into countless sections, like a honeycomb grid.


    Some sections were solid, allowing people to step on them.


    Others, however, were illusions¡ªif stepped on, the competitor would fall straight into the water and be eliminated.


    In other words:


    If you fall in, you''re out.


    The solid tiles followed specific hidden patterns.


    So, this trial was about comprehension¡ªparticipants had to perceive the patterns, identify the safe paths, and avoid elimination.


    The bell tolled.


    The Enlightenment Competition had officially begun.


    As soon as the sound faded, the first competitor couldn''t wait any longer¡ªhe leaped onto the lake.


    The moment his foot touched the water, golden light flickered across the lake''s surface.


    For an instant, a honeycomb-like grid appeared, revealing tens of thousands of hexagonal tiles.


    Then, in the blink of an eye, it vanished.


    It was like a giant invisible net.


    The first competitor got lucky.


    The tile he stepped on turned white, signifying it was solid and safe.


    However, when he took his second step, his tile immediately turned black¡ª


    SPLASH!


    He fell straight into the water.


    Eliminated.


    Seeing the first person go in, the rest of the competitors followed suit.


    Some were lucky¡ªthey landed on safe tiles.


    Others were unlucky¡ªthe moment they jumped in, they fell straight into the lake.


    Eliminated.


    Of the first few hundred participants, less than ten percent remained standing on the lake''s surface.


    Most had barely taken a step or two before plunging into the water.


    Watching this, even Daniel couldn''t help but cringe.


    "¡­Are there really this many useless people?"


    He turned to Ed, puzzled.


    Crossing a lake was already wiping out so many people?


    Wasn''t this supposed to be a prestigious event filled with young prodigies?


    Because from what he was seeing¡­ not so much.


    "It''s usually a little better than this," Ed admitted, looking a little embarrassed.


    "Walking two steps and immediately getting eliminated¡­ how is that any different from clowns coming to put on a show?"


    They clearly weren''t here to compete¡ªjust to have fun.


    Still, people kept trying.


    The sound of splashes filled the air.


    Of course, some people tried to cheat¡ªthey followed the steps of successful competitors, hoping to copy their paths.


    However¡­


    Did Thousand Suns Hall really seem like the kind of people to leave such an obvious loophole?


    The grid constantly changed.


    The moment one person stepped off a tile, it randomized again.


    If they were lucky, it would remain solid.


    But luck wasn''t something you could depend on forever.


    This was designed to eliminate those relying on tricks instead of their own abilities.


    As more competitors entered the lake, they became more cautious.


    They hesitated before taking each step, trying to analyze the situation.


    Because of this, fewer were being eliminated.


    It was still happening, but the rate was less ridiculous than before.


    Daniel remained on the shore, still observing.


    By now, about seventy percent of the contestants had already been eliminated.


    "Daniel, aren''t you going in?"


    Ed asked, looking at him.


    The first wave of careful competitors had already crossed nearly half the lake.


    Even Betsy urged him:


    "Yeah, Daniel! Some of them are almost at the island!"


    But Daniel remained calm.


    "There''s no rush. There''s no time limit for the first trial anyway."


    At that moment, Daniel felt a gaze on him.


    He glanced toward the second floor of the pavilion.


    Greg.


    He was staring at him, eyes filled with provocation.


    Then, Greg gestured toward Blue Lake.


    Daniel instantly understood his meaning.


    He smirked and said:


    "Alright, I''ve rested long enough. Let''s see what this is all about."


    He stretched.


    "This¡­ really doesn''t look difficult at all."


    Without hesitation, he jumped into the lake.


    His first step landed on a white tile¡ªsolid ground.


    "Daniel, hurry! The sooner you reach Lake Island, the better your advantages!"


    Betsy called out.


    Daniel casually began walking forward.


    Seeing this, Greg prepared to enter the lake as well.


    Then, as if remembering something, he turned to the Artisan''s Sanctuary official and asked:


    "Sir, if I make minor modifications to the magic array, Thousand Suns Hall won''t hold it against me, right? As long as it only affects one specific person?"


    The official replied casually:


    "Just don''t kill anyone." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In other words¡ªdo whatever you want to Daniel, as long as he doesn''t die.


    Thousand Suns Hall wouldn''t interfere with something like that.


    Greg smirked.


    Nodding, he leaped into the lake.


    Conveniently, he landed right near Daniel.

 Chapter389-Targeted

    Seeing what was happening, Betsy immediately shouted:


    "Daniel, watch out behind you!"


    She knew very well¡ªGreg had been in the pavilion on the other side just moments ago.


    Yet, he deliberately landed right here.


    His intentions were obvious.


    He was trying to threaten Daniel in some way.


    So, Betsy wasted no time warning him.


    Daniel glanced back at Greg but said nothing.


    He simply continued walking forward at a leisurely pace.


    By now, nearly seventy percent of the participants had already been eliminated.


    But given how many people had joined this Enlightenment Competition, there were still three to four thousand competitors remaining.


    Each of them walked cautiously, afraid that a single misstep could send them plunging into the water¡ªending their run for good.


    Unlike those who had already been eliminated, these were the real contenders.


    They had come here to win.


    As for the magic array beneath Daniel''s feet¡­


    To him, it was nothing.


    After all, back then, he had spent years in seclusion, thoroughly mastering the magic arrays of the God Realm.


    Even though he no longer possessed his former power,


    Everything he had learned was still ingrained in his mind.


    If Daniel really wanted to, he could manipulate the magic array to send himself straight to Lake Island.


    But he wasn''t going to do that.


    It would ruin the entire point of the competition.


    Besides, playing by the rules was kind of fun.


    Just then, Daniel frowned slightly.


    He could sense it¡ª


    The magic array was undergoing a subtle change.


    Especially in his immediate vicinity.


    Daniel looked back.


    Sure enough, he saw Greg manipulating the magic array beneath his own feet.


    And¡­


    The modifications were extending toward Daniel''s position.


    "Interesting."


    One look was enough¡ªDaniel instantly understood Greg''s intentions.


    His objective was painfully obvious.


    But¡­


    Tampering with a magic array so blatantly?


    Was Greg not worried that Thousand Suns Hall would step in?


    Daniel shifted his gaze toward Thousand Suns Hall''s floating ship.


    No one was stopping Greg.


    Which meant¡­


    This kind of interference was allowed?


    At first, Daniel had thought walking across the lake normally would be a little boring.


    But now¡­


    Someone had volunteered to make things more interesting for him.


    Daniel let out a cold chuckle and continued forward.


    Meanwhile, Greg had finished modifying the magic array and was watching Daniel intently.


    He was expecting Daniel¡ªthis pathetic platinum rank who had wasted his own potential¡ªto fall into the lake at any moment.


    But to his shock¡­


    Daniel kept stepping on the correct path.


    He didn''t even seem remotely close to falling in.


    Greg narrowed his eyes.


    If Daniel wasn''t going to fall in, then fine¡ªhe''d just make sure he suffered instead.


    So, this time, Greg modified the magic array again.


    Now, the moment Daniel stepped forward, an intense burst of flames would erupt beneath him.


    Of course, these flames wouldn''t be lethal.


    But¡­


    They would burn his clothes or at least scorch his hair black.


    Greg had promised he wouldn''t kill him.


    But humiliating him?


    That was perfectly fine.


    Just picturing Daniel''s ridiculous, burnt appearance after stepping into the trap made Greg want to laugh out loud.


    Then¡ª


    Daniel took his next step.


    BOOM!


    A massive burst of flames erupted into the air, engulfing someone completely.


    The sudden explosion of fire caught the attention of the other competitors.


    After all, in previous years, this wasn''t a part of the competition.


    Had Thousand Suns Hall changed the rules this year?


    And if so¡­


    Daniel was the first person to trigger this "fire penalty."


    Curious, the competitors turned their heads to watch.


    As the fire and smoke faded¡­


    A charred figure was revealed.


    At first, there was silence.


    Then¡ª


    Laughter erupted.


    Even the spectators on the shore couldn''t hold back their amusement.


    Hearing the laughter, Greg choked on his own breath, coughing up black smoke from his mouth.


    In a panic, he quickly cast a cleanse spell to restore himself to normal.


    "Shut up!"


    Greg''s furious roar echoed through the area.


    His powerful aura surged out, immediately silencing the laughter around him.


    Because¡ª


    The one who had been burned wasn''t Daniel. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    It was Greg himself.


    The moment Daniel stepped forward, Greg had seen the flames ignite.


    But instead of appearing beneath Daniel¡­


    They had erupted under him instead.


    "Damn it!"


    Greg cursed under his breath.


    Had he¡­


    Made a mistake?


    Had he miscalculated when modifying the array?


    Was that why the fire trap meant for Daniel had hit him instead?


    Greg frowned deeply, caught in a moment of self-doubt.


    What Greg didn''t know was that¡ª


    The moment Daniel stepped down, he had already noticed the irregularity in the magic array.


    So, in a split second, Daniel had modified the array himself.


    The result?


    The fire trap Greg set¡­


    Backfired on him instead.


    Even after double-checking his calculations, Greg still found no errors.


    By all logic, the flames should have engulfed Daniel.


    Yet, somehow, the exact opposite had happened.


    After struggling to make sense of it, Greg could only come to one conclusion:


    Maybe this was a mistake in the magic array itself.


    Or perhaps¡­


    Was Thousand Suns Hall subtly warning him?


    Greg shook his head.


    No matter¡ªDaniel just got lucky this time.


    At that moment, Daniel glanced at him and smirked.


    "Heh. Nice hairstyle."


    Then, without another word, he casually kept walking forward.


    Greg''s face turned completely dark.


    Grinding his teeth, he immediately took action.


    This time, he set up three new traps¡ª


    Lightning.


    Unlike before, he triple-checked his work to ensure there were zero mistakes.


    Then, as Daniel took his next steps¡ª S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    CRACK!


    BOOM!


    THREE BOLTS OF LIGHTNING STRUCK DOWN.


    The spectators gasped.


    "No way! That guy is insanely unlucky!"


    "Seriously, I''ve never seen someone get hit by this many traps!"


    "Did Thousand Suns Hall add a bunch of new penalties this year? Because this guy is getting all of them!"


    "Honestly, I can''t tell if his luck is amazing or absolutely terrible!"


    And just like before¡­


    The lightning didn''t hit Daniel.


    It struck Greg¡ªagain.


    Now, all eyes were on him.


    The crowd didn''t dare laugh out loud this time, considering his strength.


    But internally¡­


    They were all dying.


    Greg, now stunned and smoking, stood completely bewildered.


    This¡­


    This couldn''t be a coincidence.


    He had triple-checked his setup.


    How¡­?


    Greg clenched his fists, his patience running out.


    With fury in his eyes, he growled:


    "This time¡­ I refuse to let you escape!"


    Then¡ª


    Greg suddenly felt a chill down his spine.


    A piercing gaze locked onto him from the second floor of the pavilion.

 Chapter390-Killing with a Borrowed Knife

    In an instant, Greg''s mind snapped back to clarity.


    Just moments ago, he had been dead set on killing Daniel.


    But then, the Artisan''s Sanctuary official had silently warned him with a mere glance.


    Greg immediately remembered the previous warning:


    He could not cause a death inside the magic array!


    Taking a deep breath, Greg forced himself to calm down.


    Yes.


    He couldn''t kill anyone within the magic array.


    He had simply been too enraged by Daniel to think clearly.


    Now that he had regained his composure, he started making new preparations.


    This time, Greg planned to use a gust of wind to sweep Daniel off his feet and into the water, eliminating him from the competition.


    But Daniel immediately sensed the changes Greg was making to the magic array.


    And this time¡­


    Daniel wasn''t going to send it straight back at Greg.


    If Greg kept getting hit by his own traps, he might wise up and stop interfering altogether.


    And that would be boring.


    Daniel had been deliberately provoking Greg after the fire incident, hoping the guy would keep going.


    If Greg stopped now, the fun would be over.


    So instead¡ª


    Daniel redirected Greg''s modification to someone else. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    It landed on a brawny man, someone who looked like he wasn''t easy to mess with.


    Just as the man hesitated and took his next step¡ª


    A sudden gust of wind swept toward him.


    Though the wind seemed gentle, it was actually powerful enough to knock someone into the water.


    However, the man''s mana surged, and with a quick counterattack, he shattered the gust of wind instantly.


    Greg had been preparing to defend himself from his own trap¡ª


    But when he saw the wind strike someone else instead, he was completely dumbfounded.


    "Wait¡­ what?!"


    How had the attack landed on someone ahead of Daniel?


    Had he miscalculated again?


    Determined to get it right, Greg kept making adjustments.


    But now, strange things began happening all over the lake.


    Some contestants got hit by ice spikes.


    Others got struck by blades of wind.


    None of the attacks were lethal, but they threatened to knock people into the water if they weren''t careful.


    Those who were vigilant managed to avoid elimination.


    But what was strange was¡ª


    The attacks only targeted those at the front.


    Whoever was closest to Lake Island was the one getting hit.


    Which made no sense.


    If Thousand Suns Hall was testing them, why would they deliberately target the first-place competitors?


    Trials were supposed to be randomly placed obstacles, not penalties for being ahead.


    It didn''t benefit Thousand Suns Hall at all.


    Something was off.


    Some contestants skilled in magic arrays quickly realized the problem.


    If Thousand Suns Hall had designed this, the obstacles wouldn''t have been so predictable.


    Every single attack was too precise¡ªit always struck whoever was in first place.


    Clearly¡­


    Someone was tampering with the magic array.


    Then, someone finally noticed Greg at the back¡ª


    Constantly modifying the array.


    Because Greg was positioned further behind, most contestants hadn''t paid attention to him.


    But the spectators on the shore had seen everything.


    Suddenly, a loud voice shouted from the crowd:


    "It''s him! The guy who got burned and struck by lightning earlier! He''s messing with the magic array to sabotage people!"


    Immediately, all eyes turned toward Greg.


    At that moment, Greg had just been preparing his next attack on Daniel.


    But before he could execute it¡ª


    He felt everybody''s gaze land on him.


    Those who had been hit by the mysterious attacks finally put the pieces together.


    Realizing that Greg was responsible, their eyes filled with rage.


    In that instant, Greg became public enemy number one.


    Meanwhile, Daniel¡­


    Daniel was watching the entire situation unfold.


    With great amusement.


    In fact¡ª


    He was walking backward, observing Greg''s predicament like an audience member enjoying a show.


    After all, the magic array wasn''t going to change anymore.


    Greg had completely fallen into self-doubt.


    He was a recognized prodigy in Artisan''s Sanctuary, particularly in magic arrays.


    Even senior array masters had praised his talent.


    So, in Greg''s mind¡ª


    Messing with a simple magic array should have been effortless. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet now¡ª


    Every time he thought he had it right, the result was completely off.


    Every time he targeted Daniel, the wrong person got hit.


    It made no sense.


    Could it be¡­


    Daniel''s luck was simply that ridiculous?


    But while Greg was questioning reality¡ª


    The other contestants had lost their patience.


    "This bastard has been sabotaging us this whole time! Thousand Suns Hall, are you just going to allow this?!"


    "What kind of despicable coward does this?! Why is he even here?!"


    "He should be banned from Thousand Suns Hall forever!"


    Greg''s rage flared up instantly.


    What did these weaklings think they could do?


    If they weren''t strong enough, that was their problem!


    "Yeah, it was me. So what?"


    Greg sneered.


    "You weaklings should shut up. If you don''t like it, why don''t you modify the magic array yourselves?"


    His voice turned icy as he added:


    "I am from Artisan''s Sanctuary. Watch your tone when you speak to me."


    The moment he said "Artisan''s Sanctuary", the crowd fell silent.


    No one dared to offend one of the most powerful factions.


    Most of them quietly turned away, focusing back on navigating the magic array.


    But¡ª


    A few people weren''t intimidated.


    "So what if you''re from Artisan''s Sanctuary?! You''ll pay for what you did!"


    "Yeah! You think being part of Artisan''s Sanctuary means you can do whatever you want?!"


    "Just because you know magic arrays, you think you''re untouchable? Who''s to say there isn''t someone here better than you?"


    "Exactly! Besides, wasn''t this guy the one getting burned and struck by lightning earlier? Maybe there''s already a hidden master among us punishing him!"


    That last comment¡ª


    That was the final straw.


    Greg''s anger exploded.


    Fire.


    Lightning.


    A hidden master?


    That hillbilly from Velen''s Forge¡ªa hidden master?!


    "You dare mock me?!"


    Fury erupted from Greg as he locked onto the one who had just spoken.


    But¡ª


    That person didn''t back down.


    Neither did the others who had insulted Greg earlier.


    More and more people stepped forward, standing against him.


    Just as the confrontation was about to escalate¡ª


    A powerful aura surged from Thousand Suns Hall''s floating ship.


    A booming voice declared:


    "This is a competition of enlightenment, not a battle arena. If you wish to fight, you will be disqualified immediately."


    Instantly, everyone backed down.


    Even Greg.


    At that moment, he received another warning from Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    And this time¡ª


    It was far more serious than before.


    Greg knew¡ª


    If he lost control again¡­


    He''d be forced to leave.


    Meanwhile, Daniel watched his perfect setup unfold and smiled.


    It was a shame, though.


    If they had actually started fighting, it would have been even more entertaining.

 Chapter391-Wall of Life and Death

    Daniel sighed, feeling a bit disappointed that he hadn''t gotten to see a fight.


    However, if that guy continued with his little tricks, Daniel had no intention of holding back anymore.


    At this moment, inside the large ship, two powerful middle-aged men sat conversing.


    "This year''s contestants are on a whole different level compared to previous years."


    "In the past, we never saw anything like this! Among these three to four thousand participants, nearly half have already made it this far. Even if some drop out in the later half, there should still be over a thousand who make it to the end."


    That was an unthinkable number for past Enlightenment Competitions.


    "After all, the Blue Jade Guild has already spread the word. This year, most of the participants are core members of Blue Jade Guild. Honestly... the young people from Greenstone City don''t stand much of a chance."


    "That''s true. After all, this place... is where Thousand Suns Hall selects its recruits."


    "But that kid from Artisan''s Sanctuary seems pretty restless. He''s been secretly stirring up trouble the entire time. I didn''t expect him to get caught this time, though."


    "Well, he is from Artisan''s Sanctuary. As long as he doesn''t cross the line, just let him be."


    Artisan''s Sanctuary was a powerful force¡ªnot an entity to be provoked lightly. Unless he caused real harm, it wouldn''t be easy to act against him out of consideration for Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    As time passed, more and more contestants arrived at Lake Island.


    During this final stretch, quite a few participants fell into the lake and lost their qualifications.


    In the end, less than two thousand successfully reached Lake Island, which was more or less what the two men on the ship had predicted.


    One by one, the contestants stepped onto the island¡ªDaniel among them.


    As for Greg, after receiving a warning from Artisan''s Sanctuary, he stopped using underhanded tactics and was among the fastest to reach the island¡ªarriving even before Daniel.


    Daniel, on the other hand, didn''t rush this time. He maintained a steady, middle-of-the-pack pace, blending in with the crowd to avoid drawing attention.


    Greg, now short on energy to focus on Daniel, found himself surrounded by a group of people.


    These were all the ones Greg had previously tricked using his magic array traps.


    Now, they had encircled him, eager to settle the score.


    Shortly after the participants arrived on the island, the non-contestants were allowed to take boats across.


    This marked the end of the first trial.


    "Daniel, I''m glad you''re okay," Ed said, relieved.


    "Yeah, that middle part really scared us," another companion added. "But that guy must have some real guts¡ªhe actually dared to make a move against everyone."


    Fortunately, there had been a large crowd at the time, and Daniel, blending into the masses, hadn''t faced much danger.


    With the first trial concluded, a man approached them¡ªmost likely a Thousand Suns Hall official.


    After a brief speech filled with formalities, he announced the start of the second trial.


    This time, the remaining thousand-plus participants were led to a vast, open space.


    Two massive stone pillars stood tall, covered in intricate, mysterious carvings.


    An eerie aura emanated from them.


    Then, with a gesture from the Thousand Suns Hall official, blue-green flames ignited from the pillars.


    Within mere moments, the flames engulfed the pillars entirely, forming a wall of deep green fire and ghostly figures between them.


    "Pass through this Wall of Life and Death, and you will have successfully completed the challenge," the official stated before leaving abruptly.


    The contestants were left standing there, staring in confusion at the Wall of Life and Death.


    At first glance, it seemed simple.


    But no!


    There was no way it would be that easy!


    This was still Day One, and they were expected to eliminate a large number of participants.


    Which meant that despite its straightforward appearance, this second trial would not be any less difficult than the first.


    The first trial at least allowed room for mistakes¡ªcontestants who fell into the water could try again.


    But now, there was only this wall.


    As a result, no one dared to rashly attempt crossing it.


    Most contestants stood back, observing the wall closely, trying to understand its nature.


    Daniel, too, studied it carefully.


    The Wall of Life and Death was composed of countless spectral figures and deep green flames.


    Just looking at it made people hesitate.


    This wall was quite intriguing.


    It functioned through the totems carved into the stone pillars, harnessing the power of natural creation. It was similar to a magic array, but fundamentally different.


    Each ghostly figure on the Wall of Life and Death was like a Life Gate or a Death Gate in a magic array.


    Choosing the correct ghostly figure¡ªentering through a Life Gate¡ªwould allow safe passage.


    But choosing wrong¡­


    Stepping into a Death Gate could have serious consequences.


    While the Enlightenment Competition wouldn''t actually let its participants die, Daniel suspected that those who entered the Death Gate would not only be disqualified but might also suffer mental attacks.


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    After all, those ghostly figures weren''t just there for decoration.


    There was also a possibility that some kind of ghost king or other powerful spectral entity lurked within.


    These risks hadn''t escaped the other contestants'' notice, either.


    So no one wanted to be the first to step forward. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, they had fought hard through the first trial and didn''t want to be eliminated here.


    They all preferred to let someone else go first¡ªto see what would happen.


    But no one made a move.


    Everyone hesitated.


    No one wanted to be the test subject.


    Then, suddenly¡ª


    Someone stepped forward.


    Daniel.


    He was the first to walk toward the wall.


    After observing for a while, he realized that no one else was willing to enter.


    If they all just stood here waiting, who knew how long it would take?


    So he simply decided to go in himself.


    Without hesitation, Daniel stepped into the Wall of Life and Death.


    The moment he entered, people noticed that he wasn''t immediately expelled.


    His qualification remained intact.


    This encouraged others.


    Soon, more contestants followed his lead, cautiously stepping into the wall after him.


    Greg, meanwhile, took advantage of the distraction to slip away from those who had surrounded him.


    During the Enlightenment Competition, no one could attack him outright, so he managed to break free and blend into the crowd.


    Then, seeing Daniel enter the Wall of Life and Death, Greg didn''t hesitate¡ªhe rushed in as well.


    Inside the Wall of Life and Death, things were quite different.


    Though it appeared to be just a thin wall from the outside, once inside, it expanded into a large space filled with wandering ghosts.


    Strange spectral creatures hovered around Daniel.


    He glanced at them.


    Their eerie noises were really annoying.


    Annoyed, he grabbed one at random and beat it up before tossing it aside.


    The ghost immediately went silent and fled.


    Seeing its fate, the other ghosts quickly scattered, staying far away from him.

 Chapter392-The Second Trial Ends

    These ghostly creatures possessed a basic level of consciousness.


    They understood fear¡ªboth how to feel it and how to instill it in others.


    However, upon realizing that Daniel was completely unfazed by them, even going so far as to grab one and beat it up, the ghosts themselves became afraid of him.


    Of course, this also had to do with the fact that Daniel was walking along a Life Gate.


    Because of this, these spirits merely made unsettling noises but did not attempt to attack him.


    In fact, they seemed to shrink back in fear at his presence.


    Had he been walking on a Death Gate, the situation would have been entirely different.


    As Daniel continued forward, he could already sense that he was close to leaving this place.


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    Or rather, if he wanted to, he could step out right now.


    But¡­


    "Wouldn''t that make me stand out too much?"


    The speed at which he had reached this point felt too fast.


    It was entirely possible that most others hadn''t even figured things out yet.


    Daniel did want to take first place, but he also didn''t want to seem too inhuman.


    So, after thinking for a moment, he decided to check on the others first.


    At this point, he had already grasped the general structure of the totemic space within the Wall of Life and Death.


    Moving through it to observe others was a trivial task for him.


    As he walked, Daniel encountered no further interference from the ghostly entities.


    Instead, he observed how others were performing in this trial.


    Some unlucky contestants had stepped straight into hellfire upon entering, suffering burns that instantly disqualified them.


    On the other hand, some of the more skilled participants had managed to analyze the situation, find a Life Gate, and move forward safely.


    Among them, Greg caught Daniel''s attention.


    Daniel watched him for a moment and quickly noticed something¡ª


    Greg was following the exact same path Daniel had taken.


    In other words¡­


    He was trailing Daniel.


    Was he trying something?


    Trying to copy him, maybe?


    But even if Greg had some sort of plan, executing it within the Wall of Life and Death wouldn''t be easy.


    Unlike the first trial''s magic array, this place was far more complex.


    And most importantly¡­


    This wasn''t a magic array at all.


    After circling around the space, Daniel noticed that others had finally begun making their way out.


    Thinking it was about time, he prepared to leave as well.


    Just then, he spotted a familiar figure and walked over.


    A Familiar Face


    Veya was on high alert, wary of any approaching ghosts.


    Suddenly, she spotted Daniel emerging before her.


    Veya froze.


    Wait.


    This was the Wall of Life and Death.


    How was she seeing Daniel here?


    It had to be an illusion created by the ghosts!


    Immediately, she took a defensive stance, ready to strike at a moment''s notice.


    "It''s me. Not an illusion," Daniel quickly said, recognizing her caution.


    Veya didn''t lower her guard.


    So, Daniel stepped closer.


    No matter how well the ghosts imitated human appearances, they could not mimic the life force of a living person. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As soon as Veya sensed Daniel''s natural presence, she finally confirmed that it was truly him and not some ghostly trick.


    "I knew it," she said with a smirk. "I figured this trial wouldn''t be a problem for you."


    At first glance, the Life and Death Gates seemed simple¡ªjust a choice between doors.


    But in reality, this challenge was even harder than the first trial.


    The positions of the Life Gates and Death Gates were constantly shifting, meaning participants had to choose the right path and stick to it.


    Once inside, there was no turning back.


    Yet Daniel had not only navigated his way through successfully¡ªhe had even left his own path to find her.


    That meant he had completely figured out the mechanics of the Wall of Life and Death in just a short time.


    "Well?" Daniel asked. "Think you can make it through?"


    Veya was the only acquaintance he had in the Enlightenment Competition, and he didn''t mind lending a hand.


    "Of course," Veya replied with confidence, flashing a smile.


    "It''s all thanks to you for fixing the magic array core. Without it, I wouldn''t feel nearly as prepared."


    Daniel''s repairs had greatly boosted her abilities over the past few days.


    "Once the competition is over, let me treat you to a meal," she added. "I owe you that much at least."


    "Sure," Daniel chuckled. "But I eat a lot."


    Veya laughed. "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure you''re full."


    After chatting for a bit longer, Daniel asked,


    "Need me to lead you out? Like how you led me to Greenstone City?"


    Veya shook her head.


    "No, I want to test my own strength."


    Daniel respected her decision.


    After offering a few words of encouragement, he turned to leave.


    By now, several others had already exited.


    Leaving at this point wouldn''t draw attention.


    But just as he took a few steps forward¡ª


    He noticed something.


    Greg was lurking near Veya.


    Seemed like he was up to something.


    Daniel narrowed his eyes.


    If Greg interfered with Veya, that would be a problem.


    So¡ª


    Daniel quietly located a ghost king in another part of the space.


    Then, he gave it a command:


    Kick Greg out.


    With that taken care of, Daniel stepped out of the Wall of Life and Death.


    As he exited, he saw a swarm of ghostly creatures converging on Greg''s location.


    A small smile tugged at Daniel''s lips as he left the trial behind.


    The Aftermath


    Of the nearly two thousand participants who had entered the second trial, only about a hundred successfully emerged.


    The first two trials alone had eliminated an overwhelming majority of competitors.


    Veya, too, managed to pass and, after greeting Daniel, sat down to rest and recover.


    Just as the trial was about to officially conclude¡ª


    A figure stumbled out of the wall.


    All eyes immediately turned to the final person to emerge.


    And they were shocked.


    Because this person was¡ª


    Absolutely wrecked.


    Throughout the trial, those who followed the Life Gate had left completely unharmed.


    Only those who entered a Death Gate suffered brutal attacks.


    And looking at Greg¡­


    It was clear that he had been through hell.


    "Huh? Isn''t he supposed to be a genius from Artisan''s Sanctuary?" someone sneered. "Why does he look so pathetic?"


    "Judging by those ghost claw marks, it looks like he took the wrong path and went straight into a Death Gate!"


    "Hahaha, Artisan''s Sanctuary''s genius decided to brute force a Death Gate? That''s a new one!"


    Hearing these mocking voices, Greg''s rage burned even hotter.


    Though his appearance was disheveled, he wasn''t physically injured¡ªa testament to his strength.


    After all, Daniel had sicced an entire ghost king on him, along with countless spectral minions.


    And yet¡ª


    Greg had survived.


    As expected of Artisan''s Sanctuary''s elite.


    But at this moment, Greg''s eyes were locked onto one person.


    Daniel.


    Even without evidence, his instincts screamed that Daniel was responsible for what had happened.


    From the first trial''s mishaps to the second trial''s ghostly ambush, everything pointed back to Daniel.


    And Greg was not going to let it go.

 Chapter393-The Final Showdown

    This time, after spotting Daniel, Greg locked eyes on him with unrelenting intensity.


    Because it had to be him!


    Greg had no evidence, but he was absolutely certain¡ªDaniel was behind everything! S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the very beginning, every attempt Greg had made to sabotage Daniel had failed miserably.


    At one point, he had even begun to doubt his own mastery of magic arrays.


    But after escaping the Wall of Life and Death, Greg finally figured it out.


    It was all because of Daniel!


    "You! It''s you! You''re the one who''s been scheming against me this whole time!"


    Greg pointed straight at Daniel in the crowd, shouting furiously.


    Hearing this, Daniel raised an eyebrow.


    How did he figure it out?


    Daniel was confident that the tricks he had used were so subtle that even the person who designed the totems and magic arrays in this competition wouldn''t have detected them.


    Did Greg possess some kind of special treasure that allowed him to sense it?


    "I''ll kill you!" Greg roared.


    Daniel met his glare calmly.


    "Are you sure about that?" he asked, his voice even. "We''re not allowed to fight here, you know."


    But Greg didn''t care.


    He charged straight at Daniel, unleashing a terrifying aura¡ªintent on killing him on the spot.


    Daniel instinctively took a step back, preparing to defend himself.


    But before he could do anything¡ª


    Greg suddenly collapsed to the ground, completely immobilized.


    "You haven''t humiliated yourself enough?"


    A cold voice rang out.


    It was the Artisan''s Sanctuary representative from before.


    He cast a frosty glance at Daniel before grabbing Greg and dragging him away from Lake Island.


    ¡ª


    A Moment of Laughter


    "Daniel, are you okay?"


    Veya walked over, checking on him.


    "Yeah," Daniel said with a smirk. "That guy''s just so ugly, it scared me for a second."


    His comment sent waves of laughter through the crowd.


    Now that Greg was gone, no one bothered hiding their amusement anymore¡ªthey laughed openly at his embarrassing defeat.


    Veya shook her head, chuckling.


    No matter what happened, Daniel''s expression never changed.


    It was always calm, always composed¡ªlike nothing in this world could ever truly trouble him.


    ¡ª


    The Third Trial


    After some time, the third trial was announced.


    This round was a bit unusual.


    Thousand Suns Hall presented three ancient technique manuals.


    Contestants had to comprehend and internalize the teachings within a set time limit to pass.


    This trial was both a test and a reward.


    The manuals were essentially gifts from Thousand Suns Hall to those skilled enough to learn from them.


    Typically, challenges like this occurred on the second day of the competition.


    But this time, it was moved up to the third trial¡ªmost likely as compensation for the disruptions Greg caused in the earlier rounds.


    Without Greg causing trouble, this trial went smoothly.


    Daniel had no difficulty passing.


    At the end of the trial, only forty contestants remained.


    Veya was among them.


    Truth be told, Veya was a genius in her own right¡ªeven without Daniel''s help, she had the talent to make it this far.


    ¡ª


    A Meal to Remember


    That night, Veya kept her promise and treated Daniel to a meal.


    At first, she thought he had been joking when he said he had a big appetite.


    But when she saw Daniel clear two entire tables of food, she finally understood.


    He had been dead serious.


    ¡ª


    Back at the Forge


    Upon returning to the forge, Dixon had already heard the news of Daniel''s victory.


    Laughing heartily, he pulled out a bottle of fine-aged liquor he had been saving for years.


    "Let''s drink!" Dixon declared, ready for a night of celebration.


    Daniel didn''t refuse. The mood was right, after all.


    But¡ª


    The one who had been eager to drink ended up passing out first.


    After only a few cups, Dixon was already out cold.


    Daniel shook his head in amusement.


    No wonder this liquor had been aged for over ten years¡ªat this rate, one bottle could last Dixon a lifetime.


    ¡ª


    The Final Showdown Begins


    The next morning, the final round of the Enlightenment Competition was set to begin.


    Now, only forty contestants remained.


    Among them, only nine were from Greenstone City¡ªincluding Daniel.


    The rest were all outsiders.


    This alone showed just how fierce the competition had been this year.


    At the center of Lake Island, a massive training ground had been prepared.


    All the finalists stood ready.


    Around them, a large audience had gathered to witness the showdown.


    Since the final battle had arrived, many spectators had come to watch.


    Not only because it was the grand finale, but also because there were now only forty contestants left.


    "Daniel! Good luck!"


    From the crowd, Betsy shouted encouragingly.


    Nearby, Dixon simply watched Daniel with a knowing smile.


    He didn''t need to say anything¡ªhe had absolute confidence in Daniel.


    Meanwhile¡ª


    Greg was watching Daniel with a burning gaze of hatred.


    By his side, the Artisan''s Sanctuary representative silently observed.


    After witnessing Greg''s outburst yesterday, the man shook his head in disappointment.


    He had originally seen potential in Greg.


    That was why he had brought him along.


    But yesterday''s humiliation had changed everything.


    Regardless of whether or not Daniel had orchestrated it, Greg had completely lost control in front of everyone.


    It proved that he was unfit for the role the Sanctuary had envisioned for him.


    He had overestimated Greg''s capabilities.


    And now, his evaluation of Greg was dropping lower and lower.


    With that kind of mentality, how could he be trusted?


    ¡ª


    The Mysterious Blue Stone


    As the sun rose, the deep chiming of bells echoed through the air.


    Then, members of Thousand Suns Hall carried in a massive Blue Stone and placed it before the contestants.


    Everyone was confused.


    This was supposed to be the final round.


    So why bring in a giant rock?


    What were they supposed to do with it?


    A strange mist hovered over the stone, obscuring whatever lay beneath.


    "This is your great fortune," a Thousand Suns Hall official declared.


    "This Blue Stone is a relic passed down from the Sanctuary itself. Though it only contains a fragment of its true nature, it is still an extremely valuable artifact for all of you."


    ¡ª


    Daniel''s Skepticism


    Daniel, feeling bored, leaned toward Veya.


    "They''re hyping this up a lot," he muttered. "That probably means it''s nothing special."


    Veya stifled a laugh.


    "Why do you think so?" she asked.


    "Because," Daniel explained, "if it was really that powerful, they wouldn''t need to talk so much about it. They''d just let us try it and we''d all immediately see how amazing it is."


    "But instead, they''re wasting time making it sound impressive. That usually means it''s just overhyped garbage."


    Veya wasn''t sure what some of his words meant exactly, but she got the gist.


    Basically¡ª


    If this Blue Stone was truly legendary, they wouldn''t need to sell it so hard.


    ¡ª


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    A Bold Claim


    "This Blue Stone contains a sword scar," the official continued.


    "It was left behind by an entity so powerful that none of us can even comprehend its existence."


    "This sword mark belongs to a being who has mastered the laws of the universe¡ªa truly unique existence across all eternity!"


    Daniel snorted with laughter.


    No one even knew who left it, yet they were calling them the greatest of all time?


    Daniel almost felt bad for them.


    "Eternal?


    I literally built the God Realm myself. Let''s see who this ''legend'' is supposed to be."

 Chapter394-Roses Sword Mark!

    "Your task is simple."


    "Bet everything¡ªyour talent, your potential¡ªand comprehend the sword mark on the Blue Stone!"


    "Your rankings will be determined based on how well you can perceive the depth of this sword mark."


    "And that ranking will decide the final standings of this Enlightenment Competition!"


    After finishing his speech, the middle-aged man waved his hand.


    The mist covering the Blue Stone dissipated at last.


    The moment the fog cleared, the true form of the sword mark was revealed.


    All at once, every single person turned their gaze towards it, eager to witness this so-called legendary sword mark.


    Daniel, too, looked over immediately.


    As the mist dispersed, the magic array that had been cloaking the Blue Stone vanished as well.


    Then¡ª


    A terrifying sword aura erupted from the surface of the Blue Stone!


    It was unbelievably powerful¡­


    Even though it was merely a remnant of a single sword strike, everyone present felt as if a razor-sharp blade was pressed against their throats!


    And within this sword aura, there was also a hint of destruction.


    "This sword¡­ just how terrifying is it?!?!"


    "Just standing here, I feel like I''m about to be cut down!"


    "In front of this sword aura, I feel¡­ completely exposed!"


    Even Veya turned pale, her face contorted in pain.


    "This sword aura is too powerful¡­ It''s an unstoppable force of destruction!"


    Meanwhile¡ª


    Daniel froze in place.


    Because from that sword aura, he sensed an incredibly familiar presence.


    A presence that shook him to his core.


    As the mist completely disappeared, Daniel finally saw it¡ª


    The sword mark.


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    It was deeply embedded in the Blue Stone.


    And the moment Daniel recognized it, his mind went completely blank¡ª


    Like he had been struck by a heavy blow.


    This sword¡­


    Yes, he knew it.


    It was Rose''s sword!


    That destructive aura within the sword mark¡ª


    He could never forget it.


    Even though Rose had ascended to the God Realm, she had never abandoned her understanding of destruction and creation.


    And this sword strike¡­


    Daniel could feel it¡ªthis was a sword Rose had unleashed with her full strength.


    ¡ª


    A Shocking Realization


    "Alright! This is your opportunity¡ªfocus and comprehend the mark! Time waits for no one!"


    "You have one hour¡ªstarting now!"


    After these words, the middle-aged man left the scene. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nearly everyone immediately sat down in meditation, channeling all their focus toward the Blue Stone, eager to comprehend the sword mark.


    Only one person remained standing.


    Daniel.


    He stood there, dazed, as if still lost in the lingering aura of that sword strike.


    Because the one who had left this sword mark was Rose.


    To be precise, this wasn''t the original sword mark.


    It was a replica¡ªa copied imprint of the real thing.


    But even with just a trace of its original power, Daniel could tell¡ª


    When Rose had delivered this strike, she had put everything into it.


    Because within that sword mark, there was a massive amount of destruction energy.


    This replica contained only a fraction of that energy, but even that was enough to intimidate the strongest warriors present.


    But¡­


    Daniel''s thoughts were in turmoil.


    After he had created the New God Realm, there should have been no force in the universe capable of threatening Rose.


    By then, Rose''s strength had reached the level of a Supreme Ruler¡ªone of the absolute strongest beings in existence.


    So why¡­


    Why would she need to go all out like this?


    It didn''t make sense.


    Unless¡ª


    Had something happened to the world in his absence?


    Daniel exhaled deeply.


    He had promised the Creator God that he wouldn''t interfere.


    He didn''t even know how long he had been asleep.


    Nor did he know what had transpired during that time.


    Originally, he had planned to take things slowly¡ª


    Because he believed that Rose and the others would always be waiting for him.


    But now¡­


    That plan had to change.


    He needed to find Rose¡ª as soon as possible.


    Otherwise¡­


    The thought sent a chill down his spine.


    Taking a deep breath, Daniel made a decision.


    He retrieved all of the mana stones he had accumulated but had not yet used.


    Then¡ª


    He threw them into the air.


    One by one, intricate array patterns began materializing around him.


    ¡ª


    Confusion Among the Onlookers


    "What is Daniel doing?"


    "Everyone else is meditating¡ªwhy isn''t he?"


    "Maybe¡­ he''s not skilled in swordsmanship? So he''s unable to comprehend it?"


    In the crowd, Betsy and Ed whispered among themselves.


    Because while everyone else had already begun comprehending the sword mark, Daniel was still standing there, motionless.


    Wouldn''t this put him at a disadvantage?


    Even Dixon was watching Daniel, his face full of concern.


    With Daniel''s talent, there was no way he would get stuck at this stage.


    It didn''t make sense.


    Had something gone wrong?


    Meanwhile¡ª


    Greg noticed Daniel standing idly and sneered.


    "Hahaha! I knew it!" he laughed mockingly. "That country bumpkin¡ªthere''s no way he could comprehend this sword mark!"


    "Look at him¡ªhe can''t even get started!"


    "What a joke! Standing there like an idiot¡­ what''s the point?"


    In the back, the Artisan''s Sanctuary representative, Morris, also turned his gaze to Daniel, his curiosity piqued.


    Didn''t Daniel want to make it to the top ten?


    Then why was he just standing there, not even trying?


    ¡ª


    A Meeting Between Masters


    At that moment, a woman approached Morris.


    "Morris," she greeted. "What brings you here?"


    It was Kara.


    Hearing his name, Morris turned around and saw her.


    "Kara? You''re here too?"


    "Yes," Kara nodded. "My student is competing, so I came along."


    As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Veya.


    Morris understood instantly.


    "How do you feel about your student''s chances?"


    "This year''s competition has many talented individuals," Kara admitted. "Even making it to the top ten will be difficult."


    "But more importantly¡­"


    She hesitated before adding, "This year''s Enlightenment Competition has one truly monstrous genius."


    Morris frowned at her words.


    A monster?


    As far as he knew, while this year''s competition had several gifted individuals, none of them were truly extraordinary.


    "Are you serious?" Morris asked skeptically.


    Kara only smiled.


    Instead of answering, she took out a magic array core and showed it to him.


    "Do you remember this?" she asked.


    Morris''s eyes widened.


    "Wait¡­ isn''t that the one I gave you years ago?"


    Kara nodded.


    "A few days ago, the core array inside it broke down. It was completely ruined."


    "No problem," Morris said. "Since we''re old friends, I''ll just make you a new one."


    "No need," Kara replied. "It''s already been fixed¡ªand not just repaired. It''s been completely upgraded to a higher tier."


    She placed the magic array core in front of Morris.


    The moment Morris examined it, his face turned to shock.


    He knew exactly what the original magic array core had looked like.


    But now¡ª


    It was completely different.


    This wasn''t just an upgrade.


    It was an absolute refinement, created by someone who had mastered his techniques, perfected them, and improved upon them!


    "Kara¡­ tell me," Morris demanded, his voice shaking. "Which master did this?"


    Kara simply smiled and put the magic array core away.


    "That''s why I said¡­" she replied.


    "This year''s competition has a true monster."


    And that monster¡­


    Was Daniel.

 Chapter395-This Monster… Is Daniel!

    "Kara, are you serious?"


    Morris still found it hard to believe.


    Because¡­


    If someone truly possessed that level of skill, their strength couldn''t possibly be weaker than his own!


    So why would such a person participate in something as trivial as the Enlightenment Competition?


    After all¡­


    There was nothing in this competition that could possibly entice a figure of that caliber.


    Morris couldn''t understand it.


    He even suspected that Kara might be hiding something from him.


    Otherwise¡­


    How could someone like that even exist?


    Seeing Morris''s expression, Kara immediately knew what he was thinking.


    She herself had struggled to believe it at first.


    After all, her student, Veya, had merely traveled to Greenstone City for a short time¡ª


    And in that short trip, she had somehow encountered a master-level artificer?


    How was that possible?


    And even if she did meet such a person¡ª


    Why would they help her?


    And not just help, but do so to such an extreme degree?


    So, Kara had started investigating.


    In reality, the mystery wasn''t difficult to unravel.


    Veya''s movements in Greenstone City were limited¡ª


    She had only visited one place: Velen Forge.


    After making some inquiries, Kara learned something unexpected.


    Apparently, a new master artificer had recently arrived at Velen Forge.


    And he was very young.


    Despite being new, he had already become a Tier-master.


    Even the famous Master Dixon treated him with deep respect.


    At first, Kara was still skeptical.


    It sounded too unbelievable.


    So she pressed further, questioning Veya''s attendant.


    Eventually, she confirmed it¡ª


    The one who had repaired Veya''s magic array core¡­


    Was the same young artificer from Velen Forge.


    And¡ª


    He had traveled alongside Veya all the way to Greenstone City!


    The only silver lining was that at least they knew each other.


    ¡ª


    "Of course, I''m serious," Kara said. "And¡­ something else caught my attention."


    "When he repaired the magic array core¡­"


    "He did it in about ten minutes."


    "WHAT?!"


    Morris couldn''t believe it.


    In such a short amount of time¡­


    A stranger wouldn''t even have had time to fully analyze the magic array core.


    Let alone repair it¡­


    Let alone upgrade it.


    "This is the truth," Kara assured him. "I verified everything myself."


    Morris fell silent.


    He knew Kara had no reason to lie about this.


    Which meant¡­


    This was real.


    Quickly, he asked, "Then who is this master?"


    As he spoke, Morris''s eyes swept over the contestants of the Enlightenment Competition.


    Had he overlooked someone?


    Had he really failed to notice a true genius artificer?


    "See for yourself," Kara said, pointing.


    "It''s that kid standing over there. The only one who isn''t sitting."


    Morris followed her gaze¡ª


    And his mind short-circuited.


    Wait.


    Standing?


    Among all the competitors, the only one still standing was¡­


    Daniel.


    No.


    No, no, no.


    It couldn''t be.


    Daniel?!


    The ordinary mage who had just reached Tier-Platinum?!


    How could he be the master Kara was talking about?!


    Morris''s mind spiraled into chaos.


    ¡ª


    A Sudden Realization


    Morris suddenly remembered something.


    Back when he had visited Velen Forge, Dixon had said¡ª


    "I guarantee that Daniel''s talent is enough to join Artisan''s Sanctuary."


    At the time, Morris didn''t believe him.


    Because no matter how talented someone was¡ª


    Their limited potential would eventually become their ceiling.


    But now¡­


    Looking at Daniel, Morris felt a horrifying suspicion creeping into his mind.


    Had he¡­


    Had he misjudged Daniel?


    Had he missed a true once-in-a-lifetime genius?


    ¡ª


    Greg''s Mockery


    "Hahaha!"


    Greg''s mocking laughter rang out.


    "Look at that idiot! Time''s almost up, and he''s still just standing there!"


    "He thinks he can make it to the top ten like this? What a joke!"


    "He''s probably panicking by now!"


    Hearing Greg''s sarcastic remarks, Morris felt an overwhelming urge to slap him.


    Greg continued, "Lord Morris, I''m sure you can already tell¡ª"


    "This Daniel must have used alchemical pills to force his breakthrough to Tier-Platinum!"


    "That''s why he''s completely incapable of understanding the sword mark''s profound meaning!"


    "So now he''s just standing there like an idiot!"


    Greg grinned as he spoke, thinking he was pleasing Morris.


    But the moment he finished speaking¡ª


    Morris''s face twisted with anger.


    "You¡­"


    "Shut up."


    Greg blinked in confusion.


    Then, before he could react¡ª


    "GET LOST!"


    Morris''s furious roar exploded through the air.


    Greg stumbled backward, his face turning pale.


    He had never seen Morris so enraged before.


    ¡ª


    Daniel''s True Intention


    The time limit was almost up.


    And Daniel¡­


    Was still standing there.


    To outsiders, it looked as if he had completely given up on comprehending the sword mark.


    But¡ª


    No one had noticed something strange.


    When Daniel had thrown his mana stones into the air earlier¡­


    A powerful energy fluctuation had begun forming around him.


    The truth was simple¡ª


    Daniel had made up his mind.


    If he wanted to find Rose, he needed to become stronger, faster.


    So¡ª


    He was about to break through.


    For Daniel, power progression was never a challenge.


    He had no bottlenecks.


    All he needed was mana.


    As long as he had enough mana, he could advance whenever he wanted.


    The magic array he had just activated¡­


    Was an energy absorption array¡ªdesigned to devour mana at an extreme rate.


    And at this moment¡ª


    An immense tide of mana surged toward Daniel.


    Even the Thousand Suns Hall elders, as well as Kara and Morris, sensed it.


    "What''s happening?"


    All eyes turned toward Daniel, drawn to the sudden mana fluctuations surrounding him.


    "Wait¡­ is he¡­?"


    Morris''s expression darkened.


    "Is he trying to break through?!"


    Why?


    Why now?! Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire


    Why here?!


    Was he insane?!


    Then¡ª


    A terrifying wave of mana erupted around Daniel.


    It poured into his body like a raging storm.


    And Daniel¡­


    Absorbed it all.


    His aura surged¡ª


    And in mere moments, he had reached the absolute peak of Tier-Platinum.


    Even Dixon, who had been watching from a distance, finally realized what was happening.


    "Wait¡­ Daniel is breaking through?! Now?!"


    He remembered the last time Daniel had casually excused himself to ''use the restroom''¡ª


    And returned having successfully advanced.


    Back then, Dixon had never seen how Daniel actually broke through.


    But now, for the first time¡ª sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was witnessing Daniel''s advancement firsthand.


    Right in front of an entire crowd.


    "Is this¡­ really happening?"


    Dixon whispered in disbelief.


    Then, just as the thought crossed his mind¡ª


    Daniel''s aura shifted again.

 Chapter396-Sword Mark Resonance!

    This¡­ How much time has even passed?!


    Dixon''s eyes were wide in shock.


    He had never expected Daniel to advance this quickly!


    It had barely been any time at all¡ªand yet, Daniel had already broken through to Jade Rank?!


    A surge of Jade Rank energy exploded from Daniel''s body.


    At that moment, many of the competitors were just waking up from their meditative states, having finished their comprehension attempts.


    Veya was among them.


    She looked at Daniel in utter disbelief.


    Because she could clearly sense it¡ª


    Daniel had advanced to Jade Rank.


    When did that happen?!


    Did he¡­ just break through?!


    ¡ª


    Daniel''s breakthrough had created a massive energy fluctuation, drawing the attention of almost everyone.


    No one had ever imagined that something like this could happen at the Enlightenment Competition.


    Why would someone ignore the sword mark''s comprehension¡ª


    And choose to break through instead?


    Wasn''t that a waste of an opportunity?!


    ¡ª


    "I told you, didn''t I?" Kara said to Morris.


    "This kid¡­ is a monster."


    If she hadn''t personally investigated Daniel, she wouldn''t have believed it either.


    But now¡ª


    Daniel had proven it with his actions.


    Breaking through from Platinum Rank to Jade Rank in mere moments¡­


    And doing so without any bottleneck¡­


    It was something almost unimaginable.


    A true anomaly.


    Even Morris, despite being an experienced master artificer, was visibly shaken.


    He could sense the fluctuations in mana and was certain¡ª


    Daniel had used a magic array!


    Otherwise, it would have been impossible to gather so much mana in such a short time.


    Which meant¡ª


    If Daniel were given enough mana¡­


    How far could he actually go?


    ¡ª


    A Strange Phenomenon


    But suddenly¡ª


    Morris noticed something else.


    An invisible force pulsed from the center of the arena.


    "Wait¡­ The Blue Stone?!"


    Morris immediately sensed the disturbance.


    The source of the strange energy ripple was none other than the Blue Stone itself.


    "The Blue Stone¡­ Something''s happening to it!"


    Morris exclaimed.


    The Thousand Suns Hall officials also noticed the anomaly.


    This was unprecedented.


    Nothing like this had ever happened before in any previous Enlightenment Competition.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Could someone have¡­ somehow resonated with the sword mark?"


    The lead official of Thousand Suns Hall swiftly locked onto a single figure¡ª


    Daniel.


    Even from his vantage point, it was clear¡ª


    Daniel, who was still in the middle of his breakthrough, had somehow triggered a resonance with the sword mark.


    And yet¡ª


    Daniel''s energy was still rising, showing no sign of stopping.


    It was as if¡ª


    He was using the sword mark''s power to fuel his breakthrough.


    Of course¡ª


    That''s exactly what Daniel wanted them to think.


    In reality¡ª


    His previously set-up magic array had been designed to absorb surrounding mana.


    Now¡ª


    Daniel had used a minor trick.


    He had subtly manipulated the sword mark using his understanding of destruction laws, making it seem like they were resonating.


    But in truth, all he had done was artificially stimulate the sword mark.


    It was merely an illusion.


    ¡ª


    Within minutes, Daniel had advanced from Jade Rank to Diamond Rank.


    All of the surrounding mana had been completely drained into him.


    And just like that¡ª


    Daniel''s rank had stabilized at Diamond Rank.


    At this point, many of the other competitors had stopped meditating.


    Because they realized¡ª


    With such an enormous spectacle, there was no way they could continue comprehending anything.


    Daniel''s grand breakthrough had been too distracting.


    No matter how strong-willed someone was¡ª


    There was no way they could focus amidst such a massive energy disturbance.


    So, they had no choice but to stop. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡ª


    Shock Among the Competitors


    "Wait¡­ this guy just jumped straight to Diamond Rank?!"


    The other competitors were stunned.


    Daniel had¡ª


    Resonated with the sword mark.


    And used it to advance all the way to Diamond Rank.


    That was¡­


    An impossible feat.


    Even if they tried to do the same, there was no way they could pull it off.


    ¡ª


    "He''s insane," one competitor muttered.


    Even the other contestants couldn''t help but admire Daniel.


    To witness something like this at the Enlightenment Competition¡­


    It was beyond rare.


    An unprecedented event.


    Everyone was in awe¡ª


    None of them could even begin to comprehend how Daniel had done it.


    To them¡ª


    It was nothing short of a miracle.


    And just at that moment¡ª


    The bells of Thousand Suns Hall rang out.


    The final round of the competition had officially ended.


    ¡ª


    The Aftermath


    As the bell echoed across the arena, the Thousand Suns Hall official stepped forward, smiling.


    "What an incredible competition this has been!"


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    "Now I''m even more excited to see what surprises you all have in store!"


    Then¡ª


    He turned toward Daniel.


    "Especially you."


    Daniel simply smiled and said nothing.


    The sword mark¡­


    Did they really need to ask how much he comprehended?


    He was the one who had helped Rose master it in the first place.


    ¡ª


    Veya''s Congratulations


    "Daniel, congratulations!"


    Veya approached him with a smile.


    "I always knew you weren''t normal¡­ But I never expected you''d be this insane."


    She sighed.


    She had already known that she and Daniel weren''t on the same level.


    But she hadn''t expected the gap to reveal itself so quickly.


    So quickly that she felt caught off guard.


    With this kind of talent¡­


    Even Artisan''s Sanctuary would fight over him.


    Daniel simply waved a hand dismissively.


    "What about you?" he asked. "How do you feel about your results?"


    "I think I did okay," Veya said. "Honestly, I probably made the top ten, and that''s thanks to you fixing my magic array core."


    "That''s good," Daniel nodded.


    Then¡ª


    "How about we exchange insights?" he suggested.


    "Maybe we''ll both gain something."


    ¡ª


    The Final Test


    Now, it was time to determine the rankings.


    Each competitor would demonstrate how much they had comprehended from the sword mark.


    The Thousand Suns Hall officials had prepared another Blue Stone.


    Each contestant would strike the stone with a single sword attack¡ª


    And their ranking would be determined based on the depth of the cut they left behind.


    The first competitor stepped up.


    This was the same contestant who had openly challenged Greg earlier.


    Looking confident, he gripped his sword with one hand¡ª


    And unleashed his strike!


    A powerful sword aura collided with the Blue Stone, sending stone fragments flying.


    A loud boom echoed across the field.


    As the dust settled¡ª


    A sword mark measuring just over two inches deep was left on the stone.


    The competitor exhaled in relief.


    He seemed satisfied with his result.


    Compared to the original sword mark they had studied, this was nothing¡ª


    But considering the short amount of time they had for comprehension, it was a decent result.


    And in the next few attempts¡ª


    No one had managed to surpass his record.


    Most of them only left behind sword marks around one inch deep.


    Some didn''t even reach one inch.


    At the moment¡ª


    Only one other person, a female contestant, had come close to the two-inch mark.


    But then¡ª


    Kara turned her gaze to the back of the group.


    "I wonder¡­"


    She murmured.


    "How will Daniel perform?"

 Chapter397-Daniel Takes Action!

    "Although it looks like Daniel is breaking through, in reality, he is likely using this method to resonate with that sword scar," said Morris from the side.


    "By triggering the sword scar and achieving resonance with it... What an unconventional approach. This method is almost impossible for anyone else to replicate¡ªonly he could do it."


    This was Morris''s speculation based on Daniel''s previous performance.


    Because the moment Daniel''s strength improved, he quickly resonated with the sword scar. That was why Morris had such a guess.


    However, this technique was something almost no one else could achieve.


    Except for Daniel.


    Even if others wanted to imitate it, they simply couldn''t.


    Because it required one to level up in such a short time.


    Besides...


    Who said that simply leveling up would allow someone to trigger the sword scar?


    Daniel could do it...


    Only because he was special.


    As for how exactly Daniel resonated with the sword scar, Morris wasn''t sure.


    If it were as simple as leveling up to achieve resonance, then Thousand Suns Hall wouldn''t remain such a small force.


    Morris looked at Daniel again, his expression complicated.


    He had almost...


    He had almost rejected someone with monstrous talent in both forging and magic.


    Thinking of this, Morris couldn''t help but want to slap himself.


    After spending all these years in Artisan''s Sanctuary...


    He had grown too arrogant.


    If it were in the past, he might have actually taken a look at Daniel''s talents, as Dixon had strongly recommended, before making a decision.


    Instead of rejecting him outright without even meeting him.


    Fortunately¡­


    Dixon had insisted on vouching for Daniel back then.


    That was why he had agreed to the condition¡ª


    As long as Daniel ranked in the top ten of the Enlightenment Competition, he could enter Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    Thinking of this, Morris let out a sigh of relief.


    Thankfully¡­


    The situation wasn''t too bad yet.


    It was still acceptable.


    ¡ª


    As time passed, all forty contestants had taken their turns, leaving their own sword scars on the Blue Stone.


    Among the later participants, only one managed to surpass the first young man, achieving just over two and a half inches.


    Another contestant exceeded three inches.


    As for the rest?


    They had essentially failed completely.


    Now, it was Veya''s turn.


    Under Daniel''s encouraging gaze, Veya took a deep breath and stepped forward.


    She picked up the sword.


    Earlier, through her conversation with Daniel, Veya had gained a deeper understanding of sword intent.


    A few breaths later¡ª


    A flash of sword light streaked across the air.


    Veya''s sword sliced through the Blue Stone.


    Among the numerous sword scars left on the stone, hers was particularly striking.


    At the very least¡­


    It looked deeper than the three-inch scar left by the previous contestant.


    Even Veya herself was shocked by what she had done.


    She had never imagined that she could achieve this result.


    Was this¡­


    The best score so far?


    Of course¡ªexcept for Daniel.


    Initially, Veya had only aimed for the top ten, expecting a result of around two inches deep.


    But never in her wildest dreams did she think¡­


    Her strike would reach over three inches!


    Veya knew her own capabilities well.


    If she had relied solely on herself, she never would have been able to achieve this.


    The key factor was Daniel.


    If it weren''t for Daniel''s insights during their conversation¡­


    If he hadn''t answered her questions about sword intent¡­


    She would never have achieved this level.


    Daniel''s guidance¡ª


    Just this one lesson alone¡­


    Could easily be considered a true inheritance-level technique in Thousand Suns Hall!


    Maybe¡­


    Even the Blue Jade Guild behind Thousand Suns Hall might take an interest in Daniel!


    Veya looked at Daniel with a complicated expression and softly said:


    "Thank you."


    Only she knew how much Daniel''s guidance had truly helped her.


    ¡ª


    "A truly surprising result!"


    The Thousand Suns Hall official looked at Veya''s sword scar and sighed in admiration.


    Because he knew¡­


    The real genius was still yet to take action!


    Daniel had not made his move yet.


    Everyone at the scene knew that once Daniel attacked, their own performances would become meaningless. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just moments ago, when Daniel was leveling up, the sword scar on the Blue Stone had reacted.


    None of them were fools.


    They all felt it.


    Which was why¡­


    They hurried to take their turns before Daniel.


    Otherwise, if they had to go after him?


    They might as well give up on competing entirely.


    No one wanted their martial hearts shattered.


    So everyone rushed to strike before Daniel.


    Daniel didn''t mind at all.


    He still had some insights to share with Veya.


    Let them go first.


    As for Veya¡­


    Getting second place was good enough.


    Finally, after Daniel had finished teaching¡­


    The forty contestants had all completed their turns.


    Now, only one person remained.


    "Daniel, right? It''s your turn now."


    The Thousand Suns Hall official called out his name.


    He actually had a good impression of Daniel.


    Because Daniel had not rushed to strike first.


    He had waited for everyone else to finish before making his move.


    Otherwise¡­


    If Daniel had gone first, the later contestants might have lost all confidence and dropped out immediately.


    It wasn''t just about losing¡ª


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    It was about public humiliation.


    Daniel''s score was definitely going to be terrifying.


    If he went first, the other contestants would hesitate to even try.


    Some might withdraw from the competition just to avoid embarrassment.


    By letting them go first, the competition remained intact.


    Now, the only thing people would remember from this Enlightenment Competition was:


    "A monstrous genius appeared."


    But if Daniel had gone first?


    The story would have been different:


    "A monstrous genius appeared, and everyone else foolishly challenged him, only to be humiliated one by one."


    Sometimes, the order of events was crucial.


    Because of this, the Thousand Suns Hall official felt a growing sense of curiosity and respect for Daniel.


    Now¡ª


    All eyes were on Daniel.


    Everyone was eager to see¡ª


    This genius who had leveled up mid-competition and resonated with the sword scar¡­


    What kind of result would he achieve?


    ¡ª


    Under the watchful gazes of the crowd, Daniel took the sword from Veya''s hands.


    He looked at the Blue Stone, observing the various sword scars.


    Then, without much thought, he casually found an empty spot.


    And swung his sword.


    It looked¡­


    Like the most ordinary, unremarkable sword strike.


    As if¡­


    Even a normal person could have done it.


    There were no special effects.


    It was just a simple, honest sword strike.


    But the moment his sword landed¡ª


    The entire Blue Stone¡­


    Split in half like tofu.


    Even the cutting surface was smooth as a mirror!


    The Thousand Suns Hall official saw this scene¡ª


    And completely lost control of his facial expression.


    Because he had no idea how to react.


    The Enlightenment Competition had been held many times before.


    The deepest sword scar ever recorded was nine inches.


    No one had ever gone beyond that¡ª


    Because the sword intent contained in the original scar was capped at nine inches.


    The only way to surpass that limit¡­


    Was if someone''s understanding of the sword''s rules surpassed the original creator of the scar!


    But Daniel¡­


    He didn''t just surpass nine inches.


    He cut the entire Blue Stone in half!


    This was beyond anything imaginable.


    Since Thousand Suns Hall had acquired this Blue Stone, something like this had never happened before.


    The official stood there, completely stunned¡ª


    He had no idea what to do next.


    How¡­


    How was it even possible for the Blue Stone to be cut in half?!

 Chapter398-The Struggle!

    At this moment, everyone who witnessed the scene had the same question in their minds.


    How did Daniel manage to cut through the Blue Stone so easily?


    And with just an ordinary sword strike.


    There were no flashy effects, nothing extraordinary about it.


    Yet, as soon as the Blue Stone was sliced apart¡ª


    A massive surge of sword energy shot straight into the sky!


    In the pavilion, Morris and Kara, who had been seated casually, suddenly leaped to their feet in unison.


    After all, they had heard plenty about the sword scar on the Blue Stone in Thousand Suns Hall.


    It was practically a signature challenge of the Enlightenment Competition.


    But never had they heard of anyone cutting the Blue Stone in half with a single strike!


    "This... this... HAHAHAHA!"


    Morris burst into laughter, his excitement uncontrollable.


    "Artisan''s Sanctuary finally has hope! WE HAVE HOPE!"


    "Someone like him¡­ he must belong to Artisan''s Sanctuary!"


    Morris, as an elder of Artisan''s Sanctuary, had a duty to recruit outstanding talents.


    And if he could bring a monstrous genius like Daniel back to Artisan''s Sanctuary¡­


    His status would skyrocket!


    Perhaps¡­


    Even the position of Grandmaster was within reach!


    At this moment, Morris could no longer sit still.


    He wanted to take Daniel back immediately.


    ¡ª


    On the other side, Dixon stood frozen in shock.


    As a local, he was very familiar with Thousand Suns Hall''s Enlightenment Competition.


    He had even participated in it once before.


    But today, he had only come back out of curiosity, to see how the young talents were doing.


    He knew exactly what the Blue Stone was, and how deep the sword scars left on it usually were.


    And yet¡­


    Daniel had just cut it clean in half.


    To achieve such a feat¡­


    Was practically impossible!


    At this moment, Dixon finally understood why Daniel had confidently said:


    "I don''t need to prepare at all."


    Of course!


    For a talent like him¡ªno, for a monstrous genius like him¡ª


    Asking him to "prepare" for something like this was no different from insulting his talent!


    ¡ª


    Meanwhile, the Thousand Suns Hall official rushed to Daniel, his face filled with excitement.


    "Daniel, would you be willing to join Thousand Suns Hall?" Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire


    The official immediately extended an invitation.


    The other contestants looked at Daniel with envy.


    They dreamed of an opportunity like this!


    Daniel, however, simply smiled and said¡ª


    "Well¡­ I can''t make that decision alone."


    ???


    Hearing this, the Thousand Suns Hall official was completely stunned.


    What does that mean?


    Isn''t he just one person?


    How can he not make the decision himself?


    Before inviting him, the official had already looked into Daniel''s background.


    Daniel¡­


    Wasn''t even a core disciple of Blue Jade Guild!


    He was merely a master craftsman at Velen Forging Workshop.


    That was basically the same as a guest elder¡ªfree to leave at any time.


    Velen Forging Workshop didn''t place any restrictions on him.


    So why was Daniel acting as if he needed permission?


    At that moment¡ª


    A loud burst of laughter echoed through the air.


    "Hahaha! My apologies, but I''m afraid you''ll be disappointed."


    Morris laughed heartily as he strode forward, Kara following behind him.


    "Daniel belongs to Artisan''s Sanctuary!"


    Morris'' face was full of triumph.


    Because Daniel''s vague response had practically confirmed it¡ª


    He was already part of Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    And if that was the case¡­


    How could he possibly join Thousand Suns Hall?


    Absolutely impossible!


    ¡ª


    "Morris?!"


    The Thousand Suns Hall official''s expression darkened.


    "Don''t you think this is a bit shameless?!"


    "This is OUR competition! What is Artisan''s Sanctuary doing here stealing talent?"


    "Do you even have the right to speak here?"


    Then, as if delivering the final blow, he added¡ª


    "Besides, don''t forget¡ªBlue Jade Guild is also watching this competition."


    ¡ª


    "Apologies," Morris replied with a smug smile.


    "But Daniel was already part of Artisan''s Sanctuary. He only participated in the Enlightenment Competition because of a minor assessment."


    "You never stated that contestants must join Thousand Suns Hall, did you?"


    ¡ª


    "...Is that true?"


    The Thousand Suns Hall official looked at Daniel, his face dark with frustration.


    Daniel remained calm and simply said¡ª


    "I belong to Velen Forging Workshop."


    "I am neither part of Thousand Suns Hall nor Artisan''s Sanctuary."


    ¡ª


    Morris'' smile froze instantly.


    What did he just say?


    ¡ª


    "So, I need to follow the decisions of Master Dixon from Velen Forging Workshop."


    As he spoke, Daniel turned to Dixon.


    "Right, Master Dixon?"


    ¡ª


    Dixon sighed inwardly.


    In reality, Daniel was completely free.


    This had nothing to do with him.


    But the fact that Daniel deliberately mentioned his name meant only one thing¡ª


    Daniel¡­


    Was using this opportunity to raise Velen Forging Workshop''s status.


    It wasn''t a particularly sophisticated move¡ª


    But it was very effective.


    Now, both Morris and the Thousand Suns Hall official had shifted their attention to Dixon.


    ¡ª


    Dixon walked forward and said¡ª


    "Alright, I''ll let them handle it. You three can discuss among yourselves."


    With that, Daniel simply walked away, leaving the three of them to deal with it.


    ¡ª


    Now, the three men stood in a tense triangle formation.


    ¡ª


    "Master Dixon," Morris spoke first.


    "You should understand that I have already acknowledged Daniel''s talent."


    "You''ve been part of Artisan''s Sanctuary for a long time¡ªso naturally, you''ll make the wise decision, right?"


    ¡ª


    "Hah!"


    The Thousand Suns Hall official immediately seized the opportunity.


    "Velen Forging Workshop and Artisan''s Sanctuary are partners, right? Since when did it become your subordinate?"


    Morris had let his emotions slip.


    He had been so flustered by Daniel''s unexpected response that he had spoken too forcefully¡ªand now the Thousand Suns Hall official used it against him.


    ¡ª


    "Master Dixon," the official continued, "you can''t deny it¡ªDaniel has incredible talent in both magic and swordsmanship!"


    "Forget Thousand Suns Hall¡ªeven Blue Jade Guild would accept him without hesitation!"


    "Only here can he fully unleash his potential!"


    ¡ª


    Dixon nodded slightly.


    Honestly¡­


    He had wanted Daniel to join Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    But after everything that happened today¡­


    He was starting to think¡ª


    Maybe Artisan''s Sanctuary wasn''t the best choice after all.


    Given Daniel''s insane talent¡­


    Magic might be a far better path for him than forging.


    After all¡ª


    Breaking through realms like it was nothing?


    That was far more shocking than his forging skills.


    ¡ª


    "Master Dixon!"


    Morris was getting desperate.


    "I admit, I made a mistake earlier. I was impatient!"


    "But you yourself said¡ªDaniel''s forging talent is unmatched!"


    "And for that¡­ Artisan''s Sanctuary is the only place where he can truly thrive!"


    "As for magic¡­ we would never hold back a talent like him!"


    ¡ª


    "Hah!" The Thousand Suns Hall official sneered. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Blue Jade Guild also has forging masters. Do you really think Artisan''s Sanctuary knows more about magic than Blue Jade Guild?"


    "Forging is just support¡ªreal power comes from strength!"


    ¡ª


    "Dammit! Are you insulting Artisan''s Sanctuary?!"


    "I didn''t say that¡ªyou did!"


    ¡ª


    Watching the two men bickering like children, Dixon felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity.


    ¡ª


    How did he¡ªjust a humble blacksmith¡ª


    End up in a situation like this?


    And the root cause of all this?


    Daniel.

 Chapter399-Departure

    If not for Daniel''s earlier performance¡ªhis seemingly ordinary yet utterly breathtaking sword strike¡ªno one would have truly grasped the extent of his talent.


    This was a genius beyond definition, or perhaps even a monster in human form.


    And the chaotic scene before them was all caused by that single sword strike.


    ¡ª


    "Daniel, you¡­ really can''t make this decision on your own?"


    Veya hesitated for a moment before asking.


    "As far as I know, Velen Forging Workshop isn''t a place that enforces strict restrictions, right? And besides¡­"


    She clearly remembered how Dixon had practically begged Daniel to help him before.


    That attitude was completely different from what Daniel was suggesting now.


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    ¡ª


    Daniel chuckled.


    "Don''t be fooled by Master Dixon''s age. He''s got quite the temper too."


    Veya smiled.


    It was clear that Daniel was joking.


    ¡ª


    "So¡­ which faction do you actually want to join?"


    "Thousand Suns Hall and Blue Jade Guild? Or maybe Artisan''s Sanctuary?"


    Veya asked curiously.


    ¡ª


    Daniel thought for a moment before slowly responding¡ª


    "To be honest, I''m not particularly interested in either."


    "I just want to find a place with no conflicts, somewhere I can be with close friends and family¡ªdrinking tea, relaxing. That''s more than enough for me."


    As he spoke, his mind drifted for a moment.


    He wondered how Rose was doing now.


    ¡ª


    "That¡­ does sound nice," Veya admitted.


    ¡ª


    "Yeah, it really would be."


    Daniel sighed.


    "But who knows if that''s even possible."


    ¡ª


    Meanwhile¡­


    Dixon had just experienced what it truly meant to be at the peak of his life.


    Normally, these kinds of high-ranking figures were people he could barely even meet.


    Yet today, they had been bickering in front of him like children.


    ¡ª


    And all because of Daniel.


    ¡ª


    At the end of it all, Dixon ultimately decided to follow Daniel''s original wishes.


    He had asked Daniel before¡ªafter everything that happened with Artisan''s Sanctuary, did he still want to join them?


    Daniel''s answer had been clear:


    He never really cared about joining Artisan''s Sanctuary in the first place.


    He was only participating in the Enlightenment Competition to help Dixon and his daughter regain some dignity.


    After all¡­


    They had been humiliated by Greg.


    ¡ª


    Dixon had been deeply moved at the time.


    So now, following Daniel''s wishes, Dixon announced¡ª


    For the time being, Daniel would remain a member of Velen Forging Workshop but would head to Thousand Suns Hall to further his training.


    As for whether he would stay there permanently¡ªthat would be up to Daniel.


    ¡ª


    The Thousand Suns Hall official was delighted by this outcome.


    As long as Daniel set foot in Thousand Suns Hall, he wasn''t worried about keeping him there.


    With the abundance of resources available, not to mention the support of Blue Jade Guild, there was no way Daniel would want to leave.


    If Thousand Suns Hall couldn''t retain him, then Artisan''s Sanctuary definitely wouldn''t stand a chance!


    Now, he just had to return and report this incredible news to his lord.


    At the same time, he also formally established an alliance between Thousand Suns Hall and Velen Forging Workshop¡ªa mutual support agreement.


    ¡ª


    As for Morris¡­


    He was deeply disappointed.


    Daniel could have joined Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    But because of one small mistake¡­


    Everything had slipped through his fingers.


    ¡ª


    No!


    This wasn''t his fault!


    It was all Greg''s fault!


    ¡ª


    Morris suddenly realized¡ª


    Yes, this was all because of Greg!


    If it weren''t for him, none of this would have happened!


    Greg had poisoned his mind, constantly talking about how terrible Greenstone City was.


    He had warped Morris'' perspective, leading him to ignore a talent like Daniel.


    That was the real reason things had turned out this way!


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    Thinking back, Morris recalled that in previous years, he had always made sure to evaluate Dixon''s recommended students before making any judgments.


    Sometimes, Dixon didn''t recommend anyone at all¡ªprobably because there were no students in Velen Forging Workshop that met the standards.


    But this time¡­


    Morris had completely skipped the evaluation process.


    If that wasn''t Greg''s fault, then whose was it?


    Because of Greg, he had even strained his relationship with Velen Forging Workshop.


    ¡ª


    Even though Dixon had already chosen to send Daniel to Thousand Suns Hall, Morris still had to do something to mend their relationship.


    ¡ª


    "Dixon," Morris said, forcing a smile.


    "When I return, I will speak with the other Artisan''s Sanctuary elders about providing additional resources to Velen Forging Workshop.


    "After all, we are partners."


    Morris was trying to show goodwill.


    Because once a relationship was damaged, it was incredibly difficult to repair.


    He was now doing everything in his power to fix things.


    Damn Greg!


    If it weren''t for him¡­


    Morris wouldn''t be struggling like this!


    ¡ª


    And so, the struggle came to an end.


    Shortly after, the final rankings of the Enlightenment Competition were officially announced.


    But for some people, the rankings didn''t even matter.


    Because everyone had already witnessed the truth¡ª


    The undisputed first place was Daniel, the one who cut the Blue Stone in half.


    ¡ª


    As for second place¡­


    Naturally, it was Veya.


    ¡ª


    The rest of the rankings didn''t matter.


    There was no controversy over the results.


    ¡ª


    Following this, the official prizes were awarded.


    The top ten contestants were all granted core disciple status in Thousand Suns Hall.


    ¡ª


    Veya was overjoyed.


    She knew¡ª


    If it weren''t for Daniel, she might have struggled to even make the top ten.


    But now, she had secured second place.


    ¡ª


    And with that, the Enlightenment Competition finally came to an end.


    The journey to Thousand Suns Hall was scheduled for the next day.


    ¡ª


    That night, Dixon drank a lot.


    He even drank through half of his ten-year collection of wine.


    It was obvious¡ªDixon was incredibly happy.


    Even his tolerance for alcohol seemed to have improved.


    After drinking, he clung to Daniel, rambling on about all sorts of things.


    Eventually, his emotions overwhelmed him, and he even started crying, wiping his tears and snot all over Daniel''s clothes.


    ¡ª


    Daniel was speechless.


    He swore that he would never make fun of Dixon for being a lightweight again.


    Compared to tonight, he preferred the Dixon who passed out after one drink.


    ¡ª


    Watching Daniel''s deadpan expression, Betsy burst into laughter.


    ¡ª


    Late at night¡­


    Before leaving, Daniel handed his written insights to Betsy.


    He also specifically bid farewell to Betsy and Ed.


    Though his time here had been brief, it had been wonderful.


    ¡ª


    The next morning¡­


    Perhaps because Dixon was too hungover, he didn''t come to see Daniel off.


    Only Betsy and Ed arrived.


    After saying his goodbyes, Daniel boarded Thousand Suns Hall''s airship, swiftly departing Greenstone City.


    ¡ª


    The airship was massive.


    Beneath him, Greenstone City gradually shrunk into the distance¡­


    And then, disappeared completely.


    ¡ª


    Watching this, Daniel felt a wave of emotion.


    Some people, some moments¡ª


    Would ultimately become nothing more than fleeting memories.


    ¡ª


    "I never expected us to come here together¡­ and now we''re leaving together too."


    Veya walked up beside him, gazing at the now vanished city below.


    ¡ª


    "But you¡­ will definitely go much farther than me," she said, with absolute certainty.


    ¡ª


    "The road is long."


    "No one can say how far they''ll go."


    "All we can do is give it our all¡­ and leave the rest to time."


    ¡ª


    Veya smiled.


    "Yeah¡­ leave the rest to time."

 Chapter400-Arrival at Thousand Suns Hall

    The airship continued to ascend, rising until it pierced through the clouds.


    As the sunlight illuminated the sky, the magic array on the ship activated, causing the vessel to accelerate rapidly toward Thousand Suns Hall.


    ¡ª


    In this region, Thousand Suns Hall was a renowned power.


    Its strength was only one of the reasons for its fame.


    The real reason was that above Thousand Suns Hall stood the Blue Jade Guild¡ª


    A true, top-tier faction.


    ¡ª


    In fact, very few people knew that the so-called Enlightenment Competition had always been orchestrated by the Blue Jade Guild.


    If it were only up to Thousand Suns Hall, there was no way they could host such a prestigious event.


    And it wasn''t just Thousand Suns Hall.


    Many other places also held their own Enlightenment Competitions.


    But without exception, all of them had ties to Blue Jade Guild.


    ¡ª


    The purpose of these competitions was to identify promising talents.


    People with special abilities were selected and nurtured under Blue Jade Guild''s guidance.


    In previous years, the results had been somewhat mixed.


    But after a few adjustments and the release of some strategic rumors, the effectiveness of this year''s selection had skyrocketed.


    Several of Blue Jade Guild''s subordinate factions had already recruited remarkable individuals.


    And in two months, the most talented individuals would compete for a spot as Blue Jade Guild''s core disciples.


    ¡ª


    Holt, the Thousand Suns Hall official who had brought Daniel and the others here, made sure to inform Daniel of this.


    ¡ª


    During their conversation, Daniel also learned Holt''s full name.


    But to Daniel, none of this really mattered.


    He only cared about one thing.


    ¡ª


    "By the way¡­ about that sword scar¡ªwhat''s the story behind it?"


    Daniel turned to Holt, his expression serious.


    "I''m only here to find clues about that sword scar."


    Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    ¡ª


    Holt chuckled.


    "If that''s what you''re truly interested in, then you definitely need to go to Blue Jade Guild."


    "The sword scar you''re asking about¡­ was originally etched by a Blue Jade Guild elder."


    "If you want real answers, you''ll have to find him yourself."


    ¡ª


    Daniel nodded.


    So, there was no avoiding Blue Jade Guild after all.


    ¡ª


    "If you''re concerned about your combat ability, you can always return to Thousand Suns Hall," Holt reassured him.


    "I''ll personally apply to open a secret realm for you to train in."


    ¡ª


    "Isn''t my Tier-Diamond strength enough?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    ¡ª


    Because in Crossbridge World, Tier-Diamond was already peak-level.


    Yet now¡­


    ¡ª


    "Of course not," Holt replied bluntly.


    "This time, many monstrous geniuses have appeared. Tier-Diamond might not be stable enough."


    "That''s why you should focus on solidifying your strength. If you can reach Tier-Master, you''ll be much more prepared."


    "In Thousand Suns Hall, Tier-Master warriors have access to many high-level combat spells."


    "Besides¡­ there''s even a participant with Divine Beast Bloodline."


    ¡ª


    "Divine Beast Bloodline?"


    "Are you serious?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.


    ¡ª


    "Absolutely," Holt confirmed.


    "The tests proved it''s a pure Divine Beast Bloodline."


    "And not just any Divine Beast¡ªUnicorn Bloodline."


    ¡ª


    Hearing this, Daniel''s expression shifted slightly.


    ¡ª


    Unicorns, huh?


    ¡ª


    For the most part, they always seemed noble and dignified.


    Yet somehow, they had still managed to leave their bloodline among humans¡­


    ¡ª


    Daniel couldn''t help but wonder¡ª


    What had become of the three Divine Beast Clans?


    ¡ª


    Back then, he had forcibly pulled their entire world into existence.


    And now¡­


    ¡ª


    His gaze drifted toward the depths of his soul, where a three-colored mark still remained.


    ¡ª


    This was the mark of the God Emperor.


    He had even given a copy of this mark to Rose.


    Since the God Emperor Mark was bound to his soul, it was likely that the Creator God had considered it part of him¡ª


    Which was why it had not been stripped away.


    ¡ª


    Daniel pondered¡ª


    Would this mark have any effect when facing someone with Divine Beast Bloodline?


    ¡ª


    Arrival at Thousand Suns Hall


    The airship''s speed was astonishing.


    Within minutes, they arrived at a vast mountain range.


    Compared to Greenstone City, the mana density in this area was noticeably higher.


    For mages, training here would provide significant long-term benefits.


    ¡ª


    Descending through the clouds, a large complex of buildings emerged below.


    This was Thousand Suns Hall.


    ¡ª


    "Thousand Suns Hall¡­"


    Veya murmured, her voice filled with emotion.


    ¡ª


    She had dreamed of coming here.


    And now¡­


    That dream had finally come true.


    Her excitement was palpable.


    ¡ª


    The other contestants shared her sentiment.


    They had not only been selected by Thousand Suns Hall¡ª


    They now had a chance to join Blue Jade Guild.


    Who wouldn''t be excited?


    ¡ª


    Perhaps the only exception was Daniel.


    From start to finish, he had remained completely calm.


    ¡ª


    Disembarking


    The airship landed, and Holt flashed his identification, allowing them to pass through the defensive array and land within Thousand Suns Hall.


    As the newcomers stepped onto the ground, they noticed a group of current students nearby, whispering among themselves.


    ¡ª


    "Ah, this must be the new batch¡­"


    "They don''t look very impressive."


    "Yeah, nowhere near as strong as the last group."


    "I heard Elder Holt had to travel really far just to recruit them."


    "That explains it. No wonder their strength is¡­ underwhelming."


    ¡ª


    The students thought they were speaking quietly.


    But in reality¡­


    Everyone in the group could hear them clearly.


    After all, they were mages.


    Having enhanced hearing was completely normal.


    ¡ª


    Veya and the others tensed up.


    Being stared at and judged like this was unsettling.


    She even instinctively shrank back.


    ¡ª


    Daniel, on the other hand¡­


    Seemed completely unfazed.


    ¡ª


    For him, this was nothing more than a trivial situation.


    ¡ª


    "Are they all students of Thousand Suns Hall?" Veya asked, trying to start a casual conversation with Daniel to ease her nervousness.


    ¡ª


    Daniel nodded, pointing at a few individuals.


    "See that one? The one in light blue robes¡ªthat''s an outer disciple."


    "The ones in white robes are core disciples."


    "And the ones in purple robes? They''re the true core elites."


    ¡ª


    Holt had briefly explained these rankings to Daniel during the journey. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡ª


    "So¡­ we''re starting as core disciples?" Veya asked, her excitement returning.


    She had already started imagining herself in a white robe.


    ¡ª


    "And you, Daniel? You''re definitely a core disciple, right?"


    ¡ª


    Daniel simply shrugged.


    "Not sure. We''ll see how they arrange it."


    ¡ª


    After all, he wouldn''t be staying here for long.


    In just two months, he''d be taking the Blue Jade Guild entrance test.


    Until then, his focus would be on increasing his strength and training in the secret realm.


    ¡ª


    Official Induction


    A short while later, Holt returned.


    He dispersed the onlookers, then turned to address the new arrivals.


    ¡ª


    "I''ve reported your arrival," he said.


    "Your official assignments will be handled by Thousand Suns Hall."


    "But don''t be nervous."


    "Once you''ve joined Thousand Suns Hall, you are all equals¡ªfellow disciples."


    "If you ever face unfair treatment, you can report it directly to the Law Enforcement Hall."


    "They will ensure justice is served."

 Chapter401-Special Reward

    Holt''s words eased everyone''s tension a little.


    It seemed that the Thousand Suns Hall was actually quite decent.


    The previous discussions among the other students had made them all very nervous. However, Holt''s words now helped them relax. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel, on the other hand, was a little surprised.


    Because what Holt just said¡­


    It was somewhat similar to what he had heard back at Crossbridge Academy.


    But how could that be?


    Such regulations were normal in these kinds of factions.


    For a faction to thrive, it had to maintain fairness.


    If everything inside was about exploiting each other¡­


    It was hard to imagine how such a faction could survive for long.


    "And as the winners of the Enlightenment Competition, not only will you receive the rewards I previously mentioned, but after coming here, you will also have another special opportunity."


    "Everyone, follow me."


    Holt gestured for them to follow.


    Then, he led Daniel and the others toward the back mountain of Thousand Suns Hall.


    On the way, Holt and Daniel walked close together, speaking in hushed tones:


    "I''ve already reported your situation to the other elders. They take it very seriously, and soon, there will be some special arrangements for you."


    Holt said this to Daniel with a serious expression.


    "No need, no need. Honestly, I don''t really require any special arrangements. Oh, by the way, I''m very interested in your library¡­"


    "The library? That''s no problem."


    Holt thought for a moment before continuing:


    "But you''ve only just arrived. A place like the library isn''t something you can enter right away. Don''t worry, it''s just a standard procedure¡­ There are many high-level spells stored there."


    The Thousand Suns Hall was cautious about letting outsiders into their library, fearing that someone might take the opportunity to steal their magical knowledge.


    "However¡­"


    Holt''s tone changed slightly.


    "If you''re looking for books on forging and related topics, that''s not an issue. Those are open for you to read freely. I''ll apply for access on your behalf."


    Daniel scratched his head and replied:


    "Actually, I just want to read about history¡­ or biographical accounts. Even novels would be fine."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Holt was momentarily petrified.


    Because he had never heard such an absurd request before.


    Someone came to the Thousand Suns Hall, wanted to enter the library¡­


    And it was for this?!


    After walking for some time, Holt led them to a quiet location.


    Then, he activated a magic array, allowing everyone to step inside.


    A large pool appeared before them.


    It looked just like a hot spring, with white mist gently rising from the surface.


    "A hot spring?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    "This is not a hot spring. It is a special reward from the Thousand Suns Hall for you all. This pool is composed entirely of mana, and it will greatly benefit your future growth."


    "It can open up your magical circuits."


    "Oh, and you only have half an hour, so don''t waste it!"


    Upon hearing this, everyone''s faces lit up with excitement.


    They had heard about this before.


    Soaking in this kind of mana-infused pool¡­


    To put it bluntly, even an ordinary person could easily break through several ranks in Genesis just by being here!


    As soon as Holt finished speaking, everyone quickly entered the mana pool¡ªof course, fully clothed.


    Although this was liquid mana, it didn''t actually soak their clothes.


    Everyone sat cross-legged, beginning to absorb the mana.


    However, there was one exception¡ªDaniel.


    Daniel did not actively absorb the mana.


    Because he had no bottleneck to break through.


    If he were to fully absorb everything, he might drain the entire pool dry.


    And his rank would keep rising.


    Yesterday, he had broken through to diamond rank using the sword scar as an excuse.


    It had been a shocking feat.


    But if he displayed another monstrous breakthrough today¡­


    There was a real chance he''d be captured and studied like some lab experiment.


    And Daniel still needed to go to Blue Jade Guild to find the person who had recorded the sword scar. He couldn''t risk exposing himself here.


    But¡­


    Would he really just let this opportunity slip away?


    That didn''t seem worth it either.


    Because Daniel knew that future rank-ups would require even more mana.


    Right now was the perfect chance.


    Letting this go without taking advantage of it¡­? No way.


    After a brief moment of thought, Daniel came up with an idea.


    As the time limit approached, Daniel quietly used the surrounding mana to set up a magic array.


    Then, the mana pool began slowly converging in one direction¡ªtoward Daniel.


    Soon, a crystal formed in Daniel''s palm.


    He discreetly stored it away.


    A few breaths later, Daniel repeated the process¡ªagain and again.


    By the end, ten mana crystals had accumulated in his arms.


    At the same time, the mana concentration in the pool dropped rapidly.


    When the time was up, Holt returned.


    "Alright, time''s up. You all can get out now. In the future, if there''s another chance, you can¡­"


    But then, Holt saw the state of the mana pool¡ªand was at a complete loss for words.


    Because no matter how he looked at it¡ªthe pool''s mana had disappeared.


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    Mana in liquid form¡ªcould it evaporate?!


    Holt simply couldn''t comprehend what had just happened.


    He checked everyone¡­


    Only two people had managed small breakthroughs.


    From mid-stage to late-stage, at best.


    But even so¡­


    That shouldn''t have been enough to drain the entire pool!


    Holt was completely puzzled.


    "What the hell is going on?!"


    Daniel glanced at Holt and said casually:


    "The mana here¡­ it should regenerate quickly, right? No need to worry too much."


    That was exactly why Daniel dared to act so boldly.


    He had already observed the surroundings.


    This pool¡­


    Was actually part of a large formation that attracted mana and condensed it into liquid form.


    To restore the mana to its original state before Daniel intervened¡­


    It would take about a month.


    So Daniel didn''t hesitate to stash ten mana crystals away.


    "It will replenish, yes¡­ but that''s not the main issue¡­"


    "The real issue is¡­ we have no idea why this happened. If we don''t figure it out, what if it happens again? That would be a major problem!"


    Holt said, his face full of concern.


    After a moment, Holt sighed.


    "Since an issue occurred here, I will request additional compensation from the sect for you all."


    "For now, your allocations are complete¡ªfollow me back."


    Holt''s response made Daniel feel a little guilty.


    He hadn''t expected Holt to handle things this way.


    It made Daniel realize that maybe¡­ he had gone too far.


    If he had known, he would''ve taken fewer crystals.


    So, Daniel secretly decided¡­


    Before leaving Thousand Suns Hall, he would leave something behind as compensation.


    After all¡­


    This place¡­


    And Holt¡­


    Had actually treated him quite well.


    Holt led the group away from the back mountain.


    Meanwhile, Thousand Suns Hall had completed the assignments for everyone, allocating them based on their specialties.

 Chapter402-Placement

    Each person was assigned to a sub-hall based on their skills.


    Veya, however, was placed in a sub-hall that was slightly better than the others.


    After all, she was the runner-up in the Enlightenment Competition.


    "Daniel, I guess this is where we part ways."


    Veya smiled as she said her goodbye to Daniel.


    She knew that this might be the last time they saw each other.


    Someone like Daniel¡ªsuch a genius¡ª


    There was no way he would stay in Thousand Suns Hall for long.


    Once the others had left, Holt turned to Daniel.


    Clearly, there were special arrangements for him.


    "As for your specific placement, the elders need more time to discuss. For now, you''ll stay in the Forging Hall. Here''s your identity token and some basic supplies."


    "A student from the Forging Hall will guide you to your residence and help you get familiar with everything."


    Holt handed Daniel a storage crystal.


    Just in time¡ªit could store the mana crystals he had secretly collected earlier.


    Then, a young student standing beside Holt stepped forward.


    "Daniel, come with me."


    The young student seemed to know something about Daniel and was very respectful in his demeanor. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On the way, Daniel started chatting with him.


    The young man''s name was Fran.


    He had entered Thousand Suns Hall a few years ago.


    Since his talent was decent, he was placed in the Forging Hall.


    After years of training, he had become one of the top outer disciples in the Forging Hall.


    Before long, he would likely be promoted to a core disciple.


    Fran explained everything about the Forging Hall in great detail, giving Daniel a comprehensive understanding of the place.


    "Our main focus is on magic array cores¡­"


    At this point, Fran hesitated for a moment before adding, somewhat sheepishly:


    "We''re not as skilled as the people from Artisan''s Sanctuary, but we can still craft decent magic array cores. In fact, nearly all of the magic array cores used in Thousand Suns Hall come from our Forging Hall."


    Daniel could hear a hint of pride in Fran''s tone.


    It was clear that Fran genuinely loved forging.


    "By the way, Daniel, Elder Holt mentioned that you were once part of Artisan''s Sanctuary, right?"


    "Not exactly. I just worked at a forging workshop that collaborated with Artisan''s Sanctuary."


    "Oh¡­ I see."


    Fran noticed that Daniel didn''t seem particularly enthusiastic about Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    There was probably some kind of conflict involved.


    Sensing this, Fran didn''t press the topic further.


    The two of them continued walking until they finally arrived at the Forging Hall.


    It was an impressive place, surrounded by an entire complex of buildings.


    "Daniel, this is your room. Holt Elder should have already given you the key and everything else you need."


    Fran led Daniel to a small courtyard and explained:


    "Holt Elder said you should take a few days to settle in first. After that, you''ll report to another elder."


    The other elder he referred to was one of the key figures in the Forging Hall.


    For now, Daniel had been assigned under their supervision.


    "Thanks. Oh, by the way¡ªwhere is the library?"


    "At the main peak. It''s not far from here."


    Fran took out a crystal and a communication device.


    The crystal contained a map of Thousand Suns Hall.


    "If you have any questions or need anything, feel free to find me."


    With that, Fran left.


    Daniel stepped into his courtyard. Read latest chapters on My Virtual Library Empire


    The place was well-equipped with everything he needed.


    The environment was also quite pleasant, which satisfied him.


    After making himself some tea, Daniel began to plan his next move.


    No matter what, he had to find Rose.


    After noticing that sword scar, he couldn''t stop worrying about Rose and the others.


    However, with his current strength¡­


    Even if they were in danger, he wouldn''t be able to help much.


    So¡ª


    Increasing his strength was a priority.


    That said, Daniel was also well aware¡­


    Although he didn''t have a bottleneck, each breakthrough required a massive amount of mana.


    The ten mana crystals he had taken from the mana pool¡­


    Would only be enough to push him to Master-rank (early stage).


    If he wanted to go further¡­


    The amount of mana¡ªor more specifically, mana stones¡ªhe needed would be immense.


    Daniel never thought that one day, he would have to worry about mana stones.


    In the past¡­


    He always thought of them as just numbers.


    Back then, he even found it annoying how slowly others consumed mana stones.


    But now¡ª


    He was broke!


    ¡­Well, that was a problem for later.


    For now, there was something else Daniel urgently needed to find out:


    How much time had passed since he left the New God Realm?


    His destination was already clear.


    Daniel took out the map of Thousand Suns Hall.


    After locating the library, he immediately headed there.


    The Library


    For any faction, the library was an extremely important place.


    It stored the most valuable knowledge of an organization.


    Daniel still remembered¡­


    Back at Life Temple, he had found a massive collection of divine spells in their library.


    Those spells had given him tremendous inspiration in expanding Genesis.


    The Thousand Suns Hall library, of course, wasn''t as grand as the Life Temple''s.


    But it still saw a constant flow of students every day.


    The library had five levels:


    First Floor ¡ú Contained books collected from external sources. Mostly used by outer disciples and servants.Second Floor ¡ú More advanced materials, only accessible to official disciples.Third Floor ¡ú Restricted to inner disciples.Fourth & Fifth Floors ¡ú Core levels, only accessible to approved core disciples.


    Daniel wasn''t interested in magic-related books.


    As long as he had enough mana, he could cast divine spells freely.


    Instead, he headed straight for the first floor, searching for historical records.


    The sheer number of books was overwhelming.


    Since these books were randomly collected by students from various places, they included a lot of useless content.


    For example:


    A spell that used sunlight for illumination.A spell that created water in foggy weather.


    Both were completely impractical, yet they still took up shelf space.


    This slowed Daniel down a little.


    After a while, he finally found a book in a corner¡ª


    A history book about the development of Thousand Suns Hall.


    Daniel began reading.


    Apparently, Thousand Suns Hall was established over a thousand years ago by members of Blue Jade Guild.


    It was essentially a subordinate sect of Blue Jade Guild.


    The purpose of these subordinate sects was to recruit and nurture talents for Blue Jade Guild.


    Of course, Thousand Suns Hall wasn''t the only one¡ª


    There were many subordinate sects spread across different regions.


    This book didn''t provide much new information¡­


    To Daniel, most of it was irrelevant.


    But it wasn''t completely useless.


    The book briefly mentioned something about Blue Jade Guild:


    "After a great upheaval, Blue Jade Guild rose to power and took control once again."


    "Great upheaval"¡­


    Seeing these words, Daniel couldn''t help but think back to when he established the New God Realm.


    Could this upheaval refer to that event?


    There was no way for him to know for sure.


    So, Daniel began searching for more books related to the term "upheaval."


    Eventually, he found one¡ª


    "A History of World Changes."


    Seeing this title, Daniel immediately took the book and began reading.

 Chapter403-Discovery

    Daniel took out the book and began reading carefully.


    From the contents, he was able to find some clues.


    Apparently, a long time ago, this place was known by another name¡ª


    Verdant World.


    At that time, mana was extremely scarce.


    Only a small number of people could become mages, and even the strongest of them only reached Platinum rank.


    But then, something mysterious and unknown happened.


    On that fateful day¡ª


    The sun and moon lost their light.


    The entire world was shrouded in darkness.


    No one knew how long it lasted.


    When the light finally returned¡ª


    The world had undergone an immense transformation.


    Yes, this time¡ª


    The world was suddenly filled with an abundance of mana.


    Almost as if¡­


    It had been moved to an entirely different location.


    Furthermore¡ª


    The borders of the world, which were once shrouded in mist, now connected to another continent.


    And on that new land, the mages were far stronger than those of Verdant World.


    When the two sides began to interact¡ª


    The people of Verdant World started to change as well.


    Their strength increased rapidly,


    And the number of mages grew exponentially.


    This led to an era of unprecedented prosperity.


    Over time, the name Verdant World gradually faded from memory¡ª


    Forgotten by history.


    Thousands of years passed.


    Just when everyone was focused on growing stronger,


    A great war suddenly erupted.


    This war caused various factions to turn against each other.


    Chaos and destruction spread across every corner of the world.


    People suffered terribly.


    It was only when Blue Jade Guild was established¡ª


    That the war was finally put to an end.


    Blue Jade Guild pacified the conflict,


    Led the world out of darkness,


    And re-established the old cultivation systems.


    Several thousand years later, factions like Thousand Suns Hall were founded under Blue Jade Guild''s sponsorship,


    Creating the structure that existed today.


    After finishing the book, Daniel finally understood.


    This so-called Verdant World¡ª


    Had to be a mini-world.


    A very weak one at that.


    After all¡ª


    The strongest rank back then was only Platinum rank.


    Then, during the fateful event where Daniel and the Church of Origins woman clashed¡ª


    This mini-world was somehow spared from destruction.


    Instead¡ª


    It had been merged into the New God Realm.


    This was why it had developed so rapidly.


    Originally¡ª


    Verdant World was so weak that its people probably couldn''t even ascend to the God Realm.


    It was likely destined to remain a tiny, insignificant world.


    But after merging into New God Realm, everything changed.


    The mana, the different schools of thought, and the widespread Genesis spell¡ª


    All contributed to making the people of Verdant World stronger.


    At first, everything seemed normal.


    People cultivated, strengthened themselves, and prospered.


    But then¡ª


    Something went terribly wrong.


    The book mentioned a war that nearly engulfed the entire New God Realm.


    That didn''t make sense.


    How could such a massive war have ended so suddenly after Blue Jade Guild was established?


    That was impossible.


    Daniel had a theory¡ª


    Most likely, the war had already ended, and then Blue Jade Guild was formed.


    After all¡ª


    Blue Jade Guild only controlled this particular region.


    It couldn''t have been powerful enough to single-handedly end a world-spanning conflict.


    Perhaps¡­


    The author of this book had simply recorded hearsay¡ª


    And the real story was completely different.


    After finishing the book, Daniel continued searching for more records.


    The most important discovery was clear¡ª


    A massive war had indeed taken place in the New God Realm.


    However¡ª


    Details about how the war ended were inconsistent.


    Some sources claimed that Blue Jade Guild was responsible for ending it.


    Others believed that a divine beast had intervened and brought peace.


    Some even speculated that an ultimate being had stopped the war entirely.


    In short¡ª


    There was no clear answer.


    One thing was certain, though¡ª


    That war had left an unforgettable mark on the world.


    Daniel frowned.


    If such a great war had truly happened¡ª


    What role did Crossbridge Academy play in it?


    And that sword scar left by Rose¡ª


    What kind of enemy had she faced to unleash such an attack?


    Right now, it seemed like the only way to uncover the truth was to go to Blue Jade Guild himself.


    Since Blue Jade Guild was established after the war,


    They likely knew what really happened.


    And then¡ª


    There was Rose''s sword scar.


    This investigation had given Daniel more questions than answers.


    But at the very least, he had confirmed one thing¡ª


    This was NOT the "millions of years later" that the Creator God had spoken of.


    Based on everything Daniel had read¡ª


    The actual time that had passed since then was likely only a few thousand years.


    In fact¡ª


    If Daniel was correct,


    It hadn''t even been ten thousand years.


    And if less than ten thousand years had passed¡­


    Then Rose and the others might still be alive!


    The only question was¡ª


    Were they waiting for him?


    The Next Few Days


    For the next few days¡ª


    Daniel spent almost all his time on the first floor of the library.


    He had gone through every single book available.


    And now he understood¡ª


    There was a reason these books were placed on the first floor.


    Most of them contained false or useless information.


    After filtering out the misleading parts,


    Daniel realized that very little of what he had read was actually useful.


    After all¡ª


    Thousand Suns Hall was only a minor sect that had existed for a few thousand years.


    Expecting to find critical historical records here was asking too much.


    So¡ª


    Daniel had to put this investigation on hold.


    Once he entered Blue Jade Guild, he would continue digging deeper.


    For now, his top priority was¡ª


    Increasing his strength.


    For Daniel, leveling up wasn''t hard.


    As long as he had the right resources,


    He could advance without limits.


    But the problem was¡ª


    Where would he get cultivation resources?


    This was what Daniel struggled to decide.


    Should he¡ª


    Use magic arrays to absorb mana from the surroundings?Travel outside to search for resources?Forge magic array cores and sell them for profit?


    After thinking for a while,


    Daniel dismissed all of these options.


    They were too much hassle.


    He had no interest in doing something that made him feel like a lowly worker.


    Then, an idea came to him.


    Find more adventures on My Virtual Library Empire


    Why not sell some of the spells in his memory?


    This was the most straightforward solution.


    After all¡ª


    Daniel possessed countless spells and divine spells.


    If he casually took out even one,


    It would likely sell for an exorbitant price.


    After reviewing Thousand Suns Hall''s rules,


    Daniel left the library.


    This time, he headed to another important place¡ª


    The Assignment Hall. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was one of the most active locations in Thousand Suns Hall.


    Every day, countless tasks were posted here.


    Students would accept these tasks, complete them, and earn rewards.

 Chapter404-Assignment Hall

    The Assignment Hall was bustling with activity.


    Every day, countless students came and went.


    Some of the tasks were officially issued by the sect, such as:


    Gathering rare materialsInvestigating strange occurrencesResolving various conflicts


    Other tasks, however, were posted by individual students:


    Searching for specific herbsRecruiting companions for expeditions


    The purpose of the Assignment Hall was twofold:


    To handle miscellaneous tasks within the sect''s territoryTo encourage students to engage with the world


    But Daniel wasn''t here to take on missions.


    Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    His goal was something else¡ª


    Contribution Points.


    Yes, completing tasks or making contributions to the sect earned Contribution Points.


    These points could be exchanged for items within the sect''s treasury, including:


    SpellsPotionsForging materials


    But Daniel only cared about one thing¡ª


    Mana Stones.


    His plan was simple:


    Write some spells, trade them for Contribution Points, and use those points to get Mana Stones.


    It was far easier than forging weapons or refining potions.


    However, he wasn''t planning to sell anything today.


    Daniel approached the elder in charge of Contribution Points.


    "Elder Balint!"


    He took out his identity token and greeted the elder.


    Balint glanced at the token, then at Daniel.


    "Daniel? You''re new here?"


    Daniel nodded.


    Then, he got straight to the point¡ª


    "I wanted to ask¡­ does the sect accept spells in exchange for Contribution Points?"


    Balint returned his identity token and replied:


    "Of course. If a spell has value, we evaluate it and offer an appropriate exchange."


    "However¡­"


    Balint added a kind reminder:


    "If you plan to exchange spells, it''s best to offer those usable at Tier-Platinum or higher. Anything below that¡­ won''t be worth much."


    Daniel nodded in understanding.


    Then, he leaned in slightly and asked in a hushed voice¡ª


    "What about Divine Spells? How much are they worth?"


    Balint froze for a moment¡ª


    Then suddenly burst into laughter.


    "Hah! Kid, you''re quite the joker!"


    "Do you know how many Divine Spells we have in all of Thousand Suns Hall? Three. That''s it."


    "If you actually had a Divine Spell, forget Contribution Points¡ªthe Sect Lord himself would personally come to greet you!"


    Balint chuckled as he spoke.


    A new student talking about Divine Spells?


    Ridiculous.


    Divine Spells were so rare that even Thousand Suns Hall¡ª


    A major sect¡ªhad only three.


    For a newcomer to ask about them?


    It was almost comical.


    This kid must''ve heard the term somewhere and got curious.


    Balint simply assumed Daniel was just messing around.


    He would never believe that Daniel actually possessed Divine Spells.


    After all, that was impossible for someone so young.


    Daniel, however, felt a little disappointed.


    "Looks like selling Divine Spells isn''t an option¡­"


    From Balint''s reaction, it was clear¡ª


    Divine Spells were considered extremely valuable within Thousand Suns Hall.


    Daniel didn''t mind drawing attention¡ª


    But too much attention would only bring trouble.


    If he actually revealed a Divine Spell, the entire sect would be shocked beyond belief.


    And endless complications would follow.


    "A man without strength is doomed if he holds too many treasures."


    Right now, Daniel was only Tier-Diamond.


    Unlike before, when he could openly throw out Mana Stones and Divine Stones without worry¡ª


    Now, he had to be cautious.


    Without sufficient power, revealing such things would only bring disaster.


    So, he asked another question¡ª


    "What about Tier-Master spells?"


    Balint raised an eyebrow. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Tier-Master? That''s acceptable¡­ but kid, don''t get ahead of yourself!"


    "Knowing the value of something is one thing, but do you actually have a Tier-Master spell?"


    His tone carried a hint of advice and warning.


    Daniel simply smiled helplessly and said:


    "I was just curious, that''s all."


    "Alright, most of the exchangeable items are listed here. Take a look."


    Balint handed Daniel a crystal containing the exchange catalog.


    Daniel thanked him and began browsing.


    He quickly found the spell exchange section.


    As Balint had said¡ª


    Spells below Tier-Platinum were practically worthless. Spells Tier-Platinum and above had higher value. But¡ªeach spell had to go through evaluation, and there were no fixed prices.


    This was inconvenient for Daniel.


    It didn''t align with his original plan.


    So, he returned the crystal to Balint.


    "What? Changed your mind about Divine Spells and Tier-Master spells already?"


    "Yeah, I''ll pass."


    Balint smirked, as if he had expected this outcome.


    "Young people should focus on steady progress. Don''t waste time chasing shortcuts."


    Just as Balint continued lecturing¡ª


    Daniel suddenly interrupted¡ª


    "By the way, Elder¡­ I happen to have two Tier-Diamond spells. Would you like to evaluate them?"


    With that, Daniel took out two crystals.


    When Daniel had been browsing the catalog,


    He had already prepared these spells.


    Now, they were fully inscribed into the crystals.


    Each crystal contained a different Tier-Diamond spell.


    Balint paused for a moment.


    "Wait¡­ you actually have Tier-Diamond spells?"


    Tier-Diamond magic wasn''t as rare as Tier-Master magic¡ª


    But it was still highly valuable.


    After all¡ª


    Tier-Diamond magic formed the backbone of Thousand Suns Hall''s strength.


    With a skeptical expression, Balint took the two crystals and began inspecting them.


    A moment later¡ª


    His eyes slightly widened.


    "These¡­ really are Tier-Diamond spells."


    For a while, Balint just stared at Daniel, his expression complicated.


    Then, he asked in a serious tone¡ª


    "Kid¡­ you don''t actually have Divine Spells, do you?"


    Daniel immediately responded with a laugh:


    "Elder, you must be joking! Even Thousand Suns Hall only has three Divine Spells. How could I possibly have one?"


    "Besides, I only heard about Divine Spells from people bragging. I was just curious."


    Balint nodded slowly.


    Even though he had briefly suspected Daniel¡ª


    The idea of a young newcomer possessing a Divine Spell was simply too absurd.


    "He was probably just testing the waters before revealing these two spells."


    Balint then called over several other elders from the Assignment Hall.


    Since these spells were valuable, they needed to be properly evaluated.


    Even though Balint was confident that the spells were genuine,


    It was standard protocol to verify them carefully.


    The other elders arrived and conducted a thorough evaluation.


    Their conclusion?


    Daniel''s two Tier-Diamond spells met the sect''s requirements.


    After the evaluation was complete, Daniel left with 100,000 mana stones.


    Due to the large amount, Elder Balint kindly reminded him¡ª


    "Don''t show these mana stones to others."

 Chapter405-Thousand Suns Halls Secret Realm

    Even though Balint was confident that the spells were genuine,


    It was standard protocol to verify them carefully.


    The other elders arrived and conducted a thorough evaluation.


    Their conclusion?


    Daniel''s two Tier-Diamond spells met the sect''s requirements.


    After the evaluation was complete, Daniel left with 100,000 mana stones.


    Due to the large amount, Elder Balint kindly reminded him¡ª


    "Don''t show these mana stones to others."


    "And don''t tell anyone about this deal."


    If Daniel was worried, he could even hire guards from the Law Enforcement Hall using Contribution Points.


    Daniel appreciated Balint''s concern.


    It was clear that the elder wasn''t a bad person.


    But¡­ Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hiring protection for 100,000 mana stones?


    That seemed a bit excessive, even for Daniel.


    For now, he decided to take it easy¡ª


    Until Elder Holt came to find him again.


    A Special Opportunity


    "The elders have come to a decision regarding your placement."


    Holt spoke seriously.


    "Oh? What''s the verdict?"


    "Since your current strength is still lacking¡­ but considering that you are the first person to completely split the Blue Stone, they''ve decided to grant you a special opportunity."


    "A chance to rapidly increase your rank."


    "Thousand Suns Hall''s most precious training ground¡ªthe Secret Realm¡ªwill be opened to you."


    "Inside, mana is incredibly abundant, and there are countless opportunities. If things go well, you might even break through an entire rank."


    "Usually, only the most exceptional geniuses¡ªlike the one with the unicorn bloodline¡ªare granted access."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    "This is perfect for me."


    Now, he was curious about this Secret Realm.


    "Any other conditions?"


    Holt noticed that Daniel seemed a little unimpressed, so he explained:


    "Don''t underestimate this Secret Realm. It was personally established by Blue Jade Guild when Thousand Suns Hall was founded."


    "To put it simply¡ªone day inside is equal to ten days outside." Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire


    "And there are plenty of valuable treasures."


    "In fact, Blue Jade Guild even left behind an artifact inside. If you can find it¡­ your future will be limitless."


    Hearing this, Daniel quickly clarified¡ª


    "I don''t doubt the value of the Secret Realm. I appreciate the opportunity. Just¡­ don''t be too shocked when I come out."


    Holt chuckled.


    Even if Daniel didn''t make a breakthrough, it wouldn''t be a huge disappointment.


    "When can I enter?"


    "As soon as you''re ready."


    Holt replied.


    "In fact, she''s already inside."


    Daniel knew exactly who "she" referred to¡ª


    The girl with the unicorn bloodline.


    "I''m a little curious about her."


    Daniel thought to himself.


    "I wonder¡­ will my Mark still work on her?"


    Holt smirked.


    "I knew you wouldn''t want to wait. Just hold on¡ªI already made the request to the elders."


    After explaining a few precautions, Holt left.


    Shortly after, a voice called from outside Daniel''s door¡ª


    "Daniel, are you here?"


    "I''m here."


    Daniel opened the door.


    Standing outside was a core disciple in purple robes.


    "Daniel, I''m Bliss, one of Elder Holt''s students. The elder asked me to take you to the Secret Realm."


    "Are you ready?"


    Daniel nodded, and the two flew toward the rear mountain.


    Journey to the Secret Realm


    As they traveled, Daniel chatted with Bliss.


    He learned that Bliss was the last disciple Holt had accepted.


    Bliss had a pleasant personality, making Daniel feel comfortable around him.


    Originally, Bliss wasn''t qualified to enter the Secret Realm.


    However, because Holt successfully brought Daniel back to Thousand Suns Hall, Bliss was granted this special opportunity.


    So, it was no surprise that Bliss treated Daniel with warmth.


    The conversation eventually turned to the unicorn-bloodline girl.


    "Her name is Fiona."


    Bliss said.


    "I''ve met her before¡ªshe''s extremely cold."


    "And she has a terrible temper. If you run into her, it''s best to keep your distance."


    Bliss assumed that Daniel might be interested in Fiona.


    So he was giving him a friendly warning.


    But Daniel had no such thoughts.


    He simply wanted to see if his Mark still had any effect.


    Entering the Secret Realm


    The entrance to the Secret Realm was deep within the rear mountain.


    The area was heavily protected by magic arrays and powerful elders.


    After passing through several layers of security, they arrived at the gateway.


    "Finally."


    Bliss exhaled deeply.


    This was a place he had dreamed of visiting for years.


    Now, he had finally earned the chance.


    But Daniel''s expression showed confusion.


    Because from this Secret Realm¡ª


    He could sense a familiar yet unexpected power¡ª


    Faith Energy.


    This was a power that once existed in the God Realm¡ª


    But had mostly disappeared over time.


    Faith Energy was useful in certain cases¡ª


    But it had too many drawbacks.


    Because of this, it never became mainstream.


    So why¡­


    Did Thousand Suns Hall have a Secret Realm filled with Faith Energy?


    This was extremely intriguing.


    After a brief pause, the two entered.


    Inside the Secret Realm


    The moment Daniel stepped inside¡ª


    He immediately felt it.


    Faith Energy was thick in the air.


    And all of it seemed to be flowing from a single source.


    "I see¡­"


    Daniel now understood¡ª


    The artifact that Holt mentioned¡ª


    Was likely related to Faith Energy.


    "Perhaps the artifact is actually a giant Faith Energy reservoir?"


    Choosing a Direction


    "Daniel, which direction should we go?"


    Bliss asked.


    "This Secret Realm has no central area. Any direction will have opportunities. Unless we''re searching for the artifact, it doesn''t really matter."


    Over the years, no one had ever found the artifact.


    So most people just focused on other resources.


    Daniel glanced around, then pointed¡ª


    "Let''s head southwest."


    Why?


    Because the Faith Energy was flowing from that direction.


    Bliss nodded, following Daniel''s lead.


    Treasure Hunting


    They moved slowly, as the Secret Realm was filled with resources.


    Just as Holt had said¡ª


    There were many treasures scattered around.


    Most of them were training materials, but they were still valuable.


    Bliss''s smile never faded as he collected anything useful.


    Then¡ª


    A special energy fluctuation caught Bliss''s attention.


    The two landed from the sky.


    Before them stood a tree, about three meters tall.


    Its branches were covered in glowing fruits.


    Bliss''s eyes widened in shock¡ª


    "This is¡­ a Wish Fruit!!"


    His expression turned ecstatic.


    "These only grow inside the Secret Realm!"

 Chapter406-The Location of the Divine Artifact

    Inside the wish fruit, there wasn''t just an immense amount of mana.


    At the same time, it possessed one of the most powerful effects¡ª


    When consuming the wish fruit, one could make a wish in their heart.


    That wish would come true at some point in the future.


    Of course, the wish couldn''t be too outrageous,


    Beyond what the wish fruit itself could achieve.


    Additionally, the wish would only take effect within the secret realm.


    Once outside, it would have no effect whatsoever.


    "Daniel, we''re unbelievably lucky! We actually found a wish fruit here! You know, some people stay in the secret realm for a long time and never come across one!"


    At this moment, Bliss was completely overjoyed.


    "Then let''s stay here for a few days,"


    Daniel said.


    So, the two of them gathered some ripe wish fruits


    And immediately consumed them under the tree.


    Daniel had little ambition for this thing.


    After all...


    The wish he wanted to make was far too grand¡­


    Let alone something like a wish fruit¡­


    So from the beginning, he scoffed at the so-called wish-granting function of this fruit. Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    To Daniel, it was nothing more than a mana supplement.


    Thus, he casually ate more than a dozen in one go.


    Before long, the mana contained within the wish fruits was completely absorbed by him.


    Daniel''s aura became slightly stronger.


    At the same time, he sensed that a different kind of special energy had appeared within him.


    Extracting it, he could feel that this energy seemed to be drawn towards something in the southwest.


    Daniel quickly realized something¡ª


    This wish fruit was likely connected to the divine artifact.


    If one wanted to rely on this thing to grant wishes...


    They were better off working hard themselves.


    Fortunately, he had never placed much hope in the wish fruit from the beginning.


    About five days later, a powerful surge of energy erupted from Bliss.


    After consuming ten wish fruits, he had finally finished digesting their power,


    Converting it into his own strength.


    "Daniel, I didn''t expect you to break through a small rank as well! Looks like you''re not far from Master Rank now."


    "Same goes for you, Bliss. By the way, what wish did you make?"


    Daniel asked casually.


    Just trying to comfort him.


    Because the wish fruit...


    Honestly, wasn''t that effective at granting wishes.


    "Well¡­ me? Of course, I wished for more training resources. I''m a bit slow, after all. If I had more resources, I could become stronger faster."


    Bliss stammered as he spoke.


    At this level¡­


    Daniel didn''t even need to guess to know he was lying.


    But since Bliss didn''t want to talk about it, Daniel had no intention of pressing further.


    "Then I wish you all the best," he said.


    With that, the two continued flying southwest.


    Suddenly, Bliss spoke up:


    "Daniel, I''m getting a stronger and stronger feeling that this direction is absolutely right! And I have a feeling¡­ my wish is in this direction too!"


    ¡­So what exactly did you wish for?


    Days passed, and Daniel and Bliss continued moving southwest.


    Along the way, they encountered many resources.


    But they never found anything like the wish fruit again.


    "What a shame¡­ we should have stayed a bit longer."


    "Why? Did you make the wrong wish? Regretting it now?"


    Daniel glanced at Bliss.


    "Not really¡­ it''s just¡­ how do I put it? Daniel, you''re trying to trick me into revealing it again! But don''t worry, I won''t say a word!"


    "After all, if I say it out loud, it won''t come true."


    Bliss declared firmly.


    During their time traveling together, the two had grown much closer.


    Along the way, Daniel had made several attempts to pry into Bliss''s wish.


    But Bliss remained tight-lipped.


    Just as Bliss finished speaking, he noticed that Daniel had stopped moving.


    "Daniel, even if you stop walking, I won''t tell you!"


    "No, what I mean is¡­ I think we''ve arrived somewhere extraordinary."


    "What?"


    Bliss turned his head, following Daniel''s gaze.


    In Bliss''s view, a white waterfall cascaded down from the sky.


    "What is this place?"


    Bliss asked in confusion.


    It looked like a naturally formed landscape, awe-inspiring and breathtaking.


    But in the secret realm¡­


    Such natural wonders were extremely rare!


    Or rather, this was the first time he had ever seen anything like it.


    "I don''t know. Let''s go check it out."


    Daniel said as he flew toward it.


    Following the stone steps beside the waterfall, the two climbed step by step.


    Eventually, they passed through a thick layer of clouds¡­


    And reached the top.


    Here¡ª


    It was more like a vast plain.


    And they soon noticed¡­


    There were traces of human activity here.


    "Are there other disciples in this place?"


    Bliss was momentarily stunned before realizing it,


    A look of excitement appearing in his eyes.


    "Let''s head forward and take a look,"


    Daniel said.


    Because he could feel it¡ª


    The divine artifact was at the very center of this plain.


    The two moved forward.


    Not long after, they reached their destination.


    Sure enough, more than a dozen figures stood in front of them.


    "Bliss? What are you doing here?"


    At that moment, a core disciple in purple robes noticed the new arrivals and approached.


    "You actually have the qualifications to enter the secret realm?"


    "What''s it to you, Watson? Mind your own business!"


    "Bliss, I''d advise you to be smart and stay far away from here.


    Otherwise, you might run into danger."


    Watson said with ill intent.


    "I''ve never heard of the secret realm belonging to just one person!"


    Bliss retorted and walked straight ahead.


    Daniel followed behind.


    "Who is that guy?"


    "Another elder''s disciple. I don''t get along with him."


    "He''s obviously trying to provoke you into coming here.


    That means there''s definitely danger ahead."


    Daniel glanced at Bliss and said.


    "It should be fine. There are so many people here..."


    As they spoke, they kept moving forward.


    Daniel could sense it¡ª


    The divine artifact was incredibly close now¡­


    Right up ahead¡­


    Wait? Below?


    Daniel looked down.


    What was once a plain now seemed to have cracked open,


    Revealing a deep gorge beneath them.


    "Oh right, I forgot to mention¡­"


    "Godfrey is down there.


    If you''re looking to suffer,


    You should definitely go down."


    At that moment, Watson''s voice came again.


    Bliss heard the name and kept walking forward.


    "Wait, who is this Godfrey?"


    Daniel asked, puzzled.


    "He''s an extremely powerful senior disciple.


    Very domineering.


    If he sets his sights on something,


    He will never let it go¡ª


    And will attack any competitors without hesitation."


    Bliss explained to Daniel.


    If not for the special circumstances,


    Bliss would have never wanted to run into him.


    "I see¡­ don''t worry,


    If things get dangerous, I''ll protect you."


    Daniel said beside Bliss.


    Hearing this, Bliss forced a bitter smile.


    Protect him¡­


    In reality, Daniel just needed to run away.


    He, on the other hand,


    Would inevitably get beaten up¡­


    ¡­


    "Watson, why did you warn them about Godfrey?"


    "Hah, you don''t get it!


    Godfrey may be overbearing,


    But he doesn''t kill people¡ª


    At most, he gives a little punishment. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But this time, it''s different..."


    "There''s someone inside who really will kill."


    Watson smirked.


    "If that fool Bliss gets provoked and walks in¡­


    Then his fate will be sealed!"


    "Hahaha..."

 Chapter407-Killing Intent

    "Daniel, you should stay here. I''ll go in and take a look myself."


    Bliss looked at Daniel as he spoke.


    At this point, they had almost reached a halfway point down the mountainside.


    A little further, and they would be able to see the very bottom of the gorge.


    "If we really run into Godfrey, at most, I''ll get beaten up. There shouldn''t be any major issues."


    Bliss didn''t want to drag Daniel into trouble because of his own choices.


    After all, entering this place had been his own decision.


    It had nothing to do with Daniel.


    So Bliss felt¡­


    He couldn''t burden Daniel.


    Whatever happened, he would handle it himself.


    "In reality, that guy was clearly provoking you on purpose,"


    Daniel said as he looked at Bliss.


    It was obvious that Watson had deliberately goaded Bliss into coming here.


    Even Daniel could see that at a glance.


    Watson had been intentionally pushing Bliss into this trap.


    And Bliss¡­ didn''t seem to have any second thoughts about it. He just walked straight into it.


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Bliss smiled and replied,


    "Daniel, honestly, I knew from the beginning that he was provoking me, trying to lure me in here. It''s just that¡­"


    Bliss hesitated for a moment before continuing,


    "When I ate the wish fruit, the wish I made actually came true here.


    So I have no choice but to come here.


    But Daniel, there''s no reason for you to go down with me."


    Hearing this, Daniel immediately understood.


    Bliss had come down willingly¡ªbecause of another reason.


    Which meant¡­


    His wish, the one he had refused to reveal, was connected to this?


    Realizing this, Daniel had nothing more to say.


    Just then, Watson''s voice came from above:


    "Bliss, why did you stop? Are you scared?


    It''s fine, you still have time to turn back. It''s not embarrassing."


    "As if I''d be afraid!"


    Bliss shot back and continued walking downward.


    At that moment, just as Daniel was about to say something,


    he suddenly sensed an incredibly sharp killing intent.


    Reacting instantly, he grabbed Bliss and yanked him backward.


    Pulling him away from where he had been standing.


    The moment Daniel completed that action¡ª


    A loud explosion erupted in the spot where Bliss had just stood.


    Yes!


    Just now, an attack had struck right where Bliss had been.


    Such an attack¡­


    Proved that the assailant had no intention of holding back.


    They had aimed to kill Bliss directly!


    If Daniel hadn''t intervened, Bliss would have likely suffered severe injuries,


    leaving him vulnerable to a finishing blow.


    Bliss broke out in cold sweat.


    He had never expected that the senior disciple would actually try to kill him outright.


    That strike just now¡­


    If he had been unprepared, he would have died on the spot.


    Seeing this attack, Daniel was equally puzzled.


    They were all fellow disciples¡ª


    How could someone go straight for the kill like that?


    Wasn''t it a rule of Thousand Suns Hall that disciples were forbidden from killing each other?


    Just then, a figure suddenly approached.


    A woman with a frosty expression,


    her cold gaze locked onto Bliss.


    "You still dare to come in here?


    Are you challenging my patience?


    Do you really think¡­


    I wouldn''t kill you?"


    Her icy words made Bliss snap to attention.


    "Oh no!"


    "She''s here too!"


    Bliss muttered under his breath.


    The moment Daniel saw the woman,


    he knew she wasn''t Godfrey.


    No way a senior brother would look like this!


    "So¡­ who is she?"


    Seeing Bliss''s reaction, it was clear he knew her.


    So Daniel asked directly.


    "She''s the woman with the unicorn bloodline!


    She only recently joined Thousand Suns Hall."


    Not only that¡­


    She had only entered the secret realm not long ago.


    Yet she had already made it here.


    Her name was Freya.


    Bliss continued explaining,


    "They say she grew up in some special organization,


    so she has a natural hostility in her personality."


    "Especially when she fights¡ªshe''s absolutely ruthless."


    Bliss sighed as he spoke. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn''t expected Freya to be here.


    Hearing Bliss''s introduction, Daniel quickly pieced things together.


    So that was it¡­


    Watson had deliberately provoked Bliss because he knew Freya was here.


    And judging from Freya''s tone,


    someone had likely entered before and had already been warned.


    Daniel glanced back at Watson.


    It was probably them.


    Which meant this time, Freya wasn''t bothering with warnings anymore¡ª


    She was attacking directly.


    "Freya, I warned them not to enter,


    but they just wouldn''t listen."


    Watson called out from above.


    Freya merely cast him a cold glance.


    Hearing Watson''s words,


    she more or less figured out the situation.


    The necessary punishment had already been delivered.


    If these two still insisted on moving forward,


    then she would not hesitate.


    But for now, she had another target to deal with first¡­


    In the next instant,


    an attack suddenly landed on Watson''s chest.


    Although Watson had been prepared,


    he was still sent flying backward dozens of meters,


    spitting blood as his face turned pale.


    Clearly, he had anticipated that Freya''s attacks were near-instantaneous.


    So he had been on guard.


    But this time¡­


    Freya''s attack was much stronger than before.


    As a result, Watson suffered serious injuries.


    That strike¡ª


    was a warning.


    Next time, it would be death.


    Watson''s petty tricks didn''t fool her at all.


    And to Freya, such schemes were nothing more than an annoying buzz¡ª


    Like a mosquito constantly droning near her ear.


    But she had no patience for such things.


    So she went straight for the kill.


    If Watson hadn''t been prepared,


    he would have died on the spot.


    After that, Freya turned away,


    ready to return to her previous spot.


    But suddenly, she paused¡ª


    As if remembering something.


    "I already said,


    anyone who comes down here¡ª


    dies."


    As she spoke,


    her eyes, filled with killing intent, locked onto Bliss.


    Bliss took two steps back,


    his entire body breaking out in cold sweat.


    But just then, Daniel stepped forward.


    Positioning himself between the two of them,


    he spoke:


    "I think that''s enough."


    The moment Daniel finished speaking,


    all the killing intent directed at Bliss vanished completely.


    Freya turned her gaze to Daniel,


    her brows furrowing.


    Until now,


    she hadn''t paid any attention to him.


    But suddenly¡ª


    She realized something strange.


    This guy¡­


    Had just erased all of her killing intent?


    Who exactly was he?


    Freya''s killing intent locked onto Daniel.


    But¡­


    Daniel remained utterly unfazed.


    Not the slightest ripple in his expression.


    "Who are you?"


    Freya asked coldly.


    "Me? I''m about the same as you.


    I was chosen by Thousand Suns Hall during the Enlightenment Competition and brought here."


    Hearing Daniel''s answer,


    Freya was briefly stunned.


    Then she realized¡ª


    She couldn''t quite gauge his strength.


    Freya then said,


    "Step aside.


    This has nothing to do with you."


    "Killing intent isn''t necessary.


    We''re all fellow disciples."


    Daniel said calmly.


    "Fellow disciples?


    Do they deserve that title?" Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Alright, how about this¡ª


    Listen to me,


    just shake hands and make peace."


    As Daniel spoke,


    he secretly activated a soul imprint.


    Freya scoffed.


    As if she''d shake hands with him.


    Who did he think he was?


    Did he really believe he had the right to negotiate with her?


    But just as she was about to say those words¡ª


    She suddenly realized something.


    At some point¡­


    She had already extended her right hand.

 Chapter408-Unicorn Bloodline

    And yet¡­ she had just completed a handshake with Daniel?!!


    This was something Freya could never have imagined.


    She hadn''t even realized it, and then¡ª


    Just like that, it was already done?


    "How could this be¡­"


    Freya was genuinely shocked.


    She had no idea why she had done such a thing.


    Before her consciousness even registered it,


    her body had already completed the motion.


    After the handshake,


    Daniel couldn''t help but sigh in admiration.


    The mark left behind by the God Emperor was indeed useful!


    Even after thousands of years, it was still just as effective.


    "Get lost!"


    Freya roared in fury, quickly retreating.


    Just now, she hadn''t even understood what had happened.


    And before she knew it, their hands had already met.


    Freya swiftly backed away,


    thinking that Daniel might have used some kind of magic on her.


    But¡­


    Freya was well aware that her body showed no signs of being under an illusion spell.


    So then¡­


    How exactly had he done it?


    "What did you just do?"


    Freya glared at Daniel and questioned him.


    Until she figured out what his trick was,


    she had to keep a safe distance from him.


    "Obviously, we just shook hands and made peace.


    What else?"


    Daniel said nonchalantly.


    "Stop spouting nonsense¡­ If you won''t tell me¡­


    then just die!"


    Freya shouted,


    unleashing her full power.


    Even though she hadn''t figured out what he had done,


    it didn''t matter¡ª


    as long as she killed him,


    then whatever influence he had over her would be erased completely.


    The ability to affect someone so subtly,


    without leaving any trace or warning¡ª


    was something she had never encountered before.


    In an instant, Freya''s aura erupted,


    and a faint, divine beast-like cry echoed in the air.


    This time,


    Freya had even activated the power of her unicorn bloodline.


    For a brief moment, S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    everyone could see the silhouette of a divine beast unicorn


    standing behind her.


    "I suggest you think this through,"


    Daniel said calmly,


    his expression remaining composed.


    "I am a descendant of a divine beast¡­


    Now die!"


    With Freya''s furious roar,


    a unicorn suddenly emerged from the void¡ª


    charging straight at Daniel!


    "Get out of the way!"


    Seeing this, Bliss immediately felt the sheer force of the charging unicorn.


    Without hesitation, he tried to pull Daniel away.


    Even though¡­


    he knew he might not be fast enough to escape it.


    Even Watson,


    who was heavily injured and trying to heal himself above,


    was stunned when he saw this scene.


    He hadn''t expected Freya to be so hot-tempered,


    using her bloodline power so recklessly.


    Even for someone with a pure unicorn bloodline,


    using this ability would surely have a significant cost, right?


    For her to use such power on that unknown disciple¡­


    It meant that he must have seriously offended her?


    And Watson knew one thing for certain¡ª


    Freya wouldn''t use the unicorn bloodline just for the sake of dealing with Daniel alone.


    It wasn''t worth it.


    Which meant¡­


    after that unicorn killed Daniel,


    who would be next?


    Bliss?


    And after that,


    would it be him, still healing up here?


    Thinking of this,


    a chill ran down Watson''s spine.


    He suddenly wanted to run.


    But the problem was¡­


    he was too injured to escape in time.


    Now, all he could do was hope for one thing¡ª


    that the unknown disciple could last a little longer!


    As soon as Bliss finished speaking and tried to pull Daniel away,


    the unicorn had already arrived in front of Daniel.


    It opened its massive maw,


    about to swallow Daniel whole.


    And then¡ª


    It suddenly stopped moving.


    The next moment,


    Bliss witnessed a scene so shocking that he couldn''t believe his eyes.


    The unicorn,


    which Freya had summoned through her bloodline power,


    which was meant to kill Daniel in a single bite¡ª


    Had instead¡­


    Dropped to the ground like a tamed dog,


    crouching beside Daniel.


    It even stuck out its tongue!!!


    Yes, Bliss rubbed his eyes instinctively.


    He wasn''t hallucinating.


    The unicorn was actually wagging its tail!


    Bliss was utterly in disbelief.


    Was this really a unicorn?


    Or just a pet dog wearing a unicorn''s skin?


    Meanwhile, Daniel simply reached out and patted the unicorn''s head.


    Then,


    he pulled out some nuts from his storage crystal.


    These were snacks he had prepared for himself.


    Holding one up, he said to the unicorn,


    "Listen up,


    this stuff costs one billion divine crystals per piece.


    I''ll put it on your tab,


    and you can have your patriarch pay for it later."


    Saying that,


    he casually tossed the nut into the unicorn''s mouth.


    At that moment,


    the entire valley fell into a bizarre silence.


    Because no one¡ª


    absolutely no one¡ª


    had expected this.


    A moment ago,


    the unicorn had been radiating murderous intent.


    Now,


    it was acting like an obedient pet dog.


    For the love of all divine beasts¡ª


    this was supposed to be a unicorn!


    A divine beast unicorn!


    Could it stop embarrassing itself?!


    No one had predicted this turn of events.


    Even if this unicorn was merely a manifestation of bloodline power,


    this level of obedience was simply absurd.


    It was behaving just like a loyal dog¡­


    "Why?!!"


    Freya refused to believe it.


    She had used her bloodline power many times before.


    And in the past,


    her summoned unicorn had been powerful enough to help her defeat enemies stronger than herself.


    That was why Freya had so much confidence in her bloodline power.


    No matter what abilities her opponent had,


    Freya could always rely on her one trump card.


    Yet never¡ª


    not once¡ª


    had she ever imagined her summoned unicorn acting like this.


    For the first time,


    she doubted herself.


    Had she really used her bloodline power?


    Or¡­ was all of this just some illusion?


    Was she trapped in some kind of magic?


    At that moment,


    Daniel casually patted the unicorn''s head and said,


    "Alright, stop eating!


    If you keep eating, what am I supposed to eat?"


    The unicorn seemed to understand his words.


    It stood up,


    then lowered itself slightly¡ª


    gesturing for Daniel to climb on.


    Seeing this,


    Daniel naturally wouldn''t refuse.


    Having such a self-aware mount was a rare opportunity.


    So, he climbed onto its back.


    Freya, meanwhile, was on the verge of exploding.


    Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Yes, the unicorn was a manifestation of her bloodline power.


    But in essence,


    it was still a part of her.


    The fact that it was now completely submissive to someone else¡ª


    was an indescribable humiliation!


    Freya immediately tried to recall her summoned unicorn,


    using her bloodline power to dismiss it.


    But¡­


    It didn''t work.


    No matter what she did,


    she couldn''t dissolve the summoned unicorn.


    Daniel noticed her struggle and glanced at her lightly.


    And in that instant,


    Freya''s entire being trembled.


    For a brief moment,


    as Daniel''s gaze met hers,


    she felt an overwhelming urge to submit.


    This¡­


    This was something she had never experienced before.


    "Let''s go check down below!"


    Daniel said to the unicorn.


    There might be something interesting down there.


    And as for Freya''s unicorn bloodline¡ª


    Daniel was quite intrigued.


    Perhaps from her,


    he could learn more about the fate of the divine beast clans.


    "Oh right, Bliss, you''re coming too."


    Daniel turned to Bliss.


    Bliss, still in shock from everything that had just happened,


    took a moment to process Daniel''s words before finally snapping out of it.

 Chapter409-Theres Nothing Here at All!

    "Come on, experience what it''s like to ride a divine beast."


    Daniel patted the unicorn beneath him as he spoke.


    Bliss had a strange expression on his face and replied,


    "I think I''ll pass¡­ I''d rather just walk."


    Daniel didn''t insist on convincing him.


    And so, the two of them entered the valley in their own ways.


    Freya followed behind them, her expression still odd.


    At this moment, she had even forgotten about Watson,


    who was still recuperating above.


    Once the others had disappeared below,


    Watson quickly resumed healing himself.


    At the same time, he curiously asked the other disciples,


    "Who was that guy down there?"


    "No idea, Watson. He looks unfamiliar."


    "He probably came with Bliss¡­ Could he be Elder Holt''s disciple?"


    "That''s possible. Looks like Elder Holt''s lineage has produced another incredible figure!"


    "..."


    Hearing the discussion around him,


    Watson''s face darkened.


    He never expected Bliss to bring such a monstrous talent along¡­


    Even Freya wasn''t his match!


    Maybe it was best to lay low for now!


    Although those people hadn''t attacked him earlier,


    who knew what would happen once everything here was settled?


    If that mysterious disciple really was Bliss''s junior¡­


    Then Watson was in serious trouble!


    Realizing this, Watson wasted no time


    and hurried toward the exit of the secret realm,


    hoping to escape as quickly as possible.


    Down in the valley, the scene was quite different.


    From above, they had been unable to see what lay below,


    as if some kind of barrier had obscured the view.


    But now that they were here,


    they realized this place wasn''t so bad.


    Flowers bloomed everywhere,


    and at the very center lay a shimmering lake.


    Daniel could sense an incredibly dense energy of faith.


    "What exactly are you doing here?"


    Daniel asked Freya.


    After entering the valley,


    he had dismissed the unicorn.


    Freya''s expression darkened,


    but she chose not to answer.


    "Are you hoping to experience my previous technique again?"


    Freya''s face grew even more tense.


    "Who exactly are you?


    Why¡­ why did that happen to me?"


    "Don''t answer a question with a question,"


    Daniel replied calmly.


    Under his piercing gaze,


    Freya''s aura weakened slightly.


    Then she finally spoke:


    "I found traces of the divine artifact here,


    so I''ve been searching for it."


    She then explained what had happened since she arrived.


    Shortly after entering the secret realm,


    she had encountered Godfrey,


    the direct disciple of Thousand Suns Hall''s Lord¡ªthe one Bliss had mentioned.


    Both of them had aggressive tempers.


    So, naturally, they had started fighting the moment they met.


    However, they were evenly matched.


    Neither could gain the upper hand.


    Then, during their battle,


    the ground beneath them cracked open,


    revealing an unusual energy.


    They both realized


    this must be where the divine artifact was hidden.


    So, they stopped fighting and came to investigate.


    According to Freya''s theory,


    the artifact was likely at the bottom of the lake.


    But the lake''s surface was covered by a highly intricate magic array.


    Without breaking through the array,


    it was impossible to retrieve the artifact.


    To prevent others from interfering,


    Freya and Godfrey had made an agreement¡ª


    They would stop anyone else from entering.


    That was why Freya had attacked Bliss


    when he was about to step in.


    "We shouldn''t waste any more time here.


    Right now, Godfrey is still working on breaking the magic array.


    If he succeeds before us¡ª"


    Freya tried to emphasize how important the divine artifact was.


    But Daniel, unfazed, simply replied,


    "Oh."


    Then, he asked,


    "Your unicorn bloodline¡­


    Is it inherited from your ancestors?"


    Daniel had no real interest in the so-called divine artifact.


    After all, he had fed Supreme Artifacts to Big White countless times.


    To him,


    artifacts were far less intriguing


    than Freya''s unicorn bloodline.


    Hearing Daniel bring up bloodlines again,


    Freya''s expression darkened even further.


    If she weren''t completely outmatched,


    she would have attacked him already.


    "No!"


    Freya snapped.


    "Your ancestors didn''t pass it down?


    Then where did your bloodline come from?"


    Freya didn''t like discussing this topic.


    If anyone other than Daniel had asked,


    she would have already fought them.


    "My ancestors had no such bloodline."


    "I was raised by my mother alone.


    As for where my bloodline comes from¡­


    If you''re curious,


    go find the bastard who abandoned my mother and me."


    Her voice was cold and detached.


    Hearing this,


    Daniel immediately understood.


    Freya''s unicorn bloodline must have come from her father.


    A father who had abandoned his wife and daughter.


    As for finding him¡­


    A man who could abandon his family wouldn''t be easy to track down.


    At that moment,


    a figure approached.


    "Freya,


    why are you taking so long?


    Godfrey is almost at the bottom of the lake!"


    A woman emerged from the water,


    calling out to Freya.


    But upon seeing three unfamiliar figures,


    she froze. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Dana?! You''re here too?"


    For the first time,


    Bliss spoke up¡ª


    his tone filled with unmistakable joy.


    At that moment,


    Daniel finally realized Bliss''s wish.


    So that''s what it was.


    Bliss, who looked so serious and righteous¡­


    turned out to be this kind of person!


    He had actually used the wish fruit


    to chase after a girl!


    Now Daniel was curious¡ª


    if Bliss hadn''t been able to enter the secret realm,


    what would he have done?


    Judging by Bliss''s expression,


    it was clear¡ª


    he had been secretly in love with Dana for a long time.


    After a brief conversation,


    Daniel understood the situation.


    Dana was similar to Bliss.


    She had performed well in the Enlightenment Competition


    and used the opportunity to enter the secret realm.


    Before Freya had left,


    she had asked Dana to guard the magic array.


    Now, seeing that Godfrey was nearly at the lake bottom,


    Dana had come to check on Freya.


    "Do you have any more questions?


    I don''t want to miss this opportunity,"


    Freya asked impatiently.


    She knew that


    without Daniel''s permission,


    she wouldn''t even be able to approach the lake. Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    "Go ahead."


    Daniel replied indifferently.


    Hearing this,


    Freya sighed in relief


    and immediately dove into the lake.


    Dana was about to follow when Bliss called out,


    "Dana, are you really going down too?"


    "I mean¡­


    For people like us,


    this kind of opportunity is far too unrealistic.


    Maybe we should just wait here for the results."


    Bliss suggested.


    "No,


    our teacher instructed me to stay by my senior sister''s side


    and ensure her safety."


    Though Freya showed little respect for Dana,


    Dana still wanted to fulfill her duty.


    Just as Dana was about to enter the lake,


    Daniel suddenly spoke:


    "Relax.


    Freya will be fine.


    Because at the bottom of this lake¡­


    There''s nothing there at all."

 Chapter410-Journey to Blue Jade Guild

    Daniel had noticed something the moment they entered this place.


    There was indeed a magic array within the lake.


    And at the bottom of the lake, there was an immense amount of faith energy.


    But the source of that energy¡­


    wasn''t at the bottom of the lake at all.


    Instead, it was similar to the arrangement Daniel had once set up at Crossbridge Academy.


    The so-called divine artifact wasn''t hidden in the lake bottom like Freya and the others believed.


    Rather, it was placed elsewhere.


    A magic array was being used to conceal the artifact''s true location.


    Meanwhile, another array with a transfer function was channeling the faith energy from the artifact into the lake.


    It was the same method Daniel had once used at Crossbridge Academy''s lake.


    At first, he had wanted to tell Freya about it.


    But she¡­


    didn''t seem interested.


    So he decided not to bother.


    Since she was so determined to search the lake bottom herself,


    he might as well let her.


    Now, after Daniel had spoken,


    both Dana and Bliss turned to him with puzzled expressions.


    They didn''t understand how Daniel could be so certain.


    "The real location is here. Follow me."


    As Daniel spoke,


    a small portal suddenly appeared before him.


    Without hesitation, he stepped through.


    Bliss thought for a moment, Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    then followed.


    Dana hesitated, glancing at the lake,


    but soon decided to go as well.


    After stepping through the portal,


    the three of them found themselves in a relatively small space.


    At its center stood a cauldron.


    The faith energy was overflowing from within it,


    before being absorbed by the surrounding magic array and transported elsewhere¡ª


    likely into the lake.


    Seeing this,


    it became clear to everyone¡ª


    this cauldron was the real divine artifact!


    "It''s¡­ really here?!!"


    Bliss exclaimed in disbelief.


    Looking at the cauldron,


    Daniel felt an odd sense of familiarity.


    As if he had seen it somewhere before.


    Then suddenly¡ª


    he remembered.


    Back in Crossbridge World,


    he and Nina had once traveled north of Riverside City to a small town¡­


    Blackwater Town.


    Later, it had become Blackwater City.


    To commemorate Rose and others,


    the people there had built statues¡­


    And an incense burner cauldron.


    It looked almost identical to this one.


    The more Daniel stared at the cauldron, the more familiar it seemed.


    He was almost certain¡ª


    if this wasn''t the exact same one,


    then it must be deeply connected.


    Or rather¡­


    Was this a replica?


    That possibility made sense.


    Since Rose and the others had now reached the rank of Supreme Guardians,


    if this cauldron was truly used for their offerings,


    then by now, it should have become a Supreme Artifact.


    Yet this one¡­ wasn''t quite at that level.


    So, this was likely just a copy.


    But if Blue Jade Guild had a replica of this cauldron¡­


    Did that mean Blue Jade Guild was connected to Rose and Crossbridge World?


    Previously, Blue Jade Guild had also produced a replica of Rose''s sword scar.


    So¡­


    who had founded Blue Jade Guild?


    Someone with ties to Crossbridge World?


    "Daniel, aren''t you going to cultivate?"


    Bliss asked, noticing that Daniel had been staring blankly at the cauldron.


    This place was perfect for training!


    Daniel glanced at Bliss and Dana, S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    then said,


    "I will.


    But my training habits are a bit unique.


    Just don''t disturb me."


    With that, Daniel set up a simple magic array around himself,


    blocking out sound and visibility.


    However, instead of staying here,


    Daniel spent his time exploring the secret realm,


    gathering resources.


    He also absorbed all the mana crystals that had formed in the lake,


    converting them into his own power.


    A month passed in this way.


    The time to leave the secret realm was approaching.


    Daniel returned to the valley.


    There were clear signs of battle¡ª


    likely between Freya and Godfrey.


    They had probably fought after realizing there was nothing at the bottom of the lake.


    Daniel entered the chamber where the cauldron was kept.


    Dana and Bliss were still cultivating.


    And during this time,


    their relationship had clearly deepened.


    "Bliss, it''s time to leave."


    Daniel said.


    Bliss immediately opened his eyes,


    gratefully looking at Daniel.


    "Alright, I understand."


    With that, the three of them left the secret realm.


    Elder Holt was already waiting outside.


    When he saw Bliss standing beside Dana,


    a knowing smile crossed his face.


    Then he turned to Daniel and said,


    "In two days, we''ll set off for Blue Jade Guild. Are you prepared¡ª"


    But mid-sentence,


    Holt suddenly noticed something.


    Daniel¡­


    had already broken through to Master Rank!


    "You¡­ You''ve reached Master Rank?"


    "Yeah. I got lucky and found that divine artifact,


    so I broke through."


    Holt didn''t question it further.


    After all, the secret realm was filled with different opportunities.


    "Good. Now that you''ve reached Master Rank,


    you''ll have more protection.


    When the time comes,


    someone will escort you and Freya to Blue Jade Guild."


    Daniel nodded.


    He was very interested in Blue Jade Guild.


    A mere sword scar was one thing.


    But this cauldron¡­


    If it had no connection to Riverside City,


    Daniel simply wouldn''t believe it!


    "By the way,


    did you meet Freya in the secret realm?


    The girl with the unicorn bloodline?"


    "Yeah.


    She''s quick to attack."


    Daniel replied.


    "Yes, because of her upbringing,


    she''s prone to violence.


    If you must interact with her later,


    try to keep your distance."


    Holt advised him seriously.


    But as he finished speaking,


    he noticed something strange¡ª


    Bliss was looking at him with an odd expression.


    As if Holt had said something completely wrong.


    Bliss wanted to tell him what had happened inside the secret realm¡­


    But¡­


    it was simply too unbelievable.


    If he hadn''t seen it himself,


    even he wouldn''t have believed it.


    However¡­


    Watson and others had witnessed it too.


    Perhaps if they spoke about it,


    his teacher might believe it more easily.


    Holt, however, ignored Bliss''s strange look.


    After giving them a few more instructions,


    they parted ways.


    Since Holt wasn''t Daniel''s direct teacher,


    their connection was limited.


    Two days later,


    a massive airship landed at Thousand Suns Hall.


    Daniel was summoned¡ª


    it was time to leave for Blue Jade Guild.


    Standing aboard the airship,


    watching Thousand Suns Hall shrink beneath him,


    Daniel felt a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    Not long ago,


    he had watched Greenstone City shrink the same way.


    "Daniel,


    this is a gift from Bliss."


    Dana approached, handing him an item.


    It was a token of gratitude¡ª


    for Daniel looking after Bliss in the secret realm.


    Without Daniel,


    Bliss would have died at Freya''s hands.


    Not to mention¡­


    his relationship with Dana had taken a huge step forward.


    Dana was on the airship because of her teacher.


    Her mentor was the one leading the group to Blue Jade Guild.


    So, she too would be making the journey.

 Chapter411-The Elders Advice

    Daniel glanced at the items¡ªaside from a couple of Wish Fruits, there were also some insights on artifact forging.


    It seemed that Bliss had learned that he had joined the Forging Hall, though he hadn''t spent much time there yet.


    So Bliss had sent him a set of forging insights.


    Although such knowledge wasn''t particularly useful to Daniel, he still gratefully accepted the gift.


    Then, Daniel looked around the entire airship and noticed something¡ª


    Aside from himself and Dana, there was no one else on deck.


    "Where is everyone?"


    "They should be in their rooms, cultivating," Dana answered.


    Since the airship would be landing soon, marking the start of the Blue Jade Guild examination,


    No one had much time left to prepare.


    At this moment, every second counted.


    For this selection, Thousand Suns Hall had only chosen ten people.


    Aside from Daniel and Freya, the others were top Enlightenment Competition participants from various cities.


    In such a scenario, competition would only grow fiercer.


    Or rather, among all the participants, only someone like Daniel could still be relaxing on deck, enjoying the scenery.


    "Is Freya in seclusion too?"


    Daniel asked curiously.


    After all, Freya possessed Unicorn Bloodline.


    Under normal circumstances, she shouldn''t have any issues even against higher-ranked individuals.


    Unless, of course, she encountered Daniel.


    Otherwise, there wouldn''t be any problems.


    "Freya should be with our teacher right now. She''s been working on further refining her abilities these past two days."


    Just as Dana finished speaking, she suddenly paused, then continued:


    "Just now, our teacher sent a message¡ªshe wants you to come over as well."


    "Alright, let''s go."


    According to Dana, could it be that her teacher wanted to give Daniel special guidance as well?


    With that thought, the two headed toward their destination.


    Moments later, they arrived at a private chamber.


    "Teacher!"


    "Elder."


    Dana and Daniel entered together.


    Freya instinctively looked over.


    The moment she saw Daniel, she immediately turned away, refusing to look at him even for a second.


    The Elder was a woman.


    "I''ve heard from Elder Holt that you have exceptional talent."


    "It''s alright," Daniel responded.


    "In just a few months, you''ve already broken through two or three major ranks. If that counts as just ''alright,'' then I suppose there''s no such thing as a genius."


    The Elder''s voice was gentle.


    "For this Blue Jade Guild examination, we represent Thousand Suns Hall. While it''s highly likely that you and Freya will pass, the better you perform, the more attention you will attract."


    "And the more attention you receive, the more resources Thousand Suns Hall will be able to claim."


    "So, I hope you will give it your all in this examination."


    "During this period, if you need anything, come to me. I will provide any assistance necessary."


    Her words were straightforward.


    In reality, Daniel and Freya had already become the faces of Thousand Suns Hall in this examination.


    Among all the Enlightenment Competition participants across various regions,


    There were only two true prodigies¡ª


    Freya, with her Unicorn Bloodline.


    And Daniel, who had split Blue Stone with a single sword strike.


    These two were impossible to ignore.


    If both of them performed well, Thousand Suns Hall would undoubtedly benefit.


    "I''ll do my best," Daniel replied, then added:


    "But I think Freya should be the main focus. She''s probably the strongest among us."


    Daniel was merely stating a fact.


    Freya possessed Unicorn Bloodline.


    In the secret realm, she had even manifested a Unicorn projection.


    With that level of power, she could walk through the trials effortlessly.


    Hearing Daniel''s words, the Elder responded:


    "Freya is indeed our trump card. However¡­ unless it is absolutely necessary, I do not want her to reveal her strength too soon."


    If she revealed her greatest asset too early,


    Others would have time to study and counter it.


    Even though the Unicorn Bloodline was powerful,


    There was no guarantee that someone wouldn''t find a way to counter it if given enough time.


    So, the Elder wanted to delay her exposure for as long as possible.


    "In the beginning, I''d like to ask you to handle a few minor tasks."


    Hearing this, Daniel quickly understood her intent.


    She wanted him to draw attention to himself,


    Actively or passively,


    So that Thousand Suns Hall could use him as a distraction,


    Allowing Freya to remain hidden.


    The longer she stayed out of the spotlight,


    The more advantageous it would be when she finally revealed herself.


    "This is a personal favor I''d like to ask of you."


    The Elder then handed Daniel a storage crystal.


    Daniel glanced inside and quickly noticed:


    One million high-grade Mana Stones.


    As well as a Tier-Diamond magic spell.


    Within Thousand Suns Hall, this was considered a substantial investment.


    "I have no objections," Daniel said, accepting the storage crystal.


    These resources were useful to him, so there was no reason to refuse.


    As for Freya¡­


    He''d deal with that later.


    The next few days were spent traveling.


    Daniel was bored.


    Since everyone else was in seclusion, focusing on their training,


    The airship was practically deserted.


    The only person he ever saw was Dana.


    Compared to the others, Daniel looked more like an escort than an actual candidate for the Blue Jade Guild examination.


    It wasn''t until they were nearing Blue Jade Guild that Freya finally emerged.


    With the Elder''s assistance, she had broken through yet another minor rank.


    At the same time, Daniel received a task.


    He was to act as Freya''s protector¡­


    Emmm¡­


    Hearing this, Daniel was slightly surprised.


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    But he still accepted the role.


    After all, he had already taken the Mana Stones¡ªthere was no turning back now.


    As for whether he actually needed to protect her, that was another matter.


    His main goal was simply to get into Blue Jade Guild.


    At this moment, Freya stood on the deck, watching the wind.


    Daniel walked over and greeted her.


    After a moment of silence,


    It was Freya who spoke first:


    "Why did you lie back then?"


    Freya asked.


    "Lied? What do you mean?"


    Daniel was confused.


    "You''re stronger than me¡­ So why didn''t you say so? Why did you¡­"


    If the Elder had known just how powerful Daniel truly was,


    She would have prioritized him instead.


    Daniel simply smiled.


    Freya''s confusion was understandable.


    But Daniel didn''t like being shackled.


    He disliked feeling restrained.


    As for training resources, he had other ways to obtain them.


    He didn''t need to be bound by obligations.


    "I can suppress you, but against others, I might not be able to do much.


    In terms of raw strength, you''re still stronger."


    Daniel spoke honestly.


    Whether Freya believed him or not was her own decision.


    "Thank you."


    Freya suddenly said.


    "Thank me? For what?"


    "If you hadn''t hidden your strength, I wouldn''t have been given this opportunity to be trained by the Elder.


    This means a lot to me."


    Her gaze was firm.


    Seeing that look in her eyes,


    Daniel was reminded of someone.


    A long time ago, Rose had the same expression in her eyes.


    "Why are you pushing yourself so hard? sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With your strength and Unicorn Bloodline, you''re already powerful."


    Daniel asked.


    Freya remained silent for a long time before answering:


    "Because since the day I was born, I have been seen as a curse¡­"


    When she was firstborn, due to her Unicorn Bloodline,


    Her body was covered in scales.


    As for her mother¡ª


    She had been just a low-ranking noblewoman from a minor city.

 Chapter412-Freyas Past

    Freya was born out of wedlock.


    As for her father...


    No one knew who he was.


    A woman, unmarried and pregnant, gave birth to a daughter with scales.


    A story like this was destined to be tragic.


    From a very young age, Freya grew up enduring the malice of those around her.


    When she was around five or six years old, her mother died.


    She watched as her mother''s body decayed day by day,


    but none of their so-called relatives extended a helping hand.


    It was as if they were celebrating.


    Celebrating the death of the woman who had shamed the family for so long.


    Celebrating that they could finally cast out the wretched child who had brought them misfortune.


    Expelled.


    And at that moment, Freya''s unicorn bloodline awakened.


    That was the first time she realized the terrifying power within her. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But she was just a child, incapable of controlling it.


    So¡­


    That day, flames engulfed the ruins of her family estate.


    Everyone in the family¡ªthose who had once bullied and humiliated her and her mother¡ªperished in the fire.


    Freya, having used her bloodline power for the first time, immediately lost consciousness.


    When she awoke again, she found herself in an organization.


    A place similar to an assassins'' guild.


    There, only one rule mattered:


    The strong reign supreme.


    If you were powerful enough, you could have everything.


    Born with a unicorn bloodline, Freya adapted effortlessly.


    She grew stronger, relentlessly seeking more power.


    She had only one goal.


    To find that man.


    The one who had abandoned her mother.


    The one she would force to kneel before her mother''s grave and atone for his sins.


    Hearing Freya''s past, Daniel couldn''t help but feel a sense of sympathy.


    "Do you have any leads?" he asked.


    "I''ve found some clues," Freya replied, gazing at the distant sea of clouds.


    "That man¡­ he is a powerful figure, someone important within a major faction."


    She clenched her fists.


    "I have to become stronger!"


    Only by becoming stronger could she confront that man.


    Only then could she¡ª


    Make him apologize to her mother.


    After a brief silence, Daniel spoke,


    "Hatred shouldn''t be the driving force of someone''s life. I understand how you feel, but¡­ you could try embracing something new. Something beautiful."


    He didn''t want to see this girl sink too deeply into vengeance.


    It would bring her nothing but endless suffering.


    Hearing his words, Freya lowered her head slightly.


    "¡­The people at Thousand Suns Hall are actually very kind," she admitted.


    "I''ve never lived in a place like this before."


    For the first time, she had experienced peace.


    Something she had never known.


    Yet, in the end, she could not forget her goal.


    Her mother''s vengeance had to be exacted.


    That man¡ª


    "Are you still determined to find him?" Daniel asked.


    "Yes. I have to. He must know how much pain my mother endured because of his irresponsibility!"


    Daniel nodded.


    Freya had not completely succumbed to hatred. Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire


    She understood the value of a peaceful life.


    Perhaps, once she had accomplished this, she could finally allow herself to live.


    Suddenly, Freya rubbed her face vigorously, then muttered,


    "I don''t even know why I''m telling you all this. It''s not because I want your pity or sympathy or anything like that."


    "I just feel like¡­ you remind me of an elder somehow. I don''t know how to describe it¡­"


    Seeing her unease, Daniel offered,


    "If you feel uncomfortable about this, just pretend the conversation never happened."


    Deep in Daniel''s soul, there was an imprint¡ª


    One derived from the souls of three patriarchs of different races.


    In some ways, he was Freya''s patriarch.


    That was why the unicorn she had manifested through her bloodline had seemed so obedient in his presence.


    It was only natural that she would develop such feelings.


    "¡­Thank you," Freya finally said.


    "No problem," Daniel replied, waving a hand dismissively.


    Then, he added,


    "If you think it''s appropriate, let me know when you find that man. I want to understand the truth behind your bloodline."


    Shortly after, their airship landed.


    The group arrived at the Blue Jade Guild.


    The Blue Jade Guild was a gathering place for geniuses.


    Even an average disciple here could become a dominant figure in the outside world.


    But what people talked about the most¡ª


    Were the core disciples.


    Each core disciple was the pride of the guild, nurtured with vast resources.


    It was no exaggeration to say that every high-ranking official of the Blue Jade Guild had once been a core disciple.


    Becoming a core disciple meant securing a path to power.


    Some even had the chance to rise to the very top.


    "¡­Being in charge of a major faction isn''t as easy as you think," Daniel remarked.


    "Managing an organization is a huge hassle¡ªespecially a powerful one."


    As he spoke, he recalled his past life in Crossbridge Academy.


    He had devoted himself to running the academy.


    Only when Rowan and the others had grown strong enough did he finally have fewer worries.


    Now, he spoke to Freya with the wisdom of experience.


    "I came to Blue Jade Guild to investigate something," he continued.


    Their airship was slowly descending.


    After their previous conversation, he and Freya had grown much closer.


    "I envy your mindset," Freya admitted.


    Her entire life had been shaped by pressure, hatred, and the pursuit of strength.


    "Daniel, Freya! The instructor wants to see you. We should get going."


    Dana called out to them.


    A moment later, Daniel saw the other eight participants who had come to take the Blue Jade Guild''s assessment.


    "In the Blue Jade Guild, you''ll realize what it truly means when people say ''there''s always someone stronger,''" one of the instructors said.


    The Blue Jade Guild was massive.


    It housed nearly ten million disciples.


    For efficiency, the guild was divided into ten domains, each managed separately.


    Daniel''s group was assigned to the Ancient Abode Domain.


    Apart from Thousand Suns Hall, other factions backed by the Blue Jade Guild had also sent disciples for the examination.


    "This time, our goal is to claim the title of core disciples," the instructor declared.


    "The other factions in the Ancient Abode Domain¡ªthey are our rivals!"


    He then shared intelligence about particularly formidable competitors.


    "If you encounter these individuals, proceed with extreme caution! Do not act recklessly or invite unnecessary trouble."


    As he spoke, the instructor cast a glance at Daniel.


    Because in the early stages of the examination, Daniel played a crucial role.


    They could not afford to expose Freya''s identity too soon.


    A pureblood unicorn bloodline¡­


    Such a revelation would cause the other factions to join forces against her.


    Daniel''s presence was meant to be a smokescreen.


    So the instructor emphasized caution when looking at him.


    If something went wrong¡ª


    If Daniel made an error¡ª


    Then Thousand Suns Hall''s entire strategy could collapse.

 Chapter413-Dream

    Daniel nodded, indicating that he understood.


    If they encountered enemies, he would be cautious and avoid taking lives.


    That much, he could manage.


    After the airship landed, a series of procedures followed.


    Daniel didn''t even bother paying attention.


    He could only sigh¡ªsuch a large faction indeed.


    Even a simple formality took over ten minutes.


    Once the process was finally completed, they were allowed into the residential area.


    This section was relatively quiet.


    Apart from Thousand Suns Hall, several other sects were also stationed here.


    Under the elder''s arrangement, Daniel and Freya were assigned adjacent courtyards.


    Lying on his bed, Daniel glanced at the crystal display detailing the upcoming assessment and felt a headache coming on.


    First, the Blue Jade Guild required all examinees to pass an initial test.


    Failing meant immediate rejection, reducing them to outer disciples.


    Passing meant they would at least become inner disciples.


    As for the prestigious core disciple status, there were still further trials¡­


    Seeing this endless layering of tests, Daniel immediately lost patience.


    Assessments, assessments¡­


    Shaking his head, Daniel realized he was far more interested in the library than in these exams.


    He wanted to read about the history of Blue Jade Guild¡ªboth before and after its founding.


    He also needed to find the person who had replicated Rose''s sword mark and demand answers.


    This assessment held no real meaning for him.


    I need to find a way to become a high-ranking member of Blue Jade Guild instead¡­


    As for the elder''s mission, he could talk to the geniuses from other sects first.


    If he could negotiate with them one by one, the issue should be resolved easily.


    With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Daniel unknowingly drifted off to sleep.


    Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice:


    "Father!"


    "You''re awake! That''s great! You''ve finally woken up!"


    Hearing this, Daniel opened his eyes¡ª


    And was stunned to see Rose standing before him.


    He was utterly frozen.


    How could this be possible¡­?


    Rose was right in front of him?


    The Rose before him looked thirteen or fourteen years old.


    When she saw Daniel awake, her face lit up with joy.


    "Father, you''re finally awake! I''ll go get you some water!"


    With that, Rose hurried off.


    Meanwhile, Daniel looked around.


    This place¡­


    This scene¡­


    It was Crossbridge Academy¡ªexactly as it had been when he first arrived.


    "Interesting¡­"


    Daniel immediately knew this was impossible.


    His mind was crystal clear¡ªhe was living thousands of years later, searching for Rose and the others.


    Propping himself up, Daniel sat up in bed.


    A wave of weakness surged through his body, like an incoming tide.


    It all felt so real.


    "Father, drink some water first," Rose said.


    "And don''t forget¡ªthe two great families are eyeing the academy hungrily. You can''t afford to collapse now."


    Hearing this, Daniel chuckled.


    "Two great families? I wiped them out ages ago. That was centuries ago. I even lifted the bloodline seal on their descendants recently."


    "When I left New God Realm, didn''t I personally elevate the academy into the Nine Heavens?


    There''s no one in God Realm who could threaten the academy now."


    His words made Rose freeze.


    "T-That''s¡­ impossible¡­ You''re lying¡­"


    Daniel reached out and ruffled her hair.


    "If only all this were real, huh?"


    "What a shame¡­"


    Daniel then pinched Rose''s cheek.


    This wasn''t real.


    No matter how familiar everything seemed¡ª


    No matter how authentic the weakness in his body felt¡ª


    It was still a lie.


    He was certain of that.


    As he pinched harder¡ª


    "Ahhh! Ow! Stop it! I was wrong, I was wrong!"


    "Rose" shrieked in pain¡ª


    And then her appearance changed.


    In an instant, she transformed into another girl.


    A girl with long green hair.


    At the same time, the surrounding environment shifted, revealing a dreamscape.


    Daniel immediately understood.


    He had entered a dream.


    He had been here many times before while teaching Nina.


    He was extremely familiar with its characteristics.


    "Who are you?"


    Daniel fixed his gaze on the green-haired girl.


    The surroundings were still similar to his former residence,


    confirming that this was his own dream.


    And this girl?


    An intruder who had forcefully entered his dream.


    She had been bold enough to fabricate an entire scenario¡ª


    Even impersonating Rose. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If he hadn''t known better,


    He might have been fooled and remained trapped in the illusion.


    "I¡­ I¡­"


    The girl''s eyes flickered cunningly before she suddenly declared:


    "I''m a Dream Spirit!


    I wander through dreams, soothing people''s inner pain!"


    "You''re the cruel one here! I was trying to help you, and yet you repay kindness with hostility!"


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    Dream Spirit?


    Daniel let out a cold laugh.


    The aura she emitted was clearly human.


    Did she really think she could fool him with such cheap tricks?


    "Did I go too easy on you just now? Is that why you still think you can talk back?"


    Hearing this, the girl instinctively stepped back.


    "D-Don''t mess around!


    This is my domain!


    I was just¡­ holding back earlier because I didn''t want to bully you!"


    "Is that so?"


    Daniel smirked.


    "Then show me your true power."


    As he stepped forward¡ª


    The girl suddenly unleashed a strange energy.


    The ground beneath Daniel''s feet collapsed,


    trapping him in a pit.


    At the same time¡ª


    The furniture in the room came to life,


    wrapping around Daniel to completely immobilize him.


    "Hah! Now you see my strength!"


    "You''ve angered me¡ªand I won''t let you off!"


    She confidently strode forward, reaching out to pinch Daniel''s cheek¡ª


    But in that very instant¡ª


    Daniel vanished.


    The objects that had been restraining him suddenly lost their effect,


    as if they had been disconnected from the girl''s control.


    Instead, they turned against her,


    binding her to the floor.


    Daniel sighed.


    "So your ''punishment'' was pinching my face? Seriously?"


    Even so¡ª


    She had still overestimated herself.


    Daniel was no novice when it came to dream manipulation.


    Compared to his mastery, her tricks were child''s play.


    Bringing over a chair, Daniel sat down and watched the girl struggle.


    "So," he smirked, "about that punishment? I''m still waiting."


    The girl realized she was completely at his mercy.


    His control over dreams was far stronger than she had expected.


    She had no choice but to beg for mercy:


    "I''m sorry! I was wrong! Please, let me go!"


    Daniel then began his interrogation.


    The girl was surprisingly cooperative.


    Knowing she had no way to escape, she quickly spilled everything.


    She had arrived at Blue Jade Guild a few days ago.


    She belonged to a sect similar to Thousand Suns Hall.


    Essentially, she was a genius from the Enlightenment Competition¡ª


    someone akin to Freya.


    Her name was Alice.


    Since childhood, she had possessed a unique ability¡ª


    she could pass through barriers, even magic arrays.


    As she grew stronger as a mage, her abilities advanced further¡ª


    to the point where she could enter other people''s dreams.


    Once inside a dream, she could sense emotions and seamlessly integrate into the dreamscape.

 Chapter414-Dream Realm

    Such an ability could only be described as terrifying.


    If it weren''t for Daniel, who had an extremely powerful mastery over dreams¡­


    He might not have even realized that this little girl had extracted some of his information. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By chance, Alice had once encountered a person¡­ or rather, a group of people like this.


    They called themselves Dream Healers.


    It was a new class.


    She had learned some dream-controlling powers from one of them.


    "I''ve never harmed anyone! The duty of a Dream Healer is to help those who cannot let go of their pain and to heal their emotional wounds."


    "I just wanted to ease your longing a little just now."


    "Really?"


    Daniel was skeptical.


    "I get the feeling you just want to pry into people''s minds to satisfy some kind of fetish of yours."


    Although this girl named Alice looked innocent and pure, Daniel could tell at a glance¡ª


    She definitely didn''t think that way.


    She was just using this excuse because it was convenient.


    Coincidentally, Daniel happened to know an expert at pretending to be pitiful.


    Hmm¡­ this girl was somewhat similar to the Nina he once knew.


    But she was definitely not Nina.


    That much, Daniel was certain.


    "Why did you enter my dream?"


    "Because you''re from Thousand Suns Hall, so I wanted to see if there was anyone particularly powerful this time and gather some intelligence in advance."


    "But I didn''t expect you to be able to control dreams as well."


    Now, Daniel more or less understood what she was trying to do.


    "By the way, aren''t you a genius of Thousand Suns Hall? Then why do you have such a big daughter?"


    "You think everything you see is really my memory?"


    Daniel looked at her and said.


    "So you knew all along¡­ That was all just a trap to lure me in!"


    At this moment, Alice seemed to have realized something.


    Indeed, he was a genius of Thousand Suns Hall. How could he have such a big daughter?


    Clearly, he had noticed her actions long ago and deliberately set up a trap.


    "Alright, I''ve said everything I need to say. Can you let me go now?"


    Alice looked at Daniel.


    Daniel released the restraints on her and said,


    "Don''t go barging into other people''s dreams so casually. You might get yourself into trouble."


    He reminded her.


    In her, he saw a shadow of Nina.


    She wasn''t inherently bad¡ªjust a little mischievous.


    Just like Nina back then.


    So, it was only natural for him to give her some advice.


    "Hmph! I don''t want to! I''m just fulfilling my duty as a Dream Healer. Everyone''s dreams are different, and sometimes there are all sorts of problems to deal with. It''s much more fun in the Dream Realm."


    Hearing Alice''s words, Daniel froze for a moment, then quickly said:


    "You just said¡­ Dream Realm?"


    "Yeah! Dream Realm is amazing! There are no worries, no troubles."


    Daniel fell silent.


    He remembered that Nina once said¡­ she wanted to create such a Dream Realm.


    Could it be¡­ that she and Nora had actually succeeded?


    "You go to sleep now, I''m leaving."


    Alice said as she prepared to leave.


    But just then, Daniel stopped her and said:


    "I''ll go with you."


    ¡­


    In the void, countless floating bubbles, large and small, drifted about.


    Each of these bubbles represented the dream of a living being.


    At this moment, Daniel followed Alice, ascending together.


    After a while, a vortex appeared.


    Alice dove straight into it.


    Daniel glanced at the vortex and followed her inside.


    After a brief moment of weightlessness, the sunlight stung Daniel''s eyelids.


    He opened his eyes.


    A vast, surreal world stretched before him.


    Nine suns of different colors hung in the sky, bathing the entire land in dazzling hues.


    Giant mushrooms towered like small mountains.


    A tranquil, peaceful aura filled the air, giving a sense of inexplicable serenity.


    "See? I wasn''t lying! Dream Realm is truly amazing!"


    Alice said beside Daniel.


    Daniel looked at Alice and realized that she had undergone a noticeable transformation.


    Even a pair of translucent wings had grown on her back.


    "Your appearance changed?"


    "Of course! I''m a Dream Sprite!"


    Alice said proudly.


    "This is¡­ a power of the Dream Realm?"


    "Yep! Here, you''re completely free. You can become anything, achieve any wish, or even¡­ experience higher sensations."


    "But to do that, you need Power of Dream."


    Alice explained.


    Power of Dream¡­


    "What''s that?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    "That''s the reason Dream Healers exist. Dream Healers soothe people''s dreams, which lets them gather Power of Dream. The more souls they heal, the more Power of Dream they gain."


    That was how a Dream Healer grew stronger.


    Daniel found this method quite fascinating.


    This must have been something that developed after he left New God Realm.


    A class system created by Nina and Nora.


    Back then, Nina wanted to create a place where everyone could live free from worries¡­


    "Incredible."


    Daniel sighed.


    He never thought Nina would actually accomplish it.


    If Dream Healers continued to grow, Nina''s dream could truly come true.


    That girl¡­


    She must have endured a lot.


    "Right? I''m one of the most talented Dream Healers! Not long ago, I even accidentally entered the dream of some big shot from the Blue Jade Guild."


    "And coincidentally, that person happens to be the one evaluating us this time!"


    Hearing Alice''s words, Daniel suddenly thought of something and asked:


    "Can you find his dream again?"


    "Of course! I''m not bragging, but my talent is top-tier! I can enter the dreams of almost everyone in the Blue Jade Guild!"


    Alice patted her chest confidently.


    "But the stronger someone is, the harder it is to enter their dreams. And I skipped two entire levels to enter that guy''s dream. That''s talent!"


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    Daniel thought for a moment¡­


    If that was the case, then could they use dreams to enter the dream of that Blue Jade Guild high-ranking official and ask about Sword Scar?


    Or better yet, go directly into the dream of the Ancient Abode Domain''s Domain Lord?


    As a Domain Lord, he should know even more.


    As for whether they could enter successfully¡­


    Daniel wasn''t worried about that at all.


    Even though he didn''t fully understand the rules of Dream Realm, he was deeply familiar with the essence of dreams.


    If Alice wanted to control Power of Dream, she had to follow the established system.


    But Daniel?


    He was different.


    In a dream¡­


    Even regaining his former strength and terrifying that Domain Lord wouldn''t be a problem.


    So, Daniel turned to Alice and said:


    "Well then, the all-powerful dream genius Alice¡ªdare to help me with something big?"


    "Something big? In dreams, everything''s small! What do you need?"


    "I want to find someone and enter their dream."


    "That''s easy! I can do that in my sleep! Who is it?"


    "The Domain Lord of Ancient Abode Domain."


    Alice froze.


    She never expected that name to come out of Daniel''s mouth.


    "¡­Sorry, I must have misheard."


    Alice turned around immediately.


    But Daniel blocked her escape.


    "No, seriously, bro, this isn''t a joke! This is impossible¡ªI can''t do it!"


    That was a Domain Lord!


    Going into a Domain Lord''s dream?


    Alice was bold¡ª


    But she wasn''t suicidal.


    So, the moment Daniel said those words, she instinctively chose to flee.


    What she didn''t realize was¡ª


    Daniel''s mastery over dreams had already surpassed anything she could imagine.


    "What''s wrong? You''re scared?"


    "No, bro, that''s the Domain Lord! Do you even understand what that means?!"

 Chapter415-The Domain Lords Dream

    Alice was truly terrified by Daniel''s words.


    She never expected that Daniel''s target was actually the Domain Lord?


    Did Daniel even know what a Domain Lord was?


    This was a Domain Lord¡­


    Every single Domain Lord was, at minimum, backed by Divine Mage-level power.


    And she¡­ what level was she?


    Not even close!


    Forget invading their dream¡ª


    Even entering would be incredibly difficult.


    And once inside, the Domain Lord could notice them at any moment.


    How was this any different from actively seeking death?


    "Yesterday, when I entered that elder''s dream, I was almost caught! And now you want to go into a Domain Lord''s dream¡­? Daniel, I really can''t do it!"


    Alice begged for mercy.


    "That''s enough. No need for unnecessary words¡ªjust take me to his dream. Whatever happens, I''ll take responsibility."


    Daniel looked at Alice, still holding onto her.


    Alice had no choice but to agree.


    Between the risk of being discovered by a Domain Lord and dealing with Daniel right now,


    She had no option.


    If she refused, Daniel would definitely turn hostile on the spot.


    "¡­Hurry up and find it."


    Daniel said, watching Alice.


    Alice''s eyes filled with despair.


    She had no choice now.


    At this moment, she deeply regretted everything.


    Why did she have to run into someone like Daniel?


    The talent she had always been proud of was completely useless against him.


    Daniel''s control over dreams was far beyond hers.


    "¡­I only have to find it, right? I don''t have to go inside, do I?"


    Alice asked timidly.


    She really didn''t want to mess with someone as terrifying as a Domain Lord!


    "Find it first. We''ll see after that."


    Daniel was still skeptical about Alice''s so-called abilities.


    Alice had no choice but to activate her talent and begin searching for the dream.


    As she had claimed, her gift in this area was indeed extraordinary.


    It didn''t take long before Alice located a very special dream.


    It was so distinct that it was immediately recognizable¡ª


    A dream completely unlike any other.


    It was an enormous golden bubble.


    Unlike the other dreams floating around, this one was massive, dwarfing all the others.


    After Alice pointed it out, Daniel quickly brought her to it.


    They stood before the dream.


    The golden bubble shone like a miniature sun, dazzling to the eye.


    Looking at it, Alice weakly asked:


    "¡­So, now that I''ve found it¡­ can I leave?"


    Daniel didn''t respond.


    Instead, he pulled Alice along and stepped inside.


    "No! No! That''s a Domain Lord''s dream¡ª!!"


    Before Alice could even finish, Daniel had already entered.


    ¡ª


    The moment they stepped into the dream, Daniel immediately felt a powerful repelling force surge from all directions.


    It was as if the dream itself was trying to reject him completely.


    Alice, feeling the same terrifying force, exclaimed:


    "This is the dream defense mechanism of a divine F-level existence!


    The moment we stepped in, the dream''s instincts began rejecting us!


    If we can''t resist it¡­ we''ll be ejected very soon¡ª"


    But before Alice could finish,


    She noticed something.


    A barrier had appeared around Daniel.


    A shield formed purely from Power of Dream.


    And the repelling force?


    The moment it touched the barrier¡ª


    It vanished completely.


    As if it had no effect on Daniel at all.


    Then, another barrier appeared¡ª


    This time, surrounding Alice.


    Alice''s face was filled with shock. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Because she realized¡­


    This barrier completely blocked all of the dream''s rejection forces.


    If she had this power¡­


    Wouldn''t that mean she could enter anyone''s dream at will?


    As a Dream Healer, this ability would be invaluable to her.


    She could even enter the dreams of the most powerful beings!


    Daniel led Alice, stepping past the barrier and fully entering the dream.


    ¡ª


    A grand family estate.


    A shadowy figure silently slipped out through the back door.


    She carried a bundle in her hands.


    Outside the door, another figure crouched, as if waiting for her for a long time.


    "Brown! I''ve packed everything. We can leave now and start our new life!"


    "Good. Let''s go¡ªquickly!"


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    The man replied, leading the girl away from the city.


    Under the cover of night, the two figures fled the city.


    Behind them, the city grew smaller and smaller.


    "Jina, we''re finally free!"


    Brown turned back, looking at the shrinking city, his voice filled with emotion.


    It was the exhilaration of freedom.


    And the hope for the future.


    "Yes! We''re free! From now on, we''ll always be together¡ªnever apart again!"


    "That''s right! I''ll protect you forever, Jina!"


    As the couple imagined their beautiful future¡ª


    A dark silhouette suddenly appeared.


    "Jina, you''ve disappointed me."


    An old, yet familiar voice echoed.


    Instantly, the girl''s face filled with terror.


    A deep, visceral fear.


    "G-Grandmother¡­"


    Jina looked at the shadow and felt her entire body go weak.


    A powerless despair from the depths of her soul.


    Brown''s expression grew serious.


    Because he knew who this was.


    Jina''s grandmother.


    A powerful figure within Jina''s family.


    And also¡­


    The greatest obstacle in their relationship.


    They had thought that escaping tonight would finally break the chains.


    But¡ª


    They never imagined that she had been watching them this whole time.


    And Brown knew¡ª


    She would never let him leave with Jina.


    "Jina, do you still recognize me as your grandmother?


    Then do you remember what I told you?"


    "I told you to leave that man and never see him again.


    Your future has already been arranged by the family."


    "Grandmother, I¡­ I really love Brown! Please¡­ just let us be together!"


    Jina, knowing there was no escape, begged her grandmother.


    But¡ª


    It was pointless.


    "Silence!"


    "In our family, this has never happened before!


    Your future must be determined by the family!"


    "Jina, I''ll give you one last chance.


    Come back with me now, and I''ll pretend this never happened."


    The old woman gazed at them.


    "But if you insist on defying me¡­"


    "Then I will eliminate the man who has bewitched you!"


    Her words were like an execution order.


    Her gaze locked onto Brown.


    Brown could feel it.


    Jina''s hands were drenched in cold sweat.


    At the same time, an overwhelming force suddenly seized him¡ª


    His body was lifted into the air!


    Breathing became increasingly difficult.


    He couldn''t even speak a complete sentence.


    "Grandmother! Please, let him go! He''s innocent!"


    "If you swear¡ªnever to see him again¡ªI will spare him this time."


    "But if I catch you together again¡­"


    "He will be nothing more than a corpse."


    "His life¡­ is in your hands."


    The old woman said coldly.


    Jina fell to her knees.


    On one side¡ªBrown''s life.


    On the other¡ªtheir separation.


    How was she supposed to choose?


    At this moment, Jina felt trapped.


    Like she was suffocating.


    The scales held two equally important things.


    She couldn''t let Brown die.


    But she also couldn''t accept being torn apart from him.


    Seeing Jina''s reaction, the old woman smirked.


    Because she knew her granddaughter too well.


    She already knew¡­


    What choice Jina would make.


    From the very start, this had all been intentional.

 Chapter416-What a Pity, Its Fake

    Jina had been raised under the old woman''s watchful eyes.


    She knew her granddaughter too well.


    To Jina, this situation seemed to offer a choice, but in reality¡ª


    She had no real choice at all.


    The only thing she could do was ensure Brown''s survival¡ª


    And then, give him up.


    That was the only decision her granddaughter could make.


    As expected, after a brief moment, Jina stood up.


    She looked utterly devastated.


    "Grandmother¡­ let him go. I¡­ I promise to return with you. From now on¡­"


    Her voice choked up.


    Then, she finally forced the words out:


    "¡­From now on, I will never see Brown again."


    A smile appeared on the old woman''s face.


    Yes.


    This was the expected outcome.


    This was the only choice her granddaughter would make.


    Just as she had predicted.


    But then, Jina''s tone suddenly changed¡ª


    "Never see him again¡­ I can''t do that!"


    "You''re forcing us apart¡­ Grandmother, am I still your granddaughter?"


    "If you insist on killing Brown¡ªthen kill me too!"


    "Even in death, I will never leave him!"


    Jina roared at the figure in the sky.


    And then¡ª


    She attacked the old woman with her strongest magic.


    The elder, however, remained unfazed.


    After all, she had personally taught Jina magic.


    No matter what spell Jina used, it was useless.


    But then¡ª


    The elder realized something.


    Jina''s magic¡­


    It wasn''t meant to attack her at all.


    Yes, Jina knew her spells couldn''t harm her grandmother.


    The attack was just a diversion.


    Her real plan was¡ª


    A blade of mana had appeared at Jina''s own throat.


    "Grandmother, I will die with Brown!"


    The sudden turn of events shocked the elder.


    She had never imagined¡­


    That Jina would make such a choice.


    Jina had always been soft and weak¡ª


    She was never the type to do something like this.


    But today¡ª


    For Brown, she had changed completely.


    She was even willing to die.


    Suspended mid-air, Brown was barely able to breathe.


    But the elder hadn''t intended to kill him¡ª


    She had only used him as a bargaining chip to force Jina to return.


    Even so, Brown fully understood what was happening.


    A single tear slid from the corner of his eye.


    He¡­


    Had someone who loved him this much.


    If he had to die, then so be it.


    "You''re not afraid I''ll kill him?"


    The elder asked again.


    "If you kill him, I will die with him!"


    "¡­Very well. Then I shall grant your wish!"


    This time, the old woman was truly furious!


    The once obedient granddaughter¡­


    Had become this?


    All because of Brown!


    Fine¡ª


    She would kill him right here, right now!


    The elder tightened her grip.


    But at that moment¡ª


    A new presence appeared.


    A powerful blast of magic struck the elder.


    It interrupted her spell¡ª


    And Brown fell from the sky.


    The elder turned around angrily.


    A middle-aged man now stood there.


    "¡­Should people like us really be interfering in the affairs of the younger generation?"


    The man said calmly.


    Hearing that voice, Brown''s eyes widened in shock.


    He recognized it instantly.


    He lifted his head¡ª


    And saw a figure strikingly similar to himself, standing before the elder.


    "¡­Father! You¡ª"


    The moment Brown saw him, he couldn''t believe it.


    This was his father.


    But¡ª


    His father had never approved of his relationship with Jina.


    He had always opposed them.


    "Why are you here? Why are you helping us?


    You''ve always been against this¡ª" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Because I''ve changed my mind.


    If you truly love her, then I will support you with everything I have."


    The man looked at Brown.


    Then, he exchanged a glance with Jina.


    "¡­Take her and go. I''ll hold off this old woman."


    Brown''s mind was in chaos.


    The father who had always opposed him¡ª


    Now, he was standing on his side.


    And¡ª


    He was fighting Jina''s grandmother for them.


    This was unbelievable.


    "Hurry up and go!"


    The middle-aged man urged again.


    Brown immediately grabbed Jina''s hand¡ª


    And the two of them ran into the distance.


    Tears streamed from Brown''s eyes.


    He couldn''t believe what had just happened.


    After running for a while, they stopped.


    "Brown¡­ This isn''t far enough. My grandmother might catch up."


    Jina said, urging him to keep running.


    Brown turned to her, a nostalgic look in his eyes.


    "¡­Yeah. Your grandmother will definitely come after us."


    "¡­What a pity. If the real Jina were like you, it would have been wonderful."


    "¡­Brown?"


    Jina looked at him in confusion.


    But Brown tightened his grip on her wrist.


    His grip grew stronger and stronger¡ª


    "¡­Who are you?


    Jina¡­ would never have been this brave."


    The moment he spoke¡ª


    Everything began collapsing.


    The dreamscape shattered.


    The illusion dissolved.


    Brown''s young form transformed into a cold, stern-faced middle-aged man.


    And Jina¡ª


    She changed too.


    Her form shifted¡ª


    Into a green-haired girl.


    The girl still had her hand caught in Brown''s grasp.


    Awkwardly, she stammered:


    "Domain Lord, sir! I¡ªI was forced into this!"


    "You dare to intrude upon my dream?"


    The man''s gaze was piercing.


    "I heard that among the geniuses participating in the exam this year,


    There was one especially skilled in dream magic.


    That must be you, right?


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    How bold."


    "¡­You''re mistaken, sir! I admit my mistake, Domain Lord!


    But I was forced into this!


    Daniel!"


    Alice immediately shouted for help.


    "Didn''t you say you would take responsibility for the consequences?!"


    She yelled desperately.


    Because clearly¡ª


    The Domain Lord knew who she was.


    And he had just said her name outright¡­


    This was bad!


    At that moment¡ª


    Daniel finally revealed himself.


    At first, he still looked like Brown''s father.


    But soon¡ª


    He changed into another man.


    That''s right¡ª


    The Five-Element God King.


    Alice gasped in admiration.


    Genius!


    Why hadn''t she thought of that?


    The moment she had been exposed, she had immediately reverted to her real form.


    But if she had simply transformed into someone else¡ª


    Wouldn''t that have worked better?


    She felt so stupid!


    Seeing Daniel appear, Brown¡ª


    No, the Domain Lord¡ª


    Let out a sigh and muttered:


    "If only it had been like this back then.


    I always wished¡­ things could have been different."


    "¡­Then tell me, what really happened?"


    Daniel asked.


    "The truth?"


    The Domain Lord chuckled bitterly.


    "In reality, Jina agreed to her grandmother''s demands¡­


    And I was taken back to my family."


    That was the real outcome.


    Neither of them had been strong enough.


    So they were both forced back into their families.


    "¡­But you both survived, didn''t you?"


    Daniel said.


    "If you''re still alive¡ªthere''s still hope."


    The Domain Lord gave a bitter smile.


    "I once thought so too.


    I told myself¡ªif I grew strong enough, if I surpassed both families,


    Then I could finally be with Jina¡­"


    "But reality¡­ wasn''t so kind."


    The Domain Lord sighed.


    After returning, he had devoted himself to magic.


    He had pushed himself to the limit.


    He had trained like a madman, seeking power beyond his family''s control.


    He wanted to reunite with Jina.


    And then¡ª


    "When I finally returned to her family¡­


    I had already become strong enough to crush them all.


    But unfortunately¡ª"


    "Jina got married?"


    Daniel asked.


    "No.


    She died."


    The Domain Lord''s face was filled with helpless sorrow.


    "After returning¡­


    She locked herself in her room.

 Chapter417-Insolence!

    "In the end, the family arranged a marriage for her¡­ so she chose to take her own life."


    No one had expected such an ending.


    Brown had thought that he had finally overcome all obstacles, that he and Jina could finally be together¡­


    But what awaited him was this devastating news.


    "¡­I was too late."


    Brown muttered.


    "All those years, I longed for a different outcome.


    Maybe if we had died together back then¡­


    Or if my father had managed to stop our enemies¡­


    Then Jina and I could have been happy¡ªtogether."


    "But there are no second chances."


    For Brown, everything had frozen in that moment.


    Even in his dreams, he kept reliving that scene, over and over again.


    With a sigh, Brown said:


    "Honestly¡­ I should thank you.


    Out of the countless dreams I''ve had¡­


    This was the ending I wished for the most."


    Even if it was just an illusion¡ª


    For Brown, it was precious.


    At that moment, Daniel gained a deeper understanding of what Alice had told him about the Dream Healer class.


    So this was what a Dream Healer did. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They used dreams to rewrite pain.


    Was this¡­


    Nina''s method for erasing darkness from people''s hearts?


    Brown looked at them, his voice calm yet imposing:


    "I appreciate what you did.


    You gave me a happy ending¡ªeven if it was only in my dreams."


    "But still¡­ You have overstepped your bounds!"


    At that moment, as the Domain Lord, Brown unleashed an overwhelming aura.


    Alice instantly panicked.


    "Domain Lord, sir! I was forced into this!


    I¡­ I didn''t invade your dream on purpose!


    If he hadn''t threatened me, I never would have come here!"


    Feeling the sheer terror of Brown''s presence, Alice immediately surrendered.


    After all, this wasn''t her fault!


    This was all Daniel''s doing!


    Alice looked at Daniel with sheer frustration.


    Originally, all she wanted was to gather some intelligence on her competitors.


    Maybe find an opportunity to increase her Power of Dream.


    But ever since she met Daniel, nothing good had happened.


    And now, she was facing the wrath of a Domain Lord.


    She desperately tried to distance herself from responsibility.


    Brown glanced at Alice''s flustered expression.


    From within the dream, he could tell that Alice was telling the truth.


    She had been forced into this.


    Which meant that the real culprit was¡ª


    Daniel.


    Brown''s gaze locked onto Daniel.


    "You entered my dream¡­


    Now you must pay the price!"


    "Even if you''re among the mages participating in the examination¡ª"


    Brown reached out toward Daniel.


    His overwhelming domain power surged¡ª


    Even Alice, standing nearby, shuddered in fear.


    So this was¡­


    The true strength of a Domain Lord?!


    Terrifying!


    Good thing she surrendered immediately, or else¡­


    Yikes.


    Alice couldn''t help but imagine how much pressure Daniel was feeling right now.


    Brown''s attack was powerful enough to shake the entire dream itself.


    This was his true strength¡ª


    High God-rank!


    But the moment Brown struck¡ª


    Nothing happened.


    Not only did he fail to grab Daniel¡ª


    It was as if his attack had no effect at all.


    Daniel still stood there.


    Unmoved.


    This scene made Brown frown.


    Even within a dream, he shouldn''t have been unable to capture someone who wasn''t even a Divine Mage yet.


    "¡­Brown, Domain Lord," Daniel said calmly.


    "I haven''t done anything wrong.


    In fact, I even helped you find a little closure.


    No need to resort to violence, right?"


    Brown''s eyes narrowed.


    "¡­Strength rules all.


    A strong man''s dignity must never be violated."


    He attacked again¡ª


    But once more¡ª


    Nothing.


    It was as if all of his powers were completely ineffective against Daniel.


    "You have a point," Daniel said, his voice still calm.


    "The strong should be respected¡­"


    "But maybe¡­ you''re mistaken about who the real ''strong one'' is."


    The moment Daniel finished speaking,


    A massive surge of Power of Dream poured into his body.


    His aura soared¡ª


    It rapidly escalated¡ª


    Until it reached the level of a God Sovereign.


    A divine might radiated from Daniel, instantly neutralizing Brown''s attack¡ª


    And engulfing the entire dreamscape.


    At that moment¡ª


    Brown''s eyes widened in shock.


    A God Sovereign?!


    Impossible!


    Brown had heard of the Dream Healer class before.


    He knew they were stronger in dreams than in reality¡ª


    But this?!


    This was beyond reason.


    Typically, a Dream Healer could at most surpass their real-world strength by two levels within a dream.


    And the stronger someone was, the smaller the dream boost would be.


    But Daniel''s presence was that of a God Sovereign!


    Which meant that in reality¡­


    He was at least a God Lord?!


    Since when did the Blue Jade Guild have someone like this?


    And how had such a person appeared in Ancient Abode Domain without him knowing?


    Brown was suddenly deep in thought.


    Why was this man here?


    What was his goal?


    Would this bring trouble to the Blue Jade Guild?


    "¡­A Dream Healer?"


    Brown''s gaze shifted to Alice.


    "What is your relationship with him?"


    Alice clearly had the traits of a Dream Healer.


    But Daniel¡­


    It was as if he didn''t belong to any known category.


    "He''s my teacher," Daniel said before Alice could speak.


    "I''m guiding her for the time being."


    Brown fell silent for a moment.


    Then, he asked:


    "¡­What do you want to know?"


    "If it''s within my knowledge, I''ll answer."


    Brown nodded.


    Since Daniel hadn''t materialized in reality but instead entered his dream,


    And had even helped him find some closure¡­


    This was a sign of goodwill.


    Luckily, Brown hadn''t gone all out in attacking.


    Because if Daniel was truly a God Lord¡ª


    Then Brown wasn''t his match at all.


    Daniel asked:


    "You''ve been overseeing Ancient Abode Domain for a long time?"


    "Yes, for over ten years now."


    Daniel nodded.


    Then, he asked the question that mattered most to him:


    "Do you know about the Sword Scar?"


    Brown frowned.


    "¡­What sword scar?"


    Daniel raised a hand¡ª


    He traced a single stroke in the air.


    Power of Dream condensed around his fingertip¡ª


    A massive blue stone materialized before them.


    Etched into the stone was a deep sword scar, radiating a faint aura of destruction.


    "This," Daniel said.


    Brown glanced at it and immediately recognized it.


    "Oh, this? It was made by a sword-loving elder from the Blue Jade Guild.


    They distribute it to lower-ranked factions as part of the Enlightenment Competition.


    We even have copies in the guild for sword practitioners to study."


    Daniel shook his head.


    "I don''t mean this specific carving.


    I want to know the true origin of the Sword Scar.


    Who left it?"


    The original Sword Scar had come from Rose.


    Daniel needed to know where she had been when she struck that sword.


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    But Brown shook his head.


    "The original source¡­ I don''t know.


    But I''ve heard rumors that it came from the Sanctuary."


    "If someone fully comprehends the Sword Scar¡­


    They can grasp an incredibly terrifying Power of Rule."


    "But I never cared for swords, so I never looked into it."


    Daniel frowned.


    So Brown didn''t have the information he needed.


    Then, Daniel asked:


    "You mentioned a Sanctuary¡­


    Which one?"


    Brown replied:


    "White Lotus Sanctuary.


    It has very close ties to the Blue Jade Guild.


    Without White Lotus Sanctuary¡­


    The Blue Jade Guild wouldn''t even exist."


    "¡­Many things originate from there."


    Not Crossbridge?


    Hearing this, Daniel''s expression darkened.

 Chapter418-The Matryoshka Forces

    What White Lotus Sanctuary? He had never even heard of it.


    It must have come into existence after he left the new God Realm.


    "I''ve told you everything I know about the sword scar," Brown said. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    Daniel fell into silence.


    If he wanted to investigate the sword scar, he would probably have to seek out the elder who had imprinted it.


    "By the way, what''s the name of the elder related to this sword scar?"


    "Wood," Brown replied.


    "If you want to find him, I suggest looking for the Chief first because Elder Wood¡­ is considered an extremely revered figure."


    Daniel nodded, indicating that he had taken note.


    "Alright, let''s put the sword scar issue aside for now. There''s something else."


    As he spoke, Daniel used the Power of Dream to conjure an image of the cauldron.


    "Have you seen this before?"


    "Of course! This cauldron is a replica, usually placed in lower-tier forces as part of secret realms."


    Brown knew this well.


    "This¡­ was crafted by another elder. And the source¡­ is still White Lotus Sanctuary."


    Daniel paused at Brown''s words.


    He hadn''t expected both items to trace back to White Lotus Sanctuary.


    It seemed¡­


    He had to visit this so-called sanctuary.


    One way or another, the clues surrounding Crossbridge World and Riverside City were likely connected to White Lotus Sanctuary.


    Then, Daniel gathered more information about White Lotus Sanctuary from Brown.


    And he discovered something interesting.


    This place¡­


    Was like a matryoshka doll.


    If Thousand Suns Hall had been nurtured by Blue Jade Guild, then Blue Jade Guild was, in turn, one of the forces fostered by White Lotus Sanctuary.


    Layer after layer.


    A giant nested structure.


    "If you can find White Lotus Sanctuary, then all your doubts might finally be answered," Brown suggested.


    Daniel naturally intended to go there.


    But first, he needed to find the two elders.


    "What''s the name of the elder who crafted the cauldron?"


    "Falco. These two elders have a close relationship¡ªif you find one, you''ll likely find the other."


    Brown added, "I should warn you, these two are¡­ not your typical elders. They''ve distanced themselves from worldly affairs for many years."


    Daniel shifted the topic.


    "I''ve finished asking my questions. There''s one more thing I''d like to ask of you."


    "Go ahead."


    Daniel glanced at Alice.


    "She may be a bit unruly, but I''ve taught her for some time. Once she joins Blue Jade Guild, I''d appreciate it if you could look after her."


    Alice hadn''t expected Daniel to still remember her!


    Having Brown, the Domain Lord, look after her¡­


    That meant she could practically walk sideways in Ancient Abode Domain!


    This guy was incredible!


    "You don''t need to worry about that. She has the strength to pass the trials without issue," Brown assured him.


    Daniel nodded.


    "There''s one more thing. I have an old friend''s descendant¡ªhe doesn''t need special attention, just a place in the library."


    As he spoke, Daniel used the Power of Dream to project his original appearance.


    Alice was momentarily stunned.


    So that''s what this was about!


    Brown frowned.


    "The library is an important place in Blue Jade Guild. Some divine spells are stored there¡ªI can''t allow him to touch those."


    "That''s fine. He''s not interested in magic or divine spells. He only likes history books."


    "In that case, it''s acceptable," Brown conceded.


    "As thanks, keep this," Daniel said, handing over a crystal.


    Brown took it, then froze.


    He immediately recognized what was inside!


    "This is¡­ a divine spell?!"


    Who exactly was this man? Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Giving away a divine spell so casually?


    "Alright, I won''t linger here any longer. I''ll be going now."


    With that, Daniel left Brown''s dreamscape, taking Alice with him.


    He had accomplished what he came for.


    The answers he sought were now in his hands.


    Now, it was time for Daniel to verify and pursue them himself.


    As Daniel vanished, Brown remained in a daze, even a little disappointed.


    A person who could casually gift a divine spell¡­


    And one that was perfectly suited to him at that¡­


    Such a person¡­


    Was anything but ordinary!


    Brown now held a painting.


    It was Daniel''s portrait.


    Since Daniel had mentioned that the young man was an old friend''s descendant¡­


    Perhaps it was worth investigating just who he really was.


    Inside the Dream Realm, Daniel and Alice returned.


    Daniel had now mastered the rules of the Dream Realm, allowing him to come and go freely.


    "Big brother, you''re way too amazing¡­" Alice muttered, still in shock.


    She had never imagined that she would leave a Domain Lord''s dream unscathed.


    And not only that¡­


    She had even earned his protection.


    This was¡­ unreal.


    "Weren''t you just saying you wanted to distance yourself from me?"


    "That was because¡­ I didn''t know how strong you were! From now on, if you say east, I''ll never go west!"


    Alice joked.


    "Alright, it''s time for you to head back."


    "Wait, big brother, are you really going to find those elders? I can help you!"


    "You? Get some rest."


    Daniel waved his hand, and countless dream bubbles appeared before him.


    Alice even spotted Brown''s dreamscape among them.


    "This is¡­"


    Compared to the dream bubbles Alice could enter, the ones Daniel controlled were much larger.


    "Alright, go digest what you''ve gained today. And remember¡ªnever enter someone''s dream carelessly again. At the very least, find out who they are first."


    "Got it, got it! Thanks, big brother Daniel!"


    With that, Alice vanished.


    This had been a huge win for her.


    Most importantly¡­


    She had soothed Brown''s dream to some extent.


    And Brown was a true High God!


    Put simply¡ªAlice had hit the jackpot.


    Daniel left the Dream Realm.


    Outside, the sky had already brightened.


    This journey into the Dream Realm had been critical.


    Nina''s Dream Realm and the Dream Healer class system she had built¡­


    Were incredibly well-structured.


    If things continued like this, she might really achieve what she had envisioned.


    Daniel felt refreshed.


    Even though he hadn''t slept, thanks to the Power of Dream, both his mind and body felt completely rested¡ªas if he had just woken up from a perfect sleep.


    Just after washing up, there was a knock on the door.


    Outside stood a Thousand Suns Hall elder and Freya, both looking grim.


    "I just received some news¡ªbad news!"


    "What happened?" Daniel asked, puzzled.


    For the elder to look this distressed, it had to be something serious.


    "I just found out¡­ the elder overseeing this trial from Blue Jade Guild is actually from our Thousand Suns Hall!"


    "Isn''t that a good thing?" Daniel asked, confused.


    "No! That elder may be from Thousand Suns Hall, but their relationship with us is absolutely terrible! Irreparably bad!"


    "So for this Blue Jade Guild trial, he might deliberately target Thousand Suns Hall!"


    The elder''s face was full of concern.


    "Blue Jade Guild wouldn''t allow that, would they?" Daniel asked.


    "No. In fact, they would be happy to see it happen!"


    "Adversity," the elder sighed, "is the best way to test a genius''s potential."

 Chapter419-A Gesture of Goodwill

    Daniel had no objections to this reasoning.


    To those in high positions, matters like these didn''t really affect them.


    In their eyes, only results mattered.


    If a so-called genius fell due to such hardships, then they were never a true prodigy to begin with.


    What these people sought were true prodigies, not those who would fade into mediocrity at the first sign of adversity.


    Besides, Blue Jade Guild wasn''t entirely heartless, was it?


    Even if someone failed the trial, they could still remain within Blue Jade Guild.


    If they were truly gifted, they would shine eventually, regardless of setbacks.


    "I''m here to remind you¡ªif you encounter that elder from Thousand Suns Hall during the assessment, be very careful! He will target you."


    Daniel nodded to show he understood.


    However, he was also considering whether to contact Brown, the Domain Lord, and explain the situation to him.


    He had no interest in getting entangled in these messy power struggles.


    Just then, there was a knock on the door.


    Daniel walked over and opened it.


    A man stood outside.


    "Hello, my name is Marin. I''m an elder from Ancient Abode Domain."


    "Marin?! It''s you!!!"


    At that moment, a voice erupted from the courtyard.


    The elder in the courtyard¡ªRenee¡ªreacted with visible shock.


    Upon hearing this, the elder at the door, Marin, smiled.


    "I didn''t expect to meet you here, Elder Renee."


    However, compared to Renee''s astonishment, Marin remained unnervingly calm.


    Turning his gaze back to Daniel, he said,


    "You must be Daniel?"


    "Yes."


    "This storage crystal is for you. If you need anything, feel free to find me."


    Daniel took the storage crystal and inspected it.


    Inside, there were over one million high-grade mana stones.


    Additionally, the crystal contained a Domain Lord Token from Ancient Abode Domain.


    With this token, Daniel now had unrestricted access to Blue Jade Guild''s library.


    This was exactly the deal Daniel had proposed to Brown using his other identity the night before.


    He hadn''t expected Brown to act so quickly¡ªeverything was already arranged.


    "Thank him for me. And let him know that what he seeks¡­ he will most likely obtain without any problems." Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire


    Daniel said to Marin.


    "Understood. Is there anything else I can do for you, Daniel?"


    "For instance, would you like a better residence?"


    Marin asked enthusiastically.


    Early that morning, Marin had been summoned by Brown, who instructed him to deliver the Domain Lord Token to Daniel.


    After some thought, Brown had also added one million high-grade mana stones.


    Though Marin wasn''t sure why the Domain Lord suddenly showed such interest in a mere trial participant, his instincts told him¡­


    This young mage was not someone to offend lightly.


    "No need. I''m fine where I am," Daniel replied.


    "How about assigning you some attendants? To take care of your daily needs?"


    "No need. I don''t have such habits." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel declined outright.


    Though all his offers had been rejected, Marin remained pleasant and left with a smile.


    Before departing, he handed Daniel a communication device.


    "This will make it easier for us to stay in touch. If you need anything, just let me know."


    Since both of them came from Thousand Suns Hall, they were supposed to support each other.


    If Daniel ever needed help, Marin would rush to his aid immediately.


    This behavior left Renee in a prolonged state of disbelief.


    Because¡­


    Was this really Marin?


    In her memory, Marin''s life in Thousand Suns Hall had been miserable.


    He had every reason to hate Thousand Suns Hall.


    Yet now¡­


    It was as if none of that had ever happened?


    Beside her, Freya also looked at Renee with confusion.


    Because Renee had repeatedly warned Freya about Marin.


    And even brought Freya to find Daniel, just to warn him about Marin''s hostility.


    But now¡­


    Marin seemed incredibly friendly, as if there were no issues at all.


    This was completely beyond Renee''s understanding.


    Daniel turned to Renee and asked,


    "So this is the Marin Elder who supposedly despises Thousand Suns Hall? He doesn''t seem that bad."


    Renee had no answer for him.


    Because¡­


    This Marin was completely different from the one in her memory!


    The difference was so vast, it was almost unbelievable.


    In the past, whenever Thousand Suns Hall encountered Marin, it had always been a nightmare for their prodigies.


    During every trial, Marin would relentlessly make things difficult for them.


    Some had even suffered severe injuries because of his actions.


    That was the real Marin.


    But the Marin who had just left¡­


    Felt like a complete stranger to Renee.


    As if someone else had taken over his body.


    "It looks like he won''t be causing trouble for the Thousand Suns Hall participants this time," Daniel remarked.


    "Anyway, I have other matters to attend to. I''ll be leaving now¡ªtake care of Freya."


    With that, Daniel left.


    Before leaving, he also left behind the communication device Marin had given him.


    This device¡­


    Could actually serve to protect the Thousand Suns Hall participants during the trials.


    But Daniel had more important things to do.


    The Domain Lord Token in his hand¡ªhe was going to make full use of it.


    Shortly after, Daniel arrived at the Blue Jade Guild Library.


    The building was massive.


    With his Domain Lord Token, he faced no obstacles entering.


    After all, he was only accessing the basic archives¡ªno one would stop him.


    Daniel began searching for historical records.


    Soon, one book caught his attention.


    It contained stories about a place called Amethyst Temple.


    Amethyst Temple, once a thriving power, had fallen into ruin, ultimately erased by time.


    The name sounded familiar to Daniel.


    He vaguely remembered hearing about it before.


    Back when he bought dried herbs from Leah, there had been some people at the auction mentioning this God Realm¡ªor rather, its ruler, the Amethyst God King.


    At the time, Daniel had only overheard it and hadn''t given it much thought.


    But now, that God Realm and God King, once spoken of casually, had become nothing more than history recorded in a book.


    The thought¡­


    Was sobering.


    Daniel flipped open the book.


    Soon, one word jumped out at him.


    Heaven''s Punishment!


    Yes, this term baffled Daniel.


    According to the book¡­


    At its peak, Amethyst Temple was one of the strongest forces in the region.


    Its power flourished through the fusion of multiple worlds, reaching an unprecedented golden age.


    But this did not last.


    The root cause?


    A sudden, inexplicable Heaven''s Punishment descended upon Amethyst Temple.


    The Amethyst God King and his strongest warriors tried to resist.


    But their efforts were meaningless.


    They stood no chance against this mysterious punishment.


    The entire temple was destroyed.


    Amethyst Temple poured all its strength into resisting¡­ yet failed.


    On that day, all who lived near it felt the devastation.


    Many wept as they witnessed its downfall.


    All because Amethyst Temple had perished.


    It marked the end of a top-tier force.


    From that day on, the name Amethyst Temple faded from history.

 Chapter420-Divine Punishment

    Amethyst Temple had also become a part of history.


    It was passed down by word of mouth and then recorded in writing.


    Divine punishment...


    Daniel once again began to scrutinize this term.


    For something to be called divine punishment, it naturally had to be a punishment from the heavens!


    That is, from the Will of the World itself.


    But the problem was...


    The new God Realm at that time was pieced together by Daniel using countless mini worlds.


    He had gathered all those mini worlds to form a new world.


    This new world...


    How could it have nurtured a Will of the World in such a short time and then executed divine punishment?


    That was simply impossible!


    Unless...


    Daniel thought of a figure.


    That was the daughter of the 5-Element God King, Lily.


    Because back then, Daniel could sense that Lily was favored by the entire God Realm.


    Even the Will of the World of the God Realm was assisting her.


    If anyone could serve as the surrogate Will of the World for the new God Realm, then it could only be Lily.


    There was also Big White.


    Big White was originally the Will of the World of Crossbridge World.


    After Daniel fused it with the new God Realm,


    it should also have been able to exercise a portion of the world''s authority.


    However...


    Daniel was deeply aware of the nature of these two children.


    They would never have done such a thing.


    So, in other words, the so-called divine punishment recorded in this book...


    In reality, it was most likely not divine punishment at all, or at least had nothing to do with the Will of the World.


    It could also have been an action taken by some immensely powerful existence, one that most people couldn''t perceive.


    Thus, ordinary people mistook it for divine punishment. Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire


    That was also highly possible.


    Then...


    Who could such a formidable existence be?


    A Supreme Overseer?


    Could it be Rose?


    This thought emerged in Daniel''s mind.


    When Daniel saw the sword mark left by Rose, he could tell that it was an all-out strike from her.


    Because even the imprinted sword mark still carried that aura of destruction.


    Not to mention the original sword mark.


    So...


    It wasn''t impossible that Rose had used her full strength to strike a blow and destroy Amethyst Temple.


    But...


    Why?


    At present, the information Daniel had was too limited.


    He simply couldn''t deduce the whole picture.


    Perhaps the truth wasn''t what he imagined at all.


    Thus, Daniel once again searched through the books.


    He needed to find more clues.


    However, even after searching for a long time, Daniel found nothing of real value.


    Because these books themselves...


    How should he put it? They contained a vast amount of baseless speculation.


    The information within them was even less reliable than the account of Amethyst Temple''s destruction.


    Occasionally, there were mentions of divine punishment...


    But they sounded more like exaggerated boasts.


    There was no reference value at all.


    Finally, Daniel found another book.


    This book recorded some events that took place after Amethyst Temple was destroyed.


    According to its records, after Amethyst Temple was obliterated,


    the place remained shrouded in darkness for a long time.


    It was a kind of primeval darkness.


    Because the colossal power that had once ruled here, Amethyst Temple, had been annihilated, sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    order had also collapsed in that instant.


    All the ambitious mages began to stir restlessly.


    At that time, the place was like an untamed, savage land.


    Order ceased to exist.


    Everything descended into chaos.


    However, these days did not last long.


    Because three powerful beings descended from the sky.


    They reestablished order.


    One of them was what came to be known as White Lotus Sanctuary.


    It could be said that the three mighty figures who established the sanctuaries restored order to the place.


    Everything became organized once more.


    Seeing this, Daniel began to have doubts.


    These so-called three sanctuaries...


    Could they have been sent by Crossbridge Academy?


    If that were the case...


    Based on the existing clues, Daniel could piece together a fairly clear thread of logic.


    After the new God Realm emerged, everything was flourishing.


    But...


    For some reason, Amethyst Temple must have committed an unforgivable offense.


    So Rose appeared and destroyed it.


    Then, others were sent in to reestablish order...


    Thinking about it this way, it made sense.


    However...


    It was still just a conjecture.


    For Daniel, he still needed some crucial clues.


    It looked like he had to seek out those two elders first.


    And the three sanctuaries...


    He had to visit them too!


    ...


    Ancient Abode Domain.


    Inside the Domain Lord''s hall.


    Brown sat in his grand hall, his brows furrowed deeply,


    his face heavy with contemplation.


    A few days ago, after waking from his dream,


    aside from instructing Marin to look after the person that the great being had mentioned,


    he also used his memory to reconstruct the appearance of the person he had encountered in the dream.


    Then, he inquired among many friends.


    Who exactly was this person?


    But no one knew.


    So, he even specifically asked some Dream Healers if they had seen such a powerful figure before.


    But the Dream Healers also shook their heads.


    They stated that they did not recognize such a person.


    At that moment, Brown began to suspect whether he had been deceived...


    But that divine spell¡ª


    it was real!


    Just then, the chief of the Blue Jade Guild sought him out.


    Brown could still recall how serious the chief had looked at that moment.


    He had solemnly asked if Brown had recently been investigating a man¡ª


    and whether he had a portrait of the individual.


    When the chief saw the portrait,


    his expression immediately grew tense.


    He even said that confirmation was needed from the sanctuary.


    That Brown must not act rashly for the time being.


    Brown had never seen the usually calm and composed chief behave in such a manner before.


    And now, even the sanctuary had to be consulted...


    Brown instantly grew nervous as well.


    Luckily, he had not taken any action.


    This person...


    Could actually be connected to the sanctuary?!


    He must be a major figure!


    Fortunately, he had already instructed Marin to take care of that person''s acquaintance.


    So, there should be no problem.


    For the past few days, Brown had remained in his grand hall,


    not daring to make any moves.


    Suddenly, his communicator rang.


    It was a message from the chief of the Blue Jade Guild!


    Brown quickly answered.


    "Brown! I need you to tell me something very important¡ªtruthfully!"


    "Yes, Chief."


    "Are you absolutely certain that the man you saw in your dream looked exactly like that?"


    "Chief, I am completely certain! Unless he has changed his appearance! Otherwise... there''s no way I could be mistaken!"


    Brown responded.


    "I suspected that too... but the sanctuary... they told me¡ª


    there is no way anyone would dare to impersonate such an existence!"


    The chief spoke with a strange expression.


    That was the conclusion he had received from the sanctuary.


    It was an unimaginably great existence.


    Even the sanctuary referred to him with respectful honorifics.


    Hearing this, Brown was momentarily stunned.


    He never would have imagined that this time, in his dream,


    he had actually encountered such a great figure?!


    Even the sanctuary...


    had to show deference to him?!


    "Chief, who exactly is that person?"


    Brown asked curiously.


    At that moment, the chief of the Blue Jade Guild shook his head:


    "I don''t know. And it''s not something we should concern ourselves with.


    The higher-ups do not want us to investigate further."


    "There''s one more thing, Brown¡ª


    they said that no matter the cost, we must fulfill any of his requests! Do you understand?"


    The chief of the Blue Jade Guild said solemnly.


    "Any request... Chief, I understand!"


    Brown responded immediately.


    Because he could tell just how serious the chief''s tone was.


    "By the way, Brown, did he make any requests at the time?"


    "He made two requests. One was to take care of a mage participating in the examination this time¡ª


    a mage from a lower-tier force, who seemed to be temporarily under the care of a Dream Healer."

 Chapter421-The Real Reason

    Brown spoke slowly:


    "I have already arranged for the elder in charge of this assessment to discreetly provide assistance."


    "There is one more thing. The other party mentioned that within one of our Blue Jade Guild''s subordinate forces, an organization called Thousand Suns Hall, there is a descendant of an old acquaintance of his."


    "He requested that this person be allowed free access to the Blue Jade Guild''s archive. That''s all. I already gave the orders a few days ago."


    Hearing Brown''s words, the chief of Blue Jade let out a sigh of relief.


    Fortunately...


    Brown had handled everything perfectly, without leaving any loose ends.


    With this, there would be no further issues.


    And he could report back to the higher-ups without worry.


    Just then, Brown suddenly thought of something:


    "Chief! There''s one more thing!"


    "What is it?"


    Hearing Brown''s voice, the chief of Blue Jade tensed up again.


    "That person¡­ in our previous conversation, he mentioned the sword scar on Blue Stone, as well as the cauldrons we provided to our subordinate forces to construct the secret realms."


    "Additionally, he seems to be interested in Elder Wood and Elder Falco and wishes to meet them."


    Brown added.


    At this moment, the chief of the Blue Jade Guild panicked:


    "Why didn''t you mention this earlier? I''ll arrange it immediately! Also, has that person contacted you again since then?"


    Brown hesitated for a moment before replying:


    "No, but¡­ his acquaintance''s descendant seems to know something. When I sent my domain master token over, the person didn''t seem surprised at all."


    "Alright, I''ll make the arrangements right away¡­"


    Daniel hadn''t expected that as soon as he returned to his small courtyard, visitors would arrive.


    This time, aside from the green-haired girl Alice, whom he had seen in his dream, two elders and the domain master of Ancient Abode Domain, Brown, had come together to visit him.


    Daniel was puzzled.


    These two elders were the very ones Brown had mentioned earlier¡ªthe ones who had imprinted the sword scar and forged the cauldron.


    He hadn''t even planned to seek them out in the dream world yet, and now they had come to him instead?


    Taking the opportunity while pouring tea, Daniel pulled Alice aside and secretly asked what was going on.


    "Brother Daniel, this time is really different! We''re about to soar!"


    "What do you mean? Explain clearly!"


    "I don''t know exactly what happened, but I was summoned by the domain master and the two elders not long ago. They told me that I could make any request I wanted! Isn''t that like hitting the jackpot?"


    Alice''s face was filled with excitement:


    "I don''t even have to take the assessment anymore!"


    Hearing Alice''s words, Daniel fell silent.


    This situation was obviously unusual.


    Then, Daniel brought Rose over and asked directly:


    "Elders, what brings you here?"


    "It''s nothing much. We just wanted to check if you''re comfortable living here."


    One of the elders asked.


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    These two elders were practically the equivalent of grand elders in the Blue Jade Guild.


    They were the highest among the high.


    Even the chief of Blue Jade Guild wouldn''t dare to offend them.


    Brown, standing nearby, now seemed like nothing more than an assistant, completely unable to get a word in.


    This elder had a very good attitude, and his tone carried a sense of flattery.


    "It''s been fine. With this domain master token, I can go wherever I want."


    Elder Wood glanced at the token and then said:


    "You can just keep it as a souvenir. Starting today, Falco and I will stay by your side. If you need anything, we''ll be more useful than the domain master."


    "You can pretty much move freely in the entire Blue Jade Guild without worry."


    Daniel was stunned upon hearing this.


    He hadn''t expected these two elders to be so generous.


    They were basically saying that he could walk around the Blue Jade Guild like he owned the place.


    "Elders¡­ you''re being too kind. I don''t quite understand¡­ why are you doing this?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    "Because you are the ones closest to that person."


    Elder Wood answered.


    At that time, Daniel had been using the face of the 5-Element God King.


    "You¡­ investigated him?"


    Daniel turned to look at Brown.


    Brown lowered his head in embarrassment.


    "Did you find anything? How is he now?"


    Wood chuckled and shook his head:


    "Given our current abilities¡­ we couldn''t uncover any information about that great existence. But rest assured, the sanctuary has already given permission. As long as you are within the Blue Jade Guild''s domain, no matter what you wish to do, the guild will provide unconditional support to the fullest extent."


    Hearing Elder Wood''s words, Daniel understood.


    Someone in the White Lotus Sanctuary must have recognized the 5-Element God King.


    Which indirectly meant that the 5-Element God King was doing well.


    That meant Rose and the others¡­


    Naturally, they would be fine too.


    Thinking about this, Daniel asked:


    "Elders, I have a question..."


    "I know. Brown already told us that the senior seems very curious about the sword scar, right?"


    "Yes, can you tell me about it?"


    Daniel asked.


    "There''s no harm in that. That sword scar actually comes from the Amethyst Temple thousands of years ago."


    Wood and Falco had both grown up within the sanctuary.


    They had only come here to help build the Blue Jade Guild as part of a mission.


    At some point in the past, someone from the Blue Jade Guild had retrieved a massive Blue Stone.


    There was a sword scar on the Blue Stone.


    That sword scar carried an incredibly powerful aura of destruction.


    When Wood first laid eyes on it, that destructive aura nearly invaded his very soul.


    Fortunately, others were present at the time and managed to save him.


    Because of this experience, Wood unexpectedly gained insight into the rules of the sword.


    With this fragment of understanding, he successfully ascended to the rank of Upper Saint.


    And he also gained the ability to imprint sword scars.


    Of course, the power of the sword scars he imprinted was less than one percent of the original.


    As for the cauldrons¡­


    That was even simpler. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cauldrons were commonly used items in the sanctuary.


    So Falco had simply crafted them as a routine task.


    Now, Daniel was almost certain.


    The destruction of the Amethyst Temple was likely Rose''s doing.


    And the emergence of the three great sanctuaries afterward¡­


    Must have been to stabilize and restore order.


    "Some people once speculated that the three great sanctuaries actually originated from the same place."


    "I never believed it. After all¡­ what kind of place could simultaneously produce three distinct and powerful sanctuaries?"


    "Is there a way to reach the White Lotus Sanctuary, or a known route?"


    Daniel asked directly.


    Since he was now 80% certain that these sanctuaries were connected to Crossbridge Academy, there was no need to waste time here.


    He might as well go see for himself.


    "You intend to go to the sanctuary?"


    "That''s right."


    Daniel nodded.


    Hearing this, Wood frowned before replying:


    "You and Alice¡­ likely won''t be able to enter the sanctuary directly."


    "Why?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    "You don''t understand yet. The three great sanctuaries were built on the ruins of the destroyed Amethyst Temple."


    "Because of the past divine punishment, the area is still filled with destructive energy even now. Ordinary people entering would die almost instantly!"


    "Even after thousands of years of sanctuary efforts, only a portion has been restored. Without at least reaching Earth God rank¡­ entering would mean certain death."


    After hearing Elder Wood''s explanation, Daniel finally understood.


    So the restriction was based on strength¡­


    For Daniel, that wasn''t a problem at all!


    "Elder Wood, I have a favor to ask."


    "Just say it directly. No need to call it a favor."

 Chapter422-The Holy Lord Is Coming!

    Elder Wood looked directly at Daniel and spoke.


    "As long as you wish for it, and if the Blue Jade Guild can fulfill it, you may ask for anything!"


    "In that case, I need a place rich in mana. I want to ascend directly into the divine realm."


    "Alright, no problem."


    After agreeing to this request, Wood and the others left Daniel''s courtyard.


    They would prepare to open a secret realm within the Blue Jade Guild specifically for Daniel and Alice.


    Inside, there would naturally be higher-grade cauldrons,


    and at the same time, the mana would be even more abundant,


    allowing both of them to break through.


    As for Daniel mentioning that he would be advancing to Earth God Rank,


    these elders had no doubts at all.


    After all, he was the descendant of that supreme existence.


    Being extraordinarily gifted was perfectly normal.


    If Daniel successfully broke through to Earth God Rank,


    these two elders would personally escort him to White Lotus Sanctuary.


    After the elders left, Alice was still somewhat dazed,


    as if she hadn''t fully processed what had just happened.


    "Brother, you''re truly my lucky star! This life feels like a dream!


    Even in the Dream Realm, I wouldn''t dare to fantasize about something like this!"


    "I originally thought having a Domain Lord as our backer was already impressive."


    "But I never dared to imagine that something like this would happen¡­"


    "They''re even opening up their most precious secret realm for us¡­"


    This was simply surreal.


    Alice was the only one who knew the entire truth behind the situation.


    She never expected things to escalate to this level.


    Still in a daze, she returned to her residence.


    ¡­


    Early the next morning.


    Alice, with dark circles under her eyes, knocked on Daniel''s door once again.


    After muddling through the night in her own courtyard,


    she suddenly realized something critical.


    Everything she had gained so far was based on one single factor¡ª


    the fact that Daniel had conjured up the image of that mysterious man in his dream.


    That was the very thing that had caused all the subsequent misunderstandings.


    But what if the Blue Jade Guild or the sanctuary discovered¡­


    that she didn''t actually know who that person was?


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    That everything was just an act orchestrated by Daniel?


    The entire night, Alice had been on edge.


    Every time she closed her eyes,


    she felt as if the two elders from the previous day and the Domain Lord


    were standing right in front of her, constantly reprimanding her.


    Or worse, the lie being exposed,


    and those people turning on her.


    For a Dream Healer to be trapped in a nightmare¡ª


    that was precisely what had happened to Alice.


    She was so anxious that she didn''t even dare to sleep.


    The entire night, she kept thinking about what to do.


    If the truth was exposed, there was no way she would survive!


    As soon as the sky began to lighten, Alice rushed over to find Daniel.


    "Brother! Daniel! Who exactly was that person you transformed into earlier?"


    "I spent the whole night in fear! What if we''re found out¡­ what are we supposed to do?!"


    Hearing Alice''s words, Daniel immediately understood what she was worried about.


    So he said, "Don''t worry, there won''t be any accidents. That person was just me."


    "What?! Brother, this isn''t the time to joke around! If we''re exposed, we''re really going to die!"


    Alice said, utterly panicked.


    "Since things are already set in motion, we should just focus on growing stronger. We''ll deal with the future when it comes."


    After hearing Daniel''s response,


    Alice felt as if she had no choice but to accept her fate.


    "Fine! You''re right, Daniel! Fortune favors the bold! Let''s just focus on getting stronger first!


    Whatever happens later, we''ll deal with it then!"


    "But, Daniel, how long do you plan to stay here?


    If we remain for too long¡­ we''ll be exposed sooner or later, won''t we?"


    "One year. I plan to stay in the Blue Jade Guild for a year."


    For Daniel, one year should be enough for him to reach Earth God Rank.


    At that point, he could head to the sanctuary to confirm whether or not he recognized anyone there.


    In reality, without any bottlenecks,


    if he didn''t care about the consequences, he could probably break through in just a month.


    However¡­


    The thought of who he might have to face¡­


    First and foremost, the mischievous Big White.


    If he ended up being on the same level as Big White¡­


    that troublemaker would definitely get restless.


    So, he had to maintain his dignity as a father.


    Thus, Daniel made a plan¡ª


    Within this year, he would solidify his foundations.


    As the creator of Genesis,


    this was no difficult task for him.


    He would refine every rank to perfection,


    making his foundation as solid as possible.


    That way, if he ever became a Supreme Overseer,


    he would be able to keep Big White and the others in check.


    He wouldn''t be an embarrassment.


    "If you''re worried that you won''t be able to break through in a year, don''t worry.


    I''ll just talk to the Blue Jade Guild and have them extend your stay."


    Daniel said kindly.


    But these words made Alice a little unhappy.


    "Daniel, are you saying¡­


    that I''ll take longer than you to reach the divine realm?"


    "Well, isn''t that the truth?"


    Daniel replied.


    Unlike him, Alice had to deal with bottlenecks.


    "Don''t underestimate me! In terms of talent,


    I haven''t seen many people stronger than me!


    Just wait and see! I''ll definitely make it within a year!"


    Alice pouted, like a child throwing a tantrum.


    Soon, the two arrived at the secret realm prepared by the Blue Jade Guild.


    This secret realm wasn''t located within the Blue Jade Guild itself¡ª


    rather, it existed in a mini world.


    The two elders personally escorted them inside.


    After entering, Daniel immediately sensed the abundance of mana around him


    and began preparing for his breakthrough.


    Meanwhile, Alice went to find a cauldron.


    She knew that staying close to a cauldron


    was the best way to maximize the use of available resources


    and accelerate her growth.


    After the two entered the secret realm¡ª


    Outside, the chief of the Blue Jade Guild also arrived at the scene.


    "How''s it going? Have you sent their portraits to the higher-ups?"


    Wood asked.


    Naturally, the Blue Jade Guild wouldn''t just take a person''s face as proof of their connection to such an existence. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So, they had submitted Daniel and Alice''s portraits to the sanctuary for verification.


    Hearing Wood''s question, the Blue Jade Guild''s chief, Edwin, nodded.


    "Yes. The sanctuary is very interested in the person Brown mentioned.


    In fact, this has already attracted a great deal of attention."


    "Is that so? But why would such an existence send their descendants to the Blue Jade Guild?


    And¡­ weren''t these two raised within one of the guild''s subsidiary forces?"


    Wood was puzzled.


    Logically speaking, a powerhouse of that level¡­


    why would they bother sending their juniors here?


    Wouldn''t the sanctuary be a better choice?


    Just then, Edwin''s communicator suddenly rang like crazy.


    "What is it?"


    Wood looked at Edwin and asked.


    Edwin''s eyes were filled with shock.


    Then, he said:


    "It''s the Grand Overseer!"


    The Grand Overseer of White Lotus Sanctuary!


    "The Grand Overseer has instructed us to keep them here and ensure they are treated with the utmost respect!"


    "What?!"


    Wood was stunned.


    The Grand Overseer was at the God King level!


    And even he was so cautious about Daniel and Alice?!


    "Wait¡­ if the Grand Overseer is getting involved,


    does that mean he''s coming to the Blue Jade Guild personally?"


    "No!"


    Edwin shook his head.


    "The Grand Overseer won''t come himself.


    He needs to report this to the White Lotus Holy Lord.


    At that point¡­ the Holy Lord might come to the Blue Jade Guild personally!"


    At that moment¡­


    Even Wood and Falco were at a loss for words.


    Daniel and Alice¡­


    Were they truly from such a powerful background?


    To the point where even the Holy Lord himself was coming?


    This was beyond unbelievable!


    Even if their ancestor was someone the sanctuary had to respect¡ª


    They were still just juniors.


    It would have been normal for the sanctuary to pay attention to them.


    But this?


    The Grand Overseer personally intervening?


    The Holy Lord coming in person?


    This was something else entirely!


    This meant that Daniel and Alice''s identities¡­


    were far from ordinary.


    No¡ª


    Their connection to that great being was probably not as simple as being mere descendants¡­


    Realizing this, Wood let out a breath of relief.


    Luckily, he hadn''t offended them!

 Chapter423-He Has Returned!

    White Lotus Sanctuary.


    At this moment, a young man was hurrying toward the central hall of the sanctuary¡ª


    the very place where the White Lotus Holy Lord resided.


    This young man was none other than the Grand Overseer of White Lotus Sanctuary.


    He had already reached the rank of God King.


    Within White Lotus Sanctuary, he could walk unhindered without any problems.


    But now, his expression was extremely grave.


    There was even an indescribable sense of panic in his eyes.


    His speed was astonishing.


    Even the sky bore a streak from his passage.


    The young man quickly entered the Holy Lord''s great hall.


    Finding no one inside, he hurried to the back.


    As expected, he saw a woman seated there, seemingly drinking tea.


    "Fayne, why are you so flustered? You''ve been with me for a long time now, and you''re already at the rank of God King.


    Shouldn''t you know better by now to remain composed?"


    On the table before the woman sat a small cauldron.


    "Holy Lord, this matter¡­ this matter is simply impossible to stay calm about!"


    Fayne was incredibly agitated,


    yet also deeply unsettled.


    "Alright, sit down and speak. What exactly has happened that has you so anxious?"


    Kaylyn looked at Fayne and asked.


    Fayne was an old subordinate who had followed her for years.


    She had never seen him in such a state before.


    This made Kaylyn all the more curious.


    What had Fayne encountered that could make him act like this?


    "Holy Lord, this time, something truly monumental is happening!"


    "Enough suspense. You''ve been with me since the days of Blackwater City. You should know that I don''t appreciate such theatrics."


    "I know, but Holy Lord, this time¡­"


    Fayne forced a wry smile.


    "It''s truly different! Please, just listen to me! You know the Blue Jade Guild, right?"


    Kaylyn nodded, indicating her familiarity.


    It was a faction nurtured by White Lotus Sanctuary.


    She was well aware of it.


    "Recently, the Blue Jade Guild has been selecting core apprentices. Many talents have emerged,


    but one particular girl¡ªa Dream Healer¡ªstood out.


    Not long ago, this girl, along with her temporary mentor,


    entered the dreamscape of a high-ranking member of the Blue Jade Guild."


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    "They inquired about some sword marks and a cauldron."


    "And what of it?"


    Kaylyn asked, puzzled.


    Whether it was sword marks or cauldrons,


    it was normal for people to be curious about such things.


    After all, those items weren''t something that should have appeared in that place.


    "I understand. But that high-ranking member of the Blue Jade Guild remembered the teacher''s face


    and decided to investigate further.


    So, the Blue Jade Guild''s chief reached out to the sanctuary."


    Hearing Fayne''s words, Kaylyn nodded.


    That was completely reasonable.


    Encountering an unknown powerful figure¡ªreporting it to the sanctuary for oversight was the proper course of action.


    Up to this point, Kaylyn saw nothing out of the ordinary.


    If anything, this was exactly how things should be handled.


    Then, Fayne projected the image of that person.


    The moment Kaylyn laid eyes on it, her expression changed dramatically.


    "This¡­ This is the 5-Element God King?!"


    The 5-Element God King had always shown great favor to Crossbridge World.


    Back when Crossbridge World had first merged into the God Realm,


    many powerhouses from the 5-Element God Realm had come to aid in its advancement.


    Moreover, the 5-Element God King had addressed that great being as brother.


    By now, the 5-Element God King had already surpassed the rank of God King.


    Yet¡­


    Everyone still preferred to call him by that title.


    And, of course, the 5-Element God King himself liked that name as well.


    "No! That''s impossible!"


    Kaylyn immediately denied it.


    Because she knew¡ª


    The 5-Element God King would never appear in a place like this.


    Let alone¡­


    Taking on students here, or infiltrating someone''s dream.


    That was far too absurd.


    Which meant¡­


    Was someone impersonating him?


    Kaylyn couldn''t make sense of it.


    Impersonating the 5-Element God King was a death wish!


    "Yes, I thought the same at first¡ª


    that he would never come here.


    But just in case, I instructed the Blue Jade Guild''s chief, Edwin,


    to accommodate the individual''s requests as much as possible."


    Kaylyn nodded again at this.


    Even though the 5-Element God King was unlikely to be there¡­


    What if?


    And even if it was an imposter,


    to dare impersonate the 5-Element God King¡­


    That person must have some sort of significant connection to him.


    "Even so, is that enough to warrant such panic?"


    "To avoid mistakes, I had someone investigate further.


    The person in question, while in the dreamscape,


    requested care for his apprentice and¡­ a certain descendant of an old acquaintance."


    "Just now, the Blue Jade Guild''s chief sent over the portraits of those two individuals."


    As Fayne spoke, he projected an image of a young girl.


    She had green hair, an unusual appearance.


    "This girl is the apprentice."


    "But what really unsettled you must be the so-called descendant of an old acquaintance, right?


    So¡­ who exactly is that person?"


    Kaylyn asked.


    Fayne did not immediately project the second portrait.


    Instead, he warned her first.


    "Holy Lord, you need to brace yourself.


    Because this person¡­"


    "Enough. I''m ready. Just show me who it is that has you so¡ª"


    Before Kaylyn could finish her sentence, Fayne revealed the image of a man.


    The moment she saw that face¡ª


    Kaylyn froze.


    The words she had been speaking


    stuck in her throat.


    Her mind felt like it had been struck by lightning.


    "This¡­ This is impossible!"


    Kaylyn blurted out instinctively.


    At that moment, she lost all the composure expected of the leader of a sanctuary.


    She became completely flustered.


    "How could this be?! That great lord¡­


    Why would he be here?!"


    "That''s exactly why I''m so unsettled.


    That great lord''s face is known everywhere in Crossbridge World.


    The moment I saw that face,


    I rushed to report this to you."


    Fayne said.


    Kaylyn did not respond.


    She simply stared at the face.


    Stared intently.


    As if nothing had changed.


    As if the passage of ten thousand years had left no mark on him at all.


    He still looked¡­


    Just as he had back in Blackwater City.


    No.


    He looked even younger than he had then.


    Of course, Kaylyn knew who this person was.


    Her memory suddenly flashed back to that day.


    The day she met him.


    The day he saved her.


    The day he brought her to Blackwater City.


    The day he entrusted her with Blackwater City''s rule.


    The day he elevated Crossbridge Academy into the greatest power in the God Realm.


    She remained silent for a long time.


    Finally, Kaylyn slowly sank back into her chair.


    Her mind was still dazed.


    "Holy Lord, now you understand why I was so shaken, don''t you?"


    Fayne looked at Kaylyn.


    Kaylyn still hadn''t recovered from the shock.


    Ten thousand years.


    For ten thousand years,


    everyone had been searching for that great lord.


    Across the entire God Realm, across the entire universe¡­


    Yet there had been no trace of him.


    And now¡ª


    That great lord had reappeared?


    And at a mere minor guild''s examination?!


    What had happened in these ten thousand years?!


    "No¡­ This¡­ This cannot be him!"


    Kaylyn spoke, her thoughts in disarray.


    "If it truly were him¡­


    How could he have allowed that event to happen?!"


    Her mind was a mess.


    "Holy Lord, regardless of everything else,


    you should calm yourself.


    For now, should we report this to Crossbridge Academy?"


    Fayne suggested.


    "Crossbridge Academy?"


    Hearing this, Kaylyn snapped back to reality.


    "No.


    Do not inform Crossbridge Academy.


    For now, only the two of us know about this, correct?"


    "Yes. As soon as I learned of this,


    I came directly to you."


    Fayne replied.


    "Then¡­ should we go and see that great lord ourselves?


    To find out if this is truly him¡­


    Or just a coincidence¡­"

 Chapter424-The Three Holy Lords

    "Here''s what we''ll do¡ªseal all information related to this matter. For now, only the two of us should know."


    "Let''s go. First, we need to confirm whether it''s truly Lord Daniel!"


    Kaylyn immediately made the most rational decision.


    "As for informing Crossbridge Academy¡­ there''s no need to rush.


    If it really is that great lord, and he has chosen not to reveal himself, then he must have his own reasons."


    "So we mustn''t act recklessly."


    Hearing Kaylyn''s words, Fayne nodded in agreement.


    "Holy Lord, your judgment is wise."


    Kaylyn then recalled how, back when they had first traveled to Blackwater City,


    Daniel hadn''t revealed his identity at all.


    He had only wanted to hear honest opinions about Riverside City from outsiders.


    So this time¡­


    Could it be for a similar reason?


    But for now, the most important thing was to confirm his identity first.


    "You go to Blue Jade Guild first. I''ll follow shortly."


    "Understood!"


    With that, Fayne immediately boarded a ship and sped toward Blue Jade Guild.


    Meanwhile, Kaylyn took out her communicator and contacted two individuals.


    Soon, a middle-aged man and a young woman appeared before Kaylyn.


    At this moment, the three of them could see each other.


    The middle-aged man was Icarus Oren¡ªthe one who had overseen the expansion of Riverside City long ago.


    The young woman was Cyr,


    formerly the Saintess of the Spirit Beast Sect.


    "What is this about, Kaylyn? Does the White Lotus Holy Lord have some urgent matter that requires our presence?"


    Cyr looked at Kaylyn with narrowed eyes.


    Perched on her shoulder was a small bird.


    "The sun must be rising from the west today.


    I don''t recall any recent disputes between us."


    Her tone carried a hint of mockery,


    clearly indicating that her relationship with Kaylyn was less than amicable.


    As for Icarus, he spoke in a cold voice:


    "I have no interest in your quarrels. If there''s nothing urgent, I need to return to oversee matters in Artisan''s Sanctuary."


    Seeing their attitudes, Kaylyn sighed.


    Back when the three of them had first come to this place,


    there hadn''t been any major conflicts.


    In fact, they had once fought side by side as close allies.


    But over the past few thousand years,


    small disputes had gradually escalated.


    And as time passed, those tensions deepened.


    Now, they were barely more than strangers.


    In truth, there was no real personal animosity between them.


    Most of their issues stemmed from conflicts between their factions,


    which had inevitably created a rift between them.


    Kaylyn could only sigh helplessly.


    "The pointless struggle between our sanctuaries needs to stop."


    "Oh? That''s easy for you to say.


    Fine, then return the territory you took from us!


    And as for Artisan''s Sanctuary, they need to stop hunting spirit beasts.


    Then we''ll talk."


    "Our materials require those beasts.


    That''s not up for negotiation."


    "Not up for negotiation?


    Then forget it!


    We''ll go our separate ways!"


    "Enough! Stop arguing!"


    Seeing the situation escalating, Kaylyn quickly interrupted.


    "Listen¡ªthat great lord has returned!"


    The moment Kaylyn said this,


    both Cyr and Icarus snapped their gazes toward her.


    "Wait¡­ who did you just say?"


    Cyr hesitated, her mind already forming a possible answer.


    But she couldn''t believe it.


    Ten thousand years had passed.


    How could that great lord possibly have returned?


    They had searched everywhere back then¡­


    At that moment, Kaylyn revealed a portrait in her hand.


    "If he knew what''s happening here,


    what do you think he would say?"


    "Kaylyn¡­ You better not be joking about this!


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    How could that be?"


    Cyr stared at the image,


    her expression complicated.


    "Do you think I would joke about something like this?"


    Kaylyn countered.


    "Lord Daniel¡­ has truly returned?"


    Hearing this, Icarus was overcome with emotion.


    No one had hoped for Daniel''s return more than he had.


    "I don''t have absolute certainty yet.


    But I''ve already sent someone ahead to confirm."


    Kaylyn then explained everything that had happened so far.


    When they learned that someone had pretended to be the 5-Element God King,


    their doubts vanished.


    This had to be Daniel.


    Because aside from Daniel,


    who else would do something like that?


    "Oh no¡­ oh no¡­!"


    Suddenly, Cyr''s face turned pale.


    "If that''s really him, then he''s going to find out that I haven''t managed the spirit beasts properly!


    I need to hurry back and deal with those unruly ones immediately!"


    "Damn it, he''s already back¡­


    That means he probably knows everything by now!


    It''s too late!


    It''s completely too late!"


    At this moment, Cyr no longer had her previous cold demeanor.


    She panicked like a helpless little girl.


    "Hahaha!


    I knew it¡ªthere was no way Lord Daniel could have died so easily!


    He''s back!


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    Maybe he can even help me break through to a higher level in forging!"


    Back then, it was Daniel''s blueprints that had inspired Icarus,


    allowing him to reach his current mastery.


    "You''re laughing?!


    Your Artisan''s Sanctuary has plenty of things that he hates the most!"


    "It doesn''t matter.


    As long as Lord Daniel is back,


    I will accept any punishment he gives me!"


    ¡­Actually, that made sense.


    Hearing Icarus speak, Cyr started to calm down.


    But¡­


    She was still worried.


    Back then, Daniel had so much faith in her.


    But¡­


    She hadn''t lived up to his expectations.


    "You two¡­ shouldn''t get ahead of yourselves yet.


    We haven''t confirmed that this person is truly Lord Daniel!"


    Kaylyn looked at the two and warned them.


    "It has to be him!


    That''s exactly the kind of thing he would do!"


    "Agreed.


    This is definitely something only Lord Daniel would do."


    Seeing their absolute confidence,


    Kaylyn hesitated for a moment before asking:


    "Then¡­ should we go meet Lord Daniel?"


    "He''s currently inside Blue Jade Guild, under White Lotus Sanctuary."


    "Yes! We must go!"


    The other two spoke in unison.


    "Alright, but according to my sources,


    Lord Daniel just entered a secret realm to begin seclusion.


    So we have some time to prepare."


    Hearing this, Cyr let out a sigh of relief.


    "Good¡­ That means I still have time to fix some things in my sanctuary.


    That way, he won''t scold me as much when he sees me."


    "Exactly.


    As long as we admit our mistakes and act sincerely,


    Lord Daniel won''t blame us too much."


    Icarus agreed.


    Daniel had always been like that.


    If someone made a mistake,


    the key was owning up to it and correcting it.


    As long as they were honest,


    there wouldn''t be an issue.


    Hearing their words, Kaylyn sighed.


    "You two are being too optimistic.


    Have you already forgotten why the three of us came here in the first place?"


    The moment she said this,


    both Cyr and Icarus fell silent.


    They had¡­


    Forgotten the most serious matter.


    The next moment,


    the three of them simultaneously looked toward the distance.


    This place¡­


    Was still filled with the remnants of destruction.


    "Lord Daniel¡­ must have already learned the truth."


    "If he really knows¡­ then there''s no way he would have allowed that event to happen.


    After all, that was his daughter."


    "Then¡­ should we tell Lord Daniel about what happened?"


    Cyr asked.


    The three fell into complete silence.


    No one wanted to be the first to speak.


    Finally, Icarus broke the silence.


    "We must tell Lord Daniel the truth."


    "But¡­ something changed within the academy.


    We don''t know exactly what happened."


    "We can''t just tell him¡­


    that Miss Rose suddenly lost control and destroyed multiple worlds with a single sword strike, can we?"

 Chapter425-Leaving the Secret Realm

    Hearing Icarus''s words, the three of them fell silent once more.


    This concerned Daniel''s only daughter, Rose¡ªthey couldn''t say anything lightly.


    Everything had happened far too quickly back then.


    So fast that no one truly understood what had transpired behind the scenes.


    "Just as Icarus said, we can''t hide the truth. But since we don''t know the full details, we should wait and see how Lord Daniel reacts first."


    Kaylyn looked at the two as she spoke.


    For people like them¡ªoutsiders to Crossbridge Academy¡ªthis was not something they could judge.


    After confirming some final details, the three of them went their separate ways.


    Kaylyn remained standing there alone, lost in thought.


    ¡­


    Inside the Blue Jade Guild''s Secret Realm.


    A vast amount of mana was converging in one location.


    Gathering and dispersing¡ªover and over¡ª


    as if following some unusual rhythm.


    At the very center of this mana flow sat a young man in meditation.


    It was Daniel.


    The mana around him pulsed with his breathing,


    rising and falling like ocean tides.


    Then, Daniel opened his eyes.


    For a moment, his gaze gleamed with a sharp, piercing light.


    Over the course of a year, Daniel had completely refined his power.


    Every single rank was pushed to its absolute peak


    before he advanced to the next stage.


    He had meticulously solidified his foundation.


    Now, Daniel stood on the verge of Earth God Rank.


    With a single step¡ªhe could cross the threshold.


    "One year has passed¡­ I wonder how that little girl is doing?"


    With that thought, Daniel stood up and traced Alice''s presence.


    To his surprise¡ª


    Alice had actually found the cauldron.


    In this secret realm, training near the cauldron would greatly accelerate one''s cultivation.


    For someone like Daniel, however, as long as there was mana,


    it didn''t really matter where he trained.


    So, he simply stepped past the magic array


    and entered another space.


    At the very center of this space stood a massive cauldron.


    Inside, sitting in meditation¡ªwas Alice.


    "Hey, how''s it going?"


    "Of course, I''ve made great progress! With my talent,


    I successfully advanced within just a year¡ª"


    Alice stood up from the cauldron.


    She patted the dust off her clothes.


    Then¡ªshe paused.


    She sensed Daniel''s aura¡­


    And realized¡ªit was stronger than hers.


    "I knew it! You''re here just to mock me!"


    Alice, who had just stood up, immediately sat back down cross-legged.


    "I''m warning you¡ªdo not disturb me!"


    "If I hadn''t wasted time searching for this cauldron,


    I would''ve already reached Earth God Rank too!


    Don''t get cocky!"


    "Stay away from me!"


    She frowned,


    her expression serious as she resumed absorbing mana.


    Daniel simply smiled.


    Her competitive nature was truly something else.


    With that, he quietly left the space.


    ¡­


    About half a month later, Daniel felt the time had come.


    "If you still want to stay, I''ll let the Blue Jade Guild know.


    I, however, need to leave."


    At this point, Daniel had perfected his strength.


    He was ready to step into Earth God Rank.


    "Daniel, you''re leaving?"


    "Wait¡ªbefore you go,


    can you check my progress?


    I want to know if there''s anything I still need to improve!"


    Alice understood well what Daniel had been doing over the past year.


    Though she often boasted about her talent,


    deep down, she deeply respected Daniel''s dedication.


    "It''s unnecessary.


    Your talent and mine aren''t really comparable.


    You''re already doing quite well."


    With the Dream Realm''s unique advantages,


    Alice had high potential¡ªshe could likely become a God Lord in the future.


    But reaching God King¡­


    That would depend on which rules she comprehended.


    That said, staying here any longer wouldn''t be very meaningful for her.


    And so, the two of them left the secret realm together.


    The moment Daniel stepped out,


    he saw two elders, Brown, and an unfamiliar man waiting for him.


    "Daniel, sir, I am Edwin, chief of the Blue Jade Guild.


    I heard you were in seclusion, so I didn''t get the chance to meet you earlier.


    That''s why I came to personally greet you now."


    ???


    Hearing how Edwin addressed him,


    Daniel was surprised.


    Wasn''t this¡­ a bit too respectful?


    Had they found out something?


    Daniel didn''t quite understand.


    "You''re too kind.


    If not for the Blue Jade Guild''s secret realm,


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    I would have taken much longer to reach this level."


    "It was nothing.


    It is the Blue Jade Guild''s duty to assist you.


    By the way¡ªdoes Daniel, sir have any further requests?


    We will certainly fulfill them."


    "In that case,


    I need a quiet place to break through to Earth God Rank."


    Daniel looked at him and stated plainly.


    "I want that too!"


    Alice chimed in.


    "Of course. Please follow me¡ª


    our Blue Jade Guild has just the right place."


    With that, Edwin led Daniel and Alice away.


    ¡­


    At that moment, three hidden figures stood in the void.


    They had concealed their presence to the extreme.


    "It really does¡­ seem like Lord Daniel."


    "So¡­ should we approach him now?"


    "I''m feeling a bit¡­ nervous¡­"


    Cyr''s palms were sweaty.


    "Maybe we should wait a little longer.


    After all, Lord Daniel still needs to break through."


    "After leaving Tuck Village,


    Lord Daniel never really cared about advancing his rank.


    But recently,


    he suddenly entered seclusion and pushed himself forward.


    He''s about to step into Earth God Rank¡­"


    "Could something¡­ have happened?"


    "Maybe we should just observe for now.


    We''ll talk to him after he completes his breakthrough."


    "Agreed!"


    ¡­


    Edwin led Daniel and Alice to a remote desert.


    The area was desolate and completely isolated.


    "This is the perfect place for your breakthrough.


    If you''re reaching Earth God Rank,


    you may have to endure some tribulations."


    Hearing Edwin''s words,


    Daniel nodded.


    Back when he first advanced¡­


    Wasn''t there a Thunder Tribulation?


    Honestly, Daniel couldn''t quite remember.


    All he did recall was slamming the God Realm''s Gate down,


    and casually forging it into a half-divine artifact for Nora.


    This time¡­


    Would he still need the God Realm''s Gate?


    Probably not¡ª


    since the various continents had already merged into one.


    "I''ll go first!"


    Alice declared.


    She sat cross-legged,


    preparing to face her tribulation.


    From mortal to divine¡ª


    Even in the new God Realm, S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    tribulations still occurred.


    The most common was the Thunder Tribulation.


    The moment Alice''s aura flared,


    dark storm clouds gathered overhead.


    The sky, once clear, was now covered in oppressive black clouds.


    From a distance, the elders of the Blue Jade Guild watched the scene.


    They couldn''t get any closer.


    Otherwise, the Thunder Tribulation might become even stronger.


    Even from afar,


    the ominous black clouds made them feel uneasy.


    "When we advanced to Earth God Rank,


    it wasn''t this intense¡­"


    "This girl¡­ her talent must be extraordinary."


    "By the way, Chief, didn''t you say¡­


    the Sanctuary Lord was coming to watch personally?


    At this rate, we''ll be losing this genius to the sanctuary!"


    Elder Wood sighed in regret.


    "That''s to be expected.


    After all, the Blue Jade Guild is merely a subsidiary of the sanctuary."


    Edwin had no complaints.


    Geniuses like Alice¡­


    Did not belong here.

 Chapter426-Is This Thunder Tribulation?

    The Holy Lord was indeed present.


    However, Edwin could never have imagined that all three Holy Lords of the sanctuary were currently hiding in the shadows, observing this scene.


    Alice was undoubtedly a genius.


    But to them, Daniel was the true focus!


    Lord Daniel was about to undergo tribulation once more...


    No one knew what kind of Thunder Tribulation Lord Daniel would face this time.


    A bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, directly hitting Alice.


    However, after enduring this bolt of lightning, Alice appeared completely unfazed.


    Immediately after, another bolt of lightning descended.


    One after another.


    Alice, standing within the storm of lightning, remained motionless.


    There was no change whatsoever.


    Seeing this, Daniel knew that this Thunder Tribulation posed no threat to Alice.


    Once she endured all the Thunder Tribulations, Alice''s breakthrough to the Earth God Realm should be guaranteed.


    As Alice''s Thunder Tribulation reached its midpoint, Daniel realized it was time for him to begin as well.


    He released his own aura.


    The moment the aura of Daniel, who stood at the edge of the Earth God Realm, spread out, it felt as if the entire world had frozen in place.


    Yes!


    It was not an illusion!


    It was real.


    Even the lightning that was about to strike from the sky had come to a halt.


    At this moment, Kaylyn and the other two had already noticed.


    "It''s finally coming¡­ Lord Daniel''s Thunder Tribulation¡­"


    "I just wonder¡­ what kind it will be?"


    "Logically speaking¡­ shouldn''t the Will of the World be calling Lord Daniel ''Grandfather'' by now?"


    "..."


    In the distance, Edwin and the others also noticed the anomaly in the world.


    Because Alice''s Thunder Tribulation had suddenly stopped.


    Then, an even more terrifying force emerged in the sky.


    The dark clouds that originally belonged to Alice''s tribulation seemed insignificant in comparison, beginning to shrink.


    Then, they resumed striking down.


    At that moment, the sky seemed to form a vortex.


    A massive amount of lightning was brewing within it.


    Everyone could feel the deadly aura emanating from the depths of space¡­


    From within the lightning¡­


    A thunder dragon emerged from the skies, charging straight toward the ground!


    Upon seeing the thunder dragon, Daniel chuckled, finding it rather interesting.


    Because this thunder dragon seemed to contain the aura of the God Realm, as well as the Crossbridge World.


    As if¡­


    It was a fusion of rules from both worlds. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel wanted to see what was so special about this thunder dragon.


    Even the onlookers were nervous at this moment.


    They could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within the dragon.


    In fact¡­


    Even a High God might not be able to withstand it.


    Daniel prepared himself, intending to test whether his body¡ªhoned to perfection at every level¡ªcould endure the thunder dragon''s strike.


    However, just as the thunder dragon was about to reach Daniel¡­


    It suddenly exploded!


    An immense surge of lightning directly poured into Daniel''s body.


    Tempering him.


    Meanwhile, Alice¡ªwho was still being struck by lightning¡ªwas at a complete loss for words.


    Her entire body was scorched black.


    Only her two eyes remained visible as she stared blankly at Daniel.


    At first, when she saw the terrifying thunder dragon, Alice had been worried for Daniel.


    But later¡­


    She realized¡­ what does it mean that the thunder dragon just exploded on its own?


    And the resulting lightning didn''t seem to cause any harm¡ªit was all benefits?


    How is this fair?!


    Why was she being relentlessly struck, forced to endure before she could gain anything¡ªending up looking like she had been dug straight out of coal?


    And Daniel?


    He didn''t have to do anything, just stand there, and his body was naturally tempered?


    What kind of special treatment is this?!


    As he felt the tingling sensation coursing through his body¡ªthe unmistakable effect of lightning tempering the flesh¡ªDaniel was speechless.


    Is this really Thunder Tribulation?


    There was no sense of calamity, only benefits.


    Then, a second thunder dragon came crashing down.


    And¡­


    The exact same thing happened again.


    Seeing this, the three Holy Lords were already used to it.


    "Perhaps¡­ this is just who Lord Daniel is!"


    "Yes, Lord Daniel¡­ is the very definition of a miracle!"


    "..."


    Daniel was starting to get bored. Looking up at the sky, he muttered:


    "Can''t you make this a little more interesting? This is too dull. At least give me some kind of experience."


    At that moment, the purple thunderclouds in the sky seemed to have heard Daniel''s request.


    A massive surge of lightning fell like a cascading curtain of light, crashing toward Daniel.


    But¡­


    It stopped ten meters above him.


    Instead of striking down, the lightning transformed into a set of tables and chairs.


    Even a fruit platter and tea appeared¡­


    Daniel was stunned.


    What kind of people-pleasing Thunder Tribulation is this?!


    Is this really Thunder Tribulation?


    Although¡­ the fruit was quite tasty.


    And the tea had a nice flavor.


    Lying on the chair, waiting for the Thunder Tribulation to pass, wasn''t too bad either.


    On the other side, however, Alice was far from relaxed.


    The lightning striking her was getting stronger and stronger. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire


    By the end, the sheer power of the lightning prevented her from even sitting cross-legged.


    She collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.


    Each time she tried to rise, another bolt of lightning struck her down again.


    The entire scene was utterly tragic.


    Especially in contrast to Daniel''s situation.


    Fortunately, Alice had no time to focus on Daniel.


    She was already too overwhelmed.


    After the tribulation ended, it was time for the blessing of creation.


    Her charred body underwent a transformation, as if reborn.


    "Lord Daniel''s tribulation is also ending!"


    "When he becomes a god, the entire world might undergo a massive change!"


    "Before, he wasn''t in the God Realm, so the Will of the World never noticed him. But now¡­"


    "Perhaps the entire New God Realm will learn of Lord Daniel''s return!"


    As Daniel''s Thunder Tribulation ended¡­


    A brilliant light enveloped him.


    "I think¡­ I can sense something. It feels like Lord Daniel''s breakthrough is causing a ripple effect!"


    At that moment, Icarus suddenly spoke.


    As soon as his words fell, the other two also sensed an unusual shift.


    It really seemed like Daniel''s ascension to the godly realm was triggering something!


    Daniel himself felt a strange transformation taking place.


    Throughout the entire world, countless threads of energy were converging toward him.


    The source of these threads lay in his hands.


    An extraordinary power was flowing into him.


    Daniel attempted to use this power.


    He discovered that this unique energy could transform into all sorts of things.


    Even¡­


    Life itself!


    This was far beyond mana.


    This was¡­ the power of creation!


    It could even give birth to living beings.


    So¡­


    What exactly was this power?


    Daniel looked around in confusion.


    Because he noticed one thread coming from Alice.


    So¡­ was something from Alice connected to him?


    At that moment, Daniel suddenly realized!


    Genesis!


    That''s right. If there was anything in this world that could be so deeply linked to him, it could only be Genesis!


    Genesis was something Daniel had researched and spread throughout the world.


    If there was a connection¡­ it had to be Genesis.


    Genesis had driven the advancement of the entire New God Realm.


    So¡­


    Was this the world''s way of repaying him?

 Chapter427-Reunion

    After closing his eyes, Daniel could sense that everyone who had studied or used Genesis was providing him with some kind of feedback.


    Moreover, Daniel also noticed three figures in the nearby void.


    And among them, all three were quite familiar to him.


    Kaylyn, Cyr, and Icarus.


    One was someone he had encountered when he and Nina were returning from Winterrealm to Crossbridge Academy, during their journey to Blackwater City.


    Cyr was the saintess of the Spirit Beast Sect, whom he had met in the Greenwood God Realm.


    And Icarus was the one who had initially expanded Riverside City.


    He hadn''t expected them all to be familiar faces.


    But¡­


    Why were these three avoiding him and unwilling to meet face-to-face?


    Daniel couldn''t figure it out.


    He could only ask them later.


    Daniel looked at Alice. At this moment, Alice was also undergoing the process of transforming from a mortal into a god.


    However, compared to Daniel, her transformation wasn''t nearly as earth-shattering.


    Before, Daniel had always felt that Alice seemed familiar.


    Taking advantage of this opportunity, Daniel decided to observe Alice''s soul.


    But he didn''t find any familiar traces.


    This was enough to prove that Alice was not someone he had known before.


    Yet¡­


    Why did he have that feeling?


    Logically speaking, Daniel should no longer be experiencing such sensations.


    If Alice truly wasn''t someone he knew¡­


    Then, Daniel sent a cluster of Creation Energy into Alice''s body.


    With the infusion of Creation Energy, Alice''s talent underwent a tremendous enhancement.


    After doing all this, Daniel remained where he was, waiting.


    Since he couldn''t find any information from Alice''s soul, perhaps it was because Alice''s strength or talent had not yet fully awakened?


    Thus, Daniel decided to try something new. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He wanted to see what kind of secret was hidden within Alice''s body that made her feel so familiar.


    After completing this, Daniel closed his eyes again and continued sensing the changes within his body.


    The Creation Energy continued to gather around Daniel.


    Even the barren desert surrounding him began to sprout small blades of grass!


    As the first blade of grass appeared, it was as if a chain reaction had been triggered.


    The once lifeless desert rapidly turned green.


    The entire desert was now covered in lush vegetation.


    This vast, uninhabited desert that had existed for who knew how many years had, in just a short moment, transformed into a thriving forest.


    In the distance, Edwin and the others were utterly stunned by this sight.


    They widened their eyes in disbelief.


    Some even bent down to touch the grass beneath their feet, trying to confirm whether it was real or just an illusion.


    This¡­


    Was this really a tribulation?


    They had never seen a tribulation that could transform a desert into an oasis!


    Today, they felt as though their fundamental understanding of reality was being continuously shattered.


    First, there were those terrifying clouds over Daniel.


    Then, the thunder dragon, which seemed like a living creature.


    And now, the desert turning into a verdant paradise¡­


    With so many anomalies occurring in succession, who could still regard Daniel as an ordinary figure?


    It was fortunate they had shown him the utmost respect.


    Clearly, this was no ordinary person.


    No wonder the sanctuary had instructed them to treat him with reverence.


    Now, they understood the real reason!


    By now, Alice had also completed her transformation and become an Earth God.


    However, when she opened her eyes, she realized that the surrounding environment was no longer the same place she had been before.


    "What¡­ What''s going on?"


    Alice asked in confusion.


    She clearly remembered that she had been in a desert!


    Why was she now surrounded by grass and trees?


    How much time had passed?


    Could it be that she had merely broken through, but millions of years had gone by?


    No way¡­


    An Earth God couldn''t possibly live that long!


    "This is still the same desert. It''s just that now, plants have started growing here."


    Hearing Alice''s murmuring, Daniel spoke up.


    "Really? In such a short time, the desert turned into an oasis? Do you take me for a fool?"


    "I''m different now! I''m an Earth God! And I can clearly sense that my talent has surged again!"


    "Don''t try to fool me like a child! From today onward, I am destined to be someone you can never catch up to!"


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    Hearing Alice''s words, Daniel was speechless.


    He flicked her forehead, snapping her back to reality.


    Then, he took her away from this place.


    Before leaving, Daniel glanced in a certain direction within the void.


    Immediately, Cyr panicked.


    "Did Lord Daniel notice us? That last look he gave¡ªI''m sure he sensed us!"


    "What are you afraid of? It''s time for us to meet Lord Daniel."


    "You''re right. Let''s go see him directly."


    The three of them made their decision and followed behind.


    Daniel, on the other hand, was heading toward the back mountain of the Blue Jade Guild.


    Because it was the closest location.


    When Daniel arrived at the back mountain, sure enough, he saw three familiar figures.


    They were no longer trying to hide and appeared before him directly.


    "Greetings, Lord Holy Lord!"


    Behind them, Edwin and the others immediately bowed in respect.


    Hearing their voices, Alice also hurriedly bowed.


    These three were the Holy Lords of the three great sanctuaries!


    To them, these were figures who had established the current era of peace.


    However, the three did not respond to the others.


    Instead, they looked at Daniel with excitement.


    "Welcome back, Lord Daniel!"


    "Enough with the formalities. Come with me. I have some things to ask you."


    Daniel glanced at them and spoke.


    Then, he walked ahead.


    Cyr breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Lord Daniel is still the same as before. He hasn''t changed."


    "Indeed."


    Kaylyn nodded, then ordered Edwin and the others to seal off the area.


    The three followed Daniel into a pavilion.


    "Sit."


    "Yes!"


    The three quickly sat down after hearing Daniel''s words.


    "Now, tell me¡ªwhy, if you knew my identity, did you not come to see me? Why were you hiding instead?"


    The three looked at each other, exchanging glances.


    Finally, Icarus spoke.


    "Lord Daniel, in truth, we only learned of your existence one year ago. However, at the time, you were in seclusion, so we chose not to disturb you."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded in understanding.


    Indeed, at that time, he had been in seclusion.


    "Mm. I''m not blaming you. Over the years, I''ve been¡­ let''s just say I''ve been in a deep sleep somewhere, and only recently woke up."


    Upon hearing this, the three finally understood.


    No wonder they had searched everywhere but couldn''t find him.


    So that was the reason.


    "Oh, right. Since I was asleep all this time, I''m not up to date with recent events. I need you to answer some of my questions."


    "Please ask, Lord Daniel!"


    "How many years have passed since I founded the New God Realm?"


    Daniel looked at them and asked.


    "If we count from the time Lord Daniel left, it has been over ten thousand years."


    Icarus answered.


    Ten thousand years¡­


    It seemed the history he had read from books was slightly inaccurate.


    Which made sense¡ªafter all, those who recorded history weren''t that powerful, so they couldn''t have documented precise dates.


    Instead, they could only provide approximate numbers.


    This had led Daniel to miscalculate.


    Then, Daniel looked at them again and asked:


    "In the past ten thousand years, have any major events occurred?"


    Following this, Icarus and the others began recounting the events that had unfolded in the New God Realm after its founding.

 Chapter428-Ten Thousand Years

    After the establishment of the New God Realm, Crossbridge Academy became the undisputed top force.


    Rose, Reed, and others had all reached the strength of Absolute Sovereigns.


    With their presence, Crossbridge Academy was destined never to decline.


    In the first few thousand years, Riverside City and Crossbridge World had a large number of Fourteenth-Level Forges, collectively propelling the New God Realm into prosperity.


    At the same time, Genesis was successfully implemented in every corner of the New God Realm.


    Everyone had the opportunity to become a mage through Genesis.


    With the support of numerous Fourteenth-Level Forges, the New God Realm saw unprecedented advancement.


    In fact, Absolute Sovereigns were no longer the pinnacle.


    Rose was the first to surpass the rank of Absolute Sovereign, reaching an even higher level.


    However, this new rank had no name.


    Thus, Rose gave it one.


    The new rank was called "Primordial God Rank."


    Beyond Absolute Sovereign, lay Primordial God!


    Not long after Rose named the rank, an even more significant event occurred.


    Big White and Lily got married.


    And they even had a child of their own.


    When their child was born, the part of them that once belonged to the Laws faded away.


    They became ordinary beings.


    As for their child¡­


    The child directly became the consciousness of the world!


    All of this happened within the first few thousand years.


    Hearing this, Daniel felt a wave of emotions.


    He never expected that Big White, who once gave him the biggest headaches, was now a father.


    Time truly¡­


    He had missed so many things.


    But in a way, it was good.


    Now, he could once again see his friends and family.


    However¡­


    Daniel thought of that sword scar.


    His instincts told him that the flourishing world Icarus described would not last forever.


    Because¡­


    Rose''s sword scar had been there for several thousand years.


    So, what would be the next turning point?


    Just then, Icarus continued speaking.


    After Rose, the second person to reach Primordial God Rank was Reed.


    Reed was undoubtedly second only to Rose.


    Following their breakthroughs, the original forces of the New God Realm¡ªDaniel''s old friends¡ªalso began advancing rapidly.


    The entire God Realm entered an era of prosperity.


    But it was precisely at this moment that disaster struck!


    "We don''t know the exact details, but based on the aftermath and the rumors we heard later, it seems that¡­"


    At this moment, Icarus''s expression showed nervousness.


    His words were filled with uncertainty and speculation.


    But Daniel had already pieced together some of the truth from the clues.


    And Icarus''s expression only further confirmed Daniel''s suspicions:


    "The disaster¡­ was caused by Rose, wasn''t it?"


    Daniel looked at Icarus and asked.


    Icarus hesitated but nodded.


    "At that time, I was in Riverside City, while Cyr and Kaylyn were in Crossbridge World. I don''t know the details."


    "It seems that one day, Miss Rose returned from the depths of the universe and had a conversation with Reed about something. Whatever the topic was, the conversation ended badly."


    As Icarus explained, Daniel could roughly deduce what had happened.


    It was likely that Rose and Reed had different ideologies.


    And over time, or due to external influences, the conflict escalated.


    However, this dispute was far more severe than any previous ones.


    Even the entire God Realm¡ªand every faction related to Crossbridge Academy¡ªbecame involved in the battle.


    Even the Three Clans joined the war.


    Among them, the Ancestral Dragon and Ancestral Phoenix supported Rose, while the Ancestral Unicorn sided with Reed.


    In the end¡­


    Rose''s forces were gradually outmatched.


    Because of Reed''s personal influence, he had more supporters.


    Finally, after Rose''s four most loyal followers were killed, Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    Rose unleashed one sword strike!


    It was a strike in which she fully wielded the power of destruction.


    A vast number of continents suffered immense damage from this single attack.


    And Icarus, along with Cyr and Kaylyn, had come here¡­


    To repair the sword scar.


    Which was exactly what Daniel had seen earlier.


    "And then?"


    "After that¡­ the continents affected by Destruction''s Sword had individuals specifically assigned to restore order."


    "You truly have no idea what their conflict was about?"


    Daniel looked at Icarus and asked.


    Icarus shook his head.


    Daniel frowned, then sighed.


    If even Icarus¡ªwho was in Riverside City¡ªonly knew this much¡­


    Then Cyr and Kaylyn probably knew even less.


    From Icarus''s account, Daniel noticed a critical flaw.


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    The Divine Beast Clan should never have participated in such a conflict.


    Or rather¡­


    They should have either remained neutral or fully supported Rose.


    There was no way the situation could have unfolded as Icarus described.


    Because before Daniel left, he had entrusted Rose with the Divine Beast Seal.


    With that seal, the Three Clans of Divine Beasts had no choice but to obey Rose''s commands.


    It was an imprint embedded deep within their souls.


    So, what Icarus described couldn''t be the whole truth.


    Which meant¡­


    Rose and Reed were hiding something?


    Daniel could only confirm this by speaking to them in person.


    As for the Three Clans¡­


    Daniel had nothing to say about them.


    After their return to the God Realm, they probably started acting out of line.


    Even here, Daniel had encountered Freya, who possessed pure Unicorn Bloodline.


    That alone spoke volumes.


    "What about Dream Realm? When was it fully developed? Where are Nora and Nina now?"


    "Where are Big White and Lily?"


    "And what about Elise?"


    Hearing Daniel''s string of questions, Icarus slowly answered:


    "The Dream Realm only started becoming widely known after the great conflict. Initially, only the upper echelons knew about it. It wasn''t until the past few hundred years that it became public knowledge."


    "As for Nora and Nina¡­ Ever since you fell asleep, there has been no news of them."


    Hearing Icarus''s words, Daniel fell silent.


    In truth, Nora was the least of his concerns.


    She possessed a half-divine artifact, had simulated countless scenarios, and had one of the greatest talents in existence.


    There was nothing to worry about.


    As for Nina¡­


    That ten-thousand-year promise had already passed.


    Was Nina still waiting for him?


    "Big White and Lily left for the depths of the universe together after the birth of the new Will of the World."


    "As for Miss Elise¡­"


    "She has been in the Crossbridge Academy Library all this time. Many people know of her. But¡­ Miss Elise hasn''t spoken in a very long time. That''s why everyone calls her the Silent Librarian."


    Daniel understood.


    Elise had been waiting for him all this time.


    And now, he was finally back.


    As for the sword scar¡­


    Daniel suspected it was tied to Rose and Reed''s plans.


    As for everyone else¡­


    As long as they were safe, that was enough.


    "So, this place has always been under your control? The Three Great Sanctuaries, huh¡­ Impressive."


    Daniel looked at Icarus and said.


    "Especially your Artisan''s Sanctuary! That''s a top-tier organization!"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Icarus broke into a cold sweat.


    They had investigated Daniel''s past and knew¡­


    Originally, Daniel could have joined Artisan''s Sanctuary.


    But because of a certain elder and Greg, he had instead joined Thousand Suns Hall.


    "Lord, during our expansion, some corruption was inevitable. But I have already purged all of them!"


    "I accept any punishment!"


    Icarus hurriedly knelt.


    Daniel looked at Icarus and said:


    "There''s no need for punishment. Every great power faces such issues. But let this be a lesson."

 Chapter429-Leaving Blue Jade Guild

    "Yes, Lord Daniel!"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Icarus breathed a sigh of relief.


    "By the way, there are still some areas in Artisan''s Sanctuary that need improvement¡­"


    Daniel then proceeded to give Icarus several suggestions for improvements.


    Icarus carefully noted down the key issues Daniel pointed out, one by one.


    After finishing, Daniel turned his gaze to Kaylyn.


    Kaylyn immediately straightened up, showing a serious expression, indicating that she was listening intently to Daniel''s advice.


    "There''s no need to be so serious. We''ve all walked this journey together."


    "In fact, I stayed at Thousand Suns Hall for over two months and spent¡­ probably more than a year in Blue Jade Guild."


    "Both the atmosphere and the environment were quite good. You''ve done well."


    "And the cauldron and the sword scar restoration were handled excellently."


    "Lord Daniel overpraises me. These were all thanks to the elders in the sanctuary."


    "Now that you''ve left Blackwater City, who is managing it now?"


    Daniel turned to Kaylyn and asked.


    Kaylyn seemed slightly puzzled, as if she hadn''t expected Daniel to ask this question. After a brief pause, she answered:


    "It should be someone under a Five-Element God King, named Gabriel."


    Hearing this name, Daniel recalled who he was.


    He was the former city lord of Ascension City.


    A decent person.


    Very responsible.


    Since that was the case, Daniel didn''t concern himself further.


    After all, these matters were beyond his control now.


    After all, Daniel¡­ was just an Earth God now.


    Then, Daniel turned his gaze toward Cyr.


    Cyr immediately lowered her head, avoiding Daniel''s gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.


    "Why¡­ are you so afraid of me? Did you do something you shouldn''t have?"


    "I¡­ I just didn''t manage the Spirit Beasts properly¡­"


    Cyr muttered with her head lowered.


    "I remember your wish was to find a peaceful place where Spirit Beasts could thrive. Has that wish come true?"


    "It¡­ it should have¡­"


    Cyr hesitantly answered.


    "If not, it''s fine. I believe you''ll achieve it eventually."


    In the pavilion, the four of them talked for a long time.


    At first, all three were extremely nervous¡ªafter all, this was Daniel!


    Even though his current strength was only Earth God Rank,


    who could possibly ignore him?


    But as they kept talking, reminiscing about the past,


    the three of them gradually relaxed.


    Then, Cyr started complaining about all the things Kaylyn had done over the years.


    As they discussed the development of the sanctuary, various conflicts between the three were brought up.


    Soon, their conversation turned into a heated debate.


    Daniel simply sat back, watching the scene unfold with amusement.


    It was quite entertaining.


    It wasn''t until nightfall that the three finally ended their discussion.


    Seeing them argue like this was truly interesting.


    "Lord Daniel, what are your plans next?"


    Icarus asked.


    "Of course, I need to continue improving my own strength. Right now, I''m just an Earth God."


    "Once my strength is sufficient, I will go see what Rose and Reed are up to."


    Although Daniel wasn''t too worried about them, he still wanted to know what exactly they were planning.


    "Why not come to Artisan''s Sanctuary? I''ve built a Trial Tower there, which is perfect for training and leveling up."


    Icarus was the first to suggest.


    "Give me a break! When it comes to power advancement, nothing beats my place. Lord Daniel''s breakthrough Secret Realm was merely a cauldron''s fragment, imagine what the main body could offer!"


    Kaylyn immediately countered.


    "You two are ridiculous. A Trial Tower is for combat training¡ªdoes Lord Daniel need that? Your cauldron is for comprehending rules. My place, with Spirit Beasts, is far better!"


    Cyr joined the competition as well.


    "Alright, alright, you three are far too old to be fighting like this."


    "By the way, where exactly is Rose''s sword scar?"


    "Lord, Miss Rose''s sword scar is located not far from White Lotus Sanctuary."


    Kaylyn quickly answered.


    "Alright, then we''ll go there. Also, I heard that due to Rose''s sword strike, that place is inaccessible to anyone below Earth God Rank, is that true?"


    "Yes, Lord Daniel, you''re correct. Anyone below Earth God Rank will meet certain death if they enter! Miss Rose''s sword was terrifying, filled with the aura of destruction, making it impossible for ordinary beings to withstand."


    "We three have spent thousands of years working to contain the power of that sword scar."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    It seemed his earlier assumption was correct¡ªRose had indeed used her full strength when she unleashed that sword strike.


    "With my current strength, entering shouldn''t be a problem, right?"


    "Of course, there''s no issue. I can take you through it safely!"


    "Then let''s go. I want to see what''s really going on there."


    With that, Daniel stood up.


    The group left the pavilion.


    Outside, Edwin and the others had been guarding the area the entire time.


    After all, three Holy Lords were inside.


    And, of course, Alice was also there.


    At this moment, Alice, who had just become an Earth God, seemed to have fallen asleep.


    Daniel woke her up and asked if she wanted to accompany him to the sanctuary.


    Alice agreed immediately without hesitation.


    Although she wasn''t the brightest, she definitely knew how important the sanctuary was.


    Not going would be foolish!


    The reason Daniel brought Alice was that he still wanted to figure out why she felt so familiar to him.


    After that, Daniel returned to where he had been staying.


    By now, after a year, the Blue Jade Guild''s assessment had ended.


    Daniel learned from Elder Marin that Thousand Suns Hall had performed well in the assessment.


    Freya had even been promoted to Core Apprentice.


    When Daniel wanted to meet Freya, Elder Marin told him that she had left Blue Jade Guild six months ago.


    Moreover, she had left a letter for Daniel.


    Daniel opened the letter.


    In it, Freya explained why she had to leave suddenly.


    She had uncovered information about the man who abandoned her and her mother. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So, she set out on a journey to track him down.


    She also mentioned that Daniel had previously expressed curiosity about her Unicorn Bloodline, so she left this letter behind.


    "Do you know where she went?"


    Daniel asked Elder Marin.


    "A place called Storm City."


    "Storm City¡­ How far is it from the sanctuary?"


    Daniel turned to Kaylyn.


    "It''s on the way to White Lotus Sanctuary. Not far. We can stop by."


    "Then let''s head to Storm City first."


    Daniel said.


    A luxurious and massive flying ship took off from Blue Jade Guild, heading toward Storm City.


    This was the exclusive ship of White Lotus Sanctuary.


    "Wow! This thing is huge! And these seats are super comfortable! Big bro, look at this¡ªit even lets you see the ground below!"


    "This ship is way too comfy. If only I could ride it every day!"


    Alice was fascinated by everything on the ship, running around to examine every new feature.


    "If you like it so much, I''ll ask them to let you pilot the ship from now on. How about that?"


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    Daniel looked at Alice and teased.


    "Uh¡­ l-let''s not go that far. I was just talking big¡­"


    Alice quickly backed down.


    Meanwhile, Icarus and Cyr were discussing the ship itself.


    Icarus pointed out flaws in its offensive and defensive systems.


    Cyr, on the other hand, felt the ship lacked artistic beauty and elegance.


    The two of them nitpicked endlessly.


    Daniel looked at them and said:


    "Alright, from now on, you two are in charge of this ship. Before we reach Storm City, make it meet your own standards."

 Chapter430-Spirit Beast Sanctuary Is Rotten to the Core

    Hearing Daniel''s words, both Icarus and Cyr were momentarily stunned.


    They hadn''t expected Daniel to say something like that¡­


    However, since it was just about modifying the ship, it wasn''t too big of a deal.


    Cyr was relatively unconcerned.


    But Icarus¡­


    He had a lot more to think about.


    After about half a month, the ship finally arrived at Storm City.


    During this time, the two had been tirelessly working, and just before reaching Storm City, they successfully finished renovating the ship.


    It was a massive city.


    From afar, Daniel could see a massive black storm raging behind the towering city walls.


    Chaotic energy was seeping from the storm.


    The ship landed, and the group entered Storm City normally.


    Most of the people here were Earth God-level mages or higher.


    The majority had come to search for rare resources within the storm.


    Even though the place was extremely dangerous,


    Filled with destructive energy,


    It also produced rare and powerful treasures.


    For example, some unique resources could only be found here.


    "After Rose''s Destruction Sword Strike, this place became a Forbidden Zone for Life. Only when the Three Great Sanctuaries intervene can people enter safely for a limited time."


    "In addition, there is a special kind of entity here. I call them Specters."


    "Specters?"


    "Yes. They''re¡­ something akin to ghosts."


    "What exactly are they?"


    Daniel looked at Kaylyn, puzzled.


    "From my research, these Specters are the lingering souls of dead mages. Because of the unique environment here, their souls absorbed some kind of foreign substance, allowing them to exist in a different form."


    "Inside these Specters, there''s something called Spirit Flames."


    "By eliminating them, one can obtain Spirit Flames, which can enhance mental power."


    "This is one of the most valuable resources in this area."


    Rose''s sword didn''t just bring destruction.


    This harsh environment also led to the creation of new, unique entities.


    "These Specters are indeed interesting. I once saw a memory fragment inside one of them."


    At that moment, Cyr chimed in.


    The group entered Storm City.


    Inside the city, it was lively.


    Almost everywhere, one could see Earth God mages.


    Daniel could sense that if it weren''t for Storm City''s magic array,


    The place would have long been consumed by chaos.


    Since it was so close to the Destruction Domain,


    It was constantly at risk.


    Daniel wandered through Storm City.


    At the moment, he didn''t have any Mana Stones,


    But that wasn''t a problem.


    The Three Holy Lords were wealthy.


    So Daniel entered one of the largest stores in the city.


    Through the shopkeeper''s introduction,


    Daniel got a firsthand look at Spirit Flames¡ª


    And another unique resource called Destruction Stones.


    The former was exactly as Kaylyn had described.


    It came from Specters and could enhance mental power when absorbed.


    However, some Spirit Flames contained fragments of a mage''s memories.


    Broken memories.


    As for Destruction Stones,


    They were native to the Destruction Domain.


    But functionally, they were similar to Mana Stones¡ª


    They could be used for breakthroughs.


    However, unlike Mana Stones, Destruction Stones were also infused with soul-enhancing properties, much like Spirit Flames.


    After getting a general understanding,


    Daniel started looking for Freya.


    When he arrived at Blue Jade Guild''s local branch,


    He finally got news of her whereabouts.


    As it turned out,


    Freya had left the guild''s branch a short while ago.


    She had been recruited by another sanctuary.


    Daniel turned to look at Cyr.


    Yes.


    The sanctuary that took Freya was none other than Cyr''s Spirit Beast Sanctuary.


    "Is that really what happened? Maybe¡­ she simply chose to join¡­"


    Cyr tried to explain.


    But before she could finish, the elder in charge cut her off with an angry voice.


    "Are you kidding me?! You must be new to Storm City. That so-called Spirit Beast Sanctuary is rotting to the core! Everyone in the city knows it!"


    "Just two months ago, Freya accidentally revealed her Unicorn Bloodline. The moment the Spirit Beast Sanctuary found out, they immediately forced her to join their ranks!"


    "Despicable!"


    The elder spat at the end.


    "They¡­ really did that?" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Of course! Girl, if you don''t believe me, just ask around! That Spirit Beast Sanctuary¡ªthey don''t do anything good. They''re completely corrupt!"


    "Storm City has been suffering because of them for ages! Many mages are fed up with them!"


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    "..."


    The elder then began listing all the horrible things the Spirit Beast Sanctuary had done in Storm City.


    Some of them were so disgusting that even Cyr instinctively turned to look at Daniel.


    She saw Daniel''s brows furrowing deeper and deeper.


    Now, Cyr''s face also darkened.


    A year ago, she had purged a lot of the corruption from the Spirit Beast Sanctuary.


    But she never expected¡­


    That in Storm City, something like this would still be happening.


    "Where is Freya now?"


    "She should be at the Spirit Beast Sanctuary''s Storm City Branch."


    "I heard their branch leader is a Spirit Beast with Unicorn Bloodline. He seems to have special interest in Freya¡­ It''s disgusting!"


    Hearing this, Cyr was on the verge of tears.


    Along the way, she had learned a little about Freya''s past.


    Freya''s tragedy was caused by her father.


    And now, in Storm City, another Unicorn Bloodline individual¡­


    This was bad. Really bad.


    "Uncle, I¡­"


    "Come with me to Spirit Beast Sanctuary."


    Daniel didn''t even look at Cyr this time.


    He simply spoke, his voice carrying a cold edge.


    Along the way, no one spoke.


    Because they knew,


    Daniel was not in a good mood.


    Even Cyr hadn''t expected these people to be this horrible.


    The Spirit Beast Sanctuary¡­


    It was filled with Spirit Beasts, yes.


    But these Spirit Beasts were not all peaceful¡ª


    Some were natural enemies of each other.


    Cyr had been working hard to maintain balance.


    But she never thought¡­


    That the Storm City branch would deliver such a severe blow to her reputation.


    Cyr hurriedly walked up beside Daniel, anxiously saying:


    "Uncle, it''s my fault! I¡­ I failed you!"


    "I will make sure those bastards are dealt with!"


    "You better," Daniel said coldly.


    "I don''t want to see this kind of thing happen again in the future."


    "Understood, Uncle."


    "And if you don''t know how to lead, then go learn how! Got it?"


    "Yes!"


    Cyr raised her head to look at Daniel.


    She realized¡ª


    Daniel wasn''t as angry as she had imagined.


    "Uncle¡­ you''re not furious?"


    "Furious? Not really. Freya revealed her Unicorn Bloodline herself¡ªI believe that was her own choice."


    "Right now, I just want to see who exactly is responsible for this. I made a promise to her once."


    Moments later, the group arrived at the Spirit Beast Sanctuary''s branch.


    They saw that the entire place was decorated for a celebration.


    "Who are you? Today is the wedding day of our Emerald Kirin Branch Leader! No outsiders allowed!"


    A Spirit Beast at the entrance barked.


    Daniel turned to look at Cyr.


    Cyr immediately took out a token.


    The moment the two Spirit Beasts saw it, they dropped to their knees, trembling.


    "Tell Emerald Kirin to come see me."


    Cyr commanded.


    "Y-Yes!"


    Moments later, a man dressed in a groom''s outfit hurried out.


    "Greetings, Holy Lord!"


    Emerald Kirin bowed his head.


    "I ask you¡ªtwo months ago, did you forcibly take a woman with Unicorn Bloodline?"


    Cyr questioned.


    "Yes!"


    "Where is she?"


    "In¡­ in the bridal chamber."


    Emerald Kirin lowered his head.


    He could feel the rage in Cyr''s voice.


    He did not dare to hide anything.

 Chapter431-Disgusting Things

    At this moment, Emerald Kirin could clearly feel Cyr''s terrifying aura and the underlying threat in his words. He immediately responded without any hesitation.


    Daniel glanced at him. It seemed that this guy, who possessed the unicorn bloodline, had no idea that Freya might be his daughter. And yet, he had done such a thing.


    Then...


    Could it be that Freya had other plans?


    "You all stay here. I''ll go see what''s going on."


    With that, Daniel quickly left.


    At this time, the Storm City branch of the Spirit Beast Sanctuary was brightly decorated and bustling with activity. The guests had all taken their seats, and the scene was lively.


    No one knew that the branch minister, Emerald Kirin, was currently kneeling outside.


    Even more so, no one knew that the Holy Lord of the Spirit Beast Sanctuary, Cyr, had arrived.


    Inside the bridal chamber, a bride sat quietly.


    Daniel entered and saw Freya sitting there.


    "You... Why are you here?"


    Freya was visibly shocked upon seeing Daniel.


    "You left me a letter before, saying you found something... so I happened to come here to check it out. But... what exactly are you doing?"


    "I... I''m about to do something very important. You... You must leave now! This is the branch of the Spirit Beast Sanctuary, and that branch minister¡ªif he finds you, the consequences will be extremely severe."


    Freya urged anxiously.


    "So... that Spirit Beast Sanctuary branch minister, Emerald Kirin, is your father?"


    Daniel looked at Freya and asked.


    "That''s right," Freya replied.


    "I don''t quite understand," Daniel said, looking at her.


    From an outsider''s perspective, Freya''s actions were... puzzling.


    She knew the other party was the branch minister of the Storm City division of the Spirit Beast Sanctuary, an immensely powerful figure.


    And then she... chose to marry him?


    Was she planning to assassinate him during the wedding?


    "Because I want him to pay the price at this very moment!"


    Freya spoke, her eyes flashing with cold determination.


    She had uncovered leads about that man through her investigation within the Blue Jade Guild.


    In fact, there weren''t many individuals with a unicorn bloodline.


    So Freya had no trouble identifying him.


    Then, she came to Storm City, deliberately letting him discover her.


    Freya understood his personality well. As long as she exposed her unicorn bloodline in Storm City, he would undoubtedly approach her.


    Perhaps even... snatch her away from the Blue Jade Guild.


    This was Freya''s plan.


    Through her investigation, she learned that Emerald Kirin''s strength was at the God Sovereign level.


    That level of power filled Freya with deep despair.


    Even if she dedicated her entire life to cultivation, she might never reach that level.


    Did this mean... her revenge was doomed to fail?


    However, Freya had found a way.


    The unicorn bloodline contained a secret technique.


    This technique allowed one to absorb the bloodline power of another unicorn.


    Freya had discovered this secret method through her own bloodline.


    Under specific conditions, this technique could be activated.


    Because in terms of raw power, Freya had no chance of defeating Emerald Kirin.


    Her only option was to rely on this method.


    Even if it meant her death, she was determined to strip Emerald Kirin of his unicorn bloodline. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    This was her only chance.


    Because this secret technique was not bound by strength or cultivation level.


    "Then aren''t you afraid... that he might also know of this secret technique?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    Because after listening to Freya''s plan, he had a feeling... this didn''t seem like a normal strategy.


    In fact, it sounded more like something out of a certain type of "script".


    "I have no other options. My only chance is this technique! I have bet everything on it."


    "If I fail... the outcome for me wouldn''t be much different anyway."


    Daniel had no comment.


    But from Freya''s perspective, this did seem to be the only way.


    That bloodline secret technique was likely her sole option.


    "You need to leave! Based on my calculations, Emerald Kirin should be returning soon."


    Freya urged Daniel.


    "You are the first friend I''ve ever had... or perhaps... you may also be the last." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As she spoke, Freya gave a faint smile.


    Since the day she was born, Daniel was the first and only stranger who made her feel this way.


    Being near him brought a sense of comfort and familiarity.


    Hearing this, Daniel chuckled and said:


    "Don''t worry. I won''t be your last friend. And besides, nothing bad will happen to you today."


    Freya frowned.


    Because from Daniel''s tone, she could tell¡ªhe intended to stay and confront Emerald Kirin?


    That thought... was impossible!


    Emerald Kirin was a God Sovereign-level powerhouse.


    Sure, Freya had noticed that Daniel had grown stronger.


    But...


    The gap between him and a God Sovereign was immeasurable!


    "You... don''t be reckless. That guy has God Sovereign-level power and is the branch minister of the Spirit Beast Sanctuary. Right now, many high-ranking officials from the Spirit Beast Sanctuary are present. You need to escape immediately!"


    "Even though... I can''t gauge your strength accurately, it''s impossible for you to be his opponent in such a short amount of time!"


    Freya anxiously tried to dissuade Daniel.


    However, Daniel wasn''t concerned at all. Instead, he smiled:


    "Don''t worry, I may not be a God Lord, but I did bring the Holy Lord of the Spirit Beast Sanctuary here."


    Upon hearing this, Freya''s mind was instantly filled with question marks.


    The Holy Lord of the Spirit Beast Sanctuary?


    Are you joking?


    Why not just say you summoned all three Holy Lords of the major sanctuaries while you''re at it?


    "Stop joking. Just leave already."


    Freya clearly didn''t believe Daniel''s words.


    Because it was simply too absurd.


    "How about this? Emerald Kirin is right up ahead. If you don''t believe me, come and see for yourself."


    Daniel said as he walked towards the door.


    After some thought, Freya followed him.


    At that moment, time continued to tick away.


    The guests inside were starting to feel something was off.


    By now, everyone who was supposed to arrive was already here.


    So where was the host?


    Where was Minister Emerald Kirin?


    Previously, when the wedding was announced, he was acting impatient.


    So why was he nowhere to be seen?


    In fact, no one had seen him for quite some time.


    Where exactly had Emerald Kirin gone?


    Based on his personality, he should have already begun the ceremony by now and immediately proceeded with the next steps.


    But right now, there was no sign of him.


    So what exactly had happened?


    At this moment, at the main entrance¡ª


    Emerald Kirin was lying on the ground, barely clinging to life.


    Despite this, he continued to confess one crime after another.


    Under Cyr''s overwhelming presence, Emerald Kirin was incapable of resistance. He could only reveal all his past misdeeds.


    By this time, Daniel had also arrived.


    With a casual motion, he extracted the unicorn bloodline from Emerald Kirin.


    The entire process was effortless.


    Because Daniel was naturally capable of suppressing unicorns.


    "If you absorb this bloodline power, your unicorn bloodline concentration will increase more than fivefold," Daniel said, looking at Freya.


    Freya, still recovering from her initial shock, turned to gaze at the bloodline energy in Daniel''s hand.


    A look of disgust crossed her face.


    This was the thing she despised the most.


    "Can you do me a favor?"


    "What is it?"


    "Extract the unicorn bloodline from my body as well. I don''t want this filthy thing anymore. Just looking at it makes me sick."

 Chapter432-The One Who Walks Towards Destruction

    Freya spoke with disgust.


    She felt no attachment to her unicorn bloodline¡ªon the contrary, she found it repulsive.


    Because this bloodline...


    Had been inherited from that disgusting man.


    She did not need such a thing.


    "I beg you, extract the unicorn bloodline from my body as well."


    Freya looked at Daniel and pleaded.


    In the end, Daniel nodded and extracted Freya''s unicorn bloodline.


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    Freya let out a pale smile.


    "Thank you. Because of this thing, I''ve spent the first half of my life as neither human nor beast. Now... I''m finally free."


    Freya spoke weakly.


    At the same time, her body collapsed backward.


    Kaylyn, reacting swiftly, caught her before she could hit the ground.


    Kaylyn then ordered people to escort Freya back to the Blue Jade Guild.


    She held Freya in high regard.


    Being able to decisively abandon the unicorn bloodline...


    That was something many would never be able to do.


    Because a divine beast bloodline was, in itself, a form of power.


    And for Freya to willingly give it up¡ªit meant she would surely achieve something great in the future.


    After a moment of silence, Daniel asked:


    "Cyr, are there many creatures like Emerald Kirin who possess the unicorn bloodline?"


    "A lot. Over the years, the number of individuals with the unicorn bloodline has been steadily increasing."


    "And these creatures who possess the unicorn bloodline¡ªbecause they believe they carry the divine beast bloodline¡ªare extremely arrogant. They look down on all other divine beast bloodlines. In fact, they even despise the half of their own bloodline that is not unicorn."


    "Because of this, conflicts within the sanctuary have been frequent."


    Among the three major sanctuaries, the Spirit Beast Sanctuary was known for its internal strife.


    Because spirit beasts were still beasts¡ªit was inevitable that they retained some of their primal instincts.


    Especially those with unicorn bloodlines.


    They held themselves in the highest regard, acting as if other spirit beasts were beneath them.


    In contrast, the Artisan''s Sanctuary and the White Lotus Sanctuary did not suffer from such absurd levels of infighting.


    Hearing Cyr''s explanation, Daniel frowned and asked:


    "Doesn''t the Spirit Beast Sanctuary have laws or punishments for this?"


    "There are punishments... but they don''t fundamentally solve the problem."


    Cyr replied helplessly.


    Because of the unique nature of the unicorn bloodline, even punishments failed to restrain them.


    Many of them outright ignored rules and even undermined punishment systems.


    These creatures, carrying divine beast bloodlines, were inherently prideful.


    This superiority complex was inescapable.


    A divine beast bloodline naturally suppressed other spirit beasts.


    Very few spirit beasts could resist this suppression.


    Unless... they too carried a divine beast bloodline. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Then... what about the unicorn race itself? Didn''t anyone tell them to control their urges?"


    So many spirit beasts¡ªand even humans¡ªhad been born with the unicorn bloodline...


    The unicorn race needed to take responsibility.


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Cyr could only let out a bitter smile.


    Because she... had no way of doing that.


    "I can''t do that. After you created the New God Realm, the unicorn race made significant contributions to it."


    "So, as long as they don''t go too far, most people just turn a blind eye."


    Upon hearing this, Daniel was momentarily taken aback.


    He hadn''t expected that his creation of the New God Realm...


    Had unknowingly become a turning point for the unicorn race''s rise.


    To the point where they had gained a position of respect?


    That was ridiculous.


    Logically speaking... given the situation, Rose should have...


    Forget it.


    He would find Rose later.


    For now, he needed to deal with the matter at hand.


    Looking at Storm City and the Doom Domain, Daniel suddenly remembered something.


    That was...


    Back when he awakened, he had arrived at Tuck Village.


    From the records in Tuck Village, it seemed that the original settlers had lived in a place similar to Storm City.


    But for some unknown reason, one branch of them split off and fled to Tuck Village.


    Previously, Daniel had only removed the curse embedded in the bloodline of the people in Tuck Village.


    But as for everything else...


    Daniel turned to Kaylyn and asked:


    "By the way, I''m looking for a group of people who once fled Storm City¡ªeither due to an accident or a vendetta. Do you know how to find them?"


    "This... depends. What kind of people are you looking for, Lord Daniel?"


    Daniel thought for a moment before saying:


    "A group of people who, because of their bloodline, were unable to become mages."


    Hearing this description, Kaylyn immediately seemed to recall something and said:


    "If that''s the case... then I do have some impressions."


    "Oh?"


    Hearing Kaylyn''s words, Daniel became curious.


    He hadn''t expected Kaylyn to remember such people.


    "Because... they were unique."


    Hearing this, Daniel was puzzled.


    Kaylyn then began to explain.


    About a thousand years ago, the Doom Domain had experienced a strange event.


    A massive horde of necro creatures had broken through the magic array and stormed into Storm City.


    Although the White Lotus Sanctuary quickly contained the situation...


    It still forced many people to flee Storm City.


    But among them, there was a particular group that stood out.


    They did not run.


    Instead, they voluntarily entered the Doom Domain.


    These people were not mages¡ªthey were ordinary humans.


    Yes!


    They had no mana fluctuations whatsoever.


    And yet, they had willingly entered the Doom Domain.


    It was common knowledge that the Doom Domain was filled with destructive energy.


    For an ordinary human to enter that place¡ªit was no different than suicide.


    Naturally, this caught Kaylyn''s attention.


    Because if that were true, it meant that the necro creatures within the Doom Domain had the ability to bewitch people.


    Which also meant...


    That the magic array breach allowing the necro creatures to enter Storm City...


    Might not have been an accident.


    Instead, it could have been orchestrated by a special entity among the necro.


    Later, through her investigations, Kaylyn discovered something astonishing.


    These people who voluntarily entered the Doom Domain¡ªwere not bewitched.


    In fact, when they made their decision, they were completely sober.


    They were from a large, ordinary human family.


    And within their bloodline, there was a curse.


    This bloodline curse made it impossible for them to become mages.


    Even the legendary Genesis could not turn them into mages.


    And so...


    The family had split into two factions.


    One fled Storm City.


    The other voluntarily entered the Doom Domain.


    As they walked toward certain doom, they shouted that their cursed bloodline would be reborn¡ªthat they would break free from an eternal curse.


    Hearing this, Daniel was stunned.


    Because he knew exactly how powerful the curse he had placed was.


    There were only two ways to break it.


    One: He could personally remove it, like he had done for Tuck Village.


    Two...


    Daniel realized there was another possibility.


    Rebirth through death.


    If they died and were reborn, they could break free from his curse.


    Which meant...


    Those who entered the Doom Domain¡ªthey must have found something.


    Or... they believed they had a way to achieve rebirth?


    With that thought, Daniel became increasingly intrigued by what lay within the Doom Domain.


    Turning to Kaylyn, he said:


    "Let''s go. Take me to the Doom Domain."


    ...


    Moments later, several figures entered the Doom Domain.


    Even now, the remnants of Rose''s sword strike still lingered¡ªfilling this land with the aura of destruction.


    This energy had permanently shaped the Doom Domain into what it was today.

 Chapter433-Doom Domain

    "I don''t know why, but this place gives me an incredibly terrifying feeling."


    Upon entering Doom Domain, Alice shivered and spoke.


    Noticing Alice''s condition, Kaylyn casually cast a spell, enveloping Alice within it.


    Only then did Alice feel much better.


    Daniel looked around.


    He realized that apart from the aura of destruction, there was another strange force lingering in the surroundings.


    A deathly aura¡ªone that was completely opposite to the essence of life!


    If this was Rose''s doing, then there shouldn''t be such an aura.


    Rose''s destruction was pure.


    But now, the aura here felt... corrupted, and Daniel found it eerily sinister.


    Yes, this was not simply a pure death rule.


    The sensation it gave him was incredibly unnatural.


    It was as if...


    Rose must have discovered something before she struck with her sword.


    It was very likely that she unleashed this sword strike in an attempt to eradicate the source of this eerie deathly force.


    "Where is Rose''s sword scar?"


    Daniel turned to Kaylyn and asked.


    If Rose had purposefully delivered such a calculated attack, then the location of her sword scar should reveal more clues.


    "Just ahead," Kaylyn replied, leading Daniel forward.


    "Lord Daniel, the closer we get to the sword scar, the higher the likelihood of encountering necro. Please be careful."


    Kaylyn warned.


    After all, Daniel''s current strength was only at Earth God rank.


    Even Kaylyn felt a bit concerned.


    "Necro, huh?"


    "Lord Daniel, please do not underestimate the necro here. How should I put it... Perhaps due to the unique environment of this place, some of these necro are particularly troublesome."


    Cyr added from the side.


    Even someone of god king rank saying something like this...


    That meant there must be some formidable creatures among these necro.


    "Yeah, I remember passing through this area once, and a necro actually attached itself to me without my noticing. It followed me all the way back to Artisan''s Sanctuary."


    "It took about half a month to fully track it down and eliminate it."


    At this moment, Icarus also nodded in agreement.


    The necro in Doom Domain...


    If they were ordinary necro, then there would be no issue.


    Even a mere Earth God rank mage could handle them.


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    But certain special necro could even evade detection from beings like Icarus.


    That was truly frightening.


    Ever since waking up, Daniel had assumed that he was still in the same world as before.


    But he never expected to encounter something this troublesome.


    A necro so powerful that even those above god king rank could not detect it?


    Perhaps...


    The entity Rose had targeted and attempted to eradicate with her sword strike was precisely such a being?


    "Understood. Everyone, stay alert."


    With that, Daniel charged forward toward the direction of Rose''s sword scar.


    For the group, the distance was not far.


    They all conserved their energy and moved swiftly. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Along the way, they did encounter some necro.


    However, these necro were extremely ordinary.


    No different from the spirit flame necro Daniel had encountered outside.


    Even a random Earth God rank mage could easily eliminate them.


    Some even retained fragments of memory, but none of those memories were of any real value.


    It wasn''t until they reached the former site of the Amethyst Temple that they finally encountered something unusual.


    The journey up until this point had been eerily quiet.


    It felt as though nothing was there.


    "As expected of Lord Daniel! Even the necro are too afraid to come out!"


    Icarus commented jokingly.


    Then, the group entered the ruins of the Amethyst Temple.


    After crossing over a small hill, everyone saw it¡ª


    On the ground, there was a deep chasm.


    A terrifying sword scar.


    Around this chasm, pure destruction permeated the air.


    Everything here had been annihilated.


    "This is the sword scar that destroyed the Amethyst Temple, turning this place into Doom Domain."


    Daniel gazed at the sword scar and could sense it¡ª


    When Rose wielded her sword, she had done so with immense purpose.


    This was not a casual strike.


    But the problem was...


    Daniel had too little information to work with.


    He couldn''t determine why Rose had struck this blow or what her ultimate goal had been.


    "Lord, do you see anything unusual?"


    Kaylyn asked.


    Daniel shook his head.


    There was no need to voice mere speculation.


    If he truly wanted to understand what had happened, the best method would be to ask Rose herself.


    That would be the most direct approach.


    "Forget it. Let''s head to your White Lotus Sanctuary for now."


    "Lord, are you planning to stay in my sanctuary?"


    Kaylyn asked, her voice filled with excitement.


    "I''ll take a look first¡ªnothing is set in stone yet."


    Daniel replied.


    If White Lotus Sanctuary wasn''t suitable, he still had Artisan''s Sanctuary and Spirit Beast Sanctuary as alternatives.


    After one final glance at the sword scar, Daniel turned and left.


    Meanwhile, Alice, still within the magical barrier, shivered again for no apparent reason before quickly following.


    It wasn''t until they entered White Lotus Sanctuary that Alice finally let out a sigh of relief.


    "This is where normal people should be! That Doom Domain just now¡­ was not a place for humans. It felt like stepping into another world."


    "Indeed. A place like that¡­ if an ordinary person stayed too long, they''d definitely be affected."


    Kaylyn agreed with Alice.


    For a long time, the three major sanctuaries had been trying to change this situation.


    But even after a thousand years of effort, they had only managed this much.


    The next few days were spent inside the sanctuary.


    Daniel and Alice continued to push their cultivation forward.


    After absorbing Daniel''s Creation Energy, Alice''s talent skyrocketed.


    In just a few short days, she had already broken through a minor rank.


    As for Daniel...


    He was now on the verge of advancing to Heavenly God rank.


    "In a few days, I''ll head to your secret realm to see how effective it is."


    "Understood, Lord. I will make the arrangements immediately."


    Kaylyn replied and was about to leave.


    However, at that moment, she suddenly furrowed her brows.


    It seemed that she had received some sort of communication.


    "What''s wrong?"


    Daniel asked, noticing her expression.


    That look indicated she had received some troubling news.


    "Lord, another mage has died within the sanctuary."


    "In the past few days since we returned, mages have been dying one after another. Now, ten people have died in total. And all of their deaths were strange and identical."


    Hearing Kaylyn''s report, Daniel''s mind immediately jumped to one possibility.


    "Necro?"


    After all, Icarus had mentioned that some necro possessed terrifying abilities¡ª


    Some were even capable of sneaking into Artisan''s Sanctuary without being noticed.


    It had taken Artisan''s Sanctuary months to track down that one necro.


    And now...


    White Lotus Sanctuary''s situation seemed even worse.


    Because there were already ten dead.


    But Kaylyn shook her head at Daniel''s speculation.


    "Not necessarily, Lord. I have personally examined the bodies of the victims. In their rooms, I found no traces of necro energy."


    "All of them died in their sleep, and their souls suffered varying degrees of damage."


    "It seems... like something a Dream Healer would do."


    The moment Kaylyn said this, Alice felt multiple gazes shift toward her.


    Panicking, she quickly exclaimed:


    "Big brother, there''s no way I did this! I may be a Dream Healer, but you know me¡ªI would never do such a thing!"


    "Besides, Dream Healers have rules when operating in dreams. If we harm others, we face severe punishment!"

 Chapter434-Related to You

    Alice continued explaining.


    As a Dream Healer, she could walk within dreams.


    It was naturally easy for someone like her to harm others through dreams.


    Because of this, the Dream Healer class system had long established a strict rule: Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    A Dream Healer must not harm others!


    Otherwise, their entire power could vanish.


    And there were other severe punishments as well.


    Hearing Alice''s words, Kaylyn nodded.


    Clearly, she had heard of this rule before.


    However¡­


    If it wasn''t a Dream Healer, then who¡ªor what¡ªwas responsible?


    "Let''s do this. We''ll go take a look together and figure out exactly what''s going on. These deaths started happening right after we returned from Doom Domain. Even if it''s not necro, it must be related to something from Doom Domain."


    Daniel said, leading the group toward the room of the deceased mage.


    There were many ordinary mages in the sanctuary.


    The mage who died this time was one such individual.


    He had no known enemies and no close friends.


    In fact, the previous victims weren''t connected to him at all.


    There were no apparent links between them.


    "If we don''t resolve this soon, the sanctuary will quickly fall into panic and chaos."


    As the ruler of the sanctuary, Kaylyn knew the kind of disaster this situation could cause.


    She was determined to resolve it immediately.


    Daniel approached the deceased mage.


    His corpse was still lying on the bed, untouched.


    The body remained in a sleeping position¡ª


    As if he had simply died in his sleep.


    Daniel used his mind power to examine the body.


    Just as Kaylyn had described¡ª


    There were no visible injuries.


    Only¡­


    His soul was in tatters.


    It was riddled with holes, completely shredded.


    "In the past few days, we used every method to detect necro¡ªnone of them worked."


    "If that''s the case, then¡­ the possibility of it being a Dream Healer is indeed the most likely."


    Icarus commented.


    At that moment, Alice panicked and immediately said:


    "It really wasn''t me! I¡­ I would never do something like this!"


    Of course, no one seriously suspected Alice.


    After all¡­


    This little girl was simply not capable of such a thing.


    If she were the culprit, everyone present would have noticed it already.


    "I''ll strengthen our defensive measures over the next few days. Whether it''s necro or a Dream Healer¡­ we must find the culprit!"


    Kaylyn declared.


    After that, everyone returned to their respective places.


    That night, Daniel entered the dream realm.


    Very quickly, he found his target and stepped inside.


    This was Alice''s dream.


    At the moment, Alice sat there, frowning, clearly troubled.


    "How could it be me? I''m just a hardworking Dream Healer who helps ease people''s pain in their dreams! How could a Dream Healer ever do something like this? That damn murderer¡­!"


    "Dragging Dream Healers into this mess¡­ so infuriating!"


    The more Alice thought about it, the angrier she became.


    It was as if someone had framed her.


    "What''s wrong? Sulking?"


    Daniel''s voice rang out.


    Alice looked at him but didn''t say anything.


    "Why are you here? Are you spying on me?"


    Alice asked.


    "Do you also think a Dream Healer is the culprit?"


    "Something like that. But actually, I''m here to protect you."


    "Protect me? Wait, what do you mean by your first sentence? Do you think I did this?"


    Alice immediately picked up on Daniel''s wording.


    Because¡­ in the entire White Lotus Sanctuary, the only Dream Healer was her.


    "Yes."


    Daniel nodded.


    "Strictly speaking¡­ it might actually be you."


    Hearing this, Alice''s face turned red with anger.


    She stormed over and glared at Daniel.


    "Y-You¡­! How dare you accuse me?! I would never do something so wicked!"


    "No, I don''t mean you. I mean¡­ something inside you."


    Hearing this, Alice''s mind momentarily froze.


    What did he mean by something inside her?


    Did she¡­ have something else inside her?


    "A necro¡­ or something else. Most likely, it entered your body when we left Doom Domain and returned to the sanctuary."


    Daniel looked at Alice and said.


    In fact, when he examined the corpse of the dead mage, he had detected a faint trace of Alice''s aura on it.


    If he hadn''t previously fought alongside Alice in the dream realm, he might not have recognized it.


    But Alice herself was incapable of doing such a thing.


    Which meant¡­


    There was only one explanation.


    A necro¡­ or some other entity had latched onto her in Doom Domain.


    Taking this opportunity, Daniel scanned Alice''s body.


    And sure enough¡ª


    A portion of her memory had been sealed away.


    "Y-You''re scaring me!"


    Hearing that something might be inside her, Alice panicked.


    After all, any girl would be terrified if they heard such a thing.


    "Here, take a look yourself."


    Daniel said, tossing a mirror to Alice.


    Alice glanced into the mirror¡ª


    And immediately noticed a shadowy figure behind her.


    Its face was indistinct, obscured in darkness. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Instantly, Alice''s face went pale.


    She rushed over to Daniel, clinging to him in terror.


    "Big brother! Help me! Daniel! I¡­ I don''t want to die!"


    "Calm down!"


    Daniel placed his hand on Alice''s forehead.


    Immediately, she felt her panic fade¡ªreplaced by a sense of security.


    "This necro is quite interesting. It seems to have partially fused with your soul. Alright, stay calm. I''ll extract it completely from your soul."


    This necro was indeed unusual.


    It had merged itself with Alice''s soul¡­


    That meant¡­


    Even if someone discovered it, trying to remove it would risk harming Alice.


    Forcibly exorcising it would be like cutting off Alice''s arm.


    Except that soul injuries were far worse than physical wounds.


    Since Alice trusted Daniel deeply, she gradually relaxed.


    Daniel then entered her soul.


    The space was dim and foggy.


    Even though Alice trusted him, her instincts still remained wary of external intrusions.


    Everything around him was shrouded in mist, making it hard to see clearly.


    But Daniel didn''t care about these things.


    He was here to help Alice, not pry into her secrets.


    As Daniel walked deeper, he suddenly felt a weight on his back.


    As if¡­


    Something had latched onto him.


    Sensing this, Daniel smirked.


    "Interesting. But unfortunately¡­ you ran into me."


    With that, Daniel grabbed the thing on his back by its hair¡ª


    And slammed it onto the ground.


    If this were anyone else, this thing would be a nightmare to deal with.


    But for Daniel¡­


    This was nothing!


    He had never encountered anyone who understood souls better than he did.


    "Alright, let''s hear it. What exactly are you?"


    Daniel looked at the creature he had thrown onto the ground.


    The necro hesitated for a moment¡ª


    Then, in a distorted voice, it spoke:


    "I¡­ am¡­ bloodline¡­! Curse!"


    It stammered, as if its memories were fragmented.


    But from these scattered words, Daniel could already guess something.


    This was likely one of the people Kaylyn had mentioned¡ª


    Those who had willingly entered Doom Domain in an attempt to break their bloodline curse.


    And now¡­


    They had become necro.


    And¡­


    Possessed this strange ability?

 Chapter435-Dahlia

    After witnessing such a scene, Daniel had not expected this turn of events.


    Just as he had initially judged.


    Previously, the curse he had placed¡ªunless he himself lifted it¡ªcould only be undone in one way.


    That was to face death and be reborn.


    By dying, the bloodline would no longer be bound by any constraints.


    And then, through another form of life, revive.


    It seemed that those who had chosen to enter the Doom Domain had become necro.


    They continued to exist in this world in the form of necro.


    So, had they evaded Daniel''s curse?


    At this moment, he saw that the necro before him was emitting a vast amount of soul power.


    At the same time, there was also that eerie and sinister aura of death.


    Daniel watched this scene unfold, even finding himself somewhat puzzled as to what exactly was happening.


    The necro before him began to emanate an overwhelming amount of soul energy.


    Then, that necro lifted its head and looked at Daniel:


    "It''s you!"


    "I remember you! We remember you!"


    "It was you! You placed the curse upon our bloodline!"


    As the necro spoke, its figure and face became increasingly clear.


    Daniel observed the scene with keen interest.


    For him, this was a novel experience.


    Because he had never seen such a thing before.


    In that instant, the necro''s appearance became distinct.


    Its once chaotic and indistinct consciousness had, at this moment, returned to that of a normal person.


    "You recognize me?"


    Daniel looked at the necro and asked.


    At first, when Daniel had dragged it out from behind him, he had clearly seen that it was merely a necro.


    It had no consciousness whatsoever.


    Yet now, after he had pulled it out, the necro had noticed Daniel''s face.


    Then, as if realizing something, a vast amount of soul energy within its body began to merge.


    To Daniel, it felt as if¡­


    Inside this necro, there had been many fragmented souls.


    But at the moment it saw Daniel, all those fragmented souls fused together.


    Allowing this necro to regain its own consciousness.


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    The female figure before him could now be called a soul entity.


    "The moment I saw you, I knew!"


    The woman spoke.


    Daniel scrutinized her.


    Now, he could even sense that a wisp of spirit flame had ignited within her.


    That flame seemed to be sustaining her will.


    "So¡­ you want revenge on me?" Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    Daniel asked as he looked at her.


    Dahlia stared at Daniel.


    She said nothing.


    In the end, she shook her head.


    "Although¡­ I do want to take revenge on you, I have more important matters to attend to. If¡­ you''re still alive by then, I will come for my revenge!"


    Dahlia looked at Daniel, then turned to leave.


    "More important matters? What are they?"


    Daniel asked as he gazed at her.


    "You don''t need to know!"


    Dahlia finished speaking and quickly turned to leave.


    However, Daniel casually reached out and, in an instant, pulled Dahlia¡ªwho had already hidden her form¡ªback into sight.


    "Did I say you could leave?"


    Daniel stared at her.


    At this moment, Dahlia had never expected that just as she was about to leave, Daniel''s strange abilities would once again seize her.


    Dragging her directly back.


    "No one ignores my questions."


    Daniel looked down at Dahlia, who had fallen to the ground.


    Dahlia gazed at him in shock.


    Then, her eyes flickered with cold indifference.


    "You are too arrogant! Even if you are merely an earth god rank, even if you were of high god rank, you have no right to speak such arrogant words!"


    As soon as Dahlia finished speaking, her figure transformed into a streak of black wind.


    Dark violet flames instantly erupted around them.


    Then, countless ghostly hands emerged from the ground, reaching for Daniel!


    A scene akin to an infernal hell unfolded before him.


    Meanwhile, Dahlia had concealed herself to the side.


    Seemingly waiting for the right moment.


    Prepared to ambush Daniel at any time.


    Faced with such an inescapable assault¡­


    Daniel remained expressionless.


    He stomped his foot!


    Immediately, a peculiar energy ripple radiated from beneath him!


    Under the effect of this energy wave, the ghostly hands and flames instantly vanished.


    Even Dahlia, who was lurking within the dark mist, was shaken by the strange energy.


    Falling to the ground.


    "No! Impossible! I don''t believe it!"


    Dahlia shouted, then immediately lunged forward again!


    At that moment, a massive shadow loomed before Daniel.


    A towering ghost, seemingly about to crush Daniel without mercy.


    Yet Daniel merely threw an ordinary punch.


    Instantly, the colossal ghost was torn apart.


    "No! You¡­ how could you be this powerful?!"


    Dahlia was utterly astonished.


    Because she had never expected that her attacks would be so utterly insignificant before Daniel.


    Then, Daniel simply reached out.


    Countless chains appeared around Dahlia, piercing through and binding her.


    She had not even realized how Daniel had managed such a feat.


    Even on a spiritual level, he was far more proficient than she was.


    Daniel had no intention of answering Dahlia''s question.


    For Dahlia, her use of soul energy was already at a highly skilled level.


    Perhaps any mage, even someone like Alice, the Dream Healer, would be powerless against Dahlia.


    Because very few mages could have researched soul energy to such an extent.


    But Daniel was not included in that category.


    Daniel''s understanding of all forms of power had already reached a mechanistic level.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been able to create the book Genesis.


    "Speak. What is the mission you need to complete? If you tell me, perhaps I will consider sparing you."


    "This is your last chance."


    Daniel spoke as a cold killing intent enveloped Dahlia.


    Her gaze flickered with struggle.


    Then, she finally decided to reveal everything.


    "For generations, my family has been afflicted by a curse."


    "A bloodline curse. No one in my family can become a mage."


    Although they couldn''t become mages, in such circumstances, ordinary people naturally had their own ways of survival.


    For example, business and trade.


    Even in Storm City, they could still get by.


    In the past, Dahlia never thought it was a problem.


    Until she found her family''s old records.


    Only then did she realize¡ª


    Originally, her family had been able to become mages.


    But because they had angered a powerful being, they were forced to flee to Storm City.


    And from then on, all their descendants were cursed.


    None of them could become mages.


    None of them could learn magic.


    If one has never seen the light, how can one know the agony of darkness?


    For Dahlia¡­


    The words in those records¡ªthe descriptions of learning magic, of becoming a mage¡ªwere a form of torment.


    Why¡­


    Why couldn''t she become a mage?


    Why had her ancestors once been able to, but not her?


    She wanted to know if there was any way to remove the bloodline curse.


    Once such a thought took root, it could never be stopped.


    That idea continued to grow within Dahlia''s mind.


    She began searching.


    Searching for a way to break the curse within her bloodline.


    Relentlessly searching.


    Even trying various methods.


    But in the end¡­


    The bloodline curse remained completely unaffected.


    This curse was unimaginably powerful.


    Everyone in her family knew this.


    The elders¡ª


    They had once struggled in vain, failing at every attempt.


    So, they had finally accepted reality.


    They never actively told their descendants about it.


    But they recorded it.

 Chapter436-The One Behind the Scenes

    Almost everyone knew how utterly despairing that kind of pain was.


    To pursue, to attempt, to try every possible method¡ªonly to arrive at the same final result: despair.


    They didn''t want their descendants to endure such suffering again.


    But they simply did not actively speak of it.


    Instead, they recorded it.


    Because¡­


    In their hearts, there remained an unrealistic sliver of hope.


    What if¡­


    What if one of their descendants, an exceptionally gifted and peerless individual, discovered this truth and found a way to break the bloodline curse?


    And Dahlia¡ªshe was the one who stumbled upon this knowledge.


    Unfortunately¡­


    She still found no answers.


    As if lifting the curse upon the bloodline was an impossibility.


    Just when Dahlia had lost all hope¡­


    An unexpected event occurred in Storm City.


    A massive number of necro suddenly surged out of Doom Domain for no apparent reason.


    They stormed into Storm City.


    And Dahlia''s family became their target.


    As mere ordinary people, they had no means whatsoever to resist these necro.


    At that moment, a powerful will descended upon one of the necro.


    "If you wish to remove the curse upon your bloodline, then enter Doom Domain."


    "For the sake of¡­ an old acquaintance''s descendants."


    "This kind of curse can only be completely lifted through death."


    After that voice disappeared, the necro receded. Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire


    They returned to Doom Domain.


    As if this invasion had been staged solely to deliver this message.


    Having narrowly escaped death, many were left in shock.


    No one had expected that, in the end, it was their ancestor''s legacy that had saved them.


    And in that moment, Dahlia¡ªwho had been drowning in despair¡ªfelt hope reignite.


    Because¡­


    She had glimpsed a possible way to break the curse.


    A being who could command necro.


    Such a being must surely be capable of helping her family escape the curse''s grasp!


    Thus, Dahlia shared her decision with her kin.


    She wanted to enter Doom Domain and rid their bloodline of its curse once and for all.


    This idea gained the support of part of the family.


    The other part, however, was deeply concerned.


    So, they chose to leave Storm City.


    Meanwhile, those who placed their faith in that "great being" followed Dahlia into Doom Domain.


    "And then?"


    Daniel asked.


    He was curious.


    If, according to Dahlia, this so-called great being truly intended to help them remove the bloodline curse¡­


    Then¡­


    There shouldn''t be only Dahlia left. Or rather, just a soul.


    Yet, it was clear that Dahlia''s being carried the remnants of many souls fused together.


    "After we entered Doom Domain, that supreme being appeared once more. That being took our souls."


    "And told us that this matter concerned the fate of the entire world. One day, when we awakened, we were to help as many necro as possible recover their memories."


    "Only then, when the time was right, would that being descend and lead us toward a new path."


    After hearing Dahlia''s words, Daniel fell into thought.


    Because this "being" she spoke of¡­


    Daniel couldn''t figure out who it could be.


    Initially, he had assumed that these people had simply discovered something in Doom Domain.


    But he hadn''t expected¡­


    That there was someone else behind all of this.


    So¡­


    Who could it be?


    Rose? Or perhaps Rose''s enemy?


    After all, Doom Domain was created by Rose''s own hand.


    Could the one controlling the necro be Rose''s enemy?


    Now, things were becoming even more complicated.


    Daniel suddenly felt a headache coming on.


    This matter was likely related to Rose.


    But he had no idea what Rose was planning.


    The information he had received had always been limited.


    It seemed he needed to return as soon as possible and ask what was really going on.


    The only thing Daniel was certain of was that the mysterious being Dahlia spoke of was definitely connected to Riverside City.


    But¡­


    Who exactly?


    He had no idea.


    "Your mission is to help other necro recover their memories, just like you did?"


    "Yes."


    Dahlia nodded.


    "And what if I don''t want to let you go so easily?"


    "If you do that¡­ the great being will not let you go!"


    Dahlia said.


    Hearing what sounded like a veiled threat, Daniel chuckled.


    Then, he said:


    "Oh, right. I seem to have forgotten something. If I kill you right here, wouldn''t I be able to meet this ''great being'' of yours directly?"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Dahlia''s face suddenly showed a hint of panic.


    She had never expected that Daniel would actually want to meet that being¡­


    And would even consider killing her to do so¡­


    If that happened, all her efforts¡ªbecoming what she was now, escaping the bloodline curse¡ªwould have been for nothing!


    But after a moment of thought, Daniel ultimately decided not to do it.


    Because if the one behind all of this was truly someone from Crossbridge Academy¡­


    Acting recklessly might disrupt the original plan.


    He just didn''t know¡­ who exactly was behind it.


    "Alright, go on and do what you need to do. I''m not planning to kill you."


    Daniel said as he looked at Dahlia.


    Hearing his words, Dahlia exhaled deeply.


    For a moment, she had truly believed she was about to die.


    She hadn''t expected Daniel to ultimately let her go.


    Dahlia hurried to leave.


    But her body was still bound by Daniel''s restraints.


    "However, even though I don''t intend to kill you, you still have to pay the price for the ten people you''ve killed."


    As he spoke, Daniel extended his hand.


    Immediately, a surge of soul energy was extracted from Dahlia''s body.


    Even the spirit flame within her was partially drawn away.


    With this, and with some additional methods, those slain disciples could be revived.


    Afterward, Daniel released Dahlia.


    "Go. Just don''t let me catch you doing this again."


    As Daniel''s words fell, Dahlia departed. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Daniel, too, withdrew from Alice''s soul.


    His figure reappeared within Alice''s dream.


    At that moment, Alice seemed to sense something.


    She turned to look at Daniel:


    "Brother Daniel, how is it? Is everything okay now?"


    "Yes, that thing has been dealt with."


    "Really?"


    "Mm. If you don''t believe me, look in the mirror yourself."


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Alice hesitantly picked up a mirror from the ground.


    After glancing at it, she revealed a joyful smile.


    "That scared me to death! I had no idea such a terrifying thing had been on me!"


    Seeing that the strange presence on her was gone, Alice let out a sigh of relief.


    After that, Daniel left the dream.


    He found Kaylyn and told her everything.


    Kaylyn was equally shocked by Daniel''s words, as she had never encountered such a situation before.


    Even¡­


    Could necro truly regain their former memories?


    If so, what difference would remain between them and the living?


    "How is the secret realm coming along?"


    After everything with Dahlia, Daniel had a strong feeling¡ª


    The events to come would be incredibly complicated.


    So he had to strengthen himself as quickly as possible.


    "It''s ready. You can enter whenever you wish."


    Kaylyn replied.


    The secret realm Daniel used to increase his strength¡ªKaylyn had prepared it long ago, just waiting for him to ask.

 Chapter437-Entering the Secret Realm

    Hearing Kaylyn''s words, Daniel nodded and then said,


    "Alright, prepare a place for Alice as well. There might be some secrets about her."


    Kaylyn nodded, indicating that it was not a problem.


    After discussing a few other matters, Daniel prepared to enter the secret realm to break through.


    At this moment, Kaylyn called out to Daniel and asked,


    "Lord Daniel, should we notify the others of your return?"


    "For the past ten thousand years, they have been searching for you."


    Daniel thought for a moment but ultimately shook his head.


    "There''s no rush for now. When the time is right, I will find them myself."


    ¡­


    On a blood-red mountain peak, a lone figure stood.


    Even as fierce winds howled around the summit, the figure remained unaffected, as if untouched by the elements.


    Before this figure was a glowing screen displaying numerous silhouettes.


    Among them, one figure was unmistakably Dahlia.


    If Daniel were here, he would immediately recognize the figure on the mountaintop¡ªhis daughter, Rose!


    "It worked!"


    Rose spoke.


    "Yes."


    Suddenly, the space behind Rose tore open.


    A figure stepped out.


    "Your hypothesis was correct. Under the right conditions, a soul will repair itself, recover its memories once it reaches a certain threshold, and then¡­ become¡ª"


    "I call this kind of entity a ghost."


    Rose said.


    Then, she turned to look at Nora, who stood behind her, and asked,


    "By the way, is everything ready on your end?"


    "Yes, it''s all set. We''ve established a basic framework. But¡­ are you really sure you want to do this?"


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    Nora looked at Rose with concern.


    "Once this begins, there will be no turning back! You will forever dwell in darkness."


    Nora''s words did not shake Rose''s resolve.


    On the contrary, they strengthened it.


    "Because this is the world my father created, I must protect it! This is what I once promised him."


    Nora looked at Rose, sighed, and then asked,


    "If Daniel returns, will you still go through with it?"


    "Yes. I believe Father will understand me. This is also what I want to do."


    Rose said before asking again,


    "What about Nina? How is she doing?"


    "Things are going well on Nina''s end."


    ¡­


    At White Lotus Sanctuary, Kaylyn led Daniel and Alice to the entrance of a secret realm.


    This secret realm was modeled after a 5-Element secret realm from Riverside City¡ªa place Kaylyn had attempted to replicate.


    However, she lacked the ability to create a full-fledged 5-Element secret realm.


    She could only use the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind, forming the current Four-Element Secret Realm.


    Back then, Daniel had accidentally come across that 5-Element Secret Realm during a territorial dispute among the top forces of Crossbridge World.


    Afterward, he had replicated it almost perfectly within Crossbridge Academy.


    The results were outstanding.


    Because Crossbridge Academy had forges, the secret realm achieved a perfect mana cycle.


    In fact, it was even better than the original 5-Element Secret Realm.


    However, since Kaylyn''s version only contained four elements, it lacked the full equilibrium of the 5-Element Secret Realm.


    It couldn''t achieve perfect self-sustaining balance.


    Next, Kaylyn led Daniel into the secret realm.


    To Daniel''s surprise, what lay before him was¡­


    A courtyard.


    A residence that, surprisingly, suited Daniel''s aesthetics quite well.


    "I know you dislike noise, so I set up this space inside the secret realm. There''s a magic array outside, ensuring no disciples will disturb you."


    Kaylyn explained.


    "That''s fine, but¡­"


    Daniel looked at the courtyard and then asked Kaylyn,


    "Did you¡­ gather all the mana from the entire secret realm here?"


    "That''s right. After considering your circumstances, I realized that you hardly ever encounter bottlenecks when breaking through, but you have an enormous demand for mana."


    "So I took the liberty of diverting most of the secret realm''s mana to this spot."


    "Hmm, you were thoughtful."


    At Daniel''s level, every advancement was pushed to its absolute peak.


    Which meant his demand for mana was massive. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been able to reach the strongest possible state at every stage.


    However¡­


    Kaylyn''s method came at the cost of depleting the White Lotus Sanctuary Secret Realm, which was unfair to other disciples.


    So Daniel thought for a moment and used Genesis Energy to condense a leaf.


    "I hope this can serve as compensation for White Lotus Sanctuary."


    Kaylyn did not recognize the leaf in Daniel''s hand.


    But she could feel¡­


    A profound and indescribable sense of comfort emanating from it.


    This object¡­


    Even as a being above god king, she could not fully comprehend what it was.


    One thing was certain¡ªthis item would bring her immense benefits.


    Nearby, two others saw this and immediately spoke up.


    "Uncle! I have such a good relationship with Big White. Can I¡­ get a leaf too?"


    Cyr said, her senses incredibly sharp.


    Even though she couldn''t identify the leaf, she knew it was something of extraordinary value.


    "Lord Daniel, I''ve been in Riverside City for so long. After all these years, I haven''t asked for anything¡­ But¡ª"


    Icarus, too, shamelessly spoke up.


    Daniel looked at the two of them, chuckled, and then said,


    "Alright, how about this? You two contribute something to compensate for White Lotus Sanctuary''s loss, and in return, you each get a leaf."


    "Deal!"


    "¡­"


    Once this commotion was over, Daniel took Alice into the courtyard to begin his breakthrough.


    At this moment, Alice didn''t even know what to say anymore.


    Daniel¡­


    Wasn''t he only a few years older than her?


    Why were the three sanctuary lords treating him so humbly?


    And even¡­


    Those holy lords seemed to have known Daniel for a long time.


    "Brother Daniel, who¡­ exactly are you?"


    "Didn''t I already hint at it before?"


    "In the dream?"


    Alice thought back.


    When she first met Daniel, she had transformed into his daughter''s form.


    At the time, she assumed Daniel had been lying to her.


    Could it be¡­ that it was true?


    "Enough. Don''t dwell on it too much. What you need to focus on now is improving your strength."


    After saying that, Daniel found a suitable place, sat down, and began absorbing mana, preparing to advance to the next level.


    This time, with an entire secret realm''s worth of mana, Daniel was confident he could push his strength to a new height!


    ¡­


    Elsewhere, the three holy lords left the secret realm.


    But just as they stepped out, Fayne rushed toward them.


    "Holy Lord, bad news!"


    Fayne''s face was full of panic.


    Kaylyn frowned in confusion.


    "Fayne, what''s wrong now? Tell me clearly. Don''t panic."


    This was the second time in a short period that Kaylyn had seen this expression on Fayne''s face.


    The last time was when he saw Daniel.


    What could it be this time?


    **"Holy Lord, bad news! The center of Doom Domain¡ªthe place where the sword scar lies¡ªthe necro have begun to riot!"


    ¡­


    In the blink of an eye, three years passed.


    By now, Daniel had already reached god sovereign rank, on the verge of breaking through to god king.


    Then, from the neighboring area, a surge of energy rippled outward.


    It was Alice''s breakthrough.


    At this moment, Alice had successfully stepped into the god sovereign rank.


    Seeing this, Daniel felt somewhat satisfied.


    It seemed his efforts had not been in vain.


    By helping Alice improve her talent, she had reached god sovereign in just a few short years.

 Chapter438-Upheaval

    And yet¡­


    There was one thing that Daniel felt had not met his expectations¡ªhe still had not found the source of that familiar feeling from Alice.


    Could it be¡­ that he needed to wait until she reached god king rank?


    This was something Daniel could not predict.


    For now, he could only leave it to time.


    Alice''s breakthrough to god sovereign caused a massive surge, but all of it was blocked by the surrounding magic array.


    Seeing Alice reach god sovereign rank, Daniel thought to himself that it was about time he prepared for his own breakthrough to god king.


    It had already been some time since Daniel reached god sovereign.


    The reason he had remained stagnant¡ª


    Was because he had been waiting for Alice to break through.


    During that period, he could clearly sense that Alice was preparing to ascend to a higher level.


    So, Daniel held himself back.


    If he were to break through to god king at such a crucial moment, it would inevitably affect Alice.


    She might unconsciously follow his path¡ª


    Instead of comprehending her own laws.


    But now, Alice had successfully reached god sovereign rank. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And her aura had already stabilized.


    That meant it was finally time for Daniel to step into god king rank as well.


    A wave of unparalleled power erupted from Daniel''s body.


    Even though Daniel was not yet a god king at this moment¡ª


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    Even an actual god king here would be suppressed by his overwhelming presence.


    Because every rank Daniel had reached was honed to perfection.


    Not a single flaw.


    Step by step, he had climbed to the peak.


    And his god king rank would also be the strongest among god kings!


    Perhaps even those above god king would find it difficult to rival Daniel now.


    The sheer pressure of his aura instantly shattered the magic array around the courtyard!


    Boom!


    The sound of collapsing buildings rang out.


    Alice, who had just stabilized her breakthrough, was startled.


    "What happened?"


    "Your breakthrough was too overwhelming. You brought this place down."


    Daniel''s voice came from the ruins.


    At this moment, Daniel had already ascended to god king rank.


    "Really? Why do I feel like you''re framing me, Brother Daniel?"


    Naturally, Alice did not believe Daniel''s words.


    Because the moment she broke through to god sovereign, she realized something¡ª


    Daniel''s aura had become even stronger!


    If, when Daniel was at god lord rank, Alice could still sense him as god sovereign rank¡ª


    Then now, even after she had reached god sovereign rank¡ª


    She could no longer perceive Daniel''s strength at all.


    Could it be¡­


    Daniel had already reached a rank beyond god king?


    Impossible!


    Did he really break through consecutively?


    "Y-You¡­ what rank are you now?"


    Alice looked at Daniel and asked.


    "God king."


    "Huh? You''re only god king, and I already can''t sense your aura at all? It feels like¡­ defeating you is becoming more and more impossible¡­"


    "It''s nothing. Just work hard."


    Just as Daniel finished speaking, a massive shockwave swept through the secret realm.


    The entire secret realm¡ª


    Seemed to be splitting apart from a single attack.


    Daniel instantly stood in front of Alice.


    Blocking the attack.


    At this moment, the secret realm was torn apart.


    The sight of White Lotus Sanctuary unfolded before Daniel''s eyes.


    Once¡­


    A magnificent sanctuary¡ª


    Now, it had been reduced to ruins.


    The once grand structures were now mere remnants of destruction.


    Daniel frowned.


    "Hm? Someone''s still here! Why are you not following orders and still inside the secret realm? Which faction of the sanctuary are you from?"


    An elder appeared before Daniel and asked.


    It seemed he had mistaken Daniel for a disobedient mage of White Lotus Sanctuary.


    "I''m Kaylyn''s guest. Where is she now?"


    Daniel asked the old man.


    "The holy lord''s guest? I''ve never heard of that! Who exactly are you?"


    The elder questioned Daniel suspiciously.


    Daniel had no patience to argue with him and simply took action.


    "Hmph! A mere god king, and you dare act arrogantly in my White Lotus Sanctuary?"


    The elder sneered and drew his weapon.


    But¡ª


    The moment his weapon clashed with Daniel''s bare hand, the elder immediately realized¡ª


    This must be the holy lord''s guest!


    Because¡ª


    Was this truly the power of a god king?


    The instant their weapons met, his weapon shattered.


    This was¡­


    A weapon he had used for centuries!


    How could a god king rank individual possibly possess such monstrous power?


    Unless¡­


    What Daniel said was true?


    Just as the elder came to this realization, Daniel''s strike landed.


    In an instant, the elder felt an overwhelming force invade his body.


    Daniel hadn''t even used any laws.


    Blood spewed from the elder''s mouth.


    "Elder has been injured! Capture him!"


    The nearby disciples shouted upon seeing this.


    But the elder, still coughing blood, immediately stopped them:


    "Stop! All of you, stand down! This is the holy lord''s guest¡ªshow respect!"


    Daniel spoke coldly:


    "I want to know¡ªwhat exactly happened?"


    "About three years ago¡­"


    A riot suddenly broke out around the sword scar.


    Kaylyn went there in an attempt to quell the disturbance.


    A massive number of necro surged from beneath the sword scar.


    And these necro¡ª


    Had intelligence.


    Just like Dahlia before.


    The necro horde had already breached Storm City''s magic array, spreading destruction beyond.


    The three major sanctuaries and their holy lords immediately rushed to intercept.


    However¡ª


    As time went on, the necro numbers grew uncontrollably.


    Thus, the three holy lords made a decision¡ª


    They ventured into the very heart of Doom Domain.


    The place where the sword scar lay.


    To solve the problem at its root.


    There was no way these necro had appeared out of nowhere.


    There had to be some cause behind it.


    But¡ª


    Once the three holy lords entered¡­


    They never returned.


    And the necro horde only grew stronger and larger.


    That was why this elder had been so wary of Daniel''s unfamiliar face.


    "This place is practically overrun now. However, there are still active magic arrays leading to other locations. You should leave while you still can."


    "It is said¡­ the shadow of the witch who left the sword scar has appeared behind all of this¡­"


    Hearing this, Daniel frowned deeply.


    "Brother Daniel, what should we do?"


    "We''re leaving. I need to go home."


    Daniel said.


    ¡­


    Ruins everywhere.


    Traces of necro destruction scattered across the land.


    Daniel let out a sigh and quickly left with Alice.


    "Who are you? Where are you going?"


    "My name is Daniel. This is my junior sister. We are from White Lotus Sanctuary and wish to use the magic array to travel to Crossbridge World."


    Even though the new God Realm had merged, people still referred to places by their old names.


    Worlds¡­ god realms¡­


    All mixed together¡ªgiving a strange, unfamiliar feeling.


    The guards inspecting them glanced at Daniel and Alice before finally saying:


    "Alright, you may pass."


    Daniel led Alice through.


    They were not alone.


    Many others were waiting as well.


    Most of them were heading for Crossbridge World.


    "Sigh¡­ It''s a shame we have to leave this place behind¡­"


    "Why complain? Crossbridge World is connected to Crossbridge Sanctuary! This is a great opportunity!"


    "What''s the use? We lost our home¡­"


    "Homes can be rebuilt. But getting into Crossbridge World? That''s not an everyday chance!"


    "True. Honestly, if not for the necro, we wouldn''t even have this opportunity."


    "¡­"


    Because of the current situation, the people here had already split into different factions, each with their own opinions and arguments.

 Chapter439-I Have Acquaintances Here!

    "Are you also heading to Crossbridge World, my friend?"


    Daniel and Alice stood there.


    A man beside them took the initiative to strike up a conversation.


    Daniel glanced at him.


    Earlier, during the debates among the crowd, this man had clearly belonged to the group that believed Crossbridge World was the place to be.


    "Those old-fashioned people keep reminiscing about the past, completely unaware of how many benefits await us in such a powerful world."


    The man''s words were full of anticipation for Crossbridge World.


    "It''s just a shame¡­ we''ll never be able to return."


    Because of these few exchanged words, Daniel and Alice became acquainted with this man.


    His name was Sark.


    Like them, he was heading to Crossbridge World.


    According to him, he even had a friend there.


    A group of people, after passing through the teleportation magic array, arrived in an entirely new land in the next moment.


    Surrounding them were towering mountain ranges.


    In the distance stood an enormous tree, stretching beyond the clouds.


    The trunk alone was visible.


    The crown of the tree was completely obscured by the sky''s thick clouds.


    Looking at this tree, Daniel felt a deep, instinctual sense of familiarity.


    This is¡­ the Tree of Origin!


    He hadn''t expected¡­


    It had grown this large already.


    Everyone was temporarily gathered in a massive square.


    "Please rest here for now. We will soon arrange your accommodations according to your respective itineraries and purposes."


    After making this announcement, the organizer disappeared.


    Everyone present began finding their own spots to rest.


    "Brother Daniel, we really hit the jackpot this time!"


    As Daniel found a place to rest, Sark spoke with excitement.


    "Hit the jackpot? What do you mean?"


    Alice asked curiously.


    "Even though it''s my first time in Crossbridge World, I heard from my friend that in this world, any powerful place will have a tree like this¡ª"


    "Towering beyond the clouds, with its crown completely out of sight."


    Sark explained, gazing at the Tree of Origin in the distance.


    "Wow! Is that really a tree? How can it grow that huge?!"


    Alice looked at the Tree of Origin in disbelief.


    "Exactly! No one really understands how. Perhaps that''s why it''s called the ''Divine Tree''."


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    Hearing Sark''s words, Daniel also looked at the Tree of Origin.


    So now¡­


    It was being called a Divine Tree?


    "This city is called Kareya. It''s one of the strongest forces in Crossbridge World. All in all, now that we''re here, you can rest easy! I have a friend here!"


    Sark declared confidently.


    He even laughed out loud.


    After all, in such an unfamiliar place, having a familiar friend gave Sark a lot of confidence.


    Now Daniel understood why Sark was suddenly so cheerful.


    It was because¡­ he had an acquaintance here.


    Seeing Sark looking so proud, Alice leaned over to Daniel and asked,


    "Brother Daniel, don''t you have friends in Crossbridge World too? Does that mean you also know someone in this Ancient City of Kareya?"


    Hearing Alice''s question, Daniel lifted his head, looked at the towering Tree of Origin, and said,


    "I''m not sure about friends, but I probably have some relatives here."


    Hearing Daniel''s response, Alice''s eyes immediately lit up.


    She hadn''t expected that Daniel really had an acquaintance here¡ª


    No, not just an acquaintance, but a relative!


    In that case¡­


    Alice looked at Sark.


    Compared to Sark''s earlier proud demeanor, Alice now seemed even more smug.


    Noticing Alice''s smug expression, Sark turned to Daniel and asked,


    "You¡­ have relatives here?"


    Sark found it hard to believe.


    Daniel¡­


    He had clearly come to Crossbridge World just like him.


    How could he possibly have relatives in Ancient City of Kareya?


    "What? Only you can have a friend, but my brother can''t have a relative? Who knows if your so-called ''friend'' even exists!"


    "Impossible! Every piece of information I have about Crossbridge World came from my friend!"


    "I don''t believe you! Call your friend over then!"


    "¡­"


    And with that, the two started bickering.


    Daniel simply shook his head and turned his attention elsewhere.


    He had no interest in their childish argument.


    ¡­


    A short while later, a man arrived at the gathering. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Everyone, I am an enforcement officer from Ancient City of Kareya. I need to record some basic information about you. If this is an inconvenience, I apologize in advance."


    Because this was a mage-controlled city, the recorded information did not involve private details¡ª


    It was simply a basic record of names and reasons for coming to Crossbridge World.


    Meanwhile, Alice and Sark were still arguing.


    Their debate had now escalated to which was more impressive¡ªa friend or a relative.


    "Thank you for your cooperation. Now, we need to check whether any of you have been entangled by necro. Please be patient, the inspection team will arrive shortly."


    After the young officer finished speaking, he left.


    Soon, a middle-aged man holding a strange object approached.


    The moment he arrived, he suddenly froze.


    "You are¡­ Sark?"


    "Pierre?"


    Seeing the man, Sark became ecstatic.


    "I didn''t expect to run into you right here! Are you¡­ part of the inspection team?"


    "That''s right."


    Hearing Sark''s words, Pierre explained,


    "Because of your world''s special nature, we need to check for necro possessions or disguises."


    Then, Sark turned to Daniel and Alice.


    "This is the friend I told you about from Ancient City of Kareya. Now we really have an acquaintance here!"


    Daniel smiled and nodded.


    As for Alice, she turned away¡ªrefusing to acknowledge Sark''s smug expression.


    After chatting for a bit, Pierre prepared to escort them directly into Ancient City of Kareya.


    Since they were acquainted, the inspection process was technically unnecessary.


    After all, with the Tree of Origin standing in Kareya¡ª


    No necro would dare set foot here.


    The inspection was merely a formality.


    Seeing Pierre''s intention to skip the process, Sark immediately stopped him.


    "I remember the officer saying there was one final check! You shouldn''t overlook it!"


    Hearing Sark''s words, Pierre chuckled and said,


    "It''s nothing, really. But since you insist, let''s do it."


    Pierre then pulled out a branch from his robes.


    "This is a branch from the Divine Tree. With this, detecting necro is effortless."


    Saying that, he waved the branch over the group.


    As Pierre moved the branch, a strange energy ripple spread out.


    "If a necro is present, they won''t be able to hide from this test!"


    But at that moment¡ª


    Suddenly, the branch trembled.


    Before Pierre could react, the branch in his hand shattered into pieces.


    Not even a trace was left behind.


    Seeing this, Pierre was completely dumbfounded.


    This was the first time he had encountered such an event.


    He had no idea what to do.


    "Uh¡­ what just happened? Why did it explode?"


    Sark cautiously asked Pierre.


    "Maybe¡­ maybe it was defective. Hold on, I''ll get another one."


    Sark stood there, watching Pierre walk away in confusion.


    He didn''t know what to say.


    Meanwhile, Daniel wore a helpless expression.


    He already had a very good idea of what had just happened.


    The branches of the Tree of Origin were, in some ways, an extension of its perception.


    And the reason it had shattered so suddenly¡ª


    There was no need to even guess.

 Chapter440-I Also Have a Relative

    Daniel was absolutely certain¡ªthe Tree of Origin had recognized his presence.


    It had gotten so overexcited that it accidentally caused the branch to explode.


    At this rate, it was highly likely that the Tree of Origin would come looking for him soon.


    To have grown to such an enormous size¡­


    It must have already developed some degree of self-awareness.


    For the Tree of Origin, Daniel was akin to a father figure.


    "What''s going on? I have a bad feeling about this. Should we run?"


    Alice leaned toward Sark, whispering.


    "Relax, nothing will happen! He''s my good friend¡ªthere won''t be any problems."


    After waiting for a while, Pierre returned.


    But this time, he was not alone.


    A senior elder accompanied him.


    The elder radiated a presence beyond god king rank.


    "Elder, it''s them! The Divine Tree''s branch broke because of them!"


    "There is a high chance that necro have attached themselves to them."


    Pierre said, looking at the group.


    Sark was stunned.


    Meanwhile, Alice''s expression had already turned panicked.


    Because, strictly speaking¡ª


    She had been possessed by necro before.


    If they found out now¡­


    Would she be expelled?


    Only Daniel remained calm¡ª Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As if the situation had nothing to do with him.


    At that moment, a radiant glow descended from the Tree of Origin, enveloping Daniel.


    Ancient City of Kareya


    In a secluded space, an elder stood motionless.


    Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, a flash of confusion appearing in his gaze.


    This man was the City Lord of Ancient City of Kareya.


    Since the Tree of Origin was first planted here, he had always been its caretaker.


    Over time, he had developed the ability to communicate with the Divine Tree''s consciousness.


    But just now¡ª


    He had sensed intense emotions radiating from the Tree of Origin.


    Emotions it had never displayed before.


    In the past, its responses were always calm and indifferent.


    So the elder tried to ask what had happened.


    But this time, the Tree of Origin did not respond at all.


    Its emotions were a mix of unease, excitement, joy¡­ and something else.


    The elder wanted to press for more answers¡ª


    But the Tree of Origin abruptly severed their connection.


    Before leaving, it sent only one final message:


    "Father has returned!"


    "Pierre, what are you doing?!"


    Sark glared at Pierre, questioning him.


    "Apologies, I''m just following my duties!"


    "Necro cannot be allowed to enter Crossbridge World."


    At this moment, the elder behind Pierre stepped forward.


    "For the safety of others, you must undergo an inspection. I expect your cooperation!"


    Now, Daniel finally spoke:


    "This is just a misunderstanding. We can check again¡ªI''m sure we''re fine."


    This time, Daniel planned to talk to the Tree of Origin and ask it to calm down.


    This was getting annoying.


    "This is Ancient City of Kareya! You don''t get to decide what happens here!"


    The elder''s voice was filled with authority, his god king rank aura crushing down on the three of them.


    But before anything else could happen¡ª


    A terrifying surge erupted from the sky!


    A green glow spread across the heavens, casting a divine radiance over the entire area.


    "Is¡­ the Divine Tree revealing itself?!"


    "No! The Divine Tree grants blessings once every hundred years. It''s only been fifty years since the last one¡ªthis isn''t possible!"


    The elder looked up at the sky, confused.


    Daniel, however, was speechless.


    The Tree of Origin was revealing itself¡ª


    But this was not a blessing.


    It was reacting aggressively because these people had threatened him.


    And judging by the scale of its power,


    It didn''t seem like it just wanted to scare them¡ª


    It looked like it was about to completely obliterate the elder!


    Daniel sighed.


    He decided to stop it.


    After all, the elder hadn''t actually done anything wrong¡ª


    He was just doing his job.


    It was the Tree of Origin that had overreacted.


    Seeing that the sky''s energy was intensifying,


    Daniel quickly reached out with his mind power to the Tree of Origin:


    "Calm down. Don''t be so aggressive."


    The Tree of Origin sensed Daniel''s mind power and responded¡ª


    It condensed into the shape of a small snake, speaking in clumsy, childlike words:


    "They wanted to hurt Father. Not allowed!"


    "It''s fine. They were only doing their duty. If you hadn''t reacted so strongly, none of this would have happened. Listen to me¡ªcalm down."


    "Okay, Father."


    "Go back for now. I''ll come find you once I handle things here, alright?"


    "Mm, Father."


    With that, the small snake nuzzled Daniel''s face¡ª Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire


    Then vanished.


    At that moment, the ominous energy in the sky dissipated.


    Instead of a destructive force, the air now carried a sense of joy.


    The elder looked up at this bizarre phenomenon and declared:


    "Everyone, return to the city! Pierre, keep an eye on these three. We will deal with them after the Divine Tree''s blessing is complete!"


    Pierre remained behind.


    The others, having passed the inspection, left with the crowd.


    Alice, still nervous, turned to Daniel:


    "Big Brother, how do we contact your relative? Can they help us?"


    "Don''t worry. I already contacted them¡ªthe misunderstanding will be cleared up soon."


    Hearing this, Alice felt relieved.


    But then, a new question popped into her mind.


    When did Daniel contact his relative?


    She hadn''t noticed at all!


    "Big Brother, what kind of relative is this?"


    "Hmm¡­ he''s basically still a child."


    Daniel thought of the Tree of Origin''s consciousness form.


    It seemed even more childish than Big White had been in the past.


    "Huh?"


    Hearing Daniel''s response, Alice lost all hope.


    Because¡­


    What could a child possibly do to help them?


    Daniel and the others were positioned at the back of the group, still under Pierre''s supervision.


    Ensuring they didn''t attempt any sudden movements.


    As they entered the city, Alice grew even more anxious.


    "Big Brother, are you really sure your relative can save us? Isn''t there an elder or guardian?"


    "Because of its lifeform, it''s still considered a child. As for elders¡­ I doubt there are any here."


    Daniel mused.


    "What?! Then what do we do? Should we just escape, Big Brother?"


    Alice looked at Daniel worriedly.


    "If this keeps up, they definitely won''t treat us kindly¡­ You''re strong enough! If we break out together, we''ll be fine!"


    Daniel chuckled and said,


    "Relax. Nothing will happen to us. They won''t be able to touch us."


    Just as Daniel finished speaking¡ª


    An authoritative voice resounded:


    "Pierre, the Divine Tree''s blessing may happen soon. These three haven''t been fully cleared yet¡ªfind a dungeon and imprison them for now!"


    Hearing this, even Pierre hesitated.


    The three were only suspected of necro possession.


    They weren''t confirmed!


    Was this really necessary?


    The Divine Tree''s blessing was a rare opportunity.


    Even if they were necro, the blessing would force them to reveal their true form anyway.


    Although Pierre had called the elder here, he still considered Sark his friend.


    But his duty came first¡ªhe could not allow necro to threaten Ancient City of Kareya.


    Yet the elder''s order¡ª


    Made it clear that the three of them would completely miss the Divine Tree''s blessing.

 Chapter441-Greetings, Lord Daniel!

    Even Pierre, who was a warden, might miss the blessing.


    This was something Pierre could not accept.


    "Elder, if the Divine Tree begins its blessing, then even if there is a necro among the three, they will immediately be revealed and won''t be able to hide at all!"


    Pierre couldn''t understand why the three were being thrown into the dungeon at this moment.


    "Pierre, I said this is an order, do you understand?"


    The elder''s tone carried an undeniable authority.


    Immediately, a mighty pressure surged forward.


    However, at that very moment, a sudden clap of thunder resounded in the sky!


    Seeing this scene, the elder immediately said:


    "Do you see? The Divine Tree is about to manifest!"


    "Since you refuse to follow my orders, I will personally take action!"


    With that, he made a move, attempting to capture Daniel and the other two.


    Seeing this, Daniel let out a sigh.


    He originally didn''t want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings here.


    But now, the other party was practically pushing things to the extreme.


    "Just don''t let anyone die," Daniel said as he looked toward the sky.


    Just as the elder''s hand was about to grab Daniel and the other two, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck down.


    It struck the elder directly.


    A crater instantly formed around the elder.


    Although the elder was not in any life-threatening danger, he was in a wretched state. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The power of the lightning was still coursing through his body as if some special force was preventing him from healing his injuries.


    His gaze toward Daniel and the others turned into one of fury:


    "It''s them! It must be something they did! Capture these three at once!"


    As soon as the elder''s words fell, more than a dozen god kings appeared, preparing to seize Daniel and the others.


    Even those who had just arrived from other places were also planning to take action against Daniel.


    Although they didn''t know exactly what status this elder held, that didn''t stop them from showing their loyalty at this moment.


    But just as these people were about to attack Daniel, another bolt of lightning flashed in the sky!


    Anyone who had dared to attack Daniel was struck down without exception.


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    Unlike the elder, these people did not have his level of power.


    So after being struck by lightning, their injuries couldn''t heal, leaving them sprawled on the ground.


    Alice glanced at the sky, then at Daniel:


    "Big brother, what''s going on?"


    "That child must be protecting me from being bullied," Daniel replied.


    At this moment, the others in the city had naturally sensed this terrifying presence.


    After all, the lightning was real, falling directly from the sky.


    Anyone could see it with their own eyes.


    As the crowd gathered, they witnessed the scene before them.


    People lay on the ground wailing in pain.


    Meanwhile, Daniel and the other two stood there unharmed.


    Everyone was filled with uncertainty and disbelief.


    To defeat so many people in one blow¡­


    This person couldn''t be weak.


    As the standoff continued, a figure descended from the sky.


    The moment the others saw this figure, they immediately saluted:


    "Greetings, City Lord!"


    The city lord, however, looked at Daniel in shock and quickly knelt down:


    "Randy greets Lord Daniel!"


    The City Lord of the Ancient City of Kareya¡ªRandy.


    At this moment, he knelt before Daniel.


    Such a sight left everyone utterly stunned.


    Especially the elder who had just attacked Daniel.


    His mind went completely blank.


    He even wished he could faint like the others behind him.


    Otherwise¡­


    This scene was simply too terrifying!


    And at that moment, a bridge extended from the Tree of Origin, stretching directly to Daniel''s feet.


    Upon closer inspection, the green bridge was entirely formed from the leaves of the Tree of Origin!


    This sight left everyone even more astonished.


    Who exactly was this person¡­


    To make the City Lord of the Ancient City of Kareya kneel before him, and even the Divine Tree personally welcome him?


    Daniel looked at Randy, thought for a moment, and recalled his identity.


    Randy, the former headmaster of Karea Academy.


    His mind had been controlled.


    Later, Daniel had saved him.


    Since then, Karea Academy had come under the jurisdiction of Crossbridge.


    And now¡­


    It seemed to be the Ancient City of Kareya.


    "So it''s you here. Alright, get up," Daniel said.


    As he spoke, Randy stood up as well.


    "Alright, go arrange for these people to leave," Daniel instructed.


    With that, Daniel and Alice stepped onto the green bridge.


    The bridge swiftly carried Daniel and Alice away.


    As for Sark, he still had his mouth wide open, staring in disbelief at the scene before him.


    A moment later, Daniel and Alice stopped in a courtyard.


    Daniel could sense that this was likely Randy''s usual place of residence.


    He even noticed a tree in the courtyard, though it wasn''t a real tree, but an illusion formed by the Tree of Origin.


    As Daniel entered, the branches of the tree actively reached out to him.


    "Big brother, that city lord¡ªhe''s the relative you mentioned?"


    Alice asked, puzzled.


    Hadn''t Daniel said before that his relative was a child?


    But that city lord didn''t look like a child at all!


    "He''s not. We just knew each other from before."


    "Then where is your relative?"


    Alice asked curiously.


    Daniel then looked toward the towering Tree of Origin:


    "Under normal circumstances, it should still be in its childhood stage."


    "It?"


    Alice followed Daniel''s gaze.


    But she saw nothing.


    "The Tree of Origin, although it looks enormous, is essentially still a child," Daniel explained.


    The Tree of Origin? What was that? Enormous?


    At that moment, Alice immediately connected the Divine Tree with the "child" Daniel had mentioned.


    No way, big brother!


    That¡­ That tree is your relative?!


    That''s insane!


    At this moment, Randy also walked in.


    "Not long ago, I was wondering why the Tree of Origin was experiencing such an unusual disturbance today."


    "I never expected it was because you had returned, Lord Daniel! For the new God Realm, this is the best news possible!"


    Randy said with emotion.


    "What about the academy? How is Crossbridge Academy now?"


    Daniel asked.


    "In terms of influence, the God Realm has no one who can challenge it."


    "Sometimes, I even think that not even the former divine dynasty could achieve what the academy has today."


    Daniel smiled.


    A figure of the God Emperor instinctively surfaced in his mind.


    "In the current God Realm, Crossbridge Academy is in charge of overseeing things. Internally, it is managed by an old acquaintance of yours¡ªor rather, your in-law¡ªthe former 5-Element God King."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    That outcome¡­ wasn''t bad at all.


    "By the way, Lord Daniel, since you have returned, do you wish to meet your old acquaintances? They all miss you very much."


    "No need, that''s unnecessary," Daniel replied.


    "Right now, the most important thing for me is improving my strength."


    "That''s simple. Kareya has no shortage of secret realms. I''ll prepare one for you immediately!"


    Randy quickly said.


    But Daniel refused:


    "No need, that''s unnecessary. With him here, no secret realm could compare."


    As he spoke, Daniel looked at the small tree formed by the Tree of Origin.


    Hearing Daniel''s words, the small tree''s branches gently brushed against Daniel.


    Randy suddenly realized.


    Whether it was mana or insights, what could possibly compare to the Tree of Origin?


    There was no need to even ask!


    The Tree of Origin could directly bestow its laws upon Daniel.


    And its mana.


    Its forge had never changed!


    "Then what about this young girl?"


    Randy asked, looking at Alice.


    "She''s with me. No need to worry about her," Daniel said.


    Hearing that Daniel had arranged everything, Randy didn''t ask further.


    Daniel then looked at Randy and asked:


    "Do you know about the necro expansion and outbreak?"

 Chapter442-The Gatekeeper

    According to Daniel''s previous speculation, this necro outbreak might be caused by Rose.


    But¡­ to cause so many deaths for the sake of a plan¡­


    What exactly was she trying to do?


    "I don''t know much about that¡­ But that battle back then seemed a bit suspicious. If Lord Daniel returns to Crossbridge Academy, you should be able to get clearer information."


    Daniel nodded.


    He didn''t ask further.


    It seemed that Randy only had a vague understanding.


    He probably knew even less than Icarus.


    In that case, the only option Daniel had now was to increase his strength first and then personally find Rose for answers.


    Daniel led Alice toward the main body of the Tree of Origin.


    Along the way, Alice didn''t chatter as usual. Instead, she seemed deep in thought.


    "Big brother, your status¡­ should be very powerful, right?"


    Along the way, first there were those three holy lords, then this city lord, and even the Divine Tree was so affectionate toward him¡­


    Alice wasn''t a fool; she could naturally see the significance of all this.


    "Yes, I told you a little about it before, didn''t I?"


    "But¡­ but I don''t understand. Why would someone as powerful as you insist on keeping me by your side?"


    Alice asked in confusion.


    Logically speaking, she should have been settled somewhere safe, just like Freya or Sark.


    Rather than staying by Daniel''s side all the time. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing Alice''s question, Daniel fell silent for a moment.


    Because he didn''t know how to answer.


    After all¡­


    Even he hadn''t fully figured it out yet!


    "I suppose there must be a reason, right? Big brother, can you tell me?"


    "Alright. The truth is, I sensed a familiar aura on you, but I don''t know exactly who it belongs to, so I wanted to find out."


    Hearing Daniel''s answer, Alice showed no emotional reaction.


    It was as if¡­


    She accepted it very easily.


    After a while, Alice spoke on her own:


    "Actually¡­ sometimes, I feel strange too. It''s like I''m someone else¡­ but still myself¡­"


    "Alright, don''t think too much about it now. Focus on getting stronger¡ªyou''ll find the answer eventually!"


    ¡­


    Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, ten years had gone by.


    Over the past ten years, a massive influx of people had entered Crossbridge World.


    Fortunately, Crossbridge World had managed these populations efficiently, preventing any major incidents.


    However¡­


    During these ten years, necro outbreaks had started appearing in even more worlds.


    This gave people a growing sense of unease.


    As if a new catastrophe was brewing in the God Realm.


    A storm was coming.


    But to Randy, this was nothing to be anxious about.


    At this moment, he was as steady as a mountain.


    Because he knew¡ªthat man had returned.


    As for these so-called crises, in his presence, they were utterly insignificant!


    However, before going into seclusion, that man had specifically instructed him not to reveal his return to others.


    So Randy had kept this secret buried in his heart.


    Seeing others panic about the situation, Randy not only remained calm but even found it amusing.


    "How are things now?"


    While drinking tea, Randy suddenly heard a voice.


    "Greetings, Lord Daniel! My lord, have you emerged from seclusion?"


    After ten years, Randy once again sensed that aura from Daniel.


    That aura of¡­ absolute control over everything!


    "And¡­ fully returned?"


    Daniel smiled and said:


    "This is all thanks to the Tree of Origin. If not for it, I wouldn''t have recovered so quickly."


    Now, Daniel had likely reached the limits of the new God Realm.


    Although he wasn''t as strong as when he had extracted all his mana, to the point where the entire universe could no longer contain him¡ª


    He wasn''t weak either.


    "Congratulations, Lord Daniel! I will prepare a feast to celebrate your return!"


    "There''s no need for that. This time, I''ve come to say goodbye."


    "Goodbye?"


    "Yes. Now, I should head to the academy and figure out what''s going on!"


    Randy nodded.


    "And that little girl¡­"


    "It''s fine, don''t worry about her. Let her stay with the Tree of Origin."


    Daniel said as he left.


    Now, he had to find out what was really happening.


    ¡­


    "You, what are you doing?"


    "I''ve long heard of this academy''s great reputation, so I came to take a look¡­"


    "Register!"


    The middle-aged man said coldly.


    The young man quickly filled out the form.


    The middle-aged man glanced at it and then said:


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    "In the age section, did you write this wrong?"


    "No, I just turned fifty this year!"


    The young man replied.


    "Hmph! Kid, do you really have the nerve to fake your age? Fifty? I can tell at a glance that you''re over two hundred years old! Go fix it! Or get lost."


    The young man sighed and obediently corrected his age before handing the form back.


    "Alright, you can go in. You''ve got fifteen minutes. Once fifteen minutes are up, the magic array will activate and eject you."


    "Thank you."


    The young man said before quickly entering.


    The middle-aged man sat back in his chair, waiting for the next person.


    Just then, a small figure walked over.


    "Grandpa!"


    "Granddaughter, what brings you here?"


    "Can''t you change jobs?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "Yesterday, several girls in my class found out you work as a gatekeeper here¡­ and they said some things I really didn''t like!"


    The little girl said with a grievance.


    "It''s fine. Don''t worry about what they say. Class doesn''t determine worth! Just focus on doing your best!"


    "But¡­"


    "Alright, tell me properly¡ªwho dared to say such things? Looks like some people in this academy need their attitudes corrected!"


    "It was those¡­"


    The little girl rattled off several names.


    The middle-aged man nodded.


    "Got it. Tomorrow, I''ll have their parents take them home for a proper lesson."


    "Really?"


    The little girl was skeptical.


    After all, her grandfather was just a gatekeeper.


    Could he really do that?


    "Don''t worry! Your grandpa can do anything! This is nothing!"


    "When I was young, I was¡ª"


    The middle-aged man was about to brag when suddenly a voice interrupted:


    "5-Element, you bastard, are you¡­ guarding the gate now?"


    The 5-Element God King''s expression immediately turned furious.


    Couldn''t they see he was in the middle of boasting¡ª


    Wait!


    When he turned to look at the person who had interrupted him, his eyes widened in shock!


    Because no matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise¡ª


    He couldn''t believe what he was seeing.


    "You¡­ you''re¡­"


    "Holy shit!!!"


    "Big brother!!! You''re not dead?!"


    "¡­"


    Sophia looked at the young man with a puzzled expression.


    Why did he look so much younger than her grandfather?


    As Sophia curiously observed Daniel, Daniel was also observing her.


    "5-Element is your grandfather?"


    "Yes."


    "In that case, you should call me grandfather too."


    "Really? But big brother, you don''t look old at all."


    Sophia said, confused.


    "Hahaha¡­"


    Daniel chuckled.


    "Because if we go by relationships, Lily should be your aunt, right? And she''s my daughter-in-law. So what should you call me?"


    "Oh, hello, grandpa!"


    Sophia quickly corrected herself.


    At that moment, the 5-Element God King personally carried over a cup of tea.


    "How about it? Sophia is Old Five''s daughter¡ªadorable, right?"


    The 5-Element God King proudly said as he looked at his granddaughter.


    "You sure have¡­ quite a few children?"


    "More or less. Besides Lily, I''ve got six or seven others!"


    The 5-Element God King boasted.


    Then, turning to the little girl, he said:


    "Sophia, go play for a bit. Grandpa has something to discuss."


    The little girl left.


    The 5-Element God King then looked at Daniel¡ª


    Tears streaming down his face!

 Chapter443-The Former Plan

    "Big brother, you''re finally back¡­ I thought you had left forever!"


    5-Element looked at Daniel and said.


    "I also thought at the time that I had no way of returning. Back then, even my mere breathing would place an enormous burden on this universe."


    Daniel explained.


    At that time, Daniel had believed he would be permanently separated from this world.


    However, in the end, an unexpected turn of events occurred.


    The overseers behind the Creator Gods had given him another choice¡ª


    To be resurrected after ten thousand years.


    This was something Daniel had never expected.


    But fortunately, he was back now.


    "By the way, what exactly is going on with the necro situation?"


    Daniel looked at 5-Element and asked the question he was most concerned about.


    5-Element remained silent for a moment before saying:


    "It seems that even you have taken notice of this issue, big brother."


    Then, 5-Element god king continued:


    "This matter¡­ is the result of your daughter Rose and others at the academy working together."


    "Why?"


    Daniel asked in confusion.


    "After the establishment of the new God Realm, the world kept growing. However¡­"


    However, a new problem soon arose!


    The capacity of the world had a limit!


    As the environment improved, a vast number of powerful mages continued to advance.


    The world could no longer sustain so many people.


    So, in the beginning, Rose and the others searched throughout the universe to see if they could find any rare artifacts to increase the world''s carrying capacity.


    During their travels over the years, they did find some.


    But it was far from enough for the massive population!


    At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the world exceeded its limits.


    Rose couldn''t just stand by and watch the world be destroyed.


    Especially not the world her father had created.


    So she, along with Reed and others, devised a plan¡ª


    To divide the world into two parts.


    One part would remain for normal living beings.


    The other would be designated for the existence of souls.


    Yes, in the early stages, they discovered the existence of souls.


    In fact, it was those lingering souls that placed an extreme burden on the world.


    For mages above the god sovereign level, even after death, their souls wouldn''t fully dissipate for many years.


    They would remain in the world, adding to its burden.


    Therefore¡­


    By isolating part of the continent,


    They could contain these souls and use various methods to reincarnate them back into the world.


    This would significantly reduce the world''s load.


    Moreover, this would create a sustainable cycle.


    However, the world was only so big.


    Trying to allocate a designated space for souls¡­


    Was incredibly difficult.


    At this point, the 5-Element god king stepped forward, offering to split off half of the 5-Element god realm.


    If everyone worked together, it could be achieved.


    But¡­


    The remaining forces were not so willing.


    Although Middle Earth had disappeared,


    The top factions had quickly risen again elsewhere.


    There was no way they would allow this to happen.


    Furthermore, those top factions were partially responsible for the world''s overcapacity issue.


    They occupied the best lands¡ªexcept for those controlled by 5-Element and Crossbridge¡ª


    And continually expanded their own forces¡­


    Like landlords hoarding land, growing ever larger.


    Eventually, Rose and the others took action.


    That battle, which appeared to be just a duel between Rose and Reed, where Rose ultimately vanished¡ª


    Was actually a large-scale purge by Crossbridge Academy against the former dominant powers.


    When Rose swung her sword¡ª


    Everyone joined the fight!


    Those top factions¡­


    Including the four former rulers,


    Were completely annihilated.


    The lands they controlled were transformed into a place capable of containing souls.


    "In short, the plan should be nearing completion. I heard that this necro outbreak is actually a significant milestone."


    Hearing this, Daniel nodded.


    Rose wanted to create a realm for souls after death¡ª


    Establishing a dynamic balance between the living and the dead.


    This aligned with the laws of the world.


    A place akin to an underworld or nether realm.


    "By the way, big brother, let''s put that aside for now¡ªeveryone has been waiting for you for a long time. Especially¡­ that cook from your household. From what I hear, she''s been waiting for you all this time."


    Hearing 5-Element''s words, Daniel immediately thought of Elise.


    "Alright, I understand. I''ll go see her now."


    After Daniel spoke, he instantly vanished.


    5-Element god king, seeing Daniel disappear, muttered in confusion:


    "I haven''t even told him where she is yet! She''s in the library now¡­ Big brother, you''re too impatient¡ªhow are you going to find her just running off like that?"


    What 5-Element god king didn''t know was that Daniel had already learned Elise''s whereabouts from others.


    He arrived directly at the academy''s library.


    At this moment, the library was still filled with people.


    Elise was sitting there.


    A book in her hands.


    It was said that this administrator loved reading the most.


    She almost always had a book in hand.


    As the library''s administrator, she had access to an endless supply of books.


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    She had already read most of the library''s collection.


    At this moment, Daniel''s sudden appearance drew quite a bit of attention.


    Because his clothing clearly indicated that he wasn''t from the academy.


    Perhaps he was just a visitor?


    Daniel walked straight toward the administrator.


    For the first time, the administrator put down her book and looked at the outsider.


    "I''m back."


    "Welcome back."


    For the first time, those in the library heard the administrator speak.


    So¡­


    She could actually talk?


    Then, Daniel and Elise vanished together.


    Seeing this, the surrounding people began to speculate.


    Who exactly was this young man?


    And how had he managed to take the administrator away?


    ¡­


    The two met again.


    After a long time apart, the emotions between them burned even hotter.


    A long while later,


    Daniel finally remembered his main concern¡ª


    Rose.


    From Elise, Daniel learned Rose''s true intentions.


    In reality, constructing an underworld was far more complicated than it seemed.


    It wasn''t as simple as just designating a space for it.


    It required extensive preparation.


    Fortunately, the people at Crossbridge Academy had already made those preparations.


    That involved the first person to achieve origin rank¡ªNora.


    Yes!


    Rose was not the first to ascend to origin rank.


    She was the third.


    The first was Nora.


    Nora had not disappointed Daniel¡ª


    She had fulfilled her goal.


    That was to become someone like Daniel.


    She had comprehended the laws of reincarnation.


    And attained origin rank.


    After she achieved origin god status,


    Several others from Crossbridge Academy followed suit.


    Even Elise had now reached Tier-God rank.


    She was the fourth to do so, following Rose.


    She had even surpassed Reed in reaching this stage.


    And the underworld plan¡ª


    Was originally proposed by Nora.


    By doing so, the world could maintain its balance.


    And avoid any crises.


    Nora''s plan was perfect.


    Her laws were the most suitable for this kind of endeavor.


    With everyone''s cooperation,


    This plan had been steadily progressing over the past ten thousand years.


    However¡­


    A plan was still just a plan.


    It had one unavoidable flaw.


    That was¡ªthis so-called underworld, much like Nina''s dream realm in the past,


    Carried the same fundamental issue¡ª


    It required someone to govern and integrate with it.


    In the end¡­


    Rose volunteered to be that person.


    She would become the ruler of the underworld, overseeing everything within it.


    The price¡ª


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    She would be permanently bound to the underworld.


    Unable to leave for the rest of her life.


    This was the only way to stabilize the underworld and complete the world''s structure.

 Chapter444-Come Home with Me!

    After hearing all of this, Daniel fell silent.


    He hadn''t expected that Rose would make such a decision.


    But¡­


    It was in line with her personality.


    Because¡­ Rose wanted to protect the world she had helped create¡­


    "Is there any way to stop this?"


    "There is no way."


    Elise replied.


    "For the underworld to come into existence, someone must stabilize it. After we reached origin rank, we all understood this."


    As Elise spoke, a mass of energy appeared in her hand.


    "We call this the Power of Creation. Upon reaching origin rank, each of us gains this power."


    "The reason why the underworld needs someone to integrate with it is because, without the Power of Creation, it cannot form as planned."


    Daniel looked at the Power of Creation in Elise''s hand¡ª


    It felt¡­ incredibly familiar.


    Yes, wasn''t this¡­


    The same power he had obtained after ascending to Earth God rank?


    Because all living beings had studied Genesis, Daniel had also gained that same power of creation from them.


    "If you go find Nora, she might be able to explain more, since she was the one who devised the entire plan."


    "Alright, I understand."


    Dream Realm.


    A small, secluded corner.


    A lake as black as ink stretched out before them.


    This lake was formed from all the world''s accumulated malice.


    At this moment, a lone figure sat cross-legged by the lake.


    After a while, Nora opened her eyes.


    She looked in a certain direction.


    The next moment, the figures of Daniel and Elise appeared.


    "Headmaster, you''ve finally arrived!"


    Nora looked at Daniel and said.


    "You don''t seem surprised?"


    Daniel asked, looking at Nora.


    "In fact, I noticed your presence over ten years ago when you first appeared."


    Nora said.


    "Although that was an accident, it still made me aware of you, Headmaster. Even though I wanted to meet you back then, the plan was at a critical stage, and I couldn''t leave to see you immediately."


    "An accident? Was it because of¡­ Alice?"


    Daniel looked at Nora and asked.


    There was something familiar about Alice.


    But he had never been able to pinpoint exactly who she was.


    If Nora had noticed him so early on,


    Then there was only one possibility¡ª


    She had discovered him through Alice?


    It was highly likely.


    If that was the case, then Daniel already had a rough guess about Alice''s true identity.


    "Alice¡­ is Nina?!!"


    After hearing Daniel''s guess, Nora nodded.


    "But why haven''t I detected anything related to Nina''s presence in her?"


    Daniel had checked multiple times.


    But he had found nothing.


    He had even suspected before that Alice might be related to Nina.


    But¡­


    There was no trace of a connection.


    "Because of reincarnation."


    Nora answered calmly. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Reincarnation?"


    Daniel was confused.


    This was something he truly did not understand.


    Because this should be part of the laws that Nora had comprehended¡ª


    The laws she had grasped upon becoming an origin god.


    "Because of the underworld. The underworld requires reincarnation. However¡­ we had never tested what would happen if a powerful being underwent reincarnation. So¡­ Nina volunteered to try it."


    Nora spoke, then paused for a moment before continuing:


    "When the ten-thousand-year deadline arrived, Nina chose to reincarnate."


    "I see¡­ Was it because I didn''t keep my promise?"


    Daniel recalled the promise he had made with Nina.


    They had agreed to meet again after ten thousand years.


    But Daniel had only returned decades after that.


    And Nina¡­


    Had chosen reincarnation.


    "Yes. It seems that Nina''s reincarnation was successful. Once she breaks through to origin rank, her past memories will be restored."


    "Alright."


    Daniel nodded. Then, he asked another question:


    "What about Rose?"


    "It seems you already know," Nora said.


    "In truth, the formation of the underworld requires an enormous amount of the Power of Creation. Or rather, the world itself requires it."


    "My reincarnation laws allow souls within the underworld to undergo reincarnation, but they cannot provide the vast amount of Power of Creation needed. That''s why someone must integrate with the underworld and become its ruler. The Power of Creation they provide will allow the underworld to remain stable."


    Nora explained.


    "I tried to persuade Rose many times. But she still chose this path because she wanted to protect the new God Realm that you created.


    "She also believed that if you knew, you wouldn''t stop her¡ªbecause this was something she wanted to accomplish."


    Hearing Nora''s words, Daniel fell silent.


    If Rose truly thought this way, then he wouldn''t try to stop her.


    However¡­


    Merging with the underworld¡ªthis was something Daniel found difficult to accept.


    After all, they hadn''t seen each other in ten thousand years.


    And now, would they have to be separated again?


    Daniel furrowed his brows and thought for a moment before asking:


    "You''re saying that the only reason Rose must merge with the underworld is because of the Power of Creation?"


    "Yes."


    "Then¡­ if I can provide a vast amount of the Power of Creation, does that mean Rose wouldn''t have to merge with it?"


    Hearing Daniel''s words, Nora was momentarily stunned.


    Then she replied:


    "In theory, yes. But¡­ but an origin god''s power is limited. It''s impossible to generate such a massive amount of the Power of Creation!"


    At that moment, an enormous surge of the Power of Creation erupted from Daniel''s body.


    Seeing this scene, Nora was completely stunned.


    "Headmaster¡­ how do you have¡­"


    The sheer intensity of the Power of Creation in Daniel''s presence left Nora utterly shocked.


    Because this was simply impossible for an origin god to possess.


    Such a vast amount of the Power of Creation¡­


    Unless¡ª


    Unless he was a Creator God!


    Otherwise, it was impossible!


    "Headmaster, could it be¡­ you are a Creator God?"


    "Enough. I know that I''m not. And I''ve even met him before. So¡ª is this amount of Power of Creation enough? It should be, right? I''ll go inform Rose right now¡­"


    "No need. I''ll just bring her back myself and give her a surprise!"


    Hearing Daniel''s decision, a smile appeared on Nora''s face.


    Over the next few days,


    Daniel met with every old acquaintance at the academy.


    Even Big White and Lily, who had returned from afar, were reunited with their father.


    They were overjoyed.


    And then¡ª


    The final battle arrived.


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    The battle between Rose and Reed.


    A battle witnessed by the entire new God Realm.


    Of course, those familiar with the truth knew that this was nothing more than a performance.


    A performance for the masses.


    Beneath this grand display was the birth of the new underworld.


    After an earth-shattering battle,


    Rose was ultimately "defeated" and disappeared.


    At the same time, the underworld was officially established.


    With an immense amount of the Power of Creation,


    The underworld became independent from the God Realm¡ª


    Like two sides of the same coin.


    Within solitude and darkness, Rose fused with the underworld.


    She had no regrets.


    However, at that moment, Daniel appeared before her.


    "Father?!!"


    Rose was utterly shocked.


    A surge of immense Power of Creation radiated from Daniel.


    Then, he took Rose''s hand and led her out of the underworld.


    "Alright, now¡ªcome home with me!"

 Chapter1-Ill Kill Him Right in Front of You

    Bang! Bang!


    Clothes and personal belongings were thrown haphazardly from the courtyard, clattering harshly against the ground, scattering everywhere.


    "Throw out anything that belongs to Alan and his sickly sister!"


    "Lord William is about to move into Virtue Pavilion. Get rid of this bad omen!"


    Charles, William''s trusted bodyguard, loudly commanded the guards trashing the hall. Then he turned to a blond young man seated nearby and offered a sycophantic smile.


    "My lord, we''ve accelerated the process. Within the hour, Virtue Pavilion will be completely refreshed, ready to welcome its new master."


    William nodded in satisfaction. Virtue Pavilion, the residence of the Roan House heir, was now his after the council''s recent appointment, and he had rushed over without delay.


    "You have no right to throw away my brother''s things!"


    A weak yet angry voice suddenly interrupted.


    A slim, pale girl burst into the pavilion, her sapphire-blue eyes blazing. She threw her arms open, trying to stop the guards from discarding their belongings.


    The guards recognized her immediately: Isabella, Alan''s sister¡ªthe infamous sickly girl of the family.


    Charles clicked his tongue. "Still don''t get it, do you? Your brother Alan is no longer the heir to the family. The William you see before you is the council''s newly appointed successor!"


    Isabella''s blue eyes widened. "Impossible! My brother is the heir of House Roan¡ªeveryone inside and outside the family knows this!"


    Charles cut her off impatiently. "He''s talentless and unworthy. The council stripped him of the title. From now on, William is the new heir, so keep your mouth shut, or I''ll tear it open!"


    "You''re lying!" Isabella shouted back. "My brother has been fighting for the family since he was a teenager. His body bears countless scars from battle. Even now, he''s fighting for our mines. How could you call him talentless and unworthy?"


    Before she could finish, Charles slapped her hard across the face.


    "Shut up! Do you dare question the council''s decision, you sickly brat?"


    A red handprint burned on her pale cheek, but she clenched her teeth, her defiant gaze sweeping over the others.


    William sneered, his gaze icy. "Throw her out and cut off her tongue as an example. Trash like her is a waste of the family''s resources."


    Charles nodded eagerly, grabbing Isabella by her delicate chin and forcing her mouth open, exposing her tongue. With a flourish, he pulled a dagger from his belt, preparing to sever it.


    Several guards looked at Isabella with sympathy. She and Alan had always treated them well, even rewarding them on holidays. Alan, a brave and dashing young man, had become a role model for many of them.


    But¡­some guards closed their eyes, unwilling to witness the bloody scene.


    Just then, a lion-like roar echoed through the hall, shaking the air.


    "Who dares to lay a hand on my sister!"


    The voice struck like thunder, jolting many guards into a daze. Charles''s heart skipped as he looked toward the source of the sound.


    At the entrance stood a young man in light armor, with a sword on his back, his face twisted in fury.


    Alan!


    Alan had returned!


    Charles''s hands shook with fear. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    William smirked coldly. "He''s nothing but a family outcast now. What''s there to fear? Continue!"


    Reassured, Charles grinned maliciously and brought the dagger down toward Isabella''s tongue.


    "Fuck off!"


    Before Charles could move, Alan''s eyes turned blood red. Like a raging beast, he lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant. His sword, somehow already unsheathed, sliced through the air with bone-chilling speed.


    Charles''s right hand, the one holding the dagger, was severed, blood splattering everywhere.


    "Aaargh!" Charles howled in agony, his face contorted in a grotesque grimace.


    Everyone else shivered as his scream echoed through the hall.


    "Alan! What are you doing? Charles is my bodyguard!" William glared at Alan in anger.


    "Your bodyguard?" Alan glanced at William, pulling Isabella into his arms to shield her eyes. Then, with a heavy stomp, he crushed Charles underfoot, sinking him deep into the ground.


    "So, you ordered him to harm my sister?!"


    Charles coughed up blood mixed with fragments of his organs, gasping, "William¡­save me! Save me!"


    William looked down coldly at Charles, then shot Alan a steely glare. "Take your filthy foot off him. I''m the council-appointed heir to House Roan, and if you continue this lawlessness, you''ll be sentenced to death by fire!"


    Swish!


    Alan''s sword flashed, and Charles''s head flew from his body, blood spraying upward and splattering across several faces, leaving a strange, warm sensation.


    The hall fell into dead silence.


    William''s face darkened with fury. Even dogs deserve respect when they belong to their masters. Alan was treating him with outright contempt.


    Seething with rage, William saw Alan, blood-stained sword in hand, stalking toward him like a god of death. He could see the murderous intent in Alan''s eyes.


    "How dare you!" A thunderous voice shattered the tension. The seneschal, wielding a staff of dark gold and silver hair flowing, entered the hall.


    He glared furiously at Alan. "William is the heir of House Roan. Are you committing treason?"


    "Treason?" Alan''s eyes grew colder. "May I ask, seneschal, who claimed the thirty-six mines surrounding House Roan without rest? Who is still fighting House Quixote for the mana stone mines?"


    "Why was I stripped of my heirship? And why do you turn a blind eye when William dares to touch my sister?"


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    The seneschal''s anger flared, glaring at Alan. "Enough! Your past contributions have made you arrogant, daring to question the council''s decisions! William has awakened the Hellfire bloodline¡ªhe''s the family''s hope!"


    Alan scoffed. "So what if he has a special bloodline? Anyone who harms my sister will die!"


    In an instant, his arm seemed to swell with power as elemental energy surged. His sword transformed into a blinding streak of cold light, slashing fiercely at William.


    The air split like silk, producing a faint sonic boom.


    "Impudent!" The seneschal''s eyes blazed with killing intent as he saw Alan daring to attack William right in front of him.


    His dark golden staff glowed brightly, striking Alan''s sword like a massive hammer.


    Bang!


    Mana ripples spread like waves, shaking the hall as dust rose around them.


    Alan''s grip numbed as he was sent flying back several steps before steadying himself. The seneschal, though forced back ten steps, stabilized himself quickly.


    The onlookers were astonished. Alan was House Roan''s prodigy, now at tier-iron level 6. Yet the seneschal, a family elder at tier-iron level 8, should have easily overpowered him.


    After all, each tier represented a world of difference. The level gap between them was significant. Yet Alan hadn''t been overwhelmingly defeated; he was only slightly outmatched.


    The seneschal, equally surprised, felt his murderous intent intensify. To think Alan was this powerful even at tier-iron level 6. If he reached tier-iron level 8, could even the seneschal himself prevail?


    William glared at Alan, hatred in his eyes. "Defying authority, resorting to violence¡ªI sentence Alan to be hanged, his corpse left to rot for three days! Guards, seize him!"


    The seneschal echoed, "So be it. Take him down!"


    The guards hesitated briefly before drawing their swords, surrounding Alan. Mana surged from their bodies, subtly forming an ancient battle array.

 Chapter2-Got Magic-Banned

    "William! You still have the nerve to call yourself the heir, hiding in the shadows like some filthy rat?" Alan''s gaze cut through the crowd, his sword pointing straight at William. "If you''re so confident, let''s settle this in a one-on-one duel!"


    William looked Alan over and sneered. "Fine! A duel to the death, no holding back!"


    "But not now¡ªthe patriarch is currently in seclusion. When he emerges in a month, we''ll settle this once and for all."


    "Deal!" Alan agreed without hesitation. After casting a glance at the wrecked Virtue Pavilion, he turned and left with Isabella.


    As they left, the seneschal turned to William. "Alan has been fighting bloody battles for nearly a decade. He''s no pushover in combat. Are you truly prepared for a death duel?"


    A duel to the death, witnessed by the entire family, meant no quarter. This was the most severe method for noble houses to resolve irreconcilable disputes, one even the seneschal couldn''t interfere with.


    "Don''t worry, Grandfather. My Hellfire bloodline just awakened, pushing me from tier-iron level 4 to tier-iron level 6 in one breakthrough. I''ll only get stronger from here!" William said confidently. "What can Alan possibly compare with? He''s been the heir for years, has a solid reputation, and makes the perfect stepping stone for me."


    Seeing William''s confidence, the seneschal''s stern face softened. "Good, good! With a talent like yours, House Roan will certainly become legendary!"


    The Hellfire bloodline was a rare and powerful magical trait, not just in the Northern District but throughout the Plantagenet Kingdom. Once awakened, it granted exceptional affinity with elements, allowing for level advancements several times faster than ordinary mages. In combat, it nearly guaranteed supremacy against others of the same rank.


    That was the council''s true reason for revoking Alan''s title.


    Yet, the seneschal hadn''t expected Alan''s combat ability to be this formidable. After a moment of thought, he looked toward a trusted subordinate. "The shadow assassin I sent out never fails, yet Alan still returned. Alex, investigate this immediately."


    An older man with a goatee nodded and departed.


    ...


    Within the simplicity of a willow-lined courtyard, Alan brought his sister inside and quickly prepared an ice pack, pressing it gently to her bruised cheek. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    "Brother, the seneschal and his lot are just too much. The family wouldn''t be what it is today if it weren''t for you¡­" Isabella huffed, her small face full of indignation.


    Alan smiled, reassuring her. "Being heir may look glamorous, but it also paints a target on your back. Now that the title''s gone, I can finally take a break, right?"


    Isabella considered this and nodded. He had indeed endured endless hardship and sacrifice for the family.


    Her face took on a serious expression as she said, "Then promise me you''ll take a proper rest in the coming days."


    "Don''t worry about the duel. Even though William''s bloodline makes him level up fast, I''ve recently prepared a few new potions¡­" Isabella began.


    Alan''s brow furrowed as he gazed at her sternly. "You promised me that once you joined Lioncrest Academy and fully recovered, you''d stop preparing potions for me. Your condition is worsening, and I won''t have you harming yourself further. I''d never forgive myself if something happened to you."


    Alan''s exceptional talent had allowed him to surpass the prodigies of other noble houses, even achieving cross-tier combat. Much of this was thanks to the potions Isabella had made for him since childhood.


    Though she couldn''t absorb magical elements into her body, she possessed a rare sensitivity to them and an exceptional learning ability, which made her remarkably skilled in potion-making. The quality of her potions was unmatched, with a success rate of 98%.


    Yet, perhaps due to her unique talent, her mind would periodically suffer from overwhelming, debilitating pain. Each episode left Alan deeply distressed, which led him to forbid her from potion-making.


    He had also used his status as heir to gather countless rare items and potions to help restore her mental stability, enabling her to endure year after year.


    Under Alan''s intense gaze, Isabella lowered her head, mumbling, "I only wanted to help you as much as I could¡­"


    "Taking care of yourself is the best help you can give me." Alan continued, "You haven''t rested enough today. Go get some sleep and calm down."


    Obediently, Isabella nodded. "Brother, stay here with me, will you?"


    Alan brushed a stray lock of golden hair from her face. "Sleep well. I''ll stay right here."


    Only after he reassured her did Isabella close her eyes and drift into a sweet sleep.


    Once his sister had fallen into slumber, Alan let out a quiet sigh. He glanced down at his abdomen, his face paling.


    A fresh sword scar stretched across his abdomen, a reminder of his recent battle with House Quixote over a mana stone mine. During that fight, an assassin ambushed him, wounding him with a dagger and shattering his mana core.


    Though he had killed his assailant, his mana core was irreparably damaged.


    Without a functioning mana core, he could no longer absorb elements, break through levels, or even use basic mana. In short, Alan was now completely crippled.


    In a world where strength ruled, the weak had no standing, no future. Stripped of his title, he could no longer obtain the potions necessary for stabilizing Isabella''s condition. Without them, her next mental breakdown would bring unbearable agony.


    Originally, he had planned to bring her to the royal capital''s Lioncrest Academy, where the best alchemists and skilled masters resided. It was the place with the highest chance of curing her condition.


    But Lioncrest Academy, the crown jewel of Plantagenet Kingdom, attracted people from all walks of life. Admission guaranteed wealth, power, and status. Nobles climbed higher, and commoners were elevated.


    Lioncrest''s requirements were stringent: under twenty years old and at least tier-iron level 8. Alan had a real chance of admission, being only eighteen and nearly at tier-iron level 7.


    Yet, the assassin had destroyed all of that in one fell swoop.


    Frowning, Alan looked around the courtyard where his mother had once lived, nostalgia filling his eyes.


    He remembered the day his mother left¡ªa biting, frigid winter. Snowflakes fell thickly from the sky. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Alan, you''re a little man now. Remember to take care of your sister. I''ll be away for a while¡­" Her gaze was full of reluctance, as if she was right there beside him.


    Alan had sensed something was wrong then. He had tried to reach for her, but a massive shadow loomed from the sky, a dark figure growing ever closer.


    In the end, his mother had gritted her teeth, looked up at the enormous figure, tore open the fabric of space, and vanished.


    He hadn''t seen her since.


    Thinking of his current predicament, Alan sighed deeply. But as he did, he didn''t notice the faint tremor beneath the floorboards. A box there contained a necklace, which began to hum softly. In an instant, it shimmered into existence before him.


    Alan looked at the necklace, instantly recognizing it¡ªit was his mother''s.


    His eyes focused on the gem in the necklace''s center. Suddenly, the once-dull gemstone began spinning like a vortex, emitting an intense pull.


    In a moment of dizziness, Alan''s vision blurred.


    When he came to, he found himself gazing upon a vast, ancient abyss of darkness.


    The abyss stretched infinitely to either side, as vast and cold as a starlit sky.


    Staring into that abyss, Alan felt as if he were witnessing the very essence of Hell, full of wailing spirits and shadows.


    In the heart of the abyss, he could vaguely see three mystical staves radiating a brilliant light, like suns in the darkness.


    The 18-Level Hell?!


    A rush of foreign memories flooded Alan''s mind. Before he could resist, he was pulled into the vision.

 Chapter3-The Hell Warden

    The 18-level Hell?


    Legend had it that Hell was a prison for vicious spirits, demons, and terrifying spellbeasts. Once imprisoned, escape was impossible. How could Hell''s scenery appear in his mother''s necklace?


    Alan''s heart skipped a beat. Pulled into the first level of Hell, he finally regained control of his body and cautiously observed his surroundings.


    A hazy grayness enveloped him, filled with eerie wails echoing from all directions. Ahead, he saw the massive figure of a giant sitting cross-legged, exuding an intensely chilling aura.


    Nervously, Alan reassured himself. His mother''s necklace wouldn''t harm him, but the unsettling atmosphere offered little comfort.


    "My mana core is destroyed; I have nothing left to lose!" Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he approached the imposing figure.


    The closer he got, the more familiar the figure seemed.


    "Eldritch Continent''s Forbidden Magus¡­Nicolas?!" Alan murmured in shock upon recognizing the figure.


    Nicolas was a legendary figure on the Eldritch Continent. At only twenty years old, he had achieved tier-gold.


    On the Eldritch Continent, ranks were clearly defined, ascending from tier-iron to tier-bronze, tier-silver, tier-gold, and beyond. In the Northern District, even reaching tier-bronze was rare, while a tier-gold mage was considered elite within the entire Plantagenet Kingdom.


    Nicolas had achieved a rank that most mages could only dream of in a lifetime, all by the age of twenty.


    And he wasn''t just a mage¡ªhe was a magus.


    While mage and magus might seem like similar titles, they were worlds apart. A mage relied on their mana core to absorb elemental forces, strengthening their body, storing mana within, and casting various spells. Alternatively, they might store elemental power in a staff, using arrays and inscriptions to amplify their abilities.


    But a magus was entirely different. A magus had an exceptionally powerful mind, enabling them to directly control the elemental forces of the world. The spells they cast were overwhelmingly powerful, unmatched by others at the same tier.


    No amount of stored mana could rival the infinite elemental power of the world itself. Magi like Nicolas, possessing such exceptional talent, were one in a million.


    Nicolas continued his ascent, ultimately becoming the Eldritch Continent''s Forbidden Magus¡ªa figure of immense power and influence.


    Even though Nicolas had disappeared many years ago, his legend lived on. His name and statues were revered, making him a true myth on the Eldritch Continent.


    Alan couldn''t believe he was seeing Nicolas here¡ªand as a corpse, no less.


    Suddenly, Alan''s gaze was drawn to the staff lying before the corpse.


    "I, Nicolas, guard the first level of Hell. Nearing the end of my lifespan, I refused to let my power fade. I left my legacy behind, awaiting one who is destined to inherit it¡­" Engraved words, filled with pride and defiance, surrounded the staff, still radiating an aura of elemental energy.


    Alan''s eyes lit up. The legacy of the Forbidden Magus, Nicolas!


    Just as Alan reached for the staff, a shadowy figure in a dark robe appeared silently behind him. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cold sweat covered Alan''s back as his survival instincts kicked in. With swift reflexes honed through countless battles, he turned and slashed with his sword.


    His blade cut through the air like a meteor, quick and precise. The dark figure made a surprised sound, effortlessly dodging the attack and reappearing in front of him, seemingly amused.


    "You''re quite interesting. Your tier may be low, but your reaction and combat experience are impressive," she said in a cold, ghostly voice. "A special magical bloodline, unusually strong mind power¡­ No wonder Hell chose you to be the new Hell Warden."


    Alan was perplexed. The mysterious woman''s presence radiated an overwhelming strength, making it impossible for him even to think of attacking.


    "You want Nicolas''s legacy?" she asked after a moment.


    Alan nodded cautiously, not wanting to provoke her further. Her power was far beyond anything he could handle.


    "If your mana core were intact, his legacy might have been suitable for you. But now¡­you''re nothing but a cripple," the woman said with a shake of her head.


    Refusing to give up, Alan reached out to grasp Nicolas''s staff. Yet, as he approached, the staff repelled him, pushing him back several steps with a force that defied his control.


    So, with his mana core shattered, Nicolas''s legacy was truly beyond reach.


    A look of deep disappointment crossed Alan''s face, but then he turned to the mysterious woman, resolute.


    "Since you''ve shown yourself, surely you know a way to restore my broken mana core?"


    "There is a way," she said, her gaze assessing him. "But it may be more than you''re willing to risk."


    Alan smiled grimly. "Nothing scares me more than becoming a cripple!"


    Thoughts of his sister, his mother, and himself steeled his resolve.


    The woman seemed pleased with his determination. "Then, let''s proceed."


    With a motion of her finger, an overwhelming surge of magical knowledge flooded Alan''s mind, almost too much to bear.


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    Dizzy and overwhelmed, Alan struggled to process the information, eventually making sense of it bit by bit.


    "Using a staff to replace my mana core?"


    Alan''s expression shifted as he mentally sorted through the new knowledge. The idea sounded extreme but plausible.


    After all, the core''s primary function was to store mana, much like a staff.


    "Can I really fuse a staff with my body?" Alan asked, sensing the risks involved.


    "In theory, yes," the woman replied, her tone resolute.


    After a moment of silence, Alan made up his mind. He had no other options now.


    He looked at his sword, a weapon that had served as his staff for years, its blade embedded with seven magical gems¡ªa magical sword. It had been with him through countless battles, forging a deep bond. If the woman''s words held true, this sword was his best choice.


    With a plan forming in his mind, Alan channeled all his elemental energy into the sword, softening it. Then, he thrust it into his abdomen as if performing a ritualistic seppuku.


    This was the critical step¡ªto merge the staff with his flesh, forcing his body to adapt to its presence. The searing pain made his forehead bead with cold sweat, too intense for him even to scream.


    He gritted his teeth, pushing his mind power through his flesh and the blade in a delicate, gradual process. One lapse in concentration, or too much blood loss, and he''d be a corpse.


    As time passed, the agony intensified, his body trembling with exertion. Blood and sweat soaked his clothes, and he felt himself wasting away.


    "Isabella''s waiting for me¡­ I can''t fall here!"


    Just as he thought he couldn''t bear it any longer, fleeting images of his sister flashed before him, helping him endure.


    Finally, the excruciating pain faded. The sword embedded in his abdomen had vanished, as though the painful fusion had been nothing but a hallucination.


    Regaining his senses, Alan scanned his body and found himself grinning with pure elation.


    The magical sword had successfully integrated into his body, replacing his shattered mana core!


    "Did it really work?" The dark-robed woman seemed genuinely surprised as she looked at Alan.

 Chapter4-A New Way to Master Magic

    The First Level of Hell.


    Alan didn''t hear the dark-robed woman''s exclamation. His full attention was on the greatsword within his body. With the sword replacing his shattered mana core, elemental energy flowed through him faster than ever, carrying a sharpness akin to a sword''s edge. In that moment, he reached tier-iron level 7!


    The sword absorbed mana from his surroundings, refining and dispersing it throughout his body, strengthening it and dispelling his fatigue. Compared to tier-iron level 6, his strength had nearly doubled.


    If he faced the seneschal again, Alan was confident he''d have the upper hand. At tier-iron level 7, he was also a step closer to the tier-iron level 8 requirement for Lioncrest Academy. Alan clenched his fists in excitement.


    Just then, the dark-robed woman spoke. "Don''t celebrate too soon. While you''ve replaced your mana core with a staff, as you progress, the staff will eventually be unable to contain the massive elemental energy, and when that happens, you''ll be destroyed from within."


    A bead of sweat formed on Alan''s forehead. He turned back to her, listening intently.


    "However, it''s not all bad news. If you can find increasingly powerful staves, each upgrade will yield considerable benefits."


    Alan sighed in relief. His mind drifted to the three blazing staffs he''d glimpsed before entering Hell, seemingly holding the entire Hell in check. Curiously, he asked, "Senior, what level are those three staffs?"


    "With your current strength, you''re far from worthy of even touching them. For now, your sword-staff will suffice," she replied, pointing to the massive vortex below.


    "But your real problem is the 18-level Hell itself."


    Alan looked down, feeling his soul tremble as endless wails echoed from the swirling depths of darkness. He sensed a connection growing stronger between him and Hell, faintly perceiving strange and terrifying presences hidden below.


    Even a brief glance made his eyes burn, his vision swimming from the overwhelming pressure.


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    "You sense them, don''t you?" she said, noticing his bloodshot eyes and labored breathing. "This is the 18-level Hell, where the most fearsome spellbeasts, killers, and monsters are imprisoned. Each one could wreak untold havoc if they ever escaped into the world."


    She continued, "I don''t know why Hell''s will chose you, but if those monsters break free, you''ll be the first to die."


    Despite knowing he was in the 18-level Hell, hearing the woman''s confirmation left Alan feeling an immense weight pressing down on him.


    Sensing his unease, the woman changed the subject. "Do you know the name of the mystic technique you just practiced?"


    Alan shook his head.


    "Infernal Visualization Technique," she said softly. "A mystic technique only magi can cultivate."


    Alan froze. If only magi could master this technique, and he succeeded, did that mean he had the potential to become a magus? If so, Alan felt that even with Hell''s terrifying creatures, he might stand a chance to suppress them.


    After all, magi were rare and powerful, commanding the forces of nature with ease.


    "Yes, you do have the potential to become a magus. But even if you achieve that level, imagining you could suppress those that are about to break through Hell''s gates is pure fantasy," she said bluntly.


    Alan''s expression didn''t falter as he asked, "Is there any way, then?"


    "Finding suitable sealing objects could temporarily stabilize Hell''s gates and buy you time to grow stronger."


    "What exactly are sealing objects?" Alan asked, frowning. He''d never heard of them before.


    "You''re too weak to understand. Focus on strengthening yourself. Right now, your strength is pathetically low," she said, shaking her head.


    Did she just look down on me? Alan thought. As House Roan''s heir, he had been a celebrated prodigy, a revered figure among his peers. Yet, before this senior, he was no more than a worthless insect.


    Recognizing her immense power, he swallowed his pride and asked earnestly, "Senior, how can I become a magus?"


    "Becoming a magus can be simple or incredibly difficult. You''ve already passed the most challenging hurdle¡ªtalent. Now, you must strengthen your soul until it can manifest in physical form. Only then will you have entered the threshold of a magus."


    With a thought, a massive black grindstone appeared before him.


    "Ordinarily, achieving mastery would take years. But this grindstone can refine your soul, accelerating the process." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The dark-robed woman''s gaze narrowed slightly as she spoke.


    Alan stared at the grindstone, the size of a small house, hearing its ominous creaking. His soul instinctively shuddered. He''d heard of the "Iron Grinding Prison" within the 18-level Hell. In that hellish place, vicious creatures were pursued and crushed by a merciless grindstone, reduced to nothing but pulp.


    Now, this grindstone wasn''t meant to grind flesh but the far more delicate soul.


    "Of course, if you''re unwilling, you can continue slowly strengthening your soul through the Infernal Visualization Technique. But becoming a magus is no simple feat," she said. "Magi are invincible within their tier and can even fight beyond it. If you think it''s easy, you''re mistaken."


    Alan didn''t hesitate. Clenching his fists, he focused his will, and his barely visible soul was pulled into the grindstone.


    He needed power, and the magus was the strongest class on the Eldritch Continent. Compared to magi, swordsmen and warriors were little more than fodder. Nearly every magus who achieved greatness became legendary, their names etched into history.


    The woman''s satisfaction was evident as she watched Alan enter the Soul Grindstone. Besides the powerful soul, the most essential trait of a magus was an unwavering spirit¡ªa natural king''s heart. Only those with an unyielding spirit could command the fickle magical elements around them.


    If Alan had hesitated or shown fear, his talent wouldn''t matter. Even if he became a magus, he''d have no future. Cowards could never reach the heights of magi.


    Creak¡­ creak¡­


    The eerie sound of soul being ground echoed in the dim, sinister Hell.


    Alan''s soul-arm was pulled into the grindstone, crushed bit by bit into refined soul particles. Emerging from the other side, these particles began to recombine into a purer form of his soul.


    But the searing pain of his soul being torn apart was unbearable. His face twisted, almost unrecognizable, his features contorting with agony.


    He''d anticipated that the grindstone would be excruciating, but he hadn''t imagined a pain so intense it left him speechless. It felt as though he was being hammered and cut, his bones shattered, his flesh peeled, pushing him to the edge of madness.


    Yet, despite the near-overwhelming pain, Alan clung to a single, unwavering belief. As his soul was nearly crushed into nothingness, his resolve allowed it to reassemble into his form once more.

 Chapter5-The Pain is Excruciating

    "Ahhhh!!!"


    After his soul was reconstituted, Alan felt a piercing, excruciating pain throughout his soul, prompting an agonized scream that would make anyone''s skin crawl.


    However, he soon forced himself to bear the pain and began to examine his transformed soul form.


    After being shattered and reshaped by the Soul Grindstone, his previously intangible soul had shrunk significantly.


    Yet, it had also condensed, appearing now as a thin, transparent veil.


    Although still fragile, it was no longer undetectable as before.


    Moreover, because of this profound transformation, Alan noticed a faint resonance with the magical elements in the air around him.


    With a shift of his thoughts, the elemental forces nearest to him became excited, swayed by the influence of his gossamer-like soul.


    "So this is what it feels like for a magus to control mana? It''s an incredible feeling, drifting within this sea of elements." Alan murmured with a hint of amazement.


    "You now have enough soul strength to cast some spells. You should try to find that connection. If you succeed, it will greatly benefit you," said the woman in black robes calmly. "But remember, your soul is still too fragile. You can''t undergo Soul Grindstone tempering too many times each day."


    Alan nodded and then began using the Infernal Visualization Technique.


    By resonating his soul with the surrounding elements, he attempted to perform some basic spells. However, having had no previous magus training, he found it extremely challenging to achieve resonance with the elements.


    It was akin to trying to control a rampaging bull, utterly resistant to following any predefined spell trajectory.


    Despite the difficulty, as Alan continued to explore and familiarize himself with elemental power, he gradually grew more proficient.


    A simple fireball spell, after many failed attempts, finally materialized before him.


    In the dimness of hell, the bright flame flickered, radiating a steady warmth and light.


    This fireball spell was entirely different from those fueled by internal mana.


    As the fireball appeared, elemental forces in the air surged toward it, amplifying its power continuously.


    Within moments, as Alan''s mental strength reached its limit, the fireball¡ªoriginally the size of a fist¡ªhad grown, with the surrounding elements supporting it until it swelled to the size of a house.


    The light and heat it emitted caused the air to ripple as if boiling under intense heat.


    The mana fluctuations within the fireball were so volatile and intense that they struck fear into the heart, like a tightly compressed volcano on the verge of eruption.


    Alan had a strong feeling that even a tier-iron level 9 mage would be severely injured or even killed by a direct hit from this massive fireball.


    The next instant, as his soul grew unbearably weak, Alan dispersed the elemental forces of the fireball, breathing heavily.


    The spell''s terrifying power had taken a toll on him, placing an unprecedented burden on his soul.


    Had he maintained this large fireball any longer, his soul would have been drained, leading him to collapse into unconsciousness.


    "No wonder magi are said to be unbeatable at the same tier. Being able to directly manipulate the elements around them¡­this level of power is terrifying! And the speed at which spells can be conjured is incredible, offering a significant advantage for surprise attacks!"


    Having wielded a magus''s spell, Alan now had a deeper understanding of what it meant to be a magus.


    He was only a tier-iron level 7, but with magus abilities, he felt confident in taking on even a tier-iron level 8 mage.


    Against a level 9 mage, he might even be able to hold his own or at the very least wound them.


    These were feats he never would have dreamed of before, as the level gap was substantial.


    Previously, he''d relied solely on extensive combat experience and the potent potions his sister had prepared for him from a young age to strengthen his body.


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have survived the seneschal''s assault or the rounds of skirmishes with other nobles over mining rights.


    But now, with the formidable soul power of a magus, he could bridge the nearly insurmountable gap between levels.


    And this was only his first step into the magus realm!


    Alan couldn''t help but feel awe. Magi were indeed revered, a dream for countless people.


    Their combat strength was truly terrifying!


    After Alan completed the fireball spell, the woman in black robes, watching his excitement, spoke flatly:


    "Although you''ve touched the threshold of being a magus, you''re still just a low-level magus apprentice. Advancing further won''t be easy."


    Hearing this, Alan''s smile faded slightly.


    While he had just entered the magus path, he knew that William, being of the special Hellfire bloodline and backed by individuals like the seneschal, was no ordinary mage.


    When the time for a life-or-death duel came, his current strength might still be insufficient.


    "Senior, is there any way to increase my strength quickly?" Alan asked again.


    "There is a way. You only need to amplify the power of the Soul Grindstone, but be warned, the pain will also intensify."


    Alan''s mouth twitched.


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    The excruciating pain from the previous Soul Grindstone session was etched deeply in his memory; just recalling it made him shudder and recoil from the thought of enduring it again.


    But after a brief hesitation, he clenched his fists and nodded.


    "Please, I want to test my limits."


    ¡­.


    Meanwhile, in an opulent palace, the seneschal swirled a glass of red wine, a gleeful smile spreading across his aged face as he stared at the Seventh Elder, Forse, who had just arrived with a report.


    "You''re sure the shadow assassin struck Alan in the abdomen? His mana stone is shattered?"


    Forse, a portly middle-aged man, replied obsequiously, "Seneschal, I''m absolutely certain! Not only did some from House Roan witness it, but other nobles did too. Alan is now a broken mana core¡ªa mere waste!"


    "Good, good, good!" The seneschal laughed wildly, downing his blood-red wine with satisfaction.


    Alan had commanded a degree of respect in House Roan through years of warfare, but now his accumulated reputation would vanish in an instant!


    With this, William''s succession would be irrefutable.


    "The fall of a former genius into nothingness... how delightful! I can''t wait to see what Alan has left to challenge my grandson in the death duel in a month!"


    Forse chimed in with a greedy smile. "Seneschal, Alan is worthless now, but his sister, though frail, is rather attractive¡­"


    The seneschal waved his hand dismissively. "She''s a sickly girl. Do as you please, even if it means you play her to death. It doesn''t matter." S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    As dusk settled, Alan finally endured the intensified Soul Grindstone, with his soul now closer than ever to tier-iron level 8.


    His mastery over the surrounding elements was also steadily improving, bringing him closer to the level of a magus with each passing day.


    Noting the late hour, Alan reluctantly dragged his exhausted body out of hell, feeling almost reborn through the constant pain.


    In this world where the strong prey on the weak, only absolute power would allow him to act freely.


    Just as Alan left hell, he spotted Isabella entering the room, holding her swollen face.


    "Brother!" Isabella called out, her gaze evasive as she forced a smile through the stinging pain on her face.


    "What happened?" Alan''s eyes flashed with anger as he noticed the fresh handprint on Isabella''s face, his expression filled with concern. "Who did this?!"


    Isabella shook her head quickly, saying, "Brother, it''s nothing¡­"


    "Isabella, don''t worry. I''ll handle this. Just tell me what happened," Alan pressed.


    After hesitating briefly, Isabella pouted in grievance. "I hurriedly left behind a potion I''d prepared for you in the Virtue Pavilion, so I went back to retrieve it. But as I approached, the deputy butler ordered me to leave and even struck me. We''d been nothing but kind to him before¡­"


    "Deputy Butler Roosevelt!" Alan''s eyes blazed with murderous intent, and the elemental forces around him stirred with fury.

 Chapter6-Tear His Mouth Apart

    "Let''s go!"


    With a fierce resolve, Alan stormed off with Isabella, heading straight for the Virtue Pavilion.


    Along the way, many mages looked on with complex expressions.


    Alan, the former heir of House Roan, had contributed greatly to its glory.


    Yet now, not only had he lost his title, but his mana core had also been shattered in battle, reducing him to a useless state, unable to wield magic.


    Some wondered if he''d even be able to maintain his current level of strength over time.


    The once-brilliant prodigy of House Roan had fallen from grace, leaving many lamenting his fate.


    "Brother, let it go. The deputy butler and William are both there. If you go, you''ll suffer for it." Isabella, worried by Alan''s angry demeanor, tugged at his hand, urging him to turn back.


    Alan patted Isabella''s hand. "Even if both of them come at me together, they''re no match for me. Since when has your brother ever suffered a loss?"


    With that, Alan led Isabella to the Virtue Pavilion once more.


    As they approached, the arrogant deputy butler, Roosevelt, blocked their way with a group of guards.


    "This is the hall for House Roan''s successor. Unauthorized people are not permitted to approach!" he declared. "And by special order from William, that pig Alan and his sickly sister are especially forbidden to come near!"


    Before Roosevelt finished his mocking words, Alan''s slap landed across his face.


    Smack!


    The crisp sound of the slap echoed as Roosevelt''s plump body was sent flying, five bright red finger marks blazing across his cheek, his face twitching from the pain.


    The guards around them looked at Alan in stunned silence.


    They knew Alan''s fiery temper and expected he wouldn''t take it lightly after his sister had been struck, but they hadn''t anticipated he''d act so quickly and decisively.


    "You filthy animal, you dared to hit my sister?"


    Roosevelt, lying on the ground, glared at Alan with fiery eyes, his cheek throbbing as if pierced by iron hooks. He spat, "You dare lay hands on me, you useless cripple?! I am House Roan''s deputy butler! This is treason!"


    Alan moved in swiftly, pressing his foot down hard on Roosevelt''s chest, forcing blood to spurt from his mouth. Gasping for breath under Alan''s heel, Roosevelt shouted, his face twisted in rage: "Guards! Seize him! Seize him! I''ll tear his mouth apart!"


    The guards hesitated, but Roosevelt''s commands, backed by William and the seneschal, compelled them forward.


    Yet when they got close to Alan, his cold, murderous gaze sent a chill down their spines, freezing them in place.


    As House Roan''s guards, many of them had fought alongside Alan in the past, and they knew that once he entered combat mode, he was as ferocious as a wild beast.


    During skirmishes over mining rights, he had been the sharpest blade, and for many, he was a family hero.


    Despite rumors of his broken mana core, none dared to defy him.


    Hesitating, the guards watched as Alan sent Roosevelt flying like a sack of meat, scattering the onlookers in his path.


    "My sister and I are here to retrieve our belongings.


    Step aside, and we remain as brothers-in-arms. But cross me, and I won''t hold back."


    Alan cast a sweeping gaze over the gathered guards before leading Isabella into the Virtue Pavilion.


    "Alan! Assaulting a butler and trespassing in the Virtue Pavilion! By law, what punishment do you think you deserve?"


    Just then, Forse, his large belly protruding, stepped in with a stern look, blocking Alan''s way.


    "Punishment?" Alan''s eyes narrowed. "Forse, as a family elder, you''ve lost all sense of fairness, and yet you dare lecture me? My sister came here to retrieve her own belongings, but you treated her like this. Do you still have any humanity?"


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    Without further warning, Alan lunged forward, delivering a fierce kick to Forse''s stomach.


    The man''s shocked expression barely registered before he was sent sprawling.


    "Don''t think I don''t know who sent the shadow assassin! If you have the guts to keep targeting me, do it yourself. Going after my sister¡ªwhat kind of coward does that?"


    With each word, Alan struck Forse, using him as a punching bag to release his pent-up rage.


    Forse attempted to cast a spell, but Alan, acutely attuned to elemental fluctuations, detected his actions and dealt him a brutal blow, forcibly interrupting the spellcasting.


    Forse spat blood, his body bruised and battered as he cried out in agony.


    "So fierce¡­" Several guards swallowed hard at the sight. Forse, a tier-iron level 7 mage, was one of the stronger individuals within the family, yet here he was, beaten without even a chance to fight back. It was like a nightmare.


    Hadn''t Alan''s mana core been shattered, turning him into a cripple? Why did he seem even stronger and fiercer?


    Those guards who hadn''t moved against Alan now counted their blessings, realizing that Forse''s battered state would likely have been their own fate if they''d intervened.


    "Alan, you''re out of line! Do you even recognize the family or its elders anymore?"


    As Forse nearly lost consciousness, the seneschal arrived with a group of elders and loyal guards, surrounding Alan.


    Alan tossed Forse''s bloodied body aside and faced the seneschal without a trace of fear. "Do I not respect the elders? What about the countless battles I fought for the family¡ªwere they for nothing? And how have you treated me? Have you ever regarded me as part of this family?"


    "Watch your tone!" William emerged from the Virtue Pavilion. "Alan, show some respect when you speak to the elders. Even if you think the family has wronged you, does that absolve you of all blame?"


    The other elders exchanged glances, nodding in agreement as murmurs filled the air.


    Seeing this, William''s smile grew even wider.


    "If everyone in House Roan were to behave as you do, disregarding their elders and rules, what would become of us?"


    The seneschal raised his hand. "Seize him! Sentence him to death by fire!"


    At once, the guards under his command surged forward.


    Alan sneered, "Seneschal, you''re truly tyrannical. Since you''re so eager, why don''t we settle this with a duel to the death, here and now? Do you dare to accept?" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His words echoed, causing a stir among the gathered crowd.


    The seneschal was a tier-iron level 8 mage, and although Alan had clashed with him once before, he''d only narrowly come out worse.


    But in a true duel to the death, the gap between two levels was an insurmountable chasm.


    And everyone knew that Alan''s mana core was shattered; he was a cripple.


    What was he relying on to propose this duel? Had he gone mad?


    The seneschal, stunned at first, grew more cautious as he realized that Alan''s aura had reached tier-iron level 7, despite his rage.


    Not only had Alan not become a cripple, but he had grown stronger.


    Yet, the seneschal''s shadow assassin had been one of his loyal death soldiers; he wouldn''t have held back. What was going on?


    Caution marked the seneschal''s face.


    A duel with Alan would gain him nothing, regardless of the outcome.


    If he won, he''d be condemned for bullying the younger generation and tarnish his reputation inside and outside the family. If he lost, Alan would use him as a stepping stone to further glory.


    As the seneschal hesitated, William scoffed and stepped in front of him.


    "Alan, there is a duel between us already. You''re my opponent now, and you have no right to challenge anyone else. All our grievances will be settled in over twenty days on the dueling stage. Let''s see if you can still stand proud before me then."


    Alan glanced at him, then continued forward with Isabella, entering the Virtue Pavilion.


    Watching Alan''s retreating figure with Isabella, the seneschal frowned and turned to William with a puzzled expression.


    "Why did you let him go? Even if his combat strength is formidable, we should kill him here today."


    The seneschal, disturbed by Alan''s breakthrough, felt that ending his life now, though dishonorable, would snuff out a dangerous flame before it could grow.

 Chapter7-I Can Endure!

    William gave a cold smile, "If he dies now, how will I establish my power? Let him be arrogant for a few days. Within a month, I''ll break through to tier-bronze. By then, he''ll be nothing but a stepping stone, and all the nobles of the Northern District will bow at my feet!"


    Hearing this, the seneschal grew excited.


    "Tier-bronze! That''s a level only the patriarch has reached! For William to achieve tier-bronze at his age would shock the entire Northern District¡ªand even neighboring cities!"


    At that point, not just Alan, but the title of the top noble family in the Northern District would be theirs for certain.


    "With such strategy and talent, my grandson is truly destined for greatness!" the seneschal said, barely able to contain his excitement. "Don''t worry. All of the family''s resources will be at your disposal to support your cultivation."


    William nodded. "Alan has lost everything, so there''s no need to bother with him for now. Focus on helping me improve. Once I reach tier-bronze, I''ll crush all enemies of my generation. Alan is nothing more than an ant."


    ...


    Soon after, Alan exited the Virtue Pavilion with a bag of clothes on his back.


    Beside him, Isabella carefully held a small box wrapped in cloth, containing the potions she had painstakingly prepared for her brother.


    Over the years, Alan had poured his rewards and gold coins into Isabella''s potion research, and this little box held everything she''d accumulated.


    As they exited the hall, the crowd that had previously gathered had dispersed, allowing them to return smoothly to the small courtyard where their mother once lived.


    Isabella, relieved to have retrieved the box, was about to open it when her expression twisted, and she staggered.


    A wave of frenzied mental energy emanated from her, accompanied by a screeching sound like nails on a chalkboard, disturbing and grating to the senses.


    "Oh no!"


    Alan''s expression changed instantly.


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    Dropping his bag, he rushed to Isabella''s side, pulling her into his arms.


    At that moment, veins pulsed visibly on Isabella''s forehead, as if she were enduring some sort of piercing agony.


    Despite years of bearing this pain, she was now drenched in sweat, her body convulsing uncontrollably. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She banged her head against nearby objects, trying desperately to ease the overwhelming suffering that immobilized her.


    "Sister, I''m here. Your brother is here with you."


    Alan held her tightly, comforting her repeatedly.


    "Brother, it hurts! My head feels like it''s going to explode!" Isabella''s voice was hoarse, twisted by the pain, as if she were giving her last words. "Brother, if I don''t make it, don''t forget to use the potions in this box. They''re all I could leave for you¡­"


    Alan''s heart twisted in agony at her words, his fingers digging painfully into his palms.


    "You''ll be fine. I swear it!"


    He quickly retrieved a large vial of green potion from his pocket, pried open her clenched teeth, and poured the potion into her mouth.


    As the mental potion took effect, Isabella''s convulsing body gradually relaxed, and her furrowed brow smoothed out.


    Soon, the soft sound of her breathing filled the air.


    Relieved, Alan finally exhaled. She''d made it through.


    However, his gaze turned grim as he looked at the two remaining vials in his hand.


    There wasn''t much potion left.


    His sister''s mental episodes were becoming more frequent and severe. This illness had to be cured soon!


    Reaching Lioncrest Academy was now a matter of urgency.


    Power. He needed to advance his power as quickly as possible!


    Taking a deep breath, Alan glanced at the box Isabella had held tightly.


    Breaking through a level using regular methods could take months or even years.


    But with the right potions, he could accelerate his progress significantly.


    However, potions that enhanced levels were costly and rare, nearly impossible to buy.


    Even after his great contributions to the family, he''d only been awarded a single vial.


    Now, relying on potions was his only choice to progress quickly.


    The entry requirement for Lioncrest Academy was tier-iron level 8.


    Reaching that level didn''t guarantee admission; he would also face a grueling examination.


    The assessment attracted the best talents from across the Plantagenet Kingdom, making higher levels crucial for a better chance of acceptance.


    Alan took a deep breath and opened the box.


    Inside was a row of neatly arranged vials, each with a colored liquid and labeled meticulously with their ingredients, ratios, and effects.


    Seeing the familiar handwriting, Alan''s eyes reddened.


    Half of the potions were for healing, crafted specifically for his weaker areas¡ªa feat only possible with intimate knowledge of him.


    The remaining ones were for leveling up, with mild effects and no major side effects. Isabella had gone to great lengths for him.


    "Don''t worry, sister. I''ll make sure you recover!"


    Alan tucked Isabella in and, carrying the box, returned to hell.


    There, he picked up a dark potion and drank it down in one go.


    It was a Strengthening Potion, designed to enhance the body and facilitate the absorption of magical elements, increasing one''s affinity with magic.


    After taking it, he felt every cell in his body come alive with excitement as the surrounding elements converged into his cells, tripling his cultivation speed.


    The effect was nearly twice as potent as the beast blood potion he''d taken before and much gentler.


    The potion''s effects lasted for three hours, bringing him as much progress as three full days of regular cultivation.


    The difference between training with potions and without was like night and day!


    "While potions can help a mage break through, overreliance on them will lead to an unstable foundation, making future progress harder," the woman in black robes remarked, appearing by his side as he finished absorbing the Strengthening Potion.


    Alan nodded, then walked directly toward the Soul Grindstone.


    A blood-curdling scream echoed through hell as his soul was once again crushed inch by inch, only to mend itself.


    This agony was worse than death by fire.


    But thoughts of his sister''s strange illness kept him grounded even when he was close to breaking.


    With the upgraded Soul Grindstone, the grinding was more thorough, lasting longer, and an hour later, Alan''s convulsing soul reformed, stronger and with a new liveliness it hadn''t possessed before.


    After the enhancement, he wasted no time using his soul to manipulate the surrounding elements, concentrating the magical energy stored within his staff''s greatsword, multitasking as he cast various spells.


    The woman in black robes watched and nodded, understanding his approach.


    The potions he consumed were mild and carefully crafted, and he compensated for any residual instability by rigorous training, ensuring his mana stayed controlled.


    It was a good method, though extremely grueling.


    Ordinary mages wouldn''t have the endurance to sustain it.


    With a wave of her hand, a line of shadowy figures appeared before Alan.


    "These are magical puppets ranging from tier-iron level 5 to tier-bronze. Choose your opponents."


    Alan''s eyes brightened slightly.


    He''d wanted a suitable benchmark and opponent to test his combat strength.


    Scanning the row of magical puppets, his gaze settled on a tier-bronze golem.


    "That one!" he declared.


    Although he knew he wasn''t yet a match for a tier-bronze mage, Alan wanted to push his limits. Only under extreme pressure could he achieve rapid growth!

 Chapter8-Frenzied Leveling Up, Hidden Tier

    In the dim world of Hell.


    Alan''s figure darted and shifted constantly, evading the attacks of a tier-bronze early-stage stone golem.


    Though his current level was only tier-iron level 7, his soul had undergone a qualitative transformation.


    Each time the golem channeled its mana, he could intuitively sense its attack trajectory, allowing him to activate defensive spells and dodge in advance.


    While his movements appeared somewhat clumsy, he managed to hold his ground amidst the golem''s powerful strikes.


    As he gradually tried to multitask, drawing on the surrounding power of mana, his disadvantaged position slowly began to reverse.


    Alan''s combat strength was formidable, and with his soul drawing magic from the air, he was able to launch unexpected assaults.


    The mindless stone golem gradually fell into Alan''s rhythm.


    "Fireball!"


    Dodging another powerful blow from the golem, Alan''s gaze sharpened.


    The fireball spell he had perfected with his soul formed swiftly before him.


    The massive, human-sized fireball caught the golem off guard, crashing into it.


    Though the golem was clumsy, its defense was extraordinary, a true exemplar of tier-bronze.


    Yet, as the giant fireball struck its stone chest, it scorched it black, leaving a deep fist-sized crater.


    Then, the fireball exploded in a brilliant display, flinging the massive golem backward, crashing it heavily to the ground.


    Watching this, Alan''s expression turned serious.


    The attack was indeed powerful, but it had nearly drained his soul. Exhaustion settled over him, leaving him gasping for breath.


    Though severely damaged, the golem wasn''t defeated.


    After struggling for a moment, it managed to stand again.


    "My level really is still too low," Alan murmured, shaking his head.


    If he could break through to tier-iron level 8 and raise his magus level, he might be able to defy a whole tier and face a tier-bronze mage.


    If he could achieve that, acceptance to Lioncrest Academy would be nearly certain.


    As the golem rose and prepared to charge again, the black-robed woman waved her hand.


    The golem''s body shuddered, restored to peak condition, and it returned to the line of magical puppets, awaiting its next summons.


    Seeing the golem restored to its original state, Alan took a deep breath, quickly replenishing the mana within his staff sword and channeling the Infernal Visualization Technique to recover his depleted soul.


    Some potion residues remained in his body, and under the strain of high-intensity training, these remnants were rapidly drawn out, accelerating his recovery rate significantly.


    Soon, after regaining his state, Alan resumed challenging the tier-bronze early-stage golem.


    Defeat after defeat.


    Fighting harder each time! Absorbing every bit of the potion''s efficacy, stabilizing his mana and soul, he opened a chest, took out a healing potion, a leveling potion, and gulped them down. Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    Then, without pause, he plunged into yet another frenzied battle.


    Twenty days passed quietly.


    Perhaps William''s previous warning had made an impact, or Alan''s earlier beatdown of Forse had sufficiently intimidated others in the family.


    Every day, Isabella placed bread, ale, and beef by his door without disturbing his training.


    When Alan, drenched in sweat, stepped out of his room, Isabella looked at him anxiously, whispering, "Brother, I heard William has reached tier-iron level 9 and is pushing hard today to reach tier-bronze!"


    "Tier-iron level 9, pushing for tier-bronze? That''s quite a fast breakthrough rate," Alan replied with a calm face, his expression serene. "But that''s all."


    "But, Brother, you''re only at tier-iron level 7. Are you sure you''re ready? If not, maybe we should sneak away. There''s always time later! I believe you''ll rise to the top someday!" Isabella said earnestly.


    Alan patted her head, devouring the bread and beef she''d brought, then replied with confidence, "Don''t worry. William''s no big deal; your brother isn''t fazed by him! Whether he breaks through or not, he''s a mere three-seven split with me."


    "Three-seven split? Really?" Isabella blinked her innocent blue eyes wide.


    Alan nodded, forming a sword shape with his fingers and gesturing in the air. "Three seconds, and he''ll break seven bones!"


    Isabella: "..."


    "Alright, enough teasing. I''m about to break through too. Just wait for the good news!" Alan took a deep breath, his demeanor turning serious.


    With that, he returned to his room and re-entered Hell.


    This time, he didn''t jump straight into the Soul Grindstone but instead picked up a blood-red potion from the chest, tilted his head back, and drank it in one gulp.


    "Subdragon Blood Potion. It''s all or nothing!"


    This potion was the most precious of the nine he had prepared, containing a trace of subdragon blood.


    He had obtained a dragon-blood-stained herb while occupying a black-gold mine.


    After Isabella''s careful concoction, the dragon blood was fully activated, significantly boosting his chance to level up.


    As the potion entered his body, it felt like he''d swallowed molten lava, a scorching heat coursing through him, bringing waves of searing pain.


    But Alan had endured the Soul Grindstone''s torture hundreds of times in the past days.


    What would be unbearable pain for others only made him frown without so much as a groan.


    Wherever the potion circulated, his body underwent a transformative rebirth.


    The level he had suppressed for over twenty days, now fueled by the potion, surged like a volcanic eruption! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tier-iron level 8, instantly reached!


    And it didn''t stop there; his aura continued to rise!


    Tier-iron level 9!


    Two levels, broken through consecutively!


    This was Alan''s initial goal, and after over twenty days of grueling cultivation and the support of nine potions, he had finally achieved it!


    Despite his expectations, a surge of joy filled his heart.


    Just as he began to stabilize his level and strengthen his soul, he noticed his aura continued to rise, inching toward a breakthrough to tier-bronze.


    Simultaneously, the subdragon potion''s effects drew countless elemental forces into him like tidal waves, channeling them into his staff sword.


    Under this pressure, the staff sword began to distort slightly, as if unable to contain the surging mana!


    Alan''s heart clenched.


    The black-robed woman had mentioned that his staff sword was a mortal object, incapable of holding too much magic, and would eventually need replacement.


    But he hadn''t expected issues to arise so soon after his rapid level-ups.


    Just then, he heard the woman''s voice.


    "Hold your breath, focus, and channel the magical elements steadily into the staff sword. Begin breaking through to tier-iron level 10. This is not just a crisis; it''s a gift of destiny!"


    "Tier-iron level 10?!"


    Alan''s pupils narrowed; he''d never heard of this level!


    Wasn''t tier-iron supposed to cap at level 9?


    Once reaching tier-iron level 9, one would naturally progress to tier-bronze.


    Sensing Alan''s confusion, the black-robed woman explained, "Where you come from is narrow-minded. Tier-iron level 10 is a unique tier known only to the top powers."


    Alan considered this and asked, "Senior, is tier-iron level 10 really that crucial?"


    "Only by reaching this level can one be considered a truly grounded genius. Those who don''t reach it are mere mediocrities!" The woman''s tone took on an unusual gravity. "Even those prominent figures you know, including Nicolas, reached this level. Achieving it refines both body and soul to an unprecedented degree."


    Upon hearing this, Alan suppressed his own rising tier growth furiously, guiding the rich magical essence from the potion into the staff sword and diffusing it throughout his body.


    Although he was unsure what tier-iron level 10 would entail, Alan trusted the woman would not deceive him.

 Chapter9-I Need a Better Staff

    Under the intense baptism of magical elements from numerous potions, Alan''s tier remained at tier-iron level 9, yet his physical attributes saw considerable growth and improvement. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was like a meticulous grind, requiring time to hone gradually.


    Alan used his soul to introspectively scan his body, identifying any incomplete or weak areas and reinforcing them step by step.


    A day and night passed silently.


    As his body reached a state of near-perfection, Alan''s stalled aura finally began to surge once more. With an invisible "crack," he seemed to break through a certain barrier.


    Tier-Iron Level 10!


    In that instant, his body became like a greedy sponge, frantically absorbing magical elements from the air.


    His once-ethereal soul now felt almost tangible, as if he were surrounded by countless bright fireflies, his awareness of the elements becoming vividly clear.


    Meanwhile, above the Northern District, the sky resounded with thunder, lightning writhing like silver serpents.


    Then, the clouds dispersed, and ethereal golden petals drifted down, enveloping Roan Castle entirely.


    At the appearance of this phenomenon, everyone within Roan Castle looked up in astonishment.


    "A celestial phenomenon?! Did William succeed in breaking through?"


    "It must be William! He''s the prodigy of the Hellfire bloodline. This time, he''s successfully broken through to the early stage of tier-bronze, and his bloodline must have also undergone a tremendous enhancement!"


    "No wonder it''s William! Now, under his leadership, House Roan is sure to become a top family in the Northern District, Winterfell, and even the Plantagenet Kingdom!"


    "To reach the early stage of tier-bronze at such a young age and trigger a celestial phenomenon¡ªthis hasn''t happened in how many years? Heaven truly blesses House Roan!"


    Everyone in House Roan was ecstatic, as though they saw a radiant future unfolding before them.


    The seneschal, who had been in his room dealing with a mineral rights dispute with other nobles, felt his heart nearly leap out of his chest at the phenomenon.


    "Heaven bless House Roan!"


    "Summon House Black, House Manson, and all the others! Tell them I have urgent business to discuss!" His grandson was so extraordinary that there was no need to show courtesy to these families anymore!


    At the same time, the nobles of the Northern District also saw the celestial phenomenon rising above Roan Castle, their expressions grim.


    They already envied William for his rare Hellfire bloodline, and now his successful breakthrough to tier-bronze, marked by this celestial sign, was a heavy blow to them all.


    The phenomenon sparked widespread discussion across the Northern District and even further afield in Snowguard City, as it was an exceedingly rare event.


    Amid all the talk, William, the center of attention, frowned slightly as he looked up at the fading phenomenon in the sky.


    He had indeed broken through to the early stage of tier-bronze, but some time had already passed since then.


    This phenomenon was most likely not caused by him.


    Yet, he was the only one in the family with a unique bloodline and the first to reach the early stage of tier-bronze.


    There was no one else to compare.


    Surely it couldn''t have been caused by that useless Alan?


    If that was the case, who else could it have been?


    ¡­


    In the first level of Hell.


    Feeling the surge of mana within him, now three times stronger than before, along with a sharper soul, Alan clenched his fist in satisfaction.


    Then, he glanced at the tier-bronze early-stage stone golem not far from him.


    Although he hadn''t yet tested it in combat, based on his previous experience, Alan was confident that the golem was far from his match now.


    Even without relying on his soul or his magus techniques, he could heavily injure it in a single move! If he used magus techniques, he could destroy it completely!


    From tier-iron level 7 to tier-iron level 10, his strength had seen an enormous leap.


    Although tier-bronze was an entire tier above him, he now saw it as insignificant.


    However, he had one pressing issue before him.


    His staff sword had reached its limit when he broke through to tier-iron level 10, incapable of aiding him in the breakthrough to tier-bronze. He needed a higher-quality staff.


    Most of the staffs in the Northern District were tier-iron, and tier-bronze staffs were few and exorbitantly priced.


    He would have to go to the bustling capital of the Plantagenet Kingdom, where not only would he find top-tier resources, but he could also access an elite academy like Lioncrest Academy.


    After stabilizing his tier, Alan immediately left Hell and returned to his room, where he found Isabella waiting.


    As soon as she saw him, Isabella nervously relayed the news of William''s breakthrough and the celestial phenomenon it had triggered.


    Worry was written on her face; only a few days remained before the duel to the death.


    "Let them enjoy their final celebration¡ªit''s nothing more than their last hurrah," Alan said confidently to Isabella.


    "In the meantime, you should rest and prepare. Once this matter is settled, we''ll head straight to the capital of the Plantagenet Kingdom. The instructors at Lioncrest Academy will surely be able to cure you." Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire


    Alan''s calm assurance quickly eased Isabella''s anxiety.


    As long as her brother was unfazed, even the greatest crisis seemed like nothing but passing clouds.


    "I''ve already prepared everything these past few days. But¡­will we ever come back after we leave?" Isabella asked.


    Alan shook his head. "We might not."


    Isabella''s expression darkened momentarily.


    Roan Castle had been their home for over a decade, holding many memories.


    But when she thought of the seneschal and others'' treatment of her brother, any lingering attachment swiftly vanished.


    She blinked her large eyes and said earnestly, "Wherever Brother goes, I''ll go too!"


    "I''ve heard the capital is huge, with delicacies, treasures, and magi from other kingdoms. Its wonders can''t compare to the Northern District!" A glint of yearning appeared in Alan''s eyes.


    Isabella looked excited as well.


    Though she''d never been to the capital, the magical books she read often mentioned it as a legendary place.


    Once Isabella was asleep, Alan returned to Hell.


    Upon entering, he noticed the black-robed woman seemed to be waiting for him.


    "Tier-iron level 10¡ªyou didn''t disappoint me. But the path of cultivation is long; this is only the beginning!" She then fixed him with a piercing gaze. "Do you want to become a true magus?"


    Alan remembered that even when he used his soul to channel external magic, the black-robed woman had only referred to him as a magus apprentice, never a true magus.


    "Senior, what level must I reach to be considered a true magus?" he asked with curiosity.


    "Dual mastery!" the black-robed woman said confidently. "When you can control both internal and external magical elements simultaneously, you can call yourself a true magus!"


    Alan nodded.


    He had previously sensed this but wasn''t entirely sure.


    While fighting the tier-bronze early-stage stone golem, he had attempted to rely on both his staff sword and his soul to manipulate magic, but it had never flowed smoothly, like trying to draw a circle with one hand and a square with the other¡ªsomething always went awry.


    "Now, here are three tier-bronze early-stage golems. They will attack you together; experience this fully through combat." With these final words, the black-robed woman''s figure vanished.


    As soon as she disappeared, two more tier-bronze early-stage stone golems appeared, joining the first in a coordinated assault.


    Though Alan didn''t view a single golem as a threat, facing three at once added significant pressure, stretching his need for soul sensing.


    ¡­


    At this moment.


    The three lords of Northern District''s other noble houses, House Black, House Manson, and House Grey, arrived at Roan Castle, having hesitantly accepted the seneschal''s summons.


    With tier-bronze strength, these leaders were considered top figures in the Northern District, but their age and levels had reached their peak, leaving little room for further advancement.


    However, William''s future was boundless¡ªnot only did he possess a unique bloodline, but he had also triggered a celestial phenomenon upon reaching tier-bronze.

 Chapter10-Earth, Fire, Wind, Water - The Four Elements

    The lords of House Black, House Manson, and House Sone were preparing to meet with the seneschal.


    However, they were stopped in their tracks by House Roan''s steward, who cast them a scornful glance and said,


    "The seneschal has ordered you to return and bring the contracts for over a dozen nearby mines.


    The seneschal has other plans for the allocation of these resources."


    Hearing this, the three lords'' faces darkened. Each was a prominent figure in the Northern District, and being ordered around by a mere steward felt like a slap to their pride.


    Yet, mindful of William''s frightening talent, they restrained themselves and replied,


    "Isn''t it a bit premature to bring the contracts now? Why don''t we wait until the terms are discussed?"


    The steward scoffed, his tone firm,


    "The seneschal was clear: bringing the contracts is a show of goodwill. If you''re unwilling, then don''t bother coming at all."


    These three nobles need a firm hand, he thought. Even now, they dared to resist House Roan''s command!


    The three lords exchanged glances, a flicker of murderous intent in their eyes, but after a silent exchange, they replied indifferently,


    "Since it''s the seneschal''s request, we''ll go retrieve the contracts."


    "That''s more like it. Come back with sincerity, and the seneschal will welcome you. Perhaps he''ll even introduce you to William¡ªan honor few could ever hope for!" The steward grinned and gestured them away,


    "Take care!"


    Later, the three lords returned with the contracts in hand.


    After being kept waiting outside Roan Castle for an hour, they were finally allowed into the meeting hall.


    The seneschal stretched leisurely, his gaze settling on the three lords, who wore dark expressions.


    With a hearty laugh, he said,


    "I''m sure you''ve heard of my grandson William. Now, here''s your chance: hand over 80% of your mines to House Roan, and keep 20% for yourselves. We don''t want people saying House Roan abuses its power."


    The three lords'' faces turned icy.


    Give up 80% of their mines?


    Keep only 20%?


    This was outright robbery!


    This was thievery!


    "Seneschal, don''t you think this is going too far? William''s talent and strength may be impressive, but attracting too much attention could bring disaster." The three furious lords narrowed their eyes, speaking coldly.


    Unfazed, the seneschal merely glanced at them,


    "That''s not your concern! William is a soaring dragon, and anyone who stands in his way will be crushed to dust!"


    As he spoke, a figure entered the meeting hall step by step.


    His presence made the air noticeably warmer, and a faint aura of pressure radiated from him.


    "Bronze-tier, early stage¡­ William?" Seeing William''s sudden appearance, the three lords felt a jolt of alarm, sensing a dangerous energy emanating from him.


    Was this the unique Hellfire bloodline rumored to stir the elements?


    Under their wary gaze, William smirked confidently,


    "Mines given over now will become resources to fuel my advancement. You''re fortunate to have this opportunity; soon enough, such good fortune may no longer be within your reach!"


    The seneschal chimed in,


    "You must realize that with William''s fame spreading, he''s bound to attract the interest of major forces in Snowguard City. When that happens, his future will be limitless. Supporting your families would be as simple as a word,"


    "While destroying them¡­ just as easy."


    The seneschal''s words brought a sheen of cold sweat to the lords'' foreheads. It was true; after William''s recent breakthrough and the phenomenon it caused, news had spread rapidly.


    Given his rare physique and talent, the interest of major powers in Snowguard City and even the Plantagenet Kingdom was all but guaranteed.


    Against such giants, a mere finger could crush them into dust.


    The three lords exchanged glances, gritting their teeth,


    "Three shares! We must keep at least 30% of the mines to manage our families'' affairs¡­"


    William, impatient, cut them off,


    "One share!"


    "I''m leaving you 10%. Your family''s affairs are your problem. House Roan will take over the mines today!"


    ...


    "Damn that seneschal and William! They''re nothing but merciless thieves!"


    "They should just die! With only 10% of our mines, we''ll be borrowing to survive!"


    Leaving House Roan with heavy steps, the three lords trembled with anger, cursing under their breath.


    "Who could''ve guessed House Roan''s luck? First, they had Alan, and even though he fell from grace, now they have William!"


    "Hmph! It''s just a stroke of luck. Let''s see how long they can stay on top!" Muttering as they left, their loathing for House Roan was palpable.


    "If they push us further, we''ll fight them, even if it kills us!"


    "Agreed! They''re doomed by their own arrogance!"


    After the three lords left, some elders of House Roan watched and hesitated,


    "Seneschal, the three lords hold significant sway in the Northern District. Making enemies of them like this¡­ isn''t it reckless?"


    The seneschal replied indifferently,


    "Reckless or not, what does it matter? They don''t dare do anything. They''re born subservient; the more we press, the more they yield!"


    Several other elders nodded in agreement,


    "The seneschal is right. House Roan has the upper hand; we should keep them underfoot."


    ...


    The news of the three lords'' humiliating submission, surrendering 90% of their mines, was soon broadcast across the Northern District by the seneschal''s orders.


    The people of House Roan became even more arrogant, raiding the three lords'' shops and conducting a spree of unpaid purchases!


    The young members of the three houses were bullied mercilessly, forced into submission to House Roan''s dominance.


    For a time, the Northern District descended into chaos due to House Roan''s actions!


    ...


    In the depths of hell,


    A pattern resembling a wild ox appeared on Alan''s body, greatly enhancing his strength and reflexes as he grappled with three bronze-tier, early-stage stone golems.


    With a grayish soul power glimmering in his eyes, he sporadically commanded the surrounding elements to launch surprise attacks on the golems.


    As his soul strength improved and his sensitivity to the elements grew, multitasking had become second nature to him.


    What had begun with him being beaten black and blue, struggling to defend, evolved as he sensed the elemental flow within them, skillfully blending sorcery and magus techniques to hold his own.


    Bang!


    In the next moment, the golems lunged at Alan, but his soul power surged, summoning wind elements to lift him gracefully, avoiding their coordinated strike.


    Beneath him, fire elements gathered, forming a blazing fireball the size of a millstone, which he hurled at the clustered golems below.


    Sensing the danger, the golems attempted to pull away, but earth elements solidified into a swamp beneath their feet, trapping their legs and preventing escape.


    Boom!


    The fireball exploded at their center, engulfing them in a wave of scorching heat, leaving their stone bodies charred and glowing like fresh magma.


    Before they could react, water elements coalesced into a cloud, releasing a fine, icy rain that showered down upon their searing forms.


    Crackling!


    As the cold rain met the intense heat, their stone bodies shattered, scattering fragments in all directions.


    The three bronze-tier golems were annihilated, reduced to rubble across the ground.


    Standing atop the debris, Alan''s expression was one of exhilaration and triumph.


    He''d done it!


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    Not only had he managed to control multiple elements at once, but he had mastered the manipulation of earth, fire, wind, and water, the four fundamental forces. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter11-A Sword to Kill

    "Not bad. You can indeed call yourself a fledgling magus now."


    A woman in a black robe had appeared at some point, her gaze on Alan approving.


    Without any guidance, he had mastered control over the four elements, showing extraordinary talent and insight for a magus.


    Typically, one would first need to master multitasking, then move on to elemental control.


    Alan had skipped straight to the latter step.


    Though his control was still rough, he was indeed a true magus!


    The woman examined Alan.


    "Magus are formidable, ranking above all other magic users not only because of their unique approach to manipulating elements, but also because they lack any elemental alignment, allowing them to control any element at will."


    Alan nodded thoughtfully.


    This trait meant that a magus could gain an advantage over any mage, exploiting elemental weaknesses and securing victory.


    By nature, they stood undefeated!


    "No wonder the magus path is so coveted by other mages!"


    The more Alan understood about magus, the more he appreciated their unique power.


    Though he hadn''t yet broken into the early bronze-tier, he felt certain he could now defeat any bronze-tier mage, possibly even facing multiple opponents at once!


    After further practicing his mastery over the basic elements in hell, Alan returned to his room.


    As soon as he appeared, his face changed. He sensed that Isabella, outside his door, had fainted.


    A chaotic mental energy radiated from her brow, sharp and piercing, making Alan feel like his brain was being scrambled with pain.


    His sister''s strange illness had flared up again!


    Alan dashed to the door, instinctively reaching into his pocket for a mental potion, only to find the vial empty.


    It felt like the sky was crashing down.


    He was gripped by guilt¡ªover the past days, he''d been too consumed by his progress, too focused on mastering the elements to notice.


    Feeling regretful, he quickly gathered Isabella, pale-faced and biting her lip to suppress any sound, and brought her inside.


    "Hold on, sis. I''ll go get your medicine."


    ...


    Racing to the doors of the potion laboratory, Alan was about to enter when a sneering youth with dyed yellow hair blocked his way.


    "Well, if it isn''t Alan! Rushing here, is it because your sickly sister is on her last legs?"


    "I told you before, marry her off to me, and I''d cover her potion expenses, but you wouldn''t listen. Now look where that''s gotten you!" The youth burst into laughter, preparing to continue his taunts.


    A cold gust hit as Alan''s fist flew toward him.


    Eric hadn''t expected Alan to act so suddenly and couldn''t react in time; his throat took the blow, blood spurting as his neck collapsed inward.


    He gasped and writhed, clutching his throat, unable to make a sound as he twisted in pain.


    Guards stationed around the lab rushed toward Alan, seeing Eric, their young master, injured.


    Alan swept a cold gaze over them.


    His staff sword appeared in his hand, gleaming with a sharp light.


    Amid their terrified stares, he brought the sword down, beheading Eric in one stroke.


    "Anyone who stands in my way will meet the same fate!"


    With no time for delay, Alan gripped his sword in one hand and Eric''s head in the other, charging toward the lab''s inner rooms.


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    His murderous aura sent a chill down the guards'' spines, paralyzing even those battle-hardened.


    Eric, the seneschal''s nephew, had just been brutally killed.


    As Alan advanced, the laboratory descended into chaos.


    "Master of Potions, where is my sister''s mental potion?"


    A thin, jewelry-laden old man tried to slip away in the commotion, but Alan threw his sword, pinning it to the cabinet before the old man could escape.


    The blade still dripped with blood, and the Master of Potions shivered, meeting Alan''s icy glare.


    "This is no place for you to act as you please, Alan!" he retorted, trying to keep his voice steady.


    Alan answered by tossing Eric''s head at him.


    The Master of Potions sidestepped, and the head hit the cabinet with a thud.


    Alan closed in, fists flying like a storm.


    The Master of Potions sneered and swung a fist of his own, earth-colored energy making his arm rock-like.


    Known for his brutal strength, he feared no one''s blows.


    Bang!


    The impact exploded between them, and Alan remained unmoved, sturdy as a mountain.


    The Master of Potions, however, coughed blood and flew backward, smashing into the cabinet, his arm limp as a noodle.


    "No¡­ impossible! How did you become so terrifyingly strong?"


    Disbelief twisted the Master''s expression as he stared at Alan. He was a tier-iron level 7 mage, specialized in fist techniques and a bearsaker, yet he had been crushed by Alan.


    Alan looked at him coldly.


    Since childhood, he''d faced countless battles, and now, after breaking into tier-iron level 10, his body and mind had transcended.


    Even a bronze-tier mage would struggle against him, let alone this old man!


    Alan pulled his sword free, pointing its tip at the Master of Potions'' brow.


    "Hand over the potion, or die!"


    Seeing Alan''s growing bloodlust, the Master realized the young man was unhinged. Shaking, he retrieved a large glass jar from the cabinet.


    "This is all the mental potion we have. It''s valuable¡ªthere''s no more."


    Alan frowned, noting the limited supply would last only five doses. Each time his sister''s illness flared up, the amount needed increased. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Master trembled under Alan''s gaze,


    "This is everything. The seneschal diverted all resources to William. Even if we wanted more, there isn''t enough gold to buy it."


    "My sister''s potion formulas have contributed greatly over the years. Consider this interest on her work."


    Alan sheathed his sword, grabbed the jar, and hurried out.


    Though it wasn''t much, the supply would last for now.


    He had to join TianShi Academy as soon as possible.


    As Alan exited the lab, the seneschal and a group of men stormed in, their faces twisted with fury.


    Word of Alan''s murderous rampage had just reached them.


    After lying low for days, he dared act so brazenly again!


    "Killing your own kin, Alan! Do you take House Roan for a playground?"


    The seneschal charged at him, his staff swinging down, trailing a streak of silver energy.


    Alan swung his sword in a crosscut, channeling raw power and surging magic through the blade, sending the seneschal flying.


    Without a backward glance, he broke through the surrounding guards.


    The seneschal steadied himself, stunned. This "waste" of a boy still possessed astonishing strength.


    Recovering, he glared at Alan''s fleeing figure,


    "Capture him!"


    The other elders snapped out of their shock from that terrifying blow and began to pursue.


    But William appeared, saying calmly,


    "No need. Tomorrow, he faces a death duel; his end is certain. What''s more important is inviting the Northern District''s major forces."


    "I''ll crush him underfoot as a warning to all, making my name known!"

 Chapter12-Challenged by the First Genius Girl?

    In the room.


    Alan hurried back and immediately opened the glass vial he was holding, carefully pouring some of the potion into his sister''s mouth.


    As the potion entered her body, Isabella''s tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed a bit.


    The pain that nearly made her faint began to ease.


    "Brother... is that really you? I thought I''d never see you again," Isabella slowly opened her eyes, and upon seeing Alan''s worried face, tears welled in the corners of her eyes.


    Alan reached out to wipe away her tears, feeling increasingly guilty. "It''s my fault, I''ve been so focused on leveling up that I didn''t take care of you, not even remembering your potions."


    Isabella sighed. "It''s because of my strange illness that I can''t help you and often drag you down."


    "Don''t say that. It''s only right for a brother to protect his sister. Besides, the potions you make are a great help to me," Alan comforted her, patting her head. "Once you recover from your illness, with your talent for potion-making, you''ll surely be even more sought after than me!"


    Isabella''s sapphire eyes widened. "Really? But I''ll only make potions for you in the future; I won''t give them to anyone else. They''ll be so envious!"


    Seeing this, Alan smiled slightly and chatted with Isabella for a while. Noticing that she was getting a bit tired, he said, "You should rest for a bit. When you wake up, I''ll take you to the Northern District for a stroll. It''s been almost a month since I last took you out."


    Isabella nodded obediently like a little hamster and closed her eyes, drifting back to sleep.


    Watching Isabella gradually stabilize and fall into slumber, Alan''s sense of urgency grew stronger.


    Thinking back to the scene where the Grand Elder and others attacked him today, he immediately entered the hellish space.


    "Senior, I''ve become a magus now; I wonder if you have any powerful spells to teach me?"


    Upon seeing the woman in the black robe, Alan rubbed his hands together, feeling both excited and nervous as he asked.


    Asking for spells was somewhat reckless, considering the woman was not related to him. The guidance she had given him before was already a great kindness.


    However, Alan didn''t know any other magus.


    And the special spells cast by magus were not just unavailable in the Northern District; even if they were, they would be priced out of his reach.


    Tomorrow was the day of life-and-death duel, and to be on the safe side, he wanted to prepare as many trump cards as possible.


    The woman in the black robe glanced at Alan, understanding his thoughts. After a moment''s contemplation, she waved her hand, forming two glowing texts.


    "Most of the spells related to magus are beyond your current level to learn. These two spells might suit you just fine; pick one and practice diligently."


    Alan nodded in agreement and looked at the two pieces of glowing text.


    One was a tier-bronze release-type spell, Dragon Breath.


    It could condense fire elements to unleash a scorching magical attack, capable of melting gold and iron¡ªa truly formidable spell.


    After a brief glance, Alan felt quite satisfied. This Dragon Breath was powerful in terms of offense; once upgraded successfully, few tier-bronze mages would be able to rival him.


    However, he hesitated for a moment and turned his attention to the other glowing text. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Light Sword Spell.


    It manipulated special light elements to form flying swords to attack enemies¡­


    After reading the summary, Alan curiously asked, "Senior, why isn''t this spell graded?"


    Any spell involving elements outside the four basics wasn''t simple.


    Moreover, controlling light elements was rare; among mages, those who could wield light elements were almost all exceptionally gifted geniuses.


    "The power of the Light Sword Spell depends on how many light swords you can summon. If you can summon thousands, even a tier-gold mage could easily be vanquished."


    "Conversely, if you''re not even proficient with the four basic elements, you may not be able to summon even one light sword."


    The black-robed woman spoke lightly.


    The Light Sword Spell belonged to the manifestation-type special spells, whose difficulty of practice was second only to the mysterious type.


    Given the special nature of light elements, it was already on par with the mysterious type.


    Even magus found it hard to master.


    Alan nodded, realizing the training difficulty of the Light Sword Spell was significant, but its power was evidently proportional.


    Thus, he spoke firmly, "Senior, I wish to practice the Light Sword Spell!"


    Once Alan finished speaking, the woman in the black robe flicked her fingers, and the glowing text flew into Alan''s soul.


    The complex training methods flashed through Alan''s mind. After absorbing the details, he began attempting to manipulate the light elements in the air.


    However, there was no reaction!


    As expected, the Light Sword Spell wasn''t easy to upgrade.


    Two hours later.


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    Alan took a deep breath, dispersing the tiny light spots before him. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and exited the hellish space.


    The difficulty of training the Light Sword Spell exceeded Alan''s expectations; it took him an hour just to touch the threshold.


    Nevertheless, since he promised his sister to take her out, Alan decided to continue his intense training after returning, balancing work and rest.


    When Alan reappeared in the room, Isabella was gradually waking from her sleep.


    After a brief tidy-up, Isabella clung to Alan''s arm, happily skipping out of Roan Castle.


    Although the Northern District was an urban area, the most prosperous regions were the streets surrounding the grand noble castles.


    So, once they stepped out, they found themselves in the bustling commercial street center.


    Along the way, the sounds of vendors selling various precious herbs, potions, and spellbeast materials filled the air, intermingled with the calls of snacks, drinks, and afternoon teas.


    Isabella hadn''t been out in a long time, and everything felt fresh to her.


    Alan glanced at the House Roan guards trailing behind them but didn''t pay them any mind, as long as they didn''t interrupt his outing with his sister.


    Accompanying a girl shopping, Alan felt like they were constantly buying things along the way.


    Delicious snacks, fun items; before leaving the Northern District for the royal capital of Charlie, Isabella bought a bit of everything.


    Before long, Alan''s back was burdened with a bulging bag.


    From the afternoon until dusk, when Alan and Isabella were about to head back, the bustling street suddenly erupted in commotion.


    Then, a head that resembled a warhorse, a green-skinned aether steed, galloped out from the street, capturing everyone''s attention.


    "Aether steed?! They''re incredibly rare, even in Snowguard City, hard to come by! Is a big shot arriving?"


    "Alice!"


    "Silver armor and golden blades, as delicate as a rose¡ªshe must be the legendary queen, Alice!"


    "It really is her! The first queen of Plantagenet Kingdom! One person beneath the emperor, above everyone else!"


    "Isn''t she here to challenge the kingdom''s prodigies? Why is she here?"


    At that moment, as the crowd recognized the figure atop the aether steed, everyone on the street gasped in astonishment.


    Alan felt a flicker of curiosity as well.


    After all, Alice''s reputation was immense; he had heard multiple times that she was a true legendary figure, exceptionally talented, and a renowned swordmaster who suppressed all the prodigies in the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    As Alan watched Alice approach, she suddenly reined in her aether steed and looked at him.


    "You have impressive talent and strength; you must be William, the one who caused the disturbance in the heavens. You qualify to be my opponent!"


    While she spoke, she gripped the hilt of a slender golden long sword at her waist, the sharp aura tearing through the air, creating a sound like the wind being sliced.


    Alan stared at her in shock. After a moment''s hesitation, he replied, "I''m not William; you have the wrong person."


    "Oh?" Alice seemed surprised but didn''t retract her imposing aura, still glaring at Alan with fierce intent. "Though you''re not him, you''ve reached tier-iron lv10, making you a worthy opponent!"


    Alan''s pupils constricted. At this moment, he had completely concealed his presence, appearing like an ordinary person, yet Alice had still seen through his true strength!


    Under Alice''s intense gaze, Alan felt his blood boil.


    He, too, wanted to fight this legendary figure. No matter the outcome, it would undoubtedly benefit him!

 Chapter13-Differentiated Treatment

    Alan thought about the life-and-death duel happening tomorrow; he couldn''t afford to engage now, so he decided to put that thought aside for the moment.


    However, this Alice was extraordinarily talented¡ªfar beyond the likes of a Stone Man or an ordinary mage.


    If he missed this opportunity, there might never be a suitable one again.


    Thus, Alan said seriously, "How about we fight after tomorrow?"


    Alice shook her head slightly. "A tier-iron lv10 is rare, but it''s not worth my time to wait." With that, she mounted her aether steed and prepared to leave.


    Seeing this, Alan felt a surge of energy in his soul and sent a telepathic message to her:


    "If I were still a magus, would you be willing to wait?"


    Alice paused for a moment, then regarded Alan with a serious expression as she sized him up.


    Finally, she nodded.


    "You''re now qualified to make me wait!"


    At this moment, Isabella seemed to have thought of something.


    She smiled and said,


    "Big sister, are you going to challenge William? My brother and I are from Roan Castle; we can show you the way."


    Upon hearing this, Alice became more interested in William.


    "If that''s the case, please lead the way."


    Alan took Isabella''s hand, and together with Alice, they headed toward the nearby castle.


    At Roan Castle, the seneschal and others, who had already learned of Duke Alice''s arrival, were all filled with excitement.


    They immediately summoned everyone from the family to wait at the entrance for her arrival.


    If they could establish a relationship with this noble duke and win her favor, Roan Castle would soar to new heights! S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Alice approached on her aether steed, the seneschal, whose face was blooming with joy, was about to speak.


    However, upon seeing Alan and Isabella accompanying her, his expression faded somewhat.


    But since welcoming Alice was of utmost importance, he still forced a smile and said,


    "Your Grace, it''s a long journey; we''ve prepared a banquet and accommodations for you inside¡­"


    Alice replied coolly, "No need. I''m here only to challenge the pride of the kingdom, William. Where is he?"


    Seeing Alice''s lack of enthusiasm, the seneschal shot a fierce glare at Alan and Isabella, thinking they must be the reason for her displeasure.


    "You two have the audacity to leave the castle? Come here at once!"


    Afterward, he turned back to Alice with a sycophantic smile.


    "Your Grace, don''t be upset with them; one is a waste, and the other a sickly weakling. They run amok in the family, doing as they please, lacking discipline."


    "A waste? A sickly weakling?"


    Alice was taken aback.


    Isabella looked pale; her bloodline was weak, indicating her poor health, which she could understand.


    But how could Alan, who had broken through to tier-iron lv10 and truly entered the ranks of prodigies, possibly be considered a waste?


    She looked at Alan in confusion.


    Isabella, feeling indignant, retorted,


    "It''s clearly you who are out of line! My brother has done so much for the family, yet you selfishly stripped him of his heir status for your grandson!"


    "What does he have that compares to my brother? You''ve even conspired with other family members to target him, trying to push him to his death!"


    Long before Isabella spoke, the seneschal felt something was off.


    Now, hearing her angry voice, his expression darkened, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.


    He feared he hadn''t pleased Alice and might end up provoking her ire instead.


    Alice, uninterested in such trivial matters, didn''t know the ins and outs of the situation, nor did she care.


    However, she noticed Alan''s talent and thought that suppressing and targeting such a promising prodigy was not the behavior of a good family.


    Seeing a hint of coldness in Alice''s eyes, the judgment elder felt a surge of anger and was about to silence Isabella.


    At that moment, William, dressed very elegantly and with white gloves on his hands, appeared. He spoke in a gentlemanly manner,


    "Is this beautiful lady the one who wishes to challenge me? It''s truly my honor! The venue has been prepared."


    He gestured invitingly.


    However, Alice only glanced at him coldly before turning to leave.


    "No, you''re not worthy to be my opponent."


    William''s lips twitched; he felt a sense of being disrespected. Anger surged within him, and he charged at Alice.


    Flames appeared as patterns on his body, heat waves radiated, and he seemed to transform into magma, exuding an extraordinary aura.


    However, before the seneschal and others could cheer, William halted mid-charge, staring blankly at Alice.


    At that moment, Alice had already drawn her sword¡ªa long, golden blade that shimmered like brilliant gold, pointed threateningly at William, sending a jolt of danger through him.


    Blade Aura!


    Alice had actually mastered the blade aura taught to her!


    In just a single exchange, he understood that he was far from being Alice''s match.


    After all, those who could cultivate various forms as mages were all exceptionally talented individuals or top-tier mages with terrifying power.


    Just by looking at the blade aura, he felt as if his entire body was about to be torn apart.


    Seeing this, Alice shook her head in further disappointment,


    "You lack even the courage to face me. You''re just a mediocre waste, wasting my time."


    With that, she made no effort to hide her disdain and rode her aether steed away without looking back.


    Only when she passed by Alan did she slow down a bit and whisper, "Remember our agreement."


    Having seen William, she could firmly ascertain that the one who could invoke the wonders of the world was not him, but Alan!


    Only Alan had the qualifications to summon such phenomena!


    And the more brilliant Alan became, the more eager she was to fight him!


    At the same time, she couldn''t understand why they, instead of properly supporting such a top-tier prodigy, chose to target him.


    One could only say that their talent was lacking, but their vision was even worse.


    She didn''t want to linger in this so-called Roan Castle any longer.


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    After Alice left, the seneschal and others glared angrily at Alan, reprimanding him:


    "It''s all your fault, Alan! You''ve ruined the hope of our family''s rise!"


    "Exactly! If it weren''t for you causing Alice to feel disgusted, she would never have left so decisively! This is all your doing!"


    Various accusations and blame flooded in like a tidal wave, nearly overwhelming Alan.


    "Ha, if a person can''t achieve success, should they blame the road for being bumpy? Tomorrow''s life-and-death duel, I hope you don''t let me down!"


    Alan scanned the seneschal and others with disdain before fixing his gaze on William.


    After that, he ignored the elders who were furious about missing Alice and took Isabella back to the small courtyard where their mother used to live.


    After Alan and Isabella left, the judgment elder glared at their departing figures,


    "Tomorrow, leave no one behind! You must show them what happens to those who oppose us!"


    William nodded, having taken note of the humiliation he suffered earlier, adding a score to Alan''s account.


    ¡­


    Back in the courtyard, Isabella began organizing the items she had bought today, while Alan returned to his room and entered the hellish training of the Light Sword Spell.


    Tomorrow was the life-and-death duel, and there could be no room for error!


    He knew very well that if he died, the seneschal and others would not spare his sister, Isabella!


    Moreover, apart from William, Alice was truly his worthy opponent!


    To deal with a talent like her, mastering the Light Sword Spell was his only chance.


    Time flew by in this intense training.


    The next morning, the Northern District was buzzing with excitement!


    The news of the life-and-death duel between Alan and William had spread widely, fueled by William''s rising fame.


    Many were eager to see what kind of spark would fly when a former genius faced off against a rising star.


    Particularly, many nobles and factions, who didn''t know much about William, saw this battle as an excellent opportunity to learn more.


    At this moment, a dueling platform had been hastily set up overnight in a square outside Roan Castle.


    The area surrounding the platform was already packed with onlookers eager to see the spectacle.

 Chapter14-The Battle of Life and Death

    As the first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the Northern District, the entire area erupted in excitement.


    Various factions gathered around the duel platform, causing the vast square to buzz with activity.


    Today was the day of the duel between the two greatest talents of House Roan.


    Everyone was familiar with these two figures.


    Alan, the former spearhead of House Roan, had been instrumental in the family''s past successes.


    The nobles of the Northern District all held vivid impressions of him; many of their talented warriors had suffered defeats at his hands.


    He was known as a relentless fighter. Unfortunately, it was rumored that his mana core had shattered, leaving him a cripple, and he had been replaced by William.


    William had previously been relatively unknown within House Roan, a mere shadow with only his identity as the seneschal''s grandson to distinguish him.


    However, he had recently awakened a special bloodline¡ªthe Hellfire bloodline!


    This marked the first appearance of a special bloodline talent in the entire Northern District.


    His breakthrough to the early tier-bronze stage had caused a stir, even attracting the attention of the imperial rose, Duke Alice.


    This undoubtedly heightened everyone''s interest in him.


    While many were eager to witness this life-and-death duel, a significant part of the crowd was simply curious to see this recently acclaimed figure.


    It was said that families from Snowguard city were also keeping an eye on the match.


    At that moment, as more and more eyes focused on the duel platform, the seneschal squinted, reminiscing: "It''s been years since I''ve seen such a lively scene."


    Now, outside of House Roan, the area was packed with influential figures from the Northern District.


    After this event, House Roan''s prestige and influence would surely reach new heights.


    Feeling delighted, the seneschal turned to William beside him and asked, "How are you prepared?"


    "Today, under the spotlight, we must eliminate Alan decisively. His reputation will become a stepping stone for your advancement," William said, calmly pouring himself a glass of red wine and taking a sip. "Rest assured, even if he has some grit, he''ll have no choice but to face execution in the presence of absolute power."


    Seeing William''s confidence, the seneschal nodded slightly. Given the current situation, he couldn''t imagine how William could possibly lose to Alan!


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, inside Roan Castle.


    "Brother, this is the mana recovery potion I prepared for you. Please take it with you."


    As Alan was about to leave after enjoying some cake with Isabella, she suddenly called out to him.


    Turning around, Alan saw Isabella pulling out a light blue glass vial from her pocket, her eyes slightly red as she handed it to him.


    This mana recovery potion was the only thing she could do for her brother.


    Alan knew that while Isabella appeared calm on the surface, her worry for him had only grown in recent days.


    So, he gently patted her head and smiled, saying, "I''ll be back soon. Why so sad? Just prepare things at home. Once I win, we''ll go to the imperial capital and visit Lioncrest Academy!"


    Isabella nodded vigorously.


    Seeing her emotions stabilize, Alan accepted the potion and turned to leave confidently.


    Watching Alan''s retreating figure, Isabella''s worry deepened. After a moment of silence, she pulled out a black glass vial from her pocket, from which dark mist swirled, forming a sinister skull.


    This was the poison she had prepared for herself while making the mana recovery potion for Alan.


    If her brother were to perish in the duel, she had no intention of living alone! Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    ¡­


    Time passed quickly, and as the mist that filled the air was dispelled by the light, William, having downed his glass of red wine, stood up from his seat and made his way to the duel platform.


    As William rose, all the mages present focused their attention on him, their expressions revealing a mix of emotions.


    After William awakened his bloodline and became House Roan''s successor, chaos had reigned in the Northern District.


    The streets and shops governed by various noble families were rampaged by House Roan''s people without restraint.


    Anyone who dared to retaliate found themselves ruthlessly suppressed by William.


    Consequently, the people of the Northern District despised him, as he disrupted the region''s former order.


    However, they also sensed the terrifying power he wielded.


    If Alan had previously exerted pressure, William now instilled a sense of deep despair¡ªone that seemed to offer no hope of surpassing him.


    This internal conflict within House Roan, regardless of the outcome, was a spectacle they were keen to see.


    Otherwise, with two prodigies in one family, the entire Northern District would be under House Roan''s rule!


    Upon stepping onto the platform, William paid no mind to the gazes upon him, viewing them as nothing more than the looks of the weak.


    "Alan, the time has come! Come out and accept your death!"


    His thunderous voice resonated, waves of magical energy radiating outward, causing the eardrums of weaker mages to tremble.


    Instantly, all eyes turned to where he looked.


    Suddenly, the crowd parted, revealing a slightly gaunt, handsome young man stepping forward.


    Alan!


    Alan had arrived!


    In that moment, many held their breath.


    The three lords who had arrived earlier also focused their gazes on Alan.


    They were not strangers to him, even if he was their enemy; they admired him and wished he were part of their own family.


    "Although I heard his mana core shattered, his calm demeanor suggests he doesn''t fully despair over today''s duel," one lord remarked. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I have a deep understanding of Alan; he is ruthless yet meticulous. He must have some confidence to dare come here¡­" another commented.


    "Compared to William, I''d prefer Alan to win; it would benefit us all. Though Alan may have no apparent cards up his sleeve, he should pose some threat to William," said a third lord.


    As Alan silently walked onto the platform, his gaze fixed calmly on William, as if he were looking at a dead man.


    William, already harboring murderous intent, felt even more provoked by Alan''s gaze. He sneered, "I thought you might flee, unwilling to come here. Since you''ve chosen to seek death, I will grant you that today!"


    As William''s taunts echoed, Alan replied indifferently, "Can the duel begin now?"


    The seneschal frowned slightly.


    Alan''s calm demeanor was particularly irksome to him, and he stepped forward, raising his voice, "Gentlemen, let''s keep it brief. Today, we have a life-and-death duel between Alan and William from House Roan. I ask you to bear witness!"


    After speaking, he shot a smile at the distinguished guests seated not far away.


    There, a man and a woman sat.


    The man wore a well-tailored suit, his hair meticulously styled, appearing stern and unsmiling.


    The woman beside him was dressed in an elegant gown adorned with intricate floral patterns and precious gemstones that sparkled under the sunlight.


    These two hailed from Snowguard city!


    They were figures that House Roan looked up to!


    As the seneschal glanced at them, they nodded indifferently, then surveyed Alan and William.


    "The Hellfire bloodline, while not the top magical bloodline, is indeed rare, especially with the manifestation of natural phenomena. I wonder how powerful his combat abilities truly are?" the man in the suit remarked.


    The woman in court attire smiled lightly, saying, "I am unsure of William''s fighting power, but I cannot discern Alan''s aura. This is quite intriguing."


    Hearing this, the man in the suit paused for a moment. "Alan''s mana core has shattered, and the magical elements within him have dissipated, making it impossible to sense his aura¡­"


    He had yet to finish his sentence when he seemed to realize something, exclaiming softly.

 Chapter15-Full Throttle

    "It''s interesting; his aura is so contained at this level. Alan doesn''t seem simple at all."


    "Only a fair fight is interesting. Let''s see how they perform."


    The woman in palace attire said with great interest.


    The man in a top hat nodded, and they both turned their attention to the arena.


    As the top forces of Snowguard City, one could not hope to join them without exceptional talent and strength.


    Seeing these two important figures looking over, the seneschal wasted no time.


    "The time is up; the life-and-death duel begins!"


    With that, he dashed off the stage.


    As the seneschal left, magical runes erupted beneath William''s feet, and flames burst forth as he charged toward Alan like an arrow released from a bow.


    Tier-Bronze Movement Technique: Flame Step!


    This was a fire-type release movement technique that drastically increased speed by releasing compressed fire elements.


    It was one of House Roan''s basic magics.


    However, due to William''s Hellfire bloodline, he had a natural affinity for fire elements. At this moment, his fiery surge was nearly twice as fast as a normal execution!


    In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Alan, his hand enveloped in twisting red flames, radiating heat.


    Flame Fist, Tier-Bronze Strengthening Magic!


    It reinforced the arm and could shatter stone!


    Without holding back, William unleashed his most proficient spell, aiming to obliterate Alan in one strike.


    William''s assault was swift and fierce, but in Alan''s heightened soul perception, everything was clear. He narrowed his eyes and countered with a punch of his own!


    Flame Fist!


    Both were basic spells from their families.


    Though lacking William''s Hellfire bloodline enhancement, Alan''s flames were more refined, exhibiting a mastery of the technique.


    Bang!


    The two fists collided in an instant, and a brilliant explosion of fire erupted between them.


    William''s arm jolted, and the confident smile on his face froze.


    The overwhelming force from Alan''s punch caused his arm to ache intensely, sending him staggering backward, leaving long black marks as his feet scraped the ground.


    This scene elicited a wave of disbelief in the crowd, with many rubbing their eyes, unable to believe what they were witnessing.


    William was easily suppressed by Owen!


    He was the Hellfire bloodline and a Tier-Bronze early mage!


    Hadn''t Alan''s mana core shattered?


    How could he possess such formidable combat strength?


    Amidst the crowd''s shock, confusion also arose.


    The seneschal, who had just sat down and sipped a drink, leapt up, astonished.


    When did Alan''s combat ability become so terrifying?


    He was merely a Tier-Iron Lv6 mage, and in comparison to the current Tier-Bronze early William, there should have been a vast gap!


    "How is this possible?!"


    Stabilizing himself, William realized he was seeing Alan for the first time, his impression completely shattered!


    However, Alan ignored his shock and stepped forward, launching another punch at him.


    Only then did William react, raising his hand to block, but was again sent reeling, this time to the edge of the arena.


    His expression darkened. Today, he intended to step over Alan to achieve his ambitions, not be suppressed by him.


    In an instant, anger and killing intent surged in his heart, and a special heat wave began to radiate from his body.


    Fire elements gathered frantically around him, raising the air temperature sharply.


    With a massive influx of fire elements, William''s skin turned a bright red, appearing as though covered in a layer of lava armor, his aura reaching nearly Tier-Bronze mid-level!


    Compared to Tier-Bronze early, he had surged up a level!


    "Is this the terror of the Hellfire bloodline? His aura has increased so much?"


    "Alan hasn''t broken through to Tier-Bronze yet. Now that William is akin to Tier-Bronze mid-level, Alan is in danger."


    "Tier-Bronze mid-level is where even the elders stand."


    Many spectators gazed at the rampaging William with awe in their eyes.


    If they had such strength, they could strut through the Northern District!


    After the explosive surge, William felt a terrifying power coursing through him, as if he could shatter a cow with a single punch. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If Alan were to face him with the same earlier attack, it would definitely be Alan who was sent flying!


    "Today, let me show you that the prodigy of House Roan is me, not you!"


    He roared, stomping down on the arena surface, leaving a faint imprint of his foot, and then the fire magic erupted, making him even faster, producing a whooshing sound.


    Sensing William''s rising aura, Alan remained calm.


    After breaking through Tier-Iron Lv10, the total amount of magic within him and his explosive capacity had surpassed that of an average Tier-Bronze early mage.


    Now using his special bloodline, William was merely catching up to Alan.


    Still daring to be arrogant before him?


    Alan advanced rather than retreating, continuously clashing with William, as the arena echoed with the sounds of violent explosions.


    For Alan, who had been through many battles, this was merely an appetizer.


    Be it fists, knees, or elbows, every attack became a dominating assault that pushed William back again and again!


    "Has Alan been injected with some kind of adrenaline? Previously, many geniuses from the Northern District challenged him, and most were downed within three moves. Now, Alan''s combat strength is terrifying!"


    "I feel like William is treating Alan as a stepping stone but may end up hurting himself¡­"


    Witnessing William''s explosive performance yet still being suppressed by Alan, many mages in the audience were stunned, unable to foresee such an outcome.


    They had come hoping to gain favor with William, anticipating that once he soared to greatness, meeting him would become exceedingly difficult.


    The three lords of the Northern District also displayed expressions of bewilderment.


    The situation should not have been like this.


    How had Alan managed to overpower William?


    There was a substantial tier gap between them.


    They were well aware of William''s explosive power and regarded it with great caution.


    Alan''s attacks, though not flashy, seemed to exploit every weakness in William''s defense, as if he were countering him perfectly.


    "Such strong combat experience and keen magical perception¡­"


    The two figures from Snowguard City exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting their astonishment.


    Even with their years of combat experience, they wouldn''t dare claim superiority over Alan''s current prowess.


    If Alan were to break through to Tier-Bronze early, they feared William might be crushed in an instant.


    "This Alan must truly be the real genius!"


    In that moment, both felt this thought surge within them, their gazes burning with excitement.


    Then, the woman in palace attire seemed to recall something and slowly said,


    "However, William is indeed Hellfire bloodline. This bloodline possesses some mysterious aspects. If he lets his guard down, he could easily be defeated."


    As William found himself in a precarious situation, the seneschal clenched his fists and reminded him,


    "The Hellfire bloodline has three transformations; activate the second transformation!"


    Hearing the seneschal''s words, many furrowed their brows. This was a life-and-death duel, and others could not interfere; they understood this was a matter of life and death between the two.


    Yet, unlike others'' disdain, William seemed to understand something upon hearing this, his eyes lighting up.


    Then, crimson runes began to pulsate above his brow, and an inexplicable wave of energy spread out.


    Suddenly, Alan sensed a dangerous aura and quickly dodged to the side, just as flames erupted from the spot he had just occupied, resembling a fiery sword that scorched the arena black.


    "What''s going on? He''s manipulating fire elements from a distance; isn''t that a magus technique?"


    "Could it be that William is a hidden magus?!"


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    As William unexpectedly unleashed this technique, the crowd erupted in uproar!


    Compared to the Hellfire bloodline, a magus is a rarity, one in a thousand!

 Chapter16-The Underlying Force Unleashed

    "It''s interesting; his aura is surprisingly restrained to this extent. Alan seems to be no ordinary opponent," remarked the woman in palace attire.


    "Only a match of equal strength is entertaining. Let''s see how they perform," she added, her interest piqued.


    The man in the top hat nodded, and both turned their attention to the arena.


    As the top force in Snowguard City, joining their ranks was impossible without exceptional talent and strength.


    Noticing that both significant figures were watching, the seneschal wasted no time:


    "The time has come; the life-and-death duel begins!"


    With that, he dashed out of the arena.


    As the seneschal left, magical runes surged from William''s feet, flames flaring as he shot forward like an arrow aimed at Alan.


    Tier-Bronze Movement, Fire Step!


    This was a basic fire attribute spell, enhancing speed significantly by releasing compressed fire elements in a short time. It was one of the foundational magics of House Roan.


    However, due to William''s Hellfire bloodline, he had a natural affinity for fire elements, making his speed nearly double that of a normal cast!


    In an instant, he reached Alan, his palm enveloped in crimson flames, a scorching heat radiating from him.


    Blazing Fist, a Tier-Bronze Enhancement Spell, fortifying his arm to shatter stone!


    Without hesitation, William unleashed his most practiced spell, aiming to annihilate Alan in one strike.


    William''s assault was fierce, yet in Alan''s heightened sense of perception, he could clearly see it coming. His eyes narrowed, and he responded with a punch of his own!


    Blazing Fist!


    This too was a foundational spell of his family.


    Though lacking the Hellfire bloodline''s enhancement, Alan''s flames were more refined, exuding a feeling of mastery.


    Boom!


    The two fists collided instantly, the intense flames exploding outward, dazzling and bright.


    William''s arm jolted, and the confident smile on his face suddenly froze.


    The overwhelming force from Alan''s punch left his arm aching, and he staggered backward, his feet dragging along the ground, leaving long black marks.


    This scene sparked true discussion among the crowd; they rubbed their eyes in disbelief.


    William was easily overpowered by Owen!


    He was a Hellfire bloodline wielder and a Tier-Bronze mage in the early stages!


    Hadn''t Alan''s mana core shattered? How could he possess such formidable combat power?


    Amidst the crowd''s astonishment, confusion settled in.


    The seneschal, who had just been leisurely enjoying a drink, leaped up in disbelief.


    When had Alan''s combat power become this terrifying? He was merely a Tier-Iron Level 6 mage, and there should be a vast gulf between him and the current Tier-Bronze William!


    "How is this possible?!"


    Stabilizing himself, William looked at Alan with newfound realization, sizing him up; this was not the Alan he remembered!


    However, Alan paid no attention to William''s shock. Instead, he stepped forward and launched a punch at him.


    Only now did William react, raising his hand to block, but he was once again pushed back, this time reaching the edge of the arena.


    His expression darkened. Today, he aimed to step over Alan and achieve greatness, not to be suppressed by him.


    In an instant, rage and murderous intent surged in his heart, causing a unique heatwave to emanate from his body. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The surrounding fire elements flocked to him, causing the air temperature to rise sharply.


    With a massive influx of fire elements, William''s skin appeared flushed and seemed to be covered in a layer of magma-like armor, his aura reaching the level of Tier-Bronze Mid!


    This was a full level higher than Tier-Bronze Early!


    "Is this the terror of the Hellfire bloodline? His aura has skyrocketed so much?"


    "Alan certainly hasn''t broken through to Tier-Bronze; now William is comparable to a Tier-Bronze Mid. He''s in real danger."


    "Tier-Bronze Mid, even those elders are only at this level."


    Many gazed at the now powerfully imposing William, their eyes filled with awe.


    If they had such strength, they could easily dominate the Northern District!


    After the surge of his aura, William felt terrifying power coursing through him, as if he could smash a cow with one punch.


    If Alan had used the previous technique to fight him, it would have been Alan sent flying!


    "Today, let me show you that the true prodigy of House Roan is me, not you!"


    With a furious roar, he stomped down on the arena surface, leaving a faint imprint of his foot, and the fire magic erupted, propelling him forward with a burst of speed.


    Sensing the surge in William''s aura, Alan remained calm as he watched him.


    Having broken through Tier-Iron Level 10, Alan''s total magical capacity and explosive power had already surpassed the average Tier-Bronze Early mage.


    Even with the enhancement of a unique bloodline, William was merely catching up.


    Did he dare to act arrogantly before him?


    Without retreating, Alan advanced, exchanging blows with William as the arena echoed with continuous explosive sounds.


    For the battle-hardened Alan, this was merely an appetizer.


    Every strike of his fist, knee, or elbow became a fierce assault, forcing William to retreat further and further!


    "Has Alan been juicing? Previously, many talents from the Northern District challenged him, and they could barely last three moves before being taken down; now his combat power is terrifying!"


    "Why do I feel he''s treating Alan as a stepping stone, and might end up hurting himself¡­?"


    As they watched William erupt yet still be dominated by Alan, many mages in attendance were stunned, not expecting such an outcome.


    They had come here primarily to latch onto William''s rising star, fearing that once he soared, meeting him would become a daunting task. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    The three lords of the Northern District exchanged bewildered glances.


    The situation shouldn''t be like this.


    How had Alan managed to overpower William?


    There was a significant tier gap between them.


    Moreover, they had all seen William''s explosive power and were quite wary of it.


    Alan''s strikes, though not flashy, precisely struck at William''s vulnerabilities, almost as if he was countering him effortlessly.


    "What formidable combat experience and sharp magical perception..."


    The two from Snowguard City exchanged astonished looks, recognizing the shock in each other''s eyes.


    Even after years of battle, they dared not claim superiority over Alan in combat experience.


    If Alan also broke through to Tier-Bronze Early, they believed William would likely be crushed in a single encounter.


    "This Alan must be the true genius!"


    In that moment, both felt a surge of admiration, their gazes growing fervent.


    Then, the woman in palace attire seemed to remember something and said slowly:


    "However, William is after all of the Hellfire bloodline, which has some mysterious aspects; if he''s careless, he might easily stumble."


    Seeing William in a disadvantageous position, the seneschal clenched his fists and warned:


    "The Hellfire bloodline has three transformations; activate the second transformation now!"


    Upon hearing the seneschal, many frowned. It was a life-and-death duel, and no one was allowed to interfere; they knew it was about determining life and death between the two.


    Yet unlike others'' disdain, William''s eyes lit up with understanding.


    Suddenly, crimson runes danced upon his forehead, releasing a strange wave of energy.


    At that moment, Alan felt an acute sense of danger and dodged to the side. Fire erupted from where he had stood, like a sword of flame, charring the arena black.


    "What is happening? He''s manipulating fire elements from a distance; isn''t that a magus''s ability?"


    "Could it be that William is a hidden magus?!"


    As William unleashed this sudden ability, the crowd erupted in an uproar!


    Compared to the Hellfire bloodline, a magus was a rare existence!

 Chapter17-The Seneschal with a Shady Face

    Amidst the astonished gazes of countless spectators, William stared in disbelief at Alan.


    He hadn''t expected Alan to evade his sudden attack.


    Although it wasn''t the technique of a magus, relying on the affinity of the Hellfire bloodline for fire elements and his operational magical skills, the Fire Piercer allowed for a swift strike akin to that of a magus.


    Even a tier-bronze beginner mage would struggle to dodge and would be severely injured!


    Why was Alan able to evade so effortlessly?


    While William was still frozen in shock, Alan coldly looked at him, slightly shaking his head. "Is this really your limit? It''s rather disappointing."


    In preparation for a solid victory today, he had endured the agonizing pain of the Soul Grindstone, wave after wave.


    But William''s combat power truly disappointed him; even without using magus techniques, he could suppress him!


    Seizing the opportunity, Alan advanced towards him, delivering a punch that shattered the flames swirling around William.


    The fierce energy combined with mana transformed into a searing fireball, sending William flying to the edge of the arena.


    A searing pain, akin to skin being stripped from his chest, surged through William.


    Coming to his senses, he looked down to see his shirt burned away and his skin charred, a mouthful of blood surging uncontrollably.


    He was injured from just one strike!


    William''s expression darkened, his eyes filled with pain and disbelief.


    Despite the support of his family, his power growing day by day, and breaking family records to become the fastest to advance to tier-bronze, why was Alan''s combat power superior to his?


    He couldn''t accept the result and charged at Alan in a mad frenzy. "This is fake! It must be fake!"


    "How could your strength surpass mine? I''m the pride of House Roan!"


    His face twisted in rage as red flames flared around him, heat radiating outward.


    However, having grasped the intricacies of the Hellfire bloodline, Alan only wore a scornful smile.


    As soon as William charged again, Alan kicked out like a whip, striking him in the abdomen and sending him flying once more, while he leaped into the air and brutally stomped down on him.


    "William, you''ve lost!"


    Alan''s icy yet determined words echoed out.


    The scene fell into complete silence.


    From Alan''s sudden explosion of power and swift suppression of William, it all happened in the blink of an eye.


    The defeat came too quickly, too unexpectedly.


    After all, William had just demonstrated what seemed to be magus-level abilities!


    Before the crowd could process this, they suddenly saw the seneschal rush towards the duel stage, panic and fear etched on his face, shouting at Alan, "Stop!"


    As he spoke, Alan had already drawn a dagger from his waist, mana flowing like cold water over the blade, ready to slice at William''s neck.


    In a life-and-death duel, it was kill or be killed.


    Alan showed no mercy and completely disregarded the seneschal''s shouts, instead quickening his strike.


    Clang!


    Just as the dagger was about to hit William''s throat, the seneschal hurled his staff forward, intercepting Alan''s lethal blow.


    "Alan, confess! What despicable means did you use?"


    "You''ve clearly shattered your mana core and are a cripple! How can you still possess such strength? Was it that sickly sister of yours who concocted some forbidden drug?"


    Before Alan could respond, the seneschal kept questioning him.


    The fact that Alan''s mana core had been ruined was his doing. He couldn''t believe that Alan still had such terrifying combat power without some shady tricks.


    Alan''s anger surged as he felt the seneschal''s accusations were a direct insult to his sister. "You old fool! You''re already using underhanded tactics against me, but how dare you insult my sister?"


    "Since you doubt my strength so much, let''s have a life-and-death duel¡ªno mercy!"


    Without waiting for the seneschal''s agreement, Alan threw a punch right at his eye.


    The seneschal, a mere tier-iron level 8 mage, had no chance to react and was struck squarely in the eye, sending him crashing back.


    Struggling to steady himself, the seneschal touched his bloodied cheek. The pain and humiliation ignited his fury. "In this duel, Alan has used despicable means! He must be dealt with!"


    With the frantic voice of the elder beside him echoing, several family guards quickly surrounded them, forming a tense formation with weapons drawn.


    "Haha! William lost, yet I''m the one using despicable means? I didn''t see you showing any face before, you shameless old fool!"


    "What''s more, your shame is minor; in front of so many, you broke your word. I feel embarrassed for you!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The onlookers in the square had already begun to murmur about the seneschal''s actions.


    They had seen shamelessness before, but never to this degree.


    "I heard Alan''s mana core was destroyed because of this seneschal''s machinations. Initially, I didn''t believe that someone from the same family could disregard their bloodline like this, but it seems the seneschal has crossed a line this time."


    "In a life-and-death duel, no one should interfere; this rule has been passed down for generations. The seneschal has already violated this tradition by openly guiding William; now he seeks to find an excuse to intervene. He truly can''t be called a noble!"


    The murmurs among the crowd grew louder.


    The lords of House Black, House Manson, and House Quixote, who had been oppressed before, now joined in with mocking remarks:


    "This is the first time I''ve heard of intervening in a life-and-death duel; this is truly an eye-opener."


    "I think it''s better to just throw Alan into the gaol than to let him embarrass himself further. If you can''t match your opponent, it''s better to spare yourself the shame."


    "I heard someone say their grandson is the best in the Northern District? Now I see that losing a life-and-death duel and refusing to acknowledge it is indeed the mark of a ''first.''"


    Countless mocking voices surged like a tide into the seneschal''s ears, his expression darkening to the extreme. He realized that after today, his reputation would be utterly ruined.


    But as long as he could keep his grandson alive and eliminate Alan, what did it matter if he tarnished his name?


    "Seize him! Use severe torture! How dare you employ tricks before this elder? Do you think I''m easy to fool?"


    The seneschal firmly asserted this and urged the family guards to take action.


    As the guards prepared to move, a chilling wind suddenly swept through, followed by a voice full of authority booming out, "Stop!" Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    The guards looked toward the source of the voice and saw an elder with white hair walking out from the Roan Castle.


    The head of House Roan, Shuster!


    "Patriarch!"


    Seeing him, the guards immediately relaxed their weapons and looked at him with some relief.


    The situation had become chaotic, and it was time for the patriarch to step in and restore order. Deep down, they felt some guilt about targeting Alan.


    The seneschal quickly approached Shuster, embellishing the situation and detailing Alan''s past actions to him.


    "Patriarch, Alan is out of control! His mana core is shattered, making him unfit to inherit the position. William has just awakened a special bloodline¡­"


    "Now that Alan is using underhanded methods, we ask the patriarch for justice for my grandson!"


    Initially speaking in an official capacity, the seneschal grew more and more agitated, wishing nothing more than to see Alan executed on the spot.


    Other family heads also crowded around Shuster, chattering about Alan''s defiance.


    After a moment of silence, Shuster turned his gaze to Alan on the stage.


    He had actually been out of seclusion for some time now.


    After all, Alan was someone he had promoted as his successor, but he also wanted to see how Alan and William''s talents compared.


    While Alan had indeed won, he had observed William''s exceptional talent, which was worth cultivating.


    Conversely, with Alan''s mana core shattered, despite his unexplained surge in power, it wasn''t a long-term solution; he could fall again at any moment.

 Chapter18-Duke Alice

    Compared to Alan''s uncertainty, William, who carries the Hellfire bloodline, truly represents the bright future of the family.


    Thus, Shuster said seriously:


    "Alan, let''s put an end to this farce today."


    "From now on, your position as seneschal is suspended. You will spend a year in church for penance and reflection!"


    "Although you are no longer the family heir, you will receive treatment equivalent to William''s, and we will no longer pursue your past reckless actions."


    After he finished speaking, the seneschal and others furrowed their brows slightly, but quickly relaxed. Although this punishment seemed severe, it was largely a way of smoothing things over.


    "Why?!"


    Just as the seneschal nodded in acceptance of this outcome, Alan suddenly questioned coldly.


    He could see that Shuster was siding with the seneschal and William.


    Clearly, like the elders of the family, they valued William''s talent.


    But why?


    Why should his hard-earned position as heir be handed over so casually?


    His sister had done nothing wrong yet was beaten and humiliated by the seneschal''s people?


    He could not accept it!


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    "Alan, don''t act impulsively. I am also thinking of the bigger picture. You are young, and suffering a setback is not a big deal. I''ve seen it all!"


    Shuster was quite displeased with Alan''s attitude, after all, he was the head of House Roan. But with many forces present, he swallowed his anger and tried to maintain a friendly demeanor.


    Alan lowered his eyelids, knowing that Shuster would absolutely not seek justice for himself and his sister. He then turned to the side, preparing to slip away quietly, and coldly addressed William:


    "Since this is a life-and-death duel, let''s settle everything after the duel!"


    Seeing no one would advocate for him and his sister, he decided to take matters into his own hands.


    As Alan looked at William, Shuster and the others felt something was amiss. Sure enough, the next moment, Alan stepped on William''s back, ready to kill him.


    Clang!


    Shuster''s eyes flashed coldly as he furiously blocked Alan''s attack with his staff. "Do you have to kill the hope of House Roan before you will relent?"


    "Am I the head or are you? Step back!"


    "If you do not obey my orders, do not blame me for being merciless!"


    However, as Shuster''s increasingly cold words echoed, Alan did not retreat. Instead, he focused his mind, and his eyes shimmered with a soul light. Suddenly, William, who was preparing to sneak away, felt his body sink.


    Looking back, he saw his feet sinking deep into a swamp, and a blazing fireball descended from the sky, threatening to incinerate him!


    A wave of panic surged in William''s heart as he sensed the breath of death; he never expected Alan to audaciously attack him even under the patriarch''s blockade.


    Moreover, the manipulation of elemental magic was clearly the means of a magus!


    How could Alan perform such magic?!


    Before William could articulate his shock, the onlookers, who had been quietly observing, suddenly became restless, rising in alarm and staring at the seemingly conjured swamp and fireball!


    Magus!


    This was the technique of a magus!


    Alan was actually a magus!


    At that moment, many people felt their scalps tingle, realizing they had underestimated Alan from the very beginning!


    He was a hidden magus!


    After a brief moment of shock, the seneschal and others quickly moved to help William fend off the fireball.


    They acted swiftly, and the fireball soon dissipated into black smoke.


    But before they could breathe a sigh of relief, a shining sword suddenly fell from the dissipating fireball, piercing through the air and striking at William''s chest with incredible speed.


    However, William, sensing the imminent danger, managed to twist just in time, avoiding a fatal blow to his heart.


    Thud!


    He coughed up a mouthful of blood mixed with internal fragments.


    The seneschal and others were horrified and rushed to William''s side, assessing his grievously injured body.


    When they realized his heart was still beating, albeit his organs were damaged, they finally relaxed; with William''s special bloodline and his tier-bronze level of magic, this kind of injury could heal with some rest.


    Instantly, they turned their darkened expressions back to Alan.


    "Patriarch, Alan has disobeyed orders and attacked the heir; this is a crime punishable by death!"


    "Kill him without mercy!"


    "Kill him without mercy!"


    Other elders echoed the sentiment.


    Alan''s display of magus power only intensified their desire to kill him.


    They now stood opposed to Alan, knowing that if he were allowed to grow, it would be extremely detrimental to their interests; he could not be allowed to live!


    As the voices of the elders filled the air, Shuster glared at Alan with a darkened expression,


    "You''ve gone too far! You dare to disregard my commands as lord? It seems you''ve been coddled far too much in these years!"


    With that, he waved his hand, and the House Roan guards once again closed in.


    "Coddled? You all know how I earned my position as the heir, yet how have you treated me and my sister?"


    "Since you all despise me and my sister so much, from now on, I sever all ties with House Roan!"


    The guards, who were advancing on Alan, stared at him in shock.


    They never expected him to directly sever ties with the family!


    "In that case, you can''t be left alive!"


    The seneschal interjected, his anger boiling over as he launched an attack on Alan. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    New grudges and old grievances combined; he wanted Alan to repay him tenfold!


    However, at that moment, a terrifying pressure swept over the land, approaching swiftly.


    Everyone who sensed this pressure trembled, instinctively feeling fear.


    "That''s¡­ it''s Duke Alice!"


    Upon realizing this aura, many turned to look in the direction it emanated from and saw Alice, clad in silver armor with a golden blade, looking gallant as she rode in on an aether steed.


    With her arrival, all attention shifted to her.


    "House Roan''s lord, Shuster greets Duke!"


    "House Quixote''s lord, leading the family, greets Duke!"


    "House Black''s lord, leading the family, greets Duke!"


    "¡­"


    Though they did not know why such a prominent figure had suddenly arrived, these lesser nobles eagerly rushed to pay their respects to Alice, hoping to earn her favor.


    Even a mere glance from her was sufficient.


    However, Alice paid no attention to their flattery. Instead, she dismounted from her aether steed and approached Alan, raising her golden sword high.


    "You and I shall duel!"


    In that instant, the onlookers were stunned into silence, unable to believe what they were witnessing!


    This legendary Duke of the kingdom had actively challenged Alan!


    Although they had heard whispers that Alice was heading to Roan Castle, she had barely stayed and then left, seemingly believing William was not worthy of being her opponent.


    It was known that with Alice''s talent and strength, she was invincible among the younger generation of Plantagenet Kingdom, with no rivals!


    Even the surrounding kingdoms were overshadowed by her reputation!


    To be challenged by her was the utmost honor among peers, signaling that one''s talent had gained the recognition of this imperial rose!


    But why would someone considered a waste be so valued by Alice?


    Many were puzzled.


    However, Alan understood; he knew that her challenge at this moment was also indirectly helping him resolve the crisis.


    "Alright! You and I shall duel!"


    Alan was not one to hesitate; he nodded in agreement without delay.


    "Oh my, Alan is so confident! Alice is a Duke of the empire, and he dares to accept her challenge?"


    "Could it be that he really is a magus?"


    Many spectators were shaken, recalling Alan''s earlier attack on William.


    "Magus are exceedingly rare and precious; what Alan just performed must have been some special technique. There''s no way he could be a magus!"


    "Magus are extremely rare and powerful. Given the vastness of the empire, magus are few in number and hold esteemed status. Alan could not possibly be a magus; otherwise, I''ll read my name backwards!"


    Many doubted Alan''s status as a magus, as magus were simply too rare and formidable.

 Chapter19-The Summit Pact

    Under the gaze of the crowd, a golden long knife in Alice''s hand flashed with a blinding glimmer, and a fierce blade aura, as relentless as a howling wind, surged toward Alan.


    The speed of this strike was astonishing, almost imperceptible to the naked eye; however, in Alan''s perception, Alice''s level had been suppressed below tier-bronze.


    Alan''s expression suddenly turned serious.


    Although the magus class was widely recognized as the strongest mage class by various powers, there were still some elite classes whose combat power rivaled that of a magus. Alice was clearly one of those exceptional swordmasters!


    Swish!


    The blade narrowly grazed Alan''s throat; had it not been for his keen soul perception, he would not have been able to dodge it.


    However, before Alan could relax, Alice''s long knife, having missed its target, struck again with a twist of her wrist.


    The moves were simple and unadorned but deadly, striking as swiftly as lightning!


    Facing Alice''s assault, Alan felt more pressure than he had against the three tier-bronze stone golems earlier.


    "No wonder she''s the youngest Duke of the Plantagenet Kingdom; her combat power is truly terrifying!"


    Alan''s pupils constricted as he gripped his staff sword tightly, ready to fend off Alice''s attacks while secretly gathering magical elements to prepare his next move.


    Yet, Alice''s perception was extraordinarily sharp; whenever Alan attempted to multitask, her onslaught would intensify, forcing him quickly onto the back foot.


    She gave him no chance to activate magus techniques and form a magical chain.


    Clang!


    Alan and Alice clashed fiercely, sparks flying. Using the momentum from this powerful strike, Alan retreated a few steps, creating distance between them.


    Just as Alice attempted to close the gap, the blue stone arena beneath her suddenly softened, and the mud, like tentacles, clung to her feet, anchoring her in place.


    Alice''s expression remained unchanged as a flickering silver lightning burst forth, shattering the mud binding her feet into charred earth.


    Lightning element!


    At that moment, the spectators'' expressions turned serious; beyond the four basic elements, there existed a special element.


    Among them, lightning was the most elite offensive element, excelling in both destructive power and speed.


    Alice rarely used elemental power; her fame in the Plantagenet Kingdom was due to her swordsmanship!


    No one expected her to unleash her elemental power during this battle against Alan!


    What shocked them even more was that Alan was indeed a magus!


    Moreover, his skill was impressive!


    As Alice shattered the mire, a howling wind followed, sweeping toward her, stirring up dust and obscuring the audience''s view.


    Swish!


    The golden long knife, intertwined with silver lightning, tore through the howling wind. Alice scanned the surroundings, but Owen''s figure had mysteriously vanished.


    Only fireballs the size of fists surged from all directions.


    As these fireballs approached, they erupted, unleashing a torrent of heat that made the air stifling. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Trapped in the midst of this scorching wave, Alice had no choice but to cover herself with a layer of silver-scaled lightning armor to withstand the onslaught.


    Though she managed to fend off Alan''s barrage of magical attacks, she became increasingly vigilant, scanning her surroundings.


    Dense water vapor began to gather, and Alan''s figure emerged from above the mist!


    Alice wielded her long golden knife, slashing out to cut through the thick fog, only to find that Alan''s figure vanished in that moment!


    The earlier descending figure was merely an illusion conjured by Alan''s manipulation of the mist!


    Whoosh~


    Taking advantage of the cover and distraction provided by the water vapor, Alan''s true body appeared behind Alice, his sword, studded with seven gems, glimmering like a cold star as it pierced through the mist, aimed straight at Alice''s back!


    This sudden turn of events caused the spectators to jump; they had not expected Alan to utilize such a multitude of spells in quick succession, culminating in a final strike that was nearly unavoidable!


    However, Alice''s lips curled into a slight smile, as if the prey had stepped into a trap.


    While Alan''s heart swelled with a sense of success as he drew closer to Alice, a growing sense of danger overwhelmed him.


    Instinctively, he wanted to retract his sword and retreat, but he suddenly saw a lightning sphere explode, releasing a flurry of silver sparks that danced like serpents, drawn toward the sword in Alan''s hand.


    Crackle!


    The silver lightning clashed with the sword, producing a piercing sound of electric current, followed by a tingling sensation that surged through Alan.


    Evidently, Alice had realized that the figure descending from above was just a water vapor illusion.


    Yet she had turned the tables, waiting for Alan to expose himself.


    With this charged lightning sphere, she aimed to paralyze him and land a heavy blow!


    "You command the elements of earth, fire, wind, and water with such ease at your age; it''s truly remarkable, but unfortunately..."


    Alice smiled slightly, preparing to turn and slice with her knife to secure victory.


    But then she saw Alan suddenly hurl his staff sword, drawing the erupting lightning toward the thrown weapon, before closing in for close combat!


    Alan''s change in tactics was remarkably swift. As he approached, magical patterns lit up on the surface of his body, clearly indicating he had activated some sort of martial arts.


    In the split second they were nearly face-to-face, Alice''s long knife was not as swift.


    Alan was battle-hardened, excelling in unarmed combat, and Alice was nearly an all-rounder, so she immediately abandoned her long knife to engage in hand-to-hand combat with Alan!


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    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Alan struck with exceptional speed, but all his attacks were blocked by Alice.


    In just a few breaths, the two had exchanged dozens of blows.


    Although Alice''s perception was sharp, Alan, as a magus, had a soul that had been honed by the Soul Grindstone, making him incredibly powerful.


    As a result, after dozens of exchanges, they found themselves evenly matched; both bore some bruises and appeared somewhat disheveled.


    They exchanged glances and suddenly burst into laughter.


    "Let''s call it a day. When you break through to the next level, shall we fight again?"


    After her laughter, Alice took her long knife back into her hand, her expression returning to seriousness.


    If they continued fighting like this, it would only end in mutual destruction.


    Alan''s potential was vast; once he broke through, she would be able to unleash even stronger abilities.


    Alan nodded.


    He knew Alice was suppressing her tier, making her moves somewhat unnatural. Through this battle, he had also gained a lot.


    As they ceased fighting, the surrounding spectators were agape, having never anticipated such an outcome!


    Alan had fought to a standstill with Alice!


    They were evenly matched!


    Alice, who had been granted the title of the youngest Duke in the kingdom due to her talent and strength, was unable to defeat Alan!


    Even though Alan was a magus, this result was truly hard to believe.


    "Is this Alan''s true combat power? He didn''t use any magus techniques in his fight with William earlier!"


    "The Northern District has produced a magus, which has made history! Moreover, his combat prowess is terrifying."


    "The sky of the Northern District is about to change!"


    Many gazed at Alan''s back, their eyes filled with awe and reverence!


    Though Alan had not yet broken through to tier-bronze, the combat power he had demonstrated had completely surpassed the early stage of tier-bronze, able to rival even the mid and late stages!


    The key point was that he was extraordinarily young, with an infinite future ahead of him!


    As the crowd began to buzz with discussion, Alice walked up to Alan, her words earnest: "With your talent, the Northern District is too small for you. If you wish to train outside, Lioncrest Academy in the Imperial Capital is a great place. This ring is my token; take it, it might benefit you."


    Looking at the emerald ring Alice handed over, Alan hesitated for a moment but ultimately accepted it with gravity.


    "Thank you; I''m planning to take my sister to Lioncrest Academy."


    "Then we shall meet again at Lioncrest Academy!" Alice smiled lightly, then turned and mounted her aether steed, gallantly leaving.


    As Alice departed, the various powers of the Northern District gathered around Alan, all wearing expressions of goodwill.


    "Young Master Alan''s display of might has made him the undisputed first prodigy of the Northern District, no! The first prodigy of Snowguard City belongs to you alone!"

 Chapter20-The Fall of House Roan

    The woman in royal attire from the VIP seats and the man in a tall hat approached Alan with smiles.


    When Alan defeated William, they recognized his remarkable abilities and were ready to invite him to join Snowguard City. However, since Alan already had an arrangement with Alice, they could only come over to offer their congratulations.


    "Alan, the people of Roan Castle are truly unreasonable. They didn''t cherish someone of your caliber and instead oppressed you¡ªtruly beastly behavior. House Black is willing to avenge you!" said the lord of House Black, a small, thin, black-clad old man, rubbing his hands with a sly grin.


    They had long remembered the oppression from the seneschal and William!


    The lords of House Manson and House Quixote also chuckled, casting malicious glances at Shuster, the seneschal, and the other members of House Roan.


    Alan''s displayed strength alone was formidable, and now, with the favor of Duke Alice, it was a golden opportunity for them to get closer to him.


    Moreover, they had not forgotten House Roan''s oppression of them and saw this as an excellent chance to hit back, killing two birds with one stone!


    Under the piercing gaze of the three lords, Shuster, the seneschal, and all the members of House Roan¡ªboth the elders and younger ones like William¡ªfelt the immense pressure mounting upon them.


    "Honorable lords, the previous incident was a mere misunderstanding. House Roan is willing to take full responsibility!" the seneschal quickly replied with a smile, hoping to diffuse the situation.


    Shuster glared at the seneschal, then put on a kind smile, looking toward Alan, who was preparing to leave. He tried to appease him:


    "Alan, I was also misled by the seneschal and others. From now on, you will be the next head of House Roan, and your benefits as the successor will be doubled!"


    In Shuster''s mind, his generous offer should make Alan reconsider.


    He was well aware that the current unfavorable situation for House Roan was primarily due to Alan. If Alan were to return, the other issues would become manageable.


    "Where were these sentiments before?" Alan replied coldly, looking at him.


    When Shuster first appeared, Alan still held a sliver of hope; had he acted justly, Alan would not have left the family today.


    But, alas, there was no "if."


    "Alan, don''t act out of spite. The seneschal and I have already admitted our mistakes. What more do you want? After all, we''re family!"


    Alan''s indifference made Shuster''s face flush with anger, but he dared not push him further, resorting to an appeal to family ties.


    "Family? Family means stabbing someone in the back?!"


    "Let me make it clear¡ªmy sister and I are no longer part of House Roan!"


    With that, Alan turned and walked away, ignoring Shuster''s desperate calls.


    "Turning your own family prodigy into a stranger¡ªperhaps even an enemy? Shuster, that takes some real skill!"


    After Alan left, the three lords became unrestrained, their words dripping with sarcasm.


    "Indeed! Imagine if House Roan had been united, with both Alan and William. What a force you would have been!"


    Their taunts hit Shuster and his people like knives, wounding them deeply.


    They could only blame themselves¡ªwho knew Alan would turn out so formidable?


    "It''s all that damn Alan''s fault! He hid his abilities as a magus on purpose; he''s had ulterior motives all along!" the seneschal spat venomously.


    Shuster''s frustration grew, and he suddenly slapped the seneschal across the face.


    "Even now, you show no remorse! Do you think I knew nothing about what was happening while I was away?"


    The seneschal, slapped in front of everyone, was fuming and glared back at Shuster.


    "Everything I did was for the good of the family!"


    Just as Shuster and the seneschal began to argue, the three lords'' mage forces arrived in an imposing formation.


    The synchronized steps and oppressive aura made them snap back to reality.


    Seeing the flood of mages approaching, Shuster and the seneschal''s hearts sank.


    Though House Roan had been on top thanks to Alan''s efforts, the combined forces of the three lords were not something they could contend with now.


    "What are you doing?" Shuster demanded, glaring at the three lords.


    "You took so many of our mines. It''s time you returned them!" the three lords smirked, their faces filled with greed.


    "It was the seneschal''s doing. I''ll return your mines, but don''t go too far, or we''ll fight to the death!" Shuster declared resolutely.


    The three lords exchanged glances and said, "Just returning what you took isn''t enough."


    "Hand over ninety percent of your mines, shops, and streets, and we''ll spare House Roan. Otherwise, let''s see how you stand against the three of us."


    The lure of profit and their previous grievances made the three lords united and relentless.


    Ninety percent of their assets?! Shuster and the seneschal turned pale at the demand.


    Watching this unfold, William felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    ¡­


    Back at the courtyard, Alan saw Isabella sitting at the gate, and he smiled. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''m back."


    Isabella was initially stunned to see him but then gazed at him with a genuine smile. Her eyes reddened slightly, and she rushed into his arms.


    "Brother, let''s never part again, okay?"


    "I was so scared¡­scared you''d leave me alone forever¡­"


    Isabella gripped his clothes tightly, her tears soaking his chest.


    Alan gently patted her back, feeling touched.


    "Didn''t I promise you I''d return? Among my peers, your brother has no equal!"


    "Yeah, right!" Isabella pouted, then broke into a happy smile. "But you are the best, most amazing brother in the world!"


    Seeing her smile, Alan''s heart felt light.


    After chatting for a while, he began packing to leave.


    House Roan was no longer his concern, and he knew the three lords wouldn''t miss this chance to strike against them.


    House Roan would soon be a battleground, and it was best to stay away.


    An hour later.


    The sun rose higher, radiating intense heat.


    Back at the dueling arena, after witnessing the brutal exploitation of House Roan by the three lords, William returned to his courtyard, feeling utterly defeated.


    He never expected that in just one morning, his bright prospects would crumble.


    Alan! Damn Alan!


    If not for him, William should be shining like the sun!


    After a moment of rage and despair, a hint of madness flickered in his eyes.


    "I still have talent! I still have the chance to step on him!" Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    He raised his head and shouted furiously.


    Even though House Roan had been forced to surrender many assets to the three lords, he had secretly hoarded some.


    With his talent, it wouldn''t take long to reach mid-tier Bronze or even build enough momentum to reach tier Gold.


    When that time came, the three lords would pay tenfold for today''s actions!


    Especially Alan and his damned sister¡ªthey deserved to die!


    "Alan, just you wait!"


    But just as he finished speaking, he sensed a familiar and detested presence behind him.


    "There''s no need to wait. Let''s end this today."


    William''s eyes widened as he turned around, only to see a blinding flash of a sword expanding in his vision.


    He felt a sharp pain in his neck, and the world began to spin.


    In the final moments of his consciousness, he saw Alan''s cold, merciless face behind the blade.

 Chapter21-Departure, Toward a Larger World!

    After thoroughly dealing with William, Alan gathered the prepared Isabella and swiftly left Roan Castle.


    Alan kept a moderate pace; after all, Isabella had been frail since childhood, plagued by a strange illness.


    They hadn''t traveled far when Alan noticed a sheen of sweat on her forehead and checked the map in his hand.


    The Northern District was still quite far from the Imperial City.


    Although they could stop at several towns along the way to rest, Lioncrest Academy''s enrollment was approaching, and Isabella''s condition couldn''t be delayed indefinitely.


    Time was of the essence.


    "A carriage might be a good solution."


    Just as Alan was about to lead Isabella to a nearby merchant, he saw a group rushing toward him.


    "House Black, House Manson, House Quixote¡­"


    Recognizing the figures, Alan''s brow furrowed, and he moved Isabella behind him.


    "Alan, we bear no hostility¡ªwe simply came to see you off!"


    Sensing the hint of killing intent from Alan, the three lords of House Black and the others quickly softened their tone, displaying the many gifts they had brought.


    "Oh?"


    Alan raised an eyebrow.


    There was lingering resentment between him and the three lords; after all, he had been instrumental in seizing their mines as Roan''s heir.


    Sensing Alan''s thoughts, the lord of House Black, the small, thin old man, smiled and said:


    "We were blind before, rashly offending Mr. Alan. But that''s all in the past. Now that you have left House Roan, we no longer have any conflicts of interest."


    "On the contrary, as former rivals, we greatly admire Mr. Alan."


    The other two lords nodded in agreement, joining in.


    "Mr. Alan is setting out on a long journey. Lioncrest Academy is quite distant, and these gifts are tokens of our goodwill. We hope they may be of some help."


    Their attendants stepped forward solemnly, presenting the gifts one by one before Alan.


    "This is a spirit elixir¡ªtwenty vials in total. It should help alleviate Miss Isabella''s ailment!"


    Looking at the vials, Alan''s gaze softened.


    He was running low on spirit elixirs, and this offering from the three lords was indeed a gift in a time of need. Spirit elixirs were both valuable and scarce!


    "This is a carriage we at House Manson prepared for Mr. Alan, equipped with supplies sufficient for more than ten days."


    A carriage drawn by two horned steeds, beasts with spell-beast bloodlines, rolled up on iron-clad wheels.


    Horned steeds weren''t fast but were steady and known for their endurance, often favored by Northern District nobles.


    "Alan, we at House Quixote didn''t prepare much else, but these mana stones should prove useful for your journey."


    The tall, lean lord of House Quixote looked on with a pained expression as his attendant presented a sack of mana stones.


    Mana stones?!


    Alan glanced at the bulging black bag, surprised. His sharp sense allowed him to detect the items within. Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    Most were first-tier mana stones, with a few second-tier, black and crystal-like, radiating intense elemental energy.


    Mana stones were rare and highly valuable, aiding mages in advancing their levels and serving as hard currency among them.


    Even a single first-tier mana stone was worth a hundred gold coins, while second-tier ones were worth three hundred.


    That bag was worth nearly ten thousand gold coins!


    Alan gave a slight nod and said gratefully, "I accept these gifts. Let the past grievances be forgotten. If you ever need my assistance, consider this a favor I owe you."


    The three lords'' faces lit up, and they said with pleased expressions:


    "No need for thanks, Mr. Alan! It''s an honor to earn your favor!"


    After exchanging a few more words, Alan bid them farewell, then boarded the horned steed carriage with Isabella.


    Watching Alan ride away with the gifts, the three lords had mixed emotions.


    "Who could have guessed that not long ago, Alan was just a promising youth¡ªand now, he''s someone we look up to, even trying to win over."


    "With his magus abilities and Duke Alice''s favor, his future is boundless. I believe the mysterious phenomenon at Roan Castle wasn''t due to William but to Alan!"


    "I thought so, too. When Alan displayed his killing intent earlier, I felt as if a ferocious beast was watching me!"


    "His strength is becoming unfathomable!"


    "Yes, I heard that William was killed in his courtyard. Alan is not only loyal but also ruthless and meticulous!"


    "He accepted our gifts, so any danger we might have faced is likely resolved. Now, let''s focus on taking Roan Castle. We might stand to gain from this!"


    "Indeed, he is loyal, gifted, and backed by powerful allies. His journey will be vast, like a dragon diving into the sea!"


    "I wonder how strong he''ll be the next time we see him." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    As Alan''s carriage gradually left the Northern District, on a distant mountain peak, Alice and a noblewoman in a golden mage robe watched the carriage move away.


    "Young Miss, it''s time to go. You''ve lingered here too long," the noblewoman urged sternly.


    "I know what I''m doing. His strength and potential make it worth my time," Alice replied.


    "Young Miss, although he''s a magus, his journey will be challenging. In the Northern District, he''s an exceptional talent. But in the Imperial City, he''ll be one among thousands, while you are already among the New Star Rankings."


    The New Star Rankings was a prestigious list on the Eldritch Continent, highlighting the top talents under twenty.


    Out of millions in the Plantagenet Kingdom, only two were on the list¡ªone of them being Alice.


    Alice understood the noblewoman''s reasoning but ignored her and said:


    "I simply admire him. Someone who is passionate toward friends and cold as a blade toward enemies appeals to me!"


    "Besides, I have a feeling that once he reaches the Imperial City, he''ll stir up quite a storm. As it stands, there''s only one magus in the Plantagenet Kingdom!"


    The noblewoman nodded.


    The strength and rarity of magi were common knowledge, especially in the remote Plantagenet Kingdom, where there was only one¡ªan elderly, yet fearsomely powerful figure, seen as a pillar of stability in the kingdom.


    Yet the noblewoman still doubted that Alan could reach such heights, and even if he did, he would still be worlds apart from Alice''s family, background, and talent.


    ¡­


    In the carriage, Alan, comforting Isabella to sleep, suddenly glanced out the window, sensing a distant gaze.


    On the mountaintop, he thought he glimpsed Alice''s figure.


    She still wore her signature silver armor, gleaming brightly under the midday sun.


    "Alice¡­" Alan murmured, touching a ring in his pocket, his expression complicated.


    Whether it was House Roan''s restraint or the gifts from the three lords, he knew at least half of it was due to Alice.


    Her strength was formidable¡ªthe strongest opponent he had ever encountered!


    Thinking of meeting her again someday at Lioncrest Academy, Alan felt a mix of anticipation and urgency.

 Chapter22-Perilous Journey

    "Alice? Brother, do you like Alice?"


    Alan was momentarily lost in thought when Isabella teased him with a mischievous smile.


    Alan almost nodded, as he did admire Alice as a rival.


    But he quickly realized Isabella was just trying to provoke him, so he shook his head and replied, "She''s merely a worthy opponent, nothing more!"


    "Pfft, brother, come on! It''s just the two of us here; can''t you be honest with me?" Isabella huffed, puffing her cheeks in mock annoyance. "I like Lady Alice a lot! She''s so beautiful, like a goddess from a legend, and so fierce and valiant. I think she''s amazing!"


    Then, looking a bit downcast, Isabella tapped her forehead thoughtfully. "Brother, when do you think I''ll be able to study magic? I want to be like Lady Alice too. I want to protect you!"


    Alan patted her head with a smile and said, "Don''t worry. Once we get to Lioncrest Academy and you''re better, you''ll start leveling up your magic too!"


    "Together, there''s nowhere in this world we can''t go!"


    Isabella nodded, feeling a little more at ease, and soon drifted off to sleep in the carriage.


    Once she was asleep, Alan began analyzing his previous battle with Alice, as he always did after a major fight.


    Although he was a magus, his ability to manipulate elements and judge the timing of his attacks still had room for improvement compared to Alice.


    However, his own advantages were also apparent. As a magus, his techniques were unpredictable and versatile.


    While he could currently control only the four basic elements, he could perform endless combinations with them.


    Though he was still relatively new to being a magus, he knew he needed more training.


    So Alan entered his own mental "hell," replaying his battle with Alice in his mind, experimenting with combinations of earth, fire, wind, and water.


    This time, he didn''t just focus on one element or single characteristics.


    Instead, he tried to delve deeper into the potential of elemental forces, exploring multi-layered combinations.


    The magus class held boundless potential, far more powerful than other magic knight classes.


    To defeat Alice, he had to continue training diligently.


    As Alan practiced, a black-robed woman appeared beside him, nodding approvingly.


    "Not bad. You''re starting to grasp the layered use and combination of elemental forces. You''re on the right path, but to succeed, you''ll need more training. Once you master the layering and complex transformations of elements, you''ll reach the level of a Grand Magus!"


    Grand Magus!


    Alan''s heart leapt; the Grand Magus rank corresponded not to tier-bronze but to tier-gold!


    And thanks to the unique qualities of the magus class, reaching the Grand Magus level would place him among the top even within tier-gold mages.


    "You''ll need to figure it out on your own," the black-robed woman said before vanishing.


    Reassured that he was on the right path, Alan''s doubts lifted. He tried combining elements again, feeling a trace of success.


    But midway, his spirit was exhausted.


    "My soul''s still too weak!"


    Alan sighed.


    Although magi were powerful, advancing one''s soul was challenging.


    Without his Soul Grindstone and the intricate Infernal Visualization Technique, he might not have even scratched the surface of his training.


    Determined, Alan gritted his teeth and immersed himself back into the Soul Grindstone.


    ¡­


    Time passed swiftly, and by dusk, they found themselves in a forest.


    Alan sat by the campfire, heating up some milk and toasting bread, which he handed to Isabella.


    "Here, try your brother''s cooking."


    Isabella took the bread with a smile, finding it dry and hard on her teeth, but she praised it enthusiastically anyway.


    "Your bread is delicious¡ªcrispy and fragrant!"


    Alan took a bite himself and tasted only charred bitterness, but seeing Isabella enjoy it, he gave it another reluctant bite.


    Fine, it was terrible.


    "Well, this''ll have to do for now. It''s our first day out on a long trip, and I didn''t plan the route well. Once we get to a nearby town, we''ll find a proper place to rest. It''s not ideal camping out in the wilderness."


    Alan looked at Isabella apologetically.


    Years of battling for mines and living outdoors had hardened him, but he had forgotten about his sister''s frail health in his eagerness to hit the road.


    "It''s fine. As long as I''m with you, it doesn''t matter where we are," Isabella said, clinging to Alan''s arm with a sweet smile. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite the dark, ominous forest around them, she felt safe as long as her brother was there.


    After they ate, Alan sent Isabella to rest in the carriage and took the first watch by the fire.


    This forest was treacherous at night, filled with the occasional roar of spellbeasts and rustling noises. It was far too dangerous not to keep watch.


    Suddenly, a thunderous roar of a spellbeast echoed from deep within the forest.


    Alan quickly turned toward the sound, which came from the forest''s center, and felt a surge of volatile mana emanating from that direction.


    "Mid-tier bronze spellbeast?" Alan''s expression grew serious, his staff-sword clutched tightly.


    Spellbeasts of the same tier were tougher and more brutal than mages, with thicker hides and denser magic power, often requiring several mages of equivalent rank to subdue.


    And then, he sensed a woman''s presence nearby.


    She was beautiful, dressed in a torn long gown and visibly injured, revealing her fair, curvaceous figure.


    She had reached the early bronze tier and, thanks to her mastery of the wind element, could move quickly, evading the spellbeast''s attacks with agility.


    But as her injuries worsened, the spellbeast grew even more enraged, and she was gradually losing ground.


    Alan finally got a clear look at her pursuer¡ªa spellbeast resembling a Tyrannosaurus, towering over four meters, wreathed in dense golden elemental energy.


    Its small forelimbs swiped out, sending sharp waves of golden energy toward the fleeing woman.


    If not for her enchanted, glowing robe deflecting some of the attacks, she would have been torn in half.


    The woman spotted the firelight and Alan beside it from a distance.


    Her eyes lit up, and she darted toward him.


    As she changed direction, the Tyrannosaurus spellbeast charged after her¡ªstraight toward Alan.


    Alan''s gaze hardened, clearly realizing she was using him as a shield.


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    "Take one more step, and I won''t hesitate to kill you!"


    Alan didn''t want to provoke trouble but neither did he wish to be dragged into any.


    Fighting in this forest could attract more spellbeasts with the disturbance.


    However, his cold warning only made her pause briefly before she looked at him with a pitiful expression.


    "Dear brother, please just help me this once, won''t you? I''ll do whatever you want afterward~"


    She spoke with a sultry, pleading tone, even pressing her chest together to reveal a tempting, snowy expanse.


    But Alan''s expression remained cold and unmoved.


    "What? Are you even a man?" she gaped at him in disbelief.


    Confident in her charm and figure, she had seduced her way to becoming the second wife of the Jack family lord!


    Since seduction had failed, she switched tactics. As she neared Alan, she tossed a handful of crimson powder in his direction and summoned the last of her wind element to blow it toward him.


    This powder, designed to attract spellbeasts, would surely draw the beast''s attention away from her!

 Chapter23-House Blackwood

    In the dense forest night, the bright campfire flickered, casting Alan''s shadow long across the ground.


    Watching the crimson powder scatter in the air, Alan''s expression turned cold as he angled his staff-sword horizontally.


    The wide blade swung forward like a fan, creating a gust of wind that sent the powder back towards its source.


    Janes was just about to breathe a sigh of relief, only to find herself stunned by the boy''s quick reaction.


    Before she could fully grasp the situation, Alan''s blade was already closing in on her throat, sending a chill down her spine as she reflexively activated her wind element to dodge to the side.


    Whoosh!


    The sound of the sword slicing through the air echoed, splitting falling leaves into two. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the last moment, Janes rolled aside, narrowly evading a deadly strike.


    She stabilized herself on the ground, her peach-blossom eyes glaring angrily at Alan.


    "What are you doing? I only wanted your help! If you won''t help, fine, but there''s no need to be so ruthless!"


    "Ruthless? That doesn''t even compare to you!" Alan glared at her, charging forward. "First, you tried to lure that spellbeast towards me, and then you used crimson powder to ambush me. Did you really think I''d be so easy to fool?"


    Janes felt her heart sink, surprised that someone so young could have such worldly experience.


    His knowledge and reflexes were nothing like those of a sheltered nobleman.


    Especially that sword strike just now¡ªif she weren''t a battle-hardened wind mage, she would never have dodged it!


    And Alan didn''t even seem to be at tier-bronze yet, only tier-iron!


    As these thoughts raced through her mind, Alan swung his sword again, faster this time, with magical elements igniting around the blade like a bright, fiery flare.


    The attack came so swiftly that Janes'' pupils constricted, sensing death approaching.


    But at that moment, the blade''s glow faded, and she saw Alan dash madly towards the carriage nearby.


    In front of the carriage, two sturdy horned steeds snorted fearfully, rearing up in panic, trying to escape.


    A massive spellbeast resembling a Tyrannosaurus rex opened its jaws wide, aiming to crush both the carriage and the horned steeds.


    His sister was still inside the carriage!


    Alan''s heart raced in panic.


    Seeing he wouldn''t make it in time, he threw his staff-sword with all his might.


    The blade cut through the night, striking the giant spellbeast''s head. Its tough, iron-like skin split open, blood spurting out. The sword embedded itself in its thick skull before being deflected away.


    Roar!


    The spellbeast bellowed in agony, its eyes locking onto Alan in fury as it charged toward him. Alan caught his returning sword mid-air, his gaze fierce, overflowing with murderous intent. As the beast lunged, he leaped into the air and slashed down at its neck, as thick as a tree trunk.


    Screech!


    Alan''s staff-sword, both sharp and heavy, cut deeply into the spellbeast''s neck, but its immense size and mid-tier bronze-level defenses left it only injured, driving it into a berserk rage. Its blood-red eyes fixated on him as it tried to shake him off and tear him apart with its claws.


    Nearby, Janes watched Alan grapple with the monstrous spellbeast, a sly smile playing at her lips, finding amusement in the clash. Regardless of how the fight turned out, in her mind, they were just working for her benefit.


    Then she glanced at the carriage, her eyes glinting with interest. "He must care so much about that carriage because there''s something priceless inside!"


    With a glint of greed, she dashed toward the carriage, growing more certain of her suspicion the closer she got. The carriage was luxurious, drawn by horned steeds¡ªclearly meant for nobility.


    Pulling back the curtains, she found a little girl sleeping soundly inside, which made her frown. Just a girl? Would he go to such lengths just for her? Or perhaps¡­ the treasure was hidden?


    As Janes prepared to search the carriage more thoroughly, she suddenly felt the ground tremble. Turning, her face drained of color. The ferocious spellbeast that had relentlessly pursued her had fallen heavily to the ground, its head severed, blood gushing from its neck like a volcano.


    Alan, drenched in blood, stood like a god of death, wielding his blood-stained sword as he charged toward her.


    Impossible!


    Janes'' mouth dropped open, her enchanting eyes wide with horror. That spellbeast was mid-tier bronze! As a wind mage at early-tier bronze, she barely managed to flee from it. How could a tier-iron swordsman like Alan possibly kill it? And in such a short time?


    In her momentary shock, the smell of blood snapped her back to reality, her face now filled with dread. If Alan could dispatch a spellbeast like that, she was no match for him!


    She tried to flee, but the ground beneath her feet suddenly shifted, like two large hands rising from the earth to seize her legs. Her eyes widened in panic, sensing the mind power emanating from Alan.


    A magus! Alan was also a magus!


    Her fear intensified, and she summoned spiraling wind magic to shatter the earth holding her feet. She then turned to the carriage, ready to take control and flee.


    However, in the brief moment she escaped the earthen bind, Alan closed the distance, his sword now at her throat.


    The cold blade against her neck made her scalp tingle as she halted all movement and shouted, "Don''t kill me! I''m Janes, the second wife of House Blackwood! Kill me, and you''ll never leave Snowguard City!"


    Her words had barely left her mouth when the sound of galloping horses shattered the silence, drawing closer from afar.


    Janes glanced at the encroaching armored riders, her terror visibly fading as her confidence returned. "They''re here! Release me, now. If you so much as harm a single hair, they won''t let you live!"


    At her words, the iron-armored knights surrounded the carriage. The leader, a man in an iron mask, glared icily at Alan and shouted, "Who are you? Release the second wife!"


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    Seeing the captain speak, Janes scolded angrily, her ample chest trembling slightly. "What took you so long? Were you planning to let me die here?"


    The knights remained indifferent to her berating, familiar with her fiery temper. They only kept their gazes fixed on the unmoving Alan.


    "My name is Victor, captain of House Blackwood''s iron-armored knights. This is our second wife, Janes. Release her, and I''ll spare your life!"


    Alan glanced over them¡ªthere were about twenty knights, a considerable number. But they were all tier-iron mages, with only the leader, Victor, at early-tier bronze.


    These men were of no concern to Alan. Moreover, he knew House Blackwood was a bandit crew that operated outside Snowguard City, notorious for their ruthless robberies. They were hardly the sort to honor their word. Trusting them could only lead to death.


    Alan shook his head slightly. "I didn''t come here looking for a fight, but since you''ve brought yourselves to me, I may as well rid the world of some scum!"


    The words had barely left his lips when Janes'' eyes widened. She reached for a dagger at her waist, but Alan''s strike was too swift. She felt her world spin as her head hit the ground.


    Victor and the other knights watched with darkened expressions, glaring at Alan with fury and murderous intent.


    "You''re done for!" Victor sneered. "Janes was the master''s favorite! Killing her means you''ll never leave Snowguard City alive!"


    With that, he raised his sword to lead a charge, his fury aimed at Alan.


    But Alan''s gaze was colder than winter itself. It wasn''t the gaze of a typical youth. Recalling the headless spellbeast''s corpse nearby, Victor felt a chill creeping over him, hastily pulling back on his reins.


    "Who¡­who are you?"

 Chapter24-A Sudden Assassination

    "Me? Just an unremarkable nobody," Alan replied with a shake of his head.


    He had already distanced himself from House Roan, not wanting any further entanglements with them.


    Victor scoffed, "Dare to act but not admit it? You spineless wretch!"


    Alan shrugged. "Fine, I''m Alan-Roan. Ask around in the Northern District, and you''ll find out."


    Victor was taken aback. "You''re from House Roan?"


    House Roan was known to have produced an exceptional talent¡ªsomeone named William, if he recalled correctly. Even those outside of Snowguard City had heard of him.


    Alan didn''t bother to answer, instead casting a glance at the black canvas bag hanging from Janes'' waist. He hooked it up with his foot and naturally claimed it as his spoils, tucking it into his coat.


    During battles with rival families, looting the battlefield was common practice. In a place where storage rings were costly, black canvas bags often held valuables, being durable, spacious, and inconspicuous. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing Alan take Janes'' bag, Victor''s face darkened. "Alan, hand over the bag. That''s House Blackwood''s property!"


    Alan glared at Victor. "Your property? Come and take it if you dare! Otherwise, don''t force my hand."


    His keen senses told him there was something valuable inside the bag. Now that it was in his possession, he had no intention of giving it up.


    "You!" Victor''s face twisted with anger, but knowing his men couldn''t best Alan, he grudgingly dragged Janes'' body away and left with the other bandits.


    Watching them leave, Alan knew this place would soon be full of trouble. Without hesitation, he drove the carriage away under cover of night.


    Not long after he left, a new set of galloping hooves sounded. A tall man with gold rings on each of his ten fingers dismounted, scrutinizing the fallen spellbeast''s body.


    "Three strikes on the neck in the same spot, resulting in decapitation. This one''s swordsmanship is impressive."


    "Mana, physique¡ªboth exceptional. No tier-iron mage could pull this off; he''s definitely tier-bronze."


    "You say he looked young, claimed to be from House Roan in the Northern District¡­ Sounds likely, but he''s probably not Alan. More likely, it''s William."


    Victor and the others surrounding the man looked at each other in surprise. "William? The prodigy who caused a phenomenon during his breakthrough?"


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    "Indeed," the tall man replied solemnly. "There''s no other young tier-bronze mage in Snowguard City."


    They all nodded, but then Victor anxiously asked, "What should we do next?"


    "No matter who he is, attacking a core member of House Blackwood is unforgivable. Kill on sight!"


    "And that Snow Lotus is invaluable and extremely rare. We can''t let him take it," the tall man said coldly. "I''ll go after him and take his life, along with the Snow Lotus and his head. You report this to Chief Jack!"


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Alan sat in the carriage, smiling as he felt the weight of the black canvas bag in his coat. He had already checked its contents¡ªa Snow Lotus, just as he had sensed earlier!


    Snow Lotus was an extremely rare and valuable magical herb, typically growing on cliffs and blooming once every few decades. Containing potent magical elements, it was highly sought after for mage training and potion-making. It could easily fetch over a thousand gold coins!


    Such a find at the beginning of his journey pleased Alan. Though he had offended House Blackwood, they couldn''t do much once he left their territory.


    Beside him, Isabella was already captivated by the Snow Lotus''s fragrance. As a naturally gifted potion maker, she understood its rarity and value, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Rare herbs like this would allow her to concoct better potions and support her brother''s training.


    With both of them in high spirits, they continued on their way until morning. Tired from a sleepless night, Alan and Isabella were relieved to see the silhouette of a small town ahead.


    Alan sighed with relief; even if House Blackwood was a notorious bandit group, they wouldn''t dare act recklessly within town limits.


    "These days have been tiring. Let''s take a break once we reach town, and I''ll take you around," Alan said, feeling guilty for the hardship his sister had endured on the road.


    Isabella beamed at the thought of exploring town together. But suddenly, a cold voice rang out from behind them.


    "Going for a stroll? Only if you''re lucky."


    A tall, thin man appeared in front of their carriage, blocking their path. Alan frowned, studying the man, who had a snake-like gaze and fingers adorned with rings that formed a kind of knuckle-duster. His arms were so muscular they were thicker than his thighs, marking him as a formidable fist fighter.


    With one look, Alan felt the overwhelming aura emanating from him. This man was at the half-step tier-gold level¡ªa full two tiers higher than Alan.


    Clearly hostile, the man glared at Alan with a murderous intent.


    "House Blackwood?" Alan muttered, noting the emblem on the man''s chest, his expression growing more serious.


    "Hand over the item. It doesn''t belong to you," the man sneered, gazing down at Alan. As a mage with one foot in tier-gold, he was confident he could overpower a tier-bronze mage and even challenge those at tier-gold.


    Though he could see Alan had potential, the gap in power between them was insurmountable.


    Alan subtly shielded Isabella, who immediately retreated into the carriage, peeking out with concern through a crack in the curtains. "Be careful, Brother," she whispered, "he doesn''t look easy to handle."


    Alan nodded, then looked at the man with a calm expression. "If I hand over the item, will you let us go?"


    "Of course!" the man replied with a smug smile.


    In reality, he hadn''t attacked directly for fear of damaging the Snow Lotus. The delicate herb''s effectiveness would be compromised if harmed, and he intended to use it for his advancement to tier-gold.


    Satisfied with his assurance, Alan seemed to relax. He reached into his coat and pulled out the black canvas bag, edging closer as he spoke, "I was reckless before. House Blackwood''s reputation precedes it. You must be the esteemed steward?"


    "I''ve heard that House Blackwood is famous for the master''s spear and the steward''s fists!"


    "It''s said the steward''s fists, in particular, are legendary¡ªcapable of crushing countless mages."


    The steward puffed up with pride, chuckling. "Quite the flatterer, aren''t you? Hand over the item, and I might just let you off."


    But before he could finish, Alan tossed the bag to him. As the steward eagerly reached out, a cold glint flashed before him¡ªa sword strike, swift and unrelenting, whistling through the air.


    He could have dodged the attack easily, but the Snow Lotus was in the line of fire. Evading would risk damaging it.


    "Petrify!"


    The steward abandoned the idea of dodging. Summoning thick earth elements to his arms, he coated his already muscular limbs in a layer of stone, then moved to grab Alan''s sword mid-strike.


    Although Alan''s sudden attack was swift, the steward, being a half-step tier-gold mage, reacted in time, catching the sword in his stone-covered hand and holding it in place, immobilizing it completely.


    "As a swordsman without his sword, what can you do against me?"

 Chapter25-The Stewards Strength

    As he gripped Alan''s staff-sword tightly, a mocking glint flashed in the steward''s eyes.


    Just a mere tier-iron mage, daring to challenge him¡ªhow bold!


    But before he could even finish the thought, Alan unexpectedly released the sword and delivered a powerful punch.


    The strike, heavy and thunderous, caught the steward by surprise, landing directly on his eye socket. Pain seared through him, causing him to stagger backward.


    Seeing his attack succeed, Alan''s eyes shone brightly with the light of his soul, like twin lanterns.


    As the steward reeled from the blow, struggling to regain his footing, he realized his legs were sinking.


    The ground beneath him had turned into a dark swamp, pulling him down.


    A misty fog spread around, confusing his senses.


    A magus!?


    The realization hit the steward hard.


    No wonder Alan had so readily abandoned his staff-sword; he was a magus at heart, using the sword merely as a distraction.


    Just as he processed this, a surge of killing intent welled up inside him.


    A young magus held boundless potential, and if an enemy, he had to be eliminated at all costs¡ªeveryone knew this.


    But as his murderous thoughts arose, scorching flames ignited around him, spreading quickly in the gusting wind.


    The fire touched the thick dust on the ground, triggering an explosive blaze that surged skyward, enveloping the steward in a sea of flames.


    Breathing heavily, Alan leaned on his staff-sword, watching the steward consumed by the raging fire.


    Thanks to the black-robed woman''s guidance, he had recently been experimenting with combining elements.


    Now, using wind to fan the flames and relying on the dense dust from earth elements, he created a small dust explosion that could turn trees to charcoal¡ªhis most powerful move so far.


    Under Alan''s gaze, the steward, who had been caught off guard and thrown into a defensive position, was now charred black.


    Cracks spread across his earth-element shell as black smoke billowed from his body.


    Yet, even through the charred shell, a vigorous life force radiated.


    Boom!


    With a loud crack, the dirt surrounding the steward shattered, revealing his blistered and scalded skin, covered with red blisters the size of walnuts.


    Though he had managed to summon earth elements just in time to defend himself, the burns were so severe that the pain nearly drove him insane.


    The air on his raw, burned skin intensified the searing agony, and he couldn''t help but scream. Bloodshot eyes fixed on Alan, he let out a deranged laugh.


    "I deal with crafty old bastards every day, but I get outsmarted by you, kid!"


    "You''ve used up all your tricks, haven''t you? Now it''s my turn!"


    With that, he charged toward Alan like a wild bull, clouds of dust rising around him.


    He closed the gap with alarming speed.


    Alan knew that earth-element mages were notoriously resilient, but he hadn''t expected the steward to be this tough.


    His vision swam from fatigue, but he tightened his grip on his staff-sword and swung.


    Clang! Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire


    The steward''s earth-covered arms blocked the blow like sturdy horns.


    Sparks flew as Alan was sent flying, blood spurting as he crashed to the ground.


    The power gap was undeniable¡ªthe steward, a half-step tier-gold mage, held an overwhelming advantage.


    After dealing such a heavy blow, the steward prepared to press his attack.


    But suddenly, something flew from the carriage, heading straight for him.


    Learning from Alan''s prior tricks, he clenched his fist and smashed it mid-air, only to realize too late that the object was a potion bottle.


    As it shattered, black liquid vaporized into a corrosive mist, enveloping him.


    The toxic fumes corroded both the earth-element armor on his skin and his exposed flesh, causing smoke to rise and emit a stinging odor.


    His already scalded skin now felt as if it were being torn off, exposing red muscle and white bone beneath.


    Observing the scene, Alan immediately understood that Isabella had used a potent poison.


    She had a natural talent for potions and frequently experimented with unusual concoctions.


    The half-step tier-gold mage had underestimated them again, sustaining a second severe injury.


    Seeing the steward''s moment of vulnerability, Alan readied himself to strike.


    But before he could act, the steward, nearly driven mad by pain, fixed his gaze on the carriage and lunged forward.


    "Damn it!"


    A bandit with no qualms, the steward hadn''t expected to suffer so much here.


    The poison coursing through him brought unimaginable agony, and he needed the antidote immediately.


    Moving at alarming speed, the steward shattered the carriage in one blow. He seized Isabella by the throat, his eyes bulging with fury.


    "Where''s the antidote?"


    Isabella''s face turned pale with fear, rendered speechless by the terrifying sight.


    When she didn''t answer, the steward tightened his grip, her skin turning purple as her breathing slowed.


    Her eyes rolled back as she neared unconsciousness.


    "Let go of my sister!"


    Alan, in a frenzy, charged forward, his staff-sword blazing with mana.


    He unleashed a brilliant slash, the blade gleaming with a radiance so intense it seemed capable of piercing through iron and stone.


    The steward, his face twisted with rage, pulled Isabella in front of him as a human shield, earth elements swirling around him, making him look like a small giant. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His malicious grin revealed his intent to make the siblings suffer as he had.


    But just as Alan''s sword light neared Isabella, it split into five pure white beams, forming three smaller, forearm-length swords that spiraled around and struck the steward.


    Clang!


    The three light swords struck the steward, paralyzing him momentarily and knocking him backward, releasing his grip on Isabella, who began to fall.


    Alan surged forward, catching his sister mid-air.


    Spotting the dark bruises around her neck, a surge of murderous intent overwhelmed him.


    The three light swords embedded in the steward''s earth-element shell split once again, forming six swords in total.


    With each increase in the number of swords, the power of the Light Sword Spell grew significantly.


    This was a unique, visualized magic skill the black-robed woman had taught Alan, with the strength of each blade increasing with their quantity.


    In his duel with William, Alan had only barely managed to form one light sword.


    His battle with Alice and the black-robed woman''s guidance had pushed him to three.


    Now, seeing his sister hurt, Alan''s fury and killing intent reached such heights that his soul surged.


    Six light swords carried far more power than three, and the previously impenetrable earth elements around the steward were now riddled with six bloody gashes.

 Chapter26-The Rainbow Stone

    The steward''s body began to sway, weakened from his injuries.


    He spat a mouthful of black blood, realizing that if he didn''t retreat soon, the combined toll of his wounds and the poison would claim his life¡ªeven as a half-step tier-gold mage.


    Without a second thought for Alan, Isabella, or even the black canvas bag, he turned and fled, terrified Alan might pursue him.


    After the steward''s panicked retreat, Alan didn''t give chase.


    He was nearly exhausted himself, both his mind power and mana close to depletion.


    Carrying his unconscious sister, Alan climbed back onto the carriage, tossed the black bag inside, and drove toward the nearby town.


    With the early hour, there weren''t many people on the road, allowing Alan to enter the town with Isabella quickly.


    Once inside, Alan let out a sigh of relief.


    He immediately found the most luxurious hotel and booked a room, not out of luxury but for security.


    The higher-quality hotels had stronger guards, which was essential given the new enmity with House Blackwood.


    Having killed their second wife and gravely injured their steward, he needed to be cautious. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the room, Alan laid Isabella on the silk sheets, cleaning the bruises on her neck with antiseptic before bandaging her wounds.


    After locking the door, he allowed himself a brief rest.


    With no restorative potions, sleep was his best option for recovery.


    Two hours later, Alan woke, feeling much less drained.


    He looked over at Isabella, noticing her expression had softened, and the bruising on her neck had faded.


    Recalling the exhausting night, Alan didn''t wake her but instead entered his inner mind realm.


    He needed to advance!


    While he might hold his own among peers, he was still underpowered against older mages.


    Without the explosive potential of the Light Sword Spell, he couldn''t have breached the steward''s defenses and would have become his captive.


    With House Blackwood''s ruthlessness, he and his sister would have faced fates worse than death.


    His strength was still lacking! If he were stronger, Isabella wouldn''t have been hurt.


    Fueled by determination, Alan returned to the Soul Grindstone, honing his soul while analyzing the fight.


    His soul soon reconsolidated within his body, this time more solid, nearly tangible.


    "Elder, have I broken through to the grand magus tier?" Alan asked excitedly, sensing the newfound density of his soul¡ªsignifying he was nearing the level of a grand magus.


    "Your soul strength has indeed reached the grand magus level after the life-or-death battle," the black-robed woman replied. "But your elemental mastery remains that of a magus. So, you''re not yet a true grand magus."


    Alan, undeterred, pressed on. "Elder, the methods I used against the steward¡ªdo they count as multi-element manipulation?"


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    "They do, but it''s rudimentary," the woman replied, shaking her head.


    Frustrated, Alan looked at her pleadingly. "Could you demonstrate?"


    For a moment, she was silent before saying, "Your path is yours to forge. My guidance will mean nothing if you can''t comprehend it."


    "One hint: start with the single element of water."


    With that, the woman''s image faded.


    "Water?" Alan murmured, summoning a droplet into his palm, deep in thought.


    ¡­


    By afternoon, Isabella had woken, stretching lazily.


    Alan handed her the lunch the hotel had delivered, smiling. "Eat up, and I''ll show you around. White Steed City may be small, but it''s quite lively."


    Isabella nodded, glancing up at him. "Brother, you should eat too."


    "I already did." Alan ruffled her hair. "Anything you''d like? The next town is a transfer station for the Plantagenet Kingdom. From there, we''ll take a magic train to the capital, and there may not be many chances to shop."


    Isabella initially shook her head¡ªshe led a simple life with few hobbies.


    But then, as if recalling something, she said, "Could you buy me some herbs, Brother? I want to prepare potions on the train."


    "No way!" Alan shook his head firmly. "Your spirit is unstable now. Wait until we reach Lioncrest Academy."


    "Brother, you''re tier-iron level 10, right? I don''t know exactly what that means, but it shouldn''t be hard for you to reach tier-bronze with a potion to boost your foundation," Isabella argued, her serious gaze fixed on him. "If you break through, you''ll be better protected¡ªand you''ll be able to protect me better too. Plus, tier-bronze makes admission to Lioncrest Academy nearly certain!"


    Alan wanted to argue but realized she had a point.


    The battle with the steward had shaken her too, and her determination to help him with a potion reflected her anxiety.


    "You make sense. If I reach tier-bronze, I''d be much stronger, but that''s my worry. You focus on regaining your strength," he replied, still resolute.


    "Brother, you''re as stubborn as an ox!" Isabella huffed, glaring at him. "We have that Snow Lotus now. It''s perfect for potions¡­"


    But Alan remained firm. "I''ll listen to you on other things, but not this."


    Seeing she couldn''t sway him, Isabella dropped the subject and followed Alan around the town.


    Soon, the bustling shops and treats brightened her mood, and she set aside thoughts of potions for a while.


    As they strolled, Alan unknowingly led them to a magic artifacts shop.


    Suddenly, the black-robed woman''s voice sounded in his mind.


    "Buy the gemstone in that display case."


    Startled, Alan realized this was the first time he''d heard her voice outside his inner realm. His gaze shifted to a nearby shop.


    Through the glass-fronted display, Alan saw rows of magical items¡ªstaffs, swords, gauntlets, and accessories of all kinds.


    Among them, he noticed the stone she mentioned¡ªa colorful gem with a mesmerizing rainbow shimmer.


    It contained no magical elements and was typically bought as an ornament by female mages.


    Although he couldn''t see any special qualities, he trusted the woman''s judgment and entered the shop with Isabella.


    "What would you like, young master?" A young, attractive attendant approached, smiling politely as she subtly assessed them.


    "How much for that rainbow stone? My sister seems to like it," Alan said casually to avoid drawing attention.


    Seeing Alan inquire about such a large rainbow stone, the attendant''s eyes gleamed, her enthusiasm increasing.


    "Rainbow stones are fairly common, but a piece this large and with such quality is rare. Our shop went through great effort to acquire it," she explained, praising the stone before adding, "It''s only one hundred gold coins."

 Chapter27-The Treasure Hunter

    "One hundred gold coins?"


    Alan blinked in surprise. Just one gold coin could cover a family''s monthly expenses.


    A hundred was no small sum, especially for a rainbow stone that was more decorative than practical.


    However, recalling the black-robed woman''s interest, Alan nodded and said, "I don''t have enough gold coins on hand, so I''ll pay with mana stones."


    The attendant''s eyes sparkled¡ªafter all, paying with mana stones usually meant the customer was a powerful mage.


    Alan had limited savings after paying for his sister''s treatments, but the three noble families had gifted him valuable items when he left.


    Among these were mana stones, ensuring he wouldn''t worry about money anytime soon.


    He took out a level-1 mana stone, ready to hand it to the attendant, when a clear, bell-like voice interrupted.


    "Hold on. I''ve decided I want that rainbow stone."


    A small girl in a luxurious Lolita dress approached.


    She wore a pink beret, her pale skin almost translucent, like a delicate, finely-crafted doll. Discover hidden content at My Virtual Library Empire


    But her expression was serious as she gazed at the attendant.


    The attendant was about to decline politely when the girl extended a gloved hand, presenting a level-2 mana stone. "I''ll take it."


    A level-2 mana stone!


    It was worth three times that of a level-1 mana stone.


    The attendant''s face showed her interest as she glanced apologetically at Alan, clearly tempted by the offer.


    "My brother already agreed to buy it!" Isabella protested, her face stern.


    The attendant hesitated, torn between Alan''s prior claim and the girl''s enticing offer.


    The girl glanced at Alan, her eyes flashing with a hint of surprise. "Tier-iron level 10?"


    But she quickly regained her composure, casually handing Alan a level-2 mana stone. "Take this as compensation."


    Alan studied the girl, surprised by her ability to gauge his power level at a glance. This girl was no ordinary child.


    But he shook his head and said, "Little girl, I''m afraid I won''t be letting anyone else take this."


    "Little girl?" The girl chuckled as if she''d heard something amusing.


    Her expression returned to seriousness as she said, "I like this stone. Maybe you should go find another. I''ll give you ten more level-2 mana stones as compensation."


    Isabella was stunned, her eyes wide as she murmured, "So generous¡­ Does your family know you''re spending like this?"


    The girl cast an annoyed look at Isabella before her expression shifted, her eyes narrowing as she slowly approached, a hint of astonishment and delight in her gaze.


    Alan frowned, stepping protectively in front of his sister. "What do you want?"


    The girl''s tone turned serious. "Do you often have headaches, sudden mental disruptions, feeling as if your head is splitting, with no way to cure it?"


    Alan''s suspicion grew, and he was about to respond when the girl continued, her excitement rising. "Amazing! I didn''t expect to find someone with such a unique bloodline in this remote place."


    Reaching into her dress, she pulled out a crystal radiating a cold aura and handed it to Isabella. "Take this essence stone¡ªit will stabilize your spirit for three months."


    "I have pressing matters to attend to, so I can''t take you with me now. But before the essence stone''s energy is depleted, I''ll come back for you."


    "As for this stone, I''ll let you have it, out of respect for Isabella." With that, she turned and walked away without a backward glance.


    Alan looked at Isabella, who held the essence stone. Isabella felt its soothing energy stabilizing her spirit. "Brother, I feel much better already."


    ¡­


    Outside the shop, the girl prepared to vanish into the void when a shadow appeared from her own.


    "Miss, should we assign someone to watch over that girl?" asked the shadowy figure.


    "Your abilities are too conspicuous. Just send a few minor agents to protect her in secret. Make sure not to draw attention," the girl replied. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The shadow nodded and then asked, "Her brother has reached tier-iron level 10. Should we protect him as well? He could join our ranks later."


    "No need," she replied. "His mana core is shattered; he has no hope of advancing further."


    She then continued, "Any leads on Nicolas''s staff?"


    The shadow shook his head slightly.


    Nicolas, the infamous Forbidden Magus of the Eldritch Continent, had recently opened a hidden dimension.


    However, a forbidden array within it could only be bypassed using his staff, yet Nicolas himself had vanished without a trace.


    "No matter. We can still break the array with the combined efforts of the top experts, though it may take longer." The girl''s face showed curiosity and anticipation.


    She, like many others, was eager to uncover what treasures lay hidden within the Forbidden Magus''s dimension.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, the steward, covered in festering wounds, staggered back to House Blackwood''s hideout, reeking of rot like a ghoul from hell.


    The sight shocked the other members of House Blackwood, who had recently heard about the second wife''s death and the theft of the Snow Lotus by a young talent from House Roan.


    Seeing the horrified looks directed at him, the steward snarled, "Summon the core members now! Those two are still near White Steed City. This time, we''ll make them pay in blood!"


    The shocked members scrambled to follow his orders, while the family''s apothecaries began treating his wounds and administering antidotes.


    "What is going on here?"


    As the members of House Blackwood gathered, the head of the family, a bald elder, entered the hall, coldly glaring at them.


    "Head, those two deceived me and used poison¡ª"


    Before the steward could finish, the elder slapped him hard across the face. The resounding slap echoed through the hall, and all eyes turned to watch in astonishment.


    "How many times have I told you?" the elder hissed, his voice ice-cold. "In our line of work, it''s the result that counts. You got outwitted and still have the nerve to whine?"


    They were thieves. When facing stronger opponents, they''d use stealth. Against weaker ones, they''d rob outright. It was kill or be killed, with no room for excuses.


    The members of House Blackwood quickly grasped his meaning, nodding solemnly. They weren''t noble families bound by etiquette. A failure was a failure, and nothing else mattered.


    Seeing their comprehension, the elder continued, "More importantly, doesn''t this make them even more terrifying?"


    "Such young siblings, with these skills and temperaments, managed to injure a half-step tier-gold mage. What would they be capable of with greater power?"


    The others nodded grimly, understanding the elder''s point. Even with all the tricks in the book, they doubted they''d have the courage to confront the steward as those siblings had.


    "And you should know," the elder added, "that the boy who killed my wife isn''t William, the one everyone''s talking about. His name is Alan, also of House Roan."


    The steward and the others looked confused, unfamiliar with the name Alan.


    "It''s understandable that you haven''t heard of him yet. But soon enough, this name will be known across the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    "What? That can''t be¡­" The others exchanged skeptical glances, finding it hard to believe.

 Chapter28-The Princes Challenge

    Even though Alan managed to wound the head steward, it was no small feat, but still hardly enough to make him famous throughout the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    The bald elder narrowed his eyes and said slowly, "I''ve just received confirmed news: Alan has gained the favor of Duke Alice!"


    Duke Alice''s favor?!


    The head steward and the others gasped.


    If these words hadn''t come from the head himself, they wouldn''t dare believe it.


    Duke Alice, with her unmatched talents and towering status¡ªhow could she possibly take an interest in a young noble genius like Alan? How was that even possible?


    Seeing their confusion, the bald elder explained calmly:


    "Alan once fought Duke Alice, and although Alice suppressed her tier, they ended in a draw!" Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Silence!


    The hall fell deathly quiet.


    Duke Alice was a living legend, unmatched among her peers.


    Even seasoned mages trembled before her blade. Her reputation and status were forged day by day in blood and battle.


    Yet Alan could draw with her on equal footing?


    It was common knowledge that for Alice, challenging up tiers was as easy as eating or drinking.


    So Alan... is he really that formidable?


    Hearing this, the head steward finally felt a bit better.


    The others also no longer looked at him with disdain.


    The head steward had been defeated by Alan, and Alan had fought Duke Alice to a draw. Didn''t that mean he''d essentially lost to Alice?


    Far from being a disgrace, it was an honor!


    "Are we just going to let our loss slide?!" Despite the pain wracking his body, the head steward remained indignant.


    The bald elder shook his head, "We can''t let our loss go, but we also can''t take it out on Alan!"


    "Alan has left House Roan.


    Though House Roan had significant resources, it''s now being carved up by the other three lords.


    We should go and get our share."


    The head steward thought for a moment and accepted this as the best possible outcome.


    After all, with Duke Alice behind Alan, she was someone they absolutely could not afford to provoke.


    She wouldn''t even need to lift a finger; just one word from her, and House Blackwood would be annihilated by the forces surrounding Snowguard City.


    They simply couldn''t afford to provoke her!


    "Let''s go, to the Northern District!" the head steward growled, wrapped head to toe in bandages. He had to vent this frustration!


    ¡­


    In the Northern District, House Roan.


    Under the growing pressure from the three noble families, House Roan was weakening day by day. If it weren''t for Shuster''s strength and reputation as lord, House Roan would have already fractured.


    At this moment, Shuster''s face was grim as he gazed at the bloodied seneschal, bound and whipped repeatedly.


    The seneschal''s defiant eyes locked with Shuster''s.


    "Everything I did was for House Roan! I am not wrong! I did nothing wrong!"


    "You still refuse to admit your guilt?" Shuster snapped coldly, fuming.


    "And what about Alan''s mother?" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Her? Didn''t she mysteriously disappear? What''s she got to do with this? Even if she hadn''t disappeared, she''s just an ordinary person."


    The seneschal spat out a mouthful of blood.


    "You''re wrong!" A trace of reminiscence flickered in Shuster''s eyes.


    "The reason I nurtured Alan as my heir, apart from his outstanding talent, was largely because of his mother!"


    "It was a snowy day¡ªdo you know what I saw?"


    "Alan''s mother, Isabella, tore open the void with a mere wave of her hand and left."


    The seneschal froze, then scoffed, "Tear open the void? That''s something only the most powerful mages in existence can do. How could Alan''s mother possibly manage that?!"


    "If she were truly that powerful, why would she abandon her two children?"


    Shuster fell silent, troubled. He''d tolerated the seneschal''s attempt to cripple Alan for the same reason.


    After all, it had been over ten years, and Alan''s mother hadn''t shown up once. They must have been abandoned.


    But he could never have imagined that even after Alan''s mana core was shattered, he would still become a magus!


    Had he stuck to his original plan, House Roan could have risen again, even without Alan''s mother, rather than descending into this mess.


    "Since you still refuse to admit your mistake, you''ll stay here. If Alan''s mother returns, she could change House Roan''s fate in an instant!"


    Upon hearing this, the seneschal broke into wild laughter. After all, if Alan and his sibling''s mother were truly extraordinary, and learned of the grievances they''d suffered, she would raze House Roan to the ground!


    If she never returned, then this was merely Shuster''s wishful thinking. House Roan would never be the same again!


    ¡­


    In White Steed City


    Having just returned to the inn from the Merchant Guild, Alan was about to lead his sister into their room when he noticed a neat stack of gifts at the door.


    There were all sorts of rare treasures to aid breakthroughs, plenty of gold coins, women''s jewelry, and other practical, exquisite items.


    At a glance, their value was easily over a thousand gold coins! A lavish gift indeed!


    But Alan couldn''t recall knowing any wealthy patrons in White Steed City.


    "Could these have been delivered to the wrong room?"


    He frowned, puzzled.


    Just then, a hotel attendant approached and said quietly, "Sir Alan, these gifts are not misplaced. A distinguished young lord wishes to meet you and sent these as his introduction."


    Alan exchanged a look with Isabella, both equally confused.


    "Forget it; I have no reason to meet him. I''m just a nobody. Please return the gifts." Alan shook his head, declining.


    Accepting a gift was tantamount to an obligation, and he didn''t want to owe anything to an unknown patron.


    "Alan, you''re too modest. Even Duke Alice could only draw with you."


    A voice, slightly lazy yet dignified, came from nearby.


    A young man in a royal lion-emblazoned robe approached, escorted by several royal guards. His air was one of quiet nobility.


    The moment Alan saw him, his expression grew serious. He didn''t know the young man personally, but he recognized the royal attire and insignia on his chest.


    The 13th Prince of the Plantagenet Kingdom, Kenrito!


    "Does Your Highness need something from me?" Alan asked calmly.


    There were many members of the Plantagenet royal family, and a prince wasn''t particularly notable among them, usually keeping a low profile¡ªthis was what Alan knew.


    "Not at all. I simply wished to befriend you," Kenrito replied with a hearty smile, seemingly pleased by Alan''s composed attitude.


    Other young mages would have fawned over him by now, he thought. After all, while he wasn''t among the most prominent princes, he still commanded respect and resources.


    "I don''t think I''m worthy to befriend a prince, and as for Duke Alice, we only had a single fight, not even a friendship," Alan said, suspecting the prince was more interested in his magus talent¡ªand his connection to Duke Alice.


    It was well-known that King Charles XXVI of Plantagenet held Alice in high regard, to the point of reverence. Naturally, she had become a prized ally among the royal contenders.


    But Alice was indifferent, living as she pleased.


    "To be frank, yes, I do hope to connect with Duke Alice, but my interest in you is genuine. After all, you''re someone Duke Alice recognizes," Kenrito admitted sincerely.


    Alan found himself liking the prince a bit more. He seemed genuine in his words.


    "If Your Highness intends to use these items to make friends, I must say that while they are valuable and beneficial, I cannot accept them without merit."


    Alan declined politely.


    Since ancient times, the struggle for the throne has always been fraught with bloodshed and peril. He was just a small figure, and even the ripples of this power struggle could spell his death.


    "Direct as always, Alan. Then, how about a duel instead? Just a friendly spar," Kenrito suggested with a slight smile. "Regardless of the outcome, the items are yours, a token for accepting my challenge."


    "Agreed."


    After a moment''s thought, Alan nodded. He needed these items to reach tier-bronze, and they were indeed valuable to him.

 Chapter29-The Storage Ring

    At the top floor of the inn, inside a luxurious training arena, Prince Kenrito stood confidently on the dueling platform, eyeing Alan, who approached slowly from the opposite side.


    There was a glint of excitement on his face.


    Alan was only at tier-iron, while Kenrito had already reached mid-tier-bronze.


    However, Alan had fought Duke Alice to a draw, and Kenrito had never had the chance to spar with her. Perhaps through Alan, he could get a glimpse of her strength.


    "If you''re ready, I''ll begin!" Kenrito shouted. Like a charging beast, he dashed towards Alan, creating a fierce gust of wind.


    Seeing Kenrito make the first move, Alan''s expression turned serious as he stepped forward and launched a punch to meet Kenrito''s incoming fist.


    An explosive sound filled the air as chaotic mana waves rippled outward.


    To the royal guards watching from both sides of the arena, it was a shock to see that Alan remained completely unmoved, while Kenrito staggered back several steps before regaining his balance.


    In this exchange, His Highness the Prince had actually been forced back! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kenrito flexed his aching fist, gazing in awe at Alan''s bronzed skin, beneath which lay muscles brimming with explosive strength.


    "What a powerful physique. No wonder Duke Alice couldn''t take you down."


    Alan replied in a low voice, "If Your Highness doesn''t give it his all, you have no chance of winning." Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    Alan agreed to this duel partly because of the prince''s generous gifts but also because he sensed the prince''s deep and unfathomable strength, making him a worthy opponent.


    Kenrito may have been holding back, only using tier-iron level mana, which wasn''t enough to pose a challenge to Alan at his current level.


    With that, Alan pressed forward, turning defense into offense as he charged at Kenrito.


    As soon as Kenrito steadied himself, Alan closed in again, his skin radiating with magical runes, making him appear like a compact, muscular giant. His speed and power surged severalfold.


    Seeing this, Kenrito stopped restraining himself.


    A wave of tier-bronze mana exploded from him, golden light flowing around his body as if he were transformed into a golden figure.


    Metal element!


    A unique element known for its offense and defense.


    With another punch, Kenrito''s fist gleamed brightly, dazzling like a peerless spear. This punch was nearly ten times stronger than his initial strike!


    "The prince may be humble, but he trained diligently from a young age. He''s incredibly strong. I wonder how many moves Alan can withstand?"


    The royal guards exchanged curious glances.


    "Considering he fought Duke Alice to a draw, I think he can last twenty moves before the prince wins!"


    "I remember that Duke Alice only used tier-iron power, while Alan used everything he had. Now, His Highness is using tier-bronze power, so Alan won''t last more than ten moves!"


    Despite Alan''s display of combat prowess comparable to early tier-bronze, the prince was no ordinary opponent.


    "Hmph! My brother is the best; he''s never lost!" Isabella, who overheard the guards'' conversation, couldn''t help but chime in, her large eyes brimming with seriousness.


    The guards only smiled. In battle, it''s strength that counts, not past victories.


    Besides, to them, Alan''s undefeated record in the Northern District was unimpressive, considering the region''s lack of reputation.


    But as they shared amused looks, they suddenly noticed that Alan had easily blocked the prince''s punch!


    Kenrito was taken aback. How could Alan be this strong? Wasn''t his greatest skill as a magus?


    He assumed Alan would use magus techniques but was surprised to see him blocking with tier-iron mana instead.


    Unwilling to back down, Kenrito accelerated his attacks.


    He had hoped to see Alan''s magus skills, as magi were exceedingly rare, but it seemed he hadn''t pressured Alan enough yet.


    A series of sharp, rushing sounds filled the air as Kenrito''s attacks became more relentless, his golden fists forming countless overlapping shadows, closing in on Alan.


    Speed and power blended perfectly, enough to overwhelm even a mid-tier-bronze mage.


    Yet, Alan handled it with ease, parrying and countering, steadily pressing Kenrito back.


    Alan knew well the magus''s strength and its vulnerabilities¡ªespecially if a magus were caught up close by a relentless melee fighter, they could quickly be overpowered.


    So, while he hadn''t abandoned his swordsmanship entirely, he chose to use his fists this time, delivering strikes that were fierce and sharp, especially with his keen senses guiding him.


    To him, Kenrito''s swift attacks were trivial.


    Kenrito grew increasingly alarmed as the fight continued. It had been a long time since he felt such pressure. Alan was a whole tier below him!


    He was a prince, blessed with exceptional talent and the best education since childhood!


    Frustrated, Kenrito released his full power.


    Mid-tier-bronze!


    With each level in the mage hierarchy, strength multiplied several times over.


    Now, unrestricted, Kenrito''s speed soared as each punch flashed like a golden whip, his fists blurred, accompanied by faint sonic booms.


    Steel Fist!


    An enhanced tier-bronze spell for warriors! Combining his unique element and mastery of this technique, he could even fight against a late-tier-bronze mage!


    This time, Alan was bound to lose!


    As Kenrito''s fist, empowered by heightened speed and strength, hurtled toward him, Alan''s lips curved into a faint smile.


    To Kenrito''s astonishment, Alan snapped his fingers and said, "Your Highness, be careful!"


    Kenrito paused, his fist mere inches from Alan''s face.


    But at that moment, he felt a surge beneath him. Spikes shot up from the ground of the training arena, forming a dense cage around him, blocking him from advancing.


    His fist had nearly touched Alan''s face, while the earthen spikes were already pressing against him.


    Curious, Kenrito refrained from striking. "When did you use magus techniques? I was constantly pressuring you and didn''t sense any mind power¡­"


    He trailed off, realizing something. "You set a trap while we were clashing, withdrawing and advancing?"


    Alan nodded. Kenrito had figured it out quickly. Had this not been their first encounter, he would not have succeeded so easily.


    Seeing the prince in danger, the royal guards rushed over, surrounding Alan.


    With a flick of his mind, Alan dispelled the spikes, which dissipated into particles of light.


    "Impressive! You''ve mastered magus techniques so quickly after becoming one," Kenrito remarked, retracting his fists and looking at Alan with increasing interest.


    "This duel has been insightful. Thank you, Alan, for the lesson!"


    With a sincere smile, he handed Alan a storage ring.


    "It''s inconvenient to be without one while traveling. I hope this ring will be useful to you."


    "Also, in the ring, you''ll find my token. It may come in handy if you visit the capital."


    After a moment''s thought, Alan accepted it.


    "Thank you, Your Highness."


    Storage rings were priceless, worth over a thousand gold coins, and not everyone had the privilege to own one.


    "If fate allows, we''ll meet again in the capital!" Kenrito laughed heartily, turning to leave with the royal guards.


    "Brother, are you alright?" Isabella walked over with concern in her eyes.


    Alan shook his head, glancing briefly at a shadowed corner of the arena before leaving with Isabella.

 Chapter30-Railway City

    After Alan and his sister left, a plainly dressed old man stepped out from the shadows, marveling to himself.


    "Such sharp mental perception... it''s already close to the level of a grand magus, isn''t it?" he murmured.


    Once he revealed himself, he quickly rejoined Kenrito''s group.


    "Mr. Gavus, Alan''s strength is indeed real. He forced me to use mid-tier-bronze power, but wasn''t the gift we gave him, worth a thousand gold coins, enough? Why did you also give him a storage ring?" Kenrito asked, still puzzled.


    Gavus didn''t respond directly. Instead, he posed a question, "Your Highness, in today''s duel with Alan, who do you think won?"


    Kenrito didn''t quite understand why Gavus asked this, but he answered seriously, "Though it ended in a draw, in terms of level, he''s beyond me. But in a real life-or-death fight, he would have died to my fist. So I suppose I won?"


    Gavus shook his head. "From any angle, Your Highness suffered a complete defeat."


    "A complete defeat?!" Kenrito stared at his mentor in disbelief. "Are you serious, sir?"


    Gavus continued calmly, "Just now, you believed that with the sharpness of the metal element, you could withstand that sudden eruption of earth spikes, didn''t you?"


    "Of course. With my control over the metal element, even if those spikes were iron instead of earth, they couldn''t penetrate my defense," Kenrito replied confidently.


    "But what if Alan had hidden highly compressed fire-element lava within those earth spikes?" Gavus asked.


    Fire-element lava?!


    Kenrito was startled. Fire counters metal! If those spikes had contained lava, his metal defenses would have melted, and his life would have been in danger!


    "But... that''s impossible! Those spikes were just regular earth-element constructs¡­"


    He trailed off as he saw the grave look in Gavus''s eyes, and he felt a chill.


    "Sir, if he could have hidden fire-element energy, why didn''t he use it openly? Was he sparing my pride?"


    Gavus shook his head. "And that''s exactly where you fall short of Alan."


    "While he may have considered your pride, his primary reason was to conceal his tactics. I''ve told you before: when fighting, show only seventy percent of your strength, leaving the other thirty percent as reserve. If you expose everything, you''ll be left vulnerable and risk losing everything."


    Kenrito felt a cold sweat.


    He had thought their fight ended in a draw, but in truth, he had been within Alan''s calculated control all along.


    What a formidable opponent! S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "And during the duel, he sensed my presence," Gavus added, narrowing his eyes.


    Kenrito was even more shocked. Gavus was powerful beyond measure, and even he hadn''t sensed his mentor''s location during the match.


    Yet Alan had detected it!


    "This young man is worth befriending.


    Though he''s currently a nobody with no background, once he reaches the capital, his fame will rise quickly, and recruiting him will only become harder," Gavus advised slowly.


    Kenrito now understood why his mentor had insisted on adding the storage ring as an extra incentive.


    Alan had incredible potential!


    ¡­


    When they arrived at their room, Alan infused his mana into the storage ring and stored the gifts by the door inside.


    "You should keep this storage ring," he said, handing it to Isabella.


    "But brother, this is a storage ring!" Isabella hesitated to accept it.


    In House Roan, they had only one storage ring, a symbol of lordship, and it was far inferior to this one. In many cases, possessing a storage ring was a mark of high status.


    "I''m not used to wearing rings. You should have it. Now you can store all your treasures inside without having to carry them around," Alan explained.


    After some thought, Isabella accepted it and asked curiously, "Since you accepted the prince''s gift and storage ring, does that mean you''ve accepted his offer?"


    Alan shook his head. "Not exactly. Right now, I don''t have the value they''re looking for. They''re merely investing in my potential. By accepting their investment, I gain a useful ally."


    "The capital is a complex place with powerful forces everywhere. It''s better to have a friend than another enemy."


    Isabella nodded, not fully understanding but trusting Alan. "Wherever you go, brother, I''ll go too!"


    Alan smiled and said, "Then let''s get ready to head for the capital!"


    "Yes!" Isabella cheered.


    After stowing their belongings in the storage ring, Alan took Isabella to the carriage, which had been quickly repaired by the inn staff. They set out once again.


    Their next destination was Railway City, the core hub linking the Plantagenet Kingdom''s frontier and all major regions.


    This bustling city was a nexus of activity, where a magical train would take them directly to the capital!


    As the carriage traveled, Isabella gradually fell asleep, while Alan immersed himself in his personal training realm, Hell.


    "Hand me the rainbow stone," instructed the woman in black robes as she glanced at Alan.


    Alan nodded and passed the rainbow stone to her. Ever since he bought it, he''d been curious, but hadn''t had a chance to explore its mysteries.


    "By the way, about that young girl earlier¡­" Alan recalled the girl who had competed with him for the rainbow stone and asked seriously.


    "She''s powerful. Knowing more won''t help you," the woman replied curtly, tapping her white finger on the stone.


    Tiny cracks spread across the surface of the rainbow stone, shedding fine powder, and revealing a round, black lump inside.


    Seeing this, the woman nodded slightly. "You''re lucky. This is a magical artifact crafted by a magus!"


    Alan''s eyes brightened. He''d heard of magical artifacts, valuable items created by magi.


    "This artifact contains a potent lightning element. Fully activated, it could injure a tier-gold mage. However, it''s quite damaged and can only be used a few times before it''s completely spent."


    The woman waved, sending the magical artifact toward Alan.


    Alan''s heart raced as he inspected it.


    Although it was limited in use, its ability to harm a tier-gold mage was incredible!


    Immediately, he attempted to implant a fragment of his soul into the artifact, imprinting it as his own.


    A flood of unfamiliar memories surged into his mind, revealing the artifact''s name and function.


    Heaven''s Thunder Orb¡ªa lightning-element artifact capable of releasing sky thunder to strike enemies!


    Excited, Alan found the woman''s assessment accurate. However, as he absorbed the memories, he frowned.


    This artifact required mana stones to activate¡ªand not just any mana stones.


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    Level 1 mana stones wouldn''t work; he needed level 2 or higher!


    Each use consumed five level 2 mana stones, each worth 300 gold coins, totaling 1,500 gold coins per activation!


    A money pit!


    He only had about twenty level 2 mana stones, enough for roughly four activations.


    Though costly, it was a powerful trump card. After all, a tier-gold mage was an exceptionally formidable opponent.


    Alan took a deep breath, then resumed his training in Hell.


    First, he honed his Soul Grindstone technique, then continued working on Element Fusion.


    He felt close to a breakthrough, though the final insight still eluded him.


    ¡­


    A day passed quietly.


    The next morning, Alan stepped out of the carriage and was met with the sight of a towering city.


    This city was different from any he''d seen.


    Massive gates, dozens of meters high, punctuated its walls in every direction. Colossal trains, like mountain-sized magical beasts, roared in and out of the city, creating a grand and bustling spectacle.

 Chapter 475 - Chapter31-The Snow Lotus Potion Stirs Up a Commotion

    Alan brought Isabella into the city, and they felt like country folk stepping into a metropolis, marveling at all the sights.


    Enormous trains thundered along multiple tracks, spellbeasts carried various goods under command, and mages in peculiar attire bustled about, adding to the lively atmosphere.


    Although Alan and Isabella knew this place, as the transportation hub of the Plantagenet Kingdom, was bustling, they couldn''t help but be captivated by the sheer scale of its activity.


    Soon, Alan found a trading guild, sold the horned steed and carriage, restocked some provisions, and then they boarded the enormous train bound for the imperial capital.


    The train, known as the Charlie No.1, was the latest massive locomotive, stretching as far as the eye could see and resembling a small town in its own right.


    They were in the middle section of the magic train.


    Their room was private but cramped, with a double bed that barely allowed them to stretch their legs.


    There were no windows, and a variety of pungent odors lingered in the air.


    Despite the discomfort, Alan had paid an extra two hundred gold coins for this "medium-class room."


    Alan frowned; he didn''t mind it for himself, but he didn''t want his sister to suffer.


    Isabella, noticing his expression, smiled and said, "Brother, this place is already nice!


    At least we have our own space; it''s far better than the lower-class rooms or standing tickets, where there''s not even room to stand."


    The trip to the capital would take a few days, and the tickets were clearly ranked by class.


    Without status or privilege, securing a medium-class room was already the best they could get.


    Alan cast a glance up toward the top level of the magic train.


    The rooms there were few, luxurious, and spacious, resembling villas with elegant maids attending to them.


    Faint orchestral music floated down, mixing with the air of lavish indulgence.


    This was the deluxe room section¡ªunavailable to the general public, reserved for the powerful and the influential.


    Alan clenched his fists.


    He still lacked strength!


    He then asked Isabella to get familiar with their surroundings, and once the train departed, he''d show her around this colossal train.


    Isabella nodded obediently.


    Rumble!


    After half an hour, the thunderous sound of departure echoed.


    The Charlie No.1 bound for the capital finally set off with a slight shudder.


    Once underway, Alan shut the door and continued his focus on his Element Fusion studies.


    He had already developed some ideas through various experiments; now, he only needed to practice and consolidate, without needing to plunge into hellish efforts.


    While Alan became immersed in his upgrade attempts, Isabella took out a level 1 mana stone, ran it over her storage ring, and retrieved several vials along with a Snow Lotus.


    Though Alan had repeatedly told her to stop making potions, she felt that, with an essence stone, there shouldn''t be any issues.


    She had a strong feeling that if she could make the Snow Lotus Potion, it would definitely help her brother.


    After all, the Snow Lotus Potion could greatly enhance perception for a short period.


    Carefully, she used tweezers to pluck the petals of the Snow Lotus and soaked them in a solution. Her movements were slow and intensely focused, fully absorbed in her work.


    Gifted in potion-making, her skill allowed her to work quickly when fully engrossed.


    Two hours later, a rich medicinal aroma began to drift from the vial of vibrant green liquid in Isabella''s hands, filling every corner of the room.


    Deeply absorbed in his Element Fusion practice, Alan inhaled the scent, feeling a sudden wave of mental clarity, as if his confusion was melting away.


    "Whew!"


    Isabella wiped the thin layer of sweat off her forehead, let out a long breath, and looked up at the green potion in her hands with a satisfied smile.


    "Snow Lotus Potion, complete!" she murmured excitedly.


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    The quality was high¡ªnormally, she could finish other potions in about ten minutes, but the Snow Lotus Potion had taken her a full half hour.


    Its potency far surpassed any potion she had made before; even just the scent exceeded her previous concoctions.


    Just as she was about to proudly present the potion to her brother, the door that Alan had firmly shut was suddenly kicked open!


    Bang!


    Startled by the noise, Isabella looked toward the doorway and saw three burly men barging into the room.


    Each had tattoos of various magical beasts, with the leader sporting a scarred face and a massive blade slung over his shoulder, making him look fearsome.


    As they entered, their eyes fixated on Isabella and the potion she held, their greedy gazes filled with red veins as they sniffed the air.


    "Who would''ve thought we''d find such a high-quality potion on this magic train? Lady Luck sure favors us three brothers!"


    "Hand it over nicely, little girl," they sneered as they pushed into the cramped room, their bulky figures blocking out the light. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Isabella''s face turned pale with fear.


    Clutching the potion to her chest, she stood her ground despite her terror, and said firmly, "This potion is for my brother. You can''t take it!"


    "Oh, we''ll be your brothers! We''re the Bronze Tier Three Brothers¡ªquite well-known in Railway City.


    Having us to look after you would be a blessing," the scarred man said with a sinister laugh.


    "Yeah, call me second brother!" another chimed in.


    "And I''ll be third brother! Want some candy?" the last added, laughing as they continued to taunt her.


    As they advanced, Isabella had nowhere left to retreat.


    She moved the vial behind her and warned, "Stop! Fighting is forbidden on this magic train; violators are executed on the spot.


    If you come any closer, I''ll destroy the potion before letting you take it!"


    Her voice caused the men to fall silent, their faces darkening.


    "Are you threatening us?" the leader hissed, stepping forward with a murderous glare.


    The men exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a brutal intent.


    The leader lunged forward like a charging bear, his massive hand wrapping around Isabella''s throat. The other two conjured water-element hands to snatch the potion from her grasp.


    But just as the water-element hands neared Isabella, a sudden flash of a sword sliced through them. Alan, seated at the back of the room with his eyes closed, opened them sharply.


    The three men froze in shock, their hearts gripped by fear as they looked into Alan''s eyes.


    The murderous intent in his gaze was something they had never seen in anyone his age.


    Realizing the danger, they hesitated, but it was too late¡ªAlan moved like a raging storm, positioning himself behind Isabella as a terrifying roar echoed through the room:


    "Who gave you permission to touch my sister?!"


    In an instant, the leader''s arm went limp and dropped to his side, blood spurting from his shoulder. He screamed, his scarred face contorted in agony as he clutched his severed arm.


    The other two men stepped back, glaring at Alan with murderous intent.


    They hadn''t expected him to sever their brother''s arm with such ease¡ªespecially given that he was only a tier-iron mage, while they were mid-tier-bronze.


    "Kill him! Kill him!"


    The agony and fury robbed the scarred leader of words, leaving him howling in rage.


    He clutched his severed arm, pressing down on the wound to staunch the bleeding, and charged at Alan with bloodthirsty intent.


    "Whoever this young man is, he must die!"


    At his command, the other two brothers exchanged vicious looks, then moved in from both sides to surround Alan.


    Beneath their feet, strange glowing patterns flickered¡ªthe Hidden Wolf Formation they had set up before entering the room.


    This formation not only masked the scent of the potion but also amplified their power and concealed the battle''s energy fluctuations.

 Chapter 476 - Chapter32-The Church of Steam and Magic

    Alan''s earlier strike had only succeeded because they were caught off guard.


    Now, with the three brothers combining their strength and activating the formation, they were confident they could even challenge a late-stage tier-bronze mage.


    In their minds, Alan was as good as dead.


    But just as they had this thought, the formation, glowing with intricate patterns, began to ripple as if disturbed by an unseen force.


    The formation''s boosts to their strength and speed suddenly waned, and the backlash even disrupted their mana flow, hindering their power!


    Something was wrong.


    A brief flash of panic crossed the brothers'' minds. Before they could regain their composure, Alan struck again.


    The scarred man instinctively tried to retreat, only to find a wall of earth-element magic materializing behind him, blocking his escape.


    A mage!


    The scarred man''s eyes widened in terror.


    He gathered the rushing magical energy within him to shield his neck, forming a protective barrier like a river.


    But in a flash, Alan''s sword ignited in flames, instantly evaporating the water element shield, and, in a single stroke, severed the man''s neck.


    Splat!


    Blood gushed from the gaping wound on his neck, showering the small room in a grim, bloody rain. The remaining two brothers were struck with terror; without a second thought, they bolted like cats whose tails had been stepped on, fleeing in a blind panic.


    Alan moved to pursue them, but their earlier setup, the Hidden Wolf Formation, suddenly exploded, unleashing waves of magical energy that shook the entire room.


    Alan had no choice but to shield Isabella in his arms. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Boom!


    The small room was left in ruins from the explosion.


    Brass lamps fell from the ceiling, and planks and metal sheets from the walls scattered across the floor.


    Once the tremors subsided, Alan carefully lifted Isabella and stepped outside, intent on chasing down the fleeing brothers.


    But outside the door stood a squad of patrolling guards, led by a woman wearing a half-mask. Though young, the woman''s lower face, framed by fair skin and graceful contours, hinted at an extraordinary beauty.


    Seeing her attire, Alan grew more cautious¡ªshe was from the Church of Steam and Magic.


    The Church of Steam and Magic not only controlled Railway City but also held influence over several guilds and industries throughout the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    "Fighting is strictly forbidden in Railway City," she announced coldly. "Seize them both and flog them to death as a warning!"


    Her beauty belied her icy tone, devoid of any warmth. The guards moved to encircle Alan and Isabella.


    "My sister and I were only defending ourselves¡ªthey attacked us first!" Alan said, his brow furrowing as he looked at the woman.


    But the woman showed no reaction to his words. Alan, sensing no other option, released a powerful wave of mind power that expanded outward from him, forcing the approaching guards to stumble back as if struck by a hammer.


    "If I were a magus, could you perhaps show leniency?" Alan asked seriously.


    The woman in the mask paused, then shook her head slightly. "Magus are indeed rare, but it is not enough compared to the rules of the Church."


    Hearing this, Alan let out a wave of tangible soul energy toward her. "If a magus is insufficient, then what of the standing of a grand magus?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though Alan hadn''t reached the level of a grand magus in elemental control, his mastery of the Infernal Visualization Technique, coupled with the Soul Grindstone, had elevated his soul to the grand magus level¡ªa tangible force.


    A smile of interest appeared at the corner of the masked woman''s mouth. "If it''s a grand magus in person, then courtesy is certainly due.


    But I am curious, to which family do you belong, and who is your mentor?"


    Alan squinted, shaking his head. "Just an unknown mage. Does the Church only recognize background, not strength?"


    The woman hesitated before replying slowly, "Not at all. It''s simply that your soul foundation is remarkably solid, which is rare for someone without formal training."


    Magi were scarce, and grand magi even more so. Most mages of such skill had prestigious backgrounds or mentors; without guidance, breaking through alone was nearly impossible.


    Alan''s youth made his achievement particularly impressive, suggesting either an extraordinary teacher or an uncanny talent and perception.


    Realizing that Alan did not want to pursue the topic, she refrained from probing further. Respecting a grand magus was essential.


    "Bring me the two who just fled and flog them to death as a warning," she ordered coldly, directing her gaze at the guards. They nodded and swiftly pursued the brothers.


    Turning to Alan, the masked woman said, "This room has been destroyed. If you and your sister don''t mind, you may move to one of the deluxe rooms above."


    A deluxe room! Reserved only for the elite!


    "Thank you," Alan replied, careful to maintain his composure.


    The woman nodded and led the way, introducing herself as they walked. "You may call me Annie. I am the acting captain of the Charlie No.1."


    Alan was a bit taken aback to learn that this woman held such authority on the train¡ªno wonder she could so easily grant them access to a deluxe room.


    "My name is Alan, and this is my sister, Isabella," he introduced simply.


    Annie murmured their names but showed no sign of recognition.


    Soon, they reached room 99, the last available deluxe room. Annie briefly explained its amenities before leaving.


    Entering the room, Alan and Isabella''s first impression was one of awe¡ªit was enormous! Almost like a luxurious villa, the room was spacious and bright, filled with fresh flowers and soothing incense.


    Separate chambers with large, soft beds gave it the feel of an opulent hotel.


    "No wonder it''s called a deluxe room," Alan remarked.


    In this world, everything was at the service of the strong. The strong received all comforts, while the weak were left with little.


    This realization deepened Alan''s determination to grow stronger.


    If he hadn''t intimidated them by posing as a grand magus, they wouldn''t have let him off so easily, much less offered him an upgrade to the deluxe room!


    With renewed resolve, Alan headed into one of the rooms and entered his personal hell realm to continue his training.


    This time, his mysterious guide conjured a genuine tier-gold golem.


    Although its speed was restricted, its combat power was formidable, pushing Alan to his limits. Under such pressure, Alan''s control over the elements became increasingly refined.


    ¡­


    With the stars scattered across the sky, Alan finished his day of training.


    After a simple dinner brought by the maids, he decided to take Isabella to the top deck for a stroll.


    Unlike the cramped lower and middle levels of the magic train, the top-level deluxe room deck was a vast open space, where one could gaze up at the starry night and enjoy the cool breeze.


    The deck was filled with elegantly dressed individuals, some exuding an aura of elegance, while others radiated a domineering presence.


    Amidst these elites, Alan and Isabella''s simple attire stood out as modest, but they paid no mind, heading to the edge of the deck.


    They gazed at the magnificent scenery below, stretching a thousand meters down, and the vast starry sky above.


    "Who are you? I haven''t seen you around before," came a voice from nearby.


    A plump boy wearing a monocle, his clothes adorned with jewelry, approached them curiously.


    "I''m Isabella. Who are you?" Isabella, being naturally curious, responded with equal interest.

 Chapter 477 - Chapter33-I Have a Brother, You Don’t!

    When Isabella asked about him, the richly dressed, chubby boy confidently puffed out his chest and grinned.


    "Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Carter, the sole heir of the Head of the Light Guild. I''m already a tier-bronze mage and a future student of Lioncrest Academy¡ªa soon-to-be master of magic!"


    With each sentence, his head lifted a bit higher, his small eyes squinting with anticipation, as if waiting for Isabella''s admiration.


    But after a few moments of silence, he realized she hadn''t reacted with the awe he''d expected.


    Frowning, he watched as Isabella tilted her head curiously and asked, "What''s the Light Guild?"


    Carter''s chest tightened, and his small eyes widened in disbelief.


    "You don''t know the Light Guild? Are you even from the Plantagenet Kingdom? Even if you''re not, you should know that the Light Guild is a renowned super-alliance that hunts spellbeasts! We''re famous even in the imperial capital!"


    "Oh," Isabella replied, raising an eyebrow. "Are they impressive?"


    Carter beamed, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Of course, we''re impressive!"


    "Are they as impressive as my brother?" Isabella asked, frowning slightly.


    Carter smirked. "Who''s your brother? I don''t even need a top-tier fighter from the Light Guild; I could knock him out with one punch!" He raised his right arm to flex his muscles but, noticing only flabby flesh, quickly lowered it, though his face remained full of confidence.


    Isabella shook her head. "Forget it. I wouldn''t want you to end up crying because my brother beat you up."


    "Who are you looking down on? I''m the future head of the Light Guild!" Carter raised his voice defensively.


    Not far away, a middle-aged man dressed just as opulently as Carter, who bore a slight resemblance to him, twitched slightly at his words.


    Unfazed by Carter''s boasting, Isabella replied dismissively, "Immature! Do you have a brother? I have the best brother in the world. Anything I want, he''ll give me! And you? What do you have besides inheriting the Light Guild? Tell me, what else do you have?"


    Carter''s face flushed as he tried to counter, but Isabella''s sharp tone had him stepping back in retreat. Frustrated, he stomped his foot and stormed off toward the well-dressed man nearby. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Daddy, didn''t you say the Light Guild is super famous? Then how come she doesn''t know about it? And, is having a brother really that nice? Why didn''t you get me one?"


    As Carter retreated, Isabella chuckled and walked over to join Alan.


    While admiring the beautiful night view from the top deck, Alan had also kept part of his mind power focused on Isabella and couldn''t help but smile at the scene.


    Taking a deep breath, he continued gazing at the night scenery below as it slowly receded into the distance.


    Perhaps because of the late hour, Alan felt his heart relax. The sounds of the wind, the train''s whistle, the rhythmic clattering, and even piano music drifting from some of the luxurious rooms melded into a strangely harmonious melody.


    Isabella had initially planned to stay by his side, but sensing that Alan was entering a key moment in his training, she decided not to disturb him. Instead, she watched his focused expression, memories of their life together filling her with a warm smile.


    Meanwhile¡­


    In the main control room of the Charlie No.1 train, an elderly man in a black top hat and a tailcoat scanned the collected data, searching for even the smallest flaw.


    As the Overseer of the Charlie No.1, he had control over the train''s operations and had hoped to find a reason to remove Annie from her position as acting captain.


    But Annie, well-prepared, had left no gaps, giving him no opportunity to cause trouble.


    "Fine. There''s still time before we reach the capital. I''ll find a way to catch her off guard," he muttered with a sinister smile.


    Suddenly, he noticed something amiss and turned to Annie behind him.


    "Acting Captain Annie, why is the deluxe room I reserved no longer available?"


    Annie gave a slight bow, a hint of apology in her voice. "Overseer Monk, room 99 was originally reserved for you, but we recently discovered a young grand magus on board.


    We thought it best to allocate the room to him."


    Annie disliked the old man, who constantly targeted her within the Church of Steam and Magic, but outwardly, she maintained a respectful demeanor. "I was simply following protocol, as it''s essential to show respect to a young grand magus."


    Monk scoffed, unimpressed. "There are many ways to show respect. Handing over the room meant for me¡ªwhat''s that supposed to mean, Acting Captain Annie?"


    Monk had anticipated that Annie would find a way to resist his presence, but he hadn''t expected her to directly undermine him by taking his room.


    Annie replied calmly, "At this point, it''s too late to discuss that. If you''re not satisfied, Overseer Monk, there are plenty of medium and lower-class rooms still available on the train."


    Monk''s face darkened at the insult. As a mid-ranking officer within the Church, he found the suggestion to stay in a lower-class room a complete humiliation.


    Seeing his expression, Annie continued, "If the Overseer prefers, we''ll soon reach the border fortress. You could transfer to another train. With me managing the Charlie No.1, there won''t be any issues even if you''re not here."


    "So, in the eyes of Acting Captain Annie, I''m expendable?" Monk''s voice grew icy, and his tier-gold mage''s pressure bore down on her.


    "Is the Overseer planning to use force against me?" Annie''s silver eyes flashed with a cold light, showing no fear.


    Realizing the futility of aggression, Monk reined in his aura, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Church rules strictly prohibited internal conflicts, and with Annie''s strong connections, attacking her would only play into her hands.


    Suppressing his anger, he stormed out, followed by his entourage. "Fine, Annie! We''ll see who has the last laugh!"


    As they left, his furious words echoed through the corridor.


    "Captain, Overseer Monk is notorious for holding grudges. He''s unlikely to let this go. Should we prepare for retaliation?" a maid close to Annie asked with concern.


    Annie shook her head. "No need to rush. We''ll take things one step at a time."


    ¡­


    "Did you manage to find any information on those siblings staying in deluxe room 99?" Monk asked his confidant as soon as they exited the main control room.


    "Both of them seem to be nobodies with no background. I''m not even convinced the man is truly a grand magus. He''s too young, and he has no notable affiliations."


    Hearing this, a dangerous gleam flashed in Monk''s eyes. "Whether Annie did this to annoy us or not, those two have no background or real strength. They''ve barely stayed there long, so let''s kick them out!"


    His men, eager to please, quickened their pace toward room 99.


    Their aggressive march quickly drew the attention of the nobles on the deck, who looked on in confusion, unsure of who occupied that room. Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    Bang!


    The guards burst into room 99, tossing out anything that didn''t belong there.


    Isabella, who had been casually watching the commotion, froze in shock when she realized the intruders had barged into her and Alan''s room.


    She felt a surge of fear at the thought of the disturbance disrupting Alan''s breakthrough.


    While she was trying to calm herself, a few of Monk''s personal guards recognized Isabella, their faces darkening as they charged toward her.

 Chapter 478 - Chapter34-Insightful Heart

    On the vast train deck, all the noble guests turned to watch the Church of Steam and Magic guards storm toward the young girl, Isabella.


    Sympathy flashed across some of their faces.


    Being targeted by the Church''s guards was never a good sign.


    Isabella, entirely unaware of what was happening, paled as the guards approached.


    Her instinct was to run, but with her brother in the midst of a crucial moment nearby, any sudden movement or disturbance could disrupt him.


    So, despite her fear, she stood her ground, questioning the guards as they neared.


    "What are you doing? Why are you throwing out our belongings?"


    "Your belongings?" scoffed the knight in light armor at the front. "Do you think that''s a place someone like you deserves? Look at your status!"


    With that, he kicked Isabella hard in the stomach, sending her flying across the deck and crashing onto the floor with a dull thud.


    Pain radiated through her abdomen as though a blade had pierced her, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.


    She gritted her teeth, clutching her stomach, determined not to make a sound that could disturb her brother.


    Seeing this, many bystanders frowned.


    They could tell Isabella was just an ordinary person, unable to wield magic.


    The guards from the Church were going too far.


    Watching this unfold, Carter felt anger boiling inside and stepped forward, but the middle-aged man beside him, who bore a striking resemblance to him, pulled him back, his gaze fixed thoughtfully on Alan.


    Unsatisfied that Isabella hadn''t cried out or begged, the light-armored knight took a few steps closer. He stomped down on her fingers, making a sickening crunch.


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    "You dare occupy the Overseer''s room? Are you tired of living?!"


    Isabella''s fingers were nearly crushed under the pressure, her forehead beaded with sweat, and blood seeped from her tightly clenched teeth.


    She wanted to fight back, to protest, but her strength was fading fast.


    "You show no remorse whatsoever. This only adds to your sins!" the knight sneered, stepping over her and walking toward Alan, a murderous glint in his eyes as he slowly unsheathed his sword.


    But as he took a single step, he felt an unexpected weight on his leg and turned to see Isabella, her bloodied fingers wrapped tightly around his leg.


    "Don''t disturb my brother! I¡­ I challenge you!" Her voice was hoarse from the blood in her throat, yet her resolve was unyielding.


    "Challenge me? You''re not worthy!" The knight sneered, kicking Isabella away again. Raising his sword high, he shouted, "Since you two are so close, I''ll send you off together!"


    Just as he was about to strike Isabella, who had crashed against the edge of the deck, Alan opened his eyes.


    At that moment, he felt as if his vision had risen to an extraordinary height, gazing down upon the flow of all things below in perfect harmony.


    Earth, fire, wind, and water¡ªelements interwoven in an endless cycle.


    In an instant, Alan''s spirit surged, and a radiant, seven-colored light descended from above, swirling around him like a rainbow, purifying his soul further.


    His spirit ascended, gaining a tangible presence that shimmered with brilliant hues.


    "Insightful Heart!" Carter''s father gasped, his eyes widening with astonishment.


    Others nearby took notice of the supernatural phenomenon and quickly recognized it.


    "Insightful Heart¡ªa profoundly rare magus spiritual tier.


    Not only does it enhance one''s affinity with the elements, but it allows for a smoother mastery and transformation of magic. This surpasses even a grand magus; only a high-level magus can achieve such a special tier!"


    The nobles on the deck, well aware of the significance, looked at Alan with renewed respect.


    A magus, perhaps even a grand magus, in their midst!


    Only a magus of exceptional talent could reach such a tier, and such individuals were incredibly rare in the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    Alan, fully revitalized after absorbing the rainbow light, could see the flow and surge of elements around him with unprecedented clarity.


    These elements hovered around him like lively spirits, exuding both obedience and liveliness.


    As he marveled at his breakthrough, Alan''s excitement turned to shock as he saw Isabella''s body, flung like a falling star, slam into the deck''s edge.


    Blood trailed from her lips, and her fingers were coated in fresh blood.


    Alan''s pupils contracted in disbelief. How had his sister ended up like this?


    "Who did this?!"


    A fierce rage erupted within him, spreading out in a wave of elemental energy.


    The knight, who had raised his sword to strike Isabella, suddenly felt an intense, bone-chilling cold envelop him.


    Ice crystals rapidly formed on his body, freezing him in place.


    Though Alan hadn''t leveled up, the ascension of his soul through the Insightful Heart allowed him a deeper mastery of elemental control.


    The knight, though a mid-tier bronze mage, was immobilized by the frost encasing him.


    In the next moment, the knight''s eyes widened as Alan, moving like a violent storm, appeared before him.


    "Who gave you the right to touch my sister?!"


    Alan''s fist, infused with blazing flames, slammed into the knight''s stomach.


    Under the combined pressure of fire and ice, the armor shattered, sending shards of ice deep into the knight''s body.


    Blood sprayed from his wounds as he was launched dozens of meters across the deck, hitting the ground with a sickening impact. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone around watched, stunned. This knight, a tier-bronze mage with notable defense and attack power, had been utterly destroyed in a single move.


    The boy''s combat power and ruthlessness were terrifying.


    Furious, the remaining guards from the Church charged at Alan.


    "How dare you lay a hand on a Church knight! Who gave you the audacity?"


    "Attack!"


    Dozens of Church guards, most of them close to tier-bronze, surged toward Alan like a relentless tide.


    Alan, overwhelmed with guilt, knelt beside Isabella. "Sister, I''m sorry. I should have protected you¡­"


    Isabella managed a weak smile. "I''m¡­ I''m fine, brother. Congratulations on your breakthrough."


    With that, she drifted into unconsciousness, though her lips held a small, sweet smile.


    Alan''s hand clenched into a fist, and a cold, murderous intent filled the air, chilling the surrounding temperature.


    As he rose, his staff transformed into a long sword, and his tangible killing intent manifested as a fierce snowstorm that swept across the deck.


    The Church guards shivered as a sense of unprecedented danger gripped them. In that moment, Alan no longer seemed human¡ªhe was a ferocious beast of vengeance.


    "What did my sister do to deserve this treatment?!"


    Alan''s voice pierced the souls of the guards, sending a chill down their spines.


    Some even had a fleeting vision of their throats being slit, only to be pulled back to reality when Captain Annie appeared nearby.


    "Alan, this is just a misunderstanding!" Annie called out, stepping forward to stop him.

 Chapter 479 - Chapter35-Monk Overseer

    As Alan''s sword was about to slash across the neck of the lead guard, Annie appeared in front of him, intercepting the blow.


    "Alan, Monk Overseer doesn''t know the full story. He believes you intruded upon his deluxe room, but I''m negotiating with him. I promise you''ll be given a fair explanation," she said sternly. "If you kill a Church guard, no one will be able to protect you. Don''t act impulsively!"


    Around them, the onlookers watched Alan with astonishment.


    The Church of Steam and Magic was notoriously ruthless; anyone daring to kill one of their guards would face relentless retaliation.


    Without Annie''s intervention, Alan might very well have taken out the guards before him.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll immediately arrange for a healing mage to tend to your sister. She''ll be fine," Annie continued, seeing that Alan''s murderous intent had not yet faded.


    Alan glared at her coldly. "You''re stepping in to stop me now? Where were you when my sister was being beaten? You''re the one who put us in the deluxe room, weren''t you?"


    "This isn''t over between us. But these people who hurt my sister¡­ they will die!" His words, cold as ice, carried the weight of death itself.


    Annie shuddered, momentarily caught off guard by the chilling determination in his gaze.


    The Church guards, who had just begun to relax, felt their anxiety surge once more.


    Even high-level mages rarely dared to hold murderous intent toward them, given that they represented the authority of the Church itself.


    But Alan was different; the killing intent radiating from him was as cold and unfeeling as a winter storm, leaving them with a deep, unsettling dread.


    In a flash, the panicked guards unleashed their magic energy in response, releasing clusters of elemental light that merged together to form a Toxic Marsh Formation.


    The air thickened around them, filling with a dark, sticky fog that clashed with Alan''s flaming sword as he charged.


    Alan''s strike was fierce, a blazing arc of flame searing through the air, hissing as it collided with the toxic fumes.


    Each guard contributing to the formation felt their magic energy draining rapidly, their faces turning pale with fear.


    The Toxic Marsh Formation, created by over thirty guards working together, would typically take even a mid-tier bronze mage some time to break through.


    Yet under the force of Alan''s single sword strike, the guards had lost most of their mana in an instant. His combat power was terrifying.


    Could he truly be just a tier-iron mage?


    While they were still reeling, Alan slashed again, tearing through the dark shield.


    A golden-red streak of sword energy, blazing with the intensity of molten iron, ripped forward.


    This time, his strike combined not only fire but also the sharpness of the metal element.


    Splat!


    Already drained from the previous attack, the guards struggled to maintain the shattered formation. Alan''s sword energy hit them full force, sending them flying backward, coughing blood and collapsing in exhaustion.


    As the guards lay writhing in pain, the light-armored knight Alan had wounded earlier recovered enough to glare at him with twisted rage.


    As the squad leader, to suffer such humiliation was unbearable¡ªkilling Alan was the only way to restore his honor.


    The knight downed a vial of blood-red potion, his gaze fixed on Alan, his voice as chilling as a whisper from hell.


    "Forcing me to use my secret potion¡­ You''ll be the first to feel what it means to wish for death over life!"


    As soon as he spoke, his bones began to crack and expand, his aura surging to the level of a late-stage tier-bronze mage. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Those watching nearby, initially intrigued by the scene, began to back away in fear.


    The aura emanating from the knight was thick with danger, far stronger than before.


    But even as his power intensified, Alan reached him first, slashing down at his right leg.


    Slash!


    Before the knight could react, blood spurted from his leg, which was severed in a single strike. Smoke rose from the cauterized wound, filling the air with a distinct, burnt smell.


    "Aaagh!" The knight''s face contorted in agony, his body staggering backward as waves of excruciating pain washed over him.


    "You''re dead!" he screamed. "The Overseer is here!"


    "You and your pathetic sister will be burned alive! No one can save you!"


    His twisted voice echoed across the deck, his words laced with madness.


    The crowd, many of them high-ranking nobles, watched Alan in shock.


    He had dared to injure so many guards of the Church, and now he faced down the squad leader, filled with an unrelenting killing intent they could all feel.


    In a swift motion, ignoring the gasps of the onlookers, Alan brought his sword down on the knight, severing his head in one clean stroke.


    The crowd fell silent, stunned. Killing a member of the Church of Steam and Magic¡ªeven a minor leader¡ªwould lead to unending consequences.


    The Church would pursue this with merciless retribution.


    At that moment, an elder dressed in a tailcoat, staff in hand, appeared on the deck.


    It was Monk Overseer, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at Alan.


    "Do you have any idea who that was? He was one of my people! You must have a death wish!" he roared, seething at the audacity of Alan''s actions.


    The Overseer had never expected anyone to dare lay a hand on his subordinates, especially not in broad daylight.


    His reputation would be shattered if he did not bring swift retribution.


    "Distinguished guests," he said, struggling to contain his fury, "I must ask you all to leave. There''s private business to handle here."


    The nobles glanced at Monk, nodding politely before departing.


    Despite their high status, none of them wanted to meddle in matters involving the Church, especially not with a high-ranking Overseer like Monk.


    As the nobles withdrew, Carter and his father paused to offer Isabella a healing potion, helping to stop the bleeding on her injured hands before quietly departing.


    With the onlookers gone, the vast deck was left cold and silent.


    Only the Church guards remained, surrounding Alan with hostile stares.


    Alan cast a brief glance at Annie, then focused his attention on Monk Overseer.


    The aura radiating from the Overseer was overwhelmingly powerful, the oppressive energy of a late-stage tier-gold mage.


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    A tier-gold mage of this level was an insurmountable foe for Alan in his current state.


    As Alan assessed his opponent, Monk stared him down with disdain, his voice laced with icy contempt.


    "So, you were pushed out here by Annie to vex me. I imagine you must have some backing to act so boldly. Tell me, and perhaps I''ll go easy on you."


    Alan''s gaze swept over Annie and Monk, his tone cold as he replied, "What''s this? Without background or influence, you don''t even consider me worthy of being a pawn?"


    Though he wished he had some powerful support, in truth, he had only his sister, and no one else to back him.


    "No background?" Monk''s sneer deepened, his voice dripping with contempt. "Without backing, you dare to strike against my people¡ªagainst the Church?"


    Alan stared back defiantly. "Your men attacked my sister. If I strike back, what''s there to fear?"


    He knew well the might and terror of the Church of Steam and Magic, a power that loomed large over the Plantagenet Kingdom. But that didn''t matter.


    If they dared lay a hand on his sister, he would show no mercy. His sister was his untouchable line.


    "Kid, didn''t anyone teach you? Out in the world, without influence or power, you should keep your head down," Monk''s voice grew colder and more menacing with each word.

 Chapter 480 - Chapter36-Kill!

    Monk Overseer narrowed his eyes, gazing coldly at Alan.


    "Whether what you say is true or not, the Church will investigate this to the end! In the Plantagenet Kingdom, no one defies the will of the Church without consequence," he sneered. "Your parents, your family¡ªall will be destroyed! Do you think the Church has held power for so many years without iron-fisted resolve? Only through ruthless might will you lowly creatures learn to fear, to tremble, to know reverence!" Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire


    He gestured to the guards surrounding Alan. "All of you, kill them both and hang their bodies as a warning!"


    With his command, the guards moved toward Alan.


    "Do you really think you''ve got me cornered?" Alan scoffed.


    The guards closing in were all tier-bronze mages, exuding a powerful presence that surpassed the light-armored knight Alan had just faced.


    It was clear these were elite forces. But did they truly think they could take him down so easily?


    As the guards charged, they suddenly sensed a fierce, chilling wave of energy emanating from Alan. Even Monk Overseer, who had started to step away, paused, his pupils contracting.


    A magus!


    At that moment, they all felt the powerful surge of mind power radiating from Alan, disturbing the magical elements around the deck.


    Although Annie had known Alan was a magus, the energy he now emitted was far stronger than before, as though he had become the master of every element within hundreds of meters.


    The mages nearest to Alan felt their internal magic elements become restless and difficult to control, a sensation they had never experienced before.


    "So¡­ he really is a grand magus¡­" Monk Overseer''s brow furrowed slightly.


    According to protocol, someone of Alan''s level should have received some consideration, perhaps even an invitation to join the Church.


    However, after killing one of their own, he would have to pay the price; the Church''s honor was at stake.


    "Grand magus or not, in front of the Church, you''re nothing. Dragon or tiger, you''ll submit just the same!" Monk Overseer''s voice grew colder as he ordered the guards forward.


    But as he spoke, he noticed something unexpected.


    Alan wasn''t charging at the tier-bronze guards, nor was he trying to escape with his sister.


    Instead, with wind elements wrapped around his legs, Alan leaped over the guards and headed directly for Monk Overseer himself!


    The Overseer hesitated in surprise, shocked by Alan''s audacity.


    This madman was actually going after him! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even if Alan was a grand magus, there was still a massive gap between their levels.


    "Fool!" Monk Overseer snarled, feeling a wave of humiliation. As a high-ranking mage, an overseer with a strong reputation, he was outraged that Alan would so blatantly disregard him.


    "Fine! Since you''re so eager to die at my hands, I''ll grant you that mercy!"


    Monk Overseer glared at Alan, his staff¡ªshaped like a devil''s trident¡ªlighting up with a black glow that shot forward in a dark, all-consuming beam, darkening the air around it as it sped toward Alan.


    But in that moment, a dense cloud of water elements exploded around Alan, cloaking the area in a thick mist that obstructed Monk''s sight.


    Extending his mind power to locate Alan, he suddenly felt multiple beams of light streaking toward him from behind.


    There were at least ten light swords, each one carrying a sense of danger as they flew toward him.


    Just before they struck, the swords merged into a single, piercing beam, moving with nearly incomprehensible speed.


    For the first time, Monk Overseer encountered such a baffling and elusive mage technique.


    Caught off guard, he could only raise his staff as though summoning a demon''s hand from the earth to shield himself against the incoming swords.


    However, since Alan''s spirit had transformed with the Insightful Heart, his Light Sword Spell had increased from six swords to ten, with vastly improved power.


    In an instant, they pierced through the Demon''s Hand, which disintegrated into shimmering fragments.


    The protective magical artifact¡ªthe tailcoat Monk wore¡ªfailed to repel the piercing light sword, which drove into his chest, drawing blood.


    A grand magus had wounded the late-tier-gold Monk Overseer!


    Annie and the other onlookers were stunned. Despite the vast difference in their levels, the first exchange had ended with Monk Overseer injured.


    They could hardly imagine what might have happened if Alan had been a higher level; that unexpected strike could have been fatal.


    Annie''s expression grew thoughtful. If she hadn''t treated Alan as a mere pawn, she might have gained a powerful ally for the future.


    His devotion to his sister suggested that he could be a reliable friend.


    Yet she quickly dismissed the thought¡ªAlan''s power was impressive, but without a background, it would be his downfall.


    Standing out invites trouble.


    As Monk Overseer glared down at his bleeding chest, his face turned dark. With a burst of magic energy, he forced out the light sword lodged in his chest, shattering it.


    Then, with rage-fueled strength, he thrust his trident-like staff directly toward Alan''s chest.


    "It''s been years since anyone dared wound me. Die, you worthless wretch!"


    The power behind his strike evaporated the surrounding mist, revealing Alan.


    Alan''s face had grown pale; although the Light Sword Spell was powerful, it had also drained him significantly, leaving him unable to cast it again.


    With no choice, Alan raised his sword to parry the attack.


    But the overwhelming power of Monk''s tier-gold strike sent shockwaves through Alan''s body, his skin splitting open as blood seeped from the cracks.


    The gap between their levels was simply too vast.


    Seeing Alan wounded, Monk Overseer''s rage only deepened.


    He prepared to strike again and tear Alan to pieces, but suddenly, Alan''s airborne body was caught by an invisible force.


    The next moment, a powerful surge of life energy surrounded Alan, quickly healing his injuries and invigorating his spirit as though a potent energy had entered his body.


    The crowd looked on in shock.


    "Senior¡­" Alan, now rejuvenated, sensed a familiar presence.


    Turning, he saw a black-robed woman standing in the air nearby¡ªthe same mysterious figure from his training in hell.


    She had appeared here!


    Alan''s heart raced.


    The black-robed woman spared him a glance before stepping forward, moving through the air toward Monk Overseer.


    Monk had noticed her appearance immediately.


    The moment he saw her, an instinctual dread filled him, as if death itself had locked its gaze upon him.


    He had only felt such an aura from the most enigmatic elders in the Church, and even their presence couldn''t match the power radiating from this woman.


    "Y-Your Excellency, how should I address you?" Monk stammered, his tone filled with forced respect despite her apparent connection to Alan.


    "Are you the one who tried to kill Alan?" she asked coldly.


    Snowflakes began to fall from the sky, transforming the warmth of summer into a freezing winter at her mere thought.


    Monk Overseer felt himself turning numb from the cold, trembling as he forced himself to speak.


    "Your Excellency, there must be some misunderstanding. Had I known he was under your protection, today''s events would never have happened¡­"

 Chapter 481 - Chapter37-Chief Overseer

    The Monk Overseer hadn''t expected that Alan had such a powerful, mysterious woman behind him. Immediately, he grew wary and asked,


    "I wonder what kind of background this senior has? Perhaps I even know you. We might be friends, so there''s no need to make this situation so tense!"


    Although the woman in the black robe gave him an immense sense of pressure, he was, after all, a church Overseer, a high-ranking official in the church!


    And the church held a commanding presence over all factions within the Plantagenet Kingdom, even the royal family.


    Surrounding kingdoms dared not easily provoke the church either.


    Thus, even though he sensed that this black-robed woman was both powerful and unfriendly, he was willing to speak in softer tones, aiming to probe her intentions.


    However, as her words fell, the black-robed woman cast a cold glance at him,


    "You aren''t qualified to speak to me. Bring someone with the authority."


    Contempt!


    The Monk Overseer could see in her eyes a disdain that pierced his very soul!


    But he was a high-tier gold mage and an Overseer of the church!


    When had he ever been treated with such disdain?


    With a surge of anger, the Monk Overseer sneered,


    "Heh, nowadays, even stray cats and dogs dare to act so arrogantly before the church¡­"


    His mocking words were suddenly cut off by a voice as cold as if from the depths of hell.


    "Silence!"


    As the black-robed woman spoke, firefly-like specks of light began to appear in the dim night sky, growing denser and rapidly coalescing into a fist-sized orb of light that burst forth with an endless, dazzling brilliance.


    The extreme brightness turned the dark night sky into day!


    A flicker of astonishment flashed in Alan''s eyes.


    This nearly blinding light was clearly condensed from the light sword of a Light Sword Spell, yet it had created such a terrifying spectacle!


    "Watch this sword carefully. The so-called Element Fusion and transformation are more about the evolution of form and intent!"


    "Though it is a light sword, it can carry the ethereal, adaptable essence of water elements, a unique and versatile concept!"


    The black-robed woman wasn''t in a hurry to strike. She sent Alan a voice transmission.


    Seeing her personally demonstrate the Light Sword Spell, Alan widened his eyes, held his breath, and watched every detail intently.


    After sending this message to Alan, the black-robed woman formed a sword with her fingers. The previously brilliant orb of light that had illuminated the night sky instantly began to ripple like water, condensing inward and forming a light sword the length of an arm.


    In Alan''s deep soul perception, he realized that this appeared to be a single light sword, but it was actually composed of countless hair-thin light swords, fused together to form one.


    This minute composition gave the light sword its water-like fluidity, making it appear like a light sword condensed from flowing water. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What astounding control!"


    Alan''s shock grew. The smaller and more numerous the light swords, the harder they were to control.


    Yet these light swords, under the control of the black-robed woman''s soul, behaved as obediently as docile cattle.


    In that instant, they shot toward the Monk Overseer at an astonishing speed.


    The Monk Overseer''s pupils contracted.


    The speed of this sword was so fast that he hadn''t even seen the sword''s shadow! He only sensed its presence through his spiritual perception.


    Without hesitation, he wielded his staff, forming a resonance with his body, and summoned an extraordinary dark aura.


    Countless magical elements coalesced before him, forming a fierce spellbeast resembling a lion, charging forward to intercept the sword''s shadow, attempting to neutralize the deadly strike.


    Everyone nearby held their breath, not daring to make a sound.


    Though this mysterious woman was extraordinary, the Monk Overseer was, after all, a high-tier gold mage!


    Just as they thought this, a sharp sound of air being torn apart echoed.


    The shadowy spellbeast that collided with the light sword was instantly transformed into light elements, becoming part of the light sword itself, enhancing its power!


    The Monk Overseer''s heart filled with terror. He couldn''t believe it.


    This dark spellbeast was a signature summoning spell of the high-tier gold level!


    His famous move had not only been ineffective, but it had also been instantly assimilated.


    Such a bizarre phenomenon was a first for him.


    As the deadly crisis approached, he hurriedly threatened, "I am a church Overseer. If you kill me, you won''t make it out of the Plantagenet Kingdom alive!"


    "Silence!"


    The black-robed woman''s face turned cold.


    She struck the air with an ethereal hand, which landed on him faster than he could react, delivering a harsh slap.


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    The Monk Overseer cried out in pain, half of his face''s flesh was sliced away, blood gushing uncontrollably.


    The spectators felt a chill at this sight. The humiliation she inflicted on the Monk Overseer was beyond severe. For someone of his rank, dignity was paramount.


    Seeing that the black-robed woman hadn''t followed up with another attack, the Monk Overseer felt a small sense of relief.


    As an Overseer of the church, though she was powerful, she dared not strike him fatally! Surely, she feared the church''s influence.


    But just as he had this thought, an immense, chilling pressure emanated from the black-robed woman, like a frigid northern snowstorm blanketing the vast plaza and even enveloping the colossal structure of Charlie No. 1.


    "Come out!"


    Her voice, like a crack of thunder, echoed from her lips, aimed directly at a figure appearing in the sky above the train.


    This previously faint figure now materialized. It was the Chief Overseer, holding both a rank and power far above the Monk Overseer, having reached beyond high-tier gold, into tier-platinum.


    The Chief Overseer appeared, his face twisted in anger, and rebuked the black-robed woman,


    "No matter who you are or what strength you possess, daring to strike a church Overseer means you won''t leave here unscathed!"


    "In the Plantagenet Kingdom, whoever you are, before the church, you will kneel!"


    Just as his voice thundered across the air, a light sword was already speeding toward him at an astounding pace.


    "At this point, you still show no remorse! Your sins only deepen!"


    His face grew colder, yet he sensed that this woman was an immensely powerful magus!


    He raised his hands in a mystical gesture, summoning a bizarre Mandrake flower on his body, aiming to suppress the black-robed woman.


    Magi had no glaring weaknesses, but that didn''t make them invincible.


    His unique mage bloodline and the Mandrake flower were known for their powerful suppression of magi souls.


    However, the light sword continued its unrelenting advance, piercing through the Mandrake, and to his shock, it penetrated him as well!


    How could this be?


    Was she not a magus? The Mandrake was designed to suppress souls. Could it be she wasn''t just a grand magus but a far more advanced magus?!


    But how?


    There was only one powerful magus in the entire Plantagenet Kingdom! This woman appeared so young; how could she have advanced to such a profound level?


    As shock flashed through his mind, the Chief Overseer dared not be complacent. The light sword, having pierced the Mandrake, continued its charge.


    "Rising Dragon Array!"


    A sound like a dragon''s roar rose from below the train, enveloping him and elevating his power to the peak of tier-platinum!


    With the magic array''s assistance and his tier-platinum mana, he should be able to crush her in one move!


    But to his dismay, the light sword surged forward, piercing through the Rising Dragon Array, unimpeded, striking through his abdomen and bursting into his heart!


    The light sword exploded, and the Chief Overseer, this tier-platinum mage, fell backward, his chest a bloody mess, his life extinguished, collapsing to the ground!


    "The Chief Overseer was killed?!"


    The Monk Overseer''s face turned pale with terror, unable to believe his eyes.


    How dare she?!


    As he trembled with fear, he finally understood: the black-robed woman did not refrain from attacking him because she feared the church.


    More likely, she simply didn''t think he was worth her time.

 Chapter 482 - Chapter38-Apology and Compensation

    Realizing that he wasn''t even worthy of being killed by her, the Monk Overseer felt an overwhelming sense of terror.


    He had only targeted Alan, someone without a significant background, thinking he could easily use him to pressure Annie.


    How had things escalated to this point? What kind of terrifying being had he provoked?


    The Monk Overseer began to feel a deep regret in his heart, realizing this situation was far beyond his ability to handle.


    Annie, watching the black-robed woman''s figure, felt a complex mix of awe and reverence.


    The Chief Overseer was a tier-platinum mage!


    He had even utilized the power of a magic array, yet he couldn''t withstand a single move from the black-robed woman.


    It was evident how powerful and disdainful she was, showing complete disregard for the church.


    If the Chief Overseer had fallen, and if her anger hadn''t been quelled, everyone here would be in grave danger. What kind of monster had she indirectly provoked?


    At that moment, an elderly man with a gaunt face appeared on the disturbed train.


    His hunched back hinted at poor health, yet his aura was unfathomable, surpassing even the Chief Overseer''s.


    "Head of the Church, Daniel, at your service, King Magus." Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    King Magus?!


    The people around gasped, practically in shock.


    A King Magus¡ªa mythical figure with the power to reshape skies and seas with a single thought!


    Daniel, a top ten member in the church hierarchy, had spoken, so there was no doubt. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If we have offended you in any way, please forgive us.


    We will address this matter and provide you with a satisfactory explanation as soon as possible."


    Though Daniel was highly ranked, the aura exuding from the black-robed woman terrified him.


    Her power was dreadful, like an endless abyss!


    Respect was the only way he could respond.


    A King Magus could summon phenomena with a mere wave of their hand.


    Even the Church of Steam and Magic''s best warriors combined might not match her strength!


    Such a powerful magus didn''t exist within the Plantagenet Kingdom¡ªhow had she suddenly appeared here?


    "Finally, someone who''s worth a look, though still pathetically weak. Why do you all remain so confident when you''re obviously so lacking?"


    The black-robed woman''s anger didn''t subside at Daniel''s appearance; instead, she looked at him with even more disdain.


    Daniel wanted to argue but swallowed his words. She had the power to speak this way.


    Seeing her strong stance, Daniel quickly looked toward Alan. He now understood that this woman was acting entirely on Alan''s behalf.


    "Mr. Alan, this is truly a misunderstanding. We apologize for any offense caused," he said, attempting to appease the situation.


    However, Alan showed little response and simply looked toward the black-robed woman. Though she had acted on his behalf, he knew he shouldn''t presume upon her goodwill. Whether they continued to fight or not was entirely up to her.


    The black-robed woman, seeing Alan''s gaze, didn''t accept Daniel''s apology. Instead, she coldly responded,


    "Where was all your church''s arrogance just now? Why not show it again?"


    "Or are you just a bunch of cowards who prey on the weak?"


    "Since you were in the wrong, take this attack first!"


    With a flick of her hand, the black-robed woman unleashed her Light Sword Spell, filling the air with countless points of light that surrounded Daniel.


    Daniel''s brow furrowed as he responded with a cold voice,


    "Are you truly prepared to make the church your enemy?"


    For the first time, Daniel felt the fear of death. He had a strong feeling that even if he went all out, he wouldn''t be able to defend against this strike.


    Suddenly, his gaze turned cold, and he looked at the Monk Overseer, striking him with a punch that reduced him to a mist of blood.


    The Monk Overseer was dead, slain by one of his own.


    The black-robed woman nodded in satisfaction,


    "Seeing as you showed some sincerity, I''ll let it end here."


    "If you''re still unsatisfied, feel free to seek me out."


    With that, she vanished like a burst of light.


    Only after she left did Daniel and the others finally exhale in relief.


    The oppressive aura she left behind had made it feel like even breathing was a mistake.


    Once the air returned to normal, the remaining people erupted in whispers.


    A King Magus had appeared¡ªa monumental event!


    And she seemed to be closely connected to Alan.


    Daniel approached Alan after a moment of contemplation and spoke sincerely,


    "Alan, we were wrong today. Please give us another chance to make amends."


    He handed Alan a diamond card, "This is our church''s diamond card, a symbol of status. With it, you''ll receive the finest services at any of our church-affiliated shops."


    "With this card, you can buy anything from our stores at cost price¡­" Daniel listed many benefits.


    Even if Alan didn''t know the details, he understood the diamond card''s significance.


    The Church of Steam and Magic held significant influence in the Plantagenet Kingdom, with stakes in most high-end businesses.


    This card could greatly benefit him as a mage who required abundant resources.


    "Thank you," Alan said, accepting the card. Since the church had wronged his sister, he felt it was fair to accept some compensation.


    Annie, seeing Alan accept the card, softened her expression and added,


    "Alan, Isabella''s injuries have been initially treated. If there are any further issues, she can receive free treatment at any of our church''s clinics by mentioning my name."


    Knowing Alan''s talent, strength, and the terrifying woman''s support, Annie regretted her past actions and wanted to make amends.


    Alan remained silent, only staring coldly at her.


    Daniel intervened, saying seriously,


    "Alan, Annie may have made mistakes, but it was the Monk who ordered harm to Isabella. Annie has a connection with me; please give me this face."


    He took out a vial, "This is Bone Cleansing Potion, incredibly rare and valuable. It should benefit Isabella greatly. Consider it an apology."


    Alan was taken aback by Daniel''s generosity.


    Bone Cleansing Potion was priceless and hard to come by, often reserved for nobles who wanted to improve their children''s foundations.


    "Brother, I''m almost fine now. Let''s just end this matter here," Isabella said, stepping forward, accompanied by the chubby Carter.


    Isabella''s injuries had been initially healed by Carter''s high-quality healing potion, leaving barely a trace.


    Alan checked Isabella''s condition, feeling reassured. It seemed she would make a full recovery soon.


    Nodding, he agreed to Daniel''s offer.


    The Bone Cleansing Potion was precious, and he hoped it might help with Isabella''s mysterious illness.

 Chapter 483 - Chapter39-From Arrogance to Humility

    Seeing Alan accept the apology gift, Annie let out a sigh of relief.


    Although her rank was higher than Alan''s, his cold gaze pierced her like a winter chill cutting through flesh and bone, causing her scalp to tighten and sending waves of discomfort and stinging pain through her.


    Now that Alan had accepted Daniel''s potion, it symbolized the resolution of this resentment, and her relationship with him had eased a little.


    So, she gave a small smile and said, "Alan, it was my fault this time.


    The deluxe room is ready; please give us another chance."


    However, as soon as she finished speaking, Alan shook his head coldly, directly leading Isabella to the previous mid-tier room, unwilling to have any more entanglements with Annie.


    The smile on Annie''s face froze immediately.


    Watching Alan and Isabella walk away, Daniel''s expression turned complicated.


    Alan''s talent and background were exceptional¡ªthis should have been their friend.


    But now, they had strained the relationship.


    He sighed regretfully, his gaze sharpening as he stared at Annie.


    "I used to think you were one of the few outstanding figures of the younger generation, but you''ve managed to cause such a disgraceful incident.


    You shouldn''t act as the temporary train conductor anymore."


    "When we return to the imperial capital, reflect on this carefully. As for any further appointments, we''ll discuss them later!"


    Annie frowned but could only nod helplessly in the end.


    She knew that if not for Daniel''s close relationship with her grandfather, this matter wouldn''t have ended so lightly.


    After all, an Overseer had died because of her!


    Although she hadn''t been severely punished, her position had been stripped, and she might not be reinstated¡ªa more painful blow to Annie, who was always striving to improve, than if they had simply killed her!


    This time, she had truly misjudged.


    ¡­


    Just as Alan stepped down from the top deck of the train, Carter suddenly caught up to him, blocking his path and smiling as he extended an invitation.


    "You don''t seem to have a place to stay for the moment¡ªwhy not stay in our room?"


    Alan looked at him and sensed an intense curiosity in Carter''s gaze.


    Still, recalling how he had helped treat his sister''s injuries, Alan''s face softened with a grateful smile.


    "Thank you for your help just now; I''m grateful. But we won''t impose."


    "Alan, Carter has no ill intentions. He''s simply very curious about magi. If you both don''t mind, we happen to have two vacant rooms."


    The man behind Carter, speaking kindly, introduced himself with a warm smile.


    "This is my father, Harris, Head of the Light Guild!"


    Carter proudly introduced him, though after a moment, his tone shifted slightly from the previous pride to a more humble one.


    "He''s not as powerful as that senior mage you mentioned, but he''s still pretty formidable."


    Harris twitched slightly, giving Carter''s head a light pat and apologizing.


    "I''ve indulged him too much since childhood; his personality is a bit odd. I apologize for any inconvenience."


    Alan shook his head.


    Carter''s straightforward nature was refreshing, unlike the scheming Annie, which allowed him to feel more at ease.


    "I appreciate the offer, but becoming a magus depends entirely on one''s talent, and I wouldn''t be able to help much. Besides, I''m still in the learning phase myself and only know a little."


    Alan declined their invitation once again.


    He was already grateful for their help with Isabella and didn''t want to owe them any more favors.


    After all, repaying a debt of gratitude is the hardest thing.


    Carter was still eager to persuade them, but Harris spoke first.


    "Very well. You and your sister should get some rest. There''s still a way to go before we reach the imperial capital. We''ll catch up if we have the chance."


    Alan nodded and left the upper deck with Isabella.


    As they walked down from the deck, the prominent figures who had previously been cleared from the area were now staring at them in astonishment.


    Alan had previously killed a knight from the church and injured several attendants¡ªcrimes punishable by death!


    Moreover, he had drawn the attention of the Monk, who had ordered them to clear the deck with a single command.


    In everyone''s eyes, these two siblings had already been sentenced to death!


    Yet, after committing such offenses, they had emerged from the deck unharmed!


    What had happened on that deck just now?


    The church held a top position in the Plantagenet Kingdom, a force whose authority was unchallenged. Magi who provoked them never lived to see another sunrise.


    "Could it be that they have powerful connections?"


    "They don''t look it, judging by their plain attire."


    Curious gazes from all directions fixated on Alan and Isabella, finding it hard to believe what they were seeing.


    Alan ignored them completely, taking Isabella directly to their mid-tier room.


    The mid-tier room had been hastily repaired and was now suitable for occupancy.


    "Take the Bone Cleansing Potion and see if it helps cure your strange illness," Alan said, handing the potion to Isabella as soon as they entered.


    As an alchemist, Isabella understood how precious the Bone Cleansing Potion was and quickly shook her head.


    "Brother, this potion cleanses the marrow and enhances one''s potential. You should drink it instead. For me, it would be wasted; it won''t help with my illness."


    Alan firmly shook his head.


    "We have to try. Many doctors and alchemists have examined your illness and couldn''t pinpoint the cause. It could be due to some innate deficiency. We must at least give it a chance!"


    "But this potion is too valuable¡­" Isabella tried to protest further, but Alan uncorked the bottle and helped her drink it directly.


    As the potion entered her body, Isabella felt a growing warmth, as though a fire were igniting within her.


    Impurities and toxins were flushed out, and her frail body began to strengthen, growing more robust.


    However, Alan''s senses detected no changes or improvements in Isabella''s soul.


    Alan frowned.


    Even the Bone Cleansing Potion couldn''t cure his sister''s strange illness; he''d need to take her to Lioncrest Academy for a complete cure.


    Alan''s sense of urgency intensified.


    After taking the potion, Isabella felt a warm, soothing sensation and soon drifted into a peaceful sleep. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once she was asleep, Alan transported himself directly into the depths of Hell.


    Upon entering, he immediately sensed a faint tremor across the first layer of Hell.


    Something was pounding against the seal, trying to break free.


    Alan''s face grew grave.


    He hadn''t forgotten the black-robed woman''s mention of the ferocious Hell beasts and malicious spirits locked away within Hell''s depths, now seemingly on the verge of breaching the seal.


    "You feel it too?" The black-robed woman appeared before him, noting his intense gaze.


    Alan nodded. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    The black-robed woman spoke slowly. "When I intervened just now, a part of Hell''s seal cracked. In at most six months, the seal will completely shatter."


    "After that, I won''t be able to help again; otherwise, the first to die will be you!"


    "Unless you find new items to reinforce the Hell''s seal, but you''re still too low-level to access them right now."


    Alan listened intently and nodded in acknowledgment, then thanked her with sincere gratitude. "Thank you for stepping in!"


    Had it not been for her intervention, he would have only managed to wound the Monk with all his might, and he and his sister would not have escaped unharmed.


    "No need to thank me. Focus on your cultivation. I stepped in only to make sure you understand the brutal reality of survival in this world."


    "With power, they respect you and treat you as an honored guest. Without it, you''re merely livestock under their rules."


    "This realm is vast. Only those at the pinnacle can control their destinies. Without power, you''ll only be shackled by various constraints."


    Her gaze turned deep and silent, like the vast night sky¡ªprofound and distant.


    Alan took a deep breath.


    Although he knew that power was the essence of justice and authority, today''s events with the church using force to subdue him made him realize even more profoundly the importance of strength.


    The pressure in Alan''s heart grew heavier.


    Whether it was his sister''s strange illness, the Hell seal, or his mother¡­


    Everything required him to possess absolute strength!

 Chapter 484 - Chapter40-Barton Kingdom

    "By the way, Senior, what exactly is the purpose of the Insightful Heart I just comprehended?"


    Suddenly, Alan turned to the black-robed woman, actively seeking her guidance.


    The woman looked at him gravely, surprised by his remarkable perception.


    "The Insightful Heart is essentially a tier of a magus''s mental prowess. Once it reaches a certain level, it makes controlling and transforming elements easier, and it allows multitasking."


    "Normally, you''re still far from reaching such a special tier, but since you''ve grasped it, you''ll practically have no bottlenecks until you reach the advanced mage level!"


    Alan felt a moment of clarity, recalling the scenes from when the black-robed woman made her moves earlier.


    For him, the prospect of overcoming challenges without bottlenecks was an incredible blessing, as many magi could spend their entire lives stuck at one.


    However, what Alan truly found impactful about the Insightful Heart was his enhanced sensitivity and control over elements.


    With this unique tier, recalling each of the woman''s moves provided him with new insights.


    It felt as if the elements in his hands had become more agile; with a mere thought, they moved effortlessly, without the awkwardness he had previously felt.


    To confirm his hunch, Alan sparred once again with the tier-gold stone golem conjured by the woman.


    Although there were still some restrictions on the golem, Alan handled the fight much more smoothly this time.


    His speed in commanding elements, predicting his opponent''s moves, and sensing elemental flows had all strengthened multiple times over.


    It felt as if his opponent was completely exposed before him.


    After sparring for several hours, Alan wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling as though he was the master of the elements. His heart swelled with excitement.


    "Senior, when can I be as powerful as you?" Alan suddenly asked.


    Although he wasn''t sure of her exact level, he sensed she was beyond the rank of King Magus¡ªher power seemed unfathomable.


    "Focus on your cultivation," the woman replied calmly. "If you''re truly a genius, you might see my shadow in your lifetime."


    Alan swallowed hard. Wasn''t that a bit arrogant?


    But considering her methods and the aura of superiority she exuded, it was likely a fact.


    Seeing his slight disappointment, she added,


    "Magi who can see my shadow are world-renowned prodigies. You''re doing well."


    Alan: "¡­"


    With her encouragement, Alan entered the Soul Grindstone once more, undergoing soul refinement before finally leaving Hell.


    After this intense training, he decided to relax and spend some time with his sister.


    By the time Alan returned to his room, it was already morning.


    Isabella was still peacefully asleep in bed.


    Although the Bone Cleansing Potion hadn''t affected her soul, her arm and abdominal injuries had fully healed.


    Her skin was now more delicate and healthy, with a soft rosy glow.


    Compared to her previous frail appearance, she looked significantly healthier.


    Under Alan''s gaze, Isabella''s snow-white eyelashes quivered slightly, and she opened her sapphire-blue eyes.


    "Brother!"


    Seeing Alan, Isabella immediately leaped up happily.


    "Let''s go have breakfast and take a stroll," Alan said with a lighthearted laugh.


    After a quick wash, he took Isabella out of the room. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As they left, many mages around them looked on with curiosity and awe.


    They had all inquired about the previous day''s events on the train''s upper deck but hadn''t received any definitive information, as the church members were tight-lipped.


    However, one thing was certain¡ªdespite Alan''s blatant disregard for the church''s authority and his insistence on killing, he was unharmed!


    This was something none of them had ever dared to imagine!


    Naturally, various speculations and rumors spread across the train.


    "I heard they were going to chop Alan into pieces, but the train conductor, Annie, took a liking to that pretty face of his and let him off!"


    "That can''t be true. If that were the case, he''d be in the conductor''s quarters, not here, right?"


    "They probably didn''t want the bad publicity¡­"


    Alan initially ignored the rumors, but hearing them talk about a scandalous affair with Annie made him marvel at the imaginations of these mages.


    Fabricating stories was something they excelled at.


    He hurriedly led Isabella away from the area.


    "Alan''s hasty departure only confirms the rumor!"


    "Now that you mention it, Alan does look more and more like a pretty boy."


    The gossip only grew louder after Alan left.


    "Alan, is the rumor true? Did the conductor really come to your room last night?"


    They hadn''t gone far when Carter appeared with a grin, his expression full of admiration.


    Alan didn''t bother explaining; with people like Carter, explanations only seemed to make things more complicated.


    "Why aren''t you up on the deck? Why are you down here?" Alan asked, changing the subject.


    Carter rubbed his hands together. "Alan, you''re on your way to take the entrance exam for Lioncrest Academy, right?"


    Alan nodded. With Lioncrest Academy''s semester approaching, many people were headed there to take the exam.


    Then he remembered that Carter had introduced himself as a "prospective Lioncrest Academy student." Although Carter''s talent and power seemed average, he was the son of the Head of the Light Guild, so it was possible.


    After all, while Lioncrest Academy forbade backdoor entries, personal connections couldn''t be entirely avoided.


    Carter was obviously one of those with such connections.


    "Since you''re a prospective student, you must know a bit about Lioncrest Academy?" Alan looked at him.


    Carter nodded, eyes filled with eager anticipation as he shared his knowledge of the academy.


    Alan listened quietly.


    Although Lioncrest Academy was well-known throughout the Plantagenet Kingdom, his understanding of it was superficial.


    Only wealthy young people like Carter had access to insider information.


    After listening to Carter''s excited monologue, Alan had a much deeper understanding of Lioncrest Academy.


    Due to the increasing number of applicants each year, the academy''s admission standards continued to rise.


    Now, the requirement of tier-iron level 8 had been raised to tier-iron level 9!


    There were also some other changes in the details, which Alan hadn''t been aware of before.


    "Anyway, you''ll find out once you''re at the imperial capital. With your talent and power, getting into Lioncrest Academy should be a breeze, even with many applicants!"


    Having witnessed Alan''s battle skills firsthand, Carter was confident that Alan would have no problem entering Lioncrest Academy.


    Then he looked toward an ancient city looming in the distance, his expression growing serious.


    "We''re about to reach Ironblood City, at the border with Barton Kingdom. Be careful there and stick close to me¡ªit''s not a peaceful place!"


    Alan looked toward Ironblood City as well.


    Even in the remote Northern District, he had heard of it.


    Over the years, as the Plantagenet Kingdom weakened, much of its borderlands had been encroached upon.


    Ironblood City, once deep within Plantagenet Kingdom territory, was nearly claimed by Barton Kingdom.


    If not for its strategic importance, Plantagenet Kingdom would have lost control over Ironblood City entirely, leaving its railway network fragmented and the imperial capital greatly threatened.


    According to what Alan had heard, although Ironblood City had been saved, the terms of the treaty were rather humiliating. Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire


    Alan didn''t ask much more, figuring they''d only stop for half a day before moving on, and as long as they were cautious, it would be fine.


    He had heard the scenery within Ironblood City was beautiful, but if it wasn''t safe, he''d have to abandon his plan to take his sister sightseeing for the day.

 Chapter 485 - Chapter41-Ironblood City

    "Dear passengers, Charlie No.1 has arrived at Ironblood City. We will stop here for six hours to rest. During this time, you may step off the train, but please do not wander too far to avoid any danger."


    A clear, lilting female voice, resonating with a distinct mana, echoed throughout the train, reaching everyone''s ears clearly.


    "Ironblood City at last!" Carter stretched with a long yawn before looking over at Alan and Isabella with a smile.


    "We''ve been on this train for ages; want to go for a walk together?"


    Isabella suddenly chimed in, "But I want to walk with my brother alone! It''s rare for him to have free time. Carter, you can walk around with your dad."


    Carter glanced at Alan, only to find him looking fondly at Isabella.


    "A brother-obsessed sister and a sister-obsessed brother... You two make it impossible for others to join in!" Carter felt like he''d gone from being part of the conversation to being a bystander in an instant.


    Isabella giggled, "Well, that''s what you get for not having a brother!" She hugged Alan''s arm affectionately and pulled him off the train.


    Watching them, Carter suddenly felt that his happy childhood had been a bit lonely. He rushed over to his father, Harris, who was nearby.


    "Dad, I want a brother too!"


    ¡­


    Charlie No.1 had stopped in the heart of Ironblood City. As soon as they stepped off the train, they were already in the bustling city center.


    However, since this city was located on the buffer zone between two nations, it wasn''t as lively as Alan had imagined.


    The streets were sparsely populated, and most of the people looked despondent and gaunt, like walking corpses.


    Unlike the people from the Plantagenet Kingdom, there were also many knights and citizens from the Barton Kingdom on the streets.


    They wore elegant clothes adorned with the Barton Kingdom''s emblem and strutted through the streets arrogantly as if they were the true masters of Ironblood City.


    Alan frowned. Though Carter had already told him about the situation in Ironblood City, he still found it unsettling.


    This was, after all, territory of the Plantagenet Kingdom¡ªhis homeland!


    He shook his head slightly, preparing to leave, but just then, a group of overweight Plantagenet Kingdom guards strutted over and handed him a leaflet, speaking sternly,


    "Take a good look. These are the city''s rules. Don''t say I didn''t warn you; if you don''t follow them, you''ll end up in jail at best, or executed publicly at worst!"


    Alan took the leaflet and read it. The text was lengthy, but the main point was clear:


    For the sake of stability in Ironblood City, residents were not allowed to provoke or anger Barton Kingdom''s citizens or knights.


    Even if mistreated, they couldn''t retaliate and could only report the issue to these guards for resolution.


    No wonder the people of Barton Kingdom walked around so arrogantly, while those from the Plantagenet Kingdom appeared lifeless.


    The rules made it seem as though the Plantagenet Kingdom citizens were the slaves of Barton Kingdom.


    "How could there be such a rule? Isn''t Ironblood City still part of our kingdom?" Isabella''s big eyes widened in confusion.


    "Hmph! Watch your mouth, little girl! If you stir up trouble in Ironblood City, you''ll pay for it!" snarled the guard, hearing her question.


    As soon as he finished, a Barton Kingdom knight not far away beckoned to him,


    "Hey, you over there! Get over here. I''ve barely walked a few steps, and my shoes are already dirty. Clean them up!"


    The overweight Plantagenet Kingdom guard instantly nodded and bowed, hurrying over to polish the knight''s shoes.


    Laughter from Barton Kingdom citizens erupted around them.


    "Brother, I don''t like this place," Isabella said, feeling distressed.


    Alan squeezed her hand, "Let''s buy what we need quickly and head back to the train."


    Isabella nodded in agreement.


    The train didn''t have much to eat; the dining car was both overpriced and unappetizing, with food that resembled pig slop.


    As they walked through the streets, Alan followed the scent of freshly baked bread into a shop and led Isabella inside.


    Alan glanced at the various breads and biscuits in the display case, noting that samples were available by the counter. He tried each one, finding the flavors quite good.


    Isabella, fond of sweets, was practically starry-eyed.


    Alan smiled, "Boss, four servings each of every flavor of bread and biscuits, and some of these snacks as well."


    A shop assistant approached with a smile, opening the cabinet and carefully packing the bread.


    "Big sister, why is your face so dark? Is that a new trend in Ironblood City?" Isabella asked, looking curiously at the assistant, who, despite wearing male attire and having a darkened face, seemed like a woman to her.


    The assistant''s thin frame stiffened for a moment, and she stammered, "I''m a man. I was born with a dark face. You must have mistaken me."


    At that, the shop owner, who had been helping other customers, came over with a friendly smile.


    "My assistant here was born with a dark complexion and isn''t very skilled. Forgive him. Let me help serve you two instead."


    He then quickly packed up the bread Alan had ordered, weighed it, and handed it over.


    "Thank you; that''ll be ten gold coins."


    "Ten gold coins?" Alan and Isabella''s eyes widened.


    How could bread be so expensive? In most cities, it would cost only about one silver coin.


    Ten silver coins made up one gold coin, meaning the price had been marked up almost a hundredfold!


    Seeing their reaction, the shopkeeper chuckled, evidently used to such responses, and explained,


    "Folks, this is already a fair price. Since Barton Kingdom''s people arrived, Ironblood City has suffered from a severe shortage of food and water, driving up prices."


    "Plus, we have to pay high taxes to both Barton Kingdom and Plantagenet Kingdom. It really can''t be helped."


    Alan looked at the shopkeeper, whose sincere gaze and calloused hands were evidence of hard work under harsh conditions.


    The other customers in the shop bought bread without any complaints, each purchasing large amounts.


    "Here, twelve gold coins," said Carter, who had just walked in, handing a bag of coins to the shopkeeper.


    Then he turned to Alan, "Other shops sell bread of poorer quality for fifteen gold coins. This place is honestly a bargain."


    The shopkeeper counted the coins and handed two back to Carter. "You don''t need to pay so much, sir."


    Carter waved his hand dismissively, "Take it."


    Grateful, the shopkeeper added some extra bread to the bag before handing it to Alan.


    Alan considered this and accepted it, then looked at Carter,


    "Becoming a magus requires talent. Your soul isn''t strong enough; pestering me won''t change that."


    Carter''s eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but he quickly replied, Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire


    "I know. But even if I can''t become a magus, I thought you could still teach me a bit about swordsmanship. You''re a swordsman too, right? I happen to be one myself!"


    With that, he took out a wide sword crafted from gold and adorned with luxurious gemstones, giving it a few flourished swings in the air.


    However, after only a few swings, his plump body was already tiring.


    He quickly put the sword back into his storage ring.


    "What did you think of those moves? Are they close to your level?" Carter asked with a mix of confidence and anticipation.


    Alan patted his shoulder and said sincerely, "I think your goal to become the future Head of the Light Guild is excellent. Safe, and very suitable for you!"


    "Really? But I think roaming the world as a heroic knight in ballads would suit me well too!" Carter''s eyes sparkled as he looked at Alan.


    Alan: "¡­"


    Isabella stifled a giggle, "Dreams are nice, but I''d suggest you be realistic." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But my dad says if you don''t have dreams, you''re just a salted fish!"


    Isabella looked Carter up and down, "Then I suggest you start by losing weight. Look at my brother¡ªhe''s all muscle, unlike you, who''s all fat."


    "What''s wrong with fat? My dad says it cushions me, so I''m hard to knock down!"


    Not far off, Harris facepalmed at the sight, realizing he might have spoiled Carter too much.


    Bang!


    Suddenly, the sound of a door being kicked open startled everyone, drawing their gazes to the source.

 Chapter 486 - Chapter42-I Am a Knight of Barton—Who Dares Defy Me!

    Under the gaze of everyone in the bakery, an armored knight from the Barton Kingdom strode in coldly and declared,


    "Your business seems to be doing well. From now on, you''ll pay double the tax every month!"


    Hearing this, the previously cheerful shopkeeper turned pale, his entire body beginning to tremble as if he''d been plunged into ice.


    "S-sir, doubling the tax would ruin me! I couldn''t afford that even if I sold my shop. I''m already doing everything I can just to pay taxes on time. Please, have mercy!" His voice wavered, nearly in tears.


    The knight responded with a sneer, slapping him across the face, leaving red finger marks on his cheek.


    "Nonsense! How you pay the tax isn''t my concern¡ªjust hand over the gold coins, now!"


    The blow sent the shopkeeper stumbling back several steps, and the black-faced assistant quickly stepped forward to support him, a hint of repressed anger flashing in her bright eyes.


    Clutching his bruised face, the shopkeeper stood there helplessly.


    Seeing his hesitation, the Barton Kingdom knight''s expression turned cold. He stormed over and began kicking and punching the man, shouting,


    "You old fool, what are you dawdling for? Hand over the money!"


    Covered in bruises and bleeding from his injuries, the shopkeeper let out muffled cries of pain.


    Many customers in the store watched with dark expressions, but, mindful of Barton Kingdom''s brutal control and the troops stationed in the city, they could only grit their teeth and leave.


    In Ironblood City, anyone who dared lay a hand on someone from Barton Kingdom faced execution and the obliteration of their entire family.


    "Don''t hurt my father!"


    Seeing her father battered and bleeding, his breathing growing weaker, the black-faced assistant couldn''t hold back any longer. She screamed, her tear-filled eyes fixed furiously on the Barton knight.


    "A woman''s voice?!"


    The Barton knight paused in surprise, grabbing the assistant''s wrist and roughly tearing at her clothing.


    Rip!


    The sound of fabric tearing filled the air, exposing her pale skin beneath her rough attire.


    "Well, who would have guessed? This black-faced helper is actually a beauty!" The Barton knight laughed, yanking her into his arms and continuing to tear at her clothes despite her desperate struggles.


    "The more you resist, the more I like it!"


    As he was about to rip off her remaining clothing, he glanced around at the disturbed onlookers in the shop,


    "What? You think you can lay a finger on me? I am a knight of Barton Kingdom!"


    "If anyone dares, come forward!"


    Seeing the crowd''s anger suppressed, the Barton knight burst into laughter.


    "Since you''re all cowards, go ahead and watch! See what I''m capable of!"


    Just then, the bloodied shopkeeper, his face twisted in pain, weakly raised his hand and pleaded,


    "Sir¡­ I''ll pay, I''ll pay¡­ cough¡­"


    Before he could finish, the Barton knight stomped on his chest.


    "All this time, you''ve been hiding girls like this from me! How dare you lie to your superiors!"


    Blood gushed from the shopkeeper''s mouth as his face turned deathly pale, his life fading.


    "Father!"


    With her father dead, the assistant''s eyes filled with rage as she pounded her fists and feet against the knight''s armor.


    Even as her hands became bloodied, she continued in a frenzy, unable to stop.


    Carter, who had been watching in fury, was about to step forward when his father, Harris, stopped him.


    "We''re on our way to the capital¡ªdon''t make unnecessary trouble."


    Carter frowned, about to protest, when he noticed Alan coldly striding toward the Barton knight.


    The previously silent onlookers all focused on him. Even Annie and the others accompanying Alan wore complicated expressions.


    "Still acting on impulse," Annie muttered. "That girl is low-born; is there really a point to helping her? If he angers Barton Kingdom, Ironblood City will face ruin. He''s not thinking about the bigger picture at all."


    As she spoke, the Barton knight glared menacingly at the approaching Alan, like a ferocious beast ready for blood.


    "What do you want?!" he shouted, trying to stop Alan in his tracks.


    "This is Plantagenet Kingdom, not your Barton Kingdom! You don''t get to do as you please here!" Alan replied, his words punctuated by a punch that landed squarely on the knight''s face, sending him flying back and crashing to the ground.


    Boom!


    With a thunderous impact, the knight left a crater in the ground, his face covered in blood, burning with pain as though it were being cut by knives.


    The assistant, who had been filled with despair just moments before, stared blankly at Alan.


    She had thought her father was dead and that she would meet a similarly grim fate.


    Such tragedies happened daily in Ironblood City. Yet now, she seemed to have found a savior.


    "Argh! I''ll kill you!"


    The knight, screaming in pain, staggered to his feet and charged at Alan like a ravenous wolf.


    The other customers in the store backed away in fear, but Alan stood firm, meeting the knight''s attack with a kick to his stomach, slamming him against the wall, embedding him in the stone, and forcing out a spurt of blood.


    Though disappointed in his kingdom''s weakness, Alan couldn''t allow someone from another kingdom to oppress them on his homeland.


    Embedded in the wall, the knight felt his bones shatter with each movement, the pain scorching his body. Trembling with fury and fear, he stammered,


    "You¡­ You''ll regret this!"


    "Barton Kingdom''s army will arrive soon!"


    As he spat blood, his venomous glare showed his wish to tear Alan apart.


    Just as Alan was about to strike again, a booming voice echoed,


    "Stop!"


    A middle-aged man in the garb of the Lord of Ironblood stormed into the store, glaring at Alan and shouting,


    "Who the hell are you? Who gave you permission to attack a Barton Kingdom knight? Have you no regard for the rules?"


    Alan pulled out the leaflet of rules from his pocket, ripped it into shreds, and tossed it into the air like falling snow. He then looked at the Lord and asked,


    "What rules? Is this Ironblood City part of Plantagenet Kingdom or Barton Kingdom?"


    "Are we citizens of Plantagenet Kingdom, or are we subjects of Barton Kingdom?"


    Alan''s stern questioning turned the Lord''s face from pale to flushed.


    Among the onlookers, Plantagenet citizens began to feel a sense of exhilaration.


    "Barton Kingdom, get out!"


    A familiar voice rang out in the crowd, rallying others, and soon, the citizens raised their fists, shouting in unison.


    "Silence!" The Lord of Ironblood glared at the crowd, then turned his gaze back to Alan. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Apologize to the Barton knight immediately! If peace between our two nations is broken, you''ll bear that burden!" Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    Alan returned his gaze, unflinching.


    "If peace can only be maintained by humiliation, then that peace isn''t worth it! No kingdom has ever thrived by being harsh on its own people and weak toward outsiders!"


    "Alan is right!"


    The same voice shouted from the crowd again, followed by others:


    "Alan is right!"


    "We''d rather fight than submit!"


    The citizens roared, their long-suppressed spirit flaring up as if they''d been waiting for someone to lead the way.


    The Lord of Ironblood''s expression darkened. Just as he was about to speak, the assistant, her torn clothes exposing her battered body, grabbed a nearby bread knife and plunged it into the neck of the motionless knight.


    Splurt!


    Blood sprayed as the knight looked on in shock, anger, and disbelief. Wild-eyed, the assistant repeatedly stabbed him, the red of his blood failing to deter her.


    The knight of Barton Kingdom was dead.

 Chapter 487 - Chapter43-Facing the Enemy Outside the City

    The knight of Barton Kingdom was dead!


    Everyone in the bakery stared in shock at the lifeless knight, his neck a mangled mess of blood and flesh, his head hanging limply. Most of them held their breath, swallowing in disbelief.


    In Ironblood City, no one dared touch anyone from Barton Kingdom, let alone a knight.


    Even Barton Kingdom''s ordinary citizens could bully others with impunity, as no one had the courage to oppose them. After all, Barton Kingdom''s Sacred Battle Legion, a thousand-strong mage army, was stationed just outside Ironblood City.


    At the slightest sign of trouble, the Sacred Battle Legion could march in and take control of the city.


    "The Barton knight is dead! They¡­ they won''t let this go!" Lord of Ironblood, his face ashen and eyes red, clutched his head in terror, pacing in panic.


    He knew that if the Sacred Battle Legion attacked, Ironblood City stood no chance of defense. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gripped by the impending disaster, the Lord of Ironblood shot a fierce glare at Alan and the young woman, as if he wanted to tear them apart on the spot. In a rage, he shouted,


    "Guards, seize them! Deliver them to the Sacred Battle Legion outside the city and let them deal with them!"


    At his command, guards approached to apprehend Alan and the young woman.


    She, though beaten down by despair, spread her arms protectively, shielding Alan behind her like a fierce mother goose.


    "I killed the Barton knight; this gentleman had nothing to do with it!"


    "Ha! If he hadn''t injured the knight, you would never have had the chance! He''s equally guilty and can''t escape punishment!" snarled the guards.


    Alan shot a cold glare at the Lord of Ironblood.


    "You''re the lord of Ironblood City, a part of Plantagenet Kingdom. When your citizens were being abused, you turned a blind eye. Now you want to attack us instead. Just whose side are you on?"


    Alan''s words carried a chill, causing the two guards to shiver as frost seemed to settle on their brows. Intimidated by Alan, they hesitated to step forward.


    The Lord of Ironblood''s pupils constricted, feeling as if Alan''s gaze was like two swords he could barely withstand.


    He reflexively took a step back before regaining his composure with a dark expression.


    "I am the Lord of Ironblood! Insolent child! Who are you to question matters of the kingdom? How dare you defy my orders!"


    Alan took a step closer, saying, "The prosperity of a nation is every citizen''s duty! Plantagenet Kingdom is my country¡ªwhy shouldn''t I speak up?"


    The Lord''s eyes widened, his glare fierce. "What, do you plan to defy me? Are you seeking rebellion?"


    At that moment, brilliant red fireworks exploded over Ironblood City, accompanied by a deafening boom.


    This blood-red flare signaled that Barton Kingdom''s Sacred Battle Legion had begun their attack!


    As the citizens of Ironblood City saw the flare, they fled from the city gates in terror, causing widespread chaos.


    Hearing the warning from the city guards, the Lord of Ironblood shuddered, his legs nearly buckling.


    "Lord, it''s terrible!"


    "The Sacred¡­ Sacred Battle Legion is attacking!"


    A small group of city guards staggered back, panting, their shoes half fallen off, as they reported to the Lord of Ironblood.


    The Lord''s mind buzzed with dread, his heart in turmoil.


    "Seize them! Hand them over to the Sacred Battle Legion as an offering!"


    The Lord of Ironblood roared in fury.


    Ignoring the Lord and the approaching guards, Alan narrowed his eyes toward the city gate, sensing the chaotic surge of magic outside. Barton Kingdom''s army was indeed attacking.


    If they breached the gates, Ironblood City would be devastated! Since this situation had begun because of him, Alan felt he couldn''t simply walk away.


    "Carter, please watch over my sister," Alan said, as he dashed toward the gate.


    "Hey!" Carter''s eyes widened in shock.


    "Are you really going to take on the Sacred Battle Legion alone? They''re seasoned warriors, top-tier iron mages!" he called out, trying to stop Alan. But Alan was already dozens of meters away.


    "Brother! Be careful! I''ll be here waiting for you to come back!" Isabella shouted, understanding that Alan was worried for the citizens. Although she couldn''t help, she silently cheered him on, trying not to burden him further.


    Everyone else watched in stunned silence. None of them expected Alan to head toward the Sacred Battle Legion instead of fleeing.


    "Alan is still too young and reckless," Annie muttered, shaking her head. The city guards stationed at the gate were already fleeing in panic, without a trace of fighting spirit. Though Alan appeared heroic going against the flow, a battlefield was no place for heroics.


    ¡­


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    "The Barton army is attacking! Hurry, or we''ll be too late!"


    As Alan approached the gate, the sound of frightened voices and the panic of those fleeing grew louder.


    Pushing against the flow, Alan soon reached the gate and found the city guards, abandoning their posts in terror. Each guard''s face was etched with fear.


    Alan frowned, surprised by their cowardice, and looked toward the wide-open gate. He understood why they were fleeing so quickly.


    About a thousand meters away, he could make out the outline of Barton Kingdom''s mage legion. Some mages rode swift spellbeasts, while others used wind-based spells to advance rapidly, kicking up clouds of dust and stone along their path. The ground trembled slightly from their approach.


    "A thousand iron-tier mages, forming the Sacred Battle Legion¡­"


    Alan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their presence bearing down on him.


    Though individually weak, their sheer numbers presented a formidable force, enough to make even a gold-tier mage hesitate.


    Yet, Alan didn''t back down. If he did, the citizens of Ironblood City would be left defenseless. He knew these mages were like merciless beasts, cruel and greedy, driven by the lust for war.


    With each step he took outside the city walls, facing the growing wave of magical energy, more and more people took notice of his solitary figure, thinking they were witnessing something unbelievable.


    A lone mage against thousands?


    To some, Alan seemed like a madman, a lone fool facing certain death.


    Some of the fleeing guards felt a sting of shame as they saw his silhouette, knowing it was their duty to defend the city.


    "Should¡­ should we go back too?" a few guards murmured, their consciences stirring.


    "Are you insane? Do you want to die with him?"


    The rest of the guards, looking at them as if they were fools, hurriedly withdrew.


    Finally, as the last city guard looked back at the advancing Sacred Battle Legion, he fled in terror, leaving Alan alone outside the gate.


    Alan tightened his grip on his staff, the power within him reaching its peak, seething like molten lava.


    Even before the clash, Alan''s senses sharpened like never before.


    At that moment, all he could see was the oncoming torrent of the Sacred Battle Legion, a dark wave ready to engulf him.


    Compared to their overwhelming numbers, he was a single figure, seemingly insignificant. Yet his resolve surged, his spirit as fierce as the coming storm.


    "You still dare to stand before our army? How amusing!"


    "He''s probably frozen in fear, too scared to move!"

 Chapter 488 - Chapter44-The Renown of the Third Princess

    "No matter what, kill him first! Then we''ll pillage Ironblood City! How dare they kill a knight of Barton Kingdom! Who gave them the courage?"


    "Clearly, we haven''t instilled enough fear in these Plantagenet dogs. This time, they''ll learn terror¡ªthe kind that leaves a mark of reverence deep in their hearts forever!"


    With merciless laughter, several mage captains at the front of the Barton Kingdom''s legion charged faster toward Alan, who stood alone at the city gate.


    Closer.


    And closer still.


    When they were about three hundred meters from Alan, the leading group of mage archers squinted, drew their bows, and infused their mana into their arrows before releasing them, each one aimed directly at Alan.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Hundreds of black arrows shot through the air, leaving long magical trails, descending like a rainstorm upon Alan''s position.


    The archers raised their bows and cheered loudly, as if hunters had easily caught their prey.


    Other mages watched coldly, eager to see Alan pierced like a pincushion, reveling in the thought of his blood feeding their twisted thirst for violence.


    But as their cheers echoed, they suddenly noticed the arrows slowing, as if an invisible force were hindering their speed.


    "Wind? Where did this wind come from?"


    Several archers squinted, sensing something amiss.


    Though the arrows, infused with spiraling magic, were like fired rockets, they broke through the fierce gusts, closing in on Alan again.


    Three meters!


    The closest arrow was only three meters from Alan, its slicing sound reaching his ears, every blood-red marking on the shaft visible.


    Knowing the wind wouldn''t completely block the arrows, Alan''s spirit surged, and he swung his sword in a swift arc.


    Fiery light shot from the blade, turning the area in front of him into a blazing inferno.


    Most of the arrows disintegrated into black ash before they even touched the fire.


    The few that retained power and reached Alan were stopped by a sturdy wall of earth that he raised with a stomp, blocking the last of the arrows.


    "What the¡­? He blocked them?"


    "How is that possible? He''s only tier-iron! Even a mid-tier bronze mage couldn''t withstand this kind of attack!"


    The Barton archers'' faces went rigid, disbelief lacing their voices.


    "Wind element! Fire element! Earth element! He''s using all these elements so effortlessly¡ªhe must be a magus!"


    "Yes, that has to be it! He must be a magus; otherwise, this would be impossible!"


    "Wait, even if he is a magus, records don''t show them being this strong, do they?"


    The advancing Barton army erupted in alarm.


    "Charge! With talent like his, he can''t be allowed to live. He''s a threat we can''t leave unchecked!" one squad leader commanded coldly.


    But just as he finished, his eyes widened as he realized that, instead of weakening, Alan''s aura was surging stronger!


    "An unyielding [Battle Spirit]! What? He''s a magus; how does he have [Battle Spirit]?"


    "Even we berserkers don''t have that. Why him?" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The squad leader''s face darkened. This revelation only fueled their bloodlust.


    Those who grasp [Battle Spirit] are top talents in any kingdom.


    Alan''s genius seemed almost supernatural¡ªmagus and a [Battle Spirit] wielder.


    It brought back memories of an unstoppable nightmare.


    "Doesn''t he remind you of that¡­ slaughter envoy?"


    Hearing the term "slaughter envoy," a chill ran down everyone''s spine.


    The mere mention of that name conjured memories of the battlefield, where their forces had fallen like leaves under that killer''s blade. That strength left a lasting psychological scar.


    Their charge suddenly halted, their expressions marked by fear and unease as if they were seeing a ghost.


    Surprised, Alan noticed the Barton army stop just one hundred meters from him.


    With their wind-speed enhancements, they could have reached him in seconds.


    But they had stopped.


    "Did my performance intimidate them?" Alan wondered briefly before dismissing the thought. Though occasionally vain, he knew the ruthless Sacred Battle Legion wouldn''t hesitate simply because of his display.


    So, why had they stopped?


    Alan scanned the crowd and followed their gaze, his eyes landing on a figure nearby.


    The figure rode a blood-red spellbeast, exuding a predatory aura.


    One look, and Alan felt the scent of blood in the air. The figure seemed to radiate an instinct for killing, etched deep into their being.


    Raising his gaze, Alan saw a woman''s face, cold and unfeeling, like a mask of ice.


    His first impression was that of intense cold¡ªnot just the chill of a killer but a frigid aloofness.


    And then he recognized her.


    The Third Princess of Plantagenet Kingdom!


    Renowned alongside Duke Alice as a national hero, she was infamous for her indifference toward others and ruthless treatment of enemies.


    Rumor had it that she had joined the battlefield at age ten, earning great merit along the kingdom''s borders. She was considered a pillar of Plantagenet Kingdom.


    Alan realized now why Barton''s forces had suddenly retreated.


    While Barton Kingdom was strong and domineering, the Third Princess had crushed them several times, slaughtering nearly a thousand of their forces.


    She had carved out a fearsome reputation on the battlefield.


    Although the Sacred Battle Legion had the advantage in numbers, being a thousand strong, the sight of the Third Princess had made them hesitate.


    As she drew nearer, they withdrew in fear, as if she were the reaper herself.


    "Retreat!"


    A horn sounded, and the Sacred Battle Legion of Barton Kingdom retreated, no longer the intimidating force they had seemed moments earlier, now more like a pack of frightened dogs.


    Watching the retreating army, Alan exhaled.


    If they had fought to the death, he would have eventually succumbed to exhaustion; his strength wasn''t enough to take on the entire legion. But he had no regrets.


    Sometimes, it''s about dignity!


    Why let Barton Kingdom''s forces oppress them on their own soil?


    Alan knew that if he hadn''t taken a stand, his spirit would have suffered, and he might have been haunted by regret.


    Now, with Barton Kingdom''s Sacred Battle Legion in retreat, Alan felt his mind power growing stronger. With the right staff, he might soon reach the tier-bronze level!


    Just then, the Third Princess arrived before him, her blood-chilling aura washing over him. Her cold gaze softened slightly as she looked Alan over, seeming impressed.


    Even in the face of certain death, Alan hadn''t retreated; his [Battle Spirit] had flared like a volcano. She had felt it even from a distance.


    "What''s your name?" she asked coolly.


    "Alan," he replied steadily, bowing slightly. "Greetings, Princess."


    Alan''s calm response surprised the Third Princess, as her intimidating aura usually left so-called heroes stammering or unable to meet her eyes.


    "Why did you step forward alone to defend against Barton Kingdom''s legion? Given your current strength, it was practically a death sentence."

 Chapter 489 - Chapter45-Invitation: The Position of Captain of the Princesss Guard

    Faced with the Third Princess''s inquiry, Alan fell into a brief moment of contemplation.


    Why had he risked his life to stand against the mage army of the Barton Kingdom?


    Was it anger at the actions of the Barton Kingdom?


    Or perhaps a desire to prevent the people of Ironblood City from suffering?


    Maybe it was a combination of these reasons. Yet, a deeper thought surged to the forefront of his mind at that moment. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This is my country!"


    All the fury and killing intent he had felt condensed into that single statement.


    He wanted his country to thrive, and if no one else was willing to step up, he would be the spark to ignite the flame.


    The Third Princess cast a profound gaze at Alan. His answer had caught her somewhat off guard.


    In her mind, protecting the kingdom was the duty of the royal family and its generals, a responsibility many citizens acknowledged but few truly carried in their hearts.


    While the Third Princess sized up Alan, the previously fleeing soldiers had now all returned.


    The news of her arrival had spread rapidly.


    To the people of the Plantagenet Kingdom, the Third Princess was unforgettable.


    Especially in a frontline area like Ironblood City, constantly clashing with an enemy nation, the Third Princess was an idol to many soldiers.


    "Long live the Princess!"


    "Long live the Princess!"


    The returning soldiers stood tall, clutching their magical spears tightly, their spirits lifted as they shouted fervently from the walls.


    Their earlier cowardice and retreat were nowhere to be seen.


    The Third Princess observed this and turned to Alan.


    "Let''s head into the city first."


    Alan nodded, following her into Ironblood City.


    By this time, the Lord of Ironblood and others had hurriedly gathered at the city gates to greet the Third Princess with great reverence.


    Under their watchful eyes, the Third Princess, riding a blood-red tiger-like spellbeast, entered the city with Alan.


    Though it was just the two of them and the beast, the aura they exuded made many avert their gazes in fear.


    "Lord of Ironblood, Asam, greets Your Highness!"


    Amid the crowd, the Lord of Ironblood loudly announced his welcome, his face adorned with a fawning smile as bright as a blooming flower.


    He was elated. The crisis facing Ironblood City had been effortlessly resolved by the Third Princess''s arrival, and now he had the chance to host this celebrated figure of the kingdom.


    If he could win her favor, his rise to prominence was just within reach!


    "You are the Lord of Ironblood City?" The Third Princess stared coldly at Asam.


    A chill ran through Asam''s heart.


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that the Princess''s attitude toward him was excessively cold¡ªher icy, unfeeling gaze was like that of someone looking at a dead man.


    "Yes, Your Highness!" Asam stammered, rubbing his hands nervously.


    "In a battle between two armies, what is the punishment for retreating without a fight?" the Third Princess asked.


    Asam shuddered as if struck by lightning but mustered the courage to reply:


    "Death¡­death without pardon."


    "Guards! Take Asam away, behead him, and hang his head as a warning! A city lord who flees in the face of an attack without organizing a defense¡ªwhen did the Plantagenet Kingdom start tolerating such cowards?"


    The Third Princess''s voice, brimming with killing intent, rang out.


    The city guards quickly stepped forward to seize Asam.


    Asam struggled, but his body, long weakened by indulgence, was powerless to resist.


    Terror-stricken, he pleaded:


    "Your Highness, Ironblood City''s peace is all thanks to me! Even if I don''t have merit, I''ve worked hard! Why must you execute me?"


    The Third Princess gazed coldly at him.


    "Do you think I don''t know what you''ve been doing in this city? Sucking up to the Barton Kingdom? I''ve come specifically to deal with this matter today!"


    At her words, despair washed over Asam, cold sweat pouring from his brow.


    After the Lord of Ironblood''s sentence was delivered, the other soldiers present trembled in fear.


    "As for you city guards, when faced with the enemy, you thought only of escape rather than defense. On the battlefield, you would be deserters, deserving of death. However, considering the city lord''s incompetence and the lack of severe consequences, each of you will receive ten lashes as a warning."


    Hearing this, the guards, who had been on the brink of collapse, sighed in relief.


    Ten lashes were excruciating but far better than losing their heads.


    "Your Highness!"


    At this moment, Harris, the head of the Light Guild, and Annie from the Church of Steam and Magic arrived and bowed to the Third Princess.


    The Princess''s gaze turned cold as she swept her eyes over them.


    "When the Barton Kingdom''s army was pressing down, where were you?"


    The weight of her question silenced Harris and Annie, their faces slightly pale.


    Though not the city''s defenders, they were prominent figures in the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    Harris remained silent, his head bowed, appearing willing to accept any punishment.


    Annie, however, was less submissive. She spoke calmly:


    "Our train, the Charlie No. 1, had just arrived. We didn''t anticipate this situation. Confronting the Barton Kingdom''s mage army head-on would have worsened Ironblood City''s plight."


    To Annie, this explanation, while somewhat defensive, was also factual. Direct resistance against the Barton Kingdom''s Sacred Battle Legion, a group of madmen, could have led to far greater losses.


    "Is that so?" The Third Princess''s dissatisfaction was evident in her icy tone.


    "The Church of Steam and Magic has produced someone like you? It seems the church is indeed declining."


    Annie''s face paled further at these words.


    She had already been warned by the elders of her church. The Princess''s dissatisfaction might jeopardize her future within the organization.


    Before Annie could respond, the Third Princess turned to Harris.


    "As the head of the Light Guild, you stood idly by. You will pay a fine of 100,000 gold coins to be distributed among the city''s citizens as atonement."


    Harris nodded, accepting this penalty. Though substantial, it was manageable for him.


    "Alan, your performance today was commendable. Have you considered joining the military?"


    After punishing the key figures, the Third Princess turned to Alan, her tone softening.


    "If you''re interested, I have an opening for the position of Captain of my Guard."


    Captain of the Guard?!


    The crowd''s eyes widened in envy.


    While not a high-ranking position, serving under the Third Princess came with unmatched resources and opportunities for advancement.


    The offer was a clear declaration that Alan would be under her protection, commanding respect wherever he went.


    Many regretted not having joined Alan earlier in resisting the Barton Kingdom''s mage army.


    To everyone''s surprise, Alan shook his head and declined.


    "Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness, but I currently have no plans to join the military."


    He still needed to enroll in Lioncrest Academy to find a cure for his sister.


    The Third Princess was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed herself.


    "Very well. I respect your decision, but the position will remain open for you."


    As she spoke, a blood-soaked young woman suddenly stepped forward from the crowd, her determination palpable.


    "Your Highness, I wish to join the army!"


    Alan recognized her¡ªit was the baker''s daughter.


    Her face was resolute, her killing intent almost tangible.


    The Third Princess glanced at her.


    "The army is grueling and dangerous. Are you sure about this?"

 Chapter 490 - Chapter46-The Secret of [Blade Spirit]

    At the city gate, everyone stared in astonishment at the blood-soaked woman.


    They had heard about the incident involving the Barton knight¡ªhow she had ultimately struck him down with a single stab, avenging her father.


    The brutal scene was still fresh in their minds.


    However, joining the army¡ªa place dominated by men, fraught with danger and high mortality rates¡ªwas a perilous choice.


    Without the resolve to defend one''s country, enlisting was nearly indistinguishable from seeking death.


    Under the oppressive gaze of the Third Princess, the blood-soaked woman clenched her fists tightly, refusing to retreat.


    The chaos of war had already claimed her mother, and now her father had been cruelly killed by a knight from the Barton Kingdom.


    She was an orphan.


    At this moment, her heart burned with the fire of vengeance.


    She wanted the Barton Kingdom to pay for what they had done.


    At the same time, she was keenly aware that if not for Alan, she would have likely been humiliated and then brutally killed by the Barton knight.


    Alan was her savior.


    She wanted to repay him, but as of now, she had nothing.


    She needed to become stronger.


    "Your Highness! I have made up my mind. I will never regret this decision!" The blood-soaked woman''s expression was unshakably resolute.


    Seeing this, the Third Princess did not attempt to dissuade her further. She could sense the unwavering determination radiating from this woman.


    "What is your name?" the Third Princess asked earnestly.


    "Sophia! My name is Sophia!" The blood-soaked woman repeated her name with conviction.


    "Sophia, if there''s nothing else, come with me."


    Without hesitation, the Third Princess turned and left Ironblood City.


    Sophia quickly followed but paused to look back at Alan.


    "Alan, my name is Sophia. Thank you for saving my life!"


    Alan gave her a serious nod.


    At that moment, Isabella ran up from where she had been standing with Carter, her eyes scanning Alan from head to toe.


    "Brother, are you okay?"


    Alan smiled and patted her head.


    "I''m fine. Those Sacred Battle Legion mages from the Barton Kingdom were just putting on a show. Once they saw the Third Princess, they retreated immediately."


    Isabella finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Brother, there were so many mages back there. I was scared out of my mind. Don''t ever be so reckless again, at least not without taking me with you."


    Alan, feeling a pang of guilt, replied softly, "I won''t do it again."


    "Let''s go. The Charlie No. 1 is about to depart."


    ...


    With the Third Princess gone, Ironblood City quickly returned to a semblance of normalcy.


    Alan and Isabella boarded the Charlie No. 1 train again.


    However, the way the other passengers looked at Alan was entirely different now.


    Although the Third Princess had dominated the spotlight earlier, drawing everyone''s attention to herself, now that she was gone, the focus naturally shifted back to Alan.


    After all, Alan''s solo stand against the Barton Kingdom''s mage army had left a deep impression on everyone.


    Whether it was his courage or strength, he far surpassed his peers.


    And most notably, Alan had earned the Third Princess''s praise, standing as the sole individual rewarded amidst the many punishments she had handed down.


    She had even invited him to become the captain of her guard!


    Though no one understood why he declined, Alan had made an impression that would not soon be forgotten.


    When many were eager to approach and build a relationship with him, Alan had already slipped into his cabin, avoiding further interaction.


    ...


    "Brother, the Third Princess''s invitation was wonderful. Did you decline because of me?"


    Back in their cabin, Isabella spoke with a trace of melancholy.


    She knew Alan had always fought with their family and that the military would have been a great fit for him.


    With the Third Princess''s support, his strength and status could only grow exponentially.


    "Lioncrest Academy is an excellent place too. How can you say that?" Alan reassured her.


    "Brother, when will I level up? Will I ever be as strong as you?"


    Isabella''s bright eyes sparkled with hope and longing.


    Seeing her like this, Alan''s heart ached. Gently, he said, "Once your strange illness is cured, you''ll be even stronger than me."


    "Really, brother?" Isabella''s eyes widened. "Will I be able to protect you one day?"


    Alan nodded. "Of course. If you can endure such a bizarre illness, learning magic will be child''s play for you."


    Encouraged by his words, Isabella gave a confident smile. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    The siblings chatted for a while as night fell.


    As the Charlie No. 1 sped along, the once noisy train grew quiet. Isabella eventually drifted off to sleep under Alan''s care.


    Alan, however, took a deep breath and entered a meditative state¡ªone akin to venturing into the depths of hell.


    Level up!


    The earlier confrontation with the Barton Kingdom''s Sacred Battle Legion had left a suffocating impression of death on Alan.


    If not for the Third Princess''s timely arrival, he might not have survived.


    That was an experience he never wanted to repeat.


    Yet, despite his reckless decision, he had gained something invaluable:


    [Blade Spirit].


    This was a breakthrough he had not achieved despite years of arduous training as a swordsman.


    "You''re lucky," a voice interrupted. "[Blade Spirit] is immensely powerful. If you can master it, it''s a technique that rivals the strength of a magus."


    The black-robed woman appeared in his mindscape, her expression tinged with curiosity as she observed him.


    Generally, magi focused on unraveling the mysteries of the elements and refining their spiritual power.


    Magi, after all, stood at the pinnacle of existence, renowned as the strongest class.


    Becoming a top-tier magus guaranteed a place anywhere in the world.


    Alan, however, had not awakened his magus potential during his life-or-death battle. Instead, he had emerged as a swordsman of remarkable talent.


    As the woman spoke, Alan opened his eyes and asked,


    "Elder, what makes [Blade Spirit] so unique? Why does it seem to have limited impact on my combat power?"


    As a swordsman, he had always known of [Blade Spirit], but his understanding of it was superficial at best.


    Now that he had truly grasped it, he felt faster and more precise with his strikes but saw no other noticeable changes.


    Among swordsmen, it was said, "Without [Blade Spirit], one cannot be called a true swordsman," highlighting its importance.


    The black-robed woman looked at him.


    "Do you know why Duke Alice is so powerful?"


    After a moment of hesitation, Alan replied, "Because of her unique constitution?"


    The woman nodded and then shook her head.


    "Her constitution plays a part, but when she fought you, she didn''t rely on it. Most of her strength came from her mastery of blade aura."


    "Blade aura?" Alan squinted.


    Swordsmen and blademasters were somewhat similar classes, so Alan knew a bit about blade aura.


    For blademasters, blade aura was a pivotal milestone¡ªthose who mastered it were prodigies, while those who did not often stagnated for life.


    "Blade aura and [Blade Spirit] are fundamentally the same," the woman explained.


    Alan nodded thoughtfully. "An unshakable belief?"


    "Exactly," she affirmed. "Each individual''s conviction varies, shaping their unique blade aura or [Blade Spirit]. You must discover and strengthen yours. This is also an opportunity to truly understand yourself."


    "Only by knowing yourself can you gauge your moves with precision in battle¡ªwhen to advance and when to retreat."


    Alan realized that his difficulty in fully utilizing [Blade Spirit] stemmed from an emptiness in his heart.


    He lacked the resolve he had possessed when facing the Sacred Battle Legion¡ªhis will to fight to the death.


    With the woman''s guidance, Alan felt as though a veil had been lifted from his mind, plunging him into deep reflection.


    Seeing this, the black-robed woman said no more.


    In both magic and other disciplines, a teacher could only guide the way.


    The rest depended on the student''s fortune and insight.


    Alan''s potential was undeniable.


    If he could make significant strides in swordsmanship, it would greatly benefit his future as a magus as well.

 Chapter 491 - Chapter47-Lioncrest Academy

    In the infernal realm, Alan wielded his staff-sword, its blade inlaid with seven radiant gemstones that shone so brightly they were impossible to look at directly, as if miniature suns.


    Opposite him stood a stone golem, summoned and controlled by a black-robed woman. The golem unleashed a relentless onslaught of powerful attacks against Alan.


    However, Alan, having comprehended the secrets of [Blade Spirit], exhibited an extraordinary mastery of swordsmanship.


    Even though the stone golem possessed the combat strength of a tier-gold mage, Alan''s every strike was timed perfectly to block the heavy and powerful blows.


    Though the golem completely overpowered him in terms of tier, Alan''s growing proficiency in [Blade Spirit] allowed him to hold his ground.


    If he combined this skill with magus techniques, he could even defeat this clumsy early-stage tier-gold golem!


    For someone at tier-iron level 10 to face off against an early-tier-gold opponent and hold his own¡ªsuch a feat would be considered unbelievable if word got out.


    Boom!


    Alan unleashed another whirlwind-like attack, evading the golem''s defenses and landing a precise blow on its chest.


    A sharp metallic clang echoed, and the golem staggered backward, a pale scar now visible across its chest.


    Moments later, the stone golem dissolved into nothingness. Alan wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled in satisfaction.


    The journey to the Imperial Capital had already proven immensely rewarding.


    Not only had he mastered the Insightful Heart, but he had also comprehended [Blade Spirit].


    His combat strength had soared significantly.


    Through intense battle, Alan''s understanding of [Blade Spirit] had deepened further, affirming the black-robed woman''s claim that it was vast and profound.


    If he could master it, he would eliminate a crucial weakness of magus: the vulnerability to swift, close-range attacks.


    While magus could manipulate magical elements at great speed, some prodigies could strike even faster.


    Alan vividly remembered his duel with Alice.


    The sharpness of her longsword remained etched in his memory.


    Her strikes were not only astonishingly fast, but even when he managed to defend in time, they were nearly impossible to parry.


    But now, as a fully-fledged swordsman combining swordsmanship with magus techniques, Alan felt he might finally have a chance against her.


    Previously, the black-robed woman had mentioned that Alice, with her unique bloodline, had not even used her full strength.


    The duel that appeared to be a draw had, in fact, been Alice holding back.


    Now, however, Alan believed he was ready to face her again.


    The thought filled him with anticipation for Lioncrest Academy.


    After quickly wiping off his sweat, Alan exited the infernal realm, where he had been training for the day, and stepped out of his room.


    As soon as he opened the door, Alan saw Carter, who had arrived earlier with an assortment of potions and fruits.


    Isabella sat nearby, listening to Carter recount stories and occasionally adding her own comments.


    The moment Carter saw Alan, his face lit up with excitement, and he rushed over as if seeing a celebrity.


    "Alan! Alan! I know my talents are pretty average, but could you give me some pointers now and then? At least, when I enter Lioncrest Academy, I''ll have something to show for it!"


    He grinned widely, standing in front of Alan like an eager disciple, his eyes brimming with fervor.


    Ever since Alan had returned to his room, Carter had been waiting outside, hoping for a chance to meet him.


    Upon hearing from Isabella that Alan was upgrading, Carter had patiently waited, bringing gifts as a token of goodwill.


    Alan glanced at the fruits and training potions Carter had brought, then at his sister, who seemed amused. He nodded.


    "When there''s an opportunity, I wouldn''t mind sparring with you on swordsmanship."


    Carter''s eyes lit up. "Thank you, Alan! I knew you were approachable!"


    After a moment, as if remembering something, Carter added, "Oh, Alan, my father wants to meet you."


    Before Carter could elaborate further, Harris entered the room with a warm smile.


    "Alan, I hope you don''t mind me dropping by uninvited," Harris said apologetically.


    Alan waved dismissively. "Head, you''re too polite. I got caught up in upgrading and lost track of time. I should be the one apologizing for keeping you waiting."


    Harris glanced at Alan, noting the heat radiating from him and the sweat glistening on his brow. He sighed.


    "Alan, your strength clearly comes from more than just talent. I''ve told Carter before that becoming a renowned strongman requires both talent and perseverance. Perseverance, in fact, is even more important. Carter doesn''t even have the willpower to stick to a diet."


    Alan chuckled and glanced at Carter. "Carter''s talent is actually quite good. He''s just a bit too relaxed." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Harris shook his head. "He''s hopeless. But enough about him. We''ll be arriving at the Imperial Capital in three hours. Do you have any friends or family there, Alan?"


    Alan shook his head. It was his first time visiting the Imperial Capital, and he had no connections there.


    Harris nodded as though expecting this.


    "The Imperial Capital is vast. Without acquaintances, it can be difficult to navigate. If you don''t mind, I have a manor in the city where you can stay temporarily. Once the Lioncrest Academy evaluations are over, we can discuss your next steps. What do you think?"


    Alan thought for a moment before nodding. "I''d appreciate the help."


    "No trouble at all," Harris replied with a wave of his hand.


    "By the way, you probably know a lot about Lioncrest Academy, right?" Alan asked curiously.


    Although Carter had given him a brief overview earlier, Harris, as the guild leader, likely had more accurate and detailed knowledge.


    Harris nodded. "The guild has collaborated with Lioncrest Academy before, so I do know a bit more than most."


    "Lioncrest Academy is similar to the Church of Steam and Magic in some respects; both are massive organizations spanning multiple kingdoms."


    "However, Lioncrest Academy focuses more on student cultivation. It''s a quintessential research academy, highly revered across the kingdoms."


    "In the Plantagenet Kingdom, it''s no different. Lioncrest Academy attracts the kingdom''s top geniuses and individuals from prominent families. It''s the most prestigious and powerful academy in King Charles'' realm."


    "Joining this academy doesn''t just mean receiving guidance from the best mentors; it also means being marked with the Lioncrest Academy emblem. From then on, whether you join the military, enter politics, or delve deeper into magical studies, it will open countless doors."


    Hearing this, Alan began to understand the immense reputation of Lioncrest Academy.


    "Beyond the knowledge and hidden benefits, every student accepted into Lioncrest Academy is a standout¡ªleaders in their regions. It''s a place to meet like-minded peers and build vast connections within the academy itself."


    "This is something every royal family values deeply. Almost all princes and princesses throughout history have been Lioncrest Academy alumni."


    Alan nodded again.


    Magical cultivation required immense resources, and connections were invaluable. The right friends could offer insights that saved months of arduous training.


    Moreover, connections could provide access to potions, staffs, magical artifacts, and secret realms.


    The difference between having connections and lacking them was monumental.


    "As for the academy''s internal workings, once you''re there, the senior students will guide you through everything," Harris explained.


    Alan suddenly thought of something and asked, "Head, does this mean Duke Alice is also a student of Lioncrest Academy?"


    Harris shook his head, his expression filled with rare admiration.


    "Duke Alice was never a student at Lioncrest Academy. Her talent is so exceptional that even the academy''s headmaster was astounded. The headmaster personally invited her to join, but she declined."


    "She felt the academy had nothing to teach her and didn''t want to waste her time there. Instead, she preferred to travel the world, challenging prodigies wherever she went."


    Harris'' eyes gleamed as he continued.


    "Her strength, talent, achievements, and character are all beyond reproach. The headmaster granted her the honorary title of mentor. Technically, she''s a mentor, not a student."

 Chapter 492 - Chapter48-Arrival at the Imperial Capital

    Alan nodded in acknowledgment, gaining a clearer understanding of Alice''s terrifying talent and strength.


    While others her age were studying at academies, diligently learning under the guidance of mentors, Alice had skipped all of that and become a mentor herself!


    It was one of those moments that made Alan think, Comparisons are truly maddening.


    Despite being awestruck, Alan quickly composed himself and asked, "Head, I''ve heard that Lioncrest Academy has the best doctors and pharmacists in the Plantagenet Kingdom. Is that true?"


    Harris nodded. "Indeed, that''s true. The doctors and pharmacists of Lioncrest Academy are so skilled that no other organization, no matter how much gold they offer, can lure them away. Even the royal physicians consult with them on occasion."


    "There''s a saying in the Imperial Capital: If the doctors of Lioncrest Academy cannot cure you, then there is truly no hope left."


    Hearing this, Alan felt a surge of excitement, clenching his fists with determination.


    Lioncrest Academy¡ªit was a place he had to get into.


    Not just for himself, but for his sister.


    Suddenly, the whistle of Charlie No. 1 broke through the air, interrupting their thoughts. The train began to slow its pace.


    "We are now thirty minutes away from the Imperial Capital. Passengers, please prepare accordingly!"


    The announcement echoed through the carriage. Alan turned his gaze forward. In the distance, at the edge of his vision, a grand and ancient city began to come into view.


    This was it¡ªthe Imperial Capital.


    After taking in the sight for a moment, Alan redirected his attention to Harris, asking a few more questions about Lioncrest Academy.


    Shortly after, Harris excused himself, taking Carter along to prepare their belongings. They would meet Alan and Isabella before disembarking.


    Once they were gone, Alan turned to Isabella.


    Her unusual illness seemed to be acting up again¡ªthe essence stone''s effects were wearing off.


    Isabella looked fatigued, yawning frequently, her eyelids heavy with drowsiness.


    Alan gently patted her back, soothing her until she gradually fell asleep.


    Sleep was one of the few ways to help her recover her energy.


    Once Isabella was peacefully asleep, Alan began packing their belongings.


    They didn''t have much with them; most of their essentials were stored in Isabella''s storage ring.


    ...


    At the Gates of the Imperial Capital


    As Charlie No. 1 finally pulled into the station near the city gates, Alan stepped off the train, carrying his sleeping sister on his back. His eyes widened in amazement as he took in the intricate network of railway tracks sprawling in every direction.


    The Imperial Capital, the heart of the Plantagenet Kingdom, lived up to its reputation. The sheer number of intersecting rail lines and the constant flow of trains in and out hinted at the city''s prosperity and bustling activity.


    "This is an ancient city, a crossroads of countless factions," Harris said gravely as they approached the gates. "Once inside, be cautious and avoid unnecessary trouble."


    Even as the Head of the Light Guild, Harris didn''t dare act carelessly in a place like this, teeming with powerful individuals and influential groups.


    Provoking the wrong person in this city could have fatal consequences.


    Although this was Alan''s first trip far from home, he wasn''t naive.


    He understood that the capital of any kingdom was its most vital and volatile area, where the covert struggles of various factions were most intense.


    As a relative unknown, he knew that being caught in the crossfire could mean complete annihilation.


    "Of course," Harris continued, "there''s no need to be overly anxious. If you meet like-minded individuals, it''s worth building connections. It could benefit you both now and in the future."


    Alan nodded in agreement.


    In a strange place, aside from relying on oneself, having allies could make all the difference.


    Under Harris'' guidance, the group disembarked and entered the city at a steady pace.


    ...


    First Impressions of the Imperial Capital


    Alan''s first impression of the Imperial Capital was its vastness, followed by its vibrancy.


    Standing at the imposing city gates, he gazed into the city, unable to see its end.


    The streets were wide¡ªeasily dozens of meters across¡ªand bustling with vendors and merchants.


    The air was filled with the hum of conversations, the clamor of footsteps, and the cries of hawkers selling their wares.


    Compared to the Northern District''s aristocratic commercial streets, the Imperial Capital was far more diverse and comprehensive, offering a dizzying array of goods and services.


    There were countless unfamiliar and fascinating things that Alan had never seen before.


    The lively commotion eventually roused Isabella from her sleep.


    She blinked her eyes open, gazing around in awe at the bustling streets. Her cheeks flushed slightly with excitement at the lively atmosphere.


    Throughout their walk, Harris enthusiastically introduced Alan and Isabella to various sights, answering their questions with patience.


    Carter, on the other hand, dove headfirst into the shopping frenzy.


    Anything that caught his eye, he bought immediately, even picking out small gifts for Alan and Isabella. Unsurprisingly, the bulk of his purchases consisted of food items.


    ---


    Inquiry About Lioncrest Academy


    "Head, where is Lioncrest Academy located? I''d like to see it for myself," Alan asked after they had toured the city for a while.


    "It''s still seven days until the enrollment ceremony," Harris replied. "The academy isn''t open to visitors yet. I suggest you rest at my manor in the meantime."


    "By the way, I''ve heard that the number of applicants this year is extraordinarily high. The competition will be much tougher."


    Alan nodded in understanding and followed Harris to his manor, carrying Isabella on his back.


    ...


    Harris'' Manor


    The manor was situated in the heart of the Imperial Capital, in one of the most coveted and expensive districts.


    The luxurious estate was vast, its opulence apparent at a glance.


    Upon arrival, a butler came forward to greet them, and three maids guided Alan to the guest quarters.


    Alan carried Isabella into their room, noting how the space was both spacious and tastefully decorated.


    However, his concern for Isabella grew as he noticed her once again struggling to stay awake.


    Her excessive drowsiness... the illness seems to be worsening.


    Lioncrest Academy¡ªit wasn''t just his dream; it was a necessity. Alan had to gain entry as quickly as possible.


    After tucking Isabella into bed and ensuring she was comfortable, Alan returned to his room, closed the door tightly, and entered the infernal realm once more.


    Time to train!


    ...


    The Pressure to Level Up


    Alan dove headfirst into intense training. The pressure to grow stronger was palpable, especially after Harris had shared troubling news.


    This year''s competition for Lioncrest Academy would be fiercer than ever.


    Although the entry requirement remained tier-iron level 9, many tier-bronze mages were expected to apply, making it significantly harder to stand out.


    Reaching tier-bronze¡ªit was an urgent goal.


    While Alan''s combat abilities were already exceptional, he knew that without a higher tier, the academy elders, who had seen countless prodigies, might overlook him entirely.


    Harris had explained that a student''s tier reflected their mentor''s prestige. For Alan to be taken seriously, he had to meet or exceed expectations.


    However, reaching tier-bronze required a superior staff.


    Either he would need to replace his current staff or allow it to absorb and evolve using another powerful weapon.


    Both options required immense resources.


    Although Alan had a modest reserve of gold coins and mana stones, they were far from sufficient to purchase a top-tier staff.


    Moreover, Isabella''s treatment was still pending, and Alan needed to reserve part of his funds for emergencies.


    Despite appearances, his resources were stretched thin.


    ...


    An Unexpected Invitation


    After five days of relentless training in the infernal realm, Alan returned to the manor at dusk, where Harris greeted him with a smile.


    "Alan, how have you found the accommodations? Are you comfortable here?"


    Alan nodded. "Head, everything has been arranged perfectly. This is the first time I''ve experienced such luxury and comfort."


    Harris chuckled. "I''m glad you''re enjoying it. Tonight, the second prince is hosting a banquet for students who are set to take the Lioncrest Academy entrance exams. I''d like you to accompany me. What do you think?"


    Alan hesitated. "Since I haven''t been invited, wouldn''t it be inappropriate for me to attend?" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Harris shook his head. "The second prince''s banquet is primarily for the top candidates¡ªthose practically guaranteed to join Lioncrest Academy.


    Most of them are from prominent families or possess exceptional talent. The banquet is a means for the prince to gather their support."


    "You''re soon to be one of them, Alan. It''s only fitting that you attend."

 Chapter 493 - Chapter49-The Second Prince’s Banquet

    Faced with Harris''s warm invitation, Alan pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.


    He had been undergoing arduous training in hell for the past few days and hadn''t had the chance to take his sister out. This banquet was a great opportunity.


    Moreover, this banquet was of high status.


    The second prince, a renowned royal of the Plantagenet Kingdom, was personally hosting the event, bringing together a gathering of the kingdom''s most outstanding youths¡ªfuture students of Lioncrest Academy.


    If he could make some connections here, it would be beneficial for his cultivation in the future.


    With that in mind, Alan returned to his room, where Isabella had already woken up.


    Upon hearing that they would be attending a banquet tonight, she smiled in anticipation.


    Afterward, Alan took Isabella''s hand and, along with Harris and Carter, made their way to a luxurious manor located on the outskirts of the imperial capital.


    Half an hour later.


    The brilliantly lit, ancient manor ahead instantly caught the attention of Alan and his companions.


    The estate was vast, appearing like a radiant gemstone in the dim night, dispelling the darkness and cold.


    At the entrance, elegantly dressed nobles were coming and going. Clad in tailored suits, they carried themselves with varying degrees of arrogance. With the assistance of their attendants, they stepped out of their steam-powered automobiles and entered the manor. As they passed by, one could catch whiffs of the light, lingering fragrance of their perfumes.


    "Harrishead, it has been a long time since you last came here. What a rare guest. The usual arrangement this time?"


    Not long after stepping into the manor, a charming woman in a fitted waistcoat approached Harris with a warm smile.


    Harris smiled faintly. "I''m here for business tonight, so I''ll pass."


    The woman didn''t press the matter. Instead, she discreetly glanced at Alan and Isabella, probing as she asked,


    "Are these two your guests?"


    Harris nodded. "They''re my friends."


    The woman narrowed her eyes and studied Alan and Isabella for a moment before making an inviting gesture.


    "Please, come in. The prince has already arrived in the banquet hall."


    Harris nodded and led Carter, Alan, and Isabella through the red-carpeted pathway in the middle of the lawn, entering the lavishly lit banquet hall.


    Inside, the hall was already bustling with guests.


    Most of them were around Alan''s age. Whether in dress or demeanor, they carried the characteristic elegance of nobility, and the auras they emanated were quite formidable.


    Clearly, the main attendees of tonight''s banquet were noble students preparing to take the entrance exam for Lioncrest Academy.


    Many of them held glasses of red wine, moving about the hall¡ªsome engaged in lively conversations with acquaintances, while others exchanged name cards in hopes of networking with key figures in different social circles.


    "These people are among the most well-known young elites in the imperial capital. Take a look around first¡ªI need to go pay my respects to the second prince."


    After stepping into the hall, Harris immediately glanced toward the bustling center of the gathering and, offering Alan an apologetic smile, excused himself.


    Alan nodded, preparing to take his sister along when he suddenly noticed a well-dressed young man standing haughtily nearby, his chin slightly raised. The youth stood in Alan''s path, looking him up and down before speaking,


    "I am Eugene, heir and future successor of House Blackwood. What is your name? Which family do you belong to?"


    Alan had never heard of his name or his family, but judging by his demeanor, he seemed to be someone important. Alan smiled faintly and replied,


    "My name is Alan. I am merely an ordinary citizen of the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    Hearing this, Eugene''s brows furrowed slightly before he turned away without another word, as if Alan had never existed.


    Beside Alan, Carter huffed in anger at Eugene''s retreating figure. Rolling up his sleeves, he was about to confront him.


    "What a snob! Does he not know that Alan is my big brother?"


    Alan stopped Carter with a shake of his head. "He didn''t do anything wrong. Everyone here is making their identities known and seeking out those of similar status. There''s no reason to be upset about it."


    As he finished speaking, Alan noticed Eugene approaching someone of a slightly higher status than himself. The arrogance from earlier vanished in an instant, replaced by deep humility¡ªhe even bowed at a full ninety-degree angle as he respectfully handed over a name card.


    However, the person seemed to regard Eugene as beneath them and completely ignored him, walking past with a look of cold indifference, as if Eugene didn''t even exist.


    Straightening up, Eugene cursed under his breath.


    "What kind of person is that? Just because they''re a little closer to the second prince, they think they can look down on me?"


    After venting his frustration, he adjusted his attire, composed himself, and continued moving through the banquet, introducing himself and attempting to strike up conversations to establish new connections.


    Alan, Carter, and Isabella watched in stunned silence¡ªnot just at how quickly Eugene changed his attitude, but also at his sheer persistence.


    Carter shook his head and, together with Alan and Isabella, took a brief tour of the banquet''s layout.


    The heart of the event was the open hall, filled with guests moving about. Around the edges, a buffet area had been set up, offering a variety of exquisite delicacies. The enticing aroma alone was enough to make them hungry.


    However, before they could indulge, Harris returned, now accompanied by a young man dressed in opulent attire. Smiling, Harris introduced him.


    "Your Highness, this is Alan, my friend. He is certain to earn a place as a student at Lioncrest Academy."


    Alan glanced at the second prince. He exuded an air of nobility.


    The second prince turned his gaze toward Alan, prompting Harris to continue his introduction.


    "Alan, this is His Highness, the prince."


    Alan looked at the second prince and, maintaining his composure, greeted him,


    "Your Highness." sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The second prince studied Alan for a moment before saying, "Harris speaks highly of you. You do have a strong foundation¡ªbetter than most."


    Alan remained calm, simply nodding in acknowledgment.


    He had long known that Harris and the second prince were on good terms. However, judging from the prince''s indifferent attitude, it seemed Harris hadn''t shared everything about Alan with him.


    The prince''s apathy made Harris frown slightly.


    After all, he had already informed the prince of Alan''s great potential, hoping it would catch the prince''s attention. Yet, it seemed the prince was judging Alan based on appearance alone.


    Before Harris could say anything, a commotion suddenly erupted in the hall, with guests exclaiming in astonishment.


    "Miss Audrey!"


    "It''s really Miss Audrey!"


    All eyes turned toward the second-floor balcony.


    Alan followed their gaze.


    On the balcony stood a tall, elegant woman. She wore a rose-colored gown that exuded passion like fire, and her stunning features, lightly enhanced with makeup, made her beauty even more dazzling.


    Simply by standing there, she captivated the entire hall, making everything else seem dim in comparison.


    Even Alan, with his usual composure, found himself glancing at her a few extra times. She seemed to possess a natural charm that made people want to fall at her feet.


    Seeing Audrey arrive, the second prince''s lips curved into a faint smile, and he immediately headed toward the balcony without a second thought.


    Harris withdrew his gaze from Audrey and, looking at the prince''s retreating figure, couldn''t help but feel that his efforts to introduce Alan had been in vain.


    "Alan, the prince has long admired Audrey. I hope you don''t take offense," Harris quickly apologized, not wanting this to affect his friendship with Alan.


    Alan knew Harris had good intentions, and rather than being offended, he actually felt relieved¡ªhe had no desire to get caught up in royal rivalries.


    "That the prince doesn''t think much of me is only natural. But for a woman to captivate him so deeply, she must be quite extraordinary."


    Alan asked curiously.


    "Of course," Harris replied, a hint of reminiscence flashing across his face.


    "Audrey comes from a highly influential family. If any of the princes were to gain her support, it would be a tremendous advantage."


    "Moreover, she is considered the most beautiful woman in the Plantagenet Kingdom. Many suitors admire her, yet she is extremely proud and holds herself above all others. She believes no man in the entire kingdom is worthy of her. She''s a well-known figure among the circles of noblewomen as well."


    Hearing this, an image of Alice involuntarily surfaced in Alan''s mind. Without hesitation, he asked,


    "What about Duke Alice? Her beauty is no less than Audrey''s, is it?"

 Chapter 494 - Chapter50-Dining with Audrey

    Harris glanced around nervously. Seeing that everyone''s attention was fixed on Audrey and no one had noticed Alan''s words, he let out a small sigh of relief and said,


    "Alan, Duke Alice is different from other women. She made a name for herself across multiple kingdoms solely through absolute strength. To this day, she remains undefeated among her peers."


    "Her existence has transcended gender¡ªshe is in relentless pursuit of the limits of magic. To many, Duke Alice is an untouchable figure." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Harris spoke, his expression grew solemn.


    After all, people''s admiration for Audrey stemmed from her beauty, an instinctual attraction.


    But their feelings toward Alice were entirely different. It was pure respect¡ªshe was an idol in the hearts of many.


    She was also Harris''s idol!


    Seeing this, Alan realized that his earlier words had been somewhat inappropriate.


    There was no real comparison between Alice and Audrey!


    Harris then chuckled and added,


    "Audrey has very high standards¡ªshe doesn''t even think the second prince is worthy of her. But if you put in some effort, Alan, I think you might have a chance!"


    Harris knew very well how formidable Alan was. He also knew that behind Alan stood that mysterious woman in the black robe.


    In both talent and background, Alan was not inferior to anyone!


    Isabella nodded seriously, as if agreeing.


    In her eyes, her brother was worthy of all the women in the world. Rather, it was the women of the world who might not be worthy of her brother!


    Carter nudged Alan with his elbow, grinning confidently.


    "Big bro, if you''re interested, I can help spread the word! Don''t worry¡ªI might not be great in battle, but when it comes to public opinion, I''m an expert!"


    Hearing this, Alan suddenly recalled the rumors about him and Annie that had spread on the Charlie No.1 train.


    Could it have been this guy stirring the pot back then?


    Under Alan''s deep, scrutinizing gaze, Carter grew a little guilty and said hesitantly,


    "Uh¡­ Alan, why are you looking at me like that? Don''t worry! If I start spreading any rumors this time, no one will be able to trace them back to us!"


    Before Alan could respond, Harris gave Carter a light smack on the back of the head.


    "If you really stir things up, you''ll just be putting Alan in a tough spot. Too many people have their eyes on Audrey."


    Carter thought about it for a moment and realized Harris had a point.


    After all, Audrey was like a prized piece of meat, with too many hungry wolves watching her. One wrong move, and Alan would become their target.


    "Alright, alright, old man, I was just joking." Seeing Harris''s increasingly stern expression, Carter pouted in disappointment.


    He then took Isabella and Alan over to the buffet area.


    Upon seeing the vast array of exquisite dishes, Carter excitedly introduced the different foods while hurriedly piling them onto his plate, afraid that if he moved too slowly, he might miss out.


    Under Carter''s influence, Isabella also ended up eating more than usual.


    Watching the two of them, Alan felt his own appetite increase. Since most of the young nobles here had already dismissed him, he figured he might as well enjoy a feast¡ªat least he wouldn''t have come for nothing!


    Many of the dishes in the buffet were ones Alan had never seen or tasted before, and they were quite delicious.


    And so, the three of them¡ªlike bottomless pits¡ªstood in the corner of the banquet hall, eating to their hearts'' content.


    The other guests, seeing this, all sneered in disdain.


    "Bumpkins."


    They muttered under their breath, their interest in associating with Alan and Carter disappearing entirely.


    Meanwhile, as the banquet grew more lively, Audrey stood on the second-floor balcony, once again rejecting the second prince''s invitation to dance.


    Feeling somewhat bored, she swept her gaze over the hall below.


    After watching for a while, she found the whole scene too stiff and uninspiring and was about to withdraw her gaze¡ªwhen she suddenly noticed Annie.


    Annie stood there in an elegant dress, resembling a fluttering butterfly, yet she remained frozen in place, her eyes locked onto a certain corner of the banquet hall.


    Audrey grew curious and followed Annie''s line of sight.


    She knew her best friend well¡ªAnnie was not a reserved person. Yet tonight, she was unusually quiet. Far too quiet.


    "Annie, don''t tell me you''ve fallen for that chubby guy?"


    Seeing the three people in the banquet hall''s corner happily feasting, Audrey''s eyes twinkled mischievously as she leaned in and teased Annie.


    Annie had been watching Alan, lost in thought, but upon hearing Audrey''s remark, she immediately snapped out of it and shook her head.


    "What nonsense are you talking about? That''s the son of the Head of the Light Guild¡ªI''m not interested in him!"


    "Oh? Not him? Then it must be that rather handsome young man, right?" Audrey chuckled lightly.


    "I''m not interested in anyone," Annie shot Audrey a glare.


    This woman always enjoyed making a spectacle out of things.


    Audrey, adopting a detective-like expression, leaned in with keen interest.


    "Then why have you been staring at that guy all night? You haven''t taken your eyes off him! Are you sure nothing''s going on? Come on, just be honest with me!"


    Annie sighed and shook her head.


    "His name is Alan. From what I know of him, he wouldn''t have been invited to this banquet. I''m just curious about why he''s here."


    Audrey raised an eyebrow.


    "That''s it?"


    Annie was about to say more, but suddenly, she noticed the playful glint in Audrey''s eyes.


    Annie''s heart sank.


    "Audrey, I''m warning you¡ªdon''t cause trouble for him. He''s not as simple as he looks."


    "Oh?" Audrey''s curiosity only deepened.


    "Tsk tsk¡­ To think that someone as confident as you would look so flustered and nervous. That Alan fellow must be quite interesting."


    To Audrey, men were nothing more than toys to be played with.


    Ignoring Annie''s warning, she whispered something into the ear of a nearby maid, then smiled as she watched the maid walk away.


    A few moments later, the maid stepped onto the stage in the center of the hall, scanning the crowd before speaking in a soft yet clear voice:


    "Honored guests, Miss Audrey believes that with so many outstanding individuals gathered here tonight, mere casual conversation is not enough to make the evening truly exciting.


    She would like to extend a special invitation to one gentleman¡­ to dine with her."


    Upon hearing this, nearly every man in the room drew in a sharp breath.


    Dining with Audrey?!


    What an incredible honor!


    Who would be the lucky one?


    At that moment, everyone glanced around anxiously, their excitement and anticipation mounting.


    The maid, seeing the crowd''s enthusiasm, did not keep them waiting.


    She smiled faintly and announced,


    "Alan, please come forward."


    Alan?!


    The name sent a wave of confusion through the crowd.


    Most of them had never even heard of this person!


    Eugene, who had previously introduced himself to Alan, suddenly realized who it was. His gaze snapped toward the banquet hall''s corner, his eyes turning red with envy!


    That was Audrey, the most beautiful woman in the Plantagenet Kingdom!


    She was also a renowned socialite!


    If someone could get close to her, they wouldn''t just gain fame overnight¡ªher support could elevate them to unimaginable heights!


    If, through this dinner, Audrey took a liking to Alan¡­


    Eugene trembled with jealousy.


    The second prince, who had initially looked forward to the announcement, found his expression stiffening.


    Everyone knew he had been pursuing Audrey¡ªyet now, she had invited another man to dine with her!


    The young nobles who had been preparing to flatter the second prince swallowed their words, instead scanning the hall, searching for this mysterious "Alan."


    The second prince quickly realized¡ªwasn''t Alan the very youth Harris had introduced to him earlier?


    Before long, every pair of eyes in the hall turned toward the banquet''s corner, locking onto Alan, who was still happily serving his sister more food.


    Alan, unaware of what had just happened, suddenly felt himself becoming the center of attention.


    He had no recollection of ever interacting with Audrey¡ªwhy was she targeting him?


    Though dining with her seemed like an honor, it felt more like bait thrown into a sea of hungry sharks.


    One misstep, and he would be torn apart.


    He could already sense the malice in the eyes of the other guests, as if they were ready to rip him to shreds.


    Just then, a burly young man stepped out from the crowd and strode toward Alan, smirking provocatively.


    "Alan, I think I should take your place at this banquet. After all, I wouldn''t want you to lose control of yourself."

 Chapter 495 - Chapter51-Even If You Simp for Me, I Still Don’t Want You

    Faced with the young man''s provocation, Alan remained indifferent. He had just arrived in the imperial capital¡ªthere was no need to make too many enemies right away.


    However, Carter, standing beside him, couldn''t tolerate such taunts. Just as he was about to defend his big brother, Alan raised a hand to stop him.


    Alan then took a step forward, calmly looking up at Audrey on the second floor.


    "Miss Audrey, as far as I know, we have no prior connection. I think it would be best if you offered this dinner invitation to one of the many other outstanding young men here."


    With that, Alan prepared to leave with Isabella.


    Audrey pouted, feigning grievance. "Alan, are you leaving so soon? Do you mean to say that I''m not worthy of dining with you?"


    The moment she spoke, the already-hostile guests in the hall grew visibly more enraged.


    Audrey was their perfect goddess!


    Dining with her was a dream opportunity that countless men longed for.


    Yet Alan had rejected her so outrightly?!


    It was as if he didn''t even care about the woman they all worshipped.


    Immediately, voices of mockery filled the air:


    "This guy looks tough, but he''s nothing but a coward!"


    "Who even invited someone like him to our banquet?"


    "I bet they sneaked in just to freeload off the food and drinks!"


    Seeing that she had successfully stirred up the crowd''s emotions, Audrey sighed theatrically.


    "And to think I extended such a kind invitation¡­ I even had the dinner specially prepared¡­"


    With Audrey''s pitiful expression, many of the young nobles felt their hearts melt, their emotions flaring even more.


    "He doesn''t know how to appreciate kindness¡ªhe''s not worthy of dining with Miss Audrey!"


    "That''s right, Miss Audrey, don''t be upset. We''ll make sure to teach him a lesson. He doesn''t deserve to be here at all!"


    With that, several of them clenched their fists, closing in on Alan.


    Alan frowned. He had already backed down, yet Audrey seemed determined to make him her target. And worse¡ªshe had so many simps!


    Seeing the group of furious nobles approaching, Isabella furrowed her delicate brows.


    "My brother simply refuses to be a simp. Is that really a crime?"


    Her words cut through the hall like a knife.


    The already-agitated young elites instantly turned dark-faced.


    Sure, they were simps¡ªbut being called out so directly? Who could accept that?


    The nearest young noble, his face twisted in fury, suddenly unleashed a surge of elemental power. A burst of searing fire mana shot directly toward Isabella!


    The air around them heated up instantly.


    The fiery energy rushed forward. Isabella''s face paled, her body trembling as a wave of instability surged through her mind power. Her forehead veins bulged, and she nearly collapsed.


    From a distance, Annie watched in horror.


    She knew Alan¡ªon the Charlie No.1 train, it had been Isabella''s distress that had triggered his violent outburst, setting off a whole chain of events.


    And now, someone had dared to attack Isabella directly?!


    They were poking a hornet''s nest!


    Just as that thought flashed through her mind, Alan¡ªwho had been coldly indifferent all this time¡ªsuddenly moved.


    With a sharp kick, he sent the fire-wielding young noble flying.


    Boom!


    The noble''s body was launched backward, and before even landing, he coughed up a mouthful of blood, the scent of iron filling the banquet hall.


    Alan had struck first¡ªright in the middle of the banquet! Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The entire room fell into stunned silence.


    Tonight''s gathering was filled with the elite of the elite¡ªnobles of wealth and power!


    Daring to start a fight here¡­ Alan must be insane!


    He had completely disregarded both the second prince and Audrey!


    After kicking the young noble aside, Alan immediately turned to check on Isabella.


    Seeing that the unstable surge of mind power had been suppressed by her essence stone, he finally relaxed.


    Then, his cold gaze lifted toward the stunning figure on the second floor.


    "Did you really think that just because you have a pretty face, you can toy with people as you please?" His voice was chilling.


    "I wouldn''t dine with pigs, let alone someone like you. A woman who flaunts herself like that¡ªeven if you threw yourself at me, I wouldn''t take you."


    With that, Alan turned and left with Isabella and Carter.


    The entire hall remained frozen.


    Everyone was utterly shocked.


    Alan had dared to humiliate Audrey!


    Audrey, the unparalleled socialite of the Plantagenet Kingdom, a woman of exceptional beauty, lineage, and talent!


    Audrey''s previously amused expression instantly twisted into one of cold fury.


    Her entire life, she had only ever received admiration and applause.


    Yet Alan had dared to scorn her? To insult her so publicly?!


    In an instant, she leapt from the second floor, an intense whirlwind forming beneath her feet, lifting her body into the air.


    Then, with a flick of her hand, razor-sharp wind blades sliced through the air, aiming straight for Alan''s back!


    "Unbelievable! Miss Audrey is already at the late tier-bronze level!"


    "That wind blade¡ªher elemental control must be approaching tier-gold already!"


    Feeling the razor-sharp mana cutting through the air, the surrounding guests gasped in awe.


    Alan had been on guard from the moment the tension escalated.


    The instant the wind blades surged toward him, a staff sword materialized in his hand.


    With a swift motion, he slashed horizontally¡ª


    A thin, radiant sword arc shot forth, colliding with the wind blades and obliterating them midair.


    Audrey''s eyes darkened.


    "No wonder you''re so arrogant¡ªyou have some skill. But humiliating me comes with consequences!"


    In the blink of an eye, she surged forward on a wind current, closing the distance between herself and Alan.


    Just as she was about to strike again, Annie rushed over, stepping between them.


    "Audrey, calm down! Alan isn''t our enemy!"


    Annie knew Alan''s background¡ªeven the Church of Steam and Magic treaded carefully around him.


    If Audrey kept pushing this, she''d only be inviting disaster.


    Audrey''s expression remained tense.


    "Annie, are you even my friend? He humiliated me, and you''re still defending him?!"


    Annie sighed, trying to reason with her.


    "Listen, I''m saying this for your own good. Ending this now is in everyone''s best interest."


    Audrey''s face twisted further.


    "What do you mean? Are you hiding something? Has he blackmailed you? Why are you defending him?"


    Before Annie could respond, the second prince and Harris approached.


    The second prince, still playing the gentleman, quickly stepped forward and addressed Audrey with concern.


    "Miss Audrey, please, calm down. Allow me to handle this matter."


    Harris, on the other hand, looked at the second prince with a grave expression.


    Tonight''s events had completely spiraled out of control.


    However, for the second prince, this was actually an opportunity¡ªan opening to draw closer to Alan.


    From what Harris had observed, Alan appeared easygoing on the surface, but to truly befriend him¡­ one had to meet him with sincerity.

 Chapter 496 - Chapter52-The Second Prince’s Choice

    "You''re handling this? Alan is your invited guest? Well, I suppose it''s only fitting for you to deal with this matter!"


    Audrey''s face was filled with cold fury, her clear eyes radiating an unshakable chill.


    Seeing this, everyone knew Audrey was truly furious!


    This Alan was dead meat!


    Under the icy glare from Audrey, the second prince felt his mind sharpen, and he turned to look at Alan.


    Harris, standing beside the second prince, felt a sharp increase in his breath.


    As long as the second prince handled this without bias, he would surely gain Alan''s favor!


    The second prince paused for a moment before speaking, but his lackeys were already too eager to jump in.


    "Miss Audrey, please don''t misunderstand. How could the prince have such a crude, despicable friend?"


    "That''s right! This Alan had the audacity to disrupt the banquet¡ªhe deserves to be punished!"


    "Prince, I suggest we throw this man out of the banquet hall immediately!"


    The lackeys shouted in unison, their emotions running high.


    The second prince, not wanting to offend Audrey, glanced at Alan and thought little of him. In comparison to Audrey, Alan seemed ordinary, so the prince immediately shook his head.


    "Miss Audrey, this is the first time I''ve met him. I had no idea someone so arrogant would dare to offend you."


    As soon as the words left his mouth, Harris shook his head slightly, though he had already expected this outcome.


    Audrey had a powerful background, and the second prince had long been infatuated with her. Alan, on the other hand, seemed like an insignificant, powerless individual, so the second prince had quickly sided with Audrey.


    However, seeing the second prince so quickly sever ties with Alan still left Harris feeling a bit disappointed.


    As the second prince showed concern for Audrey, Alan remained composed, simply shielding Isabella behind him.


    "This banquet was prepared by the prince according to tradition, inviting potential students of Lioncrest Academy, and this man has snuck in just to freeload. It''s really too much!"


    "That''s right! He''s been eating the whole time, lowering the standard of the banquet!"


    After the second prince made his stance clear, his lackeys eagerly piled on with their mockery.


    Harris frowned, feeling more disappointed in the second prince. He stepped forward and cleared his throat, addressing the crowd.


    "Everyone, Alan was invited here by me. If there''s any issue, it should be directed toward me, Harris."


    After speaking, he walked up to Alan, offering a somewhat apologetic glance.


    "Alan, I''m truly sorry. I didn''t expect things to escalate like this."


    Alan waved it off nonchalantly. "Mr. Harris, you had good intentions. It''s mainly because of that narcissist."


    Harris sighed and looked at the second prince with a complicated expression.


    The second prince had already sensed something was off as soon as Harris stepped forward.


    "Harrishead, what are you implying?"


    He couldn''t help but question the man who had always supported him.


    Harris politely smiled but said nothing, then prepared to leave with Alan.


    Harris had given up on him!


    The second prince''s expression darkened, a hint of surprise flickering in his heart.


    Why?


    He was the second prince of the Plantagenet Kingdom, a man with a good chance of inheriting the throne!


    Countless people sought to ingratiate themselves with him.


    Harris, as the head of the Light Guild, was a significant ally.


    But now, in front of everyone, Harris was standing with Alan instead!


    What was so special about Alan?


    The other guests were also shocked.


    The head of the Light Guild, Harris, had actually chosen Alan over the second prince!


    Even seeing it with their own eyes, they couldn''t believe it.


    Did Alan have some extraordinary background?


    While everyone was still in shock, Audrey snorted coldly, her eyes locking onto Alan.


    "You think you can come and go as you please at this banquet?"


    Harris didn''t want to ruin Alan''s relationship with Audrey, so he stopped and looked at Audrey seriously.


    "Miss Audrey, could you do me a favor and let this matter end here?"


    Audrey looked at him coldly. "Of course, I''ll respect the head of the Light Guild. But how about this: let him perform an impromptu striptease to entertain the guests before leaving?"


    Harris''s smile froze immediately.


    At such a formal occasion, making someone perform a striptease would be an immense humiliation¡ªespecially for Alan!


    The tension in the air was palpable, and once again, the situation grew tense.


    Annie sighed, stepping in front of Alan.


    "I''m sorry, Alan. I shouldn''t have stared at you earlier, and now Miss Audrey is playing around with this situation."


    "What are you doing, Annie?"


    Seeing Annie stand by Alan''s side at this moment, Audrey''s face twisted with fury.


    Annie was her friend!


    Annie looked at Audrey with a determined expression. "Miss Audrey, you''re my best friend. If you also consider me a friend, how about we end this matter here?"


    Audrey''s long fingers clenched tightly.


    Alan!


    It was always Alan!


    What was so special about him?


    "Heh, after insulting Miss Audrey, you think you can leave unscathed? Did you ask me first?"


    Suddenly, a voice filled with extreme coldness rang out from a distance.


    A towering young man, his skin tanned from the sun, wearing a loose white martial arts uniform, walked into the scene.


    Everyone recognized him and their expressions grew solemn.


    "Wilson! He''s a renowned Arcane Warrior! A master of both magic and martial arts, skilled in the earth element. He''s considered the number one defensive fighter among his peers and has already caught the attention of the Lioncrest Academy mentor!"


    Many of the guests recognized him as one of the Empire''s rising stars.


    Most of the young elites in the capital had gathered to join Lioncrest Academy and become the best of the best.


    Wilson, however, had already been singled out by the academy''s mentor.


    Entering Lioncrest Academy meant he would have a higher status than most students!


    It was clear how exceptional his talent and strength were. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After Wilson walked in, Audrey glanced at him coldly. "What do you want? This has nothing to do with you."


    Wilson was not surprised by Audrey''s dismissive attitude, as she had rejected him many times. He smiled faintly and responded,


    "Miss Audrey, as your admirer, anyone who is your enemy is my enemy."


    With that, he struck his wrapped hands together in front of his chest, releasing a surge of elemental force.


    The cold, lethal aura immediately enveloped Alan.


    "You''d better hope your bones are as tough as your mouth, or you won''t be able to take a single punch!"


    He stepped forward, his body swelling with the power of the earth element, and within moments, he charged toward Alan, throwing a powerful punch.


    Tier-bronze late stage!


    Sensing the overwhelming aura, Alan''s fingers tightened.


    Drawing on the abundant elemental energy flowing through his body, he threw a punch of his own to meet Wilson''s.


    Bang!


    Their fists collided with a deafening crack, sending shockwaves through the room.


    Alan staggered back a few steps, but Wilson''s arm went numb, his legs dragging along the floor as he slid back for dozens of feet before regaining his footing.


    The crowd stared in shock.


    Alan had gained the upper hand?


    The second prince''s eyelids twitched in surprise.


    Wilson was one of the most talented individuals he had to recruit¡ªnot only was he a tier-bronze late-stage genius, but his mastery of both magic and martial arts made him an unparalleled force.


    If it had been a pure physical clash, almost no one among his peers could defeat him.


    But Alan had overpowered him.


    Wilson clenched his aching fist, unable to accept the outcome. He charged at Alan again.


    Alan shook his head faintly.


    While his level wasn''t as high as Wilson''s, Alan had reached tier-iron level 10 and had undergone unimaginable physical refinement.


    His body, forged by countless trials as a swordsman, was far beyond Wilson''s comprehension.


    Even the most physically powerful spellbeasts of his age didn''t stand a chance against him!


    Wilson''s second charge would only be his humiliation.


    Without hesitation, Alan threw another punch.


    Once again, a deafening blast of energy rang through the hall as their fists collided.


    Wilson was sent flying even faster this time, crashing hard into the wall and collapsing unconscious, foaming at the mouth.


    Alan glanced at the stunned crowd, then turned to leave with Isabella.


    "Alan!"


    Suddenly, the second prince''s stern voice rang out.


    With a frosty expression, the second prince glared at Alan, demanding,


    "Alan! What do you think this banquet is?!"


    "You insulted Miss Audrey, injured Wilson, and now you think you can just leave?"


    "You will apologize to everyone here¡ªonly then can you leave!"


    With his words, many guests immediately chimed in,


    "His Highness is right! This man is arrogant and rude¡ªhe should be dealt with severely!"


    "Exactly! He''s tainting the dignity of this banquet!"


    The crowd was fired up.


    The second prince nodded solemnly. "Alan''s actions have been far too disrespectful. He must apologize to Miss Audrey, Wilson, and all the guests before he can leave."


    He continued with authority, "This is the imperial capital, a grand banquet¡ªnot some backwater place. He needs to learn some manners!"


    Alan snorted. "Isn''t this just the second prince trying to win favor? No need to put on such a show."


    The second prince lowered his gaze and spoke coldly, "At this point, you should be thinking about how to gain the forgiveness of everyone here."


    With that, royal guards poured into the hall, surrounding Alan.


    The chilling aura emanating from them was overwhelming.


    "You will never leave here until you''ve apologized to everyone!"


    Since the gloves were off, the second prince didn''t hold back any longer.


    This was not only to appease Audrey and Wilson but also to intimidate potential rivals.


    Alan saw through the second prince''s intentions and couldn''t help but chuckle. He then turned to Harris, Carter, and Annie.


    "Please take care of my sister."


    As Alan prepared to act, Harris hesitated but nodded.


    Annie didn''t say anything but stood firmly beside Isabella.


    "Go ahead!"


    With a cold command from the second prince, the royal guards'' auras flared up, their pressure intense enough to crush Alan into dust!


    At that moment, a figure descended gracefully from the third floor.


    Though her pace was slow, the moment she appeared, all attention shifted to her, and the crowd was stunned.


    It was Duke Alice!


    The royal guards who had been about to act froze, half kneeling and placing their right hands on their chests, respectfully bowing.


    "Greetings, Duke Alice!"


    Alice gave a slight nod and walked toward Alan.


    With the crowd watching in shock, she smiled faintly and said with some seriousness,


    "It''s only been a few days, yet your strength has grown to this level. Alan, shall we go to the third floor and talk?"

 Chapter 497 - Chapter53-Duke Alice!

    "Alan?!"


    Everyone in the banquet hall gaped, their faces full of shock as they stared at Alan.


    Duke Alice actually knew Alan!


    And she even addressed him with respect, calling him "Young Master"!


    One must understand that Duke Alice possessed exceptional talent, an unmatched background, and was held in the highest regard. She was also extremely proud.


    There were very few people she would address so respectfully!


    In an instant, countless eyes turned toward Alan, filled with a mixture of emotions¡ªshock and curiosity most of all.


    Just who was this Alan?!


    Even Audrey, who was proud to her core, looked at Alice in disbelief.


    As the only female duke of the Plantagenet Kingdom, Alice was a household name. Countless people sought to forge a connection with her at any cost.


    Yet, those who truly earned her attention were almost nonexistent. Among her peers, such cases were even rarer!


    How had Alan managed to do so?


    The Second Prince was also watching Alan, his expression darkening.


    Duke Alice actually knew Alan!


    And from the looks of it, they had a rather good relationship!


    A flash of regret flickered in his eyes.


    Had he just missed an incredible networking opportunity?


    Had he also squandered his chance to get closer to Duke Alice?


    As Alice approached, Alan simply nodded and said:


    "As you wish."


    However, at that moment, a courtier standing beside the Second Prince stepped forward excitedly and called out:


    "Duke Alice! Alan humiliated Miss Audrey earlier! He even disrupted the banquet by resorting to violence!"


    Alice glanced at him.


    The young man straightened his posture, puffing out his chest, and said, "Duke Alice, I am the second son of House White. I was present when you challenged my elder brother."


    If he could earn Duke Alice''s favor, his standing¡ªboth within his family and among the Second Prince''s advisors¡ªwould skyrocket!


    As soon as he finished speaking, everyone else turned to look at Alice.


    Alice turned to Alan.


    Alan remained silent, not bothering to explain.


    Isabella, worried that Alice might be swayed, spoke up anxiously:


    "Duke Alice! It was Audrey and her people who started it! They were the ones targeting my brother¡­!"


    She quickly and concisely summarized the events leading up to the confrontation.


    Alice''s expression darkened as she turned to Audrey.


    Audrey''s pupils shrank. A sense of foreboding surged in her heart.


    Her House, Chrysanthemum, was a powerful and ancient noble family in the Plantagenet Kingdom. But compared to Alice, they were utterly insignificant!


    From what she knew, the forces behind Alice were beyond comprehension.


    Even organizations as vast as the Church of Steam and Magic and Lioncrest Academy¡ªboth of which spanned multiple kingdoms¡ªwould never dare provoke Alice!


    As the tension grew, Alice spoke slowly:


    "Audrey, House Chrysanthemum may be a noble family with a long history, but I see no sign of noble grace in you. I hope there won''t be a next time. Remember, you do not only represent yourself but also your House."


    Being reprimanded in public like this was the ultimate humiliation for the proud Audrey.


    Yet, in front of Alice, she could not utter a single word of protest!


    Her hands clenched the fabric of her gown tightly, her silence clear for all to see.


    Alice, unimpressed, fixed her gaze on Audrey.


    "Do you refuse to admit your mistake, or do you believe you did nothing wrong?"


    Alice did not bother with politeness.


    A crushing force suddenly radiated from her¡ªan overwhelming pressure, as if the heavens themselves were bearing down.


    Audrey''s entire body trembled.


    The surrounding space seemed to contract, as though countless invisible hands were squeezing her.


    Unable to withstand the force, she let out a muffled groan. Her knees buckled, sinking deep into the floor beneath her.


    Silence engulfed the banquet hall.


    Even Audrey''s admirers, who had been eager to defend her, did not dare utter a word.


    Many of the young elites present were trembling, drenched in sweat.


    Under everyone''s watchful gaze, Audrey¡ªstill pinned by Alice''s oppressive aura¡ªwas now soaked in sweat, her face twisted with resentment.


    As a genius of House Chrysanthemum, she had always been the one to trample over others.


    Yet now, she had been utterly crushed¡ªwithout even a chance to resist!


    Just as Audrey was about to be forced even deeper into the ground, an elderly woman in a courtly gown stepped forward.


    She respectfully bowed to Alice and said in an apologetic tone:


    "Esteemed Duke Alice, Miss Audrey has overstepped. Please forgive her this once. On behalf of House Chrysanthemum, we will forever remember your kindness."


    Alice lowered her gaze slightly.


    The immense pressure on Audrey vanished instantly¡ªas if it had never existed.


    Without Alice''s crushing aura, Audrey''s body went limp, and she collapsed onto the floor, her chest rising and falling in exhaustion.


    Alice swept her gaze across both Audrey and the elderly woman.


    "Alan is my friend. If House Chrysanthemum has any grievances about today''s events, they may bring them to me directly. However, if they resort to underhanded tactics against Alan or his sister, that will be considered an act of war against me."


    The elderly woman did not dare defy Alice.


    She immediately bowed again and spoke earnestly:


    "It was merely a misunderstanding. I will personally report this to the Head of House Chrysanthemum."


    With that, she helped Audrey up and left.


    Alice then turned to the Second Prince, her expression icy.


    The Second Prince''s expression darkened.


    Judging by Alice''s actions, it was clear her relationship with Alan was no trivial matter.


    "Second Prince," Alice said coldly, "Plantagenet Kingdom is already surrounded by enemies. We are on the brink of collapse. And yet, instead of supporting a rising talent like Alan, you choose to suppress him just to gain favor with Audrey? Do you realize how much harm you have done to our kingdom?"


    Her words made the Second Prince''s heart sink.


    He knew Alice held a unique position in the kingdom.


    Even his father, the King of the Plantagenet Kingdom, regarded her with awe.


    That''s right¡ªawe.


    If Alice set her mind on something, even the king would support her without hesitation.


    After all, it was Alice''s presence alone that kept the surrounding kingdoms at bay, maintaining the fragile balance that prevented the Plantagenet Kingdom from collapsing entirely.


    To earn Alice''s hatred now¡­


    He dared not even imagine how far his once-certain path to the throne might drift.


    Alice continued coldly:


    "Since this is your first offense, I will say only this¡ªfuture banquets for Lioncrest Academy students will be hosted by someone else."


    The Second Prince quickly bowed his head and fled the scene.


    With matters now settled, Alice gestured toward Alan.


    "Alan, shall we?"


    Alan glanced at Isabella, a little uncertain.


    "I''d like to bring her along."


    Alice nodded.


    "Of course."


    With that, Alice led Alan and Isabella up to the third floor, leaving behind a banquet hall full of people¡ªall wide-eyed in shock and regret.


    Many of them had dismissed Alan as someone unworthy of their time.


    Now, they were all kicking themselves.


    "I never expected Alan to be so familiar with Duke Alice¡­!"


    The banquet hall was filled with stunned expressions, and many wore looks of regret.


    They had seen Alan before but had dismissed him as someone without background, choosing not to interact with him. Now, nearly all of them were kicking themselves in frustration.


    On the third floor, Alice led Alan and Isabella into a serene tea room.


    The space was quiet and isolated, untouched by the bustle of the banquet hall. A delicate aroma of tea filled the air.


    Alice poured tea for both of them, then sighed with a trace of emotion:


    "The last time I saw you, you were just a tier-iron level 10 magus. But now, you''ve already comprehended [Blade Spirit] and awakened Insightful Heart. At this rate, even late-tier-bronze mages might not be a match for you."


    Alan nodded slightly, then stared straight at Alice, his curiosity evident.


    "Why is it that I have no secrets before you?"


    Alice smiled.


    "There are very few people in this world whom I cannot see through." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As she spoke, she gestured toward her own eyes.


    "It''s my natural talent."


    Seeing this, Alan chose not to pry further.


    Many renowned geniuses possessed unique gifts, and such talents were often their most closely guarded secrets. Normally, no one would reveal them.


    Yet, Alice had casually disclosed that her eyes were the source of her ability¡ªclearly, she trusted Alan more than most.


    No wonder even the Second Prince and the Plantagenet Kingdom''s elite treated her with such respect.


    After a moment, Alice seemed to recall something and asked lightly:


    "I heard that someone brazenly attacked the Barton Kingdom''s Sacred Battle Legion in Ironblood City. That was you, wasn''t it?"


    Alan nodded.


    "The Barton Kingdom''s forces were committing atrocities. I couldn''t stand by and watch, so I took action. But I didn''t expect that news to reach someone as busy as you."


    Alice chuckled softly.


    "The Third Princess and I are close. She wrote to me specifically about it."


    Alan suddenly understood.


    "The Third Princess is on the battlefield, holding off foreign armies, while Duke Alice challenges the top geniuses of other kingdoms. I should have realized you two would be acquainted."


    Indeed, both Alice and the Third Princess were among the most outstanding women of the Plantagenet Kingdom. It made sense that they would be close.


    Alice sighed, looking at Alan with a hint of melancholy.


    "The Plantagenet Kingdom needs someone to stand up and fight. But there are very few people with both the strength and the courage to do so¡ªexcept you."


    Alan asked, "You care deeply for the Plantagenet Kingdom, don''t you?"


    Alice''s expression grew complicated.


    "I don''t want to see my homeland torn apart and trampled by foreign powers."


    Alan could relate.


    Back in Ironblood City, he could have simply walked away¡ªbut in the end, he chose to fight.


    Because, like Alice, he refused to let his country become a war-ravaged wasteland.


    He refused to let his homeland become nothing more than a page in history.


    Alice took a sip of her tea.


    Her golden hair and sapphire eyes made her look almost angelic, and every movement carried an effortless grace.


    For a moment, Alan found himself entranced.


    It wasn''t until she set her teacup down that he snapped back to reality.


    Alice''s gaze grew serious.


    "Alan, the imperial capital is unlike other places. Here, it''s not just a struggle for power and resources¡ªthere''s also a constant battle of politics and influence. The waters run deep. Be careful."


    Hearing her warning, Alan nodded, grateful.


    "Thank you for today. If you''re feeling up to it, how about we have a rematch?"


    Alan was currently stuck at a bottleneck in his cultivation. He needed a real challenge¡ªa fight against a true top-tier genius¡ªto push himself forward.


    Alice smiled faintly and shook her head.


    "Wait until you reach tier-bronze. Then, we can fight again."


    Tier-bronze!


    Alan nodded.


    Once he broke through, his strength would undergo a complete transformation.


    After chatting a while longer, Alan and Isabella took their leave.


    Back in the tea room, now silent once more, an elderly woman who had been standing quietly by Alice''s side stepped forward.


    "My Lady," she said, her tone cautious, "you and him belong to different worlds. It would be best to sever ties now, before¡ª"


    Alice glanced at her and said calmly:


    "Alan is my friend. Anyone who dares move against him is declaring war against me."


    The elderly woman shook her head.


    "Severing ties would be the best protection for him. His talent is indeed impressive, but compared to you, the gap is still too vast. If you were merely ordinary friends, it wouldn''t be a problem, but¡­"


    She trailed off, gazing at Alice with a complex expression.


    She had served Alice for many years, and this was the first time she had ever seen her show such concern for a young man.


    This was not a good sign.


    Alice understood what her protector was thinking. She spoke indifferently:


    "It''s not just his talent that I admire. It''s his character."


    "He is clear about his friendships and his grudges. In Ironblood City, he showed remarkable resolve. If the people of the Plantagenet Kingdom all had his courage, we wouldn''t be looked down upon by other nations."


    Hearing Alice praise Alan so highly, the elderly woman''s heart sank.


    She had been about to offer another warning, but Alice had already turned and walked away.


    Left alone in the quiet room, the old woman muttered to herself:


    "Alan¡­ I hope you don''t get any foolish ideas. Otherwise, you will never understand what true helplessness and despair feel like¡­"


    As Alice''s protector, she knew better than anyone just how high Alice stood¡ªlike a radiant moon in the sky.


    And Alan?


    He was nothing more than a flickering speck of stardust.


    On the way back to Harris Manor, Isabella grinned.


    "Miss Alice is so beautiful and kind. I wonder which lucky guy will win her heart someday."


    Then, turning to Alan with a mischievous glint in her eye, she teased:


    "Brother, do you like Miss Alice?"


    "Miss Alice has everything¡ªpower, wealth, kindness¡­ Honestly, you two would make the perfect couple! Only she is worthy of you!"


    Alan chuckled, shaking his head.


    "You''re overestimating your brother. I don''t deserve someone like her."


    "So you do like her!" Isabella grinned slyly.


    Alan ruffled her hair, amused.


    "You little troublemaker. Stop overthinking things and get some rest."


    His voice softened.


    "Right now, all I want is to stay by your side and cure your illness."


    Isabella''s expression softened, her heart warm.


    She beamed up at him.


    "Brother is the best! I''ll always stay by your side!"

 Chapter 498 - Chapter54-Sirius Academy?!

    When Alan returned to the Harris Manor with Isabella, his face suddenly turned pale.


    It was because Isabella''s body once again emitted distorted mind power fluctuations, like a piercing shriek that stung the sensitive eardrums of those nearby.


    His sister''s strange illness was flaring up again!


    Alan''s heart tightened as he quickly looked at the essence stone in Isabella''s arms.


    At that moment, under the chaotic and restless mind power fluctuations, the essence stone was already covered in fine cracks, as if a slight breeze would shatter it into dust.


    Over the past few days, all the mental elixirs had been used up. Since the essence stone was still intact, and the Lioncrest Academy entrance exam was tomorrow, Alan hadn''t prepared any additional elixirs.


    Just as Alan was consumed with worry, a voice suddenly echoed in his ears¡ªit was the voice of the black-robed woman.


    "Bring the essence stone to me."


    Alan was momentarily stunned before immediately carrying the cracked essence stone and stepping into Hell.


    At this moment, Hell felt even more oppressive and pitch-black than before. The swirling vortex beneath his feet trembled lightly, showing clear signs of instability.


    Something was different from before.


    But Alan had no time to pay attention to that¡ªhis mind was entirely focused on his sister.


    The black-robed woman took the essence stone into her hand, and a warm, spring-like mana fluctuation immediately surged into the stone.


    The cracks on the essence stone finally stopped spreading.


    "This essence stone still holds some of my power, but it will only last for about a day before it completely collapses. By then, you will have to find another solution."


    After returning the essence stone to Alan, the black-robed woman spoke with a solemn tone.


    Alan nodded, gripping the essence stone tightly. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only one day!


    But¡ªtomorrow is the entrance exam for Lioncrest Academy!


    As long as he got into Lioncrest Academy, his sister''s illness could be cured!


    With this thought firmly planted in his mind, Alan immediately left Hell and placed the essence stone on Isabella.


    With the essence stone radiating its glow once more, Isabella, who had passed out from the pain, finally relaxed her furrowed brows and drifted into a deep sleep.


    "Alan!"


    Suddenly, Harris'' voice came from outside the house.


    Alan immediately opened the door and stepped out.


    Harris'' face was filled with apology. "Alan, tonight''s incident was my fault. I wasn''t prepared. I must apologize. The second prince wasn''t always like this¡­ Looking at it now, it was all just an act."


    By the end of his sentence, Harris'' voice carried a hint of sighing regret.


    Alan shook his head. "This has nothing to do with you, Head. You''ve treated my sister and me very well¡ªthere''s no need to dwell on this matter."


    "Besides, if I may be frank, with the strength of the Light Guild, there''s no rush to choose a prince to support, is there?"


    "That may be true, but if we don''t make a choice, once the new king ascends, his attitude towards the Light Guild might not be favorable."


    Harris sighed. This was an age-old problem, never easy to deal with.


    "But I''ve made up my mind¡ªthe second prince is not a good choice. As for the others, we''ll decide later."


    Alan nodded. "There''s still time, no need to make a decision so soon."


    Harris let out another sigh. "Let''s not talk about this anymore. Alan, tomorrow is the entrance exam for Lioncrest Academy. Once you enter the academy, I''d appreciate it if you could take care of Carter."


    Alan smiled. "Lioncrest Academy is highly competitive. You have that much faith in me?"


    Harris laughed heartily. "The academy''s admission bar may be high, but it''s not high enough to stop you."


    Alan chuckled as well. With that, Harris took his leave, letting Alan rest well for the next day''s assessment.


    Back in his room, Alan immediately entered Hell the moment he closed the door.


    As soon as he stepped in, he could feel the subtle tremors from the swirling vortex¡ªsomething unusual was happening in the lower levels.


    It felt as if some terrifying force was trying to tear through the vortex''s seal!


    "Senior, what exactly is sealed in the lower level of Hell?"


    Alan swallowed nervously, feeling an intense sense of dread.


    Even though he could only feel faint fluctuations, his scalp tingled from the sheer pressure!


    "This is a sign that the Hell Seal is about to break. Once you join Lioncrest Academy, you must quickly find a suitable staff and break through to Tier-Bronze¡ªthe time you have left is limited."


    The black-robed woman''s tone was rarely this serious.


    The Next Morning


    The morning mist was dyed orange-red by the rising sun, making the world look dreamy and surreal.


    Harris and Carter were already waiting at the door.


    When Alan and Isabella stepped out, Harris'' eyes lit up.


    Alan had always been handsome, but after tidying up, he now exuded a sharper and more capable air, with a youthful determination unique to his age.


    And with his deep background as a magus, his future was limitless!


    Harris then glanced at Isabella. Although she was still young, she had already grown into a graceful beauty with snow-white skin and deep blue eyes that sparkled like precious gems.


    She was clearly a beauty in the making.


    Seeing the two of them walking together, Harris couldn''t help but smile. "Let''s go, the Lioncrest Academy entrance exam is about to begin."


    Alan nodded, and under Harris'' lead, they moved forward.


    The Harris Manor was not far from Lioncrest Academy, and as they approached, the atmosphere grew more fervent.


    Although most of the crowd consisted of young mages participating in the exam, many others had simply come to watch the event.


    After all, Lioncrest Academy''s entrance exam was a once-every-three-years grand event, attracting almost all the geniuses of the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    Such a spectacle was not something one could witness every day.


    After walking for another ten minutes, Alan arrived at the foot of an enormous mountain range.


    The mountains stretched across the horizon like a giant beast, blocking the path forward.


    At the base of the mountains lay a massive plaza, already filled with tens of thousands of people, bustling with excitement.


    Scanning the crowd of young mages, Alan''s pupils contracted slightly.


    Most of these mages were already Tier-Bronze!


    Tier-Bronze!


    Reaching this level at their age meant they were one-in-ten-thousand geniuses!


    Normally, even a single Tier-Bronze mage in a small city would be considered a rare prodigy.


    But here, in this plaza, they were as common as cabbages!


    "As expected of Lioncrest Academy¡ªit gathers over ninety percent of the Plantagenet Kingdom''s prodigies."


    Harris explained, "Lioncrest Academy''s influence is immense, boasting the best resources, the best mentors, and the best career prospects. It is not exclusive to the Plantagenet Kingdom either¡ªit spans multiple kingdoms, much like the Church of Steam and Magic, though even larger. It''s said that the true headquarters of Lioncrest Academy lies in the distant Central Lands."


    Alan nodded. "Northern District really is too small¡­ This world is much bigger than I imagined."


    Just then, a gust of wind swept through the air.


    A winged unicorn beast descended from the mountains, carrying a stern-faced old man in a purple robe.


    His gaze was sharp as he surveyed the crowd before declaring:


    "Silence. I am Hivrael, the admissions mentor of Lioncrest Academy."


    "Today is the academy''s entrance exam. No need for nonsense¡ªthe first thirty to pass the entrance tests will be admitted. All others will be eliminated."


    Only thirty spots?!


    At this, the crowd turned serious.


    Thousands of young prodigies were gathered here¡ªyet there were only thirty openings?!


    It was going to be a brutal battle.


    Hivrael paid no attention to the crowd''s shocked reactions and spoke indifferently:


    "You are now facing the first trial¡ªSky Ladder! Anyone who cannot ascend the mountain using their own power will be eliminated."


    All eyes immediately followed the direction he pointed.


    Alan also looked over, his gaze landing on the stairway stretching up the mountainside. He furrowed his brows slightly in confusion.


    Sky Ladder?


    Was he referring to this simple-looking mountain path?


    "This trial seems¡­ too easy," Alan muttered, puzzled.


    Harris explained, "It may seem simple, but if you let your guard down, you''ll suffer for it. This stairway is connected to a magic array¡ªthe higher you climb, the stronger the oppressive force."


    "To reach the top using only your own strength, you must have extremely pure magical energy within your body. It also tests willpower¡ªthose with weak resolve will find themselves completely immobilized under the pressure."


    Alan was astonished.


    He had already expected Lioncrest Academy''s entrance exams to be no ordinary tests, and sure enough, every step of the way carried hidden challenges.


    His gaze shifted to Carter.


    Although Carter was a Tier-Bronze mage, it was evident that his strength came from alchemy potions rather than natural cultivation. Alan was almost certain¡ªCarter wouldn''t be able to pass this trial.


    Harris coughed awkwardly.


    "You don''t need to worry about him for now. Carter is already a student at Lioncrest Academy¡ªthough only in a special division. He''s not an official student, but he''s allowed to study there for reputation''s sake."


    Alan nodded in understanding.


    Just as he was about to step forward and begin his climb, his eyes caught sight of something beneath the staircase¡ªa row of hanging corpses, their withered remains swaying in the wind.


    These bodies had been exposed to the elements for so long that they had dried into mummified husks.


    "What''s the deal with these bodies?" Alan asked curiously, overhearing other examinees murmuring about them.


    "They belonged to Sirius Academy."


    Harris narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression tinged with nostalgia.


    "Sirius Academy?" Alan was taken aback.


    Harris nodded. "This goes back decades. Back then, Sirius Academy and Lioncrest Academy were the two dominant academies in the Plantagenet Kingdom. Their rivalry was intense, and over time, it turned into outright hostility. However, for some unknown reason, Sirius Academy''s strength steadily declined year after year, until it was completely crushed by Lioncrest Academy."


    He gestured toward the corpses. "These bodies are the remains of Sirius Academy''s students¡ªthose who fought and failed here. Every time Sirius Academy lost a battle, their dead would be hung here as a warning."


    "Sirius Academy has long tried to reclaim the bodies of their fallen students, but every challenger they sent met the same fate¡ªdeath. Without exception."


    "And so, the corpses kept accumulating¡­ until this place turned into the grim spectacle you see before you."

 Chapter 499 - Chapter55-Did I Allow You to Speak?

    Sirius Academy?


    Alan gazed at the desiccated mummies hanging beneath Sky Ladder, feeling a surge of emotion.


    Indeed, where there were people, there would always be conflict.


    Be it the Northern District or the Imperial Capital, people would stop at nothing to secure their interests.


    Looking at the countless mummified corpses, Alan could only imagine how brutal the rivalry between the two great academies must have been back in the day.


    Just then, Harris seemed to recall something and pointed toward a high platform in the distance.


    "Alan, do you know what that place is?"


    Alan followed his gaze.


    The platform stood prominently on the edge of a cliff. Atop it were four elemental constructs, sculpted from four different colored clays: earth, fire, wind, and water.


    Pure and sharp elemental fluctuations radiated from these constructs, making the platform feel like a deadly arena of life and death.


    Alan''s eyes flashed with amazement. "Such pure elemental energy¡­ What is this place used for? Does it have something to do with magi?"


    Harris nodded. "Alan, your intuition is sharp. This is the Fourfold Elemental Array, an ancient formation present in every Lioncrest Academy. It is said to have been created by the first Headmaster of the academy, who left behind a rule: If anyone under the age of eighteen can pass through this magic array, no matter their background, the headmaster of that Lioncrest Academy must personally take them in as a disciple."


    As he finished, Harris sighed. "But this array has existed for an incredibly long time, and to this day, no one has ever successfully passed it."


    Fourfold Elemental Array?


    Alan felt that this magic array was deeply tied to magi.


    After all, only magi, with their formidable souls, could fully control the four fundamental elements. Regular mages would never be able to achieve such a feat.


    "Have any mages ever attempted it?" Alan asked curiously.


    For many, simply becoming a Lioncrest Academy student was already a dream come true.


    To be accepted as a mentor''s personal disciple¡ªlet alone the headmaster''s¡ªwas a privilege beyond imagination.


    Harris nodded. "Many have tried in the past, including Tier-Gold mages, but none have lasted more than a dozen moves before suffering severe injuries. If they hadn''t prepared escape measures beforehand, they would have ended up like the others¡ªdead within the array."


    Alan''s expression turned serious.


    A Tier-Gold mage under the age of twenty was an exceedingly rare existence, even in the Imperial Capital, where geniuses gathered.


    And yet, even such prodigies had failed to conquer this array.


    "Due to its extreme danger, no one dares to challenge the array anymore. However, I heard that Lioncrest Academy is considering inviting Duke Alice to attempt breaking it, though there hasn''t been any progress on that front."


    Harris continued speaking.


    Just as Alan was about to respond, Hivrael''s hoarse voice suddenly echoed across the mountainside.


    "Now¡ªeveryone participating in the entrance exam, climb the mountain!"


    At his command, countless young figures surged forward, racing toward the Sky Ladder.


    Alan turned to Isabella. "Head, I''ll have to trouble you to look after my sister."


    Harris smiled. "Go take your test. Leave your sister to me."


    Isabella gave Alan a supportive hug. "Brother, you can do this!"


    Alan returned her smile before blending into the crowd and rushing toward Sky Ladder.


    Not long after Alan left, Isabella''s mind power fluctuations suddenly became unstable again.


    "Isabella, what''s happening to you?"


    Harris'' heart tightened. Even he was feeling uncomfortable from the mind power emanating from her. His chest felt heavy.


    Isabella clenched the essence stone in her arms tightly, her twisted, pained expression gradually easing. "It''s just my old illness acting up. I just need a moment to recover."


    Harris shook his head. "Your mental state is deteriorating. You need to see an apothecary immediately."


    Saying this, he prepared to take Isabella to the nearest healing clinic.


    But Isabella was stubborn. "Harris, this is nothing new. I''m fine. I want to see my brother pass the entrance exam with my own eyes."


    Seeing her determination, Harris turned to Carter and urged, "Go buy some elixirs to stabilize her mind immediately!"


    Carter nodded hastily before dashing off.


    Meanwhile, Alan had already joined the throng of young aspirants, his heart racing with excitement.


    The path to Lioncrest Academy lay ahead. As long as he passed this trial, he would become a student.


    And most importantly¡ªIsabella''s illness could finally be properly treated!


    With renewed resolve, Alan looked up at the towering peak above him, his expression growing even more determined.


    "Let''s go, Alan!"


    Encouraging himself, he increased his pace, ascending Sky Ladder with speed.


    At the start, most examinees moved swiftly, leaping up the steps like nimble monkeys.


    However, as they reached the halfway point, their pace slowed significantly.


    It was as if an invisible pressure bore down on them, growing stronger with every step.


    Their legs felt heavier and heavier, sweat poured from their foreheads, and even though the summit was in sight, they found themselves unable to move forward.


    Many were already eliminated.


    Yet, at the very front, three individuals stood out¡ªthey seemed unaffected by the pressure, moving at full speed.


    Compared to the weaker aspirants, these three emitted deep and refined elemental energy, heavy like mercury and lead¡ªan overwhelming presence.


    Alan, however, maintained a steady pace.


    Unlike others who pushed recklessly at the start, he climbed without pausing, preserving his strength to reach the summit in one go. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His body had already broken through the Tier-Iron level 10 limit, and the oppressive force of Sky Ladder was meaningless to him.


    Even Tier-Gold mages paled in comparison to his physical and spiritual endurance.


    As the number of competitors dwindled, only about sixty remained near the summit.


    At the very front was a golden-haired noble youth, moving with ease.


    From the beginning, he had led the charge and still showed no signs of slowing down¡ªon the contrary, he was getting faster.


    This shocked many.


    The closer they got to the top, the more terrifying the pressure became!


    Most had slowed to a crawl, yet this golden-haired youth was accelerating.


    Monstrous.


    Behind him, two others kept up, unwilling to be left too far behind.


    One wielded a black longblade, his expression cold and sharp.


    The other had a multi-colored gem embedded in his forehead, giving off an illusory aura.


    As Alan approached the summit, his eyes caught a gruesome sight¡ªa headless body nailed to the cliffside.


    The corpse had once belonged to a strong and noble youth, but his severed limbs and head were pinned separately to the rock face.


    On his chest was an emblem¡ªa howling moon wolf.


    A Sirius Academy student.


    Unlike the desiccated corpses below, this one was fresh, as if he had only died recently.


    Alan, though accustomed to bloodshed, couldn''t help but feel disturbed.


    Just how deep was the grudge between Sirius Academy and Lioncrest Academy?


    Shaking his head, Alan finally reached the summit.


    Not long after, Hivrael arrived on his one-horned steed, scanning the crowd.


    When his sharp gaze fell on Alan, a cold hostility flickered in his eyes.


    "You. Yes, you." He pointed at Alan. "Step forward."


    Alan frowned but complied.


    "You should know Lioncrest Academy''s admission rules. Without Tier-Bronze, you''re unqualified to be here."


    Gasps filled the air.


    Alan''s expression darkened. "Hivrael mentor, I may not have reached Tier-Bronze, but I¡ª"


    "A weakling like you? Wasting our academy''s resources? Get out. And leave behind an arm as punishment."


    A hush fell over the summit.


    Alan narrowed his eyes.


    Why was Hivrael targeting him?


    Although Alan had yet to reach Tier-Bronze, that hardly justified stripping him of his qualification¡ªlet alone demanding that he leave behind an arm as punishment.


    Hivrael let out a cold laugh. "Weren''t you quite arrogant last night? Show me that arrogance now!"


    Alan''s mind raced, and in an instant, he pieced it together¡ªWilson, from the second prince''s banquet!


    It seemed that Wilson had already gained the favor of a mentor at Lioncrest Academy.


    And that mentor¡­ was none other than Hivrael!


    Just as Alan was about to speak, a burly young man stepped forward from the crowd, staring at him coldly.


    "It''s over. Stop struggling."


    Alan recognized him immediately.


    At the banquet, he had been the first to provoke Alan¡ªCaesar.


    Seeing Alan in trouble, Caesar was clearly enjoying the moment. His expression was smug as he sneered, "Don''t think that just because Duke Alice favors you, you can look down on the rest of us geniuses. No matter how strong the outsider, they can''t overpower the locals. Who do you think you are?"


    A few of Audrey''s lackeys, who had also attended the banquet, stepped forward with mocking smiles.


    "Hivrael mentor, this guy violated the rules! Please punish him severely!"


    Hivrael nodded. "Indeed. The dignity of Lioncrest Academy must not be challenged! Someone¡ªdismember him and nail his corpse here as a warning!"


    At his command, two Tier-Gold disciples lunged at Alan, murderous intent flashing in their eyes.


    But Alan moved before they could reach him¡ªhis hand slipped into his robe, and he raised a ring high into the air.


    "This is the token personally given to me by Duke Alice as proof of my admission to Lioncrest Academy!"


    A shocked silence fell over the crowd.


    Everyone''s gaze locked onto the ring in Alan''s hand.


    No one had expected Duke Alice to hold Alan in such high regard.


    In the Plantagenet Kingdom, Duke Alice was a living legend.


    She was a figure of immense prestige and power, someone far beyond their reach.


    All those who had been egging Hivrael on immediately fell silent.


    Who dared to challenge Duke Alice''s authority?


    Even Hivrael''s expression flickered with hesitation.


    Caesar''s face twisted with rage and disbelief.


    "Impossible! The Duke would never give you her ring! You must have forged it!"


    Before he could finish speaking, Alan vanished from his spot¡ª


    And in the blink of an eye, he reappeared right in front of Caesar.


    Caesar barely had time to widen his eyes in shock before¡ª


    SMACK!


    A resounding slap cracked across his face, sending him flying backward.


    The crowd froze in stunned silence.


    Alan withdrew his hand and coldly spat out:


    "You just love running your mouth, don''t you? Did I allow you to speak?"

 Chapter 500 - Chapter56-Youre Full of Sh*t!

    This guy actually dared to attack someone here?!


    Everyone was stunned, staring at Alan in disbelief.


    Caesar, who had just been struck, was equally dumbfounded.


    He really didn''t give me any face? Didn''t even give Hivrael mentor any face?!


    Even Hivrael was momentarily shocked before anger flared in his eyes.


    He was an admissions mentor¡ªthe one responsible for maintaining order here!


    And yet, this Alan¡­ had no respect for the rules?!


    Caesar clutched his swollen cheek, glaring at Alan like a rabid dog. "You hit me! You actually dared to hit me?!"


    Alan didn''t even reply.


    He simply stepped forward and slapped him again.


    SMACK!


    Caesar''s other cheek swelled up instantly as he was sent flying once more.


    The gathered young mages gasped in shock.


    Not only did Alan dare to fight back, but the strength he displayed was terrifying!


    Caesar was a late-stage Tier-Bronze mage, one of the stronger competitors here.


    And yet, he had no chance to fight back!


    Alan''s strength completely crushed him!


    "Enough!"


    Hivrael''s voice boomed as he glared at Alan.


    A monumental pressure descended upon him, like an unshakable mountain ready to crush everything in its path.


    Alan remained firm, speaking calmly. "Hivrael, if word gets out that you''re targeting me like this, it won''t be good for Lioncrest Academy''s reputation."


    Hivrael scoffed. "Targeting you? You think you''re worth that much? I''m simply enforcing the rules. You haven''t reached Tier-Bronze, which means you have no right to participate!"


    He then glanced at the humiliated and beaten Caesar, his voice turning cold.


    "Lioncrest Academy is a sacred institution. You think you can act violently here just because Duke Alice is an honorary mentor? Even she wouldn''t tolerate your insolence!"


    Meanwhile, Caesar lay on the ground, face burning with pain and shame.


    Surrounded by judgmental stares, his fury erupted.


    "You dared to hit me?! You''re dead! You hear me? You''re dead¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Alan appeared in front of him again.


    This time, Caesar was ready.


    His right fist clenched, and brilliant metal-element energy coiled around his arm like liquid steel.


    BOOM!


    He threw a furious punch, the force behind it enough to threaten even a peak Tier-Bronze mage.


    A sharp metallic screech tore through the air, and the dazzling golden light made it almost impossible to keep one''s eyes open.


    But in response¡ª


    Alan simply raised his staff-sword and swung.


    SLASH!


    The sound of flesh being sliced open rang out.


    Caesar''s golden energy shattered instantly, replaced by a spray of blood.


    The force of Alan''s strike not only cut through Caesar''s arm, but the sheer impact sent him rolling across the ground, screaming in agony.


    His entire arm felt like it had been shattered.


    Alan flicked his bloodstained blade, sending crimson droplets scattering across the ground.


    Then he looked down coldly at Caesar, who was writhing in pain.


    "Run your mouth again, and you die."


    With the annoying pest taken care of, Alan turned his gaze back to Hivrael.


    Hivrael snorted. "You dare to draw your weapon within Lioncrest Academy''s domain? You think this place belongs to you? Even if Duke Alice were here, she would side with me!"


    Then his expression darkened.


    "Kill him."


    The surrounding mages, already gathered in support of Hivrael, unleashed their magic at once.


    Powerful waves of elemental energy surged through the air.


    Alan stood his ground and spoke seriously.


    "Hivrael mentor, it''s true that I haven''t reached Tier-Bronze yet. But you''ve seen my strength¡ªI''ve already surpassed most Tier-Bronze mages."


    Hivrael sneered. "And? That doesn''t change the rules. You haven''t reached Tier-Bronze, so you don''t qualify."


    Then his voice turned ruthless.


    "According to the rules¡ªanyone who disturbs academy order must be executed."


    Two Tier-Gold mages lunged at Alan, their bodies radiating immense magical energy.


    A violent windstorm erupted around them, and their killing intent locked onto him instantly.


    Alan could feel their overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.


    There was no turning back now.


    His grip on his staff-sword tightened.


    Fine. If this is how it is¡­ let''s fight.


    His body tensed like a drawn bow, and in an instant, he launched himself toward the two Tier-Gold mages.


    The next moment¡ª


    His blade ignited with a radiant glow, unleashing a terrifying Blade Spirit!


    The energy wave exploded outward as his sword slashed.


    The two mages, caught off guard, were instantly forced backward by the impact!


    "What?!"


    Gasps echoed throughout the crowd.


    Alan just forced two Tier-Gold mages to retreat?!


    Impossible!


    Alan was only at Tier-Iron. There was a two-tier gap between him and his opponents.


    Even Hivrael''s expression finally shifted.


    He had expected Caesar to lose¡ªafter all, Wilson had already lost to Alan.


    But these were Tier-Gold mages!


    They had been forced back by someone at Tier-Iron?!


    It was unthinkable.


    But the reality was undeniable¡ªAlan was a monstrous talent.


    No wonder Duke Alice had taken an interest in him.


    For a brief moment, Hivrael hesitated.


    Rejecting such a prodigy would be a massive loss for Lioncrest Academy¡ªone that could even impact his own status as a mentor.


    But at the same time¡­


    If Alan was allowed into the academy, their grudge from today would not be forgotten.


    Once Alan grew stronger, he would become a threat.


    And now, with so many witnesses, there was no turning back.


    Hivrael gritted his teeth.


    He had already made his move.


    There was no choice now¡ªhe had to kill Alan!


    No matter how much of a genius he was.


    After all, Lioncrest Academy was full of geniuses¡ª


    Alan would just be one less.


    A terrifying killing intent erupted from Hivrael, sweeping across the air and locking onto Alan.


    Alan immediately felt his breathing become labored, as if a boulder had been placed on his chest.


    Hivrael was arrogant, but he had the strength to back it up.


    He was a mage above Tier-Gold!


    Even if Alan went all out, he wouldn''t be able to win this fight.


    Without hesitation, Alan slashed his sword in rapid succession, unleashing razor-sharp arcs of light that shredded through Hivrael''s oppressive aura.


    Then¡ªhe turned and ran without looking back.


    Hivrael sneered at Alan''s retreating figure. "Now you''re afraid? Too late!"


    But then¡ªeveryone suddenly realized something strange.


    Alan wasn''t running down the mountain to escape.


    Instead, after a few quick movements, he was heading straight for the Fourfold Elemental Array!


    A stunned silence swept across the mountain peak, the mountainside, and even those watching from below.


    Even Hivrael, who was about to attack again, was caught off guard.


    Did he take the wrong path?


    Before anyone could process what was happening, Alan took a determined step into the light array''s domain.


    As soon as he entered, the entire array trembled violently.


    Four beams of light¡ªred, blue, green, and brown¡ªshot into the sky!


    All of Lioncrest Academy''s students turned their heads in shock.


    "The Fourfold Light Pillars! Someone is challenging the Fourfold Elemental Array?!"


    "That''s insane! The Fourfold Elemental Array is impossible to pass! Could it be Duke Alice?"


    "It can''t be! There''s been no word of Duke Alice planning to challenge the array!"


    Curious students from all directions rushed toward the mountain summit.


    At the same time, Hivrael stared at the glowing array, dumbfounded.


    Alan wasn''t actually running away¡ªhe was challenging the Fourfold Elemental Array?!


    "Good, good, good! Now I don''t even need to make a move. He''s digging his own grave."


    Up to this point, not a single person had ever passed this magic array.


    Most challengers had died within it.


    The Fourfold Elemental Array was guarded by four elemental spirits, each wielding the purest essence of their respective elements.


    Even Tier-Gold mages had no chance of survival inside.


    Even Hivrael himself wouldn''t fare well if he entered!


    This magic array demanded an extreme level of elemental comprehension and control.


    When the first headmaster created this array, it was meant to select only the true prodigies¡ª


    The kind of prodigies the headmaster envisioned!


    Now, as the four beams of elemental light soared into the sky, more and more people gathered.


    Harris, along with Carter and Isabella, arrived just in time to see Alan stepping into the array.


    Their faces paled.


    Harris knew exactly how terrifying this magic array was.


    Once inside, it was almost certain death!


    Isabella, who was feeling much better after taking mental stabilizers, instinctively sensed the immense danger within the array.


    She anxiously turned to Harris. "Head, you said this magic array was terrifying. My brother¡­ will he¡­"


    Harris struggled to find words of reassurance.


    "He¡­ he should be fine!"


    But deep inside, he knew¡ª


    Even the strongest prodigies had perished in this array.


    Alan was incredibly powerful, yes. He came from a strong background, yes.


    But so had countless others who had died here.


    Inside the array, the four elemental spirits¡ªeach resembling a construct of colored clay¡ªslowly opened their eyes.


    Four powerful elemental auras locked onto Alan instantly.


    Alan''s expression grew serious.


    This wasn''t how today was supposed to go.


    All he had wanted was to enroll in Lioncrest Academy.


    Instead, he had ended up in this ridiculous mess.


    Fighting Hivrael was out of the question.


    Not only was he too strong, but as a mentor, he had too much authority in the academy.


    So Alan had only one option left¡ª


    The Fourfold Elemental Array.


    If he passed the trial, he would become a direct disciple of the headmaster¡ª


    Which meant Hivrael would no longer have any authority over him.


    It was a gamble, but his only way forward.


    As his mind raced, the four elemental spirits attacked.


    They held no emotions, no killing intent, no hatred.


    Only pure elemental mastery.


    The fire spirit transformed into a flaming dragon, its maw opening wide¡ª


    WHOOSH!


    A scorching dragon''s breath spewed forth!


    The air ignited instantly, and the fire''s energy continued to draw in surrounding fire elements, growing stronger by the second.


    The sheer heat distorted the air.


    Gasps rang out.


    "That fire spirit is terrifying! It''s not just as strong as a Tier-Gold mage¡ªit''s actually manipulating ambient fire elements like a true magus!"


    People turned to the other three spirits.


    Each of them displayed the same terrifying level of elemental control.


    "This isn''t just four powerful mages¡­ these things are equivalent to four full-fledged magi!"


    "No wonder no one has ever passed this trial!"


    "Even a Tier-Gold mage wouldn''t stand a chance against just one of these spirits, let alone all four!"


    Hivrael, watching the scene unfold, felt a rare wave of unease.


    He had always known this magic array was difficult.


    But seeing it activated in person, he realized¡ª


    This was beyond anything he had imagined.


    Even he wouldn''t last long in there.


    And as for Alan?


    Impossible. There was no way he could win.


    Inside the array, the fire dragon''s breath roared toward Alan.


    But in that moment¡ª


    Something strange happened.


    Instead of dodging, Alan suddenly felt something unusual.


    A bizarre sensation flooded his mind¡ª


    Almost like his soul was tasting something delicious.


    What¡­ is this feeling?


    Before he could fully process it, the fire breath collided with him.


    Many onlookers turned away, unable to watch his gruesome death.


    But then¡ª


    The fire didn''t consume Alan.


    Instead¡ª


    His staff-sword absorbed it.


    A dazzling radiance burst from the blade, and a wave of heat pulsed through the air.


    The other three elemental spirits attacked simultaneously¡ª


    And their elemental attacks, too, were absorbed by Alan''s sword.


    Alan blinked in shock.


    What the hell?! S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His mind raced as he instinctively contacted the black-robed woman within his consciousness.


    "Why is my staff-sword absorbing elemental power?!"


    The black-robed woman responded calmly.


    "You practice the Hellscape Method. It allows you to absorb external elemental energy, as long as the opponent''s mind power is weaker than yours."


    Alan was still processing this revelation when¡ª


    Hivrael''s furious voice cut through the air.


    "You! What kind of trickery is this?! Explain yourself!"


    Alan turned his gaze toward him, expression unreadable.


    Then he sneered.


    "You''re full of sh*t."

 Chapter 501 - Chapter57-Alan’s Plea

    Hearing Alan''s words, Hivrael''s face turned as dark as the bottom of a scorched pot!


    As a mentor, he had never been so humiliated!


    Just as he was about to act in anger, he suddenly remembered that Alan was currently inside the Light Array. Suppressing the fury in his heart, he stopped himself.


    According to the rules left by the first headmaster, no one was allowed to interfere when someone was challenging the Light Array. Violators would face death without mercy!


    These rules were established to ensure that true geniuses could demonstrate their full potential without any concerns.


    So, even though veins bulged visibly on his forehead, Hivrael refrained from storming into the Light Array to strike at Alan.


    Meanwhile, Alan, standing within the Light Array, was entirely focused on the surrounding Elemental Spirits.


    After launching their respective attacks, these spirits were now motionless, their magical essence completely withdrawn and calm.


    It was as if their magic had been entirely drained.


    "These Elemental Spirits are out of elemental power¡­ Does that mean I''ve passed the trial?" Alan murmured, somewhat unsure, not fully understanding the situation.


    "Passed the trial? You call this passing the trial? Clearly, you cheated! This Light Array wasn''t broken by your own strength!"


    Hivrael was fuming, glaring at Alan as he spoke.


    Alan, unfazed, sneered, "Cheating? Using methods beyond your understanding counts as cheating?"


    Hivrael retorted coldly, "A Tier-Iron Lv10 mage defeating those Elemental Spirits and breaking the Light Array? And you claim you didn''t cheat?"


    "If you dare argue further, I''ll rip that mouth of yours apart!"


    Alan clicked his tongue and sighed, "According to the academy''s rules, passing the Light Array counts as passing the trial. But in your eyes, apparently, passing doesn''t count as passing. No wonder no one has succeeded in so long. Turns out that even when someone does, it still ''doesn''t count'' in your book."


    As murmurs of discussion began to spread around them, Hivrael''s teeth clenched in rage.


    Among the onlookers, many Lioncrest Academy students started to voice their doubts:


    "A Tier-Iron mage managing to break through the first headmaster''s Light Array? That''s ridiculous!"


    "Exactly. We''ve studied this Light Array thoroughly. Even if we teamed up, we couldn''t break it!"


    "Even the senior students have given up hope of passing the Light Array. How could he succeed so easily? There must be something fishy going on!"


    The students of Lioncrest Academy unanimously believed that Alan must have cheated. His level was too low, and his success seemed far too easy.


    Even Alan began to feel a little unsure, silently questioning the black-robed woman in his mind,


    "Did Hellscape''s Thought really help me dissolve this magic array?"


    The black-robed woman''s voice echoed in Alan''s mind:


    "This Light Array is far less daunting in the eyes of a Magus. The key lies in your unique Hellscape Thought. Standard elemental attacks weaker than your Mind Power waves cannot harm you."


    "Moreover, your soul has been repeatedly tempered by the Infernal Grindstone, and you''ve comprehended the profoundness of the Insightful Heart. This magic array wasn''t designed to harm but to test talent."


    "Your talent is exceptional, even among Magi. That''s why the magic array recognized your potential¡ªit''s only natural you passed the trial."


    Hearing this, Alan finally understood.


    For others, entering the magic array meant enduring its attacks due to their inferior talent. But for Alan, it was different. As a rare Magus with Insightful Heart and formidable Mind Power, he may have already passed the trial the moment he stepped into the Light Array!


    At this moment, a burly man with a thick beard shot up from the depths of Lioncrest Academy and descended at incredible speed.


    When his towering figure landed, everyone present immediately stood upright, their expressions respectful, and greeted him in unison:


    "Greetings, Chief!"


    Even Hivrael, who had been preparing to speak again, dared not act arrogant. His face turned humble.


    This burly man was none other than Krom, the Chief of the Battle Department at Lioncrest Academy.


    Not only did he hold a position second only to the Headmaster and Vice Headmaster, but his strength was also terrifying.


    Compared to him, Hivrael, a mere recruitment mentor, was insignificant.


    Alan quickly noticed the commotion on the Lioncrest Academy side and turned his attention to Krom.


    The sight of Krom caused Alan''s expression to turn exceptionally serious.


    From Krom, he could sense no magical fluctuations, but an oppressive force as heavy as a mountain weighed down on him.


    Clearly, this was a top-tier academy powerhouse whose strength far exceeded Hivrael''s!


    It seemed that Alan''s success in breaking through the Fourfold Elemental Array had drawn significant attention.


    Otherwise, a matter as routine as student recruitment wouldn''t have alarmed someone of Krom''s status.


    After arriving, Krom quickly surveyed the scene, then turned a cold gaze toward Hivrael.


    "I''ve heard about today''s events. Handling recruitment with personal bias violates academy rules. From now on, you''re no longer in charge of recruitment. Go manage the spellbeasts instead."


    Hearing this, Hivrael''s heart sank. Managing spellbeasts was menial work¡ªnothing like the lucrative opportunities recruitment provided.


    "Chief, I was only following protocol. He hasn''t even reached Tier-Bronze yet. Why am I being demoted¡ª"


    Before Hivrael could finish, Krom interrupted sharply:


    "Silence! Recruitment is critical to the academy''s future. Your selfish motives and personal vendettas are unacceptable!"


    Denied yet again by Krom, Hivrael felt his prospects dim. Climbing back to his position as a recruitment mentor would now require immense effort.


    But Krom''s authority was unchallengeable, leaving Hivrael to stew in silent resentment, glaring daggers at Alan as if wishing to tear him apart.


    Krom, meanwhile, turned to Alan and offered a hearty smile.


    "Though I''m not sure how you managed to overcome the Fourfold Elemental Array, your magic essence is solid, and your Mind Power is impressive. You''re a promising talent, and the academy gladly welcomes you!"


    As he spoke, Krom scrutinized Alan closely, nodding in approval of his well-honed physique.


    However, when his gaze landed on Alan''s abdomen, his expression suddenly changed.


    "How is this possible? Why don''t you have a Mana Stone?!"


    ?!


    Everyone around was stunned, their eyes shifting to Alan in shock.


    For a mage, the Mana Core was the most vital organ¡ªa mage''s very source of mana!


    If the mana core is shattered, not only is cultivation impossible, but the mana within the body will gradually dissipate due to the lack of supply.


    Alan was about to explain, but suddenly, the voice of the black-robed woman echoed in his mind.


    "Your situation is unique. Until you have significant strength, it''s best not to reveal anything."


    Alan nodded at her words, sensing that both the infernal powers and the black-robed woman were highly unusual. If Lioncrest Academy were to uncover any hints, it could spell disaster for him in his current state.


    So, he nodded and said, "My mana stone was shattered during an ambush."


    Hearing this, Hivrael couldn''t hold back a burst of laughter.


    "No mana stone? What are you doing here? You''re nothing but a cripple!"


    Alan ignored Hivrael, keeping his gaze as calm as possible as he looked at Krom.


    Krom sighed in disappointment. "A shattered mana core cannot regenerate. You''ll never become a powerful mage again. Though you have a solid foundation, it''s ultimately useless. What a waste."


    "However, considering that you broke through the Light Array, I can offer you a position as a helper at the academy."


    A helper?


    Alan frowned deeply. If he were to take on such a role, he would be nothing more than a laborer for the academy, receiving no respect or opportunities.


    He immediately prepared to reveal his identity as a Magus¡ªafter all, Magi didn''t rely on mana cores!


    But before he could speak, Harris suddenly rushed over from a distance with Isabella in his arms, his face filled with worry.


    "Alan! Your sister''s condition is worsening!"


    Alan had already noticed Isabella, who was occasionally letting out painful groans in Harris''s arms.


    Isabella''s chronic condition was flaring up again!


    One glance at her, and Alan''s heart sank. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He immediately dashed to her side, full of concern, and held her in his arms.


    At this moment, Isabella''s head was emitting chaotic Mind Power fluctuations, so wild and uncontrollable that even Alan, with his formidable mental strength, felt his mind twisting under the pressure.


    However, he had no suitable mental remedies left on him.


    He had no choice but to place all his hopes on Krom. He urgently pleaded,


    "Chief, my sister has been afflicted with a chronic illness since childhood. Every episode brings her unbearable pain. I beg you to have the academy''s apothecary treat her. I would be forever grateful!"


    Krom shook his head and flatly refused.


    "The academy''s high-level apothecaries are all busy."


    Apothecaries were a rare and highly sought-after class among mages.


    Whether it was potions with unique effects or treatments for injuries and illnesses, their skills were invaluable.


    Apothecaries capable of treating rare conditions were even rarer and more precious¡ªoften impossible to hire, even with gold coins!


    To Krom, a cripple with a shattered mana core like Alan simply wasn''t worth such a favor.


    After Krom''s refusal, Alan felt Isabella''s increasingly cold presence and grew even more anxious.


    Her fading life force seemed to signal that she might not wake up again.


    In desperation, Alan swore fervently,


    "Chief! Please save my sister. If she recovers, I will do anything for Lioncrest Academy without hesitation!"


    But Krom only shook his head again, his voice icy as he said,


    "Get lost. You''re worthless. The academy has no need for someone like you."


    Just as Alan was about to continue pleading, Isabella weakly opened her eyes. Seeing her brother humbly begging on her behalf, her heart felt as though it were bleeding.


    "Brother, let''s go home. Let''s go back," she whispered.


    Only she knew how proud her brother had always been.


    Now, for her sake, he was lowering himself so desperately to beg others.


    And only she understood how extraordinary her brother truly was.


    Yet, this remarkable person was forced to bow and scrape because of her.

 Chapter 502 - Chapter58-Sirius Academy’s Headmaster

    After Isabella finished speaking, her breathing suddenly weakened, as fragile as a flickering candle struggling against the wind.


    "Sister!" Alan called out, his voice trembling as he felt her breath growing fainter. He tightened his hold on her frail body, his heart clenching in despair.


    At this moment, he would have given anything to take her place and endure this torment in her stead.


    Having experienced the grinding torment of hell himself, Alan understood better than anyone the terrifying depths of spiritual suffering¡ªa pain that pierced one''s very soul.


    But Isabella¡­ she was just a child, barely in her teens.


    She should have been enjoying the carefree and innocent days of youth, untouched by such agony.


    Alan clung to Isabella with all his might, as though trying to fuse her with his own body, shielding her from the relentless torment.


    The surrounding crowd watched the siblings in silence, their faces etched with various emotions.


    Harris let out a quiet sigh as he observed the scene.


    Alan doesn''t even have a mana core?!


    This shocking realization hit Harris like a bolt of lightning. It was something he had never anticipated.


    Meanwhile, Hivrael, who seemed to have regained his confidence, sneered and barked out,


    "What are you all standing around for? Do you want them to die here and ruin the academy''s luck?"


    Hivrael''s sharp words stirred the other academies into action. Just as they were about to make their move, an elderly man of diminutive stature suddenly appeared before Alan.


    The man was so short that, even with Alan crouched on the ground holding Isabella, their eyes met directly at the same level.


    His nose was ruddy from drinking, and the strong scent of tequila clung to him like a second skin.


    Hivrael''s pupils contracted sharply as he noticed the elder''s sudden appearance. When did this man arrive?


    He hadn''t sensed the elder''s presence at all, and something about the man''s furtive demeanor seemed unsettling. Narrowing his eyes, Hivrael demanded,


    "Who are you?"


    The elder ignored him entirely, his steady gaze fixed on Alan.


    "Her mind power is fluctuating wildly," the elder said, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "If this continues, she might truly die."


    "But," he added with a faint smile, "you''re in luck. You''ve encountered me."


    Alan''s bloodshot eyes shot up to meet the elder''s, his gaze desperate and filled with hope, like a drowning man clutching at a lifeline.


    "Can you save my sister?" he asked, his voice trembling with urgency.


    The elder nodded with unwavering confidence. "Of course. But there''s a condition: you must join Sirius Academy."


    "Sirius Academy?" Alan repeated, momentarily stunned.


    The crowd reacted differently. A mix of bewilderment and disdain flickered across their faces. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Many had heard of Sirius Academy. Once a powerhouse rivaling the greatest institutions, it had long since fallen into decline.


    Now, it was derided as a "sewer academy," avoided by students who feared retaliation from Lioncrest Academy¡ªa retaliation that often ended in sudden and mysterious death.


    But for Alan, only one thought consumed his mind:


    This man could save Isabella.


    "If you can truly save my sister," Alan declared firmly, "I, Alan, swear to join Sirius Academy and never betray it!"


    The elder didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he gestured toward the Sky Ladder, where lifeless bodies lay strewn across the ground.


    "Those corpses you see," he said gravely, "were once the brightest stars of Sirius Academy. They all died, and their deaths grew more gruesome with each generation. If you join Sirius Academy, you may share their fate."


    Alan''s resolve remained unshaken. Meeting the elder''s gaze, he said with unyielding determination,


    "If it means saving Isabella, I''m not afraid of death!"


    The elder paused, seemingly weighing Alan''s resolve, before asking,


    "Would you also help Sirius Academy reclaim its lost glory?"


    "You mean to bring back these corpses to Sirius Academy?"


    Alan nodded without hesitation. "As long as I live, I will dedicate myself to this mission, no matter the cost!"


    The elder''s expression softened into approval. "Very well! With your promise, you are now a student of Sirius Academy!"


    As he finished speaking, he snapped his fingers. A searing flame burst from his fingertips, swirling into the form of a spirit of fire.


    The fiery entity danced in the air before streaking into Isabella''s forehead.


    Gasps rippled through the crowd as they witnessed the spirit of fire.


    It was an exceedingly rare and precious phenomenon, capable of purifying the soul and transforming an ordinary mage into a prodigy over time.


    As the spirit of fire entered Isabella''s body, the chaotic energy surrounding her subsided, as though an invisible force had subdued it.


    Alan exhaled deeply, the tension in his body melting away. The elder wasn''t bluffing¡ªhe had truly saved her!


    Moments later, Isabella stirred in Alan''s arms. Her eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Alan''s tear-streaked face.


    "Brother¡­ am I alive?" she murmured, her voice trembling as she raised a hand to touch his cheek.


    The warmth of his skin, the vividness of her surroundings¡ªeverything confirmed the truth.


    Seeing her awake, the elder explained matter-of-factly,


    "The spirit of fire is a rare artifact. It will keep her safe for one month."


    "Now, come with me to Sirius Academy."


    Without hesitation, Alan nodded and rose to his feet, cradling Isabella in his arms.


    As the trio walked away, their figures disappearing into the distance, Hivrael sneered loudly.


    "Sirius Academy has really hit rock bottom! They''re recruiting worthless trash without a mana core!"


    But before the echoes of his derisive laughter faded, a golden figure descended upon the scene like a thunderbolt.


    "Duke Alice!"


    The name sent a ripple of astonished gasps through the crowd, igniting a fervent excitement.


    Duke Alice¡ªshe was a legend, a shining beacon of hope and power!


    To the crowd, she was like the radiant moon, dazzling and unattainable.


    Why had Duke Alice appeared here?


    As curious eyes followed her, Alice approached Alan and Isabella. A hint of apology lingered in her expression as she said softly,


    "About what happened today¡­"


    "You''ve already helped me so much," Alan interrupted, his voice calm but grateful. "This is all because of Lioncrest Academy."


    The elder''s gaze lingered on Alice, his heart shaken.


    Even with his vast experience, he couldn''t fully perceive her power. She was unlike any other genius he had ever encountered.


    While he observed her, Alice turned her attention to him, her voice cool but resolute.


    "The Plantagenet Kingdom is our homeland. I don''t wish to see it fall into chaos."


    The elder replied, "Many of Sirius Academy''s students'' bodies remain here."


    With that, he turned and walked away.


    Alan, carrying Isabella, quickly followed. After all, he was now part of Sirius Academy.


    Seeing this, Alice hesitated, as though wanting to stop Alan. But in the end, she let him go.


    "Duke Alice!"


    Hivrael stepped forward, his tone deferential.


    Alice wasn''t just a duke; she was also an honorary mentor at the academy¡ªa figure far above him in every way.


    But before he could finish his greeting, Alice''s eyes turned icy.


    A terrifying force slammed into Hivrael''s chest like a hammer, sending him flying backward.


    Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crashed dozens of meters away, his body crumpling like a broken doll.


    The crowd froze in stunned silence.


    Duke Alice and Hivrael¡­ they had no enmity, right?

 Chapter 503 - Chapter59-Lioncrest Academy Doesn’t Accept Failures

    Amid the stunned silence of the crowd, Alice stepped forward and planted her foot firmly on Hivrael''s chest.


    "Alan is someone I recommended," she said coldly, her voice cutting like a blade. "And you dare to give him trouble?"


    As soon as the words left her mouth, a sharp flash of light, like a blade''s edge, appeared and vanished.


    Hivrael screamed in pain as deep gashes spread across his chest, the wounds so deep that bone was visible. Blood gushed out, staining the ground.


    The crowd fell into an eerie silence, their gazes fixed on Alice in astonishment.


    What was Duke Alice trying to convey with this?


    Before they could process the scene, Alice''s icy voice echoed across the land,


    "Krom! Show yourself!"


    As she spoke, an intense and frigid blade aura surged from her body, its chilling brilliance piercing the sky.


    In an instant, the blade aura tore through the air, hurtling straight toward Krom.


    Krom''s eyes widened as he saw the incoming strike, a flash of terror crossing his face. He couldn''t help but exclaim,


    "Such a terrifying blade aura! You''ve already reached this level?"


    The crowd was equally shocked.


    Blade aura!


    This was an advanced skill, one that only the most gifted geniuses could comprehend.


    But they had never seen a blade aura as formidable and dazzling as Alice''s.


    It was almost like a massive white wave, spanning hundreds of meters across the sky.


    The intensity of her blade aura rivaled that of legendary elders, perhaps even surpassing them.


    And yet, Alice was so young. The thought of how much stronger she could become was terrifying.


    In their minds, only one figure from the past could compare to her¡ªRobert, the legendary genius who had once saved Lioncrest Academy from ruin.


    As Krom barely deflected the blade aura, his heart was filled with dread. Yet he forced himself to speak respectfully,


    "Duke Alice, what have I done to deserve such hostility?"


    "I didn''t like your behavior just now," Alice replied flatly.


    Without further explanation, golden light began to coalesce in her hand, forming a shining golden blade. With a swift motion, she swung the blade downward at Krom.


    The force of the strike was immense. As the blade descended, the air itself seemed to split apart, producing a deafening sonic boom.


    Krom, already on high alert, summoned all his strength. Blue water currents swirled around him, forming a shimmering water shield that he positioned in front of himself.


    Clang!


    The golden blade collided with the water shield, producing a thunderous sound that reverberated through the area.


    But to Krom''s horror, the shield only slowed the golden blade for a brief moment before it was sliced cleanly in two, like a knife through tofu.


    The blade continued its unstoppable descent, slashing across Krom''s neck.


    A sharp, tearing sound echoed as blood sprayed from the deep wound, staining his robes red.


    The crowd looked on in shock, their faces pale.


    One strike.


    Alice had injured Krom, the chief of the Battle Department, with a single strike.


    Such overwhelming combat strength was unheard of.


    Krom wasn''t just any mage¡ªhe was a gold-tier mage, far above ordinary students or even instructors. Few could even stand against him, let alone defeat him so effortlessly.


    Yet Alice had done so with ease.


    Clutching the wound on his neck, Krom''s expression was one of utter disbelief as he stared at Alice.


    Unlike the others, Krom understood who Alice truly was.


    Not only were her strength and talent unparalleled, but her background was also extraordinarily powerful.


    Even when she had turned down Lioncrest Academy''s invitation to join, the academy hadn''t dared to show her the slightest disrespect.


    Now, under the gaze of countless onlookers, Alice sheathed her blade and stood tall, her voice calm but resolute.


    "From this moment onward, I am no longer an honorary mentor of Lioncrest Academy. I have nothing to do with your academy anymore."


    Her declaration left the crowd stunned. Without hesitation, she turned and walked away.


    "Duke Alice, if the academy has offended you in any way, please reconsider!" Krom called after her.


    But before he could finish, Alice vanished into the distance without a backward glance.


    Krom''s face darkened instantly.


    Securing Alice as an honorary mentor had been no small feat for the academy, costing them significant effort and resources.


    And now, it had all been for nothing.


    As Krom stood there, fuming, a four-colored light array suddenly lit up again. Moments later, a spectral figure holding a staff appeared.


    The crowd gasped in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief.


    The spectral figure was none other than Robert, the legendary figure of Lioncrest Academy!


    As the image of Robert materialized, the academy''s vice headmasters, chiefs, and core leaders all gathered at the scene, their faces filled with reverence.


    Robert had been the academy''s greatest prodigy, a genius who had left the Plantagenet Kingdom long ago, unable to find a worthy rival.


    For centuries, he had been absent, and his sudden appearance in the form of a projection was a monumental event.


    Robert''s gaze fell upon the remnants of the magic array, and he murmured in admiration,


    "Impressive. Not only a swordsman but also someone who has comprehended Blade Spirit. Even more remarkable, he is an Insightful Heart Magus."


    "Rare," he said again, shaking his head. "Truly rare."


    His words sent ripples of shock through the crowd.


    Krom and Hivrael''s pupils shrank, and even the other mages present were left stunned.


    Robert, noticing the tense atmosphere, furrowed his brows and asked,


    "What happened here?"


    Krom immediately recounted everything that had occurred, leaving nothing out.


    When he finished, the crowd remained silent.


    Several of the academy''s chiefs and elder advisors turned cold, accusing eyes toward Krom.


    Had it not been for Robert''s presence, they might have already lashed out at him. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, receiving such praise from Robert was an honor almost unheard of. Whoever this Alan was, he had to be exceptional.


    Robert sighed, his expression tinged with regret.


    "This magic array was left behind by the first headmaster," he explained. "Before I left the academy, I modified it, believing it had untapped potential. For someone to break through this array at around twenty years old¡ªthey must at least be a magus."


    "While I don''t know what methods he used, the array was undoubtedly broken by him."


    "You said he has no mana core, which may affect his power, but he has yet to display any magus-level techniques, hasn''t he?"


    "That alone proves the broken mana core hasn''t hindered him much. He can still continue to grow. This is a genius unlike any other."


    Krom paled as Robert''s words sank in.


    The legendary Robert held Alan in such high regard.


    And then there was Duke Alice, who had clearly valued Alan enough to recommend him.


    Sweat formed on Krom''s brow as his throat went dry.


    In hindsight, it was unthinkable that someone as perceptive as Alice would have recommended an ordinary person.


    She had likely noticed Alan''s broken mana core yet still vouched for him, which meant Alan''s potential was extraordinary.


    And Krom¡­ he had turned such a genius away.


    "This was my oversight," he admitted, his voice filled with regret.


    Robert sighed deeply. "I left the Plantagenet Kingdom long ago, leaving behind this projection to see if anyone could overcome the first headmaster''s array. But if this is the result, Lioncrest Academy will now have to fend for itself."


    With those parting words, Robert''s projection faded into nothingness.


    "Robert, wait!" the academy leaders called out, their voices filled with desperation.


    But Robert''s image had vanished, leaving no trace behind.


    The vice headmasters and chiefs turned their icy gazes toward Krom.


    Krom, sensing their anger, looked dazed and filled with remorse. Finally, he said,


    "I was at fault today. I will go to the Confessional Chapel and await the headmaster''s return for further judgment."


    Handing his token of authority to one of the vice headmasters, Krom added,


    "Colin, I entrust the Battle Department''s affairs to you for now."


    Colin, a close friend of Krom, looked conflicted. "Alan''s talent is undeniable, and it''s a shame we let him go. But as Robert said, what''s done is done¡­"


    Another vice headmaster, his expression defiant, interjected,


    "Alan may be a prodigy, but we are Lioncrest Academy. There''s no need to punish a chief just because we missed out on someone who didn''t even join us!"

 Chapter 504 - Chapter60-The Most Run-Down Academy

    The others looked at Tyrande with thoughtful expressions.


    Tyrande continued, "This matter is not just about Krom; it also concerns the reputation of Lioncrest Academy. So what if he''s exceptionally talented? As long as he isn''t a student of Lioncrest Academy, he is nothing more than a hopeless piece of trash!"


    Most of the elders of Lioncrest Academy, after weighing the pros and cons, chose to agree.


    Some, however, still hesitated.


    Seeing that most of the elders approved of her words, Tyrande continued:


    "Lioncrest Academy has always been an absolute giant. Since he dared to join the enemy Sirius Academy, there''s even less reason for us to spare him. Let his corpse remain here!"


    "Exactly! Not joining Lioncrest Academy isn''t our loss¡ªit''s Alan''s greatest regret!"


    "Only those who join our academy can be called geniuses! The rest are just trash!"


    "Sirius Academy took in the trash we discarded. What a joke!"


    Before long, with Lioncrest Academy fanning the flames, the reputation of Alan as a ''failure'' began to spread.


    Alongside his name, the state of Sirius Academy also became widely discussed¡ªits decline reaching the point of being trampled into the dirt.


    "I heard Sirius Academy is nearly abandoned!"


    "No wonder they accept just anyone, even the rejects from Lioncrest Academy. And they think they''ll produce strong fighters? Ha!"


    A remote mountain path.


    Alan carried Isabella on his back, following the elderly man with a bulbous, red nose. Though the man walked unsteadily, his pace was surprisingly fast.


    "My headache feels much better now. Put me down¡ªI can walk on my own."


    "You just started recovering. Close your eyes and get some rest."


    "I''m fine now, really. Brother, please¡­ don''t beg others like that again."


    "Alright, whatever you say. Your brother will always listen to you!"


    "I knew you were the best!"


    Under the old man''s guidance, they twisted and turned along the mountain path, soon arriving at a valley surrounded on three sides by towering peaks.


    At the entrance of the valley stood an ancient stone monument, inscribed with three archaic words¡ªSirius Academy!


    The carved letters carried an air of history, but layers of moss and creeping vines covered most of the surface, making the academy seem utterly desolate.


    "Since the fall of Sirius Academy, you''re the first person to voluntarily join."


    Alan wasn''t particularly concerned about that. Instead, he curiously asked:


    "Senior, does that mean¡­ I''m the only student here now?"


    "Not quite. With you included, there are two students."


    "Two students?"


    Alan''s mouth twitched. Two students¡­ and they still called this an academy?


    The old man chuckled. "Don''t worry too much. I''ve managed to, uh, persuade¡ªno, recruit¡ªtwo more students. This year, we should have a total of four."


    Isabella had already known that Sirius Academy was in a dire state, but she hadn''t imagined it was this bad.


    "Brother, I think we just walked into a trap."


    Alan also felt that everything about this place screamed "unreliable." But he was still grateful to the old man and smiled.


    "No matter what, the senior saved you. That alone makes it all worth it."


    Under the old man''s direction, Alan carried Isabella into the valley.


    At its center stood several large halls.


    But they were all in ruins, resembling an ancient relic site.


    The old man, accustomed to the dilapidated surroundings, casually said, "It may be run-down, but at least it''s peaceful!"


    "There are plenty of empty rooms. Just pick one and settle in."


    "Get familiar with the place yourself. I''m old¡ªI need a nap."


    "Brother, go find a room. I''ll tidy up this hall a bit," Isabella said, scanning the overgrown, weed-filled building.


    Alan nodded.


    Since they were already here, they might as well make the best of it.


    Harris had mentioned that Sirius Academy once stood equal to Lioncrest Academy. Surely, it must still have something special.


    "Just clean up a little for now. Once I find a room, I''ll help."


    Leaving Isabella to work, Alan started exploring.


    Having been abandoned for years, many buildings had collapsed. Only the structures in the very center remained standing.


    Since he would be living with his sister, Alan wanted a relatively spacious house with a small courtyard.


    After some searching, his eyes lit up at the sight of a lush, green courtyard.


    The scenery was pleasant, the house was centrally located, and it seemed safe¡ªa perfect choice.


    Excited, Alan quickly stepped inside, pushing open the door to take a closer look.


    The moment he did, he froze.


    Because not far ahead, there was a swimming pool.


    And in the pool was a black-haired girl. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    More importantly¡ªshe was wearing absolutely nothing.


    Through the crystal-clear water, Alan could see the graceful curves of her body.


    At first, the girl had a look of serene enjoyment on her face.


    But the moment she saw Alan, her expression froze.


    Alan''s brain nearly short-circuited.


    Just as he was about to turn and pretend he had seen nothing, a sudden whoosh of rushing water broke the silence.


    Before he could react, he felt a cold blade press against his back.


    The sharp dagger dug slightly into his skin, poised to stab deeper at any moment.


    Realizing he was at fault, Alan''s mind raced¡ªthen he blurted out:


    "I''m actually gay!"


    The air fell eerily silent.


    Alan dared not move a muscle.


    This girl had reacted instantly, going from startled to armed within a heartbeat.


    Had he turned to flee immediately, he might have stood a chance. But now, with a dagger at his back, he was completely at her mercy.


    A moment later, the pressure of the dagger eased.


    Alan finally let out a silent breath of relief.


    After a brief pause, he heard the rustling of fabric as the girl dressed.


    Only then did he slowly turn around.


    By now, the girl had wrapped herself in a fire-red dress, her vivid blue eyes shimmering between the passion of flame and the chill of ice.


    A natural beauty.


    Though she hadn''t fully matured, her delicate features and graceful figure promised she would grow into a stunning woman.


    Alan wasn''t ogling¡ªjust appreciating beauty in an artistic sense!


    The girl was also studying him in return.


    Just as Alan was about to explain himself, she blinked and asked:


    "You just said you''re gay? Are you a top or a bottom?"


    Alan: "¡­"


    What the hell?!


    He thought he had run into an innocent girl¡ªturns out she was a full-fledged fujoshi?!


    Seeing Alan hesitate, the girl suddenly lost interest.


    His nervous, reluctant reaction could mean only one thing¡ªhe must be a bottom.


    She had heard bottoms had the worst time of it¡­ and often had twisted personalities.


    Without another word, she turned and walked away.


    Only after she left did Alan finally relax.


    Something about the way she had looked at him before leaving seemed off, but as long as this matter was behind them, it didn''t really matter.


    Afterward, Alan wandered around and found two small courtyards nearby. He cleared them out a bit and even caught some wild hares that had overrun the area.


    His survival skills, honed during his time in Northern District, came in handy.


    Later, Alan returned to the hall with the rabbits.


    "Brother!" Seeing him, Isabella immediately relaxed, flashing him a sweet smile.


    Alan smiled back and began preparing lunch.


    After skinning the rabbits, he used the abundant firewood around them for roasting.


    Soon, the rich aroma of grilled meat filled the air.


    At that moment, a familiar figure silently appeared nearby.


    Alan recognized her instantly¡ªit was the black-haired girl from before.

 Chapter 505 - Chapter61-An Academy Without Mentors?

    When the girl arrived, she looked at Alan and asked, "Is this an apology gift for me?"


    Isabella turned to Alan in confusion.


    Alan hadn''t expected to see the girl again so soon, but with Isabella present, he chose not to say much.


    The girl, however, was clearly quite at ease. As she spoke, she swiftly drew the dagger from her waist, sliced off a crispy, golden piece of roasted rabbit, and popped it into her cherry-like lips, savoring it.


    A moment later, she nodded in approval.


    "Not bad. The roast is just right¡ªperfectly seasoned, flavorful. But you can''t just eat rabbit all the time; you need a balanced diet."


    Alan was dumbfounded.


    He had planned to give Isabella the first bite, yet this girl had not only helped herself but also started criticizing his cooking?


    Before Alan could say anything, the girl had already devoured half the rabbit. Smiling, she declared,


    "From now on, our meals will be your responsibility. That''s settled!"


    ¡­?


    Who exactly agreed to that?!


    Alan immediately refused.


    "I came here to study, not to be a chef!"


    "Besides," he added, "Sirius Academy should at least have some staff to take care of basic necessities, allowing us to focus on learning magic, right?"


    "Ahem."


    Just as Alan finished speaking, the short old man coughed twice and said,


    "There''s knowledge to be gained in all aspects of life¡ªincluding cooking. Besides, the academy currently lacks funds to hire staff, so for now, you''ll have to handle things yourselves. Honestly, I think her suggestion is quite reasonable."


    Alan and Isabella exchanged speechless glances.


    They had known this academy was a mess, but not this much of a mess.


    "Elder, are you really this broke?" Alan couldn''t help but ask.


    Under Alan''s astonished gaze, the short old man sighed.


    "No students mean no funding. No funding means no students. We''re stuck in a vicious cycle."


    Licking his lips, he added,


    "I haven''t had a drop of tequila in ages."


    Alan had no words.


    Was he here to study, or had he just moved into some secluded mountain village?


    How could this place lack literally everything?!


    "Oh, and I am Sirius Academy''s headmaster. Just call me Gayle. Our academy respects the nature of its students and follows a philosophy of unrestricted learning."


    When speaking in grandiose phrases, Gayle suddenly seemed much more serious.


    But Alan couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off about all this¡ªthough he couldn''t quite put his finger on it.


    At that moment, the girl¡ªwho was still playing with her dagger¡ªsuddenly looked up at Alan.


    "Alan, got any more? I''m still hungry."


    Alan glanced at the rabbit carcass, now stripped clean of meat¡ªnot even a scrap remained.


    Even a dog wouldn''t have left the bones this clean.


    Seeing how famished the girl looked, Isabella quickly spoke up,


    "My brother brought other game as well. I''ll go get it and start roasting!"


    As Isabella left, Alan took the opportunity to ask seriously,


    "Headmaster, are we really the only people here? Will Lioncrest Academy send anyone after us?"


    Gayle confidently patted his chest.


    "As long as I''m here, we''re as steady as a rock!"


    But with his tiny stature, the gesture looked anything but reassuring.


    Alan could sense that Gayle''s strength was unfathomable, so he didn''t press further. Instead, he hesitated briefly before asking,


    "Headmaster, if this is an academy, where exactly will we be studying? And who are our mentors?"


    Gayle blinked.


    "Didn''t I just say? We respect students'' freedom. That means you study whatever you want, however you want."


    "¡­???"


    Alan''s eyes widened. Was this really Sirius Academy?!


    The girl beside them finally spoke up.


    "There''s a library in the back mountains with magic notes and skill books left behind by past generations."


    As she spoke, she licked her pink tongue across her sharp dagger, savoring the lingering taste of roast meat.


    "But what you can actually learn from them depends entirely on your own luck."


    Alan rubbed his temples.


    "Forget it. Let''s eat first."


    Sighing, he turned and went to find Isabella.


    After Alan left, the girl twirled her dagger with impressive dexterity and asked,


    "Where did you find him?"


    Gayle smirked proudly.


    "A peerless genius, recruited straight from Lioncrest Academy!"


    "Oh?" The girl gave Alan a serious look. "Then why do I sense that he doesn''t even have a mana core? You call that a genius?"


    She continued coldly,


    "He should stay out of the war between the two academies. I alone am enough."


    Gayle observed her for a moment, then sighed.


    "Blanche, I''ve seen how hard you''ve worked all these years. You''ve suffered too much."


    Blanche remained expressionless.


    "This is my duty. No one else needs to bear it."


    Her gaze turned toward Lioncrest Academy''s direction.


    For a brief moment, she seemed to see the bodies hanging beneath the Sky Ladder.


    Among them were her brother, her father, and many of Sirius Academy''s past geniuses and elders.


    Though they were long dead, their lingering spirits remained.


    They were still watching over Sirius Academy.


    As long as Lioncrest Academy stood undefeated, as long as their bodies remained unclaimed, they would never rest in peace.


    Gayle''s expression grew heavy.


    "But you''re the last heir of your family now."


    Blanche''s long lashes trembled. Her voice was calm and emotionless, but her eyes burned with unwavering resolve.


    "That''s why I have no other choice. This is the path I must walk."


    Gayle sighed.


    "As much as I hate to admit it, Lioncrest Academy surpasses us in every aspect. Among all our top talents, only Duke Alice stands a chance against them."


    Blanche chuckled faintly.


    "How will we know if we don''t try?"


    She turned away, her red dress flowing like flames.


    "If I fail¡­ at worst, I''ll simply reunite with my father and brother."


    With that, she strode out of the hall.


    Gayle silently watched her leave, standing motionless like a statue. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time passed swiftly, and soon night fell.


    After ensuring Isabella was asleep, Alan entered his Hell Training Mode.


    Feeling the surge of mind power within him, Alan curiously asked,


    "Senior, does this mean I''m officially a Grand Magus now?"


    The cloaked woman nodded.


    "More or less. Your soul tier is already high enough, and your elemental control is quite advanced. However, your current tier¡ªIron Lv.10¡ªis holding you back. Once you break through, you''ll naturally become a true Grand Magus."


    Alan nodded.


    He had faced Wilson and Caesar, both late-stage Bronze-tier prodigies, with ease.


    Even back then, he had sensed that his strength had grown immensely.


    Now, all he lacked was a tier breakthrough.


    "By the way, Senior, I recently comprehended [Blade Spirit]. How should I continue training it?"


    The woman examined him.


    "Your case is special. Most people only grasp their ''force'' through countless trials and hardships, but you skipped that process entirely."


    "As a result, although you can wield [Blade Spirit], your foundation is shallow. Until you reach Alice''s level¡ªable to mold your ''force'' freely¡ªyou won''t be able to unleash its full potential."


    "You must fill in the gaps. Also, you must start searching for a suitable staff soon."


    A staff¡­


    Alan''s expression turned serious.


    Finding the right one wouldn''t be easy.


    And buying one?


    Bronze-tier staffs were too fragile, but Gold-tier staffs were far too expensive.


    It was a serious problem.


    But for now, he focused on training.


    Aside from practicing visualization techniques, Alan also began training in swordsmanship.


    With the enhancement of [Blade Spirit], even the simplest sword techniques could unleash terrifying power.


    Especially after absorbing the elemental energy from the light array, his mastery of the Light Sword Spell deepened significantly!


    The Next Morning


    Alan stepped out of the valley.


    Gayle had informed him that Alice was waiting for him outside.


    Hurrying down the mountain path, Alan soon spotted a woman standing beneath a large tree.


    Alice!


    She was wearing a long dress, softening her usual sharp and imposing demeanor with a touch of elegance.

 Chapter 506 - Chapter62-You Were Tricked into Coming Here Too?

    Alan immediately accelerated toward Alice.


    Alice glanced up and down at Alan, just about to speak when a sudden whooshing sound filled the air. The next moment, a young man with bulging muscles, bare-chested and carrying a long spear on his back, rushed over.


    "Hey, beauty, how about a stroll together?"


    The moment his playful voice sounded, Alan had already stepped in front of him.


    "She''s not free, and neither am I. Go find someone else."


    Alice looked at the young man, then at Alan, her expression calm and indifferent.


    Blocked by Alan, the young man glared at him furiously and said with a cocky tone,


    "You dare stop me from flirting? Who do you think you are? Eat shit!"


    As soon as the words fell, a fierce gust of wind howled. The young man threw a heavy punch straight at Alan''s chest.


    A strange, dark swamp-like energy swirled around his fist, emanating an eerie suction force.


    Alan responded with a punch of his own, striking forward with the unstoppable momentum of [Blade Spirit], the sheer force of it distorting the air itself.


    Boom!


    The moment their fists collided, a deafening explosion erupted, as if a potent explosive had gone off. Waves of energy rippled outward, scattering dead leaves and debris across the ground.


    Both Alan and the young man sank their feet into the ground from the impact, cracking the earth beneath them. Dust rose in thick clouds.


    Alan staggered back three steps, each step leaving deep imprints in the ground.


    Meanwhile, the young man was forced back seven steps, his arm trembling slightly.


    Flexing his sore arm, the young man''s previously carefree gaze finally turned serious.


    "You''ve got some skill!"


    With that, he drew the long silver spear from his back. As it left its sheath, the originally bright silver spear turned into an eerie shade of black. The suction force from earlier had vanished, replaced by an overwhelming gravitational pressure that crashed down on Alan.


    Alan gripped his staff-sword tightly and swung it toward him.


    The sharp arc of the sword''s light was blinding.


    Clang!


    The clash of metal rang through the air. The spear, as heavy as a mountain, was knocked aside, but it twisted midair with even greater speed, executing a return strike aimed right at Alan''s chest. At the same time, the gravitational force emanating from the spear surged tenfold.


    Alan''s pupils shrank. From this attack alone, he sensed an immense threat!


    This young man had not only solid foundations but also wielded a bizarre elemental power.


    If an ordinary mage were caught off guard by such an unexpected strike, they might not even have time to react.


    But Alan was a magus!


    In that split second, the earth element beneath his feet surged like a rising tide, propelling him backward.


    Simultaneously, compressed earth elements, driven by explosive fire elements, struck the young man''s chest at lightning speed, blasting him back dozens of steps.


    The young man steadied himself, staring at Alan in shock.


    "A magus! You''re actually a magus!"


    "Now that you know, just walk away," Alan said indifferently, not wanting to stir up unnecessary trouble.


    However, instead of retreating, the young man''s eyes burned with [Battle Spirit], his expression becoming even more determined.


    "A magus, huh? People go their whole lives without meeting one! Come on! I, Francis, have never feared anyone! Let''s have a real fight!"


    Before he could finish, Alan had already tightened his grip on his staff-sword.


    Ripples of mind power radiated from him, altering the surrounding environment in an instant!


    First, roaring flames descended from the sky!


    The scorching heat distorted the air, cutting off Francis''s escape routes.


    Francis had no choice but to go on the defensive, his body shrouded in a layer of indestructible black light!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Flames continuously crashed against Francis, sending shockwaves rippling outward.


    Then, wind blades, icicles, and earth spikes all surged forward at once, launching a relentless barrage against him!


    Just as their battle grew fiercer, Gayle suddenly appeared, his figure flickering into existence.


    Watching the two clash, he called out: S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Enough, both of you!"


    Yet, neither Alan nor Francis paid him any mind; instead, their battle became even more intense.


    Seeing this, Gayle simply sighed and turned to Duke Alice, standing beside him. He chuckled,


    "Duke, you came all this way for Alan. You seem to hold him in high regard."


    To Gayle, this was rather unusual.


    After all, Alan and Alice were worlds apart.


    Even if Alan was quite talented, he wasn''t worth such special attention from Alice, was he?


    At Gayle''s question, Alice replied coolly,


    "It''s not just his talent I value. It''s his heart. A man who could stand alone against Barton Kingdom''s army without flinching. A man who stood up for the kingdom when no one else did. That is someone worthy of my respect¡ªsomeone worthy of being my friend."


    Duke Alice''s friend?!


    Gayle was stunned, unable to believe his ears.


    In the Plantagenet Kingdom, countless people dreamed of befriending Duke Alice, but very few were truly worthy.


    Just as Gayle was processing this revelation, a massive explosion rang out from the battlefield.


    Alan and Francis were both blown apart, each retreating and creating distance between them.


    This time, neither of them made another move.


    Gayle took the chance to assess Francis, then said,


    "That''s enough for now. From today onward, you''re all students of Sirius Academy. Treat each other with kindness."


    "Sirius Academy students?"


    Alan and Francis turned to look at each other in disbelief.


    Francis stared at Gayle. "The hell? You''re telling me he''s a student of Sirius Academy?"


    "Is there a problem?" Gayle replied.


    Francis rubbed his ears and asked, "Old man, how many students does your academy even have?"


    Gayle said, "Including you, three so far. One more is on the way."


    Four students?


    This¡­ this was way too few!


    "You lying old man! You told me Sirius Academy was incredible! No way! I''m transferring to Lioncrest Academy! That''s my true dream school!"


    Gayle smiled and said, "Go wherever you want. But if you leave, I''m afraid I won''t be able to give you the remaining volumes of the Eightfold Spear Saint Art."


    Francis''s eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?!"


    Gayle simply shrugged.


    Francis gritted his teeth, but when he remembered that Gayle held the key to the spear techniques he wanted, his anger deflated like a punctured balloon. He muttered bitterly,


    "Old man, I swear, Sirius Academy barely qualifies as an academy! You told me it was on par with the top schools! You tricked me!"


    Gayle chuckled. "They''re both Plantagenet Kingdom academies. Who''s to say one is superior to the other?"


    Francis trembled with rage. The gap between the schools was so vast it was practically fraud!


    If he weren''t certain he wasn''t strong enough to take on Gayle, he would''ve stabbed him right now!


    "I know you''re upset, but before you complain, look at this," Gayle said, summoning a glowing ancient scroll into his hand.


    As he unfurled it, phantom images of spear techniques flickered across its surface.


    Francis''s eyes widened.


    "Join Sirius Academy, and this is yours," Gayle said, tossing the scroll lightly.


    Francis sighed in defeat and trudged to Gayle''s side.


    As he passed Alan and Alice, he stopped and said,


    "Once I master this spear art, I''ll be invincible! You and I will fight again!"


    Alan nodded. "I look forward to it."


    Francis sneered. "The whole Plantagenet Kingdom will know my name! Everyone else is just a stepping stone for my rise to fame!"


    Gayle sighed. "Tone it down. No one is truly invincible¡ªespecially in the Imperial Capital."


    Francis scoffed. "I was born to create miracles! In the entire Plantagenet Kingdom, I stand among the very best. Everyone else is just a stepping stone on my path to greatness¡ªwhy should I keep a low profile?"

 Chapter 507 - Chapter63-Alice: I’m Leaving

    "By the way, I heard that the most renowned prodigy of the Plantagenet Kingdom¡ªwhat''s her name, Alice?¡ªseems to be in the imperial capital!"


    "Hmph! When there are no tigers in the mountains, monkeys call themselves kings! Let her be arrogant for a few more days. Next time I meet her, I''ll stomp her underfoot and show her what I''m made of!!"


    Alan couldn''t help but chuckle.


    Gayle covered his face with his hand, finding Francis''s suicidal arrogance hard to comment on.


    Just then, dazzling flashes of lightning cracked through the air like a frenzy of silver serpents, descending from the sky above.


    The previously low-profile Alice finally made her move.


    Francis didn''t even have time to react before his entire body was enveloped in blinding lightning. The searing pain of the thunder tearing through his body nearly caused him to pass out, black smoke rising from his charred skin.


    And that was just the beginning. As Francis finally realized what was happening and tried to retaliate, an even more terrifying bolt of lightning descended from above. The frenzied elements flayed his skin, and his screams grew even louder.


    "Ahhh!"


    "AHHHH!"


    Outside the valley, Francis looked like a human lightning rod, absorbing every bolt that struck from the sky. His skin was almost entirely carbonized, black as if he''d just crawled out of a mine, dark smoke pouring from his mouth and nose.


    Then came what looked like a wrestling match from hell.


    Alice treated Francis''s body like a punching bag, slamming him repeatedly into the ground. He was tossed around like a ragdoll, stretched out like a noodle.


    After a full half hour, Francis was left coughing up black smoke, lying limp on the ground, unable to utter a single word.


    Alice calmly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, then turned to Alan.


    "Shall we go for a walk?"


    Alan nodded with a smile.


    Lying on the ground, Francis stared at Alice''s departing figure. His fists clenched tightly, his eyes burning with unwillingness.


    He had just been utterly crushed, and he couldn''t accept it!


    "I was just careless! I didn''t dodge in time! I''ll remember this grudge. One day, I''ll repay it tenfold!"


    He gritted his teeth and struggled to stand, determination burning in his expression.


    Seeing this, Gayle couldn''t help but shake his head.


    "I suggest you let it go." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Francis snapped, "Let it go? I don''t care who she is or what kind of powerful background she has¡ªthis grudge will only be settled by death!"


    Gayle smiled, "Alright then. I''ll be your witness. Just remember, her name is Alice¡ªthe very same ''number one prodigy'' of the Plantagenet Kingdom you were just talking about."


    Francis''s mouth twitched. Then, eyes rolling back, he collapsed into unconsciousness.


    "What happened to all that tough talk? Why''re you pretending to faint now? Weren''t you the one who said you''d stomp her underfoot and show her your might?"


    Since Francis didn''t respond, Gayle said no more and simply grabbed his legs, dragging him off into the valley.


    ¡ª


    On a forest trail.


    Alice and Alan walked side by side, bathed in the glow of the rising sun.


    Alice seemed gilded in golden light, radiant and divine, like an angel descending to the mortal world.


    Alan couldn''t help but steal a few glances.


    Suddenly, Alice spoke. "Originally, I thought it was certain that you''d join Lioncrest Academy. I didn''t expect all of this to happen."


    Alan sighed. "Yeah, life is unpredictable. Fate plays strange games. But it''s all in the past now."


    Alice nodded. Her bright eyes gazed into the distance. "I''m leaving the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    Leaving the Plantagenet Kingdom?!


    A ripple of emotion stirred in Alan''s otherwise calm heart.


    "I came to say goodbye."


    She took a small step closer to Alan.


    He could see her flawless, porcelain skin and even catch a faint whiff of the light fragrance that clung to her.


    His mind began to drift slightly.


    "A lot of people probably think I place too much importance on you," Alice said as she looked at him, standing just inches away.


    "But I''m quite certain everyone else underestimates you. Maybe I''ve underestimated you, too. I don''t know why, but from the moment I met you, I sensed a kind of danger I''ve never felt before."


    "In the Plantagenet Kingdom, it''s nearly impossible for someone to make me feel threatened. But you did. And it''s not a kind of danger I can easily describe."


    Alan listened in silence, growing more aware of how extraordinary Alice truly was.


    "With your talent and nature, I believe it won''t be long after I leave before you become the nightmare of every other prodigy."


    "And you love boldly, hate fiercely. In this kingdom that values smooth diplomacy above all, I worry that you might bring chaos to the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    "But perhaps¡­ you might also bring about a level of prosperity never seen before."


    "I hope that after I leave, you can watch over the Plantagenet Kingdom for me."


    She looked at Alan.


    He raised his hands. "That''s a lot to expect from me, don''t you think?"


    Alice smiled faintly. "So, is that a yes?"


    Thinking back on everything they''d been through, Alan felt a strong conviction rise in his heart.


    "As long as it''s within my ability¡­ I''ll do everything I can for the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    Alice''s smile deepened. "These days, many mages see promises as foolish things, but I''ve always believed a promise should be worth its weight in gold. To love and to hate, with clarity."


    "Also, do you know what else I like about you?"


    ¡­??


    Alan stood frozen in place.


    Alice let out a soft laugh and walked ahead.


    After a beat, Alan snapped out of it and hurried after her.


    Alice stopped and pulled a scroll from her storage ring, handing it to Alan.


    "Near Ironblood City, some ancient noble factions discovered a secret realm¡ªan independent world created by a forbidden magus."


    "They''ve been stabilizing it, and in about a month, this scroll will grant you access to that realm."


    "I''m not a magus, so it doesn''t mean much to me. But you are. You might gain a lot from it."


    "Also, I received confirmed reports¡ªit''s located on an ancient battlefield. Years of scattered soul energy have likely nurtured many rare materials that could enhance the soul. They could be extremely helpful to you¡ªand to Isabella''s strange illness."


    "But this isn''t a free gift. The secret realm is dangerous, and top talents from other kingdoms will be competing as well. It will be perilous."


    Alan accepted the scroll, knowing full well that it could greatly impact his future.


    "If fate allows, we''ll meet again," Alice said simply. Once Alan took the scroll, she prepared to leave.


    "Will we meet again?" Alan called after her.


    Alice paused. "My rank will continue to rise, and the places I go will become increasingly dangerous¡­"


    Before she could finish, Alan firmly declared, "I''ll catch up to you¡ªthen surpass you!"


    Alice''s eyes glimmered. "I hope that when we meet again, you''re still this confident¡ªand we can fight once more."


    With that, she turned and walked away.


    Watching her figure grow smaller in the distance, Alan pulled out the ring she''d given him and looked down at the scroll in his other hand, smiling foolishly to himself.


    Thinking back on all the moments he shared with Alice¡ªfrom their first battle to her attention and care now¡ªhis heart stirred.


    Such an extraordinary woman¡­ how many like her exist in this world?


    And somehow, he was one of the lucky few.


    Now that she was gone, who knew when they''d meet again? Alan couldn''t help but feel a pang of loss.


    Could it be¡­ that he liked her?


    The thought suddenly flashed through his mind.


    He''d never been in love before and didn''t know what it felt like, but being around Alice had always brought him an unprecedented sense of ease.


    With that thought, he clenched the ring and scroll even tighter.


    Just then, a figure appeared before him.


    Alan looked up¡ªit was a dignified noblewoman in a golden mage''s robe, exuding immense pressure.


    She was a powerful mage!


    It seemed she had been Alice''s servant all along.


    Alan''s expression grew cautious.


    The noblewoman looked him over and calmly introduced herself.


    "My name is Barbara. I am the lady''s protector."


    Alan nodded. "Is there something you need, senior?"


    Barbara hesitated for a moment, then spoke.


    "What I''m about to say might hurt you¡­ but it''s the truth."

 Chapter 508 - Chapter64-The Pursuit of Francis

    "Miss Alice is no ordinary girl. Though she''s also from the Plantagenet Kingdom, she is destined to soar to the heavens like a divine phoenix," Barbara said, her tone proud. "You must''ve felt it already¡ªher talent is unmatched. She''s not someone the people of this small kingdom can even begin to compare with."


    As she spoke, a clear sense of pride flashed in Barbara''s eyes.


    "So you''re telling me to give up on her? That I shouldn''t get involved with Alice?" Alan immediately caught her meaning and asked.


    Barbara nodded seriously. "It''s for your own good¡ªand for hers. You may be somewhat special, but compared to her and the power backing her, you''re insignificant."


    "If you start having unrealistic thoughts, you''ll only end up drained and heartbroken. The gap between you two is beyond imagining. Even she might get dragged down because of you."


    Alan didn''t respond. He knew that without absolute strength, no argument held any weight.


    Strength.


    He was still too weak!


    Seeing that Alan had fallen silent, Barbara activated a magic formation beneath her feet and disappeared through a spatial teleportation array.


    A teleportation array!


    Alan stared, surprised, at where Barbara had vanished.


    In his memory, being able to casually cast a spatial teleportation formation meant one had to be at least a Tier-Platinum mage!


    Mage tiers were clearly divided:


    Tier-Iron, Tier-Bronze, Tier-Gold, Tier-Platinum, Tier-Diamond...


    Each tier was separated by massive gaps¡ªalmost insurmountable chasms.


    Within the Plantagenet Kingdom, a Tier-Gold mage was already considered a regional powerhouse. Tier-Platinum mages were extremely rare!


    Now, this protector of Alice''s was at least Tier-Platinum, and yet she acted so humbly before Alice!


    That alone showed how highly Barbara regarded Alice''s talent and status.


    "You feel the gap now? In both strength and background?" a woman in a black robe asked calmly.


    Alan took a deep breath and nodded.


    "You don''t need to worry about all that right now. The path is right beneath your feet¡ªwalk it steadily. One day, you''ll catch up to him, and to every other so-called genius."


    The black-robed woman''s voice was slow and steady.


    Alan nodded, then began to consider his current situation.


    His sister''s flame spirit could last no more than one more month. If he didn''t find a replacement in time, she might suffer another mental breakdown. Her condition was dangerously unstable.


    On top of that, the monster in the second layer of hell was close to awakening. If he didn''t find the sealing item the black-robed woman had mentioned, he would be dead for sure.


    And all of it¡ª


    depended on strength.


    His strength was still far from enough.


    Determined, Alan quickly returned to the valley.


    Just as he was about to check on his sister, he suddenly heard crying coming from the hall. The voice was familiar¡ª


    Isabella!


    Alan''s heart tensed in an instant. Gripping his staff-light sword, he dashed into the hall.


    Inside, Francis was standing before Isabella, saying who-knows-what, while Isabella wept even harder.


    Alan''s fury erupted. Without hesitation, he unleashed his most powerful light sword spell!


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Shrill, piercing sounds filled the air as dazzling, arm-length swords of light shot toward Francis at unimaginable speed.


    Just as a smug smile formed on Francis''s face, a chilling sense of danger crawled up his spine. Goosebumps rose all over his body.


    This was deadly.


    He instinctively knew¡ªhe couldn''t take this head-on.


    A surge of black light erupted from his body, and he suddenly became feather-light, narrowly dodging the incoming attack.


    The moment he dodged, the swords of light slammed precisely into where he had been standing.


    The granite floor of the hall, sturdy as it was, was pierced clean through by the light swords as if it were tofu!


    If those swords had hit him directly¡­ Francis''s scalp tingled.


    He turned toward the direction the attack had come from¡ª


    Alan!


    "What the hell, are you trying to kill me?! We''re classmates, for god''s sake!"


    Francis''s mouth twitched in disbelief, glaring at Alan.


    But before he could finish speaking, Alan charged again!


    This time, Francis clearly sensed Alan was much faster and more ruthless than before.


    "You made my sister cry. You have to die."


    Alan''s voice was ice cold, eyes filled with murderous intent, as he rushed forward with sword in hand.


    "???"


    Francis was utterly baffled. Was it really that serious? It had just been a joke!


    As he ran for his life, he shouted, "I was just messing around! Do you really have to go this far?!"


    But Alan ignored him completely.


    He''d made Isabella cry¡ªhe had to pay.


    Inside the hall, Isabella watched as Alan and Francis dashed back and forth, locked in a fierce chase. Once she snapped out of her panic, worry quickly filled her heart.


    "If this keeps going, what if my brother gets hurt?!"


    She quickly went to look for Gayle¡ªbut he was nowhere to be found.


    Left with no choice, she rushed to Blanche''s room and pleaded, "Sister! My brother is fighting that new guy¡ªplease go stop them!"


    Blanche looked at her calmly and asked, "Can you and your brother both do barbecue?"


    Isabella nodded, "A little¡­"


    "Perfect. I''m hungry."


    ¡­


    With Alan in relentless pursuit, Francis fled in panic, eventually reaching the mountains at the edge of the valley. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Francis ran for his life, while Alan chased him with murderous intent.


    The black light around Francis grew more radiant¡ªit was so dark, it seemed to glow. He became feather-light, so light even the breeze boosted his speed. The technique was incredibly mysterious.


    Alan, wielding his staff-sword, moved like a blade spirit unleashed. With every swing, trees and foliage were torn apart. Even giant trees were left with deep gashes.


    "Damn it! Since when did I, Francis, get chased around like this?!"


    Rage boiled in Francis''s heart. Even a clay doll has some fire in it!


    He stopped running, pulled out the long spear on his back, and prepared a surprise reverse thrust aimed straight at Alan''s throat!


    But the moment he struck, a brilliant Blade Spirit flared from Alan''s body, resonating with his light sword spell.


    In an instant, the tip of Francis''s spear¡ª


    was cut clean in half!


    "What the¡ª?!"


    Francis cursed inwardly. He hadn''t expected Alan''s combat power, enraged, to be this terrifying.


    Abandoning his offense, he immediately dropped his spear and ran again!


    Francis fled.


    Alan chased.


    The two ran through the mountains for an entire day.


    Eventually, they returned to the valley.


    Gasping for breath, Francis was swaying on his feet, nearly spent.


    Alan caught up just as Francis stumbled back into the valley, preparing to strike¡ªwhen a voice stopped him.


    "Brother!"


    Alan turned to see Isabella running toward him, worry etched all over her face.


    She threw herself into his arms and asked, "Brother, are you okay?"


    Francis, collapsed nearby, almost coughed up blood.


    I was the one being chased for a full day and night!


    Alan looked at Isabella and finally calmed down.


    "You''re okay?" he asked.


    Isabella nodded repeatedly, "I''m fine, brother!"


    Only then did Alan turn to Francis.


    Francis''s mouth twitched. He quickly said, "What¡ªwhat do you want?! I told you a thousand times¡ªI didn''t bully your sister! Ask her yourself!"


    Alan looked to Isabella. "What did he say that made you cry?"


    Isabella didn''t speak. Her blue eyes shimmered with lingering tears.


    Alan gently patted her head, and only then did she whisper:


    "It wasn''t anything serious¡­ I just remembered how you always came back covered in wounds, and now you''re still running around for my sake¡­ I couldn''t help it¡­"


    By the end, she was crying again.


    "That''s all in the past. Everything will get better from now on."


    Alan smiled and comforted her.


    Then he pulled her into a hug.


    "We''ll never cry again."


    Isabella nodded firmly, and gradually fell asleep in his arms, finally at peace.

 Chapter 509 - Chapter65-The Final Student

    After placing Isabella gently on the bed and tucking her in, Alan quietly returned to the great hall.


    Seeing Alan come back, Francis trembled slightly¡ªafraid he might start beating him again.


    He honestly didn''t have the strength to keep tangling with Alan anymore.


    Alan walked up to him and extended a hand. "Sorry about earlier."


    Francis let out a huge sigh of relief.


    "I knew it! I didn''t provoke your sister or anything! She saw how badly I was hurt and just started crying on her own."


    He reached out and let Alan pull him up from the ground.


    Then, eyeing Alan curiously, he asked, "What spell did you use just now? That was terrifying!"


    "Light Sword Spell," Alan replied.


    "Light element, huh? No wonder it was so fast and aggressive. I couldn''t defend against it at all!" Francis said, visibly more relaxed.


    Getting beaten by both Alice and Alan in such a short time was a major blow to his pride.


    Alice was on another level entirely, sure. But Alan? In his mind, Alan was supposed to be on par with him¡ªor even far below.


    Yet now he''d been completely crushed.


    And he''d only just arrived in the capital¡ªhadn''t even had time to shine before being totally suppressed.


    Still, Alan was no ordinary prodigy either.


    Alan, in turn, asked, "What skill did you use earlier? You moved like the wind."


    Francis grinned smugly. "Unlike most mages, I wield a unique element outside of the four basics¡ªgravity. I can negate gravity, making myself light as a feather."


    "In that state, even basic movement techniques become incredibly fast. Very few can match me in speed."


    "If I didn''t have that, there''s no way I''d have dodged your Light Sword Spell."


    Hearing that, Alan felt even more apologetic. "Sorry again."


    Francis waved him off cheerfully. "Ah, it''s not entirely your fault. Your sister saw me all banged up and started crying. I thought I''d cheer her up by saying you were even more pitiful than me. But she just cried harder."


    "¡­??"


    Alan blinked in confusion.


    Just then, a burly man came walking up the path from the foot of the mountain. He had a rugged, mature face and radiated an intimidating, bandit-like aura.


    Francis was startled. He had always thought of himself as brawny, his body rippling with muscle.


    But compared to this guy?


    He looked small.


    And the sheer ferocity pouring off the man made Francis''s skin crawl.


    "Who the hell is this guy?" Francis muttered, scratching his head.


    Alan thought for a moment. "I think he might be the final student Headmaster Gayle mentioned."


    Though he looked older, his eyes were clear and youthful. His true age likely didn''t match his appearance.


    "How about you test his strength?" Francis suddenly said excitedly. "Call it a welcome ceremony."


    Alan nodded slightly. "You go first."


    Francis shrugged. "Fine, fine, I''ll go first."


    He took a deep breath, picked up a sturdy wooden stick from the ground, tested its weight, and felt satisfied.


    Black light surged around him again, his body becoming light and nimble, while the stick in his hand hardened like steel.


    Bang!


    In the blink of an eye, he dashed behind the brawny man and swung the stick toward the back of his head with a howling gust.


    But the man didn''t even flinch. Golden elemental light shimmered across his body, making him look like a miniature golden statue.


    Francis''s strike landed squarely¡ª


    And he was the one sent flying!


    His hand went numb from the impact, as if he had just slammed into a steel wall.


    The man turned to glare at Francis. His bright eyes held a flicker of killing intent.


    Francis steadied himself and knew he couldn''t take this guy alone. He quickly turned to Alan and shouted:


    "He''s got a skull of steel¡ªhelp me out here!"


    Alan stepped forward calmly. The burly man tensed up.


    But Alan smiled. "I''m also a student of Sirius Academy. Welcome aboard."


    Francis froze, thunderstruck.


    The burly man sensed no hostility from Alan and smiled back. "Thank you."


    Then he looked back at Francis, expression hardening. Like a hungry tiger, he lunged toward him.


    What the hell?! Francis thought. I don''t even know you! Why''d you come at me with that monster punch?!


    As the man charged, Francis''s pupils shrank, and he turned to flee, shouting over his shoulder:


    "Alan, you traitor!"


    Moments later, the lush mountain forest was filled with the sound of Francis''s wailing screams.


    ¡­


    Time passed quickly, and soon it was midday.


    Gayle and Blanche sat on either side of the stone table in the main hall.


    Gayle was lounging back, guzzling wine with a glazed expression.


    Blanche, gripping a dagger in reverse grip, looked on edge¡ªher hunger palpable.


    The burly man sat formally and upright.


    Across from him, Francis sat covered in bruises and black eyes, beaten nearly senseless.


    The man had shown no mercy. If Francis hadn''t been sturdy, he might still be unconscious on the floor.


    Not long after, Alan and Isabella walked in carrying a large roasting tray, placing it on the stone table.


    As soon as it was set down¡ª


    Blanche''s dagger flashed, and a sizzling piece of meat was already off the bone and in her hand, devoured in savage bites.


    Gayle''s glazed eyes lit up. He leapt onto his chair and grabbed a huge hunk of meat with his bare hands¡ªignoring the heat¡ªand started eating it with wine.


    Francis and the brawny man were stunned.


    But their stomachs were rumbling too, and they quickly grabbed knives to carve their share.


    Blanche''s meat wasn''t even gone before she was already slicing the next cut. She moved like the wind.


    Seeing this, Gayle frowned. "A young lady like you, have some restraint! Who taught you such bad habits?"


    Despite his words, he was also shoveling meat into his plate, hands moving just as fast.


    Alan and Isabella watched the chaos quietly¡ªthey had already eaten.


    After the noisy feast, Gayle picked at his teeth with his little pinky fingernail and glanced around the table.


    "Well, now that we''re full, let me take this chance to introduce the new student."


    He looked at the burly man.


    "His name is Fort, from Mist Wood in the northern Plantagenet Kingdom. He has a special Sharp Metal Bloodline."


    A special bloodline?!


    Everyone turned to Fort in unison.


    They''d already sensed something unusual about him, but to hear it confirmed was still surprising.


    Special elemental bloodlines were extremely rare¡ªeven within the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    Fort looked around at them, pride flashing in his clear eyes.


    Then he saw Francis.


    His gaze shifted to hostile.


    Francis, in turn, glared at Alan.


    Alan pretended not to notice.


    Gayle now looked at Francis, shirtless and battered.


    "His name is Francis, from Sunset Marsh. He possesses the rare gravity element, giving him natural advantages in speed and strength."


    Alan''s eyes sharpened.


    This guy was definitely no pushover. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From what he''d shown earlier, Alan could tell that Francis''s speed was off the charts. And if gravity enhanced his strength too, then he must be extremely dangerous.


    But Francis hadn''t shown that side yet.


    Then Francis suddenly lifted his head proudly, swan-like, and pointed at Alan.


    "What about this guy?"


    Gayle replied flatly, "That''s Alan, from House Roan in the Northern District. He''s a Grand Magus."


    A Magus?! A Grand Magus?!


    Everyone turned to stare at Alan, stunned.


    Magus-class professions required insane talent and were exceedingly rare. In all the long history of the Plantagenet Kingdom, there had only been one Magus.


    And Alan looked so young¡­


    A Grand Magus already?


    Wasn''t it said that Magi were the strongest class, but also the hardest to cultivate?


    Then Francis suddenly remembered something and burst out laughing.


    "Alan? Alan! Wait¡ªyou''re that so-called reject from Lioncrest Academy, aren''t you?!"


    Isabella''s blue eyes widened in fury.


    "My brother''s a genius, not a reject! And you''re not allowed to eat any more of the barbecue we make!"


    Fort nodded. "Starve him twice and he''ll learn his lesson."


    Francis quickly backtracked. "No, no! I meant Lioncrest Academy are the idiots! How could they not see how talented Alan is?! They''re all fools!"


    Isabella finally smiled.


    Francis let out a relieved sigh. Honestly, Alan and Isabella''s barbecue was irreplaceable¡ªhe couldn''t go without it.


    Gayle cleared his throat and continued, "There''s a library deep in the valley, filled with old magical notes and spellbooks left behind by our predecessors. What you find there will depend on your luck."


    "But odds are¡­ you won''t find much."


    "Why not?" Francis asked.


    Gayle scratched the back of his head. "Well, agave liquor keeps getting more expensive. We had to trade some books for booze."


    Francis''s jaw dropped.


    Gayle, looking unbothered, continued, "Oh right, one more thing I nearly forgot."


    He slapped his forehead.


    "Just a friendly reminder: Sirius Academy has a long-standing grudge with Lioncrest Academy. Every three years, we hold life-and-death duels between our students."


    "If you die, your corpse gets strung up beneath the Sky Ladder. So¡­ do your best."


    "You''ve got about a year and a half. After that¡ªlive or die¡ªit''s up to your own strength."


    With that, he turned to leave.


    But just before he walked away, he paused again and said:


    "¡­Oh, and one more thing!"

 Chapter 510 - Chapter66-The Year-and-a-Half Pact

    "People from Lioncrest Academy are very hostile toward us from Sirius Academy. If they see you, they''ll definitely come after you¡ªso be careful."


    With that, Gayle finally turned and left.


    The others remained relatively calm after hearing this, most of them already aware of the situation.


    Blanche rubbed his round belly and said,


    "As far as I know, the most famous people from Lioncrest Academy right now are a pair of peerless geniuses¡ªa man and a woman. The man''s name is Eisen, and the woman is Beatrice. They''re both under twenty years old and have already reached the peak of tier-gold, perhaps even close to tier-platinum!"


    "In the entire Plantagenet Kingdom, the only person who could confidently defeat them is Alice Duke."


    Everyone''s expressions turned grim upon hearing that.


    After all, Alice Duke was a living legend.


    And anyone ranked just beneath her... must be monstrously powerful.


    Blanche continued, "Aside from those two troublesome freaks, there are also three ''star students'' who were secretly groomed by Lioncrest Academy. Rumor has it that the three of them, if they fight together, could even go toe-to-toe with Alice Duke herself!"


    Francis shrank his neck nervously and tentatively said,


    "I''m not feeling too well. Think I still have time to drop out?"


    Blanche replied coolly, "As long as you''re from Sirius Academy, Lioncrest Academy won''t let you off. Whether they''ll let you go after a year and a half is another story."


    "Are you kidding me?! That short stack Gayle really screwed us over!" Francis clutched his head in despair.


    At that moment, Alan stepped forward and said, "There''s actually something more urgent we need to take care of right now."


    The others turned to Alan curiously. "What is it?"


    Alan looked at them seriously. "Didn''t you all notice the state of the academy? There''s nothing here. We''re out of BBQ seasoning, out of vegetables, and even out of magic potions to help with cultivation¡­"


    "So I''ve decided to head out and buy supplies. As for the gold coins, we''ll just split the cost equally."


    At that, everyone went silent.


    Seeing this, Alan said, "If you think that''s a bad idea, that''s fine too. We can just start living separately from now on."


    Blanche, Francis, and Fort all spoke up at once:


    "I think that''s a great idea!"


    None of them could cook, and nothing they made ever tasted as good as what Alan and Isabella prepared.


    "How much gold coin are we talking?" Blanche asked.


    "About a hundred gold coins per person," Alan replied.


    Blanche promptly handed over a pouch of coins.


    Alan sensed it briefly, then tucked it into his robe.


    Fort also handed his over without delay.


    Only Francis hesitated. "Isn''t that a bit expensive¡­"


    Alan smiled. "If it''s too expensive, that''s fine. You can handle your own meals from now on."


    "No wait!" Francis panicked and reluctantly pulled out a pouch of coins from his robe and handed it to Alan.


    Alan nodded after accepting it. "Alright, then you two can come with me and my sister to help carry things."


    Although he had a storage ring, it couldn''t hold living things¡ªsome things would still need to be carried the old-fashioned way.


    Francis and Fort didn''t object. After all, going together meant they could also buy things they personally wanted.


    Isabella was quite excited too. As a young girl, she was still enchanted by the bustling capital city.


    Not long after, they put together a list of food ingredients, basic magic potions, and other supplies, and set off down the mountain.


    On the way down, Francis frowned and looked at the indifferent expressions on Alan and Fort''s faces.


    "You two really aren''t worried about the duel to the death in a year and a half?"


    "Lioncrest Academy has the upper hand in every way, especially those five monsters Gayle mentioned¡­"


    Fort responded with extreme confidence, "What''s there to be afraid of? The headmaster told me himself that I have the most outstanding talent in the entire Plantagenet Kingdom. The kingdom''s future rests on my shoulders. I''m the chosen one! Compared to me, those guys are just a bunch of nobodies."


    Alan and Francis stared at Fort in disbelief.


    They''d seen confident people before, but never anyone quite this delusional.


    "What? Is something wrong with what I said?" Fort asked, blinking.


    Alan and Francis: "¡­"


    This guy really was as pure and clueless as his clear, watery eyes.


    And to think he actually believed the headmaster''s exaggerated praise¡­


    Alan quickly composed himself and looked at Francis. "There''s no point overthinking it. At this point, we just train hard. When the time comes, we fight with everything we''ve got. They''re human¡ªwe''re human. No difference!"


    Looking at the two of them, Francis felt as though all his past pride had been trampled into the mud.


    "You''re right! Whether you flinch or face it head-on, a blade is a blade!" Francis took a deep breath, regaining some of his former boldness.


    Then, in a small voice, he asked,


    "Have you guys ever considered other options¡­ like running away early?"


    Alan thought of their mysterious and unfathomable Headmaster Gayle and chuckled, "You can give it a try¡ªjust don''t get caught by the headmaster."


    Francis immediately deflated.


    That short stack had gone through all that trouble to rope them in¡ªno way he''d just let them walk away.


    "Screw it. Either way, it''s still studying!"


    Francis could only give up on that idea.


    Not long after leaving the mountains, Alan led them straight to a massive mall owned by the Church of Steam and Magic.


    He had a diamond card issued by the Church, which allowed him to buy everything at cost price and receive top-tier service.


    Naturally, they would be shopping at a place under the Church''s banner.


    When Alan and the group entered the grand mall, it was bustling with people.


    The building had five floors, and just the first was filled with all kinds of dazzling displays.


    It was almost overwhelming.


    As soon as they stepped inside, a saleswoman in a fitted long dress approached them with a professional smile.


    "What can I help you find today?"


    Alan handed her his diamond card and a shopping list.


    When the woman saw the card, her polished smile turned into a genuinely warm one¡ªshe even squinted with joy as she motioned politely.


    "Esteemed guests, please make yourselves comfortable in our VIP lounge. We''ll bring everything you need right to you!"


    Alan nodded. "Pack everything on this list and deliver it. Make sure it''s at cost price."


    The woman nodded repeatedly and glanced at the list¡ªthen paused, puzzled.


    Chicken? Duck? Beef? Lamb?


    And all sorts of spices?


    Wait, what? S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This mall was meant for selling goods tailored for mages.


    If not exactly high-end, it was at least¡­ not supposed to deal in groceries.


    Seeing her hesitation, Alan asked, "Is there a problem?"


    "Sir, if I may speak frankly¡­ our mall doesn''t normally stock these kinds of items," the saleswoman said hesitantly.


    Before she could finish, a sharply dressed manager rushed over and said respectfully,


    "Sir, while we don''t carry those items here, we can certainly source them for you."


    Alan hesitated. "What about the price?"


    The manager glanced at the list and replied seriously, "Since it''s for our esteemed guest, there will be no charge at all."


    In his mind, the items were of little value anyway¡ªso why not seize the opportunity to build goodwill?


    Alan shook his head. "I don''t take advantage of people. Just charge me the market cost."


    He could guess the manager''s intentions, but a favor like that wasn''t worth being indebted for.


    Soon, the items Alan requested were personally delivered by the manager.


    "Sir, your entire order is ready¡ªthree full carts. Please inspect them."


    Alan scanned everything with a wave of mind power and nodded in satisfaction. He handed over a pouch of gold coins.


    "See if this is enough."


    The manager accepted it without even counting. "It''s more than enough."


    With that, Alan led Isabella and the others out of the mall on their horse-drawn cart.


    But not long after leaving the building, someone caught a glimpse of Alan at the front of the cart¡ªand suddenly recognized him.


    "Hey, isn''t that the loser who got kicked out of Lioncrest Academy¡ªAlan?"

 Chapter 511 - Chapter67-Isabellas Fury

    "It really is Alan!"


    "I heard that after being rejected by Lioncrest Academy, he got picked up by Sirius Academy like some piece of trash!"


    "Huh? I heard Alice Duke thinks highly of him!"


    "Well, Alice Duke isn''t always right. If he were truly a genius, why would Lioncrest Academy turn him away? That school''s been admitting students for years¡ªif he was a real talent, they''d have to be brain-dead to reject him!"


    "Exactly! He''s just a fame-chasing fraud¡ªone that''s already been exposed!"


    Because Alan was traveling with three carts full of goods, he attracted quite a bit of attention. By now, he''d become somewhat of a hot topic.


    Unfortunately, the attention was mostly ridicule and disdain.


    After all, it was rare for someone to be labeled a failure by Lioncrest Academy. People were enjoying the drama, feeling a certain smug satisfaction as onlookers.


    But despite all the sneering and gossip, Alan remained indifferent. Back when he was at House Roan in the Northern District, he''d already been through worse. His heart had long since grown resilient.


    Isabella, however, couldn''t stand anyone insulting her brother. She yanked open the curtain of the carriage and glared angrily at the surrounding crowd.


    "My brother is not a failure! He''s a genius! It was Lioncrest Academy that deliberately targeted him. How can you people say that about him?!"


    One of the hecklers, a young punk with spiky red hair styled into a dramatic rooster comb, sneered and smoothed his hair.


    "Your brother''s trash, and you can''t stop us from saying it. If he''s got guts, let him prove himself to Lioncrest Academy instead of whining here!"


    As soon as the rooster-head youth spoke, others chimed in with agreement.


    "Failures are meant to be mocked! What, I can''t laugh now?"


    He cackled wildly, spurring another round of derisive laughter from the crowd.


    Isabella''s eyes filled with fury as she glared at the punk.


    "Brother, this guy''s gone too far!"


    The moment she finished speaking, Alan leapt from the carriage like a gust of wind and appeared before the rooster-head youth. With a powerful kick to the chest, he sent the man flying.


    Thud!


    The blow cracked the punk''s ribs, and he shot through the air like a broken kite, slamming into a wall over ten meters away. Blood stained his chest as he twitched on the ground.


    He''d been seriously injured¡ªright in the middle of the capital city! S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone fell silent, the laughter freezing on their faces as they stared at Alan in shock.


    This was the capital!


    And this so-called "failure" had just assaulted someone in public?!


    "Does he think he''s above the law?!"


    "This guy''s way too arrogant!"


    Among the stunned crowd, one person stood out¡ªFrancis. Seeing what happened only confirmed his suspicions: Alan might be calm most of the time, but messing with his sister was the fastest way to a death sentence.


    Francis still remembered getting chased for a day and a night after he made Isabella cry once.


    Meanwhile, Alan swept his cold gaze across the dumbfounded onlookers, then looked at Isabella''s trembling form.


    "If anyone else wants to run their damn mouth, this is what''ll happen to you."


    Alan was a wielder of Blade Spirit, and in that moment, his fury weighed on everyone like an invisible mountain. The pressure was suffocating.


    That rooster-head punk had actually been a well-known street thug, with mid-tier bronze-level strength.


    But Alan had taken him down in a single kick.


    Most of the crowd weren''t even that strong¡ªso no one dared move.


    The once-rowdy street now fell into uneasy silence.


    Alan''s eyes, sharp as blades, scanned the crowd again. He raised a hand and beckoned provocatively.


    "If you''ve got the balls to talk, how about you step up and fight?"


    A few hot-headed youths in crimson robes couldn''t take the insult. They stepped out, rage boiling over, and charged at Alan.


    "You, a failure, dare act tough here?!"


    Flames burst to life around one of them as he threw a blazing punch, the air itself heating up from the elemental fire swirling around him. The oppressive aura was enough to make one''s scalp tingle.


    But just as his fiery attack was about to reach Alan¡ª


    Alan moved first.


    With a motion like a meteor slicing through the sky, his fist shattered the oncoming flames and smashed into the youth''s chest.


    Splat!


    Blood flew as the crimson-robed youth was sent flying, his chest caving in from the force. His robes were soaked with blood.


    One move.


    Another instant defeat¡ªclean and ruthless.


    Alan flicked the blood from his fist and coldly scanned the now-silent crowd.


    "Anyone else?"


    The provocation was blatant, but after seeing two fighters crushed so effortlessly, no one else dared speak¡ªlet alone step forward.


    Alan wasn''t surprised.


    These people were arrogant, sure¡ªbut their fear of true power ran bone-deep.


    Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out from nearby.


    "Isn''t this the piece of trash we rejected from Lioncrest Academy? Since when do garbage like you get to strut around acting tough?"


    Everyone turned to see a trio approaching¡ªdressed unmistakably in the robes of Lioncrest Academy.


    "The Sky-Lion robes! They''re top students from Lioncrest!"


    "Lioncrest Academy hates Alan. This might get ugly..."


    The quiet crowd erupted into murmurs again.


    Students from Lioncrest Academy were treated like walking prodigies. With them here, Alan didn''t stand a chance¡ªor so many believed.


    Francis and Fort, however, immediately narrowed their eyes at the newcomers.


    Sirius Academy and Lioncrest Academy were sworn enemies. Their clashes often ended in bloodshed.


    But lately, Sirius had fallen on hard times and tended to avoid confrontation¡ªonly making Lioncrest more arrogant.


    Now, the three Lioncrest students stood with arms crossed, sneering at Alan.


    The leader, a scar-faced youth, smirked maliciously.


    "You haven''t even reached tier-bronze, and you think beating up a few street rats makes you someone? You''re pathetic."


    The moment he spoke, Alan attacked.


    Wind swirled around his feet as he vanished from sight, only to reappear a second later¡ªhis palm landing hard across the scar-faced youth''s cheek.


    Smack!


    The youth''s face swelled, blood pouring from his nose and mouth as he was launched backward.


    The crowd stood frozen in shock.


    Even Francis and Fort hadn''t expected Alan to strike so decisively.


    And he didn''t stop.


    In the blink of an eye, Alan slapped the other two Lioncrest students as well¡ªsending them both staggering back, heads spinning.


    Then, while they were still reeling, Alan stormed forward, snatched the gold coin pouches from their waists, and kicked them again for good measure before leaping back onto his carriage.


    Francis and Fort watched this entire display, dumbfounded.


    His moves were so quick, so practiced, so professional¡ª


    If Alan told them he used to be a career bandit, they might''ve believed him!


    "What are you spacing out for? Let''s go!"


    Alan shot them a look, then urged the horses forward. Once they were aboard, the caravan sped off, leaving the onlookers stunned.


    Not only had Alan crushed three Lioncrest elites, he''d even robbed them.


    Everyone just stood there, shell-shocked.


    They hadn''t expected Alan to be so powerful¡ªor so audacious.

 Chapter 512 - Chapter68-Alan Surrounded

    After Alan drove the carriage away with Francis and the others, all eyes turned to the three Lioncrest Academy students slowly getting up from the ground.


    Each of their faces was twisted with rage, their eyes burning with murderous intent.


    Ever since Sirius Academy fell from grace, Lioncrest Academy had taken the throne as the top academy in the Plantagenet Kingdom. Students from Sirius either backed down at the first sign of confrontation or got thoroughly beaten when caught. When had they ever been humiliated like this¡ªespecially in public?


    This was a disgrace like no other.


    The scar-faced youth couldn''t stomach it. He roared like a rabid wolf, "This isn''t over! They''ll pay in blood!"


    Enraged, he was the first to bolt in the direction Alan''s group had gone.


    The two others, still aching from their wounds, gritted their teeth and followed quickly. If they didn''t redeem themselves fast, not only would they disgrace the name of Lioncrest Academy, but their status within the school would suffer.


    Lioncrest Academy was used to dominating others¡ªwhen had they ever been bullied?


    Fueled by fury, the three launched themselves toward Alan''s carriage with terrifying speed.


    As Lioncrest Academy elites, they were all rare mage talents, and their burst speed was jaw-dropping.


    Alan, carrying heavy supplies, wasn''t moving fast. Within moments, the three caught up.


    "Think you can just walk away after hitting us?" they shouted, their expressions ferocious. "You''re going to pay for this!"


    But before they finished yelling, Alan had already responded¡ªwith a powerful kick.


    A pale shockwave exploded out as he struck the scar-faced youth again, launching him into the air. The man crashed into the ground with a loud thud, forming a crater as debris and dust scattered.


    Splat!


    Already wounded, the youth was further devastated by this strike. His face flushed red, and he coughed up a mouthful of black blood. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You''re dead, Alan!" he spat hatefully. "Dead! Once I recover, I''ll wipe out your whole damn family!"


    But no sooner had he spoken than Alan''s icy gaze locked onto him.


    "Heh. Starting to feel scared now, huh?" Alan said coldly. "Here''s your choice: break your own arms and I might let you live. Otherwise, I''ll make you wish you were dead¡ªand have your sister work the brothels."


    As his words fell, a chilling aura of Blade Spirit erupted from Alan''s body. An intense white light burst forth, illuminating the sky.


    In the scar-faced youth''s horrified eyes, a gleaming sword light tore through the air¡ªgrowing larger by the second.


    Slice!


    His head soared skyward, red blood spraying from his severed neck like a gruesome fountain.


    The air filled with the thick, metallic stench of blood.


    The other two Lioncrest students, standing nearby, were frozen in terror. Sticky blood splattered on their faces as they trembled uncontrollably.


    Alan... had killed someone!


    And not just anyone¡ªhe''d publicly executed a Lioncrest Academy student!


    Their shock was immense. Fear gripped their hearts like icy chains.


    The bystanders, too, were stunned. No one expected Alan to be so ruthless¡ªto behead someone on the street without hesitation.


    How long had it been since something this brutal happened in the capital?


    Even Francis and Fort were wide-eyed with disbelief.


    "Let''s go," Alan said, ignoring the stares. He urged the carriage forward, moving away at top speed.


    Not long after Alan departed, a group of over twenty Lioncrest Academy students arrived in a hurry.


    At the head of the group was a pale-skinned youth, wearing blood-red robes and holding a demonic staff. His appearance was eerie and unsettling.


    He was Gunn, one of the top five prodigies in Lioncrest Academy''s External Affairs Department.


    When he saw the headless corpse of the scar-faced youth, his expression turned ice-cold.


    "Alan... you''ve got a death wish," Gunn hissed. "You dared to lay hands on our people?"


    "This grudge will be avenged!"


    "Tonight, we drink his blood and raze his academy¡ªleave not even chickens or dogs alive!"


    With that, he stormed off in the direction Alan had gone.


    The rest of the Lioncrest students, roused by the blood-colored magical aura surging around Gunn, followed him in pursuit.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, down on the plains at the base of the mountain¡ª


    Alan was still urging the carriage forward at full speed.


    In the back, Francis hesitated before speaking.


    "Alan, weren''t we too reckless back there? Killing a Lioncrest student¡­ they''ll stop at nothing for revenge now!"


    Alan shook his head slightly. "He brought it on himself. I don''t regret it."


    Francis sighed. He knew full well¡ªif the scar-faced youth hadn''t humiliated Isabella, Alan never would''ve gone that far.


    "So what do we do next?" Francis asked. "They definitely won''t let this go."


    "We keep going. Once we reach the mountain, this becomes Headmaster Gayle''s problem," Alan replied calmly.


    "And if there are too many of them? What if we can''t win?"


    "Then we fight anyway," Alan said with a firm gaze.


    Francis: "¡­"


    Just as they spoke, powerful elemental fluctuations suddenly lit up behind them like candles in the night¡ªrapidly gaining ground.


    Lioncrest Academy students.


    And there were a lot of them.


    Alan and the others instantly grew serious.


    "Francis, take my sister and run. Leave this to Fort and me!"


    Francis hesitated, but then nodded and grabbed Isabella¡ªwho was just about to protest¡ªand dashed off the carriage in a flash of black light, vanishing from sight.


    Alan turned to Fort. "This is my mess. It has nothing to do with you. You should go too."


    Fort shook his head. "We''re both from Sirius Academy. I''m not leaving. Besides, I''ve never liked those Lioncrest bastards anyway."


    The moment he spoke, a blood-red light shot toward them, landing in front of the carriage and blocking their path.


    "So you''re the reckless Alan?" said Gunn, who now stood in their way.


    He licked his thin lips, his tone dripping with malice.


    In an instant, the ground beneath his feet transformed into a bloody mire, bubbling with red, putrid steam.


    The moment the carriage''s wheels reached the edge, they started to sink.


    Alan halted immediately, his eyes narrowing at Gunn.


    Tier-bronze peak.


    This guy was high-level¡ªand clearly had some kind of mutated elemental affinity. Just looking at him made Alan''s blood roil, as if Gunn had control over his body.


    Blood element? A mutation of water?


    Alan''s expression grew grim.


    Any element beyond the four base types was dangerous¡ªand rarely wielded by the weak.


    While Alan studied Gunn, the latter sneered. He suddenly glided across the blood-mire with terrifying speed, arriving in front of Alan in a blink.


    A strange pulse emanated from his demonic staff.


    Disturbance.


    A tier-bronze manipulation spell¡ªone that disrupted blood flow. Against lower-tier mages, it could destabilize their mana or even rupture their bodies from within.


    But when the spell hit Alan, nothing happened.


    Gunn''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Alan was only tier-iron! Yet he''d completely resisted the spell''s effects?


    That was a first.


    "No wonder you managed to kill one of my academy''s students... Seems you''re special. That just makes you a better specimen for my collection," Gunn muttered darkly.


    Since Disturbance had failed, blood energy surged around his staff, morphing it into a massive crimson blade, which he brought down upon Alan.


    The wave of blood energy dyed the surroundings a horrifying red.


    Alan gripped his longsword tightly and launched into the air with a powerful leap. He met the attack head-on, his Blade Spirit slicing through the tainted air like a purifying force¡ªrestoring it to its natural state.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    Sword and blood-blade collided again and again, sparks flying like falling stars.


    The two exchanged dozens of blows in rapid succession, yet neither could gain the upper hand.


    But Alan''s solid foundation and mastery of Blade Spirit were starting to give him a slight edge.


    Gunn felt the tremors through his arms and began to frown.


    He''d thought this would be easy¡ªbut this guy was nothing like he expected.


    He couldn''t even land a decisive blow!


    "Blood Mirror Spell!"


    Gunn suddenly disengaged with a burst of force and leapt backward.


    In front of him, blood energy swirled and solidified into a massive crimson mirror several meters tall. Ancient blood runes writhed around its surface, and eerie whispers filled the air.


    Alan''s heart skipped a beat. He sensed danger.


    He looked up¡ªand saw his own reflection slowly form on the surface of the mirror.


    The next moment, the whispering voice let out a sinister laugh. A pair of blood-red hands tore through the mirror''s surface, and a crimson doppelg?nger of Alan lunged out at him.


    Its skin was stained red, and its aura was nearly as strong as Gunn''s¡ªtier-bronze peak.


    "Not many can say they''ve died to my Blood Mirror Spell," Gunn said with a wicked smirk. "Consider it an honor."


    Then, he and the blood clone charged toward Alan¡ªtogether.

 Chapter 513 - Chapter69-Krom’s Assassination Attempt

    Out on a wide plain¡ª


    As Gunn and the blood-red doppelg?nger lunged at Alan, he reacted instantly. Rather than retreat, he surged forward with incredible speed, his staff-sword glowing with dazzling brilliance. The powerful Blade Spirit erupted from his body, sharpening even the air itself.


    Gunn and the crimson clone attacked from either side, like two killers working in perfect sync.


    But Alan completely ignored the blood-shadow and charged straight at Gunn with a single, lethal strike.


    Gunn met him head-on with his massive blood-forged blade, his expression growing darker by the second. The blood clone was a projection of Alan himself, holding peak tier-bronze power. Yet Alan treated it as nothing¡ªthis was pure suicide!


    Or so Gunn thought.


    Just as the blood-shadow readied its strike, a burst of razor-sharp wind blades exploded from around Alan, catching Gunn off guard. His body was instantly covered in bloody gashes!


    The blood-shadow, fearless and under Gunn''s control, ignored the wind blades and went for a trade of injury for injury. But hidden within those wind blades was searing fire, which ignited the clone in an instant!


    The blood-shadow''s form quickly withered under the blaze.


    Already wounded, Gunn was hit by the backlash and spat blood as he was blown backward.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    At that moment, dozens of other Lioncrest Academy students finally arrived¡ªand seeing their senior Gunn injured, they roared with fury and charged at Alan.


    Fort snorted coldly and launched himself into battle. With every step, golden light burst around him, making his body heavier and the earth tremble beneath his feet.


    Alan joined in as well.


    He wasn''t afraid of duels¡ªand he wasn''t afraid of brawls either.


    Just then, Francis arrived, looking over the thirty-plus students.


    "Can I start killing these guys too?" he asked.


    Alan sneered. "So they get to try killing us, and we''re just supposed to stand there? Hell no, hit ''em back twice as hard!"


    The battlefield exploded in violence. The entire plain became a chaotic storm of magic. Craters tore through the earth as spells erupted.


    Alan, Fort, and Francis were all incredibly strong.


    But to be fair, so were the Lioncrest students¡ªnone of them were weaklings.


    Still, Alan''s group slowly gained the upper hand.


    In just a few dozen heartbeats, many of the Lioncrest mages were wounded or downed.


    Just as Alan was about to strike down another enemy, Gunn suddenly reappeared, wielding his bloody blade to intercept Alan''s sword.


    His face was deadly serious now.


    From their first clash, he had realized¡ªno matter how many of them there were, they couldn''t defeat Alan''s team.


    Alan wasn''t just strong¡ªhe was a hidden master.


    What shocked Gunn even more was Alan''s precise control over elements and his extraordinary mental fortitude. Without such qualities, Gunn would never have dared push his blood-shadow so recklessly.


    "Fall back! Leave them to me!" Gunn ordered after blocking Alan''s sword.


    "This time, we underestimated you. But there won''t be a next time."


    Without hesitation, he activated Bloodburn¡ªhis ultimate ability.


    His body instantly shriveled, skin clinging tightly to bone, like a walking corpse. But in return, his power surged to near tier-gold levels.


    The other Lioncrest students stared in shock.


    Bloodburn!


    Gunn''s strongest conjuration spell.


    He raised his hand, and three massive blood mirrors formed in front of Alan''s group. From each one, a blood-clone emerged¡ªone for each of them¡ªradiating power just shy of tier-gold.


    Gunn knew Alan''s team was strong. That''s why he went all-in.


    "This ends here¡ªone of us dies today!" he roared.


    The blood-clones surged forward, launching devastating attacks.


    Even Alan, Fort, and Francis began to show signs of injury under the onslaught. The clones were incredibly powerful¡ªalmost equal to the originals.


    But Gunn had pushed himself too far. With his blood drained and life force expended, his body eventually gave out.


    He collapsed like a desiccated husk¡ªlifeless.


    With Gunn''s death, the blood projections vanished into thin air.


    "Senior Gunn!!" the remaining Lioncrest students cried out. Their eyes turned bloodshot with rage.


    "Kill them! Avenge Senior Gunn!"


    Francis clutched a fresh wound on his chest and shook his head.


    "They''re acting like they''re the victims. We were the ones attacked first!"


    He looked over at Alan and Fort. They were both slightly wounded¡ªbut already healing at an unbelievable rate.


    "What kind of monsters are they?" he muttered, mouth twitching.


    Fort stared at Alan in disbelief.


    He possessed the Sharp Metal Bloodline, known for its powerful body and incredible regeneration.


    But Alan was clearly a magus.


    Aren''t magi supposed to be frail in body and powerful in mind?


    Just then, a sharp whoosh split the air.


    A massive figure descended onto the battlefield, bringing an overwhelming pressure with him.


    Alan immediately recognized the man¡ªit was Krom, Chief of the Lioncrest Academy Battle Department.


    He''d been alarmed into action.


    Which made sense, considering how many students had died. Lioncrest Academy couldn''t just sit back.


    Krom glared at Alan, veins bulging on his forehead.


    "You think you can kill so many of our students and walk away unpunished?!"


    Alan stared him down, fearless.


    "Unpunished? Your academy''s students can try to kill us whenever they want, but we can''t fight back? What, is Sirius Academy out of mages now? Had to send an old fossil like you to do the dirty work?"


    Krom snorted. "Don''t think rules will protect you!"


    "Today, you die!"


    He raised a hand, and freezing mist burst from him, layers of mutated ice element rapidly expanding outward.


    Alan winced as if stabbed by countless icy needles.


    There was nowhere to hide.


    But just then, a calm, icy voice rang out.


    "Krom, have you lost your damn mind? You''re a senior¡ªattacking juniors?"


    Gayle had arrived.


    A tide of elemental energy erupted from him, sweeping away the cold in an instant and slamming into Krom''s body.


    Boom!


    Krom was blasted backward, coughing blood.


    He stared in utter shock.


    He knew Gayle was strong¡ªbut this strong?


    Gayle had taken him down in one blow.


    Francis swallowed hard.


    "Damn... This old gourd¡ªour headmaster¡ªis a real monster."


    Even Alan was surprised.


    Gayle usually stayed under the radar¡ªbut he''d just crushed Lioncrest''s Battle Chief like swatting a fly.


    "Sirius Academy still exists because I still draw breath," Gayle said coldly, staring down at the injured Krom.


    "If you dare touch my students again, I promise not a single Lioncrest student will live to tell the tale."


    "Try me. I don''t care. They''re just students. Kill one batch, I''ll find another."


    Alan, Fort, and Francis all glanced at each other.


    This guy didn''t act like any headmaster they''d ever seen.


    Francis muttered, "He really needs someone to beat the arrogance out of him¡­"


    Alan smirked. "You go first."


    Francis immediately shook his head. "No way. I went first last time!"


    Alan rolled his eyes. "Think about it. Gayle''s on a whole different level. Even if we team up, we wouldn''t last five seconds. We''d just be humiliating ourselves."


    Francis sighed. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Untouchable.


    Totally untouchable.


    That old gourd was terrifying.


    Then, Gayle glanced at them and said, "We''re leaving."


    Francis and Fort started to follow him.


    But Alan suddenly called out, "Wait¡ªwe haven''t looted the battlefield yet."


    Everyone froze.


    Then they watched as Alan casually strolled over to Gunn''s dried-out corpse and began rifling through it, muttering,


    "This guy was no pushover. He''s bound to have some good stuff."


    Francis and Fort stared, dumbfounded.


    Francis couldn''t help but comment, "Looting corpses in front of the Lioncrest Chief? That''s not just heartless¡ªit''s downright low."


    Alan shot him a look. "What, you think dignity puts food on the table?"


    Francis was speechless.


    Alan ignored him and grabbed all the gold coin pouches and staffs from the fallen students.


    They were Lioncrest students¡ªeverything on them was high-grade. Easy to sell.


    With both hands full, Alan looked over at the others.


    "Hey, come help out!"


    "No way. That''s beneath me. I have standards," Francis scoffed.


    Fort nodded. "I''m the top genius. This kind of grunt work is for underlings."


    Alan sighed dramatically.


    "Fine. You two are better than us lowlifes. But don''t expect any grilled meat tonight."


    The two of them groaned and reluctantly came over to help.


    The remaining Lioncrest students stood there, frozen. Some tried to move, but the moment they remembered Alan''s brutality, they froze mid-step.


    "You better remember this!" Krom spat, face dark with rage. "I''ll pay you back for this¡ªten times over!"


    But with Gayle still present, he could only throw out threats and leave with the rest of the students in humiliation.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile¡ª


    News of Alan slaying Lioncrest Academy students in the streets spread through the capital like wildfire.


    "This Alan guy is insane. He killed Lioncrest students in public!"


    "He just joined Sirius Academy and already caused this much chaos¡­ Could this mean Sirius Academy is making a comeback?"


    Everyone was talking.


    Inside the royal palace of the Plantagenet Kingdom, a richly dressed middle-aged man read a secret letter. Amusement flickered in his eyes.


    "According to the Third Prince''s report, this Alan is the same boy who stood off against the Barton Kingdom in Ironblood City."


    "To kill Lioncrest students in the street... his personality really is something else."


    From the back of the throne room, a soft female voice chimed in¡ª


    "I''ve already completed the investigation on Alan."


    "He''s from House Roan, a minor noble family in the Northern District. Orphaned young, raised his sister alone. Made notable contributions in House Roan, but was discarded afterward. Now he''s in the capital, trying to get treatment for his sister''s illness."


    "Oh? Tell me something I don''t know," the man said with interest, turning to the voice.


    A woman stepped forward¡ªmissing an arm, a blood-red scar marking her forehead like a bleeding wound.


    "I have two pieces of information Your Majesty may find especially intriguing. First, Alice Duke holds Alan in very high regard. Second, Alan had a major conflict with the Church of Steam and Magic aboard the Charlie No.1 train¡ªbut emerged unscathed. The Church has kept the incident very quiet."


    King Charles XXVI nodded.


    "Why do you think Alice Duke values him so much?"


    "I suspect it''s related to Ironblood City¡ªand more importantly, his talent. He''s a magus. How many years has it been since the last magus appeared in the kingdom?"


    "True. Alice Duke is a man of loyalty. His bond with his sister, his stand in Ironblood City... all of it points to a man of principle."


    "Rare indeed in this age."


    Charles sighed.


    After a moment of silence, he carved several bold runes into a golden insignia.


    On the back, the word Duke was inscribed.


    "You''re giving him the same treatment as Alice Duke?" the woman asked.


    Charles XXVI nodded. Then he smiled.


    "And you don''t seem to oppose the idea."


    "I trust Alice Duke''s judgment," she said calmly. "Right now, he''s the only one with a chance of stirring this stagnant capital."


    "Good," Charles said. "Then I''ll leave this Duke''s Token in your care¡ªdeliver it to Alan."

 Chapter 514 - Chapter70-A Sword to Split Mountains

    Inside Sirius Academy¡ª


    Gayle walked in, holding a bottle of tequila. As he approached the group gathered around a fire, feasting on roasted meat, he made his way directly to Alan''s side.


    "What happened today¡­ was a bit too impulsive."


    Still tending the meat, Alan replied without looking up,


    "Strike hard with the first punch, and you won''t need a hundred more later. People naturally prey on the weak¡ªLioncrest Academy even more so. The only way to make them back off is to make them hurt, make them fear. If not, they''ll keep pushing."


    Gayle said nothing.


    Francis quietly continued eating, while Fort nodded in agreement.


    "People aren''t so different from beasts. In the jungle, if you don''t kill the predators, the predators will eat you. The only way to survive is to strike first¡ªor become strong enough that no one dares come close."


    He glanced at Alan and grinned.


    "Besides, today''s fight was damn satisfying!"


    Francis chimed in, clearly still fuming. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yeah! Those Lioncrest guys act like they''re the gods of the world. What the hell makes them so smug?"


    Gayle gave them a look.


    "If you all think it was the right call, then rest up and recover. Tonight¡ªmeet me at the mountaintop."


    With that, he turned and left.


    Blanche rubbed her belly and pointed at her mouth.


    "I''m still hungry!"


    Alan glanced at the big eater.


    "I figured as much. I saved some just for you."


    Blanche''s eyes lit up, and she teased,


    "Thanks! If you weren''t gay, I might actually be falling for you!"


    Alan: "¡­"


    Soon after, the group finished their meal and dispersed.


    Alan stayed behind, cleaning up with his sister Isabella. But suddenly, his senses tingled¡ªhe turned his head and saw, standing behind him as if from nowhere, a woman.


    She was missing one arm, and a glowing crimson scar pulsed on her forehead¡ªits eerie movement putting Alan instantly on guard.


    "Shall we talk outside?" the woman asked calmly.


    Alan sensed no hostility¡ªonly unfathomable depth in her presence. He nodded.


    She led him to the front steps of the hall.


    There, under the warm sunlight, she pulled out a golden token and handed it to him.


    "This is a royal gift from His Majesty. From this moment on, you are the new Duke of the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    ¡­What?


    Me?


    A Duke?


    Alan couldn''t believe his ears.


    A Duke, while perhaps mostly honorary, ranked just beneath the royal family¡ªabove countless others. The privileges it entailed were unimaginable.


    How the hell did I become a Duke?


    "Senior¡­ I can''t accept this," Alan said, pushing it back. "I haven''t earned such a title."


    Though it would be a massive advantage, Alan knew this title wasn''t something he could take lightly¡ªnot yet. Not while he still stood in Alice Duke''s shadow.


    "His Majesty was very impressed by your actions in Ironblood City," she said.


    "Just for that?" Alan frowned. "That was ages ago. And even then, it wasn''t worth royal recognition."


    "¡­Is this because I killed Lioncrest students? Is the king using me to balance them out¡ªgiving me this title as a political tool?"


    The woman met his eyes¡ªneither confirming nor denying it.


    Alan spoke seriously,


    "I don''t want to be anyone''s chess piece."


    The woman replied evenly,


    "The moment you chose to join Sirius Academy and stand against Lioncrest Academy, you were already swept into the storm. Whether you wanted to be or not¡ªit''s to the death now. And yes, we like that. But you''re right¡ªthe Duke title is more than politics."


    "You still have loyalty in your heart. You love this kingdom. Many born within it¡­ no longer do."


    She placed the token in Alan''s hand.


    "As Duke, you''ll receive the best treatment and support in any corner of the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    Then she turned and left.


    ¡­


    Outside the valley, Gayle was already waiting when she emerged.


    "Headmaster Gayle," the woman greeted with a slight bow.


    Gayle didn''t reply.


    After a pause, she spoke again.


    "You understand our intent. Yes, there''s some maneuvering involved¡ªbut we''re also helping him. It''s mutual benefit. There''s no malice."


    Gayle sighed.


    "Being a Duke is like becoming a full moon¡ªfar too conspicuous. Alan isn''t ready for that kind of attention."


    The woman nodded.


    "Then we''ll go with whatever Headmaster Gayle advises."


    ¡­


    Later that night, under the dim moonlight¡ª


    Alan, Francis, and Fort climbed to the mountaintop together.


    Gayle and Blanche were already there.


    "Hey, you shrim¡ªahem, Headmaster Gayle. What are we doing here this late?" Francis asked.


    Gayle smiled cryptically.


    "Why, I''m here to teach you a few killer techniques, of course."


    "Really?!" Francis''s eyes lit up.


    He''d enrolled in the academy to hone his skills and master his magic¡ªfinally, this mysterious old man was showing signs of actually being a teacher.


    But just as he finished speaking, Gayle whistled.


    The sharp sound echoed, and a moment later, the forest rustled¡ªand a massive, ferocious tiger leapt into view.


    It was enormous, like a walking fortress. Its fangs gleamed with lethal menace.


    "A tier-gold saber-tooth tiger?!" Francis yelped.


    Gayle nodded, then waved his hand.


    The tiger roared, shaking the trees¡ªand lunged straight at Francis.


    Its speed and explosive strength were terrifying. In an instant, it was right in front of him.


    A huge shadow of death fell over Francis.


    "Damn it, you old midget¡ªare you trying to kill me?!"


    Francis cursed as he activated his gravity element, lightening himself and narrowly dodging the beast''s jaws.


    A second slower and he would''ve been swallowed whole!


    The tiger roared again and charged after him.


    Though Francis could temporarily dodge with his gravity magic, the saber-tooth was a spellbeast with immense mana and a monstrous body. In a drawn-out fight, Francis would lose.


    Fort looked on, unmoved.


    He''d grown up fighting spellbeasts daily in the jungle.


    But just as he relaxed, a golden seal shot from Gayle''s palm and wrapped Fort in glowing chains.


    His powerful Sharp Metal Bloodline and all his mana vanished¡ªsealed away.


    Gayle then yanked him by the legs and hurled him into a nearby deep lake.


    Splash!


    The lake looked calm, but under the surface, it was a raging vortex.


    Without his bloodline and mana, Fort was just a strong normal human¡ªand the currents battered him mercilessly.


    Alan winced just watching.


    Then Gayle turned to him.


    "Your foundation is solid¡ªpossibly on par with Duke Alice. You don''t need basic training¡­"


    Alan smiled humbly.


    "So we''ll try a different method," Gayle said, grinning with clear mischief.


    He led Alan to the ruins of an old Sirius Academy fortress.


    It was a massive wall, built from steel and stone. Though timeworn, it still loomed like an unshakable mountain.


    "You''ve grasped Blade Spirit. Let''s see you slice this wall in two."


    "¡­What?"


    Alan stared, baffled.


    There was no way he could even scratch that wall, let alone split it.


    "Oh, and use one of these wooden swords," Gayle added. "And if you can''t break it¡­ leave. Take your sister and go. Sirius Academy doesn''t train mediocrities."


    He handed over a few wooden training swords.


    Alan wanted to protest¡ªbut when he thought of Isabella, he bit his tongue.


    He took the sword, stepped forward, and began swinging.


    Again and again, he slashed at the wall.


    His Blade Spirit shone¡ªbut the wooden sword only left faint white marks on the iron.


    Nowhere near enough to even dent the structure.

 Chapter 515 - Chapter71-Lioncrest Academy Challenges Again

    Split the wall in two with a wooden sword?!


    That was something Alan had never even considered¡ªno matter how he looked at it, it seemed completely impossible.


    But for his sister, he had to try.


    Right now, only Headmaster Gayle could stabilize Isabella''s mysterious illness.


    And since he had completely fallen out with Lioncrest Academy, leaving Sirius now would surely mean being hunted down mercilessly.


    So Alan focused everything he had into swinging that wooden sword.


    Strike after strike, endlessly slashing forward!


    Though the sword energy was weak, and his arms were quickly becoming sore and drenched in sweat, he did not stop.


    If Gayle gave him this task, it must be possible.


    He simply hadn''t figured out the right technique yet¡ªor perhaps he still hadn''t fully grasped the essence of Blade Spirit.


    ¡­


    While Alan immersed himself in relentless sword practice, Blanche appeared beside Gayle, looking toward Alan''s silhouette with a slight shake of her head.


    "You should''ve just let them go."


    "Whether it''s this training or the responsibility you''ve given them¡ªit''s not fair."


    Gayle remained expressionless, replying calmly,


    "Their fates were already tragic. Meeting me might not be lucky, but it at least gives them another path. Otherwise, their futures would''ve been even worse."


    He glanced over at Alan and the others and added quietly,


    "They''ve accepted being Sirius students. Since that''s the case, I won''t abandon them. Bleed less later by sweating more now."


    With that, he turned and left.


    Blanche continued watching Alan.


    He seemed possessed¡ªthe way his wooden sword swung faster and faster, the sword energy sharper and more intense with each strike.


    After a while, she took a deep breath and walked away.


    Gayle''s methods were harsh and unorthodox, but their current battle with Lioncrest Academy was deadly. If they didn''t suffer now, they''d end up as corpses hanging beneath the Sky Ladder a year and a half from now.


    After Blanche left, Alan''s sword arm, having swung countless times, was so sore it could barely rise.


    "Senior... is this really an effective way to improve?" he asked aloud¡ªhoping for a reply from the black-robed woman in his mind.


    But no voice answered.


    With no choice, Alan kept swinging.


    Each strike sent pain deep into his bones; his muscles screamed in agony.


    And so, the brutal training continued through the entire night.


    By dawn, Alan was thoroughly drained. His mana and mind power were nearly exhausted.


    Nearby, Francis and Fort were in equally terrible shape.


    Gayle finally approached, handing Alan a small bottle of potion.


    "Use it externally. It''ll help your body recover."


    Alan gratefully accepted it and was about to apply it¡ªwhen Isabella came running over.


    "Brother, let me help you," she said gently, her eyes full of worry.


    Seeing Alan like this always reminded her of how he used to come home from battle, bloody and battered.


    "I can do it," Alan said. He didn''t want her to worry.


    But Isabella gave a playful smile.


    "Come on, why so formal with your sister?"


    Alan gave in, closing his eyes and quietly meditating as he pondered sword angles and force.


    Isabella, ever gentle, warmed the potion in her palms before carefully massaging it onto his arms.


    Just then, Francis staggered over on shaking legs¡ªonly to see Alan getting pampered by his sister.


    He immediately felt intense jealousy.


    Fort also climbed out of the lake, his whole body wrinkled and blistered like he''d been boiled alive. Every part of him ached, but he knew if he didn''t move now, it would only get worse later.


    "I wish I had a sweet little sister too..." Fort muttered wistfully.


    It was clear now why Alan treasured Isabella so deeply. With someone like her caring for you, how could you not love her?


    As they watched in envy, Gayle casually tossed the potion bottles to them.


    "External use. Good for your body," he said, then turned and left.


    Despite their exhaustion, Francis and Fort forced themselves to apply the medicine.


    Francis focused on his legs¡ªafter fleeing from a tier-gold saber-tooth tiger using maxed-out gravity spells, his legs were raw and worn to the bone.


    Fort, after enduring chaotic underwater currents for hours, felt like iron that had been through a thousand hammer strikes.


    But the moment the potion touched their skin¡ª


    Aaaaaaagh!!


    They both screamed like pigs being slaughtered.


    "WHAT THE HELL IS IN THIS STUFF?!" Francis howled.


    It felt like acid was melting their flesh and seeping into their bones!


    Even Fort couldn''t hold back his trembling.


    The pain was insane.


    Gayle, clearly expecting their reaction, was already gone.


    Francis turned desperately to Alan.


    "Wait a second¡­ Why does he look so relaxed?!"


    Fort stared too.


    "His pain tolerance is god-level or something?!"


    Alan, eyes still closed, opened one and glared.


    "If you''ve got nothing useful to say, shut it. My medicine was made by Isabella¡ªgentle and effective."


    He gave his sister a proud glance.


    Back at House Roan, her potions were what had kept him alive through years of bloody warfare.


    The two instantly lit up.


    Like simps, they scooted over to Isabella.


    Francis went first. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hey, best little sister ever~ wanna share some with us? We''re your brother''s friends, right?"


    Fort was more direct.


    "Honestly, I wouldn''t mind becoming your half-brother. No pressure."


    Isabella: "¡­"


    After applying their medicine, the group returned to the great hall and gathered around the table¡ªwatching hungrily as Isabella prepared roasted meat.


    They had all been deep in training lately, and cooking duties fell to Isabella.


    Which only made them envy Alan more.


    She always gave Alan the best meat first¡ªand no one dared complain.


    Soon, the fire crackled and the delicious aroma of roast meat filled the air.


    Right on cue, Gayle arrived, sniffing the air and seating himself at the table.


    He glanced at the trio.


    "You lot stay in the valley for now. Focus on training."


    Francis immediately protested.


    "What?! You already torture us physically¡ªnow you''re limiting our freedom too?! That''s abuse!"


    Gayle replied blandly,


    "You''re free to go, of course. But right now, the entire valley is surrounded by Lioncrest Academy students¡ªhere to avenge Gunn. If they tear you limb from limb, don''t expect me to help."


    Francis shut up instantly.


    Gunn hadn''t known their strength before and got wrecked. Now that the Lioncrest students knew, any group bold enough to surround the valley wouldn''t be pushovers.


    Francis might handle one or two¡­ but a dozen? Twenty?


    Suicide.


    After lunch, the trio returned to their training.


    Back before the massive wall, Alan kept swinging his wooden sword.


    He could feel his Blade Spirit growing stronger, and even gained new insights into its nature.


    According to the black-robed woman, although he''d awakened Blade Spirit, he''d skipped over the foundational steps.


    Now, he was finally catching up¡ªone swing at a time.


    And once he mastered it completely¡­


    Splitting the wall might no longer be a dream.

 Chapter 516 - Chapter72-Ambush! Lioncrest Academy’s Underhanded Move

    Meanwhile¡ª


    Outside the valley, the gathered students from Lioncrest Academy, who had been waiting for Alan and the others, were starting to grow impatient.


    "I bet they''re too scared to come out now."


    "I heard they''ve been stocking up on supplies. At this rate, we''re just wasting our time!"


    "Exactly. When are we finally going to avenge Senior Gunn?"


    The students began chattering among themselves.


    Their gazes gradually shifted toward the very front of the group, where a slim young man stood, leaning on a staff.


    He was Borg, one of the five prodigies of the External Affairs Department¡ªand the leader of this revenge mission.


    Hearing the murmurs behind him, Borg narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, walking toward the valley.


    He had run out of patience.


    This disgrace had to be washed away¡ªwith the blood of Alan and his companions.


    "Everyone, move out. If they won''t come to us, then we''ll go to them!"


    Hearing this, the other students immediately followed.


    "Don''t underestimate Alan''s group. They''re not as weak as you think. This time, we''re wiping them out for good."


    Everyone nodded in agreement.


    "They caught Senior Gunn off guard last time. But this time, we''re ready."


    "They won''t get another chance."


    As they entered the valley, Isabella saw them from afar. Her heart skipped a beat, and she rushed off to find Gayle.


    When she found him, Gayle simply gave her a reassuring look.


    At that moment, Borg and his group arrived, spotting Gayle inside the grand hall. Borg called out:


    "I am Borg, here to challenge the students of Sirius Academy!"


    "This match will determine not just superiority¡ªbut life and death!"


    Lioncrest Academy''s reputation had been tarnished, and they intended to reclaim it through Alan and the others.


    "Very well. Go ahead," Gayle replied calmly.


    Borg exhaled in relief¡ªthen charged forward with murderous intent.


    Today, they would avenge Gunn and restore Lioncrest Academy''s honor.


    "Headmaster Gayle, they all seem really strong¡­ I think my brother might be in danger!"


    Gayle gently reassured her:


    "Your brother and the others are not ordinary. They''re not weaker than those students."


    "Stay here with me. They¡­ will be fine."


    Isabella nodded obediently.


    She didn''t go up the mountain¡ªshe knew she wouldn''t be any help to her brother and might even become a distraction.


    Waiting here was the best option.


    "Then I''ll prepare some healing potions for them," she said with a sigh before returning to her room.


    But after she left, a strange figure appeared.


    An elderly man with white hair, clad in a silver robe, holding a staff¡ªstepped into view.


    His expression was solemn, almost divine in his cold demeanor.


    With his arrival, the very air seemed to grow brighter and heavier, the atmosphere tense and oppressive.


    He was none other than Stephen, Headmaster of Lioncrest Academy¡ª


    the most powerful mage in all of the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    He glanced at the disheveled, drunken Gayle and said:


    "It''s been a while. You haven''t changed much."


    "You, on the other hand, seem even more authoritative."


    "Why do you cling so stubbornly to this? One Lioncrest Academy is more than enough for the kingdom."


    Gayle replied coolly:


    "Isn''t that what you wanted? The number one academy in Plantagenet Kingdom¡ªyou certainly have the title."


    Stephen continued:


    "You shouldn''t place your hopes on those three. No matter what you do, it''ll all be for nothing. They''ll only become proof of your failure¡ªcorpses lying at your feet."


    Gayle didn''t argue. He simply said:


    "Time will tell."


    "Stubborn fool. Then one year from now, we''ll see who''s right."


    Atop the mountain.


    Alan suddenly paused his wooden sword training, sensing something. He looked forward.


    Seeing the approaching Lioncrest Academy students, his expression turned surprised.


    Francis and Fort sensed the disturbance too and quickly gathered near Alan.


    "That shorty just let you stroll up here?" Fort asked in disbelief.


    Borg replied calmly:


    "We''re all students, even if from rival academies. A year and a half from now, we''ll be enemies in a life-and-death battle. There''s no reason he would refuse an early match."


    Alan understood now¡ªHeadmaster Gayle had let them in intentionally.


    To him, they were touchstones, tests for Alan''s group.


    Though Alan didn''t know the full story of the long-standing feud between the two academies, he was a student of Sirius Academy now.


    And that meant choosing a side.


    He had no personal grudges against these opponents, but for his own survival and gain¡ª


    he would have to fight them with everything he had.


    "I don''t want it said that Lioncrest Academy used dirty tactics. Three vs. three¡ªa life-or-death duel!"


    Alan exchanged glances with Francis and Fort. They stood firmly by his side.


    Behind Borg, two other students stepped forward.


    One held a black staff, his skin dark and rugged like forged iron, radiating a fierce, battle-hardened aura.


    The other was wreathed in wind element, light and swift like a soaring bird.


    Seeing them, Alan''s heart sank.


    He could feel a venomous danger from them¡ªlike staring into the eyes of snakes.


    They were just as deep and unfathomable as Borg himself.


    Moreover, their specialties mirrored those of Francis and Fort.


    It was clear¡ªLioncrest Academy was taking this seriously. They hadn''t sent in average students for Alan''s group to gain fame¡ªthey sent killers.


    "These guys aren''t pushovers," Francis and Fort muttered, their expressions turning grim.


    Just then, the dark-skinned young man stepped forward and fixed his gaze on Fort.


    "Heard you''re pretty talented. Let''s see how long you can last against me."


    He was cocky, with arrogance etched into his bones.


    "I just hope you''re still that smug when you''re face-down in the dirt," Fort scoffed.


    The young man sneered.


    "Keep dreaming. Remember my name¡ªBolt. It''ll be the one to send you to hell."


    Suddenly, a terrifying aura erupted from him¡ªlike a flood of iron crushing the earth beneath him.


    Tier: Gold Mage.


    Feeling the pressure, Fort''s face turned grim.


    To reach Gold Tier at such a young age¡­


    Lioncrest Academy truly lived up to its reputation, drawing in the top talents of the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    In many remote regions, a single Gold Mage could dominate an entire territory. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even Fort, often praised as the kingdom''s number one prodigy, felt immense pressure now.


    On the other side, the wind-shrouded youth looked at Francis with interest.


    "A rare gravity element¡­ interesting. You''re worth fighting¡ªbut your tier''s too low."


    Francis narrowed his eyes.


    "You think you''re better than me? I fought Duke Alice and lived to tell the tale."


    That seemed to catch the wind mage''s attention.


    A chilling breeze spread out, cutting like invisible blades in the air¡ª


    cold and relentless as winter itself.


    Another Gold Mage.


    Francis''s eyelids twitched.


    "What the hell¡ªhow are Gold Mages this common? Are they handing them out like cabbages?"


    But having already talked big, Francis straightened up and said:


    "I don''t fight nameless nobodies. Who are you?"


    The youth replied:


    "They call me the Windchaser¡ªAesop."


    Francis bared his teeth.


    "Good. After today, they''ll be calling you Aesop the Floor Hugger."


    As Francis faced off against Aesop, and Fort against Bolt, Alan shifted his gaze away.


    The two from Lioncrest were strong, not just in tier but experience.


    Francis and Fort were outmatched in raw tier.


    And given their elite background, these two likely had no weaknesses.


    Francis and Fort were in real danger.


    "Still worried about them?" came Borg''s voice, sneering.


    "Better worry about yourself¡ªand treasure your final moments."


    Borg unleashed a dominating Gold-tier pressure of his own.


    This time, Lioncrest Academy had sent its elite, giving Alan''s team no chance of survival.


    In an instant, all three duels were on the verge of exploding into battle!

 Chapter 517 - Chapter73-Breakthrough – Tier-Bronze!

    Atop the mountain, Alan gripped his staff-sword tightly, unleashing the fierce power of [Blade Spirit] as he clashed head-on with Borg.


    Bolt, wielding a dragon-engraved staff like a heavy rod, swept through the air with explosive force. The staff, imbued with dense earth elemental energy, grew even heavier, delivering immense power with each swing.


    But as his brute-force strike collided with the gleaming arc of Alan''s sword, the thick earth energy surrounding the staff was sliced clean through, emitting a shrill metallic screech.


    Alan stood as firm as a mountain, while Borg was pushed back several steps, the staff trembling slightly in his hands, his expression turning serious.


    That strike had been more of a test than a full assault, but even so, Alan''s explosive power had surprised him. Particularly Alan''s control over [Blade Spirit]¡ªits cutting edge felt as if it could cleave mountains and rivers.


    Stomping heavily to stabilize himself, Borg triggered a spell¡ªfrom beneath his feet, earthen energy crept up his body, encasing him in an unbreakable armor of stone, with swirling yellow sand surrounding him. A weighty, oppressive aura spread outward.


    Then, with a rumble, he charged at Alan again, the ground trembling with each step.


    Earth. Fire. Wind. Water.


    Among the four elements, earth was known for its unparalleled defense and brute strength.


    Knowing Alan wasn''t easy prey, Borg activated his most powerful enhancement spell¡ª


    Earthbound Armor!


    Alan''s eyes narrowed. As Borg thundered toward him like a rhino, Alan unleashed a powerful cross slash.


    The brutal impact struck Borg''s armored body, carving two deep gashes into the rocky plating and blasting up clouds of yellow mist. Borg''s advance was halted.


    But it was only the beginning.


    More sword strikes followed, raining down faster and fiercer, driving Borg back step by step!


    At the foot of the mountain, beside Gayle, Stephen narrowed his eyes, gazing through the void to watch the battle above. He couldn''t help but marvel:


    "This Alan is fascinating. At such a young age, he''s already mastered [Blade Spirit]. His foundation and combat instincts are top-tier¡ªeven in our Battle Department, he''d rank among the best."


    "A pity he slipped through our fingers."


    "Still, the geniuses of the Plantagenet Kingdom all come from Lioncrest Academy. Anyone who doesn''t make it into our ranks¡­ will amount to nothing more than a corpse."


    Gayle snorted coldly.


    "So all geniuses who don''t join Lioncrest are doomed to die horribly?"


    Stephen replied indifferently:


    "You''re either a friend or an enemy. That''s the way of the world. I''ll admit¡ªyou''re quite resourceful to have gathered three such talented youths. But unfortunately, they chose to follow you."


    Gayle scoffed.


    "You were the ones who dismissed Alan as trash. You rejected him."


    Stephen sneered:


    "It''s just Alan. We''ll miss one wave of talent only to harvest another. Talents like him are just crops¡ªwe reap them over and over.


    And besides¡­ Alan won''t survive for long."


    Gayle simply stared at him.


    Once, Sirius Academy had also been prideful¡ªfar more so than today''s Lioncrest.


    But times had changed. Now, the entire Plantagenet Kingdom no longer revered Sirius Academy. They laughed at it.


    ¡ª


    Back on the mountain, amidst a flurry of deadly sword strikes, Alan flashed forward, closed the gap, and brought down another fierce blow¡ª


    Borg''s Earthbound Armor shattered completely, crumbling into yellow fragments that scattered into the wind.


    Just as Alan prepared to follow up, a razor-sharp dagger suddenly pierced his back from behind!


    It was like a dragon''s fang¡ªrazor-thin, penetrating his clothes and stabbing into his flesh without resistance!


    Sensing this, Gayle''s expression turned furious. He glared at Stephen.


    "You dare set up a sneak attack?!"


    Stephen remained calm.


    "Victory is all that matters. All you need to know is that your three little seedlings¡ªwill be erased."


    Stephen turned to leave.


    But then¡ª


    The dagger melted into liquid, flowing into Alan''s body. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And in that instant, a surge of pure magic energy erupted from Alan''s staff¡ª


    his aura exploded upward!


    Tier-Bronze, Peak Stage!


    Stephen was shocked.


    He knew there were rare bloodlines in the world, but among the already rare magus, a bloodline wielder was even rarer.


    And if a magus possessed a special bloodline, they were utterly terrifying.


    At that moment¡ª


    Alan felt a complete transformation throughout his body.


    His internal magic power nearly tripled, and his mind power surged, breaking past former limits.


    His sensitivity to surrounding elemental forces sharpened to a razor''s edge.


    He could feel it¡ªif he struck again, all his spells and attacks would be many times stronger.


    Turning around, Alan saw the attacker¡ª


    A young man in a black robe, his entire body cloaked in shadow.


    A shadow assassin.


    Even with Alan''s enhanced spiritual senses, he hadn''t noticed his presence before.


    Even now, standing before him, the assassin was barely traceable to Alan''s mind''s eye.


    He was without question a prodigy possessing a rare bloodline, most likely the Shadow Body¡ªa legendary bloodline infamous in the assassin world.


    If not for Alan''s staff being a Hellscape staff, which devoured the attacker''s mutated dagger upon contact, Alan would have already been dead.


    Staring at Alan''s murderous eyes, the assassin was in disbelief.


    "Impossible! Where''s my Dragonfang Staff?!"


    That weapon had cost him his entire fortune, plus heavy support from Lioncrest Academy.


    Forged from the fang of a true dragon, it was deadly beyond measure and perfectly matched his bloodline''s strengths.


    And now¡ªit was gone.


    Alan''s fury boiled over. He spat:


    "Well, well¡­ a fair duel, huh? This is what Lioncrest Academy is proud of?"


    "Kill!"


    In that instant, Alan became a volcanic eruption, his rage shaking the surrounding magical energy across dozens of meters.


    A magus!


    A grand magus!


    Every Lioncrest Academy student present stared at him in terror.


    The shadow assassin was utterly shaken¡ª


    Magus were already rare, but a grand magus?


    As he reeled in disbelief, Alan struck¡ª


    One overwhelming sword slash sent him flying, a huge, bloody gash ripped across his chest.


    Whoosh!


    The sound of rushing wind¡ªAesop, who had been fighting Francis, zoomed in like a gust to block Alan''s follow-up attack, then retreated, putting distance between them.


    At that moment, Francis and Fort arrived at Alan''s side.


    Their conditions were dire.


    Francis''s clothes were in tatters, blood streaks from wind blades covering his body, turning him into a gruesome mess.


    Even Fort, with his sturdy metal-element body, was battered¡ªhis skin dented from punches, and the golden glow that usually shimmered over his form had dulled significantly.


    Alan''s heart sank.


    In contrast, Aesop and Bolt seemed nearly unscathed.


    Just then, Gayle''s short figure appeared, blocking Borg''s team from advancing.


    Stephen followed, stepping onto the scene.


    Gayle''s voice thundered:


    "You want them dead so badly? Then kill them right here in front of me!"


    Stephen squinted. He could tell¡ªGayle had reached his limit.


    If he dared make a move on the students now, Gayle would fight to the death.


    Stephen and the academy leadership wouldn''t suffer much¡ªbut the Lioncrest students here would be in real danger.


    So, he didn''t push further.


    He looked at Alan with a calculating expression.


    If it hadn''t been for Alan''s sudden transformation, he would already be dead.


    "Alan, is it? I''ll remember you.


    When the Sky Ladder arrives next year¡ªI''ll make sure to save you a spot."


    With that, he turned and left, leading the Lioncrest team away.


    Watching their backs, Gayle turned to Alan and the others.


    "Do you know who they were?"


    The trio looked at each other and shook their heads.


    Gayle gave a snort.


    "Borg¡ªtop of the External Affairs Department''s Five Prodigies.


    The Windchaser, Aesop.


    The Earthbinder, Bolt.


    They''re the three ''star students'' of Lioncrest Academy."


    "You should be grateful the third star didn''t show up. If all three had teamed up, you''d have been dead for sure."


    "And those two weren''t even fighting seriously yet. They were testing you.


    You, on the other hand, went all out."


    "The gap between you and them is still vast.


    If you don''t catch up¡ªif you don''t surpass them¡ªyou''ll be corpses in a year and a half."


    "One more thing¡ªthese three aren''t even Lioncrest''s top tier.


    The Dual Fangs of the Lioncrest, Eisen and Beatrice¡ªthey''re the truly terrifying ones.


    If the three of you fought them together, you''d have no chance."


    Alan and the others wore grim expressions.


    They knew Gayle wasn''t trying to intimidate them¡ª


    He was stating facts.


    Even with his breakthrough to tier-bronze, even with his strongest light sword spell, Alan only had a small chance of victory.


    Yet these were just "star students."


    They weren''t even the Dual Fangs.


    The pressure was crushing.


    Previously, their training under Gayle had felt like torment.


    Now, after today''s events, they finally understood:


    If they didn''t work hard, they would die.


    Possibly worse than that.


    The Dual Fangs of Lioncrest¡ªeach one a match for Duke Alice.


    Alan took a deep breath.


    He had once promised Gayle that if Isabella could be saved, he would do anything.


    Now, the grudge between Sirius and Lioncrest was something he had to carry.


    Not just for that old promise,


    but for his sister''s survival.


    One year and a half from now, when the duel comes¡ª


    He cannot lose.

 Chapter 518 - Chapter74-Let Me Out, and Ill Grant You Three Wishes

    After feeling immense pressure, the three of them each resumed their intense training following a brief recovery.


    Francis continued refining his gravity element, while Fort honed his physical body in the dark undercurrents.


    When Alan returned to the massive, fortified wall, he didn''t launch an attack immediately. Instead, he began attempting to condense his [Blade Spirit].


    Pierce a surface from a single point.


    This was a lesson Alan had learned during his battle with Borg.


    Moreover, after breaking through to tier-bronze, both the vastness and purity of his elemental mana had reached a new level, as had his control over the elements.


    He could now attempt more refined control over the [Blade Spirit].


    After all, Alan was still a magus.


    The strength of his mind power gave him a tremendous edge, even when utilizing techniques outside the typical magus path.


    After several attempts, Alan suddenly gripped his wooden sword tightly and unleashed another slash.


    This time, the blade light that flew from the sword was nearly half the size of the previous ones, yet its power had multiplied several times over!


    Upon striking the wall, it immediately carved a thumb-deep groove into the surface.


    Something he had never been able to achieve before!


    This approach worked!


    Encouraged, Alan continued refining his technique.


    The feeling of steadily growing stronger thrilled him.


    After all, most mages didn''t experience such earth-shattering change after advancing a tier!


    Before long, a thought occurred to Alan, and he glanced toward the longsword staff at his waist.


    After absorbing the dragonfang staff, the quality of the longsword staff had visibly improved. The blade''s surface now bore the faint image of a snarling dragon, radiating a subtle dragon aura.


    According to the black-robed woman, his newly reforged mana core was the staff.


    The stronger the staff, the greater his advantage.


    His strength and combat power would increase exponentially.


    He had managed to break through precisely because, after absorbing the dragonfang staff, his longsword staff had advanced to tier-bronze, allowing his tier to rise accordingly.


    With that in mind, Alan descended once again into Hell and looked up at the three unique staves that sealed the infernal realm.


    If he could absorb even one of these seemingly heaven-defying staves, it would undoubtedly bring unimaginable growth!


    Unfortunately, he wasn''t strong enough yet. If he could reach tier-gold and fly using elemental power, perhaps then he could get a closer look at these mysterious staves.


    Just as Alan was sighing with regret, the entire hellscape began to quake violently.


    Startled, Alan called out, "Senior?!"


    But the black-robed woman neither appeared nor replied.


    Looking down, he heard deafening banging sounds rising from below.


    It seemed that some massive creature was crashing against the seal, trying to break free from the lower layer of Hell!


    Even the eerie black vortex of Hell began to fracture with a dense pattern of cracks, like fish scales!


    No way¡­ Could the creature sealed in the lower layer be breaking out?!


    This was bad!


    Alan''s heart tightened, sweat beading on his forehead.


    This was Hell, after all!


    Every being here was a vicious and terrifying monstrosity.


    The ones sealed even deeper were undoubtedly worse¡ªferocious, horrifying, with seething resentment after all this time.


    If it learned that he was Hell''s new warden, it would probably rip him apart on the spot!


    Growing increasingly uneasy, Alan tried again: "Senior?!"


    But the dark, empty Hell remained silent. Only the ever-growing tremors and rumblings echoed through the abyss.


    "This won''t do¡ªI can''t stay here any longer!"


    Alan immediately resolved to leave this powder-keg of a place.


    But just then, the shaking stopped.


    The cracks on the vortex also ceased spreading, and everything calmed once more.


    Alan took a breath and called again, "Senior?"


    Still no answer.


    Then, his pupils suddenly contracted¡ªbecause he saw something.


    Amid the fractured vortex, a palm-sized piece of skin slowly floated upward.


    What was that¡­


    Alan held his breath and stared carefully.


    A clown face was imprinted on the scrap of skin.


    And at that moment, under Alan''s gaze, the clown''s mouth curved into a strange grin.


    "Let me out. I can grant you three wishes."


    "Let me out. I can grant you three wishes."


    The face kept repeating the line.


    Its voice carried an eerie, seductive power that made one''s mind feel unnaturally elated.


    But Alan didn''t believe this thing sealed in Hell''s depths was anything like a wish-granting genie.


    So he coughed lightly and cautiously said,


    "I¡­ I can''t really help with that right now. Maybe later?"


    The clown''s smile stiffened for a second but quickly resumed, whispering again:


    "Let me out, and I''ll give you endless mana, infinite wealth, and the power to control all things!"


    Alan replied, "Er¡­ I think I''ll pass. I''m actually pretty happy with life right now."


    This second rejection caused the smile to vanish completely. The face contorted with fury, and the skin scrap began to glow with an eerie dark green light, as if ignited by rage.


    A terrifying shockwave erupted from it, blasting Alan off his feet. His chest thudded with dull pain, his entire body numb and aching as if struck by a hammer!


    RUMBLE¡ª!


    The hellish realm, which had just calmed down, shook violently again. The world spun. A surge of malevolent, corrupted energy poured out of the crack, rushing straight toward Alan!


    But just then, the three staves suppressing Hell lightly trembled, radiating dazzling light.


    The evil energy rising from the abyss immediately dissolved like blood in boiling water, vanishing without a trace.


    The tremors in Hell also gradually subsided.


    Alan steadied his mind and exited Hell, finally relaxing a little. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That encounter had been terrifying beyond words!


    Had it not been for the three suppressing staves, he was sure he''d be dead already!


    "I have to find the seal that senior mentioned¡ªquickly!"


    If even the second layer of Hell was this horrifying, what unspeakable horrors awaited deeper down?


    Alan couldn''t even imagine.


    Should those monsters break free, he wouldn''t stand a chance. Just seeing one might be enough to make him explode on the spot!


    After composing himself, Alan spotted Isabella walking over.


    "Brother, are you okay? I got you a healing potion!" she said, her face full of concern as she handed him the vial.


    Alan smiled and shook his head. "I''m fine. In fact, this ended up being a blessing in disguise¡ªI''ve broken through to tier-bronze!"


    Though Isabella wasn''t a mage, she could still sense the new pressure Alan exuded. It was clearly stronger than before.


    "Wow! Brother, you''re amazing!" she beamed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.


    Just then, Headmaster Gayle walked up from the distance.


    "Alan, come with me," he said, turning to walk off.


    "Go on, Brother! I''ll make dinner for you two!" Isabella called out sweetly, waving as she headed back to the valley.


    Alan took a deep breath and followed.


    "You did well today," Gayle said. "But Lioncrest Academy won''t let this go. Right now, public opinion in the imperial capital is against them¡ªthey''ve suffered two defeats already."


    "If they come after you a third time, I doubt they''ll show any mercy. Lioncrest Academy cares a lot about its reputation."


    "That means your next opponents could very well be the Empire''s Twin Pillars."


    "Within Sirius Academy''s domain, they won''t dare make a move. But outside¡­ things may be different."


    Gayle''s voice was serious.


    Alan''s breath grew heavy.


    Then Gayle seemed to remember something and added, "If I recall correctly, you''ll be heading to Ironblood City in half a month, right? To enter the secret realm created by that forbidden magus?"


    Alan looked up and nodded.


    Gayle continued, "That magus''s secret realm is extremely rare. Very few have the qualifications to enter. From what I know, maybe only two or three others besides you. The fact that Duke Alice gave you the entry means she truly values you."

 Chapter 519 - Chapter75-Disturbance in the Second Layer of Hell

    Alan remained silent. He truly appreciated Alice''s help and had already engraved it in his heart.


    "You''re not an ordinary person, but Alice is far from ordinary as well. Lioncrest Academy may be domineering, running roughshod over everyone in the Plantagenet Kingdom¡ªbut when it comes to Alice, all they have is reverence!"


    Alan nodded slightly, looking at Headmaster Gayle''s meaningful gaze. He smiled and said,


    "Headmaster, are you worried that getting too close to her will get me burned?"


    Gayle took a deep breath. "Alice is strong-willed and genuinely sincere, without much scheming in her. But her background runs deep, and she''s incredibly outstanding. She''s like a radiant rose that attracts countless bees."


    "Anyone close to her could become a target of indiscriminate attacks. Before you possess absolute strength, staying away from her is in everyone''s best interest."


    Alan chuckled, "Alice has helped me a lot, but we''re just friends."


    Gayle raised an eyebrow. "Friends? Just friends? Even if that''s true, do you really think others will see it that way?"


    Alan clenched his fist, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.


    "My relationship with Alice is none of their business. If anyone wants to meddle, I don''t mind fighting them¡ªto the very end."


    Headmaster Gayle gave him a thumbs-up. "That''s the passion of youth. It''s a good mindset to have¡ªbut reality is harsh."


    Alan coughed lightly and said, "Headmaster, isn''t it a little early to be talking about this?"


    Gayle shook his head. "If you truly have feelings for her, then no¡ªit''s not early at all. Because once you face the terrifying powers behind her, you might only feel absolute despair."


    "No one can say what the future holds," Alan replied casually, though his hands clenched tighter without him realizing it.


    Seeing this, Gayle didn''t push further. Instead, he looked in the direction of Ironblood City.


    "As long as you''re clear in your heart, I''ll say no more. But when you head to that secret realm near Ironblood City, keep your guard up. Lioncrest Academy''s star students and the ''Dual Fangs of the Lioncrest'' will likely be there too."


    "They''re already formidable, and they''ll have numbers on their side. You won''t be their match. If needed, run¡ªdon''t force a fight. Also, the Barton Kingdom will be sending their top prodigies. Everyone knows they covet the Plantagenet Kingdom. If they spot a top-tier talent like you, they''ll absolutely try to eliminate you."


    "Other nearby kingdoms probably won''t miss out on this secret realm either. It was created by a forbidden magus, after all. For the sake of opportunity, these geniuses will stop at nothing. In the end, only the living have the chance to become peak powerhouses."


    "Though you''ve experienced quite a few battles in the Northern District, it''s nothing compared to what''s coming."


    Alan nodded, deeply convinced.


    His expression grew more serious. That secret realm left behind by a forbidden magus¡ªhe had to go. But he wouldn''t be the only one; countless forces and elite talents would be eyeing the same opportunities.


    The competition would be fierce.


    "Oh right!" Headmaster Gayle smacked his forehead. "Almost forgot something important."


    He turned to Alan. "Isabella''s chronic condition is primarily caused by unstable fluctuations in her mind power. When you enter the secret realm, keep an eye out for soul-nourishing natural treasures. The flame I left in her body won''t hold out much longer."


    Alan nodded earnestly and said with gratitude, "Thank you for worrying about Isabella, Headmaster."


    Gayle waved it off. "Just doing my duty."


    "That secret realm is said to be located atop an ancient battlefield. If you can fully master your [Blade Spirit], it''ll be of immense help."


    Alan nodded. He had already realized the formidable power of [Blade Spirit]. It was his strongest trump card aside from his magus abilities.


    He continued discussing a few [Blade Spirit] issues with Gayle, then returned to the city wall and resumed his training.


    As Gayle watched Alan''s departing figure, he nodded slightly in satisfaction. "Not bad. Steady mind, humble attitude, exceptional talent¡­ Very promising." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Back at the city wall, Alan gripped his wooden sword tightly, continuously refining his [Blade Spirit], launching strikes against the barrier in front of him.


    His attacks were fierce, but compared to the towering city wall that looked like a crouching beast, they were still insignificant.


    So far, he had only managed to leave a few shallow cracks on the wall.


    Still, compared to his initial progress, this was a big step forward.


    Alan wasn''t the only one training hard. Francis and Fort, who were also present, had not slacked off in the slightest.


    The pressure from that star student had been overwhelming. They knew all too well that without significant improvement, they would meet a miserable end a year and a half from now.


    Lioncrest Academy would show no mercy.


    They were young and proud¡ªnone of them wanted to die.


    With that in mind, Francis sprinted even faster, chased by the sabretooth tiger. At the same time, he tried to reverse his gravity element. Battling a tier-gold sabretooth tiger felt just like his previous encounter with that speedster¡ªAesop, the Windchaser!


    In another area, Fort was gradually adapting to the chaotic currents in the pool. Holding his breath, he tried to go with the flow, finding leverage amid the chaos.


    His body was already physically powerful. Now, by learning to harness the water''s force, he began stabilizing his stance¡ªand even started stirring up whirlpools in the water using the flow itself.


    Time passed quickly.


    It''s unclear how long had gone by.


    Suddenly, Alan¡ªstill at the city wall¡ªopened his tightly shut eyes. His motionless right hand shot upward, and in that moment, it was as if his essence, energy, and spirit had become one.


    He slashed out with his sword.


    A sharp burst of sword light flew from the wooden blade. Unlike before, this time the sword aura was compressed into the size of a firefly.


    Yet its speed far surpassed any previous strike¡ªwithin an instant of leaving the blade, it struck the wall.


    Boom!


    The city wall exploded, leaving behind a sword mark several meters deep!


    Staring at the aftermath, Alan''s eyes widened. He hadn''t expected this spontaneous idea to work so well!


    If he could compress the [Blade Spirit] even further, its power might increase again!


    Thinking this, Alan suddenly felt he might actually have talent as a magic swordsman!


    But just as a trace of pride arose in his heart, his body was suddenly sent flying!


    A red claw mark appeared on his once-rosy and excited face in the blink of an eye!


    Boom!


    With a deafening crash, Alan slammed into a massive tree, embedding into its trunk. His expression turned to one of shock.


    That was because he recognized the aura behind the sudden attack¡ªit was the eerie grinning face from the second layer of Hell!


    He was all too familiar with that presence¡ªit had once given him an intense sense of impending death!


    But¡­ wasn''t it sealed in the second layer of Hell?


    How could it attack him now!?


    Alan''s heart trembled. He quickly returned to Hell and looked down at the vortex beneath his feet.


    Although it was covered in cracks, it hadn''t collapsed yet. The eerie aura was still sealed below.


    The creature from Hell''s second layer hadn''t escaped.


    Only then did Alan breathe a sigh of relief and wipe away the sweat from his brow.


    If that freakish thing had truly broken free, he would be dead without question.


    Its power was simply terrifying!


    Strength.


    His strength still wasn''t enough!


    A sense of urgency flared within Alan. That laughing monster from the second layer could already reach out through the seal¡ªhow much longer could Hell hold it back?


    Without wasting a moment, Alan activated his will and left the scene.


    Worrying wouldn''t help. The only thing he could do now¡­ was train faster.


    And pray that Hell wasn''t as fragile as it seemed¡ªbecause he needed more time.

 Chapter 520 - Chapter76-A Temporary Farewell to Francis

    Time flew by. More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.


    After another lunch, Alan suddenly noticed that Francis and Fort weren''t cultivating. Instead, they were packing their belongings.


    "I''ll be taking them somewhere new for training. You should also start preparing to head to Ironblood City," Headmaster Gayle explained, noticing Alan''s puzzled expression.


    Alan nodded, just as Francis and Fort came over with their bags.


    "When we come back, our strength will definitely have improved by leaps and bounds. I''ll make sure you witness just how awesome I am!" Francis clapped Alan''s shoulder confidently.


    Isabella pouted. "My brother''s the best. Even after your training, you still won''t be his match!"


    Francis grinned. "Oh yeah? Don''t come begging me for mercy when that time comes!"


    Isabella stuck out her tongue. "I''ll make sure my brother goes easy on you."


    Fort chimed in as well. "I''ll help hold Alan back too. I''d hate to see you get killed."


    Seeing that none of them took him seriously, Francis gnashed his teeth in frustration, vowing to prove himself.


    "Alright, but if you end up losing, you''ll be slapping yourself in the face. Don''t get too cocky just yet," Gayle said with a shake of his head, before leading the two of them out of the hall.


    Alan and Isabella watched their figures grow smaller, until they eventually disappeared over the horizon.


    Once they were gone, Alan checked the time. It was just about time for him to set out as well.


    "Brother¡­ are you leaving too?" Isabella asked reluctantly, looking up at him.


    Alan was heading to Ironblood City, and she already knew about the secret realm left behind by the forbidden magus.


    Alan nodded. "Yeah. It''s a great opportunity to grow stronger. And since I''m a magus, I have a better chance of gaining something from it than most others."


    Even though Isabella had prepared herself mentally, hearing Alan confirm it still made her eyes redden. But she didn''t cry. Instead, she went into her room and came back with a carefully packed bag.


    "Brother, this has a change of clothes, some rations, gold coins, and healing potions¡­"


    Alan accepted the bundle, scanned it with his mind power, and found everything thoroughly prepared. Clearly, she had put a lot of thought into it.


    Taking a deep breath, Alan turned to Blanche beside him.


    "After I leave, I''ll be counting on you to keep my sister safe."


    Blanche knew all too well how much Alan cared for his sister. She nodded solemnly.


    "Don''t worry. As long as I''m here, she''ll be perfectly safe."


    As she spoke, a wave of tier-gold mage pressure surged from her body.


    The aura was incredibly dense¡ªstronger than even the star students from Lioncrest Academy.


    Though Alan had always known Blanche was no ordinary mage, this was the first time he truly felt her power.


    With her strength and tier, not even those elite students would be able to take advantage of her.


    Relieved, Alan bowed deeply to her.


    "Isabella, I''ll leave her to you." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Go. Come back soon¡ªwe''re still waiting on your roasted meat," Blanche said with a light smile.


    Alan nodded, gave Isabella one last look, then turned and left without hesitation.


    Watching his back disappear, Blanche gently comforted Isabella.


    "Don''t worry. Alan''s really strong¡ªand he''s a grand magus. He''ll be back soon."


    Isabella wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded resolutely. "My brother will be fine. He''s always true to his word. He''s never let anyone down."


    Blanche thought back on her encounters with Alan and murmured, "Your brother is a man of deep loyalty and kindness. Heaven will surely look after someone like him. Though¡­ maybe his only flaw is that he seems to like men."


    ¡­


    After leaving the valley, Alan headed straight to the capital''s Church of Steam and Magic.


    Ironblood City was incredibly far from here, and the best way to travel was by train.


    But he hadn''t gone far down the mountain before he was surrounded by a group of students wearing Lioncrest Academy uniforms.


    Previously, due to Gayle''s deterrence, they didn''t dare go near Sirius Academy to cause trouble.


    But the grudge over the Lioncrest student Alan had killed could not go unavenged.


    It was a matter of pride for Lioncrest Academy.


    Though they didn''t dare attack directly, they had stationed people near Sirius Academy to monitor the situation.


    And now that Alan had left the mountain¡ªthey made their move.


    Surrounded, Alan calmly swept his gaze over them. "By the usual rules¡ªone-on-one death duel? Do you dare?"


    He wasn''t surprised. From the moment he set foot off the mountain, he had anticipated this ambush.


    A one-on-one death match!


    The Lioncrest students hesitated, surprised that Alan would be so straightforward.


    A chubby young man stepped forward, chest puffed out and voice cold.


    "Alan! Today is the day you die!"


    Before he could finish his sentence, Alan had already dashed forward like a streak of sword light¡ªso fast he was almost untraceable.


    Pfft!


    The fat youth didn''t even have time to react before he spewed blood and was sent flying like a ball of meat. His belly, built from years of body-hardened training, caved in under Alan''s kick and he crashed to the ground dozens of meters away.


    The other Lioncrest students rubbed their eyes in disbelief.


    That guy was a late-tier bronze earth-element mage who specialized in body refinement!


    Yet he couldn''t even withstand one blow?


    How terrifying was Alan''s strength!?


    With power like this, who would dare take him on one-on-one? It would be suicide!


    At that moment, Alan waved them forward with an impatient gesture.


    "Your academy stoops so low as to ambush others¡ªclearly you have no sense of honor or dignity. Since that''s the case, come at me all at once. I''m on a tight schedule."


    His mocking and provocative tone rang in their ears.


    Furious, the Lioncrest students bristled.


    This guy wasn''t just looking down on them¡ªhe was trampling their pride.


    Still, as students of Lioncrest, they had some pride left. Attacking Alan en masse in broad daylight, no matter the outcome, would be a total disgrace.


    Even if they were to lose, they had to do it with backbone.


    "Alan, don''t be arrogant. Fight me one-on-one!"


    Several of the leaders among them glared at Alan.


    Alan shook his head slightly and motioned them over.


    "Come on. All of you. You''re just a bunch of trash anyway."


    Once again, Alan provoked them, his face full of disdain.


    Just as a few of them prepared to attack, a whistle suddenly sounded.


    Immediately, they backed away, retreating quickly, unwilling as they were.


    Alan found it rather boring but turned and left without hesitation.


    "Senior, why''d you call for a retreat? If we all attacked at once, let''s see how long he could keep that smug face!"


    "Exactly! He''s strong, sure¡ªbut we outnumber him!"


    The Lioncrest students looked to a figure wearing the uniform of the Battle Department.


    He was their senior¡ªone of the student council members just below the star students.


    "It seems none of you have realized just how strong Alan really is," the senior said with a sigh.


    "Though Alan only joined Sirius Academy recently, not long ago, two of the five top talents of the Battle Department couldn''t even take him down. If you all attacked, you''d just be handing him an easy win."


    "Alan¡­ is no longer someone we can deal with."


    His serious tone made the other students'' faces grow heavy.


    The Five Talents of the Battle Department¡ªthey had heard of them, idolized them. Even they couldn''t defeat Alan?


    How had his strength grown this powerful!?

 Chapter 521 - Chapter77-Two Familiar Faces

    After shaking off the Lioncrest Academy students, Alan headed straight for the train station outside the city.


    The moment he arrived, he presented his prestigious diamond card, and from that point on, he received the best VIP treatment the station had to offer.


    Many onlookers cast curious glances his way, wondering which noble family he belonged to.


    Though Alan wasn''t fond of drawing attention, skipping lines and checking into the finest deluxe room made him feel that revealing his diamond card had been a wise choice.


    Because he was staying in a deluxe room, the view from the top of the train was spectacular.


    After putting down his luggage, Alan walked to the edge of the rooftop plaza. Gazing out at the vast sky, feeling the grandeur of heaven and earth, he felt a rare sense of calm.


    He had been training intensely at Sirius Academy for so long¡ªtaking a brief moment to relax wasn''t a bad idea.


    But just as he began enjoying the view, a familiar perfume scent drifted to his nose.


    Turning his head, he saw a stunning woman in a flowing purple gown adorned with jewels, her ivory legs striding forward with grace and allure.


    Her elegant figure and that faint perfume held a subtle, irresistible charm.


    Many around the plaza were captivated, their faces lit with amazement.


    But Alan merely glanced at her before frowning.


    He knew her well¡ªAudrey, the one who had caused him trouble at the banquet!


    Audrey was undoubtedly beautiful and born of noble blood, but her pretentious demeanor left Alan with no fondness for her.


    Compared to Alice, she was like heaven and earth.


    Alan shook his head slightly and looked away.


    He didn''t know why she was here, but as long as she didn''t come looking for trouble, he didn''t care.


    Of course, that was when Audrey walked over with a faint smile.


    "Alan, what a coincidence. I didn''t expect we''d run into each other here."


    Alan ignored her and continued admiring the scenery outside the train.


    The train towered high¡ªalmost as if it could touch the clouds. Mist swirled all around, painting a surreal scene.


    Seeing that Alan didn''t respond, Audrey''s brow furrowed slightly, but she still pressed on.


    "Alan, I heard you''re with Sirius Academy now?"


    Alan still said nothing.


    Audrey bit her lip with a pitiful look. "Why are you being so cold? Don''t tell me¡­ you think I''m not worthy of talking to you anymore?"


    Before she finished, the proud-looking youth beside her immediately glared at Alan. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Miss Audrey is talking to you¡ªare you deaf?!"


    To him, speaking with Miss Audrey was a blessing earned over eight lifetimes. How dare Alan act so indifferent?


    The moment Alan felt the young man''s aura lock onto him, he understood what was happening¡ªAudrey was up to her old tricks again, using her beauty to bait hot-blooded fools.


    His expression turned cold as he stared at Audrey.


    "You find this game fun, huh? Do you really think the world revolves around you?"


    Audrey raised her chin, swanlike neck held high, gazing down at Alan with arrogance. Though she said nothing, her attitude made her answer clear.


    Alan could only think¡ªwhat a deranged woman.


    He didn''t even want to waste another breath.


    He turned around and left without so much as a glance.


    That, of course, infuriated Audrey. She hurried after him and huffed:


    "In another year or so, it''ll be the death duel between Sirius Academy and Lioncrest Academy. I''ll be there in person¡ªto watch you get crushed by the true top elites!"


    Alan stopped, turned, and said,


    "If there''s something wrong with your brain, go see an apothecary. Don''t wait until it shrinks."


    Humiliated once again, Audrey stepped forward to block his path. But before she could speak, Alan''s icy gaze froze her in place.


    "You really think you''re that attractive? Without your family name and that pretty face, do you think anyone would give you a second look? Attracting a bunch of flies isn''t a sign of charm¡ªit''s pathetic."


    "You think you could ever catch the attention of a truly powerful man?"


    His words were like knives, stabbing deep into Audrey''s heart.


    She trembled, her breathing ragged, pale fingers shaking as she pointed at him.


    "You¡­ you¡­"


    "What about me? If it weren''t for House Chrysanthemum backing you, do you think you''d still be standing here, talking to me?"


    With that, Alan didn''t spare her another glance and left the plaza, returning to his deluxe room.


    Audrey stood frozen, gripping her purple gown tightly, veins pulsing across her flawless forehead.


    "Alan¡­ one day, I''ll make you kneel before me!"


    The more domineering Alan was, the stronger Audrey''s desire to conquer him grew. Harsh as his words were, in her mind, all men in the world were toys in her hands.


    ¡­


    Back in his deluxe room, Alan immediately entered the realm of Hell.


    He scanned the surroundings, but still didn''t see the mysterious senior figure. That gave him a slight sense of unease, as if he''d lost some vital support.


    But he quickly adjusted his mindset and sent his soul back into the massive grinding wheel of Hell.


    Agonizing pain pierced his spirit¡ªbut it was gradually strengthening.


    Before long, his soul light reformed. Alan found that his elemental affinity had deepened, and his mind power had grown more condensed.


    Just as he was about to continue practicing the Light Sword spell, Hell trembled slightly again. A distorted, eerie smile surfaced on the ground.


    The moment Alan saw it, his hair stood on end.


    Fortunately, the grinning face disappeared in an instant.


    But the wave of death it brought was so intense, it nearly suffocated him.


    The monster from the second layer of Hell¡­ was becoming bolder!


    The seal!


    He had to find the sealing item that the woman in black had mentioned!


    Alan made up his mind.


    He couldn''t live every day under such looming fear.


    After confirming that the face had vanished, Alan exhaled slowly and gripped his staff-sword tightly, beginning his [Blade Spirit] training.


    His relentless strikes against the city wall earlier had greatly deepened his comprehension.


    Though he hadn''t studied any sword techniques, every move he made carried the essence of [Blade Spirit]¡ªsharp and unmatched, as if capable of cutting through anything.


    ¡­


    Time passed quickly. One day later¡ª


    The whistling train came to a halt.


    Ironblood City!


    Alan took a deep breath and stepped out of his room¡ªonly to see Audrey standing right outside.


    She seemed to have been waiting for him.


    "Alan, things between us are far from over!"


    Alan rolled his eyes, utterly baffled by her, and immediately dashed toward the outskirts of Ironblood City.


    Before leaving, Headmaster Gayle had given him a map, clearly marking the location of the secret realm.


    And this time, Alan clearly sensed a change in the city.


    The garrison had been replaced by elite troops. Not only had their numbers increased, but every soldier radiated a chilling battlefield aura¡ªcompletely unlike the soft and lazy city guards from before.


    Following the path, Alan soon entered a towering mountain.


    The forest was lush. But as he ventured deeper, a terrifying pressure suddenly descended from above!


    Under that pressure, Alan could hardly move!


    A powerful presence!


    Just as his heart surged with caution, a cold voice rang out.


    "Do you have proof of qualification?"


    Without hesitation, Alan took out the scroll Alice had given him.


    Instantly, the suffocating pressure vanished.


    Alan breathed a sigh of relief and pressed on.


    Soon, after crossing the mountain, he saw a lush green plain below. Scattered across the field were rusted weapons and bones weathered by wind and rain.


    Suddenly, the staff-sword in Alan''s body trembled, as if eager to burst free!


    He quickly suppressed it and surveyed his surroundings cautiously¡ªonly to spot a familiar figure seated beneath a towering tree.


    The Third Princess!


    As Alan looked at her, she slowly opened her eyes and said softly:


    "Come with me."

 Chapter 522 - Chapter78-I’ll Teach You to Kill!

    "You knew I was coming here?"


    Alan looked at the Third Princess with curiosity.


    The Third Princess nodded and gave Alan a few extra glances. "Alice told me before she left¡ªthis secret realm suits you well."


    Only then did Alan recall how close the Third Princess and Alice were. It made perfect sense that she would know.


    With her around, Alan didn''t feel so lost in this unfamiliar place, and he stepped up to stand beside her.


    The Third Princess looked out across the plain. "Do you know who left behind this secret realm?"


    Alan shook his head. He only knew that it was extraordinary¡ªleft behind by a forbidden magus¡ªand highly coveted by various kingdoms and factions.


    The Third Princess''s eyes filled with reverence.


    "Nicolas. This secret realm was left behind by the legendary Forbidden Magus Nicolas¡ªnot in his prime, but sometime during the earlier years of his life. It''s incredibly valuable."


    Hearing that name again, Alan''s expression grew serious. Nicolas had once been the warden of Hell''s first layer¡ªa terrifying figure beyond imagination.


    "Normally, a secret realm this valuable wouldn''t be open to people like us," she continued. "But so many forces are fighting over it, and there are special rules here that give us a chance."


    "But make no mistake, while it''s an opportunity¡ªit''s also extremely dangerous. Every faction has sent their top talents. The competition will be fierce, and death is to be expected."


    Alan nodded, then asked, "Third Princess, do we know who Lioncrest Academy sent this time?"


    She shook her head. "Not yet. But we''re here for the opportunities in this secret realm, not to pick fights."


    Alan understood what she meant and shrugged helplessly.


    "It''s not that I want to go looking for trouble¡ªbut they probably won''t leave me alone. I''m sure you''ve heard of the grudge between our academies?"


    The Third Princess thought for a moment. "We''ll see. I imagine they''ll be more interested in the rewards."


    She glanced over at him. "You''re a magus, aren''t you?"


    Alan raised a brow. "What''s odd about that?" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her expression grew a bit more serious. "This place was left behind by Nicolas, a Forbidden Magus. Since you share the same path, your odds of gaining something here are higher than most. You''d best not reveal your identity too soon."


    Alan nodded thoughtfully.


    "In any case," she continued, "this secret realm is unclaimed territory. The rewards inside belong to whoever claims them." As she spoke, she handed him a potion.


    "We don''t know what we''ll encounter inside. This is an antidote¡ªdrink it now and it''ll protect you from poison for a while. Better safe than sorry."


    Alan accepted it, gave it a quick look, and then drank it down in one gulp.


    The Third Princess blinked, surprised. "Aren''t you afraid I poisoned it?"


    Alan shook his head without hesitation. "No. You''re Alice''s friend, and that''s enough reason to trust you."


    "Oh?" The Third Princess gave him an amused look, clearly intrigued. "Do you like Alice?"


    Alan: "..."


    "We''re¡­ friends, I suppose," he replied.


    The Third Princess drank her own potion, then offered a word of encouragement. "If you like her, go for it."


    Just as she spoke, a rushing sound broke the air. A fat young man came barreling toward them, his rolls of flesh wobbling like water-filled sacks.


    He wore ornate clothing bearing the insignia of the Barton Kingdom.


    Clearly a mage from Barton.


    As soon as he arrived, he froze¡ªcompletely captivated by the Third Princess''s beauty. He licked his lips, excited by the sight of her military uniform from the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    "A female general from the Plantagenet Kingdom! Damn, the rumors must be true¡ªyour women are fine, but generals? I bet they''re extra juicy!"


    With that, the blubbery brute charged toward the Third Princess like a moving mountain of meat.


    Alan stepped forward and punched without hesitation.


    The air cracked as his fist exploded forward¡ªhis [Blade Spirit] cutting through the air with unstoppable momentum.


    The fat mage didn''t take him seriously. He laughed coldly,


    "A skinny little monkey like you, trying to play hero?"


    As he spoke, he threw a punch of his own.


    Green light surged across his arm, making it resemble a tough, wooden branch.


    Boom!


    The fists collided.


    Alan stood firm, unmoving, while the fat mage was sent flying, crashing into the ground. Dust exploded, and his body rippled like a water balloon.


    In the next moment, Alan''s foot came down hard on his chest.


    "You think you''re worthy of insulting a woman from the Plantagenet Kingdom? Today, I''ll take one of your arms!"


    With that, he raised his staff-sword to strike.


    Terrified, the fat mage trembled uncontrollably.


    But the Third Princess shook her head.


    "There''s no need to cripple him¡­ I say kill him instead."


    The mage had just breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she was merciful¡ªbut her next action proved otherwise.


    In the blink of an eye, the Third Princess drew her long blade from her waist. A pale flash of steel swept through the air, and all sensation left the fat mage''s body.


    Splurt!


    His head flew skyward¡ªand the Third Princess casually kicked it like a ball.


    "You''re still too soft with your enemies. Come with me. I''ll teach you how to kill."


    Alan stood there, stunned.


    He had grown up in House Roan, fought in countless battles, and was always known for being ruthless.


    But this was the first time someone had told him he wasn''t ruthless enough.


    Compared to the Third Princess, maybe he was a bit soft.


    Without another word, he followed her lead.


    As they passed the dead mage, Alan stooped down and looted the body.


    He found over a hundred gold coins and dozens of level 2 mana stones.


    A solid haul.


    Truly, robbing others was still the fastest way to make money.


    Soon after, led by the Third Princess, Alan reached the center of the plains. Beneath a massive boulder, two men stood waiting.


    They wore Barton Kingdom uniforms, both burly and full-bearded, with an unmistakable air of ferocity.


    They had been silently waiting¡ªuntil they saw Alan and the Third Princess approaching. Their faces darkened, and they rushed forward.


    At the same time, the Third Princess kicked over the severed head.


    When the two saw the face of the fallen man, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief, quickly giving way to seething rage.


    Alan and the Third Princess were openly provoking the Barton Kingdom!


    Before either man could act, the Third Princess charged forward like lightning. In a blink, she was in front of one of them¡ªand her blade flashed!


    Alan was shocked.


    From the moment she moved to the moment she reached her target, it had taken only an instant. Her explosiveness was terrifying.


    Not to be outdone, Alan dashed toward the other man.


    Though they''d been caught off guard, anyone who made it here was no ordinary warrior. Despite the ambush, their reflexes were sharp.


    Boom!


    As Alan slashed horizontally, the other man¡ªwearing iron gauntlets¡ªpunched forward.


    When their blows collided, shockwaves rippled outward!


    The ground beneath the gauntleted man shattered, cracks spiderwebbing around him as he was forced back several steps.


    He steadied himself, staring at Alan in shock.


    That sword strike¡ªits speed and power¡ªhad utterly overwhelmed him!


    Realizing he couldn''t afford to hold back, he drew a deep breath. Pale jade light spread across his skin, hardening him like a living gemstone.


    Then he launched forward like a streak of light, charging Alan head-on!


    The last exchange may have put him at a disadvantage, but that had been without preparation. Now, going all out, he was confident Alan would fall!


    Whoosh!


    He tore through the air, fists raining down like a storm, locking onto every vital point of Alan''s body!


    Alan raised his sword to block, sparks and shockwaves exploding from every collision with the man''s hardened fists!

 Chapter 523 - Chapter79-A Crisis-Laden Path

    Alan nodded.


    Earlier, when he approached the lake, he had already sensed a terrifyingly powerful magic array lingering beneath the water.


    Though it was incomplete, if someone were to recklessly dive in like that young man before, the moment they touched the fractured array, death would be inevitable!


    "This secret realm is one that even a coalition of powerful mages from various factions couldn''t breach head-on. We must proceed with the utmost caution,"


    the Third Princess warned once again.


    Her bright eyes remained locked on the distant island. As a royal, she knew many secrets unknown to others¡ªand was even more aware of the dangers here.


    Alan fully agreed. Even though this secret realm was left behind by Nicolas in his youth, considering his overwhelming talent far beyond his peers, it was only natural that this place would still be filled with all sorts of perils.


    In the next moment, the Third Princess seemed to sense something. Her long blade flashed out with unimaginable speed, leaving a trail of ice along the ground, spreading rapidly forward.


    Crack!


    A nearby tree behind them was instantly frozen and then shattered by the blade''s light.


    A nimble youth, agile as a monkey, quickly retreated and widened the distance between himself and the two. There was a hint of fear on his face¡ª


    clearly, he hadn''t expected the Third Princess to possess such keen perception and terrifying strength!


    However, the Third Princess didn''t pursue him. She merely scoffed coldly,


    "If you don''t have the strength, don''t waste our time!"


    Watching the Third Princess radiate such overwhelming dominance, Alan could feel several hidden, prying gazes quietly vanish.


    Clearly, many were intimidated by the Third Princess!


    Sensing this, Alan fully understood what she had said earlier:


    Only strength can inspire fear in others.


    Now free from the many watching eyes, the Third Princess summoned a magic carpet, which appeared in front of Alan.


    The two stepped onto it, and under the Princess''s command, they swiftly approached the island.


    They didn''t travel too fast, carefully sensing the fluctuations of the magic array beneath the lake as they moved.


    This array wasn''t static¡ªit was constantly shifting!


    However, for the two of them, this was no real challenge. They navigated through it smoothly and arrived on the island without incident.


    But just as they landed, a blonde woman greeted them, leaning on a slender, umbrella-like sword, eyeing them coldly.


    Beneath her long legs lay the corpses of several mages, their hearts, brains, and other vital areas pierced through¡ª


    each killed in a single strike!


    The blonde woman looked at Alan and the Third Princess like a hunter eyeing prey that had walked into her territory. A sly smile curled on her lips.


    "To enter the secret realm, you''ll need to pay one hundred mana stones¡ªor ten Level-2 mana stones!"


    she declared seriously, gripping her sword tightly.


    The Third Princess shook her head and coldly glared back at her.


    "Robbing others is none of my business¡ªbut trying to rob me? Who do you think you are?!"


    "Alan, attack. Deal with her."


    The moment her words fell, Alan was about to strike when the blonde woman moved first, stepping forward with killing intent.


    A cold, razor-sharp spike shot straight toward Alan''s forehead.


    Alan felt a sharp pain between his brows, like a silver needle piercing his spirit¡ªhis mind briefly went numb.


    Clearly, this woman had mastered a magic skill capable of targeting the soul!


    Alan didn''t dare be careless. He gripped his staff-sword tightly and secretly activated his magus abilities.


    In the next second, a fierce [Blade Spirit] surged forth¡ªcompressed to the size of a palm, but the power it radiated was terrifying.


    This time, Alan held nothing back!


    BOOM!


    The [Blade Spirit] clashed with the cold spike like a crashing wave, shaking the air and triggering a series of explosive shockwaves.


    The blonde woman froze, clearly not expecting Alan to react so quickly¡ª


    nor for his attack to be so ferocious. Even she could only fight to a draw against that move!


    Just as she was preparing her counterattack, she suddenly noticed that the nearly-dispersed [Blade Spirit] had reformed¡ªthis time moving even faster, locked onto her!


    She didn''t anticipate Alan''s techniques to be so unpredictable.


    Caught off guard, she barely managed to raise her sword. A constellation of seven stars appeared before her, distorting the incoming [Blade Spirit] wave.


    "Wait! Your strength is impressive¡ªgo ahead and enter!"


    Seeing Alan ready another strike, the blonde woman hastily backed off and made way.


    She had clearly realized how terrifying Alan''s strength was.


    Continuing the fight would lead to uncertain outcomes¡ªespecially with an even more unfathomable presence standing beside him.


    Alan was a little surprised at her sudden retreat.


    But what shocked him even more came right after.


    The Third Princess suddenly lunged toward the blonde woman, drawing the blade at her waist!


    Her speed was so fast that even Alan, who was partly focused on her, could only catch a vague afterimage.


    Not until the attack ended could he see what had happened.


    As a magus, Alan could barely sense her presence at all!


    The blonde woman didn''t sense any danger until it was far too late.


    In panic, she raised her sword to block.


    But the Third Princess struck with absolute dominance.


    The blonde woman managed to parry the first slash, but was clearly struggling.


    As the second slash came crashing down, her bones felt as if they had shattered under its force!


    There was no way she could defend against the tidal third strike!


    Under Alan''s watchful gaze, the blonde woman was torn apart after just two exchanges.


    Her body was sliced into pieces, her aura falling to nothing.


    She struggled for a brief moment¡­ and then perished completely.


    "In your next life, remember¡ªsome people you simply cannot afford to provoke."


    After delivering three swift and lethal strikes, the Third Princess said coldly.


    Alan didn''t say much, and quickly looted the valuable items from the woman''s corpse before following the Third Princess.


    The woman had clearly robbed quite a few people¡ªshe carried an impressive amount of gold coins and supplies!


    The thrill of such a fast harvest left Alan feeling a bit intoxicated.


    Had he tried to earn that much through other means, who knew how long it would''ve taken?


    Before long, the two reached a glowing portal at the center of the island.


    Upon arrival, Alan suddenly felt his staff-sword grow restless.


    Noticing the change in his expression, the Third Princess curiously asked:


    "Did you sense something?"


    Alan pondered for a moment, feeling like he really did have some sort of connection to this secret realm. He looked at the Third Princess and said:


    "Let''s go in¡ªbut once we pass through the portal, don''t stray too far."


    The Third Princess didn''t quite understand, but nodded nonetheless.


    Soon, the two stepped into the portal¡ªand the world around them changed drastically.


    Countless winding paths appeared before them, dense and complex like an ant nest. It was no different from a maze!


    Both Alan and the Third Princess had a strong hunch:


    If they took the wrong path, it would be nearly impossible to leave or obtain any fortune within.


    Seeing this, the Third Princess immediately turned to Alan. It seemed he had anticipated this situation.


    Alan closed his eyes and focused, then dashed toward a hidden corner.


    "The true legacy should be down this path!"


    Seeing his certainty, the Third Princess said nothing more and followed him.


    After all, the maze had countless paths¡ª


    and she had no way of knowing which one might contain the inheritance of that forbidden magus.


    As they followed the path Alan chose, they passed by many bloodstained corpses¡ªobviously the remains of other talented mages who had entered earlier.


    "Are you sure this path is safe?"


    the further they went, the more curious the Third Princess became.


    They had already ventured quite far, and the path ahead was even blocked off¡ªno visible way forward. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Alan, however, threw a punch straight into the stone wall¡ª


    The ground shook violently, and the wall crumbled¡ªrevealing a hidden passage.

 Chapter 524 - Chapter80-The Dual Fangs of the Lioncrest, Part One — Beatrice!

    Staring at the hidden passage revealed behind the stone wall, the Third Princess shot Alan a surprised glance before following him deeper into the corridor.


    Soon, they reached the end of the passage. Both Alan and the Third Princess stopped in their tracks, eyes gleaming with excitement as they gazed at a majestic, ancient castle ahead.


    The castle was incredibly old¡ªno one could tell how many years it had stood. Its stone walls, covered in crisscrossing cracks, exuded a profound sense of time.


    Above the ancient gates floated a staff, emerald green in color, seemingly crafted from the branch of a divine tree. It radiated a rich aura of life.


    Though it hovered there in silence, elemental energy clustered around it like thick clouds.


    The first thought that came to both Alan and the Third Princess was clear:


    This staff was anything but ordinary!


    A staff that could stir the elements of heaven and earth was exceedingly rare¡ªeach one a priceless treasure.


    "What a powerful staff... this must have been the one Nicolas once wielded!"


    The Third Princess was visibly moved, then turned to Alan with growing curiosity.


    "How did you know this is where the forbidden magus''s legacy is hidden?"


    Alan pulled out his staff-sword and answered, "It guided me here."


    The Third Princess glanced at the weapon, then spoke apologetically,


    "If that''s a secret of yours, you don''t have to explain. I was being presumptuous."


    Alan understood what she meant. When traveling in the outside world, it was always wise to keep some cards close to the chest¡ªespecially with significant secrets. After all, one could never be sure who they were dealing with.


    However, to Alan, the Third Princess was a trusted friend of Alice¡ªsomeone he could completely rely on.


    With his true friends, Alan never held back. He believed in meeting sincerity with sincerity.


    After her brief reminder, the Third Princess made a move toward the staff.


    A treasure like that had to be secured immediately¡ªif others arrived and saw it, it wouldn''t be easy to take it then.


    But just as she took her first step, Alan grabbed her wrist.


    The Third Princess turned back and looked at him. Alan let go and said,


    "Wait. Something''s not right here."


    The Third Princess grew more cautious and released a wave of mind power, trying to probe the castle ahead.


    However, as soon as her mind power touched the aged fortress walls, it was silently absorbed¡ªvanishing without a trace!


    The Third Princess immediately stopped, visibly wary.


    She had known this place wouldn''t be simple¡ªbut she hadn''t expected even the entrance to the castle to contain such unknown dangers.


    As the two of them cautiously observed the ancient castle, light footsteps suddenly echoed toward them.


    Alan and the Third Princess turned to look at the source of the sound.


    A young man and woman emerged from the corridor not far off.


    The young man wore a snow-white noble''s robe. His features were delicate and refined, and he was shrouded in dense moisture. As he approached, the very air seemed to grow damp.


    Beside him walked a woman in a translucent, fire-red dress that hugged her figure tightly, accentuating her striking curves. Every step she took left behind fiery footprints and waves of heat.


    The two only glanced at Alan and the Third Princess without a word.


    At that moment, a cheerful, relaxed voice rang out from nearby. A young man in deerskin gloves, dressed like a polite gentleman, strolled calmly into view.


    He scanned the group and smiled.


    "Ah, it seems I''ve arrived a little late."


    Thump¡­ Thump¡­ Thump¡­


    Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed like they were stomping on the hearts of those present.


    With each step, everyone''s heartbeat quickened involuntarily.


    Everyone turned toward the sound, expressions turning grim.


    A woman stepped out from the left, her face expressionless. Her skin was pale to the point of glowing, and she wore a snow mink long coat. She walked forward step by step.


    She was breathtakingly beautiful, her hair and pupils pure white, like a spirit of ice and snow. Her features were sharp and exquisite, her beauty stunning¡ªbut the biting coldness radiating from her made it nearly impossible to approach her.


    "Lioncrest Academy really did send her..."


    The Third Princess spoke at last, her voice tinged with a rare seriousness.


    Alan looked at her, curious.


    The Third Princess explained,


    "One of the Dual Fangs of the Lioncrest¡ªBeatrice."


    Alan couldn''t help but take a closer look.


    So she was one of the top two students of Lioncrest Academy?


    She definitely looked extraordinary.


    Alan instinctively grew cautious. His portrait had surely spread throughout Lioncrest Academy by now. Beatrice must recognize him.


    Though he didn''t fear her, if she chose this moment to strike, it could jeopardize his chances of obtaining the legacy here.


    But Beatrice ignored everyone around her. She cast a glance at the ancient castle and then quietly stood still. She, too, seemed to sense the castle''s abnormality and chose not to act rashly.


    At that moment, a burly man appeared, carrying eight massive hammers on his back. He lazily strolled into view, clearly disinterested in anything, yawning as if he could fall asleep at any moment.


    Yet the moment people saw him, they all felt the elemental energy within their bodies grow sluggish and thick, no longer flowing as smoothly as before.


    A top-tier genius had arrived.


    Even the Third Princess instinctively gripped the handle of her blade.


    However, the drowsy young man rubbed his bleary eyes and stopped in front of the castle, making no further move.


    With so many gathered, the atmosphere grew tense¡ªlike a powder keg ready to explode.


    Suddenly, the young man in deerskin gloves turned toward the Third Princess. He placed his right hand over his chest and offered a gentleman''s bow.


    "Oh, I didn''t realize Her Highness the Third Princess was present. My apologies for the oversight."


    The Third Princess looked at him but didn''t recognize him. She replied coolly,


    "Do you need something?"


    The man smiled and said,


    "Not really. I just heard you''re a friend of Alice and was wondering¡ªhas Duke Alice come as well?"


    At his words, everyone''s attention immediately turned to him.


    Alice. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her name rang like thunder in the ears of everyone from the surrounding kingdoms and factions.


    After all, through her own strength, she had challenged and defeated the top geniuses of these nations¡ªwithout a single loss!


    Thanks to her talent and her string of victories, she had long been the subject of intense attention. And naturally, many wanted to challenge her.


    But opportunities had been few and far between.


    The Third Princess replied coolly,


    "You''re not her match. Whether she came or not is irrelevant."


    Despite the blunt dismissal, the man wasn''t angered. He simply smiled and said,


    "How would I know without trying? Her spellcraft may be impressive¡ªbut that doesn''t mean my sword is weak."


    The Third Princess shook her head slightly.


    "I suggest you abandon that idea. Many before you have tried, and the grass on their graves is already taller than they were."


    The man adjusted his gloves and chuckled,


    "If that''s true, I''ll be sure to test her properly when the chance arises."


    Seeing this, the Third Princess no longer paid him any mind.


    There were simply too many people who dreamed of defeating Alice and becoming famous overnight. She had grown numb to it.


    Only when they truly faced Alice would they realize the terrifying gap between them.


    Afterward, the Third Princess swept her gaze across the crowd and spoke clearly,


    "Since you''ve all made it here, you must be the best of the best. I won''t waste words¡ªthe legacy of the forbidden magus lies within this castle. You all sense its strange aura. Rather than waste time hesitating, why don''t we join forces and enter together? Once inside, whatever we each obtain will depend on our abilities. What do you say?"


    Her words brought a brief silence¡ªbut soon, the gathered geniuses all nodded in agreement.


    While competition remained, the castle''s ominous presence made everyone feel like a needle was pricking at their hearts.


    Cooperating would ensure better safety for all.


    And as top talents from their respective factions, each of them had strong confidence in their own strength¡ªthey didn''t think themselves inferior to anyone. If fortune did appear, they''d fight for it then.


    "Well, since the Third Princess herself proposed it, allow me to go first!"


    The young man in deerskin gloves stepped forward toward the castle gate.

 Chapter 525 - Chapter81-The Eerie Castle, and the One Forgotten by Time

    As the young man stepped forward, the oppressive atmosphere suddenly eased.


    He halted before the tightly shut gates of the ancient castle, then flicked his finger. A palm-sized dagger shot forward and struck the doors!


    BOOM!


    The sound of splintering wood echoed through the air.


    The long-sealed gates of the castle burst apart into a storm of shattered wood, and a wave of rot and decay rushed out from within like a foul wind.


    The gates had opened.


    Everyone''s expression grew solemn.


    But as their eyes locked on the ancient castle, the faint sound of rustling echoed from within. Then came a raspy voice that drifted out from the darkness.


    "So, you''ve finally come¡­"


    Upon hearing this, everyone present wore a look of confusion.


    Who was this eerie voice referring to?


    "You''ve already arrived. Why hesitate to enter?"


    The voice continued, stirring an unsettling chill in the crowd.


    How long had this castle been here?


    Why was there still someone inside?


    And if that "someone" was truly human¡ªwhat sort of terrifying being could have survived for so long?


    If it wasn''t human¡­ then the mystery was even more disturbing.


    For a moment, everyone froze in place, paralyzed with unease.


    But just then, a figure began walking steadily toward the castle.


    The Third Princess''s heart skipped¡ªbecause that person was Alan!


    Why would Alan recklessly charge into the castle ahead of everyone?


    She was bewildered.


    But at that moment, Alan himself was deeply conflicted.


    His body seemed to move on its own, as if something within him had been awakened¡ªsomething unforgettable.


    He could feel an unusual emotional resonance¡­


    One that came from Nicolas, deep within the layers of Hell.


    Through his long practice in Hell, some of Nicolas''s aura had unknowingly imprinted itself upon him.


    Though faint, it now stirred violently in response to the castle¡ª


    Suddenly, it took control of his body.


    Only when the Third Princess pressed her hand firmly onto his shoulder did Alan snap out of it.


    Whether it was the lingering trace of Nicolas''s aura or the dragonfang staff he had absorbed into his weapon,


    Alan began to realize¡ªthey were all connected to Nicolas.


    And somehow¡­ related to the voice within this castle.


    Just as Alan halted, the young man in deerskin gloves stepped forward again, brushing his hair back with a casual hand.


    "Well then, since the elder has extended an invitation, I shall accept it," he declared, stepping toward the castle.


    As he moved, numerous dagger-sized swords spun around him, forming a sword-gale barrier to protect him.


    Tap, tap¡­


    His crisp footsteps echoed as he entered the castle¡ªwithout any resistance or harm.


    Seeing this, Alan, the Third Princess, and the others cautiously followed.


    But the moment they stepped inside¡­ they were stunned.


    The interior of the castle was adorned with countless magnificent and intricate murals.


    The murals depicted a confident young man wielding a staff, triumphing over his peers one after another.


    As the murals progressed, the young man aged into maturity¡ªand his foes transformed into monstrous, unimaginable creatures.


    While the others watched the murals with confusion, Alan sensed something familiar¡ª


    from the aura and presence of the man in the paintings.


    Nicolas!


    These murals depicted Nicolas¡ªhis journey of growth from youth to greatness!


    The murals chronicled his entire path.


    And at the far end of this grand hall of murals stood a young woman in a white bridal gown.


    Her skin was porcelain-white, her face warm and gentle like the girl next door. She held a paintbrush, slowly working on the wall.


    Her strokes were hesitant, lacking inspiration. She would paint and repaint¡ªher current work nowhere near the vivid realism of the earlier murals.


    Everyone was rooted to the spot, not daring to move.


    From the woman''s body radiated an aura of unimaginable danger.


    It was as if she could extinguish their lives with a single thought.


    Life and death lay entirely in her hands.


    The room fell utterly silent. Everyone secretly readied their strongest spells.


    The bride-like woman noticed their wariness and let out a soft sigh.


    She pointed toward a nearby side door.


    "Go. He left some things in there. He''s dead now anyway¡ªmight as well let you have them."


    As soon as she finished, most of the mages quickly moved toward the side passage.


    Her aura was simply too overwhelming¡ªnone of them dared remain here longer than necessary.


    Besides, they could feel powerful elemental energy emanating from the side chamber. Compared to this empty mural hall, there was clearly treasure waiting beyond.


    The Third Princess was also eager to explore¡ªbut then she noticed that Alan hadn''t moved.


    "You''re not going?" she asked curiously.


    Alan hesitated for a moment, then said,


    "You go ahead. I''ll stay."


    The Third Princess thought for a moment, then nodded.


    "Be careful."


    And with that, she eagerly rushed toward the side chamber.


    Moments later, a surprised shout came from inside:


    "Tier-Diamond magic skill!"


    Alan''s heart stirred. This place truly lived up to being the legacy of Nicolas''s youth¡ªthere was plenty of treasure to be found.


    Still, he stepped forward¡ªtoward the woman in the wedding dress.


    There were questions in his heart that only she could answer.


    As Alan approached, the woman visibly trembled. Her eyes glistened with what seemed like tears¡ª


    as if she were seeing a long-lost loved one.


    But soon, her trembling faded. She shook her head repeatedly, murmuring:


    "No¡­ it''s not him. You''re not him."


    Alan paused for a moment, then spoke gently to this woman of unknown age:


    "Senior¡­ the one you speak of¡ªis it Nicolas?"


    A wistful light entered her eyes.


    "I''ve been waiting here for him¡­ He said he would return to see me.


    But I waited and waited¡­ and he never came back."


    As she spoke, her long fingers twitched¡ªand the staff-sword in Alan''s hands flew into hers.


    Her nostalgic gaze deepened.


    "That familiar aura¡­ that familiar energy¡­ This sword¡ªit holds a trace of him."


    Alan didn''t know what she meant by "a trace of his spirit"¡ªbut he didn''t press further.


    The woman soon sank into memory. Then she sighed deeply.


    "Young man¡­ do you have someone you love?"


    A silhouette flickered across Alan''s mind, but he remained silent.


    "If you''re sure it''s her¡­ then pursue her with all your heart.


    Don''t be like me¡ªwaiting through countless years, only to realize he would never return.


    Never, ever come back."


    Alan thought of Nicolas in the First Layer of Hell¡ªalready reduced to a skeleton.


    This woman¡­ truly would never see him again.


    "Sometimes I wonder¡­" she said quietly.


    "If I''d chosen to leave with him that evening, as the sun set over this very place where we first met¡ª S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    would our story have ended differently?"


    She sighed again, her gaze toward Alan growing more and more complex.


    Alan gently offered,


    "Senior, I believe¡­ there must have been a part of Nicolas that regretted never seeing you one last time."


    That wasn''t just idle comfort. The reaction of his staff-sword¡­ the aura on his body¡­


    had all led him into this castle.


    That fleeting surge of emotion¡ªAlan had sensed it.


    "Is that so¡­?" Her eyes reddened. "But it doesn''t matter anymore.


    It doesn''t matter now¡­"


    "Though I don''t know what your relationship with him was, you carry his aura¡­ and his staff.


    Will you perform one last wedding for me?"


    Alan nodded.


    "It would be my honor."


    The woman smiled, lifted her paintbrush¡ªand inspiration surged within her.


    She painted Nicolas''s likeness onto the wall. Then she drew blooming flowers across endless hills, filled the sky with clouds and evening light¡ª


    And painted a grand wedding.


    Alan stood there in awe. Under her brush, it felt as though the world around him had changed.


    Everything became so vivid, so real¡ªhe could hardly tell illusion from reality.


    In that moment, he was the priest, presiding, blessing, and bearing witness to a love story that had waited for eternity¡­

 Chapter 526 - Chapter82-The Tier-Diamond Magic Skill

    No one knew how much time had passed.


    It felt like countless years, and yet only a fleeting moment.


    When Alan finally came back to his senses, the woman in the wedding dress was smiling warmly at him.


    He glanced to her side¡ªempty.


    The image of Nicolas she had painted was now gone.


    Just as Alan was about to speak, the woman raised her hand, and a staff of emerald green light appeared in her palm, surrounded by an intense concentration of magical energy.


    Alan immediately recognized it¡ªit was the same staff that had floated above the castle gates!


    As she held it in her palm, her fingers gently caressed its surface, as if stroking the skin of a beloved.


    "This staff was forged by the two of us together long ago," she said softly. "Though it''s been worn down by the passage of time and no longer at its peak, it''s still a tier-platinum staff, beyond the level of tier-gold. It should be of some help to you."


    With that, she handed the staff to Alan.


    Looking at the tier-platinum staff so close at hand, Alan swallowed hard, visibly drooling with anticipation.


    Up until now, the strongest staff he''d ever seen had only reached tier-gold. A tier-platinum staff was extremely rare and highly valuable¡ªpractically priceless!


    And from what the wedding-dress woman had said, this staff had once even surpassed the tier-platinum level!


    This was an unbelievable opportunity!


    Alan carefully received the staff. "Thank you, Senior. I promise I won''t tarnish its name."


    The woman simply smiled, unbothered.


    "This staff is called the Divine Oak Staff. It once symbolized our love.


    Now¡­"


    She smiled again¡ªa free, unburdened smile¡ªas her entire figure began to fade into mist.


    "Senior¡ªwhat''s happening to you?" Alan asked, watching her slowly dissolve into shimmering light.


    The woman turned her head, gazing at him one last time.


    "I am someone who was forgotten by both time and the one I loved.


    Now¡­ I''m just being forgotten completely."


    She chuckled softly.


    "Let me give you one last piece of advice, from someone who''s been there¡ª


    If there''s someone you love, don''t let her slip away.


    Don''t be like me."


    And with that¡­ she vanished completely.


    Alan sighed, then bowed deeply in the direction she had disappeared, offering his heartfelt thanks.


    If not for her, he would never have obtained this Divine Oak Staff.


    Even just holding it, he could already feel the rich, condensed elemental energy within.


    There was also a peculiar resonance between it and his staff-sword¡ªas if they shared a magical kinship.


    Just as Alan was familiarizing himself with the Divine Oak Staff, a sharp shout rang out nearby, echoing through the castle: sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Stop! Don''t let her escape! The tier-diamond magic skill is in her hands!"


    More gusts of wind howled as figures rushed forward!


    Alan turned toward the noise¡ªand saw the Third Princess streaking through the air like a golden flash, darting out of the side hall with incredible speed.


    Behind her was the voice''s owner, chasing with everything he had¡ª


    A young man cloaked in misty water vapor, his speed enhanced drastically.


    Alongside him was the woman in the revealing red dress. The two of them were moving fastest, both locked onto the Third Princess.


    "Hand it over," the red-dressed woman snapped coldly. "That skill is not something you can handle."


    The Third Princess''s expression was calm.


    "Then come take it."


    Provoked by her taunt, the red-dressed woman¡ªhot-tempered by nature¡ªcouldn''t hold back.


    Surging fire elements erupted around her as she struck!


    The Third Princess''s face turned slightly disdainful. She gripped her long blade tightly¡ª


    And in the next instant, a slash wreathed in frost burst forth!


    The blade light turned the rising heat of the air instantly frigid.


    The fireball conjured by the red-dressed woman¡ªabout the size of a human head¡ªvanished the moment it touched that chilling sword energy.


    BOOM!


    The clash of ice and fire sent waves of scalding steam surging in all directions, unleashing explosive shockwaves.


    The Third Princess was forced back slightly, landing beside Alan.


    The red-dressed woman also staggered back, slightly worse off.


    Though she''d lost the exchange, a smile appeared on her face.


    Because while she''d held the Third Princess back, others had taken the opportunity to surround them!


    Nearly all the other top-tier mages in the castle now turned their attention toward the Third Princess.


    She was holding a tier-diamond magic skill¡ªand they all wanted it.


    In the world of magic, spells were divided by both school and tier.


    Tier-iron spells, like the basic fireball, were common and held little value.


    But tier-bronze spells were out of reach for most casual mages, accessible only through academies or major factions.


    Tier-gold spells were exceedingly rare.


    Tier-platinum spells could spark open conflict between entire factions.


    And as for tier-diamond spells¡­


    They were priceless.


    So rare that entire kingdoms would go to war over them. On the Kener Continent, they were as rare as phoenix feathers.


    So when these young elites realized the Third Princess had obtained one, none of them could resist the temptation.


    They all wanted it.


    If they could bring such a spell back to their own factions, the rewards would be immense.


    Their entire faction would be elevated in status and power.


    Now, as the Third Princess stood surrounded, the red-dressed woman sneered.


    "Third Princess¡­ we''re all here for the legacy. Hand it over, and no one will harm you."


    Many of the other prodigies quickly nodded in agreement.


    The Third Princess had just demonstrated her strength, which made some wary.


    Otherwise, they''d have already attacked, rather than negotiating.


    The Third Princess glanced around, then turned to Alan.


    "Do we hand over the spell¡ªor fight our way out?"


    Alan scanned the group of wolves closing in and asked seriously:


    "Is the spell important to you?"


    The Third Princess nodded.


    "It suits me perfectly. Outside, even if you had ten million mana stones, you couldn''t buy it."


    Ten million mana stones?!


    Alan was stunned.


    Then he tightened his grip on his staff-sword and the Divine Oak Staff.


    "In that case¡­ let''s fight."


    He turned to the crowd.


    "Everyone¡ªyes, a tier-diamond magic skill is valuable. But the rule stands: finders keepers.


    That''s all I have to say. Who agrees, and who disagrees?"


    The group stared at him like he was an idiot.


    Even the Third Princess covered her face.


    Alan¡­ really was too naive.


    In moments like this, no one would play by the rules.


    "For someone so naive, you''re quite adorable," the red-dressed woman giggled behind her hand.


    "Just have her hand it over, and we''ll let you go."


    Alan stared at her.


    "So you''re saying¡­ you disagree?"


    The red-dressed woman smirked. "That''s right. What are you going to do about it¡ªbite me?"


    In the next instant, Alan charged straight at her.


    [Blade Spirit] erupted with overwhelming force!


    Empowered by both his staff-sword and the Divine Oak Staff, it surged like gasoline on fire¡ªforming a raging, crushing wave of pressure!


    The red-dressed woman''s expression faltered¡ª


    She hadn''t expected the "useless sidekick" beside the Third Princess to unleash such terrifying Blade Spirit!


    Blade Spirit!


    To master intent at his age was incredibly rare¡ªthose who did were all elite geniuses of powerful factions.


    Not to mention¡ªBlade Spirit, Spear Intent, and Blade Aura were known as the Three Supreme Combat Intents.


    Even she couldn''t afford to take it lightly!


    She immediately gripped her crimson Flame Dragon Staff, and waves of magic gathered at its dragon-shaped head.


    With a deafening roar, a jet of fire burst forth¡ªraging forward dozens of meters, engulfing Alan.


    But as the flames surged forward¡ª


    They were instantly distorted and shredded by Alan''s [Blade Spirit],


    disintegrating into mere flecks of elemental light.

 Chapter 527 - Chapter83-Total Encirclement

    Alan didn''t slow down in the slightest. His sword slashed directly onto the fire dragon staff, and the woman in the red dress trembled violently, the swell on her chest bouncing in an astounding arc. She staggered back several dozen steps, barely mitigating the impact of the [Blade Spirit].


    At this moment, everyone present looked at Alan with newfound seriousness.


    To have already mastered [Blade Spirit] at such a young age¡ªand wield it with such finesse¡ªmeant he could easily earn a place among the top-tier prodigies!


    Under their gazes, Alan, who had just repelled the red-dressed woman, swept his eyes across the crowd and roared:


    "Who else dares step forward?!"


    His [Blade Spirit] was already domineering by nature. Now, paired with his fierce shout, his aura surged even higher. He was like an unsheathed sword¡ªtoo sharp for anyone to touch!


    Then, all of a sudden, Alan grabbed the third princess''s wrist¡ªand ran!


    The third princess had just been about to praise Alan''s performance, but before she could even open her mouth, she was being dragged into full retreat by him.


    She looked at Alan speechlessly. "Weren''t you full of momentum just now? Why the sudden retreat?"


    Alan chuckled awkwardly. "That was just for show! There are too many of them¡ªwe wouldn''t stand a chance in a real fight. Now that we''ve intimidated them a little, we need to use the opportunity to escape!" S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reasoning with that crowd? They wouldn''t listen. A real head-on clash? They didn''t play fair. The best move was to get out while they still could.


    The third princess actually understood this as well. It was just that Alan''s shift in attitude had been so sudden that she couldn''t keep up for a moment.


    Very soon, with both of them running at full speed, they reached the gate of the ancient castle.


    But just as they arrived and were about to catch their breath, a blinding flash of cold light burst from the seemingly empty air¡ªrushing straight for the third princess''s throat!


    It was a strike meant to kill instantly!


    The third princess''s breathing became ragged. The attack had come too fast. Though she sensed it, she had no time to react.


    Just as the deadly light was about to pierce her throat, Alan¡ªwho had sensed the danger a moment before she had¡ªthrew himself forward, pushing her out of the way and using his staff-sword as a shield to block the incoming strike.


    But the power behind the cold light was overwhelming. Though it deflected off his weapon, it still slashed into Alan''s shoulder, tearing away a chunk of flesh.


    Alan was wounded!


    The third princess, now fully aware of what had just happened, felt a surge of emotion¡ªtouched by Alan''s actions, but even more furious at the attacker!


    Her sharp eyes instantly locked onto the direction from which the cold light had come. A youth wearing deerskin gloves strolled out from the corner of the castle, smiling as if he were looking at prey.


    "Your reaction speed''s not bad. But under my flying swords, you won''t escape death."


    He grinned coldly and removed his gloves. The gentlemanly demeanor vanished, replaced by a sinister and savage aura.


    But before he could say more, Alan had already charged straight at him.


    Despite the severe injury to his shoulder, Alan charged like it was nothing, eyes filled with nothing but cold killing intent.


    For Alan, injuries were nothing new. But ever since breaking through to tier-iron level 10, his power and physical body had reached a terrifying level.


    He hadn''t been this badly wounded in a long time.


    This guy¡ªdeserved to die!


    In Alan''s fury, his [Blade Spirit] seemed to take on a faint crimson hue.


    The previously smiling youth now lost his smirk, finally sensing the tremendous pressure Alan was exerting.


    He immediately removed the deerskin gloves, revealing fingers so slender and flawless they looked like white jade¡ªmore delicate than a woman''s.


    At this moment, ten ultra-fine threads formed from metal elements extended from his fingers. Each thread was linked to a short sword, about the length of a forearm.


    As Alan reached him, the youth''s ten fingers began to twitch rapidly, and the flying swords launched from every direction¡ªlike streaks of light too fast to track.


    If not for Alan''s enhanced mental perception as a magus, he wouldn''t have been able to keep up with their speed at all.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    A cascade of clashing sounds rang out as Alan struck down the incoming swords with force, drawing ever closer to the youth.


    He could actually block this many flying swords?!


    Shock flickered in the youth''s eyes. Each of his swords was incredibly sharp and thin as a cicada''s wing, designed for speed and lethality. Paired with his tier-gold control spell¡ª[Threaded Strike]¡ªeven tier-gold magi would be overwhelmed, unable to escape a fatal blow.


    Yet Alan, a mere tier-bronze magus, was fending them off perfectly, countering every strike with precision.


    His mental perception and battle instincts were truly extraordinary!


    Still, the youth''s surprise only lasted for a second.


    His fingers twitched faster and faster. His control over the swords became more delicate and deadly.


    Then¡ªat a precise moment¡ªall ten swords, from various angles and directions, launched simultaneously in a final, lethal strike toward Alan!


    This was his ultimate move!


    Even a tier-gold magus might fall to this sudden, synchronized ambush.


    Each of those flying swords carried devastating power!


    The youth, confident he had calculated every variable and was about to watch Alan''s tragic demise, saw Alan suddenly stop blocking.


    He only parried the five swords coming from the front¡ªthen, as if reckless and fearless, he ignored the ones coming from behind and slashed straight at the youth!


    The sword energy was razor-sharp, deadly.


    The youth merely sneered¡ªAlan''s strike might be fierce, but his flying swords were faster!


    Slash!


    The flying swords reached Alan first¡ªexcept they were stopped by an earthen wall that had suddenly materialized behind him.


    Though the wall, formed of dense earth element, absorbed much of the blow, the force still caused a wound on Alan''s back. Blood streamed out¡ªbut the attack didn''t pierce through completely.


    And Alan''s sword? It was already at the youth''s face!


    The youth''s expression turned deathly pale.


    He never expected Alan to be able to command elemental magic!


    This guy¡ªhe''s a magus too?!


    Just as that realization struck, an overwhelming sense of death flooded his senses.


    That sword strike¡ªhe couldn''t stop it in time!


    "I am a prince of the Blood Kingdom! If you harm me, the Blood Kingdom will never let you go¡ª!"


    His shout wasn''t even fully spoken when Alan''s sword cleaved through his neck.


    Slash!


    Blood sprayed.


    The youth''s head soared into the air.


    One strike. A clean kill.


    After finishing him off, Alan immediately used his magic to force out the embedded flying swords from his body, snatched the youth''s storage ring, and grabbed the third princess to continue fleeing.


    The pursuers were already closing in!


    As the third princess glanced at Alan''s back, now soaked in blood, her heart trembled.


    She instantly grabbed Alan''s wrist in return and began pulling him forward¡ªrunning even faster!


    But they hadn''t gone far before both of them came to an abrupt halt.


    A new figure blocked their path.


    Beatrice.


    She stared at them coldly, as if looking at two corpses.


    The third princess narrowed her eyes and said icily:


    "You''ve already gotten something. Greed will bring only ruin."


    Beatrice replied flatly, "The legacy belongs to those with the power to claim it. If you can''t protect it, hand it over to me."


    As she spoke, the red-dressed woman and the others who had been chasing after them landed around Alan and the third princess, fully surrounding them.


    There were many legacies here, but clearly, the magic skill in the third princess''s possession was the one they all craved most.


    It was the greatest treasure¡ªand no one was planning to give it up.


    Feeling the pain in his back, Alan raised his voice and said:


    "Everyone, we''re not unwilling to hand over the magic skill¡ªbut who exactly are we supposed to give it to? Maybe you should all discuss that among yourselves first?"


    The crowd that had been eyeing Alan and the third princess hungrily just a moment ago now exchanged uncertain glances.


    They weren''t nearly as united anymore.

 Chapter 528 - Chapter84-The Third Princess Explodes!

    A tier-diamond mage skill¡ªno matter the faction¡ªwas incredibly precious.


    If the third princess really handed it over, how would it be divided among so many people? That was indeed a real problem.


    When that moment came, this seemingly united group would instantly turn on each other.


    So even though they all knew Alan was deliberately sowing discord, they silently distanced themselves from one another, wary.


    Just then, Beatrice shot a cold glance at Alan and said:


    "Everyone, these two are as cunning as foxes. Let''s capture them first!"


    The others nodded in agreement.


    They still remembered clearly how Alan had toyed with them earlier.


    In an instant, all their auras locked onto Alan and the third princess like a dark, oppressive tide.


    These people were the top prodigies of their respective factions, and with them joining forces, Alan and the third princess felt like mountains had descended upon their shoulders.


    Alan glanced at the charging crowd and quickly said, "Third Princess, you go first¡ªI''ll hold them off!"


    But before he could finish, the third princess suddenly stepped forward. Her sharp gaze swept across the crowd, and her voice, cold as a winter wind, rang out:


    "You''ve forced this on me!"


    The crowd sneered. They had the numbers¡ªno matter how strong she was, she wouldn''t be able to escape their net.


    Today, neither of them would leave alive.


    But just as that thought crossed their minds, they felt a chilling mist begin to rise from the third princess''s body.


    The moment it touched them, thick layers of frost rapidly formed on their skin. The piercing cold made them shiver uncontrollably.


    "What terrifying energy fluctuations... Could this be that tier-diamond magic skill?!"


    The same thought echoed in everyone''s minds as frost began crystallizing on their bodies.


    The aura emanating from the third princess made them feel a deep and imminent danger¡ªsomething only a tier-diamond magic skill could produce.


    Whoosh!


    Just as they tried to speed up and stop her, the third princess plunged her long blade into the ground.


    "Frozen Winter!"


    Crystalline ice rapidly grew from the blade''s surface, spreading across the earth and radiating outward in all directions.


    In an instant, the ground froze with a thick layer of ice nearly half a meter deep. Even the vegetation it touched became lifeless ice sculptures.


    Beatrice, who was charging ahead, was the first to be struck by the wave of cold. She was forced back, ice crystals forming all over her body, until she was sealed in a block of ice like a frozen amber.


    The other mages rushing toward the third princess were no exception¡ªeach was turned into a motionless ice statue!


    Alan stared at the sudden eruption of power from the third princess in awe.


    So this is the terror of a tier-diamond mage skill?!


    No wonder so many were willing to stop at nothing to claim it. With just one move, it had frozen all these top-tier prodigies in place!


    If the third princess had mastered this skill more thoroughly, these people might not just have been frozen¡ªthey might''ve died outright!


    Alan couldn''t help but exclaim, "Amazing¡ªmy Third Princess!"


    Still kneeling, hand clutching the frozen blade, the third princess replied in a hoarse and weak voice:


    "Go! With my current strength, I can only use this one attack¡ªit won''t hold them for long!"


    Alan nodded repeatedly.


    He could already feel that the magical elements were surging within the frozen figures. Cracks had begun to form across the ice¡ªthe freeze wouldn''t last.


    But just as he turned to leave, he realized the third princess wasn''t moving.


    Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. "I''ve used too much magic and suffered backlash... I can''t move."


    Alan quickly hoisted her onto his back and rushed away from the scene.


    Not long after they left, the ice before Beatrice began to creak.


    Dense cracks spread across the frozen block like shattered porcelain, and with a burst of expanding magical energy from within, the ice exploded into shards.


    One by one, the other frozen prodigies also broke free, their bodies still trembling from the cold.


    "Damn it! They got away!"


    The woman in the red dress bit her lip hard. Flames surged from her body, driving away the cold as she took off in pursuit.


    The others followed suit.


    Having personally experienced the might of the tier-diamond skill, their desire to possess it had reached a fever pitch.


    Just a crude casting of it by the third princess¡ªwho was only at tier-gold¡ªhad such devastating power.


    If they could fully master it, none of their peers could rival them!


    ¡­


    After bursting through the portal of light and arriving on the island in the middle of the lake, Alan scanned the surroundings, then dashed toward a rugged mountain range.


    That area was far from Ironblood City, full of towering trees and rugged terrain¡ªperfect for hiding.


    As a magus, Alan had an enhanced sense of his surroundings, allowing him to avoid danger more effectively.


    After half an hour of sprinting and finally reaching the deep woods, he followed a riverbank, though the pain in his back kept worsening. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing a wild boar scratching against a tree up ahead, Alan suddenly had an idea.


    He set the third princess down by the riverbank, then used earth element magic to restrain the boar.


    Next, he took off his bloodstained shirt and tied it to the boar''s back.


    The boar, unaware of Alan''s plan, struggled wildly. Alan released the restraint and gave it a solid kick.


    With a howl of pain, the boar took off charging wildly in the direction they''d come from.


    Then, without hesitation, Alan turned to the third princess and dove into the river, pulling her into the water with him. They ducked into a dense patch of aquatic plants, submerged beneath the rushing current.


    From above, the vegetation was so thick and the current so fast, it was impossible to see where they were hiding.


    Not long after, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed nearby.


    Alan instinctively gripped his staff-sword tighter.


    Suddenly, a cold voice rang out: "The blood trail is up ahead¡ªafter it!"


    The pursuers quickly rushed past.


    Alan didn''t emerge right away. He waited patiently until he was absolutely sure they were gone. Then he turned to the third princess.


    Her lips were pale, and the magic inside her body was in disarray. Her limbs had grown stiff.


    Clearly, using a magic skill far beyond her current tier had taken a heavy toll.


    She had no combat ability left.


    "You''re really experienced with this kind of thing¡­ have you been hunted down before?"


    The third princess suddenly opened her eyes, looking seriously at Alan.


    Even if she had been in charge, she couldn''t have handled the situation better than he had.


    Alan twitched his mouth awkwardly. That¡­ wasn''t the point! Shouldn''t she be praising him for being clever, calm under pressure?


    The third princess continued, "The backlash from the skill is severe. I''ll need two days to recover."


    Alan''s face darkened slightly.


    Two days might not seem long, but with so many people searching for them, it could be a death sentence if they were discovered.


    As Alan began to feel frustrated, the third princess shifted slightly in his arms.


    That small movement, combined with her soaked clothes clinging to her body like a second skin, made her appear almost completely transparent.


    Her soft skin brushed against Alan, and he immediately felt his body heating up.


    As expected of a hot-blooded young man¡ªespecially with someone as beautiful as the third princess in such an intimate position¡ªhis body reacted on its own.


    And, unfortunately, that reaction was pressing against a particularly sensitive part of the princess.


    At first, she didn''t notice, but after shifting again and feeling the change, her eyes widened. She turned to stare at Alan.


    Alan looked mortified. "I-I swear I didn''t mean to!"


    He had never been close to a woman before. Faced with someone like the third princess, it was a miracle he''d lasted this long.


    If he hadn''t reacted¡­ now that would''ve been unnatural.


    Time passed quickly.


    Two hours later, as dusk settled over the land, Alan emerged from the river with the third princess still on his back.


    He didn''t head toward Ironblood City.


    Instead, he made straight for the secret realm.

 Chapter 529 - Chapter85-Return to the Secret Realm

    Right now, the top prodigies from all major factions were frantically scouring the region in search of them. Every route toward Ironblood City would undoubtedly be heavily guarded.


    Though Ironblood City was the third princess''s territory and they would be safe once inside, the chances of getting intercepted en route were far too high.


    So instead of walking into their net, heading back to the secret realm might actually be the safest option.


    By now, night had fallen. The bright moon hung in the sky, but much of its light was blocked by the thick forest canopy, casting everything ahead into pitch darkness, like a lurking beast ready to devour.


    But Alan''s spiritual perception was incredibly sharp. Carrying the third princess on his back, he leapt nimbly and silently through the shadows, eventually returning to the island and slipping into the deepest part of the ancient castle¡ªa secluded back garden.


    Only then did he stop.


    Alan wiped the sweat from his brow and gently placed the third princess onto the bed inside one of the rooms. "Rest and recover here. I''ll keep watch outside."


    With that, he turned and left.


    The third princess said nothing, simply watching Alan''s departing back in silence.


    Seated by the doorway, Alan finally let out a quiet breath.


    Though the journey had been dangerous, they had gained much. He could feel it¡ªif he fused the Divine Oak Staff with his staff-sword, his strength would rise dramatically!


    "Just wait for me, little sis. I''ll be back soon," Alan murmured.


    He pulled a small wooden carving from his pocket.


    It was of Isabella¡ªan adorable, lifelike miniature she had carved herself and secretly placed in his luggage.


    Then, as if remembering something else, he took out another carving¡ªthis one of a valiant and beautiful woman, filled with heroic spirit.


    It was clearly Alice.


    Isabella both admired and liked Alice.


    Looking at the two carvings in his hands, Alan''s determination grew even stronger.


    He clenched them tightly¡ªlike he was holding the whole world in his hands.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a piercing sound tore through the air. A youth carrying eight massive warhammers on his back stepped forward.


    His nose twitched, picking up a scent. The lazy expression on his face finally turned serious, and he quickly headed toward the room.


    Alan''s gaze sharpened as he looked at the newcomer.


    It was the recently emerged top-tier genius. Even just approaching, the pressure he radiated rolled forward like a dark tide.


    The youth didn''t spare Alan a glance and made straight for the room.


    But in that instant, Alan thrust out his staff-sword without hesitation.


    The hammer-wielding youth shook his head lazily and flicked his hand. A layer of green iron-like scales instantly covered his palm as he reached out to catch Alan''s incoming strike!


    His five fingers cut through the air as if crushing it.


    Alan''s sword clashed with his hand, and a burst of sparks lit up the space. Even the razor-sharp [Blade Spirit] trembled slightly under the intense pressure.


    In the next moment, Alan staggered backward nearly ten steps, each footstep carving deep imprints into the ground.


    His arm, still gripping the sword, was shaking visibly.


    The youth, meanwhile, had only retreated a few steps and remained composed.


    But when he looked at the white indentation on his scaly palm, his casual expression turned serious.


    "Interesting... [Blade Spirit], and such a refined one at that. You''re impressive," he said with a faint smile.


    Alan focused on the scales on the youth''s hand. The unique mana waves he emitted were something Alan had never encountered before¡ªbrutal and domineering. Even with his strengthened body, he had been at a disadvantage during the clash.


    "Your magic attribute is quite unusual," Alan said seriously. "But that tier-diamond magic skill¡ªyou won''t get it."


    The youth slowly removed the eight warhammers from his back. "I''ve seen many arrogant people like you. Sadly, they all fell beneath my hammers. But you¡ªwielding [Blade Spirit]¡ªare qualified to witness my hammer technique."


    With that, his entire body was covered in scales, beneath which magical runes flickered faintly. His aura surged several times stronger than before.


    Then¡ªboom¡ªhe took one step, and the ground exploded beneath his feet.


    He shot toward Alan like a teleporting shadow, warhammer howling through the air, fully locking onto Alan.


    Facing the overwhelming presence of the hammer, Alan''s expression grew exceptionally grim.


    This blow carried a lethal aura¡ªseveral times more powerful than the youth''s earlier probing strike.


    "Light Sword Spell!" Alan roared.


    Brilliant light element rapidly gathered in front of him, forming multiple swords of light that shot through the air, striking the warhammer in rapid succession.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The heavy weapon trembled violently, its surface marked with over a dozen glowing dents. The youth''s unstoppable advance was halted as the swords forced him back dozens of steps!


    Blood seeped from the cracks in his palms, and the fine scales shattered under the force. Pain pierced through his arms.


    But rather than fear, his face lit up with wild excitement!


    "Fascinating! You''re not just a magic swordsman who''s mastered [Blade Spirit]¡ªyou''re also a Grand Magus!"


    "I''ve never met someone like you!"


    His muscles tensed, and his mana flared with an aggressive red hue, adding an even more domineering fire-like force to his presence.


    Alan, looking at the youth pushed back by his light sword spell, shook his head.


    "You''re strong. But even if you win, we''ll both be severely injured. You still won''t walk away with the tier-diamond magic skill."


    "Is that so? Well, that''s not for you to worry about," the youth said, raising his hammers again, preparing to strike.


    But then Alan''s expression turned solemn. "Why don''t you give me some face and let this go?"


    "Give you some face?" The youth frowned, confused.


    At first, he wanted to laugh it off¡ªbut the more he thought about it, the more serious he became. He studied Alan carefully.


    Their eyes locked.


    After a moment of tense silence, the youth suddenly burst into hearty laughter.


    "Alright, alright! Remember this, Grand Magus¡ªmy name is Caesar, from the Spellbeast Church of the Jiner Kingdom. You owe me one!"


    With that, he hoisted his eight warhammers casually over his shoulder and walked away.


    He could tell Alan was immensely powerful. If they truly fought to the end, it would indeed be a lose-lose.


    But Alan was both a Grand Magus and a magic swordsman who had grasped [Blade Spirit]!


    Someone like that had limitless potential.


    Gaining a favor from such a figure? More than worth it.


    Alan stood frozen for a moment¡ªhe hadn''t expected Caesar to actually walk away!


    He had said that just to buy time.


    What Alan didn''t know was that his status as a Grand Magus¡ªcombined with his rare magic swordsmanship¡ªgave his "face" incredible value.


    Especially the Grand Magus title.


    In a million mages, there might be one!


    And Alan had become one.


    His future was limitless. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To befriend him now was to gain a powerful ally.


    After a brief silence, Alan muttered in shock:


    "Wait... my face is actually worth that much? Maybe I''ve just been too lacking in self-confidence..."


    At that moment, another figure approached.


    Beatrice.


    The genius from Lioncrest Academy had found her way back.


    Trouble.


    "So you were hiding here," she said with a cold smile. "The most dangerous place is the safest one¡ªbut you''re not the only one who figured that out."


    "And you really underestimate how tempting a tier-diamond magic skill is. The top factions are practically drooling over it¡ªyou won''t be able to keep it."


    Alan took a deep breath, walked up to her, and flashed a brilliant smile.


    "Care to give me some face?"


    "Give you face?" Beatrice scoffed. "You hit your head or something?"


    Alan''s smile froze. This... wasn''t going as planned.


    He sighed and asked seriously, "Are you really going to attack me? You said it yourself¡ªmany others are after that skill. Do you really think you can protect it?"


    "Just step aside and have her hand it over. I''ll let you both walk away. She''s still the third princess¡ªI''ll give her some dignity."


    "And if we refuse?" Alan''s face turned cold.


    "Then I''ll give you your dignity... with force."

 Chapter 530 - Chapter86-Can Alan Be Trusted?

    As Beatrice''s cold and commanding voice echoed through the air, Alan gripped his staff-sword tightly and charged at her, sword flashing like flowing light.


    Facing a powerhouse like Beatrice¡ªthe top genius of Lioncrest Academy¡ªhis only option was to strike first and seize the initiative in battle.


    Whoosh!


    Alan''s sword slashed forward with incredible speed, but Beatrice only sneered. A cold, deathly aura of dark magic wrapped around her body, making her resemble a black-robed reaper.


    When Alan''s blade landed on her shadowy form, the [Blade Spirit] within vanished like a stone sinking into water¡ªcompletely absorbed without even a ripple.


    Alan''s heart trembled slightly. No wonder she was considered one of Lioncrest Academy''s twin prodigies.


    She possessed a rare dark-element affinity!


    According to legend, dark element was one of the most mysterious and unpredictable elemental types.


    Beatrice easily blocked Alan''s strike and immediately reached out, attempting to seize his staff-sword and disarm him of his signature weapon.


    But Alan twisted his wrist mid-air, spinning the sword to avoid her grasp, then thrust forward again with fierce precision.


    Beatrice hadn''t expected such combat prowess. Her eyes narrowed in concentration.


    The dark element flowed from her palms, transforming into viscous black sludge that gripped Alan''s sword like lightning.


    Simultaneously, another dark tendril swiftly formed a black spear, stabbing toward Alan''s chest.


    Alan''s sword was immediately suppressed, its power significantly reduced.


    Any ordinary staff would have shattered under such pressure.


    But Alan''s weapon had devoured both an elemental spirit and the Dragonfang Staff. It far surpassed normal staffs.


    Just as it was being suppressed, a low dragon''s roar echoed from the weapon. It shuddered violently, shaking off the dark element and deflecting the incoming spear.


    Immediately after, Alan made a bold move¡ªhe abandoned his sword and charged forward, initiating close-quarters combat with Beatrice!


    She was caught off guard by his sudden shift in tactics and took a punch to the chest. Though her dark magic absorbed most of the impact, and she suffered no real damage, she was still forced several steps back.


    She quickly regained her footing, eyes now visibly serious. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had only exchanged a few moves, yet Alan''s strength clearly exceeded her expectations. Very few could stand toe-to-toe with her¡ªand even fewer had ever forced her back.


    Just as she was about to counterattack, the sealed door behind her suddenly burst open. The third princess rushed out.


    As soon as she emerged, she spoke:


    "Beatrice, your faction may be strong, but with Alan and I joining forces, you''re no match. Leave now, and I''ll act as if none of this ever happened."


    While Alan was indeed powerful, in the third princess''s eyes, their earlier clash had only been a warm-up. Beatrice''s current strength was not something Alan could handle alone.


    Beatrice glanced at her and said coolly, "Third Princess, why cling to a tier-diamond magic skill? You both can''t protect it."


    The third princess replied coldly, "Even if you defeat us, Beatrice, you''ll be severely wounded. Do you think the other faction elites will let you walk away after that?"


    Beatrice smirked, "If you were at full strength, I''d take that threat seriously. But now? After the backlash from casting a tier-diamond spell? I doubt you even have a tenth of your power left. You think you can still intimidate me?"


    As she spoke, she suddenly charged at the third princess!


    Alan reacted instantly, throwing himself in front of her and blocking her path.


    At the same moment, the third princess''s eyes flashed with cold light. She drew her blade and slashed toward Beatrice with lightning speed!


    Boom!


    Beatrice''s pupils shrank. She quickly formed a dark shield to block the strike¡ªbut the energy behind the blow was so fierce that she was still forced back several steps.


    The third princess withdrew her blade and stared at Beatrice coldly.


    "You''re mistaken about something. Yes, the backlash was severe¡ªbut do you think the royal family has no healing techniques or elixirs?"


    Beatrice felt the sting in her arm. Her expression grew heavier.


    Judging by that strike, the third princess had indeed recovered more strength than expected.


    But Beatrice narrowed her eyes and said, "So what if you''ve regained some power? In your condition, you won''t be able to hold out for long."


    With that, she charged again.


    But just then, a wave of bone-chilling cold erupted from the third princess''s body. The moisture in the air instantly crystallized into shimmering frost, falling like snow.


    Beatrice abruptly halted and backed away, face darkening as she turned and left.


    She remembered all too well the power of that tier-diamond spell. If the third princess focused it on her alone, she wasn''t confident she could withstand it¡ªespecially with Alan nearby, ready to strike at any moment.


    Once Beatrice had decisively retreated, the third princess quickly retracted her overwhelming aura.


    "Come on, let''s talk inside," she said.


    Her face was pale as she turned and slowly made her way back into the room.


    Alan followed close behind.


    But as soon as they entered, Alan''s eyes widened in shock¡ªbecause the third princess coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining her dress crimson.


    Alan rushed forward to steady her swaying figure.


    "A tier-diamond spell may be valuable¡­ but it''s not worth dying for," he said urgently.


    But the third princess wiped the blood from her lips and looked at Alan with unwavering determination.


    "This spell is too important."


    Alan frowned. "Even so¡­ Beatrice won''t give up. She''ll return, probably with reinforcements from Lioncrest Academy."


    "And that''s not all. Plenty of other factions are watching this skill closely. Sometimes, letting go is the wiser choice."


    He gazed at her pale face, voice steady.


    Alan wasn''t someone who gave up easily. But the odds were against them. The third princess, despite her immense potential, would one day outgrow the importance of this single skill.


    The third princess sighed. "Let go? Easy for you to say. I have no other choice¡ªand neither does the Plantagenet Kingdom."


    Her voice rose, growing increasingly emotional. Bloodshot veins surfaced in her eyes.


    "The kingdom is already beset on all sides. The surrounding nations see us as a fat piece of meat, and internally we''re plagued by countless noble families. On top of that, we have to deal with giants like Lioncrest Academy and the Church of Steam and Magic."


    "Plantagenet is like a rotting wooden house, leaking on all sides¡ªbut even if it''s broken, it cannot be allowed to collapse! If it does, our people will become nothing more than slaves to other nations!"


    "The nobles and great families? They''re intertwined through marriage and power. No matter who sits on the throne, they always stay at the top. Lioncrest Academy and the Church are the same."


    "They don''t care about the common people!"


    "Do you know my troops¡ªthe mages stationed on the border¡ªhaven''t been paid in three months?"


    "The only way to save Plantagenet¡­ is to sell this magic skill. Only then can the kingdom begin to recover."


    The third princess stared at Alan with resolute eyes.


    "So this¡­ is your true reason for coming here?" Alan asked after a pause.


    She nodded firmly. "Yes."


    "In this secret realm, this spell is the greatest treasure. If we lose it, the kingdom will descend into chaos."


    Alan finally understood her intentions and shook his head.


    "You may have your reasons¡ªbut it''s not worth risking your life."


    "This place is too dangerous. You should leave," the third princess said, steadying her breathing, trying to calm her emotions.


    Alan stood in silence for a moment¡­ then clenched his fists tightly, as if making a critical decision.


    He looked at the third princess and said:


    "The tier-diamond magic skill is indeed precious¡­ So hand it over to me."

 Chapter 531 - Chapter87-Let’s All Learn It Together!

    The third princess stared at Alan in utter disbelief.


    Alan didn''t look at her. His expression was cold, and his voice had grown firm and commanding:


    "Hand over the skill."


    Seeing this completely different side of Alan, the third princess''s heart began to race uncontrollably¡ªlike it had been pierced by needles, spasming in pain.


    Under Alan''s relentless pressure, a sense of despair filled her heart.


    So in the face of absolute interest, no one could restrain the beast of desire within.


    She felt betrayed. Drained.


    Like a lifeless puppet, she tossed the scroll toward Alan.


    Alan caught it and glanced at the cover¡ªfour glowing runes spelled out "Frozen World". Even just holding it, he could feel a chilling force seeping into his very soul.


    "So this is a tier-diamond magic skill... It''s truly extraordinary," Alan muttered, then turned and strode out of the room without looking back.


    The third princess remained silent as she watched his back fade into the distance, a crushing sense of loss twisting her heart.


    After a long pause, as if recalling something, she took out a jade token and inscribed several blood-red runes upon it.


    "Duke Alice¡­ we''ve all been deceived by him."


    As the runes took shape, far away, in an ancient and grand hall, Alice, clad in soft armor and radiating the aura of a battle goddess, felt a sudden jolt in her heart. She looked down at the jade token she carried.


    Then, eyes narrowing, she gripped her long blade tightly and turned to leave.


    "Miss, your duel with the Nightlord is about to begin¡ª"


    Her protector''s voice called out, but Duke Alice didn''t even glance back, vanishing into the distance at breakneck speed.


    ¡­


    After leaving the room, Alan dashed to the top of the ancient castle and unfurled the scroll¡ªhalf to confirm its contents, half as a show of triumph.


    "A tier-diamond spell¡­ this is the first time I''ve ever laid eyes on one."


    After a quick scan, Alan leapt down and exited the castle.


    The moment he appeared, the many prodigies who had already been converging toward the area all locked onto him and charged forward.


    "The tier-diamond skill is in his hands!"


    "Kill him! Then the scroll is ours!"


    In an instant, countless greedy gazes targeted Alan, and the crowd surged forward in pursuit.


    This was a tier-diamond spell¡ªsomething far beyond what even the strongest spellbooks of most kingdoms could offer!


    Among the frenzied pursuers, Beatrice and the voluptuous woman in the red dress were the most aggressive and fastest to act.


    As for the third princess, they had all given up on her.


    She was powerful in her own right and royalty of the Plantagenet Kingdom. If she died here, it could lead to serious consequences.


    Besides, their goal was simple: the spell.


    But Alan, upon exiting the special space of the castle, immediately sprinted toward the forest at top speed, putting distance between himself and his pursuers.


    Though his enemies were powerful and had sharp senses, they began to fall behind.


    This forest was Alan''s domain¡ªdense woods, deep ravines, thick vegetation everywhere.


    Most of the pursuers were elite prodigies from major factions. While strong, they had little experience in brutal jungle warfare or deadly pursuits.


    Alan, however, had grown up in this kind of environment. Entering the forest was like returning home.


    The chaotic chase dragged on for several hours until night fell, forcing Beatrice and the others to slow down.


    After dark, tracking Alan became far more difficult. Their movements were hindered¡ªand more importantly, they feared Alan''s ambushes.


    This entire pursuit had proven that Alan was deeply familiar with the terrain. The forest wasn''t just great for hiding¡ªit was perfect for assassinations.


    Worse, their "alliance" was based purely on interest. In the pitch-black jungle, no one could be certain an "ally" wouldn''t suddenly stab them in the back.


    So, as they cautiously pressed forward, Alan finally got a chance to breathe.


    At that moment, hiding behind a bush and catching his breath, Alan gently rubbed the wooden carving of Isabella he kept with him. His eyes grew sharp.


    "Wait for me, little sis."


    Just as he was about to move, a cold voice suddenly echoed in his ear¡ª


    "I think it''s best she stops waiting." sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Alan''s head snapped toward the voice¡ªand saw Beatrice rushing toward him.


    As a mage attuned to the dark element, the night was her playground.


    But she wasn''t alone. From two other directions, the red-dressed woman and her male companion also emerged, eyes locked on Alan.


    Alan frowned. "How did you find me?"


    He had covered himself in tree sap and other natural scents to mask his presence. Even a hound with a sensitive nose shouldn''t have been able to track him.


    Beatrice sneered, "I told you already¡ªthere are others watching this spell. People far beyond what you can imagine."


    "You''re just a nobody. No backing, no power, and you dare involve yourself in this? You''re begging to die."


    Just as Alan was about to question her further¡ªan eerie, grinning face suddenly appeared in front of Beatrice.


    Boom!


    She was sent flying, and a strange smile-shaped mark appeared on her cheek!


    Everyone nearby froze in shock.


    Beatrice, one of the strongest among the elite, had just been blown away without even realizing how.


    The red-dressed woman and her partner halted immediately, staring at Alan with extreme caution.


    They hadn''t seen how the attack had landed¡ªit had been that fast.


    Even Beatrice, now regaining her balance while clutching her swollen, stinging cheek, was visibly shaken.


    Her spirit sense had been entirely focused on Alan, yet she still had no idea what had hit her!


    She glanced around warily, but saw nothing.


    Alan looked at the smiling imprint on her face and chuckled.


    "My apologies. Turns out I have backers too¡ªones beyond your comprehension. That was just a warning. Keep pushing, and my senior won''t hold back."


    Just as his cold voice faded, another thud sounded¡ªand this time, Alan himself was the one sent flying!


    Beatrice and the others were stunned.


    What¡­ just happened?


    Alan was just as confused at first, but quickly realized what had happened.


    That mysterious, smile-faced creature¡­ must''ve just hit whoever it felt like.


    Clearly, it had no sense of loyalty or timing¡ªit just did what it wanted.


    "Come on, I''m a gatekeeper of hell! Don''t I deserve at least a little dignity?"


    If it wanted to hit him, fine¡ªbut could it at least wait until they were alone?


    Alan stood up, rubbing his cheek. A bizarre smile-shaped mark had also appeared on his face.


    At that moment, everyone around was too spooked to make a move, fearing they might be next.


    Sensing the silence, Alan cleared his throat and called out:


    "Since everyone''s so interested in this tier-diamond spell, how about this? Each of you pays me one million mana stones, and I''ll let you copy it. That way everyone''s happy¡ªyou all get to learn it!"


    Everyone: "¡­"


    Beatrice snapped, "I already thought you were crazy, and now I''m sure of it. You''re sick!"


    They had planned to steal the spell without paying a thing.


    One million mana stones each? Dream on.


    Besides, if everyone got the spell, then no one would have an advantage.


    No one wanted to share a powerful spell.


    And just as Beatrice finished her sentence, Alan spun around¡ª


    and ran.


    If we''re not going to make a deal, then what''s the point of talking?


    He disappeared into the darkness of the forest in the blink of an eye.

 Chapter 532 - Chapter88-Repeated Provocations

    As they watched Alan suddenly vanish into the darkness, Beatrice and the others immediately turned cold.


    That guy always managed to slip away at the last moment!


    "After him!"


    The next second, their eyes turned icy as they all charged after Alan.


    Their speed was indeed fast, but under the cover of night, Alan still managed to shake off their pursuit.


    However, there was no trace of relief on Alan''s face.


    Beatrice had made it very clear earlier¡ªpowerful figures from various factions had taken an interest in the tier-diamond magic skill.


    Although he had shaken them off for now, with those influential people involved, it was only a matter of time before they found him again.


    And if they worked together, Alan knew he stood no chance against them.


    That thought made Alan''s gaze turn frosty.


    Clearly, those figures had revealed his location because he lacked a strong enough backing. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have interfered so blatantly.


    Did they really think he was that easy to bully?


    Rage welled up in Alan''s chest. As he charged deeper into the forest, he reached into his backpack and pulled out a bottle of pink potion.


    Before he left, Isabella had packed his supplies¡ªbesides clothes and rations, there were also many special potions.


    Alan had planned to use them sparingly, as each one was hard-earned by his sister. Every bottle used was one less in reserve.


    But given the current situation, there was no room for saving them.


    With the decision made, Alan uncorked the pink potion with a sharp motion.


    Meanwhile, Beatrice and the others, guided by those powerful figures, quickly closed the gap between them and Alan.


    However, the closer they got, the more uneasy Beatrice felt. Alan''s movements¡­ seemed to be circling.


    "What''s he trying to do?"


    Beatrice frowned, and the darkness element swirling around her surged, boosting her speed until she finally caught up with Alan at the mouth of a valley deep within the forest.


    At this moment, Alan looked exhausted and had stopped running¡ªas if he were waiting for her.


    "If you''ve come to your senses, then hand over the magic skill!" Beatrice said coldly as she closed in on him step by step. If he refused, she wouldn''t hesitate to kill him.


    Alan took a deep breath and stared hard at her. "If I give you the magic skill, will you let me go?"


    Beatrice sneered. "If it were earlier, maybe. But you''re a slippery one¡ªI think it''s best to eliminate the threat completely."


    Alan wasn''t surprised by the answer. Just then, he glanced toward the two figures approaching from the distance¡ªa woman in a red dress and a man wreathed in mist. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You two!" Alan called out. "This Beatrice is despicable! I already gave her the skill, and yet she still wants to kill me! Please, help me destroy her!"


    As his voice rang out, both the red-dressed woman and the mist-shrouded man narrowed their eyes and stared intently at Beatrice.


    Realizing Alan was trying to sow discord, Beatrice remained composed. "Don''t listen to his nonsense. He never handed me the skill scroll at all."


    Alan sneered. "Beatrice, do you even have any shame? If you dare, open your storage ring and let everyone see!"


    At that, all eyes turned to Beatrice, most with sharpness and suspicion.


    After all, she had been the first to catch up to Alan!


    Seeing that the crowd was growing agitated, Alan added fuel to the fire: "Everyone, I''m right here, surrounded and with nowhere to run¡ªdo I really need to lie? I thought Beatrice, one of Lioncrest Academy''s twin pillars, had at least some dignity. Turns out, she doesn''t!"


    The onlookers glanced at Alan¡ªindeed, he was surrounded and had no way out. Lying at this point would only provoke their wrath.


    Which meant¡­ the one lying was far more likely to be Beatrice!


    Beatrice''s face darkened. A storage ring was every mage''s private domain¡ªit was taboo to reveal its contents.


    Not to mention, hers contained personal items. There was no way she''d allow a public search!


    "Why don''t you search Alan first? The scroll is clearly in his backpack!" Beatrice snapped as she swept her gaze across the crowd.


    Some of the gathered mages found that reasonable, but more of them looked back at her.


    They didn''t fully trust either Alan or Beatrice¡ªbut Beatrice was clearly the more dangerous one.


    "Search both of them!" the woman in red suddenly declared.


    But just as her voice fell, a deafening roar of beasts erupted from all directions.


    The ground trembled as though an earthquake had struck. Ferocious spellbeasts, eyes red and nostrils flaring, charged toward them like a tidal wave.


    Sensing the terrifying horde of spellbeasts descending upon them, Beatrice and the others were momentarily confused.


    They hadn''t provoked any beasts¡ªwhy was a full-blown stampede heading their way?


    Most of the spellbeasts were at the tier-bronze level, but there were many of them¡ªand their frenzy made them even more dangerous.


    Caught in the tide, even the elite could fall!


    Whoosh!


    The vanguard of the stampede reached the group, their fangs and claws gleaming as they closed in.


    Beatrice and the others had no choice but to shift their focus to the incoming threat.


    Splat!


    Beast after beast was torn apart, their bodies bursting into bloody pulp that splattered across the trees and grass, painting the area in crimson splotches. The air reeked of blood.


    Though Beatrice and the others were powerful and swift, the sheer number of spellbeasts and their suicidal frenzy made them difficult to handle.


    Even as they slew the ones up front, more continued to rush in with murderous intent.


    "Alan! He''s behind this!"


    Beatrice suddenly shouted after slaying several beasts.


    All the other mages realized it too¡ªwhile they were being targeted, Alan was escaping in the direction of Ironblood City!


    As Beatrice''s voice rang out, the others also noticed Alan''s retreating figure¡ªand their eyes turned murderous.


    They all realized: Alan had stalled for time, waiting for the spellbeasts to arrive. They''d all fallen into his trap!


    "What a stench¡ªthis place reeks of berserker beast potion. He must have buried it ahead of time. And now it''s fully evaporated... that bastard is vicious!" the red-dressed woman said, face icy as she sniffed the air.


    She immediately drew her staff from her storage ring and summoned fire elements, cutting down the approaching beasts like a meteor, giving chase to Alan.


    The other mages, all furious at having been played, unleashed their own spells to break free and joined the pursuit.


    With so many enraged prodigies chasing, Alan''s figure quickly grew clearer in the distance.


    "Alan! Let''s see what other tricks you have now!"


    "You really thought those spellbeasts could stop us? What a joke!"


    "I was going to spare you¡ªbut now you''ve chosen death!"


    Voices filled with fury and killing intent rose in waves behind him.


    As the others closed in, Alan turned back, his eyes flashing with intense mental power.


    Suddenly¡ªspikes of earth burst from the ground beneath their feet!


    The abrupt attack caught many off guard, forcing them to halt and instinctively raise their magic defenses.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The sound of metal clashing echoed through the forest. Most of Alan''s earth spikes were blocked, but a few slower mages took minor wounds, blood seeping from their sides.

 Chapter 533 - Chapter89-A Magus’s Methods

    "Magus! That''s the work of a magus!"


    Before long, everyone was staring at Alan in utter shock. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They had already regarded Alan as a top-tier prodigy for mastering [Blade Spirit]¡ªbut now, he revealed himself to be a magus too!


    And just now, nearly ten people were struck simultaneously by Alan''s spike spell. That level of mind power and elemental control was far beyond that of an ordinary magus.


    He was very likely a grand magus¡ªone comparable to a golden-ranked mage!


    "It''s been years since we''ve seen a grand magus!"


    "Alan''s talent is insane. He''s a grand magus and a magic swordsman who wields [Blade Spirit]¡­ this guy is terrifying!"


    "He has no background¡ªif we let him grow, he''ll be a serious threat to all of us. We should eliminate him while we have the chance!"


    "That''s right. Better to strike now than regret it later!"


    Besides marveling at Alan''s talent, the gathered prodigies were now burning with killing intent.


    After all, now that Alan had exposed himself as a grand magus, many of them were horrified to realize that in a one-on-one fight¡­ they might not be his match at all!


    This guy had hidden way too well.


    Beatrice, the red-dressed woman, and the others suddenly surged forward with renewed speed.


    Alan now made every one of them feel a real sense of threat.


    The crowd charged at him with murderous intent.


    Alan''s eyes pulsed with rising waves of mind power. Earth walls shot up like bamboo shoots, blocking their path, followed by sharp gales of freezing wind.


    Although these spells were quickly broken through and failed to stop them completely, they still bought Alan valuable time.


    But before long, Beatrice and the others noticed that Alan''s mind power was nearly exhausted. His pace slowed significantly.


    Sensing this, they sped up and surrounded Alan once more.


    "Alan! This time, there''s no escape!"


    "Hand over the skill!"


    Dozens of hostile gazes locked onto Alan like blades.


    Alan, panting slightly, came to a halt. Glancing at the crowd encircling him, he shrugged and said:


    "Still chasing me, huh? Haven''t any of you noticed something¡­ strange with your bodies?"


    His words instantly filled everyone with a sense of foreboding.


    "You''re still spewing nonsense? Even if you babble to the heavens, you''re going to die today!" the red-dressed woman snapped coldly.


    But before she could finish, she suddenly felt¡­ off. The way she looked at Alan had changed. Instead of pure hatred, she now felt a strange attraction to him.


    Her heart sank.


    She quickly glanced at the others¡ªand was stunned to see that everyone, male or female, had flushed skin. Some even had bulging veins and blood-red eyes like rubies.


    "Something''s wrong! Alan, what did you do to us!?"


    Everyone felt unbearably hot, like they were about to explode, and their minds began to grow hazy. It was obvious they had been poisoned.


    With everyone glaring furiously at him, Alan smiled faintly. "Oh, nothing much. Just a little something I mixed myself."


    "This poison begins with a fever, followed by mental confusion, then overactive magical elements. In the end, your mana boils you alive."


    Poison!


    Everyone recoiled in fear.


    Especially since what Alan described matched their symptoms exactly, panic began to set in.


    These were all elite prodigies of powerful factions. They treasured their lives above all.


    No one wanted to die¡ªespecially not poisoned by Alan of all people!


    "You despicable bastard! You call yourself a mage? A magus, even?!"


    Some were so furious their faces turned green.


    Alan''s gaze was icy. "Despicable? When you ganged up on me, did any of you feel shame?"


    "In another half hour, your skin will start rotting¡­ and then you''ll explode from within."


    "But hey, I''m not a cruel person. Here¡ªsome antidotes. Whoever grabs one, it''s yours."


    As he spoke, Alan tossed several vials in different directions.


    The prodigies hesitated, but as more and more symptoms matched his warning, they couldn''t risk it.


    Their lives were on the line.


    And if the poison damaged their cultivation foundation, the consequences would be even worse.


    After a brief pause, they all scrambled toward the scattered antidotes.


    Taking advantage of the chaos, Alan swiftly fled once more.


    Beatrice and the red-dressed woman wanted to believe it was just another bluff from Alan¡­


    But what if it wasn''t?


    They couldn''t afford to take that gamble.


    As a magus, Alan''s spiritual sensitivity was extraordinary¡ªformulating potent poisons wouldn''t be out of the question.


    Especially considering how effectively the berserker potion had summoned the spellbeasts earlier. That wasn''t some mass-produced trash¡ªit had to be homemade!


    Otherwise, there''s no way it would''ve drawn in so many beasts without anyone noticing until it was too late.


    "Magic swordsman, grand magus, and now a skilled apothecary¡­ Alan''s talent is freakishly monstrous!" Beatrice thought as she rushed toward the antidotes, her heart pounding with dread.


    Even the pride she''d reserved for Alice as a rival now seemed pale in comparison.


    Because of their momentary hesitation, many of the antidotes had already been snatched up by other prodigies.


    They began fighting over the remaining ones¡ªchaos erupted!


    Meanwhile, the powerful figures observing from the shadows finally noticed something strange. After learning what had happened, they sent mental transmissions:


    "You''ve all been tricked by Alan! That wasn''t poison at all!"


    The red-dressed woman, stunned, immediately asked, "Elder, if it''s not poison, then what? Why do I feel so awful¡ªand why can''t I calm down with elemental magic?"


    For top-tier prodigies like them, normal poisons wouldn''t have worked.


    They had special bloodlines and powerful resistance. But today¡ªeveryone was affected, without exception!


    The elder''s mental voice sounded like thunder, his tone as black as soot.


    "It wasn''t poison¡­ so of course your elements couldn''t dispel it. It was¡­ a tonic. Or to be more accurate, an aphrodisiac!"


    Aphrodisiac?!


    Everyone''s expressions changed as realization struck.


    No wonder they''d reacted that way¡­


    That damn Alan¡ªthis was the third time he''d humiliated them!


    "That bastard actually carries something like that around?! He''s the worst!"


    "He can''t have gone far. Chase him!"


    The moment they understood what had happened, they were ready to skin Alan alive. Their glorious reputations had been turned into jokes.


    "And he calls himself a magus?! How shameless can you be?!"


    "Alan, you won''t escape. That tier-diamond skill is destined to belong to the Kent Kingdom!"


    Even as they pursued Alan, members of the various factions were growing colder and more ruthless.


    Beatrice glanced around at the chasing prodigies.


    The Jiner Kingdom, the Kent Kingdom, the Barton Kingdom¡ª


    So many kingdoms had joined this battle for the magic skill.


    But in the end, she believed¡­ they were all just side characters.


    In the blink of an eye, the major factions moved again, locking onto Alan''s escape route.


    This time, no matter what Alan said¡ªthey would treat it all as nonsense.


    Meanwhile, because of the time wasted fighting over the antidotes, Alan had finally reached a point where he could see the outline of Ironblood City in the distance.


    Elite troops under the third princess had already stationed there¡ªonce he reached it, he''d be safe!


    But just as Alan sighed in relief, his senses suddenly went on high alert.


    A shadowy figure had silently appeared ahead of him.


    It was an old man with silver hair styled like a full moon. Though his face was wrinkled with age, his spirit was sharp and piercing¡ªand in his eyes gleamed a metallic edge that made Alan feel like his entire body was being sliced apart.

 Chapter 534 - Chapter90-Tier-Platinum Big shot? Still Killed Without Mercy!

    Alan froze instantly.


    The old man narrowed his eyes and gave Alan a once-over, inspecting him from head to toe. Then, he took a step forward, his voice raspy and threatening.


    "Hand over that tier-diamond magic skill¡ªnow. Or else¡­ you''ll die right here."


    Alan bit down hard on his lip, his breathing starting to grow heavy and unsteady.


    This intimidating old man in front of him¡ªhe had to be one of those legendary big shots.


    It was obvious. The other kingdoms were now done playing nice. For the sake of that tier-diamond skill, they were prepared to shed all pretenses.


    Realizing this, Alan slowly moved his hands behind his back.


    The old man with the crescent-moon hairstyle immediately caught the movement. He sneered.


    "Don''t tell me you''re actually thinking of resisting?"


    Alan chuckled as well, completely unafraid. He directly called out the old man''s true intentions.


    "Even if I gave you the tier-diamond magic skill, you''d still kill me to eliminate the risk. Do you really take me for a fool?"


    The old man''s expression darkened slightly, but then curled into a mocking smile.


    "I don''t mind dealing with smart people. You''ve reminded me¡ªkilling you and then taking the skill really is the safest route."


    With that, he advanced again, step by step, closing in on Alan.


    But Alan didn''t retreat. Instead, he spoke up just as the old man took his first step.


    "Hate to disappoint you, but even if you kill me, you still won''t get that tier-diamond magic skill."


    The old man paused, quickly picking up on the deeper meaning behind Alan''s words.


    "The skill isn''t on him? But that doesn''t matter. If he''s come into contact with it, he must know where it is. I don''t need to kill him¡ªnot right away. I''ll just torture him until he''s begging for death. When he finally drops to his knees and pleads for mercy, I''ll know exactly where the thing is."


    Having reached that conclusion, the old man no longer hesitated. He flashed forward with astonishing speed, reappearing behind Alan in just a few quick steps.


    Sensing the incoming danger, Alan stopped holding back. He poured all his strength into a single punch behind him.


    This old man gave off a sense of danger¡ªand recently, only tier-platinum-level big shots had been capable of doing that to Alan.


    Which meant he had to go all out.


    A thunderous boom echoed through the forest. The violent tremor shook the ground so fiercely that birds took flight from every direction, startled by the shockwaves.


    The aftershock stirred up thick clouds of dust, blanketing the area.


    A figure shot out of the dust¡ª


    But it wasn''t the old man. It was Alan.


    At that moment, Alan looked like a cooked shrimp, his body bent in a sharp arc as he flew backward through the air, flanked by flurries of startled birds.


    Moments later, gravity took over, and Alan crashed hard onto the ground, creating a deep pit upon impact.


    "Cough¡­ cough cough!"


    At the center of the pit, Alan gritted his teeth and slowly raised a hand, brushing away the layers of dirt that had covered him.


    But when he tried to rise, he found his legs completely unresponsive.


    A dense earth element surrounded him like an invisible cage, anchoring his lower body in place.


    "No¡­ something''s wrong."


    Alan quickly realized that this power wasn''t just earth element¡ªit was denser, sharper.


    It was metal element.


    A special form of metal element, forged from the immense mineral content buried in the surrounding earth.


    The old man now stood at the edge of the crater, looking down upon Alan''s dirt-covered body with a condescending expression.


    "You actually survived my Golden Judgement and kept your body intact? Not bad. But your greed led you to covet something you never should''ve touched. Time to die."


    As he spoke, countless multicolored mineral sands gathered behind him, condensing into a massive, pitch-black sword. Its tip pointed directly at Alan¡ªand then lunged straight toward him.


    Alan could even hear the sonic booms from the blade tearing through the air.


    The mineral-sand greatsword wasn''t just massive¡ªit was fast. Even a tier-platinum mage would suffer serious injuries if they took it head-on. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But unfortunately for the old man, Alan wasn''t one of those frail mages.


    He was a magus.


    The old man had picked the wrong opponent.


    Alan inhaled deeply and slammed a hand against his chest. In a flash, a longsword-shaped staff emerged from his body.


    Compared to the enormous mineral-sand greatsword, Alan''s staff-sword looked pitifully small¡ªbarely a few dozen centimeters long.


    But in the next instant, a blinding crimson light burst forth from the sword''s tip.


    The light converged into a nearly invisible thin line and sliced straight through the giant sword''s body.


    A moment later, a soft sizzling sound rang out as the mineral-sand greatsword was instantly reduced to molten iron by Alan''s fire element.


    But Alan wasn''t done.


    With the massive sword neutralized, Alan gripped his staff-sword and charged straight at the old man.


    He leapt high into the air, channeling all his momentum into the blade, then came crashing down¡ªintending to split the old man in half.


    "Foolish!"


    The old man roared and unleashed a burst of sound waves that distorted the very air. The shockwave slammed into Alan''s staff-sword mid-swing.


    BOOM!


    Another explosion shook the surroundings. Alan felt his hands go numb from the force. He couldn''t hold onto the staff-sword anymore. Then the shockwave engulfed him and hurled him into the sky once again.


    The old man lifted his head slowly, eyes locked on Alan''s airborne figure. He muttered under his breath.


    "Not just magic¡ªhis body''s been trained to this extent too? What a freak¡­"


    He scanned the area warily.


    From the beginning, Alan had been fighting alone. Even now, when he was clearly at the edge of defeat, no one had come to interfere.


    That confirmed it for the old man¡ªAlan really was just some lucky no-name nobody.


    Otherwise, how could he have stumbled into this miniature world?


    To enter a place like this, most young elites needed backing from royals or nobles. Otherwise, they wouldn''t even make it past the guards at the gate.


    And a nobody like that¡ªwell, killing him didn''t require a second thought.


    Just then, Alan¡ªstill plummeting from the sky¡ªspotted more of those black mineral sands rising from the ground.


    The particles quickly gathered into the shape of a triangular spike, positioned right below him.


    The old man must be afraid of a last-ditch attack¡ªtrying to end the fight cleanly.


    He''s scared!


    Realizing this, Alan''s confidence reignited.


    Tier-platinum big shot? I''ll still kill you if I have to!


    Just before hitting the ground, Alan twisted in mid-air and kicked off a tree trunk beside him, changing his trajectory just enough to avoid the spike''s sharpest point.


    But the moment he landed, that heavy, binding sensation returned¡ªlike his legs were shackled by massive chains, rendering him immobile.


    The old man''s eyes gleamed with ridicule.


    He was a bloodline mage, born with the power to manipulate metal element.


    And Alan? At best, a rookie who had just reached tier-bronze.


    The fact that he''d survived this long was already a testament to his grit.


    Did this kid really think he could harm a tier-platinum-level foe with mere tier-bronze tricks?


    What a joke.


    But just as the old man was about to finish things, he witnessed something he never expected.


    Still bound by the metal element, Alan placed his hand on his chest once more.


    Before the old man''s very eyes, he drew out yet another staff¡ªthis one made of sacred oak, radiating holy power.

 Chapter 535 - Chapter91-The Mysterious Surprise Box

    The moment the Divine Oakstaff appeared, everything around it seemed to lose its luster.


    Even the blazing sun hanging high in the sky was suddenly obscured by a veil of clouds, as though it were afraid of the divine radiance emanating from the staff.


    Alan slammed the staff heavily into the ground. In an instant, the fire element stirred up by his staff-sword blazed brighter, its color sharpening into a dazzling golden hue.


    Under the influence of the Divine Oakstaff, the mundane flames were directly elevated¡ªtransformed into sacred fire infused with light element.


    But Alan hadn''t released these elements for show.


    Once more, he raised the staff-sword in his hand, swinging it in swift arcs. One after another, radiant blades burst forth.


    Light Sword Spell!


    These light swords were unlike the ones he had conjured before. They no longer focused on sheer sharpness, but carried an overwhelming sense of heat and holiness¡ªmaking them significantly more destructive.


    The ability to imbue a spell with two different elemental attributes was a high-level technique far beyond the grasp of any ordinary tier-bronze magus.


    Faced with the incoming barrage, the old man stomped his foot fiercely. The earth element beneath him, combined with the unique metal element buried within, surged upward, forming a thick, solid wall to block Alan''s attack.


    But even as he formed the wall, a cold chill crept into his heart.


    "How is this possible? Fusing two different elements into a single spell?!"


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    Under Alan''s relentless assault of light swords, tiny fractures began to spread across the metal-infused earthen wall.


    If this kept up, it wouldn''t be Alan who lost first¡ªit would be him.


    There was no time for contemplation. The old man shaped his hand into a claw and clenched tightly.


    Black markings began to spread rapidly across his skin, transforming his body into something like living metal¡ªan armored, steel-clad shell.


    Boom!


    Ultimately, the earthen-metal wall couldn''t withstand the holy might of Alan''s light sword spell. Half of it was vaporized, the other half crumbled into rubble.


    The old man raised both arms in front of him¡ªhe was actually planning to use his fully elementalized body to endure Alan''s light sword onslaught.


    It was the strongest defensive technique he could muster at that moment.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The sounds of metal clashing with radiant blades rang through the battlefield.


    It was as if the old man were being impaled by a thousand swords, his body continuously pierced and torn.


    No one knew how long the barrage lasted, but eventually, Alan ceased his attack.


    By then, the old man stood soaked in blood, his body riddled with countless cuts and slashes. His robes were half-burned, his hair singed and scattered. Even his legs had been fused to the ground by the still-cooling molten iron.


    Earlier, he had used the metal element to bind Alan.


    Now, that same method had backfired¡ªleaving him immobilized in turn.


    "Dual-element enchantment¡­ terrifying indeed!"


    The old man glanced at the raw, torn flesh on his arms, then looked at Alan¡ªwho hadn''t taken a single step throughout the whole attack.


    His heartbeat started to accelerate.


    He was afraid now. If the earlier attacks were just tests, then this moment marked the beginning of true fear.


    A mere tier-bronze could wield such a devastating technique?


    If Alan were to advance even one step to tier-silver, he might really suffer defeat here!


    Alan, however, simply let out a quiet sigh and retracted his staff.


    Even with both fire and light elements layered on his light sword spell, all he had managed was to leave a few wounds on the old man''s tier-platinum-level body.


    It hadn''t been enough to threaten his life.


    And if the battle dragged on any longer, the one at a disadvantage would be Alan himself.


    Should he continue attacking? Or retreat temporarily?


    Alan glanced toward the old man again¡ªonly to see that he had already begun absorbing minerals from the earth, initiating a slow recovery. It wouldn''t be long before the old man launched another assault.


    In that instant, Alan understood: against a tier-platinum powerhouse, retreat was not an option.


    Advancing to tier-platinum didn''t just mean stronger attacks¡ªit meant faster reaction times, quicker spellcasting, and vastly accelerated mana regeneration.


    Unless he could deliver a decisive, lethal blow, prolonging the fight would only lead to death by attrition.


    Cornered, Alan started searching his mind for another strategy.


    "What trump cards do I have left? Think!"


    His thoughts raced, and soon, he hit upon a clever idea.


    "Hey!" he called out suddenly. "How about we both take a step back and call this off? Otherwise, if you push me too far, I can''t promise what''ll happen."


    His words, tinged with menace, felt like a challenge.


    The old man sneered. "You trying to bluff me? What, you still got a hidden card up your sleeve?"


    Alan chuckled coldly.


    "Who knows? I once made a deal with a demon. It promised that before I descend into Hell, I won''t die by anyone else''s hand."


    The old man snorted with laughter.


    "A demon? Hell? What age do you think this is? You actually believe in that nonsense?"


    "If there really are still demons lurking around the mortal world¡ªheh, I''d love to meet one myself!"


    As he spoke, the old man secretly directed more mineral dust toward his injuries, aiding the healing process.


    Alan was only pretending to negotiate in order to buy time to escape. But the old man? He needed time too.


    After all, he wasn''t the only tier-platinum mage who had entered this mini-world.


    If he showed up seriously wounded, there were plenty of opportunists who might try to take advantage of his weakened state.


    Alan continued straining against the metal bindings, slowly inching his feet forward.


    "You bear no sin," Alan said calmly. "The demon won''t touch you¡ªunless you intend to kill me."


    The old man burst out laughing again.


    "No sin? Kid, I''ve killed thousands. If I''m considered innocent, then there isn''t a single criminal in the world!"


    Then he glared at Alan, eyes filled with disdain.


    "Far as I''m concerned, that so-called demon of yours is just¡ª"


    Snap!


    Right at that moment, a mysterious object appeared at the old man''s feet¡ªa strange little box covered in question marks.


    With a sudden pop, a jester burst out, making goofy faces at him.


    The abrupt arrival of the surprise box startled the old man, slowing his reaction for just a fraction of a second.


    Alan didn''t waste the chance. He grabbed onto a nearby tree trunk, swung around it, and flung himself away with all his might.


    As he soared out of danger, the old man finally snapped out of it. Just as he prepared to chase after Alan, he noticed something that made his breath catch¡ª


    The ground was suddenly littered with bizarre surprise boxes.


    From each of them, jesters popped out¡ªevery one of them staring at him with eerie, chilling eyes.


    And without him noticing, a ridiculous red clown nose had appeared on his face.


    Seeing this, the old man instantly grew alert. He took a deep breath and bellowed into the surroundings:


    "Who''s there? Show yourself!"


    But the only reply was the frantic fluttering of birds and the rustling of insects.


    Meanwhile, Alan had long since escaped the old man''s grasp, his legs finally responding again as he broke into a full sprint.


    Back at the battlefield, the old man remained rooted in place, warily eyeing the bizarre surprise boxes that surrounded him¡ªhis heart pounding with unease.

 Chapter 536 - Chapter92-The Furious Alice

    Having regained his freedom, Alan sprinted with all his might. Before long, the thick, towering walls of Ironblood City finally came into view on the horizon.


    He pushed himself even harder, charging toward the city gates.


    But just as he drew closer, an intense chill suddenly gripped his body. Frost began to form on his eyebrows and hair, while patches of blue-purple frostbite erupted on his skin.


    His sharply dropping body temperature caused his injuries to worsen by the second.


    Alan guessed that in the two brutal encounters with the old man, he had likely sustained internal wounds.


    On top of that, he had forcefully activated the Divine Oakstaff and unleashed a light sword spell infused with both fire and light elements. The excessive energy consumption was now turning inward¡ªbacklashing against him.


    That was why he now found himself in such a terrible state.


    If not for having recently advanced to tier-bronze and refined his physical body, he would''ve frozen into an ice sculpture on his way back. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, atop one of the watchtowers of Ironblood City, a woman clad in silver armor stood tall, gazing into the distance.


    Her eyes suddenly narrowed¡ªshe had spotted a struggling figure sprinting down the road outside the city.


    Her lips trembled ever so slightly, her eyes reddened, and tears began to well up.


    The third princess, standing nearby, quickly approached.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked.


    Following the armored woman''s line of sight, she too looked into the distance¡ªonly to be frozen in place the next moment.


    Some time later, Alan finally stumbled to the base of Ironblood City''s massive gates, gasping for air.


    When he looked up and saw the familiar silhouette standing on the watchtower, he paused, dazed.


    Then, summoning his last shred of strength, Alan flung the tier-diamond magic skill scroll upward¡ªlanding it squarely in the third princess''s arms.


    Propping himself up on his knees, he spoke hoarsely,


    "Never thought¡­ I''d see you here¡­"


    Urgh!


    Before he could finish, Alan exhaled a mouthful of white mist. The backlash from the elemental surge drained the last of his consciousness. He collapsed on the spot.


    The armored woman could no longer hold back. She leaped from the tower without hesitation.


    Just as Alan was about to hit the ground, she caught him tightly in her arms.


    He slumped against her like a drunken man, his weight falling entirely upon her.


    First, his head landed on her shoulder¡­ then slid down to her chest¡­ her abdomen¡­


    Finally, he ended up lying sideways across the woman''s upper thighs¡ªthe only part of her body not protected by armor.


    Her entire body went stiff, and a faint blush rose across her fair cheeks.


    But after a moment of hesitation, she didn''t push Alan away. She simply let him rest there, offering her lap as a pillow.


    On another watchtower nearby, a noblewoman witnessed the whole ambiguous scene. She bit her handkerchief so hard her teeth nearly tore through it.


    "My lady! What are you doing?! How could you allow a commoner to touch your noble body like that?!"


    Yet even after hearing her words, the silver-armored woman remained still.


    She lowered her head, quietly staring at the unconscious Alan, not even flinching.


    The noblewoman trembled in fury. Alice, the Duke¡ªwhen had she ever let a man get this close to her? Only this Alan!


    A moment later, Beatrice approached with two other figures.


    Alice glanced at them, then promptly handed the unconscious Alan to the third princess, who had also leapt down from the tower.


    Turning her head, Alice looked toward the opposite watchtower¡ªbut the noblewoman was no longer there.


    Like a ghost, the noblewoman silently appeared behind Alice and whispered,


    "My lady, I''ve looked into everything. Some of the old fools couldn''t accept losing, so they flipped the table and broke the rules."


    Alice nodded slightly to show she understood.


    Then, without saying a word, she slowly walked toward Beatrice.


    The noblewoman opened her mouth, but no words came out.


    She could already feel it¡ªher mistress, the Duke, was utterly furious.


    As Alice drew closer, Beatrice felt her heart leap into her throat.


    Others might not know Alice''s reputation, but she knew it like thunder rolling through the skies.


    Anyone from the Plantagenet Kingdom would''ve heard of the Rose Duke¡ªAlice.


    Rumor had it that Alice once received an invitation from the headmaster of Lioncrest Academy for a personal visit.


    Midway through the tour, the headmaster even tried to subtly recruit her into the academy.


    At the time, Alice responded with a single statement:


    "Gather all mages below tier-gold from your academy. If even one of them can defeat me, I''ll join Lioncrest on the spot."


    Delighted at her apparent interest, the headmaster immediately sent out the academy''s top combatants to challenge her.


    Beatrice had been one of them.


    The outcome was predictable.


    Alice didn''t even bother staying long at Lioncrest Academy.


    So now, seeing Alice here in person, Beatrice''s resolve faltered.


    With Alice present, she knew there was no way she''d get her hands on that tier-diamond skill scroll.


    Just then, Alice''s figure vanished before her eyes.


    Every cell in Beatrice''s body screamed danger.


    She immediately threw her arms wide.


    Violent dark energy surged between her palms.


    "Dark Domain!"


    With those words, a thick, pitch-black barrier formed around her¡ªwoven entirely from concentrated dark element.


    But Alice reappeared above her, eyes icy cold.


    She swung her golden saber with full force. The gleaming blade, wrapped in unstoppable momentum, descended like a falling star¡ªsmashing into Beatrice''s dark barrier.


    Whoosh!


    A blinding flash of swordlight tore through the air.


    Beatrice''s carefully constructed Dark Domain lasted only seconds before it was split clean in two.


    But her suffering wasn''t over yet.


    Alice materialized behind her again and slammed her fist into her back.


    Crack!


    The sound of breaking bones echoed.


    Beatrice crumpled to the ground, her spine twisted grotesquely¡ªlike a malformed cripple.


    The two companions who had come with her stood in shock.


    Everyone in Lioncrest Academy knew how powerful Beatrice was. Yet now, in front of this silver-armored woman, she hadn''t even lasted a single exchange?


    The thought made them look at Alice with newfound dread and disbelief.


    But Alice''s fury had only just begun.


    After shattering Beatrice''s dark barrier, she picked up her golden saber again and charged straight toward her fallen foe.


    Realizing the situation was beyond salvation, Beatrice stopped holding back.


    She pulled a dark, thick potion from her pocket and downed it in one gulp.


    In an instant, a dense wave of dark element surged from her core, radiating outward.


    Though it was still broad daylight, her power turned the surroundings pitch-black¡ªan oppressive darkness where one could barely see a hand in front of their face.

 Chapter 537 - Chapter93-Even the Strong Have Their Limits

    "Endless Night!"


    Beatrice''s sharp, furious roar pierced through everyone''s eardrums like a whip of sound.


    Around her, small and lightweight objects began to tremble and shift. A strange force was drawing them in¡ªpulling them steadily toward her position.


    A tiny black sphere, seemingly capable of swallowing all light, began to condense in her palm.


    It was a miniature black hole¡ªformed entirely from dark element. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only mages who had taken their mastery of dark magic to its pinnacle could even begin to touch such deep gravitational spells.


    Yet Alice showed not the slightest trace of fear.


    The golden blade in her hand, like a comet tearing across the heavens, blazed with such brilliance that even a black hole seemed dull and dim in its presence.


    In a single heartbeat, the golden comet clashed violently with the black hole.


    The resulting magical shockwave surged outward, blasting solid bricks off the nearby fortress walls. The force was so intense, it stirred up a small sandstorm in its wake.


    Boom!


    Moments later, the golden comet ripped straight through the black hole, tearing it apart with unstoppable momentum.


    The darkness vanished. Visibility returned to normal in an instant.


    Beatrice, however, was in complete shambles¡ªher eyes rolled back, blood leaking steadily from her nose and eyes. Her appearance was nothing short of pitiful.


    The two followers Beatrice had brought with her stood frozen, stunned. They had seen her face down opponents countless times at Lioncrest Academy, but now she had crumpled under Alice''s assault in less than a minute.


    Frightened, they rushed forward to try and help her.


    But Alice didn''t even glance at them.


    Without turning around, she smashed her golden saber backward into the ground.


    CRACK!


    A jagged fissure, more than ten meters long, split open beneath her strike. It sliced straight between the two subordinates.


    The message was clear¡ª


    Take one more step, and you die.


    Seeing the two followers freeze in place, paralyzed with fear, Alice dismissed them with a cold snort.


    Then she raised her blade again and strode directly up to Beatrice.


    With a powerful kick, she sent Beatrice''s limp body crashing into a nearby tree.


    Sharp branches and splinters impaled Beatrice''s arms and legs, suspending her in midair in a spread-eagle posture¡ªcompletely restrained.


    Alice took a deep breath and gripped her sword tightly, blade pointed straight at Beatrice''s chest.


    In the very next second, she would pierce her heart and make sure Beatrice died without a corpse to bury.


    But at that exact moment, a figure suddenly appeared, stepping between Alice and her target.


    Alice instantly recognized the uninvited interloper¡ªit was Tyrande, the vice headmaster of Lioncrest Academy.


    Yet even Tyrande''s intervention did not halt her attack.


    Her blade had already been raised. Until it was plunged into her enemy, she would not¡ªcould not¡ªstop.


    Seeing this, Tyrande hastily cast a spell. Emerald green light flowed into the ground, and thick vines wove together to form a defensive web in front of Alice.


    She didn''t slow down in the slightest.


    Her golden blade pierced into the tangle of vines and, in an instant, shredded them into glowing fragments of magical energy.


    A flicker of surprise flashed across Tyrande''s face.


    He launched another blast of emerald energy toward her, but the moment it neared Alice, it was torn apart by the blade aura emanating from her body.


    The backlash struck him immediately¡ªhe coughed up blood on the spot.


    Alice was coming for him now too. She intended to eliminate every obstacle in her path.


    Panic in his eyes, Tyrande raised both hands and shouted earnestly,


    "Duke Alice! Please restrain yourself! It wasn''t anyone from Lioncrest Academy who harmed Mr. Alan! It was Duke Mogan of the Kent Kingdom!"


    He pointed toward the two terrified followers behind him.


    "These two are also from the Kent Kingdom!"


    The moment Alice''s icy, murderous gaze turned toward them, the two subordinates nearly jumped out of their skins.


    "Did¡­ did Tyrande just call her Alice?"


    "As in the Alice? The Rose Duke from Plantagenet Kingdom? The Golden Blade Alice?!"


    Alice paid no attention to their mutterings.


    She simply raised her sword again and aimed it directly at the two men.


    Just then, a voice called out from behind her.


    "Alice Duke, Alan is awake."


    It was the third princess.


    The frost that covered Alice''s brows and lashes seemed to melt just a little at those words.


    She quickly sheathed her blade and rushed over to the third princess''s side, kneeling to check on Alan.


    He was awake, yes¡ªbut still shivering terribly, as though he''d just crawled out of a frozen grave.


    Seeing the worry in her eyes, Alan offered a faint smile.


    "You didn''t have to make such a big scene on my account."


    Then he glanced at Beatrice and the two stunned followers.


    "The way others treat me¡­ that''s how I''ll treat them. An eye for an eye¡ªtenfold if I must. That''s always been my principle."


    He wasn''t just stating a fact; he was reminding himself.


    Not to rely on others for everything.


    If Alice truly retaliated on his behalf, there would undoubtedly be whispers throughout the city.


    Rumors like: "He''s the Duke''s personal boy-toy," or "some nameless man hidden away in her mansion."


    Alan despised that kind of talk¡ªthe kind that followed you in shadows, whispered behind your back.


    Alice was quiet for a long moment before she finally nodded.


    "If that''s how you feel¡­ then I won''t intervene further."


    "Hoo¡­"


    Tyrande let out a long breath of relief.


    If the Rose Duke had continued to press the issue, it would''ve created a massive headache for Lioncrest Academy.


    The two followers, seeing Alice withdraw her terrifying killing intent, collapsed to the ground, their legs too weak to stand.


    For a brief moment earlier, they''d been certain they were going to die.


    Tyrande didn''t waste another word. He picked up the now fully unconscious Beatrice and began to walk away.


    The two followers didn''t dare say a thing. They quietly followed, tails between their legs.


    Alan watched their retreating figures, lips parting slightly as if he still had something to say.


    But the third princess cut him off sharply,


    "Shut up already. Your tongue is practically an icicle, and you''re still yapping?"


    Alice also turned her gaze to Alan with a hint of sorrow in her eyes.


    She lifted her hand instinctively, wanting to brush the frost from his cheek.


    But before she could reach him, Barbara suddenly appeared and grabbed her wrist firmly.


    "No, my lady. You mustn''t. You''ll only harm him further."


    The third princess and Alan both turned to stare at the noblewoman.


    Alice, too, looked at Barbara in confusion.


    Barbara let out a long sigh.


    "My lady¡­ I hope you will come to terms with who you are, and what position you hold. Please, don''t let yourself get lost over someone so¡­ unknown."


    "Your family is powerful¡ªone of the most prestigious in the world. Countless factions have fought and begged just to form the faintest connection with your bloodline. If people see you showing this kind of affection to a man like Alan¡­ what will they think? What will they do?"


    "You may remain safe¡ªof that I''m certain."


    She extended a finger and pointed at Alan.


    "But can he face the consequences? Can he withstand so many people plotting against him in the shadows?"


    "Even if he manages to defeat one¡­ or two¡­"


    Her voice dropped to a solemn tone.


    "What about ten? A hundred? A thousand?"


    "No matter how strong a man is¡­ even he has his limits."

 Chapter 538 - Chapter94-The Sacred Realm Pact

    Seeing Alice fall silent, Barbara continued, "Your father, the great Lord Anthony, would never allow such a thing to happen."


    "The person he envisions to stand beside you for a lifetime is certainly not someone as mediocre as a tier-bronze."


    At these words, Alice quickly looked up, as if wanting to argue back.


    But Barbara''s next sentence caught in her throat like a fishbone.


    "Yes, this Mr. Alan¡ªhis temperament and talent are both extraordinary."


    "But compared to you¡ªwhose name already echoes throughout the kingdom at such a young age¡ªhe remains utterly insignificant."


    "If one day, in middle age, he manages to reach tier-diamond, or even the rank of King Magus, then perhaps, just perhaps, you two might have a shred of possibility."


    "But that''s nearly as impossible as scaling the heavens. My lady, you may not see it, but your very existence is like the sun to a glacier."


    "The brighter your light shines, the faster he will melt."


    "This," she said sharply, "is something any sensible person would understand. And yes, even you should have realized it long ago."


    Though Barbara was addressing Alice, her words were clearly aimed at Alan.


    And both the third princess and Alan heard every word.


    Seeing the unwillingness lingering on Alice''s face, Barbara added,


    "My lady, let him go."


    "Not just in our kingdom, but throughout the entire world, people of different levels cannot truly communicate. That''s where distance¡ªtrue distance¡ªcomes from."


    This time, Alice didn''t argue. She simply turned to face Alan directly.


    "What do you think?"


    Alan was silent for a moment.


    Then he gently pushed away the third princess, slowly stood up, and with his icy hand, firmly grasped Alice''s wrist.


    "Do you believe in me?"


    Alice didn''t respond with words, only a faint nod to signal her answer.


    Alan smiled¡ªa wild, unrestrained smile.


    "In that case, there''s nothing more to say. I won''t spend my life chasing after your shadow. One day, I''ll surpass you."


    "Tier-diamond? King Magus? So what? One day, I''ll stand at the very pinnacle of all magi. The whole world will remember the name¡ªAlan."


    Alice smiled too. She removed her gauntlet and gently brushed away the frost forming on his face with her fingertips.


    "I just hope that time''s greedy hands will not tarnish the proud and pure soul you carry now¡­"


    Then, she slowly pulled her hand back and turned to leave.


    But just as she was about to walk away, Alan reached out again, placing his hand on the silver armor at her back.


    "If my soul still shines, how will I find your light again?"


    "Astra Sacred Realm."


    Alice didn''t look back. Her voice drifted into the wind and softly reached Alan''s ears.


    "All starlight eventually gathers upon that sacred land. I''ll arrive before you do. I only hope you won''t keep me waiting too long."


    Barbara quickly stepped between the two, glaring at Alan with hostility.


    "Stop dreaming. The Sacred Realm is not something someone as ordinary as you could ever reach!"


    Alan replied calmly,


    "If the Sacred Realm does not exist for all, then it isn''t sacred at all¡ªit''s just a hollow paradise."


    Barbara was left speechless.


    After gnashing her teeth and stomping in frustration, she turned and followed Alice as she gradually walked away.


    Alan stood there, watching Alice''s retreating figure.


    The time he had spent with her¡ªit felt like a dream. Ethereal, yet real.


    Then, quite inappropriately, the third princess appeared behind him and said with no small amount of annoyance,


    "Your eyes are about to pop out of your head. Is she really that attractive?"


    Alan chuckled weakly, trying to explain himself, but his voice cracked and faltered. His dropping body temperature was making it harder and harder to speak.


    The third princess looked him over, noting how he was subtly trembling all over.


    She teased, "You''ve been hit by element backlash this badly? What the hell did you do before this?"


    Alan said nothing.


    Driven by pure instinct, his body leaned toward the nearest warm source¡ªthe third princess.


    Feeling half of his weight slump against her, she instinctively tried to step back.


    But then she noticed the deep wound on his shoulder¡ªthe main source of his instability.


    That injury had thrown his mana flow into complete disarray. It was the real reason frost clung so stubbornly to him.


    And most critically, that wound¡­ had been sustained while protecting her.


    Alan''s teeth were chattering now. He rubbed his hands together furiously, trying to create some meager warmth.


    "Y-Your Highness¡­ l-let''s not talk out here anymore¡­ Can we go inside? I''m really starting to miss hot milk and a warm fireplace¡­"


    The third princess forced herself to look away from his injury.


    She scoffed, "Hmph. Just now you were having such a lively chat with the Duke. What, she''s gone and suddenly it''s cold again?"


    "Or don''t tell me, just seeing Alice makes you feel like basking in the spring sun¡ªwarms your whole body?"


    Though she grumbled, she nonetheless pulled off her thick, fur-lined cloak and draped it over Alan''s shoulders. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She wrapped her arm around him and slowly helped him walk toward the city.


    "One cloak probably won''t cut it. You''re wearing way too much¡ªmind sparing another layer or two?"


    "Say one more word and I''ll light a fire right here and roast you myself."


    "Uh¡­ on second thought, the weather''s really not that bad today¡­"


    The two of them bantered back and forth as they passed through the gates, heading deeper into Ironblood City.


    Meanwhile, several soldiers returning to their watch posts took immediate notice of the unusual scene near the city entrance.


    And yes¡ª"unusual" was the only word that fit.


    They watched with wide eyes as their normally cold, unsmiling commander¡ªknown widely as the Iron-Faced Third Princess¡ªheld a man close.


    Not only that, the man was wearing her most beloved fur-lined cloak!


    There had always been a rumor in the barracks that the fierce, sharp-tongued third princess wasn''t interested in men at all¡ªthat she preferred women.


    But today''s spectacle completely shattered their previous perceptions.


    As the soldiers'' gazes drifted curiously toward her, the third princess''s brows furrowed. She growled sharply:


    "What are you all staring at?! Get back to your posts! If even one spellbeast sneaks in through the gates, I''ll hold each of you personally responsible!"


    "Y-Yes, ma''am!!"


    Recognizing that she was still the same strict and terrifying commander, the soldiers quickly dropped their gossiping thoughts, scurrying up the walls and back into the towers.


    Meanwhile, Alan¡ªhis elemental balance thoroughly broken¡ªcould no longer resist the creeping cold.


    Without a word, his eyes slowly drifted shut.

 Chapter 539 - Chapter95-A Sudden Awakening

    Seeing the situation, the third princess sighed helplessly.


    Without ceremony, she hoisted Alan onto her shoulder like cargo and swiftly carried him back to her small palace in Ironblood City.


    To call it a "palace" might be a stretch¡ªit was more like a residence.


    Its interior was modest, with only the most essential furnishings for daily living. There was no trace of luxury or opulence.


    In that sense, it reflected the third princess''s personality perfectly.


    She was a staunch minimalist. If something served no practical purpose, she discarded it without hesitation.


    Her attendants had been waiting respectfully by the entrance for some time.


    But the third princess didn''t even spare them a glance.


    With a simple wave of her hand, she said, "Go fetch Aileen. I need her."


    Soon, a figure appeared at the palace gates¡ªan old crone wearing a crooked wizard hat, her face covered in warts.


    She looked like the archetypal wicked witch straight out of a fairy tale.


    In her hand, she held a rotting poisoned apple, and her expression was anything but friendly.


    The third princess casually dismissed the other attendants, then smiled at the witch and said, "There''s no one else here. You can drop the act."


    "Yes, Your Highness," the old woman replied.


    As soon as she spoke, a strange magical aura enveloped her.


    Dark purple mist swirled around her body.


    From within the haze stepped out a tall, enchanting woman with striking features.


    She wore a silk dress of the same dark purple hue, which clung to her figure in all the right ways, hinting at her curves beneath the fabric.


    On closer inspection, the mist hadn''t vanished¡ªit had been absorbed into the very fibers of her gown.


    The third princess could only shake her head.


    This royal apothecary, who had watched her grow up, never appeared without making a scene.


    After so many years, the princess had grown numb to her dramatic flair.


    "He¡­" the third princess gestured toward Alan, who lay unconscious on the bed.


    Aileen immediately stepped forward and released a gentle wave of magical energy, scanning Alan from head to toe.


    No words were needed.


    She already understood what the princess wanted.


    It was a silent understanding born from years of companionship.


    "Elemental backlash caused by elemental imbalance," Aileen clicked her tongue. "This is going to be tricky."


    The princess''s face darkened slightly. "Even you can''t fix it?"


    Aileen waved her hand. "Fixing the immediate symptoms isn''t hard. The problem is restoring his chaotic elemental flow to its original state. That''ll take time¡ªor a specially crafted potion to neutralize the backlash."


    She paused, then added, "But as you know, Your Highness, potion prices in the kingdom have always been sky-high¡­"


    The third princess clenched her jaw and thought for a moment. "Since I joined the military, hasn''t Father been sending me potions in secret? Use my stockpile to prepare something appropriate."


    Aileen looked at the princess in disbelief.


    "Your Highness, those potions are worth a fortune. And you already used up quite a bit during the last battle. The next shipment isn''t due for some time. If we use the rest now, then¡ª"


    "Enough with the whining. Use them," the third princess cut her off. "I''m not some fragile porcelain doll."


    Hearing the resolve in her voice, Aileen said no more. She could tell the princess had made up her mind.


    "Very well, then. I''ll start preparing the potion right away."


    With a graceful bow, Aileen turned and swiftly exited the princess''s private chambers.


    Left alone, the third princess glanced wistfully at Alan, still lying unconscious, then shook her head and walked into the adjacent hall.


    Once she had made sure the servants were gone, she sat at one end of the long table and slowly took out the tier-diamond magic scroll.


    The reason Permafrost World had drawn so much attention from every major power wasn''t just because of its high rank¡ªit was also because of its rarity.


    The mages who had poured their life''s knowledge into the scroll had also imbued it with unique rune-based seals.


    Only two kinds of people in the entire world could break those seals: the mage who created it, and their direct bloodline.


    In other words, until the scroll was fully unsealed, no one else in the world could ever wield a second Permafrost World.


    Such a rare and priceless skill, if put on the market, would undoubtedly cause a massive economic upheaval throughout the kingdom.


    And yet, Alan had tossed it to her¡ªcasually, carelessly, as if it were nothing more than a chew toy for a dog¡ªwhen she had been standing atop the watchtower.


    This simple gesture revealed something important: Alan didn''t care all that much about this tier-diamond magic skill.


    At last, the third princess understood Alan''s firm stance when he had demanded the scroll back in the secret realm.


    He hadn''t wanted to keep it for himself.


    Rather, he''d used it as bait, deliberately luring away all the factions trying to seize it¡ªjust to give her a chance to escape.


    And at that time, she had completely misunderstood Alan''s good intentions.


    With a trace of guilt, she turned her head to look toward her sleeping chambers, where Alan still lay resting.


    After what seemed like an eternity of unconsciousness, Alan finally woke up.


    He sat up slowly, staring blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling for a long moment.


    Then, like a tidal wave, memories came rushing back¡ªeverything that had happened before the elemental backlash struck.


    He flung off the covers and touched his face.


    Strangely enough, the frost that had once covered his body had vanished completely. His skin had returned to a normal, healthy temperature.


    He quickly closed his eyes and focused on the mana flow within his body.


    To his surprise, the fire and light elements that had been forced into fusion and had gone wild were now as tame as kittens.


    Even more astonishing, the two elements now seemed on the verge of true fusion.


    Once they did, it would mark his ascension from a tier-bronze magus to a tier-gold magus¡ªa real breakthrough that would allow him to fully integrate elemental magic into every aspect of combat.


    Unfortunately, he still wasn''t ready to fuse the two elements completely.


    Although the holy flame produced by intertwining fire and light was powerful, separating the elements gave him greater flexibility. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So far, Alan had mastered five elemental types: wind, fire, water, earth, and light. He had also obtained the Divine Oakstaff, a weapon that amplified light magic to its peak potential.


    But just as he reached for it, intending to examine its condition, Alan was stunned.


    The Divine Oakstaff¡ªwhich had once been attuned to his very soul¡ªwas gone.


    Panic surged through him. He searched frantically before finally spotting a faint trace of the staff''s magical imprint¡­ on his own longsword-staff.


    It looked as if his sword-staff had completely absorbed the Divine Oakstaff.


    "Is that¡­ good or bad?" Alan muttered.


    He suspected that the intense battle with the elder under the full moon¡ªDuke Mogan¡ªhadn''t just triggered his elemental fusion. It had also catalyzed a fusion between his two weapons.


    This meant he now had a brand-new staff. And naturally, it needed a new name.


    After a moment of thought, he decided, "Holyblade Staff!"


    According to legend, there was once a king who wielded a holy sword and, alongside his loyal knights, repelled every invading enemy.


    Alan swore to become a hero just like that king. One day, he too would set foot in the Sacred Realm, and follow in Alice''s footsteps.

 Chapter 540 - Chapter96-No Wonder Youre Still Single

    Just as Alan was indulging in his unrealistic daydreams, the third princess entered the bedchamber carrying a bottle of wine and two golden goblets.


    Panicking, Alan quickly stashed his newly formed Holyblade Staff back into his body.


    But when he looked up at her again, he froze.


    The third princess had let down her hair and changed into a classic court corset gown. The white ruffled lace on the hem of her dress fluttered like blooming flowers with every step she took, making it hard to look away.


    She walked straight to the bedside, sat down, and handed one of the goblets to Alan.


    Inside the goblet, the dark red liquid shimmered like a mixture of blood and rubies.


    Alan sat there dazed, staring at her, not taking the goblet. She sighed softly and said, "Drink it. Aileen said the trace amounts of fire element in the wine can help neutralize the elemental backlash in your body."


    Alan''s throat was parched, and he didn''t argue. He raised the goblet and drained it in one gulp.


    Just as he was about to ask for another, he saw the third princess had already bitten off the cork of the wine bottle and tilted her head back, guzzling its contents with abandon.


    "Hic~"


    She belched unceremoniously in front of him, completely unconcerned about her image.


    Alan gave a helpless smile but said nothing.


    "By the way," she began, "you should be more or less recovered by now, right? Come with me to the Church of Steam and Magic tomorrow for worship."


    "Worship¡­?" Alan was stunned.


    He wasn''t a believer himself, and judging from their time together, the third princess didn''t seem like someone who would place her hopes in the hands of intangible deities either.


    Seeing his puzzled expression, she rolled her eyes. "Don''t assume the church is full of saints."


    "Tomorrow''s service is both a religious gathering and the opening ceremony of the underground marketplace."


    "That skill scroll is a hot potato no matter where it ends up. Better to sell it early and turn it into solid gold and silver¡ªsomething practical."


    Alan thought it over and realized she was right.


    Neither of them could currently learn the tier-diamond spell on the scroll, let alone undo the rune seal placed upon it. Turning it into cash was indeed the more beneficial move at the moment.


    "You¡­ don''t have any objections?" she asked, testing the waters. "That scroll brought you no small amount of trouble. It nearly got you killed by elemental backlash. Honestly, if it wasn''t for you, I wouldn''t have gotten it back at all."


    "And now, I''m selling it off without even asking your opinion. Doesn''t that make me sound a bit too¡­ headstrong?"


    "Not at all," Alan replied firmly. "You were the one who wanted the scroll in the first place. I agreed to help you get it."


    "A promise is a promise. No matter what hardships I faced, that''s on me. It has nothing to do with you."


    "Besides, after we got the scroll, Her Highness was even willing to spend her own resources to help a nobody like me recover. I''m already extremely grateful."


    "You¡­" The third princess opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, no words came out.


    She could clearly feel the gap between them¡ªa chasm of status and identity.


    After a long pause, she rose silently, removed a vibrant green gemstone from the brooch on her chest, and placed it into Alan''s hand.


    Then, without another word, she turned and left.


    The moment the gem touched his palm, Alan felt the powerful surge of mana emanating from within it.


    Its value was at least on par with a tier-three mana stone¡ªan incredibly precious item.


    "Third Princess!" Alan called after her, leaping from the bed to chase her down. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He wasn''t dense. He could tell she had given him the gem as a form of repayment.


    "This¡­ this is too valuable! I can''t accept it!"


    "Oh, come on. I already gave it to you, so just take it. When has there ever been a rule about taking back a gift?" she said with a hint of annoyance.


    But Alan remained stubborn.


    In the end, she grew genuinely irritated. "You blockhead! Don''t ever speak to me again in this lifetime!"


    With that, she forcefully shook off his hand and stormed out of the chamber.


    Alan wanted to follow her, but before he could step through the door, a tall, alluring woman in a dark purple velvet gown blocked his way.


    She looked at him with a sly smile and an unreadable expression.


    "Um¡­ would you mind stepping aside? I need to speak with Her Highness about something important," Alan said politely.


    The woman''s eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh? Are you going to confess your love?"


    "What?! No!" Alan waved his hands in denial. "I just want to return this to her."


    He lowered his gaze to the sparkling green gem in his palm. Both its craftsmanship and the immense mana it contained made it clear: this was far more than a simple trinket.


    "By the way¡­ who are you?" Alan suddenly realized he had never seen this woman before.


    The woman gently tapped his shoulder with a slender finger, as if checking on his condition. "You really don''t know how to be grateful, do you? Who do you think helped stabilize all that chaotic elemental energy in your body?"


    Alan''s eyes widened in realization. He immediately bowed in apology. "Thank you so much!"


    She nodded, satisfied, then tapped the gemstone twice with her finger.


    "Why are you so insistent on giving this back? The third princess is royalty. It''s not like she''s hurting for money."


    Alan sighed. "Even so, royal funds don''t grow on trees. And I don''t think what I did deserves a reward of this magnitude."


    The woman pinched her forehead, clearly exasperated. Dark lines practically formed above her head.


    "No wonder you''re still single¡­"


    Leaving him with that cryptic remark, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the palace halls.


    Alan was left standing at the doorway, thoroughly confused.


    But he knew one thing for certain: he wasn''t getting rid of the gemstone today. He could only wait for a better opportunity in the future.


    With that in mind, he returned to bed, took out two mana stones from his storage ring, and began restoring his mana reserves.


    Though the woman had helped calm the elemental turbulence within him, he had still expended a massive amount of mana in battle. That wasn''t something that could be replenished overnight.


    Having a skill was meaningless without enough mana to cast it. That emptiness gnawed at him, and he was determined to fix it as soon as possible.


    The day passed in the blink of an eye.


    When the morning sunlight finally streamed through the windows, Alan slowly opened his eyes.


    After a full night of focused effort, he had finally restored the mana he''d lost.


    Even though it had cost him more than ten mana stones, he felt it was worth every bit.


    After all, even ten times that amount wouldn''t match the value of the green gemstone the third princess had given him.

 Chapter 541 - Chapter97-The Light and Shadow of the Church

    Clack, clack, clack...


    The crisp sound of high heels echoed from outside the door.


    Alan turned his head and saw the third princess walking in¡ªthis time dressed in a black and white nun''s habit. A silver cloud-shaped pendant hung around her neck, resting against her chest.


    A pale headscarf neatly covered her flowing hair, adding an aura of solemnity and reverence to her overall appearance. If she were to line up with the other nuns in the Church, one would never suspect that she was anything but devout.


    "Here. This is for you."


    She casually tossed a dark blue robe toward Alan.


    The garment resembled those worn by priests¡ªlong, with an extended hemline and a white bow tied neatly at the collar.


    Alan said nothing. He simply shrugged off his coat, revealing his well-defined, angular muscles.


    The third princess quickly averted her gaze and muttered with a stiff tone, "Wait¡­ wait until I leave before you change."


    Ten minutes later, Alan stepped out wearing the fitted dark blue priest robe.


    The third princess was stunned.


    She''d never noticed before, but now¡ªwrapped in the elegant robe¡ªAlan looked like a completely different man. His tall, broad frame filled the outfit perfectly, particularly where his sloped trapezius muscles propped up the shoulders like a custom display mannequin.


    His sharp nose, and his ash-gray hair that fell gently to his shoulders, made him stand apart from the bloated, mundane priests one usually saw. He exuded a unique, melancholic charm.


    Without realizing it, the third princess took a step closer to him.


    Standing side by side, the sharp and commanding presence they usually carried had completely disappeared. They now looked like a solemn priest and a graceful nun, just stepping out from some sacred hall.


    Alan gave a wry smile and looked down at his luxurious yet modest robe. "We''re just going to sell something. Isn''t this a bit¡­ excessive?"


    The third princess replied seriously, "The underground marketplace doesn''t just serve the Plantagenet Kingdom. Clients come from Kent, Albion, and even the surrounding minor nations."


    Alan''s brow furrowed. "Then that means¡­ people from Lioncrest Academy might also be part of this shady trade?"


    "Exactly." She nodded.


    "But that''s not our concern. Even though the marketplace has vast networks, it still operates under the Church''s shadow organization."


    "They''re like two sides of the same coin¡ªlight and shadow. Opposed yet interdependent. If someone tries to cause trouble inside, the Church will step in. That''s the one rule."


    "If Lioncrest Academy''s people have any sense, they won''t start a fight over something as risky as a tier-diamond magic scroll¡ªnot at the expense of offending the Church."


    Alan thought for a moment and agreed with her logic.


    Then he said, "By the way, I remember seeing the Church''s emblem at that bakery. I think Sophia''s family are believers. Since we''re going there anyway, how about inviting her along?"


    "Sophia?"


    The third princess blinked, then waved her hand dismissively. "She can''t come."


    "Huh? Why not?"


    Seeing his concern, she chuckled softly and said, "Don''t worry. She''s not in any danger. One of my old acquaintances asked for her help."


    "Calling it help might be a stretch¡ªit''s more like teaching. It''s actually a good opportunity for her."


    "¡­Alright then."


    Alan sighed and didn''t press the matter.


    Just then, a ripple of mana appeared between them.


    Alan instinctively went on alert, but the third princess calmly raised her hand, signaling him not to panic.


    The peculiar mana wave soon manifested as several lines of encrypted text in midair.


    Alan couldn''t understand a word, but the third princess seemed to read it with ease.


    "Just as I suspected," she said. "Barton Kingdom and Kent Kingdom have both sent powerful figures to the transaction. Are you ready?"


    She gave Alan''s shoulder a firm pat.


    "Ready for what?" he asked.


    "To kill, of course," she said in a low voice. Her eyes glinted like sharpened blades.


    "Kill¡­ huh," Alan repeated the word silently in his heart.


    He wasn''t afraid of killing. Back when he was still at House Roan, he had already taken many lives.


    Among those were elders who had watched him grow up, and even a few who were¡ªat least nominally¡ªhis kin.


    But they had all been small fry, people of little consequence.


    The third princess was different. As a commander-level figure, the number of people she had slain¡ªand their caliber¡ªfar surpassed his own.


    The thought of it made his [Battle Spirit] swell.


    To face off against formidable enemies, where death lurked at every corner¡­ he had already experienced the thrill and terror of such moments in his fight against Duke Mogan.


    Yet there was no denying it¡ªunder extreme pressure, he grew faster and stronger.


    This trip to the Church wasn''t just about making money; it was a trial by fire. Alan wanted to test just how much he had improved since his last fight.


    But just as he was getting fired up, the third princess suddenly changed her mind.


    "No¡­ forget it. You can accompany me to the Church, but I''ll handle the transaction alone."


    "¡­What?"


    Alan''s rising excitement deflated instantly. After all that talk, now she was backing out?


    "That''s too dangerous," he protested. "Didn''t you say other kingdoms have sent their top fighters? If no one helps draw their attention, and you''re all alone¡­"


    "Alan."


    Her voice turned sharp as she interrupted him.


    "Face reality."


    "Whether it''s Barton or Kent or any of the smaller powers, none of them can touch me. I have Ironblood City behind me. I have the royal family."


    "But you? You''re just a nobody. Anyone could crush you underfoot without consequences. You''d be risking your life just by showing up."


    "You are not going to the marketplace. That''s not a request. That''s an order."


    Faced with her resolute stance, Alan could only shrug. "What else can I say? You''re the boss."


    Before long, the two of them arrived at the Church''s base in Ironblood City.


    Though the city itself radiated a brutal, militant energy¡ªtrue to its name¡ªthe Church was an anomaly. Under the golden sunlight, the Baroque-style stone structure emanated a holy and ancient aura.


    As Alan stepped through the doors into the great hall, an elderly nun slowly approached them.


    "May the blessings of Steam and Magic be upon you, dear Third Princess," she greeted respectfully. "The confessional is currently vacant. Would you like to speak your truth?"


    The third princess nodded, and she and Alan were soon led into a small enclosed chamber. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 542 - Chapter98-Rosalia

    The room contained only two chairs and, in the center, a raised confessional booth. Around half a meter off the ground, a square opening had been cut into the booth wall, covered with a fine mesh screen that made visibility almost nonexistent.


    Under normal circumstances, a priest or nun would sit inside that booth, listening to the prayers or confessions of the faithful.


    But given the current sensitive situation, it was obvious that the elderly nun had brought them here with a different purpose in mind.


    The third princess tapped lightly on the wooden wall surrounding the confessional to make sure no one was inside. Only once she confirmed it was empty did she sit down in one of the chairs.


    Alan could barely hold back anymore and spoke up. "Third Princess, I¡­"


    "Shhh!"


    She suddenly raised her index finger to her lips, motioning for silence.


    "Rosalia," she whispered.


    "Remember, there''s no Third Princess of the kingdom here. Just the daughter of a merchant¡ªRosalia."


    "Or, if you''re like Alice, you can call me Rosa."


    "¡­Alright."


    Alan understood what she was worried about. Though the confessional was quiet, it wasn''t soundproof. If someone pressed their ear to the wall, they could probably hear everything happening inside.


    He cleared his throat and corrected himself, "Rosa, actually, I''ve been thinking about it during the whole trip. Our encounter in the miniature world¡ªit all seemed far too strange."


    "If this tier-diamond spell really is as coveted as everyone says, then there should''ve been a lot more powerful mages competing for it."


    "Why didn''t the other kingdoms send their elite forces? And why were we able to just walk away with it so easily? Don''t they have any reaction to that?"


    Rosalia glanced at him, then lightly tapped the tip of his nose with her finger.


    "You still have a lot to learn."


    "To tell you the truth, the first ones to discover that remnant world of the Forbidden Magus Nicolas weren''t from the Plantagenet Kingdom. It was a joint scouting party composed of mages from other kingdoms."


    "Geographically speaking, the entrance to the miniature world isn''t even within our territory."


    "And the scroll? That was just a bonus. Or rather, it wasn''t their primary objective at all."


    Alan''s brows furrowed further. "Then¡­ what was their real objective?"


    Rosalia lowered her gaze, her eyes fixating on the floor in front of her. "Think carefully¡ªwhat''s the most essential thing for a miniature world to maintain long-term stability?"


    "Well¡­ a massive source of mana, of course."


    "Exactly. So, what can provide that kind of stable and abundant mana?"


    "Mana stones!" Alan answered almost immediately. Then the realization hit him. He looked at Rosalia, now fully grasping her meaning.


    Seeing his understanding dawn, she smiled. "Looks like you''re not completely hopeless. Yes, while the relics left behind by the Forbidden Magus were valuable, the real treasure lies beneath the surface¡ªan enormous mana stone mine that powers the miniature world itself!"


    "A single skill scroll has limited use, even if it''s tier-diamond."


    "But a vast mana stone deposit? Its value is worth more than dozens of scrolls combined."


    "The reason the kingdoms didn''t send their top-tier mages was to avoid drawing attention. Instead, they dispatched promising newcomers to act as decoys."


    "Once everyone was convinced the scroll had been taken and the world held no more value, the real experts would make their move¡ªcleaning the place out and seizing the true prize."


    Alan was stunned.


    The third princess patted his shoulder and continued, "My father¡ªthe current king¡ªknew all of this. Yet he chose not to fight over that mana mine. Instead, he voluntarily gave it up. On the surface, it might look like a sign of weakness, but in reality, it was a strategy to preserve the Plantagenet Kingdom''s core strength."


    "There are dozens of complex layers to this political game. Even I can only understand part of it. You? You''d be completely in the dark."


    Alan gave a bitter chuckle. He finally understood why Rosalia wouldn''t let him come to the marketplace.


    If the power struggle over a miniature world was already this convoluted, then diving into the heart of such a conflict might very well mean dying without even knowing how.


    "Haah¡­" Rosalia let out a soft sigh¡ªhalf complaint, half apology.


    "You see only the surface-level clashes between kingdoms. What you can''t see is the raging current beneath the iron walls forged from blood and steel."


    "And I never told you this before, but when the exact location of the miniature world was first identified, several tier-platinum mages were silently assassinated."


    "While you were unconscious for those three days, even more tier-platinum mages perished inside the world. I even heard that to ensure absolute success, some kingdoms sent out mages far stronger than platinum¡ªtier-diamond mages."


    "Tier-diamond?!" Alan sucked in a sharp breath.


    That level of power was still far beyond his current reach.


    If it hadn''t been Duke Mogan he fought back then, but someone even stronger, he''d likely have died on the spot¡ªwithout even leaving a corpse.


    Noticing his unease, Rosalia smiled softly and reassured him, "But you don''t need to worry that much."


    "You''re not completely alone. You still have Sirius Academy backing you, don''t you?"


    "Sirius Academy? What are you talking about?" Alan looked confused. "Isn''t that just a no-name academy barely hanging on? Nobody pays attention to it anymore."


    Rosalia wagged her finger at him.


    "No, no. While it''s true that Sirius has fallen on hard times, you know what they say¡ªan old dog still has a few sharp teeth."


    "Old Gayle may be aging, but if anyone dares mess with one of his students, he won''t sit idly by."


    "As long as he''s around, Sirius Academy is still a banner worth respecting in the kingdom."


    She paused for a moment, then added, "Besides¡­ you and those few other students joining Sirius wasn''t a coincidence."


    "I don''t know what Gayle is planning, but he definitely has a reason."


    "Before you enrolled, Sirius and Lioncrest clashed in a brutal conflict."


    "You should already know what happened¡ªcountless Sirius students perished."


    "Including Gayle''s own daughter."


    Alan looked curiously at her. "Why are you telling me all this? Isn''t this kind of history considered highly confidential within the kingdom?"


    "Because it''s a warning," Rosalia said with a side glance.


    "Don''t think I don''t know what you''re planning. You''re still thinking about getting involved with the marketplace, aren''t you?" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Alan gave an awkward laugh. He couldn''t deny it.


    That lingering [Battle Spirit] within him hadn''t been extinguished¡ªnot yet.

 Chapter 543 - Chapter99-Potion, Tome of Necromancy, Permafrost World

    Just as Alan stood up and stretched his body a little, strange runes emitting a faint blue glow slowly lit up around the opaque gauze-covered windows.


    Immediately after, a magical screen formed entirely from a dense concentration of water element began to manifest in the center of the confessional room.


    Within the screen, a short man with a pointy face and crafty eyes¡ªclearly the cunning type¡ªwas shouting energetically to those around him.


    "Greetings, everyone! I am Isaac, the presiding bishop of the Church of Steam and Magic, stationed in Ironblood City!"


    "All processes of today''s exchange will be overseen by me personally. But let''s be honest¡ªnone of you came all this way for the ordinary trinkets that you can find just anywhere, am I right?"


    "Exactly! In addition to the usual magical artifacts available through the exchange, we''ve prepared three exclusive surprises just for our distinguished guests today!"


    "Of course, valuable gifts don''t come for free. These three surprises will be auctioned off to the wealthiest bidder!"


    As he spoke, Isaac signaled to his assistants, who began to wheel forward a small silver trolley.


    With great ceremony, he reached out and slowly lifted the dome-shaped lid.


    Underneath it rested a single vial of potion, shimmering with a soft golden hue.


    The third princess''s eyes widened the moment she laid eyes on it. Her lips parted slightly in astonishment, and she shot up from her seat.


    Alan was confused.


    "What is that?" he asked.


    It took a moment before the third princess finally answered, her voice low with gravity.


    "That''s an Evolution Potion."


    "An¡­ Evolution Potion?" Alan repeated, still puzzled.


    She took a deep breath, then explained with a serious tone,


    "As the name implies, the Evolution Potion allows the human body to evolve. An ordinary person with a weak bloodline who takes it may gain overwhelming strength, while a mage would find themselves becoming significantly more proficient in controlling elemental magic."


    "But that''s not the most astonishing part. It''s been tested before¡ªthis potion has the potential to propel a tier-bronze mage directly to tier-gold!" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That''s insane," she muttered. "A potion with this level of potency shouldn''t even exist within the Plantagenet Kingdom. We simply don''t have any apothecaries capable of brewing something so advanced."


    Just as her words faded, Isaac''s voice came once more through the magic screen.


    "Well then, what do you all think? Satisfied with our first auction item?"


    "If so, then give me a satisfying price in return. Let''s make this a win-win!"


    "Evolution Potion¡ªstarting bid, two million. Minimum increment: five hundred thousand!"


    "T¡ªTwo million?!" Alan gasped, eyes nearly popping out of his head.


    Two million?!


    To put that into perspective, the entire population of his hometown, Snowguard City, only made a collective annual income of around 1.5 million.


    Yet this palm-sized vial was starting at two million?!


    "Look at you¡ªacting like you''ve never seen real money before," the third princess scoffed at him, her disdain barely concealed.


    Alan chuckled helplessly.


    "Well, I really haven''t seen that kind of money before¡­"


    "Then shut up, sit still, and watch closely. Maybe you''ll learn something useful."


    She patted the empty seat beside her. Alan ducked his head and obediently sat down.


    The third princess blinked, surprised. She hadn''t expected Alan to become so well-behaved all of a sudden.


    But right now, Alan''s mind was spinning with fantasies¡ªWhat if that two million landed in my hands?


    He''d buy a massive mansion, move in with Isabella, eat and drink like royalty every day, and live the rest of his life in indulgent luxury¡­


    Lost in that daydream, he barely noticed when the bidding for the Evolution Potion came to an end.


    With a loud bang of the gavel, Isaac finalized the deal.


    The final bid?


    Four and a half million.


    Almost immediately, another trolley was wheeled up beside Isaac.


    He rubbed his hands together gleefully, wearing the sort of satisfied grin only merchants wear after making a fortune.


    "Let''s keep up the momentum," he said. "Next up, the second item of the evening!"


    With a flourish, he threw open the lid.


    Inside lay a book, bound in solid black leather.


    Looking closely, one could see twisted patterns on the cover¡ªpatterns that squirmed faintly, like the faces of the damned, embedded just beneath the surface.


    Isaac instinctively stepped back. He wiped the sweat from his brow and tried to appear calm.


    "This is the Tome of Necromancy, a record compiled by a dark mage who once practiced the element of darkness. After accidentally opening a gateway to the underworld, he documented all he saw and learned."


    "This tome contains a multitude of powerful dark-element spells, and even includes the infamous forbidden arts said to command the undead."


    "Starting bid¡ªthree million. Minimum increment¡ªfive hundred thousand!"


    Alan was already numb.


    Here, money wasn''t money¡ªit was just a string of numbers that people threw around casually.


    Rosalia, seemingly unfazed, pulled out yet another bottle of red wine from somewhere and started chugging it down.


    Alan, suddenly curious, pulled out the green gem that the third princess had given him earlier and asked,


    "Hey¡­ how much do you think this is worth?"


    Rosalia choked instantly, coughing as the wine went down the wrong pipe. Her brows furrowed in shock and she glared daggers at him.


    "Don''t get mad¡ªI''m just asking. I wasn''t planning to sell it," Alan said quickly.


    Rosalia let out a breath, then muttered,


    "That thing is¡­ unique. Its effects are rather special. It''s basically a priceless artifact. But if you absolutely had to put a number on it, I''d say¡­ at least ten million."


    "T-Ten million?!"


    Alan immediately cupped the gem gently in his palms, treating it like a fragile treasure.


    So he''d been wandering around the city with something worth five times the price of the Evolution Potion just casually bouncing in his pocket?


    That was terrifying!


    "If you even think about selling it, I swear I''ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life," the third princess warned.


    Alan nodded like a chicken pecking rice and quickly tucked the gem safely against his chest.


    Not long after, the Tome of Necromancy was sold¡ªfor six million.


    This time, Alan didn''t react with wild surprise. After all, he now technically qualified as a man worth ten million.


    A mere six million? Nothing to worry about.


    "Well, friends," Isaac said cheerfully, "with the first two surprises unveiled, it''s time for the highlight of the evening."


    The third and final trolley was pushed forward¡ªand it was noticeably more luxurious than the previous two, both in material and ornamentation.


    Isaac could barely contain his excitement as he lifted the lid.


    "Behold¡ªtier-diamond magic spell: Permafrost World!"


    "This, my friends, is a true tier-diamond level spell! And it wasn''t just created by anyone¡ªit comes from the hand of the legendary Forbidden Magus, Nicolas!"


    "If you manage to comprehend even a fragment of the power that this spell embodies, even as a tier-gold mage, you''ll be able to stand toe-to-toe with those of tier-platinum."


    "And if you''re already tier-platinum, mastering this will allow you to crush every opponent in your class with overwhelming force."


    "Even those who surpass tier-platinum and reach tier-diamond will find their elemental insight vastly improved through studying the mana-flow methods of this Forbidden Magus."


    "A treasure like this¡­ naturally won''t come cheap."


    As he spoke, Isaac held up three fingers.


    "Starting bid¡ªthirty million!"

 Chapter 544 - Chapter100-Accidents Always Come When Least Expected

    When Isaac uttered that jaw-dropping number, it was enough to leave anyone stunned.


    Even Alan¡ªwho had long prided himself on being indifferent to matters of money¡ªcouldn''t help but shoot up from his seat in utter disbelief.


    Thirty million?!


    That was the value of the tier-diamond magic skill scroll¡ªan amount roughly equivalent to three of his green gemstones, fifteen bottles of Evolution Potion, or ten full copies of the Tome of Necromancy!


    The Third Princess reached out and gently pressed down on Alan''s shoulder, pushing him back into his seat. She gave a soft chuckle and said, "Why are you so worked up? When you casually tossed that scroll up to the Watchtower earlier, you didn''t seem the least bit cautious."


    "I¡­ I didn''t know back then¡­" Alan mumbled in embarrassment.


    The value of any item becomes truly apparent only through comparison, and the same applied to this skill scroll.


    Before this, Alan had always assumed that a magic skill¡ªno matter how prestigious the tier, even tier-diamond¡ªcouldn''t possibly be that precious. At most, he thought, it would simply give him one more offensive move in his arsenal.


    But now, after seeing it compared against other high-value items, he finally understood the true weight behind the term "tier-diamond."


    That realization made him unconsciously tighten his grip around the green gemstone still in his hand.


    He had tossed away thirty million like it was nothing earlier. Now that only ten million''s worth remained in his possession, he vowed to guard it with his life.


    Unbeknownst to him, this subtle gesture had not escaped the Third Princess''s keen gaze.


    Her eyes curved in satisfaction, clearly pleased with Alan''s sudden sense of caution.


    "Forty-five hundred!"


    "Five thousand!"


    "Fifty-five hundred!"


    "Six thousand!"


    It was clear now¡ªAlan wasn''t the only one who had realized just how invaluable this skill scroll truly was.


    From the magic screen above, the voices of various bidders rang out, each one more determined than the last. The bidding war had grown intense, and the price of Permafrost World quickly soared, reaching a staggering sixty-five million in no time at all.


    Suddenly, both Alan and the Third Princess heard muffled crashes and thuds coming from the church hall adjacent to the confessional room.


    The Third Princess''s expression immediately darkened. Her brows furrowed as she muttered, "They''re really causing trouble on church grounds? Are they tired of living?"


    But Alan, in stark contrast, suddenly acted with uncharacteristic urgency. He didn''t wait for her response¡ªinstead, he reached out, grabbed her wrist, and without a word, pulled her straight into the secret compartment of the confessional booth.


    His instincts weren''t acting alone.


    Just moments ago, the black-robed woman¡ªwhose voice had been silent for a long time¡ªhad suddenly issued a rare warning:


    "Get out of here. It''s dangerous now."


    Alan wasn''t an idiot.


    For the mysterious woman to use the word "dangerous", it meant the church had truly become a hazardous place.


    Not long after, several figures dressed in strange uniforms burst into the confessional room where Alan and the Third Princess had been just moments before.


    Through the translucent veil of the secret chamber''s window, Alan could vaguely make out their forms¡ªclearly, they were searching for something.


    "Search every corner thoroughly. The entrance could be close by!" one who appeared to be the leader barked.


    His subordinates immediately got to work, intensifying their efforts.


    In mere moments, they had combed through every inch of the confessional¡ªexcept for the central wall where the hidden chamber protruded slightly.


    The leader stepped forward, gripping a blade in his hand. He gave two solid knocks against the wall of the secret room.


    "Rip this thing open. I want to see if anyone''s hiding inside!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    With that, the subordinates readied their weapons, preparing to break down the wall by force.


    But just then, both Alan and the Third Princess felt a violent tremor rise from beneath their feet.


    Along with the tremor came a succession of explosive rumbles, growing louder with each passing moment.


    ¡­


    Outside the church, the devout followers who had only just arrived to offer their prayers now turned pale.


    From the depths of the holy site, waves of deafening booms shook the air.


    They looked up, only to see the towering stone steeple¡ªonce a symbol of divinity and grandeur¡ªcollapse in an instant, reduced to nothing but rubble and dust.


    And amidst that thick dust cloud, a figure slowly emerged.


    An elderly man clad in a gray mage''s robe, with a long white beard flowing down his chest, stepped out from the smoke and ruin.


    In his right hand, he clutched a scroll.


    It was the very same tier-diamond magic scroll that had just been auctioned off.


    The moment the surrounding believers saw him, their knees grew weak with fear, and many trembled like leaves in a storm.


    The gray-robed elder merely let out a cold snort. He flicked his sleeve in disdain, clearly uninterested in engaging the frightened crowd, and turned to leave.


    But before he could go far, a sharp wind blade suddenly tore through the air, flying directly toward him.


    The old man''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    Then, without even chanting a spell, a dark, eerie mist enveloped his entire form, swallowing the incoming wind blade before it could make contact.


    The scene was eerily silent¡ªno mana fluctuation, no sound.


    It was as if, in that fleeting instant, all traces of wind-element mana in his vicinity had been mysteriously erased.


    This wasn''t ordinary magic.


    This was reality-bending control of mana¡ªsomething only a tier-diamond mage could hope to achieve.


    "Stop right there!"


    Following the failed wind attack, a middle-aged man with long, flowing hair suddenly appeared in front of the elder.


    His expression was tense, and his gaze was full of suspicion and wariness.


    "You''ve destroyed a structure belonging to the Church of Steam and Magic. That''s a serious offense. Who the hell are you?!"


    The elder gave him a look of utter contempt and snorted.


    "The Church of Steam and Magic? Is that supposed to be a big deal?"


    "You¡ª!" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before the man could finish his retort, more black smoke began to rise from beneath the elder''s robe.


    The dark mist twisted and writhed until it formed several serpent-like entities, each baring wide, gaping maws as they hissed and lunged toward the middle-aged mage.


    Every fiber of his being screamed of imminent danger.


    Acting on reflex, the man raised both arms and cast a powerful spell. A massive tornado materialized behind him, so fierce that it lifted debris from the ruined church into the air.


    But the outcome was just as before.


    The moment the tornado touched the black mist, it was instantly devoured¡ªerased without a trace.


    Before the middle-aged mage could react, the elder blurred, moving faster than the eye could follow.


    In the blink of an eye, he was behind his opponent, and with a brutal roundhouse kick, he struck the man hard at the waist.


    There was no time for defense. The man was thrown back as if struck by a cannonball, crashing through nine consecutive walls before finally embedding into a tenth.


    The elder didn''t pursue further.


    He turned back around and once again disappeared into the lingering smoke.


    Moments later, the middle-aged mage struggled free from the shattered wall, now clearly understanding the threat he faced.


    He would not hold back anymore.


    A brilliant emerald rune shot into the sky, serving as a signal.


    In response, the high-ranking members of the Church of Steam and Magic across Ironblood City mobilized.


    Not long after, residents across the city heard thunderous, unnatural sounds echoing from beyond the city walls.


    It was then that Alan and the Third Princess cautiously opened the door of the hidden chamber and stepped out.


    Their eyes were filled with confusion as they gazed upon the scene before them¡ªthe once-sacred church now reduced to rubble.


    "Your Highness!"


    A familiar voice called out from nearby.


    Covered in dust and out of breath, Isaac came running up to them. With guilt written all over his face, he turned to the Third Princess and said, "Forgive me, Your Highness. The tier-diamond magic scroll you entrusted to us¡­ it was snatched away by an outsider!"


    "But please rest assured. Within three days at most, the Church of Steam and Magic will retrieve the item intact and return it to you without fail!"

 Chapter 545 - Chapter101-Watching a Battle Between Powerhouses

    The Third Princess was visibly displeased. Yet as she glanced around at the surrounding devastation, it wasn''t hard for her to imagine just how powerful that unexpected intruder must have been.


    "Well then," she said coldly, "I''ll give you three days."


    With that, she turned around and made to leave.


    But Alan remained rooted to the spot, a conflicted expression flickering across his face.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked.


    "It''s¡­ it''s nothing. You go ahead. I''ve got some things to take care of."


    Without waiting for her response, Alan turned and strode off, heading directly in the direction where the gray-robed elder had vanished.


    The Third Princess bit her lip in frustration, muttering through gritted teeth, "You really are¡­ unbelievable!"


    A few moments earlier¡ªjust as they had stepped out of the secret chamber¡ªAlan had once again heard the voice of the black-robed woman inside his mind.


    "Don''t let this opportunity slip away!"


    Her words left him momentarily baffled. "What opportunity?"


    There was a brief pause before her voice grew sharp with urgency. "That man carries a Sealed Artifact. What do you think this opportunity is?"


    "A¡­ Sealed Artifact?!"


    At those three words, Alan''s hesitation vanished completely.


    But there was still one lingering problem: how to explain this to the Third Princess.


    "Why didn''t you tell me earlier that he had a Sealed Artifact?" Alan grumbled. "If I''d known, I could''ve made up an excuse and slipped out of the confessional unnoticed¡­"


    The black-robed woman let out a sigh, clearly exasperated.


    "Idiot. If the church hadn''t softened him up for you first, with your current level of power, charging in blindly would''ve been no different from suicide."


    Back to the present.


    Noticing that Alan was about to walk off after barely saying a word, the Third Princess frowned and turned toward one of Isaac''s nearby subordinates.


    "You! Follow him. Don''t let anything happen to him."


    The subordinate responded with a flustered salute and immediately chased after Alan at full speed.


    Yet just a few minutes later, he reappeared in front of the Third Princess, clearly out of breath.


    "What happened?" she demanded, her patience wearing thin.


    The subordinate looked as if he were on the verge of tears. "F-forgive me, Princess¡­ That guy''s just too fast! I couldn''t keep up with him at all¡­"


    "Too¡­ fast?"


    The Third Princess blinked, confused.


    From what she knew, Alan had never been known for speed. He was a magus, not a rogue or a scout. Could he really be hiding something even she wasn''t aware of?


    The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.


    ¡­


    On Alan''s end, after parting ways with the Third Princess, he had left Ironblood City without delay, following the black-robed woman''s instructions. He made his way deep into the nearby plains.


    From a distance, he could already see a group of church robed figures facing off against the gray-robed elder in a tense standoff.


    Alan clenched his fists, clearly itching to join the battle.


    But the black-robed woman''s voice stopped him in his tracks.


    "What''s the rush? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"


    Alan scratched his head. "So we wait until they''re both worn out before stepping in?"


    The woman didn''t reply, but her silence was agreement enough.


    Still, standing around doing nothing didn''t sit well with him.


    Alan couldn''t help but ask, "Senior¡­ what exactly is a Sealed Artifact? Can it really suppress those things from Hell?"


    Her attention, however, was entirely focused on the battle ahead. She gave a rather half-hearted answer: "The essence of a Sealed Artifact¡­ even if I told you now, you probably wouldn''t understand. It''s better to wait until you actually get your hands on one."


    Alan frowned, feeling frustrated. It was like she was deliberately keeping him in suspense. But he also knew she had a point¡ªtrying to comprehend something you''ve never seen or touched was no easy task.


    All he could do was hold back his curiosity and quietly observe the unfolding clash between the church''s powerhouses and the gray-robed elder.


    "Senior, I don''t know if you remember¡­ but back in that miniature world, the creature from the second layer of Hell already seemed to have awakened. It even appeared to help me once¡­"


    "Mm." She responded with a noncommittal hum, clearly unconcerned.


    But Alan still felt a lingering sense of unease. That thing¡­ it had already started influencing the real world. If left unchecked, who knew when it might just kill him in his sleep?


    That thought sent a chill down his spine, and he asked, "Is there any way you could¡­ I don''t know, give it a warning or something? Make it behave? I just feel uneasy knowing it''s always lurking¡­" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The black-robed woman finally lost her patience.


    "What are you so afraid of?" she snapped. "Stop underestimating your own importance. Who are you? You''re Hell''s warden. If it ever truly meant to kill you, the other layers wouldn''t sit idly by. And don''t forget¡ªHell itself isn''t some mindless, lifeless pit."


    "You''re like a nail, locking the last strand of Hell''s leash in place. If you''re gone, everything down there would fall apart. That thing wouldn''t dare act recklessly¡ªit''d be inviting disaster."


    Her tone grew firm.


    "So stop worrying. With your role, you''re more protected than you realize."


    Alan was left speechless. He¡ªa warden¡ªwas supposedly the linchpin that kept the entire Hell sealed? Since when had he become such a crucial figure?


    Just then, in the distant plains, a vast dark curtain unfolded, blotting out the sky. It rapidly expanded and enveloped everyone caught in the middle of the battle.


    The dark fog¡ªthick, suffocating, and saturated with dark-element mana¡ªseemed impenetrable.


    None of the church''s elite warriors managed to escape.


    Alan''s heart began to pound in his chest. It was clear to him now just how terrifying this black mist really was.


    The black-robed woman didn''t give him a chance to hesitate.


    "What are you afraid of? If Sealed Artifacts were so easy to get, they wouldn''t be called that, would they? The timing''s right¡ªget in there now!"


    "Alright!" Alan took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and charged from his hiding place into the battlefield.


    As soon as he entered the black fog, he was immediately struck by just how oppressively dense the dark-element energy had become.


    The ground beneath him was dry and cracked, parched like a desert that hadn''t seen rain in centuries.


    A few scattered trees¡ªonce rooted deep in the plains¡ªhad withered completely, resembling haunted husks not unlike the fabled tree spirits of the Mist Forest.


    And the fog itself¡­ it was endless.


    Alan looked around, but couldn''t see its edges. This wasn''t just a spell¡ªit was a domain, a world of shadow created by an overwhelmingly powerful being.


    To have expanded elemental energy across such a vast area¡­ the gray-robed elder''s power must be beyond comprehension.


    "Quit overthinking. As long as I''m here, you won''t die."


    Alan paused at the black-robed woman''s calm assurance, but her words worked like a charm. His nerves finally eased.


    With newfound resolve, he plunged deeper into the black mist.


    It wasn''t long before he reached the center of the plains, and there, he found them¡ªthe high-ranking members of the church.


    Their bodies lay still on the ground, cold and lifeless.


    Each one looked like their blood had been completely drained¡ªdried out husks, withered like mummies, staring into the void.


    No life remained in them.


    Alan clenched his fists again.


    This was no longer just a battle.


    This¡­ was a slaughter.

 Chapter 546 - Chapter102-The Elder’s True Identity

    "Hurry up! He hasn''t gone far yet. Follow the residual trail of his magical energy and catch up with him¡ªquickly!"


    The black-robed woman''s voice urged Alan forward.


    He didn''t waste another second. After sensing which direction the dark element was most concentrated in, Alan immediately set off in pursuit.


    As he hurried along, he couldn''t help but ask the black-robed woman in a curious tone, "I don''t get it. That mysterious figure who attacked the church is incredibly powerful¡ªwhy would someone like that care so much about a single tier-diamond magic skill?"


    The black-robed woman paused for a moment, then explained it to Alan in simple, understandable terms.


    "Imagine you''re a mage who has trained in fire-element magic and reached the pinnacle¡ªa level few can ever dream of, tier-diamond."


    "In that case, what do you think you''d need most?"


    Alan pondered for a moment and replied, "To keep improving my strength?"


    "Wrong," the black-robed woman said flatly. "Once a mage or magus reaches a certain level of power, they''ll inevitably hit a bottleneck. It''s no longer about simply getting stronger."


    "What they need most at that point," she continued, "is variety in their combat skills. Let''s say that fire-element mage encounters a foe who specializes in water or ice. What then?"


    "Elemental counters are something every mage has to deal with. And for a tier-diamond mage, those counters can be especially troublesome."


    "They''ve committed to one path and gone to the extreme with it. That means they often struggle even more when forced to face elements they''re not familiar with."


    "In that kind of situation, a tier-diamond magic skill¡ªespecially one of a different element than their specialty, and better yet, one that happens to be a legacy from a Forbidden Magus¡ªdon''t you think they''d be tempted?"


    Realization dawned on Alan. "So that''s why. I always assumed that once someone reached tier-diamond, they''d already mastered every element."


    The black-robed woman gave a soft chuckle. "How could that be? Human focus and energy are limited. To refine just one element to its highest form is already an incredible feat. Trying to master several¡ªespecially elements with opposing natures¡ªis nearly impossible."


    As they talked, the two of them finally reached the source of the dark energy.


    There, behind a massive boulder, lay the gray-robed elder¡ªcovered in blood and completely unconscious. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Alan approached cautiously, nudged him gently with his fingers, and when he saw that the man wasn''t waking up, he grew bolder and began to search him thoroughly.


    But after a while, Alan had practically turned the old man''s body inside out¡ªyet found no trace of any Sealed Artifact.


    "Senior, I don''t think he has that artifact you were talking about," he said, slightly disappointed.


    The black-robed woman furrowed her brows and thought for a moment. "That''s strange. The residual aura of the Sealed Artifact on him is real."


    "That means¡­ not long ago, it must have been kept very close to his body."


    "You mean¡­ physically close?"


    Alan picked up on her implication right away. Without hesitation, he crouched down and ripped the gray robe to shreds.


    But what he found beneath the robe stunned him.


    Instead of a withered, aged body, what was revealed was a strikingly beautiful and youthful woman, her skin pale and smooth like polished pearl.


    Most eye-catching of all were her ample white curves, which seemed to exert a magnetic pull on Alan''s gaze.


    "Watch out!"


    The black-robed woman''s sudden warning came just a second too late.


    The "elder," who had been faking unconsciousness the whole time, suddenly sprang up and pinned Alan to the ground.


    She hadn''t fainted¡ªshe had been pretending the entire time!


    With one hand, she wiped the blood from her face. As she did, the action also loosened the human-skin mask she wore, revealing half of her true face beneath the disguise.


    It was only then that Alan saw her for who she really was¡ªa stunningly beautiful woman whose charm was masked beneath an aged veneer.


    Her eyes gleamed like sapphires, a deep, vibrant blue.


    Her slightly curled gray hair was reminiscent of the snow pines native to Snowguard City.


    Her sharp brows gave her a fierce and imposing air, yet this only added to her allure.


    She stared at Alan coldly, clearly unaware of the thoughts racing through his mind.


    With a chilling voice, she asked, "Are you here to kill me too?"


    Alan quickly shook his head. "Would you believe me if I said I was just passing by?"


    The woman, unsurprisingly, didn''t believe a word.


    And why should she? She couldn''t sense even a single trace of mana from Alan''s body.


    She was a tier-diamond mage, with perception far superior to most. If even she couldn''t detect anything, then the power hidden within this young man must be unfathomable.


    What she didn''t realize was that the reason she couldn''t sense anything at all was because the black-robed woman was secretly concealing all of Alan''s presence.


    Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the distance¡ªreinforcements from the Church of Steam and Magic.


    The gray-haired woman instantly grabbed Alan by the throat and hissed, "If you don''t want to die, take me to Kent Kingdom!"


    Panicking, Alan called out to the black-robed woman in his mind, begging her to step in and help.


    But this time¡­ there was no response.


    It was as if she had fallen asleep.


    Or¡­ deliberately chosen to remain silent.


    ¡­


    As dawn broke, the plains outside Ironblood City were swept by cold winds carrying sand and dust.


    Alan and the gray-haired woman walked in silence, one leading, one following.


    Neither spoke a word the entire time.


    It looked peaceful from afar, but Alan knew better¡ªany misstep, and the woman behind him would kill him without hesitation.


    Even though she had clearly sustained severe injuries during her fight with the church''s elite, the power she still possessed was more than Alan could handle.


    He had to hold back.


    He repeated this to himself over and over: Don''t be reckless. Don''t do anything stupid.


    But suddenly, he heard a faint cough behind him.


    Turning around, he saw the gray-haired woman had collapsed onto the ground, coughing up streaks of blood.


    "You okay?" he asked, feigning concern as he approached.


    But as he got closer, she shot him a vicious glare. "Don''t come near me!"


    Alan froze, standing still where he was.


    Yet moments later, her coughing grew worse. She struggled even to stand.


    Seeing this, Alan decided not to hesitate any longer. He stepped forward and helped her up from the ground.


    She scowled, but didn''t protest. Truthfully, she needed the support.


    Still, the situation now made Alan deeply uncomfortable.


    Her body was incredibly alluring to begin with¡ªand since he had ripped most of her robe earlier during the search, much of her skin was now exposed.


    Now, with the two of them so close, the warmth of her bare skin against his body sent shivers down his spine and stirred primal instincts deep within him.


    But Alan didn''t dare make a move.


    No matter how tempting her appearance, this woman was someone who had just gone toe-to-toe with the upper echelon of the Church of Steam and Magic.


    And to make matters worse, the black-robed woman, who had promised to be his support and protector, still wasn''t responding at all.


    Right now, Alan was truly alone.


    No one to call.


    Nowhere to run.


    And the storm¡­ was only just beginning.

 Chapter 547 - Chapter103-Let’s See Who Dies First—You or Me!

    While Alan was still struggling against his primal instincts, torn between reason and temptation, the outlines of Kent Kingdom began to emerge faintly on the distant horizon of the plains.


    Among the many nations scattered across the continent, only Kent and Barton Kingdom shared borders with the mighty Plantagenet Kingdom. This geographical triangle had sparked countless skirmishes and full-blown conflicts throughout the last hundred years.


    Yet despite the frequent clashes, the main belligerents had always been King Charlie''s Plantagenet and Barton.


    Kent Kingdom, on the other hand, seemed to adopt a different philosophy¡ªalmost as if its rulers had long foreseen the dangers of choosing a side. For generations, the kingdom had steadfastly upheld its neutrality.


    But that neutrality should not be mistaken for weakness.


    On the contrary, Kent Kingdom stood on ancient soil riddled with forgotten relics from bygone eras. Thanks to those legacies passed down through the ages, its people were among the most elite warriors and magi on the continent.


    For this reason, neither Barton nor Plantagenet dared to provoke Kent lightly. Any large-scale invasion would be met with a steep and bloody price.


    As the distant kingdom grew closer, the gray-haired woman seemed to recover a measure of her strength. Without warning, she shoved Alan backward, sending him sprawling to the ground.


    Alan was about to complain, but before he could utter a word, the woman mounted his waist, pinning him beneath her. Her hands clamped tightly over his mouth.


    A familiar black mist¡ªthick, murky, and laced with an eerie cold¡ªbegan to seep from her body. In seconds, it had enveloped them like a dark cocoon, obscuring them from sight.


    And then, muffled voices echoed from outside.


    "Keep searching! That monster couldn''t have gotten far! The five priests gave their lives for the Church just to injure her¡ªif we lose her now, how do we explain ourselves to the bishop? Or the believers?!"


    Even within the cocoon, Alan could still sense the waves of mana rippling through the earth around them.


    The black-robed woman chuckled lightly from within his mind.


    "Seems like the Church is really pulling out all the stops. They even sent a few mages who are on the verge of reaching tier-diamond just to track her down."


    Alan analyzed the situation quickly.


    From the start, the one who had made enemies of the Church was the gray-haired woman¡ªnot him. He had simply followed her in pursuit of a scroll that rightfully belonged to him.


    In that sense, he and the Church shared the same goal: recover the scroll.


    So if that was the case, why should he be treated like a fugitive too?


    With that thought, Alan reached into his pocket and touched the diamond card that Daniel had personally given him back on the magic train.


    As long as he held this card, even the highest-ranking figures in the Church wouldn''t dare act against him lightly.


    But the black-robed woman immediately saw through his thoughts and let out a faint scoff.


    "You''re still too na?ve," she said. "That card might serve as a token of trust, sure. But if the more rigid minds in the Church see you so intimately close to this woman¡ªyour actions questionable, your behavior ambiguous¡ªwhat do you think they''ll assume?"


    Before Alan could answer, she continued, her voice low and knowing.


    "They''ll assume you''re working with her. That everything you did before was just a clever act. And they won''t hesitate to erase you both."


    Alan sighed in frustration.


    As much as he hated to admit it, her reasoning made perfect sense.


    A mere card was no match for the Church''s wrath¡ªnot after they''d lost multiple tier-platinum level mages in this single confrontation.


    "Ugh¡­"


    Suddenly, the gray-haired woman coughed up blood again. The dense mist around them wavered and thinned slightly.


    Startled, she forced herself to focus, straining to maintain the stability of the mana barrier.


    But in doing so, her grip weakened, and she collapsed directly into Alan''s arms.


    Her knees brushed against his thigh, pressing against the tense muscles beneath his clothes.


    Her labored breathing made her tattered clothes shift rhythmically, and the scent of tulips, unique to the Kent Kingdom, drifted into Alan''s nose.


    The fire he had tried so hard to suppress earlier came roaring back.


    Fortunately, the moment didn''t last long.


    After searching the area and failing to find the gray-haired woman''s whereabouts, the Church''s pursuers finally retreated.


    A short while later, the woman slowly regained consciousness. She immediately dispelled the cocoon, but found herself too weak to even stand.


    Alan stood up slowly, took a few steps back.


    But the woman stared directly at him, eyes narrowed. She licked the blood from the corner of her lips and whispered:


    "You think you can run from me?"


    Alan raised his eyebrows. "Well, how would I know if I didn''t try?"


    With that, he spun around and bolted. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The woman gave a sharp scoff and shot to her feet. In the blink of an eye, she was upon him, grabbing the back of his neck and slamming him face-first into the ground.


    The plains were dry and dusty. Dirt caked half of Alan''s face, making him look utterly miserable.


    He gritted his teeth, calling out desperately to the black-robed woman.


    Still¡­ no response.


    "Think one more stupid thought," the gray-haired woman snarled, "and I''ll kill you right now. Believe me?"


    Alan, thinking quickly, put on an expression of hopelessness and said, "Go ahead, then. Kill me. What''s the point? I''m dead either way, aren''t I?"


    Her grip tightened slightly. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    Alan shook his head and sighed heavily. "Exactly what it sounds like."


    "Even if you don''t kill me now, the moment I take you to Kent Kingdom, you''ll kill me anyway¡ªto silence me. So what does it matter? Now or later¡ªit''s all the same."


    The gray-haired woman pressed her lips together. She hadn''t expected words like that from someone so young.


    "You do have a decent sense of self-awareness," she admitted coldly.


    But instead of letting go, she began to squeeze even harder.


    That''s when Alan suddenly changed his tone.


    "But I''m not going to die alone," he said. "If I have to die, I''ll drag you down with me."


    As soon as the words left his mouth, a soft golden light burst from his chest, so bright that it forced the gray-haired woman to squint and recoil.


    In the next instant, a holy staff shaped like a sword, sacred and radiating divine danger, appeared in Alan''s grasp.


    He gripped it tightly and propped himself up on one knee, slowly breaking free of her control.


    "I know I can''t beat you in a one-on-one fight," Alan said calmly. "But don''t forget¡ªthe Church''s hunters are still close by. They''re combing the area for you."


    "If we start fighting here, the mana shockwaves will absolutely give away your location."


    "Your dark-element isolation barrier¡ªhow many more times can you cast it?"


    "However many times that is, it won''t be enough to get you all the way back to Kent."


    He stared at her unflinching.


    "And that''s not even the worst of it. If you fail to return with the scroll¡­ your so-called allies hiding in Kent won''t exactly welcome you back with open arms, will they?"


    The woman clenched her jaw. "I could kill you before any of that happens. I''m strong enough."


    "No doubt about it," Alan said with a cold smile.


    Then he lifted the holy sword-staff and pointed its glowing tip straight at her heart.


    "Then let''s see who dies first¡ªme¡­ or you!"

 Chapter 548 - Chapter104-Stone of Sage

    The sacred light radiating from the holy sword-staff in Alan''s hand grew brighter and brighter, shining with such intensity that it threatened to blind anyone who dared to look directly at it.


    The gray-haired woman''s expression shifted¡ªurgency flickered in her eyes. She clenched her teeth and quickly shouted, "Stop!"


    Alan narrowed his eyes and barked back, "Not until you promise not to kill me!"


    "I promise."


    Without hesitation, the woman lifted her hand, touching her shoulders and forehead in a practiced motion, and traced the sign of the cross across her chest.


    In Kent Kingdom, this was no ordinary gesture¡ªit was the highest form of oath and etiquette, a sacred rite that, if broken, would be met with divine punishment. Any who swore falsely would be cast straight into the fires of Hell by the will of God.


    Only after seeing this did Alan finally withdraw the holy sword-staff, allowing its light to dissipate.


    The tense, sword-drawn atmosphere evaporated in an instant.


    The gray-haired woman sighed deeply and muttered, "You''re a real piece of work, you know that?"


    "Likewise," Alan replied with a faint smirk, stepping forward to help support her once more as they began walking again.


    They had only walked a few paces when the woman suddenly asked, "You''re not with the Church, are you?"


    Alan didn''t confirm or deny the accusation. Instead, he tilted his head and asked, "What makes you say that?"


    "It''s obvious," she replied calmly.


    She continued analyzing the situation aloud: "You''re too young to be part of the Church''s upper echelon, and you showed up before their pursuers did. That''s already suspicious."


    "Plus, even though you clearly knew I stole a scroll from the Church, you showed no interest in retrieving it." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "In other words, that scroll isn''t your true objective¡­ is it?"


    Alan laughed awkwardly.


    Being read like an open book left him with a strange mix of embarrassment and resignation. But at this point, there was no use hiding anything. They were already like grasshoppers tied to the same rope¡ªbound by circumstance and danger alike.


    Just as he was about to explain, the voice of the black-robed woman echoed in his mind again, her tone laced with rare urgency.


    "It''s the Stone of Sage. The Sealed Artifact she previously came into contact with was the Stone of Sage!"


    Alan nodded subtly, then said in a steady tone, "My real target¡­ is the Stone of Sage."


    "The¡­ Stone of Sage?" the woman repeated, her body tensing visibly. Her expression turned to one of growing disbelief.


    "No¡­ no, that''s impossible. That''s one of Kent Kingdom''s best-kept secrets. How would a kid from the Plantagenet Kingdom even know it exists?"


    Alan furrowed his brows. "That''s none of your business. Just tell me where the Stone of Sage is. If you do, I won''t lead the Church''s pursuers straight to you. Otherwise¡ªwell, we''ll both die right here."


    The woman looked conflicted, torn between self-preservation and protecting the ancient knowledge she possessed. Kent Kingdom was now so close¡ªshe could almost smell its soil. She''d come too far to lose the scroll or her life now.


    After a long moment of deliberation, she exhaled a deep breath and finally said, "Fine. I''ll tell you the location of the Stone of Sage."


    "Not good enough," Alan responded flatly.


    "I''m not stupid. Once you give me the information, what''s to stop you from killing me right after? You''ve still got the power."


    "I want more than just your word. Before we part ways, you''ll have to swear not to harm me in any way¡ªphysically, mentally, or even through intent."


    The woman glared at him, visibly annoyed. "I''ve told you already¡ªI''m not going to kill you. My grudge is with the Church, not you. Why would I kill someone who''s done nothing to me?"


    Alan gave her a crooked smile. "Sorry, miss. That''s exactly the kind of thing con artists say before signing a fake contract."


    "I don''t believe in verbal agreements. If you don''t want me drawing the Church''s pursuit to you, it''s simple¡ªconvert everything I said into a magical curse and engrave it onto yourself."


    He paused, pretending to consider.


    "How about¡­ a time limit of one month?"


    The gray-haired woman''s glare grew icier. "Don''t push your luck, brat."


    Alan shrugged. "Suit yourself. It''s not like I have the scroll."


    The two stood facing each other in silence, tension hanging heavy in the air.


    In the end, it was the woman who gave in first. She let out a long sigh, as if conceding defeat. "Fine, fine. You win."


    "I''ll engrave the curse just like you said. If I violate it in any way, may the elemental forces backlash against me and claim my life."


    A moment later, Alan watched in awe as a cloud of pitch-black mist descended slowly from the sky.


    Within the air, the mist formed into several arcane symbols, strange in shape and pulsating with dark energy. One by one, they affixed themselves to the upper thigh of the gray-haired woman.


    After the ritual concluded, she turned toward Alan and beckoned him over.


    "Your turn," she said flatly. "A curse can''t just bind one side. As the recipient of the protection, you need to be marked as well."


    Alan didn''t think much of it. He stepped forward and offered his arm.


    Black mist swirled once more, this time above Alan''s arm.


    But then the woman grinned¡ªher smile twisted with mischief.


    "Just to be safe," she said, "let me confirm the terms again. The curse is designed to prevent ''me'' from harming you, correct?"


    Alan, not sensing anything off, nodded. "Correct."


    "In that case¡­" Her smile widened. "Doesn''t that mean anyone else can still hurt you?"


    "Wait, what?" Alan froze.


    He looked up just in time to see the dark cloud above his arm morph into a strange pinkish vapor!


    "What¡­ What the hell is this?! That''s not a protective curse¡ªwhat did you do?!"


    The woman''s smile turned wicked as she tapped him on the nose playfully.


    "You really didn''t know?"


    "This is one of Kent Kingdom''s most infamous enchantments¡ªthe Lustful Binding Curse."


    "Anyone¡ªand I mean anyone, man, woman, even those hyenas wandering the plains¡ªwill see you as their ''ideal partner.''"


    She leaned in closer, lowering her voice.


    "In less poetic terms: you''ve just become everyone''s favorite object of desire."


    She tilted her head innocently.


    "Those old geezers in the Church, who''ve practiced abstinence for decades, must be losing their minds by now. I wonder what''ll happen when they see a pretty boy like you show up¡­ all vulnerable¡­"


    Alan''s face went pale.


    The woman gave his nose another mocking poke, then turned away, dragging her wounded body as she tried to escape.


    But in that very moment, the dormant Hell realm within Alan suddenly roared to life.


    A thorned whip of hellfire, blazing with infernal energy, burst forth from his body and lashed around the woman''s ankle.


    She hadn''t expected this at all.


    Panicking, she tried to summon dark element energy to shield herself.


    But compared to the overwhelming blaze of Hell, her dark mana was like cotton against steel.


    In less than a second, her defense was pierced through¡ªcompletely shattered.


    The fiery whip tightened, binding her legs and pulling her to the ground like a helpless fawn, writhing and struggling as the flames of Hell wrapped around her.


    Alan''s eyes glinted coldly.


    Now it was his turn to hold the power.

 Chapter 549 - Chapter105-The Lustful Curse and the Symphony

    "What''s going on? Why can''t I feel the mana inside me?!" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The gray-haired woman''s heart skipped a beat. The scorching, writhing whips that bound her body weren''t just burning her last shreds of clothing into ashes¡ªthey had completely severed her connection to mana. Right now, she was as helpless as an ordinary person with no magical power.


    Meanwhile, Alan, whose consciousness had been overtaken by the Lustful Curse, resembled a walking corpse.


    A soft pink glow danced in his eyes, and his body instinctively leaned toward the gray-haired woman, as if seeking some form of solace from her presence.


    Realizing she had been thoroughly caught off guard, the gray-haired woman finally broke down. Her lips trembled as she warned Alan:


    "Don''t¡­ don''t come any closer! I''m a duchess of the Kent Kingdom¡ª"


    Thud!


    Before she could finish, Alan lunged, pinning her down by the waist, firmly locking her beneath him.


    The gray-haired woman struggled with all her might, but without her mana, she was no match for Alan.


    Then, she saw Alan suddenly grab the front of his shirt and rip it open.


    "So hot¡­"


    She barely understood what was happening before her vision went dark¡ªhis torn shirt had accidentally covered her eyes. Just as Alan shouted about the heat, she felt a surging wave of blazing heat crash over her and consume her whole.


    ¡­


    Smack smack smack!


    The sharp, rhythmic slaps of flesh echoed from behind the boulder, sounding like wooden clubs striking soft meat.


    Sweat. Heavy breathing. Low groans. Feminine moans.


    Together with the chirping of insects, they played out a chaotic yet primal symphony¡ªthe music of life in its rawest form.


    The cold wind weakened. On the western plains, the setting sun flung its last golden rays across the landscape.


    There, behind the boulder, the gray-haired woman lay slumped, utterly drained. Her bare skin leaned against the cold stone, her lips stained with both blood and faint trails of glistening saliva.


    Beside her, Alan lay shirtless, fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with exhaustion.


    No one knew how much time passed.


    When the silver moon finally dipped low enough to touch the treetops, Alan stirred from his slumber.


    His body felt hollowed out, utterly spent.


    He glanced down at his sweat-soaked form, then over at the gray-haired woman, whose expression had dulled and vacant eyes stared off into space.


    In a daze, the fragments of what had happened started to return to him.


    Then came a teasing voice, one he knew all too well¡ªthe woman in black within him spoke:


    "Well, well¡­ about time you woke up."


    Alan didn''t know how to respond. After a long pause, he finally squeezed out a single sentence:


    "You saw everything?"


    "Of course I did. Gotta say, I''m surprised. Didn''t think you had that kind of stamina in you."


    Alan rubbed his face and muttered irritably, "And you just watched?"


    "What else was I supposed to do? Help you? I don''t have the equipment for that, you know."


    "No, I mean¡ªwasn''t that a curse? The Lustful Curse? That should''ve been easy for you to dispel, right?"


    "Sure, it''s simple enough."


    "Then why didn''t you¡ª?"


    She cut him off before he could finish. "Because I didn''t want to. That woman''s nothing but two-faced poison. She''s tried to kill you more than once already. Don''t tell me you''re feeling sorry for her?"


    "That''s not it¡­ I just¡­"


    He trailed off. Whatever explanation he had, it refused to form properly in his mind.


    The woman in black gave a cold snort.


    "Enough. You didn''t lose anything, did you? Get rid of her¡ªwe''ve got places to be."


    "Get¡­ rid of her?!"


    Alan was stunned. Still, questions lingered in his heart.


    "But¡­ she never told us the location of the Stone of Sage¡ª"


    "No need," the woman in black said flatly. "I already found out where it is."


    "We need to move. Fast. You know why I kept vanishing before?"


    "It''s because my mana is nearly depleted. Sometimes I fall into unconsciousness without warning. We need to locate the sealing artifact and reinforce the seal on Hell¡ªonly then can I stabilize my condition. We can''t afford any more delays."


    "¡­Alright."


    Alan didn''t argue. He understood what truly mattered right now.


    Still, he couldn''t shake the odd feeling in his chest. Just walking away like this felt¡­ wrong.


    So he turned back and gently shook the gray-haired woman awake.


    She had barely regained consciousness before launching herself at him, teeth bared, ready to bite his throat out.


    Alan hurried to explain, "Wait, wait! It''s a misunderstanding! No one wanted this to happen! You shouldn''t have messed with the curse in the first place¡ªyou switched it midway to a Lustful Curse!"


    As he spoke, he suddenly noticed she was completely bare¡ªnot even a thread of cloth left. Her body was still marked with vivid red handprints and bite marks.


    The worst part? All the marks matched his handiwork exactly.


    He slapped his forehead, cursing silently. Damn it, the curse''s influence was stronger than I thought¡­ it hasn''t even fully worn off yet!


    The woman in black snorted coldly.


    "The curse wore off a long time ago. Halfway through, you were just letting it all out."


    "That''s not true!" Alan protested, flustered.


    He quickly retrieved a set of spare clothes from his storage ring and draped them over the gray-haired woman.


    She quieted slightly, her eyes flickering with faint traces of rationality.


    "One day, I''ll tear you into pieces," she hissed, biting her silver-white teeth together. Hatred burned in her eyes¡ªthis man had taken everything from her.


    Alan, unaware of her untouched purity before the incident, simply responded flatly.


    "You won''t. Not now, anyway."


    Then he pointed to the curse mark on her inner thigh.


    "Don''t forget¡ªthis mark will stay active for a full month."


    The gray-haired woman trembled with fury, but the magic sigil bound her actions. For now, she was helpless.


    Alan stood up, waved at her without looking back, and left without another word.


    Not long after his departure, thick clouds blotted out the moonlight over the Tianshan plains.


    Darkness enveloped the land.


    The gray-haired woman absorbed the dark elements in the air at a rapid rate, and in mere moments, had already regained nearly half her strength.


    She prowled through the night like a phantom bat¡ªor a rabid jackal¡ªrelentlessly searching for Alan.


    But he was nowhere to be found.


    The young man, whose power barely touched the tier-bronze threshold, had vanished without a trace.


    She could hardly breathe from the frustration. With a single leap, she shot into the sky and transformed into a mass of black mist, floating directly above the Kent Kingdom.


    Seeing that familiar darkness return, the guards stationed around the kingdom immediately saluted in unison toward the sky.


    "Welcome back, Duchess!"


    Their voices thundered through the Kent Kingdom like divine proclamation.


    Without a word, the duchess descended and raced toward the Grand Senate Hall of Kent Kingdom.


    Inside, elderly councilors¡ªmany with one foot already in the grave¡ªwere arguing bitterly over national affairs.


    Suddenly, the gray-haired woman burst into the hall and conjured a magical projection of a young man.


    "Send the entire Darkmoon Knight Order. Head to the Plantagenet Kingdom and locate this man as fast as possible."


    The room fell silent.


    Every senator turned their gaze toward the duchess.


    One of the most senior councilors finally broke the silence.


    "Your Grace¡­ who is this man? Why the urgency?"


    The duchess said nothing, but her expression grew darker by the second.

 Chapter 550 - Chapter106-The Pressure!

    Two days later, near the vicinity of the small-world secret realm close to Ironblood City.


    Alan used a branch he picked up from the ground as a makeshift sword to slash through the dense thickets ahead.


    The black-robed woman, who had briefly awakened from her slumber, couldn''t help but tease, "So, in the end, you still couldn''t bring yourself to deal with her."


    "Is it because she was the first woman to give herself to you?"


    Alan''s slashing came to an abrupt halt. He coughed awkwardly. "Are we really still stuck on that topic?"


    "Mercy toward your enemies is cruelty toward yourself," the black-robed woman snorted coldly. "You didn''t finish her off when she was at her weakest. One day, she''ll become a troublesome threat."


    "When that day comes, I''ll be curious to see how you deal with it."


    Alan let out a heavy sigh. "We''ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I''ve already returned here like you asked. Now, where''s the Stone of Sage?"


    As he spoke, he glanced around. Aside from a few signs of battle near the entrance to the small world, there was no indication of anything unusual.


    "Look up," the black-robed woman pointed toward the sky.


    Alan quickly tilted his head and looked upward. The sky was a vast expanse of clear blue, not a single cloud in sight. Warm sunlight poured down, enveloping him in a comforting, relaxing embrace.


    "You''re enjoying this a bit too much," the woman frowned. "Use your Holy Staff to release the Light Sword Spell at the sky."


    Alan blinked, momentarily surprised. "Just release it? No incantation or anything?"


    "Sealing important artifacts with spoken incantations is something only fools do," she snapped. "You never know when those key words might accidentally be leaked."


    "Stop wasting time. Do it¡ªnow."


    Alan didn''t argue further. He summoned his Holy Staff and aimed it at the sky.


    A sword of mana¡ªraging like wildfire and holy like divine light¡ªburst forth from the staff with his swing, piercing toward the heavens.


    But as the light swords soared higher and higher, nothing happened.


    The sky remained as blue and tranquil as ever, clear enough to calm the soul.


    "Not enough mana. Keep going," barked the black-robed woman like a drill sergeant.


    Alan didn''t stop. He continued to conjure sword after sword of light, sending them streaking toward the heavens like a dazzling firework display.


    Hours passed. He poured out an unceasing stream of mana until finally, something began to change in the sky.


    The brilliant blue firmament began to fracture, like a mirror slowly cracking.


    From the widening crevice, strange dark-purple substances oozed out, dripping slowly to the ground around Alan.


    Eventually, the dark-purple matter began to harden, forming into a strangely shaped staircase.


    Before the black-robed woman could give another command, Alan stepped onto the first stair.


    He instantly regretted it.


    Some strange magic had clearly been cast on these steps. The moment he stepped on them, he felt as if gravity had increased tenfold.


    Still, the woman said nothing, and Alan figured he was overthinking it. Gritting his teeth, he kept climbing.


    After two grueling hours of this burdened march, drenched in sweat and bent over, hands resting on his knees, Alan gasped, "Senior... something''s wrong. The higher I go, the heavier I feel."


    The woman thought for a moment before responding, "This is a barrier left behind by a high-rank powerhouse. Even after hundreds of years, traces of their residual mana still linger. Compared to their strength, your current level isn''t even in the same league. You''re like a clueless little fish that''s been dragged into the deep sea¡ªof course you''re going to feel an overwhelming pressure."


    "So what should I do? I swear, if I go up a few more steps, I''ll be a pancake!"


    He wiped the sweat from his brow¡ªonly to discover a terrifying sight.


    There were streaks of red in his sweat¡ªblood.


    Some of the finer capillaries in his body must have ruptured under the intense pressure. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t just stand there¡ªuse [Blade Spirit] to cut through the lingering mana pressure!" the black-robed woman urged. "The strength of people may differ, but not their will. Even a tier-bronze magus has the same desire to grow stronger as those tier-diamond powerhouses."


    "Using [Blade Spirit] to push back against the mana echoes is like pitting your will against the remnants of theirs. Do you really think you''ll lose?"


    "Of course not!" Alan shouted, slamming the butt of his staff into the ground.


    The edge of his holy blade shimmered with a faint golden light.


    In an instant, a surge of [Blade Spirit] burst forth from the sword, sweeping away the oppressive force around him and giving him a moment to catch his breath.


    From that point on, every time Alan neared his limit, he would release [Blade Spirit] on the spot to repel the surrounding pressure.


    Half a day later, he finally reached a spot just one step away from the rift in the sky.


    Seeing the Sealed Artifact so close, a flicker of joy rose in Alan''s heart.


    With this artifact, not only would the black-robed woman''s condition improve, but even that clown-like entity sealed in the second layer of Hell might settle down. At the very least, it would stop creeping him out with surprise visits.


    Most importantly, the Sealed Artifact would greatly enhance his own strength.


    It was a win-win-win situation. There was no reason not to go through with it.


    As he was thinking this, Alan caught a glimpse of something deep inside the rift.


    A blood-red gemstone was faintly visible, pulsing with life.


    It wasn''t just glowing¡ªit was beating. The gemstone had been carved into the shape of a heart.


    Even while standing outside the rift, Alan could clearly sense the thumping sound resonating from within it.


    "That''s¡­ the Stone of Sage?" he asked instinctively.


    The black-robed woman''s voice carried a trace of excitement. "Yes, that''s it!"


    "With the Stone of Sage, you''ll gain the ability to manipulate matter. You''ve heard the legend of turning stone into gold, haven''t you? This gem is the origin of that myth."


    "Moreover, the stone is filled with an immense amount of vital energy. Once you bind it to your body, no matter how severe your injuries are, as long as you have enough vital energy, you can recover in an instant."


    "Inject this vital energy into the Hell realm, and the chaos in the first layer will immediately subside. You''ll become the undisputed ruler of the first layer."


    "And as for the enemies you''ve fought before¡ªif you choose to, you can throw their souls into Hell. There, they will suffer under the flames of torment, burning for all eternity with no chance of reincarnation."

 Chapter 551 - Chapter107-True Strength Comes from Within

    "So powerful?!"


    After hearing the black-robed woman''s lengthy explanation, Alan couldn''t help but feel tempted.


    Don''t be fooled by the Stone of Sage''s small size¡ªit wasn''t just a gemstone. This seemingly ordinary gem possessed three extraordinary abilities: matter transformation, high-efficiency healing, and soul capturing. It was an all-in-one miracle artifact.


    Unable to resist any longer, Alan stepped forward, intent on entering the rift and retrieving the Stone of Sage.


    "Wait!"


    The black-robed woman''s sudden voice halted Alan just as he was about to step through.


    "A sacred relic like the Stone of Sage? You really thought it would let itself be taken so easily?"


    "The immense vital energy within it isn''t just for show. After countless ages, that power has certainly evolved into a primal consciousness of its own."


    "Something akin to a guardian spirit. It might seem dormant and weak now, but the moment you step in, it will awaken. And once it does, absorbing it will be nearly impossible."


    "Then what should I do?"


    Alan now looked like a student eager to learn, standing still and awaiting her next instruction.


    "Do this: manifest a portion of Hell into the material world, and use it to lure the Stone of Sage into entering it voluntarily."


    "Understood!"


    Alan nodded and immediately closed his eyes, focusing on his connection to Hell.


    Moments later, behind him slowly unfurled a surreal scene¡ªa phantasmal tableau of Hell, filled with roaring flames and countless tormenting visions.


    As the fiery illusion spread out behind him, Alan noticed something peculiar: the Stone of Sage, deep within the rift, had suddenly drawn much closer.


    At the same time, the strange heartbeat sound that had been echoing around him came to an abrupt halt.


    The gemstone transformed into a mass of crimson light¡ªand without warning, it shot straight into Alan''s chest.


    "Urgh!"


    Alan cried out in pain instinctively.


    He could feel it clearly¡ªevery cell in his body was screaming in agony as the red light surged through him.


    Even his soul felt assaulted, as though it were being torn apart by an invisible force, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.


    In that moment, he was like a small boat in a raging storm, tossed about in endless waves, trying to stay afloat.


    One misstep, and he''d lose control of his own body entirely.


    "Senior... this¡ªthis doesn''t feel right! Why does it hurt so much?!"


    Alan called out for help, panic creeping into his voice.


    But the black-robed woman fell silent for a long while before speaking again.


    "I''m starting to think... maybe it''s still too soon for you to be touching the Stone of Sage."


    "Huh?!"


    ...


    "What do I do¡ªwhat the hell do I do now?!"


    Alan''s mind was spinning.


    He still only had a vague understanding of the Stone of Sage¡ªlet alone the Hell dimension within him.


    Were it not for the black-robed woman''s guidance, he would''ve been completely in the dark.


    And because of that, now that something unexpected had happened, he was like a headless chicken, unable to think of any solution.


    All he could do was pray for a miracle.


    Then... a miracle really did happen.


    The hellish landscape behind him¡ªonce vivid and raging¡ªsuddenly faded away entirely.


    In its place, a blood-red crystal heart emerged from Alan''s chest, pulsing powerfully.


    Alan was stunned. When he looked down, he realized something else: his entire body had become transparent.


    Only that crystal heart remained vividly visible.


    Suddenly, the heart burst into a blinding light.


    Bathed in the radiance, Alan felt a strange but overwhelming sensation of comfort and release¡ªlike soaking in a hot spring during the coldest depths of winter, holding a glass of vintage wine in his hand.


    But then, the wine glass shattered, and the sharp fragments pierced his skin, while the surrounding spring slowly turned into icy crystals that stabbed into his flesh.


    Though the Stone of Sage was releasing vast amounts of vital energy, healing his battered body and torn soul, the process of binding it to him was equally destructive.


    It was a brutal cycle¡ªone of annihilation and rebirth¡ªrepeating over and over within him until, finally, both extremes slowly settled into silence.


    No one knew how much time passed before Alan finally opened his eyes.


    His vision was filled with countless white specks floating around him.


    Looking closely, he realized they were stars embedded in the night sky.


    He took a deep breath and lifted his head slightly¡ªonly to feel gravity suddenly pulling him downward.


    His body plummeted rapidly toward the earth.


    Alan didn''t resist. He let himself fall.


    Just before he hit the ground, several blood-red tendrils shot out from his chest, looking like thorny branches. They wove themselves into a shield-like shape that absorbed the impact of his landing.


    Startled, Alan sat up quickly and asked the black-robed woman, "What are these threads?"


    "They''re the physical manifestation of vital energy," she explained. "They can act on their own to protect you in moments of danger. But they can also be shaped into powerful weapons."


    "Try visualizing a hard material in your mind and applying it to the vital energy."


    Alan followed her instructions. Instantly, the threads sprouting from his chest crystallized into a diamond-like substance.


    Diamond¡ªthe hardest known material in the world.


    "I did it!"


    Alan''s face lit up with excitement. With matter transformation and vital energy combined, his offensive and defensive capabilities had grown more versatile than ever.


    Even if he were to face Duke Mogan again¡ªthe powerful mage who could draw metallic minerals from the earth¡ªAlan now believed he could win.


    Sensing his overconfidence, the black-robed woman let out a cold laugh.


    "The Stone of Sage is still just an external force. Thinking you can rely on it alone to defeat a tier-diamond mage is arrogant."


    "Wait, then what''s the point of having it?" Alan scratched his head. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The woman sighed lightly.


    "This being your first Sealed Artifact, the Stone of Sage is more of a lesson than a weapon. It helps you understand what Sealed Artifacts are, so the next time you encounter one, you won''t be so easily thrown off."


    "Also, since you''re not the original master of the Stone of Sage, its effectiveness is limited. As things stand now, you''re probably only able to utilize about a quarter of its total vital energy."


    "But that''s already more than enough. In this world, very few people even know what vital energy is, let alone how to control it."


    "So, this power is best used as a surprise tactic¡ªsomething unexpected in battle. Your top priority right now is still the same: sharpen your magical skill, temper your physical body, and find a high-quality staff to absorb."


    "In the end, external power is unreliable. Only your own strength is true strength."

 Chapter 552 - Chapter108-Matter Transmutation, an Unpredictable Combat Style

    "I understand now!"


    Alan clenched his fists tightly. The words of the black-robed woman echoed in his heart.


    Those mages who relied on ambush tactics, at the end of the day, were nothing but practitioners of trickery and deception.


    Truly powerful individuals never feared such underhanded methods.


    Crushing enemies head-on with overwhelming strength¡ªsweeping them away like dry leaves in a storm¡ªthat was the path he should take.


    With this thought in mind, Alan asked, "Senior, I know I can''t match a tier-diamond mage yet, but tier-gold opponents should be no problem for me now, right?"


    "Small-minded."


    "¡­What?"


    Alan thought he had misheard her and asked again.


    The black-robed woman shot him a glare. "I said your mindset is too small!"


    "A mere tier-gold opponent doesn''t even deserve to carry your shoes. With the Stone of Sage as your aid, you should be thinking about how to face tier-platinum enemies!"


    "Tier-platinum?!"


    Alan was genuinely startled. He had just barely broken through to tier-bronze. Challenging a tier-platinum mage now was no different from courting death.


    Seeing his cowardly expression, the black-robed woman sighed in disappointment. "Do you lack even a shred of self-awareness? Refusing to fight strong opponents and only picking those weaker than you¡ªthat''s laziness and cowardice! With such a mindset, you''ll never become truly powerful."


    "Yes, yes, you''re right."


    Alan had no real idea what to say¡ªhe just nodded blindly.


    The woman could only shake her head in resignation. With another long sigh, she said, "Not long ago, I helped you summon the Hell Flame to subdue that silver-haired woman. Now I''ve had to balance the negative effects brought on by the Stone of Sage. My energy has nearly been drained dry."


    "Soon, I''ll fall into a long slumber. When that happens, the only person you''ll be able to rely on¡ªis yourself. Understand?"


    "Oh, and one more thing¡ªHell will automatically resonate with any Sealed Artifact that appears nearby. So don''t worry about accidentally missing one if you come across it."


    Alan nodded but couldn''t hide the concern in his voice. "Senior, are you really alright? You sound¡­ tired."


    The black-robed woman snapped irritably, "Mind your own business. Even if the last flame in Hell were to go out, I wouldn''t burn out with it. It''s just¡­ people have limits, and after exhausting my energy, I need time to recover."


    "But before I enter my deep sleep, there are a few things I need to make absolutely clear to you."


    "First, don''t die. That''s the most important thing. I went through so much trouble to find someone as promising¡ªahem, I mean, someone as young and talented as you. If you die, everything I''ve done so far will have been in vain!"


    "So until I wake up again, you better stay alive. Do whatever it takes to survive. Otherwise, I swear, even if you''re hiding in the eighteenth layer of Hell, I''ll drag you out and beat you senseless!"


    Alan gave a wry smile. Despite the harsh tone, he could sense the genuine care behind her words.


    "And one more thing!"


    She continued, her voice sharper. "Today, to absorb the Stone of Sage, we had no choice but to summon a projection of Hell to suppress its primal consciousness. But aside from that one instance¡ªnever, under any circumstances, should you attempt to bring Hell into the mortal world again."


    "You are Hell''s Warden, not its Master. Never forget that. The things imprisoned down there¡ªnone of them are easy to deal with. Every time Hell and the mortal realm make contact, their boundary grows thinner."


    "So unless your life is truly in danger¡ªdon''t summon Hell. Got it?!"


    "Got it!"


    Alan responded immediately, not daring to hesitate. He feared that if he took too long, the black-robed woman might act before he could answer.


    But after a moment, she said nothing more.


    Alan''s heart tightened. He asked tentatively, "Senior¡­ have you already fallen asleep?"


    "Sleep your head off!"


    Her voice suddenly rang out, scolding him once again. But this time, it sounded distant¡ªalmost ethereal¡ªas though she were speaking from behind a mana barrier.


    "And finally¡­ one last warning¡­"


    Her voice became fragmented, cutting in and out. Alan had to strain to understand.


    "That clown¡­ on the second layer¡­ has a bizarre personality¡­ you''ll never be able to guess what it might do next¡­"


    "But to the Warden of Hell¡­ it still holds a basic level of respect¡­" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t try to use it¡­ you don''t have the wisdom or power for that yet¡­"


    "When you see it again¡­ kid¡­ I hope the next time I awaken¡­ you''re still in one piece¡­"


    Her voice faded into silence.


    Alan stood there for a long time, unable to move.


    A strange sense of emptiness welled up in his chest.


    It was like the sorrow one feels after hearing that their parents had suddenly passed away¡ªexcept not quite. Because Alan knew, deep down, that the black-robed woman would awaken again someday.


    It might take a few months. It might take a few years.


    But she would return. That gave him hope.


    He unconsciously looked up at the night sky.


    The rift that had held the Stone of Sage had vanished entirely.


    The dark-purple staircase reaching into the heavens was gone without a trace.


    Only a solitary crescent moon hung overhead, cold and aloof¡ªjust like Alan now, standing alone.


    He exhaled slowly, then clenched his fists and slammed them hard into the ground.


    In that instant, his body once again turned transparent.


    Only the crystal-like heart in his chest continued to beat vividly.


    Then, countless blood-colored branches, shimmering with diamond-like brilliance, burst from the ground and spread out in all directions.


    The entire area was transformed into a crimson diamond forest.


    Vital energy¡ªendless, ever-flowing.


    Alan looked down at a deep gash on his knuckles, caused by a sharp rock. Normally, a wound that severe would take weeks to heal.


    Now, in less than three seconds, it closed up completely, leaving no scar or trace behind.


    Alan picked up the stick he''d used earlier to slash through the underbrush.


    The power of matter transmutation activated.


    Before his eyes, the wooden branch transformed¡ªfirst into stone, then iron, then steel.


    He even managed to simulate flowing water and burning fire.


    The range of matter transformation was astonishing. It encompassed nearly every substance known to this world.


    Imagine this: when enemies attack him with fireballs, ice spikes, or even iron swords¡ª


    Alan could simply wave his hand, and those deadly attacks would crumble like fragile ice cubes.


    Terrifying, isn''t it?


    Even his strongest finishing move, the Light Sword Spell¡ªif he ever encountered an enemy resistant to light or fire elements¡ªhe could instantly convert it to two other elements.


    Flexible and deadly.


    In other words, any mage below tier-platinum who could only command a single element would be utterly powerless against him.


    And even tier-platinum mages, capable of wielding two elements, would no longer pose much of a threat.


    Vital energy provided him with a solid defense. Matter transmutation gave him a wildly unpredictable combat style, allowing him to switch elements at will.


    Having realized all this, Alan calmly retracted the blood-colored crystal branches and swiftly began walking back in the direction of Ironblood City.

 Chapter 553 - Chapter109-Threats and Pressure

    "What''s going on?"


    As soon as Alan arrived near Ironblood City, he immediately sensed powerful surges of mana pulsing from within the city at irregular intervals.


    It felt as if individuals with strength on par with tier-platinum level were darting around inside.


    Confused, he quickly made his way into the city. Just as he approached the gates, he happened to run into Third Princess Rosalia, who was leading a squad of patrolling soldiers.


    The Third Princess gave Alan a quick once-over before asking coolly, "You alright?"


    Alan nodded. "I''m fine. Ran into some trouble, but nothing too serious."


    He glanced around and asked, "Did something happen in the city?"


    The princess waved her soldiers away and gave Alan a subtle signal with her eyes.


    The two of them returned together to her chambers.


    Once inside, she slumped into a chair with a heavy sigh, kicked off her leather boots, sending them flying into a corner, and spoke in irritation. "Those mana fluctuations you sensed earlier were all from the Church. A bunch of useless fools. They mobilized so many people, and yet they couldn''t even touch a single hair of the thief who stole from us. That tier-diamond skill scroll we managed to obtain with so much effort is probably lost for good."


    Alan gave a helpless chuckle. Not wanting her to notice anything suspicious, he quickly steered the conversation elsewhere.


    "Well, if it''s gone, then it''s gone. Maybe this is a trial from the God of Fate, something we''re meant to face. All we can do is accept it. But hey, that scroll was extremely valuable. Surely the Church offered some kind of compensation?"


    The princess let out a cold snort. "The Church? That group of stingy old cocks? Not a chance¡ª"


    Before she could finish, a servant suddenly rushed into the room and bowed respectfully before announcing, "Commander, Bishop Isaac has requested an audience."


    Alan grinned. "Well, I guess we''re about to get our answer, aren''t we?"


    The Third Princess frowned but said nothing more. She motioned for the servant to let Isaac in.


    Isaac entered the chamber with a slightly nervous expression, but what surprised him even more was the presence of a man¡ªAlan¡ªwithin the private quarters of the high and mighty Third Princess, the commanding officer of Ironblood City.


    Still, he dared not probe further. This involved royal dignity, after all.


    "Third Princess¡ªno, Commander. I hope you''ve been well," Isaac greeted cautiously.


    The Third Princess lightly tapped the table with her fingers, eyeing him like a blade. "I''ve been just fine. But I''d be even better if the Church returned my scroll. Don''t you agree, Bishop Isaac?"


    Her gaze was so sharp it seemed to flay him where he stood.


    Isaac bowed deeply. "Commander, we''ve already deployed the Church''s main forces to hunt down that damned thief. I believe it''s only a matter of time before we¡ª"


    "Silence!"


    The Third Princess suddenly stood, slamming her palm hard on the table.


    "Since I was a child, I''ve heard people tell me the same thing. ''Just a little longer.'' ''Give it a few more days.'' They all made promises. And every last one of them failed."


    "Tell me, Bishop Isaac. Are you going to be the exception?"


    Beads of sweat rolled down Isaac''s forehead. The aura of Ironblood City''s commander was far more terrifying than he had expected.


    "I¡­ I can only say¡­ we''ll do our utmost¡­" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Third Princess''s face grew colder. She waved dismissively. "If that''s all you came to say, then we have nothing more to discuss."


    "Guards¡ªsee him out."


    At her call, the same servant who had left earlier returned and, without a word, pushed Isaac to the ground.


    Desperate, Isaac suddenly shouted, "Wait! Please wait, Commander! I''ve come prepared. If we truly can''t recover the scroll, the Church is willing to pay thirty million gold coins in compensation."


    That number made Alan''s eyes light up. After all, during the last auction, even the Permafrost World artifact had only started at thirty million.


    But the Third Princess wasn''t moved at all.


    "Thirty million?" she sneered. "Bishop Isaac, do you take me for a child that you can fool so easily? That scroll was left behind by the Forbidden Magus Nicolas himself. Anyone with a brain knows it''s worth far more than that!"


    What was strange, however, was that the previously anxious Isaac seemed to calm down after seeing her reaction. He composed himself and said, "There''s nothing we can do. That''s all the Church has on hand. Even if you beat me to death here and now, you won''t squeeze another coin from us."


    "Of course, we know this money means little to someone like you. That''s why our superiors instructed me to convey this as well: so long as you and your troops remain stationed in Ironblood City, no matter what trouble arises, the Church of Steam and Magic will offer full support in resolving it."


    The Third Princess stepped forward, staring him dead in the eyes. Her voice was low and biting. "So you think you can make up for money with manpower? Sounds just like something the Church would say. But I''ve always preferred solving problems on my own. When your people get involved, all they do is make a bigger mess."


    "And don''t forget, Bishop Isaac¡ª"


    She placed a firm hand on his shoulder and patted it twice with force.


    "I''m not just the commander of Ironblood City. I''m also the Third Princess of the kingdom. What you owe me isn''t personal. It''s a national debt."


    But Isaac remained unshaken, like a pig ready for slaughter, indifferent to boiling water.


    Such is the world now¡ªthose who owe money act like nobles, while the creditors are the ones begging.


    "National debt? Oh, Your Highness, you do know how to joke. As I recall, the Plantagenet Kingdom hasn''t contributed a thing to the exploration of the small worlds. In fact, you even handed over exploration rights to the surrounding nations."


    He smirked. "Besides, don''t forget¡ªour Church of Steam and Magic isn''t just rooted here in Ironblood City. We have branches in every country. If you really want to go to war with us¡­ well, let''s just say no one will come out unscathed."


    It was a threat. A naked, unabashed threat.


    Alan couldn''t take it anymore. He stood up and snapped, "Is this how the Church operates? You lose someone else''s property and refuse to properly compensate them? That''s outrageous!"


    Isaac turned his head, looking at Alan with disdain.


    "Outrageous? I think we''re being quite generous. Over all these years, you''re the first person to ever demand compensation from the Church. The fact that we''re even offering something should be enough. And now you expect more?"


    He then turned to the Third Princess again and sighed. "If there are no further objections, I''ll take my leave. The money will be delivered shortly."


    The Third Princess trembled with rage, unable to hold back the surging mana within her. It burst from her body, carving deep gashes into the very walls of the chamber.


    Isaac was speaking on behalf of the Church, and clearly, the Church had made up its mind to deny responsibility.


    Yet she was powerless.


    As he had said, the Church of Steam and Magic was a massive organization spanning multiple nations. Even the powerful Plantagenet Kingdom would struggle if things turned hostile.


    And that was the truth she couldn''t ignore.

 Chapter 554 - Chapter110-Interrogation by the Thirteenth Acolyte

    Seeing Isaac prepare to leave, Alan immediately rushed after him, grabbing the bishop''s robe with a cold voice. "Are you really going to weasel your way out of this debt?"


    Isaac glanced at him with clear disdain. "And who the hell are you? Matters between the Church and the Third Princess are none of your business."


    Without hesitation, Alan raised his hand and clenched Isaac''s jaw. His voice was low and furious. "Bad timing for you then¡ªbecause I''ve decided to make it my business."


    Before anyone could react, Alan''s grip tightened. With a sickening rip, half of Isaac''s lip was torn clean off!


    The Third Princess froze.


    Before she could process what was happening, Alan thrust his other hand into Isaac''s mouth and yanked hard.


    In the blink of an eye, a bloody tongue¡ªfresh and twitching¡ªwas ripped straight from Isaac''s throat.


    For a moment, time itself seemed to come to a halt.


    Isaac dropped to his knees, clutching his mouth with trembling hands as blood gushed from the open wound. His lips moved frantically, but no sound came¡ªhe could only stomp on the floor in panic like a mute madman.


    Finally, he managed to gather enough mana to conjure a string of glowing letters in midair.


    "You dare lay hands on a bishop of the Church?! Are the people of the Plantagenet Kingdom declaring war on the Church of Steam and Magic?!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "¡­We''re in trouble," muttered the Third Princess, her hand pressed against her forehead as her expression grew increasingly grim.


    Still reeling from the pain, Isaac turned his bloodied, rage-filled gaze toward Alan. He snarled silently, conjuring a mana blade and hurling it directly at him.


    Alan didn''t even flinch.


    With a casual wave of his hand, the mana blade¡ªformed from concentrated water elements¡ªinstantly evaporated into mist and vanished.


    Isaac froze.


    He tried to summon another, but it was already too late.


    Alan lunged forward, seized Isaac by the hair, and slammed his head into the ground with terrifying force.


    Crack!


    It was the sound of a watermelon being smashed open.


    Red, white, and yellow fluids exploded outward, painting the room in a brutal splash of gore and stench. The very air reeked of fresh death.


    Just as Alan was about to go further and completely destroy the corpse, the Third Princess suddenly rushed over and gripped his wrist tightly.


    "Have you gone mad?!" she shouted. "Why did you kill him?!"


    Alan wiped the blood from his cheek and said quietly, "The Church went too far. I didn''t want you to suffer because of them."


    The Third Princess clenched her teeth, visibly frustrated. "I was supposed to suffer. I was the one who trusted the wrong people in the first place. But you¡ª! You just murdered a bishop of the Church without hesitation! Do you have any idea what this means?"


    "They''ll mark you as a criminal, hunt you across nations, chase you to the ends of the earth! Maybe you can fight off one or two pursuers, but ten? Twenty? A hundred? Eventually, they''ll overwhelm you."


    Alan remained silent, but the Third Princess then did something that caught him completely off guard.


    She slowly knelt beside Isaac''s corpse, pressed her palm into the pool of blood, and left two clear handprints on the ground.


    "What¡­ what are you doing?" Alan asked in confusion.


    The Third Princess pulled out a handkerchief and calmly wiped her hand. "I''m clearing you of the crime. No one saw how he died. You only grabbed his hair¡ªthere won''t be any fingerprints."


    "Listen to me, Alan. Go back to Sirius Academy. Don''t step outside until all this blows over."


    With that, she brushed past him and headed toward the door.


    Alan reached out and grabbed her shoulder. "What about you? Are you going to apologize to those Church bastards for me?"


    She shrugged him off without turning back. "That''s none of your concern."


    Alan didn''t follow her. He sat back in the chair, sighing with frustration.


    "Why do I always end up clashing with the Church? Does their so-called god just have it out for me or something?"


    ¡­


    "Hold it right there, Commander."


    Moments after the Third Princess left her chambers, a middle-aged woman in Church robes appeared before her, flanked by several Church members. Their demeanor was anything but friendly.


    The Third Princess gave her a cold glance, eyes landing on the insignia hanging from the woman''s collar.


    "So, the Thirteenth Acolyte of the Church. What do you want from me?"


    The middle-aged woman didn''t respond. She clutched the steam-cloud emblem at her chest and lowered her head as if in solemn prayer.


    After a long silence, she opened her eyes and looked the Third Princess straight in the face.


    "As an acolyte of the divine, I sensed the soul flame of Bishop Isaac fading¡­ it''s nearly extinguished."


    "He''s dead," said the Third Princess flatly. "I killed him. Got a problem with that?"


    The woman hesitated, clearly startled by the blunt admission. Her expression darkened slightly.


    "The Divine teaches that we are all born into this world with original sin¡­ but even so, we do not have the right to pass judgment on the lives of others¡ª"


    "I don''t care what your god says," the Third Princess snapped. "Judgment belongs to your deity. My job is simply to send them to meet Him. And since Bishop Isaac was your subordinate, shouldn''t you share the blame for his actions?"


    "Oh?"


    The woman narrowed her eyes, sensing that Isaac''s death might not be as simple as it appeared. "And what exactly did Bishop Isaac do to offend you, Commander?"


    The Third Princess frowned. "You really want to know? Fine. When your Church''s underground auction was held, I brought a rare artifact to sell."


    "It was Isaac who oversaw the whole transaction. And what happened? Not only did he lose the item, but he even had the audacity to threaten me and refuse compensation!"


    "I know your Church is powerful, but don''t forget¡ªyou''re currently stationed in my city."


    The woman''s expression darkened further. She remained silent for a long time before finally asking:


    "Before we escalate this into any¡­ physical confrontations, let me ask you one thing: were you speaking just now as the Commander of Ironblood City¡­ or as the Third Princess of the Plantagenet Kingdom?"


    The Third Princess chuckled coldly.


    "What do you think?"


    The Acolyte''s brows furrowed even more. "Regardless of whether you speak for the city or the crown, Bishop Isaac was a member of our Church. Attacking him is tantamount to declaring war on the Church of Steam and Magic."


    With that, she stomped hard on the ground.


    The stone pavement beneath her cracked and instantly disintegrated into fine dust.


    The Third Princess placed one hand on her hip, her eyes brimming with disdain.


    "And if that''s how it is, then so be it. You think I''m scared? You may have numbers on your side, but don''t forget¡ªthe Plantagenet Kingdom is no weakling."

 Chapter 555 - Chapter111-The Diamond Card’s Awe-Inspiring Might

    The middle-aged woman''s expression instantly turned cold.


    The Third Princess also furrowed her brows.


    A battle was just about to erupt.


    But at the moment of maximum tension, the Third Princess suddenly chuckled. It was a laugh tinged with helplessness.


    "Don''t look at me like that. Everything I said just now was out of anger. I''m just the Third Princess¡ªof course I can''t represent the entire kingdom. So¡­"


    She lifted a single finger and pointed at herself. "If you''re looking for revenge, take it out on me. Any move beyond that will be considered a provocation against the kingdom."


    Just then, the servant who had previously reported Isaac''s arrival hurried up to the Third Princess and whispered anxiously, "Your Highness, please don''t act rashly. Even if you''re not worried for yourself, think of the people of Ironblood City. If anything happens to you, the kingdom loses one of its strongest defensive lines."


    "At that point, Barton Kingdom will undoubtedly take action. They might even seize control of Ironblood City. It''s not out of the question..."


    The Third Princess gave the servant a sharp glare, signaling him to shut up.


    Then she continued, "So? What do you think of my proposal? If you''re not one of those brainless fools, you should know that someone of my status joining the Church would be a massive political win. The people would become more loyal to the Church, and the Plantagenet Kingdom would loosen their supervision over your activities. It''s a deal where you lose nothing and gain everything¡ªdon''t you agree?"


    The middle-aged woman''s tense expression finally began to ease.


    She extended her right hand to the Third Princess and said gently, "Then let me congratulate us in advance on a successful cooperation, Your Highness."


    With that, she reached out to take the princess''s hand, preparing to leave swiftly.


    But at that very moment, a figure stepped out from the palace hall.


    "Wait."


    Though Alan''s voice wasn''t loud, it was enough to catch everyone''s attention.


    The Third Princess''s eyes widened in disbelief. She quickly yanked her hand away from the acolyte and rushed over to Alan with a frown.


    "Don''t mess this up! I already negotiated a deal. What can you possibly change by showing up now?!"


    Alan calmly pulled the Third Princess behind him and said in a flat tone, "I don''t agree with what you said earlier. Whoever did this should take responsibility. I won''t let you carry the blame for me."


    The Third Princess stomped her foot angrily, but there was nothing she could do now. She could only watch as Alan stepped directly in front of the Thirteenth Acolyte.


    "Who are you?" the middle-aged woman asked, giving him a dismissive glance.


    Alan didn''t answer directly. Instead, he raised his hand.


    Dangling from his fingers were several strands of brown hair¡ªIsaac''s.


    The middle-aged woman''s face changed instantly.


    She opened her mouth to speak, but Alan interrupted coldly, "Bishop Isaac didn''t play by the rules. I trust that you, as the Thirteenth Acolyte, are different?"


    Then he frowned and added, "Our demand is simple: return the profit that''s rightfully ours. Namely, the tier-diamond magic skill scroll. Since you''ve likely lost it, I''m willing to accept a cash settlement¡ªno less than sixty million gold coins."


    "And in addition¡ª"


    He glanced back at the Third Princess, then continued one word at a time, "You must apologize for your earlier disrespect toward Her Highness."


    "Nonsense!" the middle-aged woman snapped. Her lips trembled with indignation. "What do you mean ''your profit''? Anything that enters the Church''s hands becomes Church property!"


    "And who do you think you are, some nobody, daring to issue demands here?"


    "A nobody¡­ is that so?"


    Alan gave a slight smirk, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a card.


    The moment she saw it, the middle-aged woman froze in place. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "T-That''s¡­ a diamond card?!"


    Shock rippled through her like a tidal wave.


    The diamond card¡ªa sacred token in the Church of Steam and Magic, second only to the Divine Grace Card. A symbol of immense privilege.


    Its rarity was such that not even she, the Thirteenth Acolyte, had one. Only the top five acolytes or a Grand Elder might qualify for such a card.


    She stood there stunned, staring blankly at Alan.


    "Who¡­ who are you? Why do you possess such a rare card?"


    Alan glanced at her with irritation. "Why should I tell you? You''re just the Thirteenth Acolyte. You''re not qualified to know."


    That silenced everyone.


    The middle-aged woman was shaken to her core, her pride taking a direct blow. Since becoming the Thirteenth Acolyte, no one had dared speak to her with such condescension.


    Yet now, a complete stranger had humiliated her on the spot.


    Still, no matter how unwilling she was, she couldn''t do a thing. Holders of diamond cards were equivalent to Church elders¡ªfar above her in rank. She couldn''t afford to cross him.


    Seeing her speechless, Alan frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "If you don''t have the authority to make decisions, then go get Daniel."


    "Daniel?!" she gasped, stumbling back two steps.


    So this young man wasn''t bluffing¡ªhe really did know Elder Daniel.


    And judging by his tone, their relationship was far from superficial.


    If she involved Daniel, she''d find herself in a very awkward position.


    After a moment of deliberation, the woman finally lowered her pride and spoke in a more gentle tone. "P-Perhaps there''s no need to trouble Elder Daniel. After all, the situation hasn''t escalated to that point¡­"


    Before she could finish, Alan cut her off coldly. "Go get him. Now. Are you deaf?"


    He stared straight into her eyes, his voice suddenly laced with threat.


    "Listen carefully. I won''t say it twice. No one else in the Church is qualified to speak to me about this. I want to see Daniel¡ªimmediately."


    That broke her completely.


    All the arrogance she had shown earlier vanished like smoke. Alan''s tone alone was enough to make her realize¡ªhis relationship with Elder Daniel was absolutely real¡­ and dangerous.


    With a sigh of defeat, she took a rune stone from her pocket and sent a message to the Church''s central headquarters.


    At this point, she didn''t dare act recklessly. Alan had completely shaken her confidence.


    Only when the rune stone lit up and confirmed the message had been sent did Alan relax a little.


    Though he had acted with immense confidence just now, it was mostly for show.


    In reality, his legs had been trembling the entire time during that conversation.


    But there was no other way.


    If Daniel didn''t come, what else could he use to intimidate these Church officials?


    He couldn''t exactly announce that his true backer was a King Magus, could he?


    If he had actually said that, the Church would likely label him a madman possessed by a demon.


    But Daniel had witnessed the black-robed woman in action with his own eyes. He would never take Alan''s words lightly.

 Chapter 556 - Chapter112-The Strategy of Feigned Retreat

    Moments later, ripples stirred the air behind the middle-aged woman, as if water was gently being disturbed.


    From within those ripples, an elderly man slowly emerged, his presence calm and composed, but his eyes sharp and piercing.


    The moment the middle-aged woman saw him, she quickly took two steps back and bowed respectfully.


    "Elder Daniel, thank you for taking the trouble."


    Daniel gave a slight nod and turned his gaze toward Alan, who was standing across from him. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Raising his hand in greeting, he smiled warmly.


    "Young man, how have you been lately?"


    "!!!"


    At that moment, the middle-aged woman was petrified on the spot. Even the third princess standing nearby instinctively covered her mouth in surprise.


    Even those who rarely interacted with the Church had certainly heard of Elder Daniel¡ªthe man known for his ruthless efficiency and cold-hearted methods.


    So how could such a fearsome figure greet Alan as if he were the kind old man from next door? So¡­ friendly?


    Alan was caught off guard by the warmth and quickly nodded, responding respectfully,


    "Thanks to your care, I''ve been doing fairly well."


    Seeing Alan being so polite, Daniel stroked his beard with a smile.


    "Good, good. And how is she doing?"


    Alan thought back to the words of the black-robed woman before she fell into slumber. Without showing any emotion, he replied,


    "I''m afraid I can''t say much about her, Elder. I hope you''ll understand."


    "Is that so¡­"


    Daniel hummed softly in thought but chose not to press further. Not because he couldn''t¡ªbut because he dared not.


    At that moment, Alan suddenly raised his head and met Daniel''s eyes, his expression serious.


    "Elder, I asked you to come today because there''s something that''s been weighing heavily on my heart."


    Daniel stiffened slightly, and the middle-aged woman nearby shuddered visibly in fear.


    After a brief pause, Daniel finally spoke.


    "Oh? Is it something to do with the Church?"


    Alan nodded firmly.


    "Elder, you may not know, but not long ago, the third princess and I entered a minor realm left behind by the Forbidden Magus Nicolas. There, we were fortunate enough to obtain a scroll that recorded a tier-diamond level spell."


    "We didn''t think ourselves capable of understanding the Forbidden Magus''s techniques, so we entrusted the Church with the scroll, hoping to exchange it for actual money."


    "But who would''ve thought¡ªduring the transaction, a robber appeared and snatched the scroll away!"


    "We thought we''d at least receive proper compensation. But unexpectedly, the one in charge¡ªBishop Isaac¡­"


    For the next stretch of time, Alan recounted everything that had happened to Daniel, leaving nothing out, favoring neither side.


    And as Alan spoke, Daniel''s expression grew darker and darker.


    Especially when Alan repeated what Bishop Isaac had said to his face:


    ''Who the hell do you think you are? This is a matter between the Church and the third princess¡ªwhat right does an outsider like you have to interfere?!''


    At that moment, Daniel''s expression turned so dark, it looked like ink might drip from his face.


    Because, not long ago on the magic train, someone had said something similar to him¡ªand that person''s fate had been... well, predictable.


    After finishing his story, Alan took a deep bow toward Daniel.


    "Elder Daniel, the reason I''m telling you all this is not because I want to extort the Church, nor do I hold any malice toward it."


    "We just want to retrieve what''s rightfully ours. That scroll was something the third princess and I nearly died to acquire."


    "Put yourself in my shoes¡ªif the fruits of your blood, sweat, and tears were crushed underfoot like trash, how would you feel?"


    Daniel was rendered speechless.


    What Alan said struck a chord in him. But a tier-diamond spell scroll valued at nearly sixty million gold coins was no small matter¡ªeven for the Church.


    And Daniel himself was part of the Church. In such a situation, helping either party¡ªwhether out of principle or loyalty¡ªput him in a difficult position.


    While Daniel was still torn, Alan suddenly let out a bitter smile, as though deeply disheartened.


    "So even you won''t help me, Elder?"


    "I¡­"


    Daniel had just opened his mouth to speak when Alan suddenly turned to the third princess.


    "Your Highness, forgive me for leaving without notice, but I must give you an explanation for this incident."


    With that, he turned and started walking away.


    The third princess blinked, clearly confused by everything that had just unfolded. Still, her instincts kicked in, and she called after him,


    "Wait¡ªwhere are you going?"


    Alan paused mid-step but didn''t look back.


    "I''m going to call on her to uphold justice for me."


    Having said that, Alan began recalling every grievance he''d ever suffered in his life. His eyes reddened, his body trembling, like a child who had been bullied and was now running home to fetch their guardian.


    At the same time, he cast glances toward Elder Daniel from the corners of his eyes.


    In his heart, he screamed with desperation,


    "I''m really leaving now! I swear I''m walking away! You''d better stop me!!"


    ¡­


    Alan was equal parts angry and anxious.


    The black-robed woman was now in a deep slumber. Everything he was doing right now¡ªwas just for show.


    If Daniel actually let him walk out that door, then the whole plan would fall apart.


    "Ahem¡­ Hold it right there!"


    Daniel''s cough cut through the tense air like a bonfire roaring to life in the cold wind¡ªfilling Alan''s chest with warmth.


    He had won his gamble.


    He had wagered that Daniel wouldn''t dare risk the black-robed woman''s wrath if she were to awaken and intervene personally.


    Daniel quickly stepped forward and clamped a firm hand down on Alan''s shoulder, forcing out a strained smile.


    "Young man, this is just a minor issue. No need to trouble her over it."


    Then he turned sharply toward the middle-aged woman and barked,


    "Give him whatever he wants. Head to the Church''s vault and retrieve the funds!"


    The middle-aged woman stood frozen, dumbfounded¡ªnot just her, everyone present was stunned into silence.


    After a long moment, the woman timidly responded,


    "E-Elder, the vault might not have that much on hand¡­"


    "Then exchange it! Borrow it! Collect redemption tithes from the faithful! If that''s not enough¡ªmelt down the pure gold candlesticks in the main hall! I don''t care how¡ªjust make sure I see no less than sixty million by today. Is that clear?!"


    "Y-Yes, sir¡­"


    She dared not argue further and scurried off in a panic.


    The third princess walked over to Alan, taking careful steps, and gave him a once-over from head to toe.


    Though they''d known each other for a while now, once again, Alan had shattered her expectations of him.


    Daniel, too, turned toward Alan. After a moment of silence, he chuckled.


    "Truly the descendant of that one... Ahem¡ªI mean, that great one."


    "Not only is your mana growth astonishing, but even your physical body has been tempered to an impressive level. I daresay even within the Church, few could rival your strength."


    Alan scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.


    Daniel''s relentless stream of praise was making him feel like he''d floated up to the clouds.


    "You flatter me, Elder. I''m honestly just average."


    Daniel leaned back a little, looking surprised.


    "Average? If you''re average, then I suppose there are no true experts left in the world!"


    Tone it down, you old coot¡­


    Alan grumbled to himself in silence.

 Chapter 557 - Chapter113-A Man the Church Dares Not Offend

    Before long, the middle-aged woman returned in a hurry. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She handed Alan a Church rune stone that emitted a faint golden glow and said,


    "This rune stone can be exchanged at any exchange house on the Kener Continent for no less than sixty million gold coins. The exchange houses run by the Church also honor it."


    Alan smiled. "Thank you for your trouble."


    Daniel, who had been clenching his fists the entire time, finally relaxed a little.


    He stepped closer and patted Alan on the shoulder.


    "Young man, let''s consider this matter settled. I hope you won''t let the actions of one undisciplined bishop taint your view of our Church."


    Alan, of course, wasn''t going to embarrass Daniel in front of everyone. He nodded seriously and replied,


    "The Church has many followers, and naturally there are no shortage of people who rise to the rank of bishop. But wherever there are large numbers of people, conflicts are bound to arise. I believe Bishop Isaac''s actions were his alone¡ªthey do not represent the intentions of the Church."


    Daniel nodded, visibly pleased.


    "Good, the fact that you can see things that clearly is enough. Well then, I still have some minor matters to handle. I''ll be taking my leave. In the future, when you see her, do pass along my regards. Don''t forget¡ªThe Church of Steam and Magic has always considered the two of you honored guests!"


    "I''ll be sure to pass on your message, Elder. If she has time to visit the Church again, I''ll accompany her myself."


    Daniel turned to leave, but added with a smile,


    "If we''re truly fortunate enough to host the both of you, our Church will be truly honored!"


    With that, Daniel left swiftly, taking the middle-aged woman with him.


    On the way, the woman hesitated several times, clearly wanting to say something, but eventually couldn''t hold it in anymore.


    "Elder, if I may¡­ Bishop Isaac wasn''t actually in the wrong. We really didn''t need to compensate them. We had already informed all sellers clearly when the items were entered into the exchange house: the Church assumes no responsibility for any problems that occur afterward."


    Daniel glared at her sharply. His tone dropped an octave.


    "Others we might not compensate. But him? Absolutely not!"


    "Why? Who exactly is that Alan? Why are you so wary of him?"


    Daniel furrowed his brows, his body beginning to tremble slightly.


    "He is someone both I and the entire Church dare not provoke. Even the person behind him¡ªthe mere mention of her name is something I don''t dare utter."


    The middle-aged woman was stunned. It took a long moment for her to process his words before she finally asked,


    "How could this be¡­? He doesn''t even seem that strong. Why would someone like that possess such immense influence, enough to make even you wary?"


    Daniel slowly turned his head to face her.


    "Do you know how you became one of the three current acolytes?"


    The woman thought for a moment and replied,


    "It was because the previous two hidden acolytes passed away in unexpected accidents. I was promoted urgently to fill the vacancy."


    Daniel pressed further,


    "Do you know how those two acolytes actually died?"


    "I¡­ I don''t."


    Daniel took a deep breath, and a deep fear flickered in his eyes.


    "Those two acolytes were both killed by the person behind Alan. And they didn''t even survive a single strike."


    "You know what that means?"


    "Even you, when facing an attack from a tier-diamond mage, might still have a chance to retreat or escape."


    "But those two? They didn''t even get a chance to see what element the mana stream that killed them belonged to."


    This time, the middle-aged woman was completely frozen in place.


    Seeing her expression, Daniel no longer said anything more. He merely stroked his beard and let out a cold laugh.


    "Those idiots at Lioncrest Academy really had no idea what they were doing. They actually let someone like him slip away."


    "They even barred him from entering the school. Hmph. When stupidity reaches a certain level, people can''t even distinguish good from bad anymore."


    Then, as if remembering something, Daniel suddenly grabbed the woman by the collar. His expression turned deadly serious.


    "One more thing¡ªeverything you''ve heard about Alan today, you''ll keep to yourself. If I catch wind of anyone in the Church gossiping about him, don''t even think about keeping your position as acolyte!"


    "And another thing¡­"


    He glanced at the woman, whose face had gone completely pale from fear, and added coldly,


    "I don''t want to see a repeat of what happened today. I don''t expect you all to change his opinion of the Church¡ªbut at the very least, don''t provoke his hatred!"


    "I don''t have the time or energy to clean up a mess like this every day!"


    With his final warning delivered, Daniel activated his teleportation spell and disappeared from sight.


    The woman, left standing there alone, was rooted to the spot, still paralyzed by the fear of what she had just learned.


    ¡­


    In the small courtyard outside the sleeping quarters, the third princess was circling Alan, inspecting him curiously from head to toe.


    Her large, round eyes brimmed with curiosity.


    Alan scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.


    "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"


    The third princess smirked and teased,


    "Who would''ve thought you were hiding this much depth?"


    Alan shrugged helplessly.


    "Honestly, I didn''t mean to. It''s just that I never had the chance to show anything before. I''m really¡­"


    But before he could finish, the third princess raised a finger and gently placed it on his lips, shaking her head slowly.


    "No need to spill everything. A little mystery keeps people guessing¡ªit gives you an edge."


    "Fair enough."


    Yet the moment Alan agreed, the third princess frowned and glared at him.


    "I meant keep your mystery with others, not with me!"


    "Uh¡­ So do I tell you or not?"


    The third princess burst out laughing. Then she gave him a cheeky grin and said two words,


    "Guess what?"


    Alan played along with a grin.


    "Guess whether I''ll guess?"


    "Guess whether I guess you''ll guess?"


    They bantered like this for a bit, throwing silly quips at each other just to kill time.


    Eventually, the third princess''s smile faded, and she scanned the surroundings with a solemn look.


    The attendant from earlier, as well as the soldiers cleaning up Bishop Isaac''s remains inside the hall, all straightened their backs at once. After offering a respectful bow to the third princess, they quickly retreated and left the scene.


    At that moment, Alan pulled out the faintly glowing rune stone from his pocket¡ªthe one the middle-aged woman had given him¡ªand gently placed it in the third princess''s palm.


    He had assumed she would be delighted.


    But to his surprise, she stared at the rune stone silently, her expression wistful. There wasn''t a trace of joy on her face.


    "Sixty million¡­ and you''re not even happy?"


    The third princess tilted her head back slightly and said with a sigh,


    "Yeah¡­ sixty million gold coins¡­"


    Alan saw she was finally reacting and gave a wry smile.


    "I''ve never seen that much money in my entire life. Honestly, when she handed it to me, I was completely stunned."


    Suddenly, the third princess turned and locked eyes with Alan.


    "What now?"


    Alan was feeling a little awkward. He couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off with her today¡ªbut he couldn''t quite put his finger on what it was.


    "You could''ve chosen to keep all of this for yourself¡­"


    Alan immediately shook his head.


    "The scroll belonged to you, not me. I was just the one who helped retrieve it. So naturally, the compensation should go to the employer¡ªyou. Besides¡­"


    He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.


    "Besides, aren''t we friends? Whether you hold it or I do¡ªit''s the same, right?"


    The third princess''s eyes lit up with joy. She tucked the rune stone close to her chest, then snapped her fingers, summoning a servant into the room¡­

 Chapter 558 - Chapter114-The Journey Home

    "You, go fetch that item." S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The servant responded promptly and turned back into the sleeping quarters, rummaging around inside.


    A moment later, he emerged slowly, holding a transparent glass jar in his hands.


    The jar itself was nothing special. What made it remarkable was the small flame burning steadily inside it¡ªa flickering fire that, even through the glass, caused the surrounding temperature to rise noticeably.


    The servant spoke respectfully,


    "Sir Alan, this spirit of fire was personally obtained by Her Highness. She went to the king in the middle of a torrential storm to request it."


    "Even in the entire Plantagenet Kingdom, there''s only one with such high purity. Her Highness went through all that trouble just for¡ª"


    "Shut up. Why are you rambling so much?" the third princess interrupted abruptly.


    She took the jar from the servant and handed it to Alan.


    "This spirit of fire should help your sister hold on a bit longer. But don''t worry¡ªwhen I returned to the kingdom, I didn''t just bring this back."


    "I also dispatched the kingdom''s best healer to Sirius Academy to examine your sister''s condition. We still don''t know the results of the treatment, though¡­"


    Alan was moved. He quickly bowed slightly to thank her.


    "Your Highness¡­ I truly don''t know how to thank you enough."


    The third princess averted her gaze, her tone awkward.


    "Oh come on, just take it. Don''t say all that sentimental nonsense. Compared to sixty million, this little flame doesn''t amount to much. If anything, I should be the one thanking you¡­"


    "No, no, no. You''re a princess. How could I¡ª"


    Before he could finish his sentence, a wave of powerful mana surged through the air, sweeping both of them in an instant. While the third princess and Alan were able to endure it, the poor servant was directly knocked to the ground, sitting there in a daze.


    Neither of them spoke. They turned at once toward the source of the mana wave.


    In the forest beyond Ironblood City, toward the direction of the minor realm, an enormous magic array was now slowly fading away, dispersing into nothingness.


    The third princess''s expression turned cold.


    "The vein has been fully excavated. Ironblood City will fall into chaos soon."


    "Why do you say that? Isn''t the minor realm still some distance away from Ironblood City?" Alan asked, puzzled.


    The third princess quickly explained,


    "Think about it. Once the vein is mined, where will the ore be stored? It''s not like they''ll leave it lying around in the wilderness."


    "Eventually, Ironblood City will become their warehouse. Worse, it''ll serve as a central hub for transporting the ore to the outside world."


    "Also, those powers hiding in the shadows¡ªthey don''t dare approach the minor realm directly, but they can disguise themselves as traveling merchants and blend into Ironblood City."


    "Not to mention, the Barton Kingdom will undoubtedly return. They already lost the scroll once; now they''ll be even more desperate to get their hands on the ore."


    Finally, the third princess sighed softly and said to Alan,


    "You should leave. Return to the Imperial Capital. Don''t come back until the storm has passed."


    Alan understood the gravity of the situation.


    If it were a small-scale conflict, he could still lend a hand. But if it escalated into a full-blown war between nations, there was little he could do. No individual could turn the tide of that kind of conflict alone.


    Besides, the struggle for the scroll in the minor realm had already taken a heavy toll on him.


    Staying here would only add to the burden.


    "Alright¡­ I''ll go."


    Alan clenched his fist, tucked the jar containing the spirit of fire close to his chest, and raised his hand in farewell to the third princess.


    But just as he reached the doorway, her voice called out from behind him.


    "Be careful on the road¡­"


    Alan didn''t look back. He simply asked,


    "Is someone targeting me?"


    The third princess fell silent for a moment before answering,


    "Although you helped me deal with those Church members earlier, don''t forget¡ªthose at Lioncrest Academy have been eyeing you for a while now."


    "Out in the open, they can''t make a move against you. But behind the scenes? I''m sure they''re looking for any opportunity to strike."


    Alan sneered.


    "Assassination isn''t exactly the behavior of gentlemen."


    The third princess sighed again.


    "This has nothing to do with being a gentleman. As long as the method is deadly and discreet enough, that''s all they care about."


    "History is written by the victors. If you die in some unremarkable corner of the world, they can spin your death however they please."


    "That''s exactly what happened to the people of Sirius Academy. They suffered the same underhanded tactics, and that''s why Lioncrest has been suppressing them ever since."


    Alan fell silent.


    He hadn''t expected that students from the most prestigious academy in the Empire could harbor such sinister intentions. It was despicable.


    Still, for the sake of easing the third princess''s mind, he said,


    "I''ll be careful. You should take care of yourself too."


    With those words, he turned and left.


    Back in the courtyard, the third princess took out the faintly glowing rune stone once more. It still held the lingering warmth of Alan''s palm.


    She gently rubbed its surface, her lips curling into a soft, involuntary smile.


    "How long do you plan to keep making me worry¡­ idiot¡­"


    ¡­


    By sunset, Alan had successfully boarded the magic train heading for the Imperial Capital.


    The conductor seemed to be a devout follower of the Church. The moment he saw Alan, he welcomed him enthusiastically into the first-class carriage. Meals were personally served.


    Alan leaned back in his seat, gazing upward as he pulled out the glass jar containing the spirit of fire.


    He gently caressed the jar, and through the flickering flame inside, it was as if he could see his sister''s smiling face.


    Though one thing after another had left him both physically and mentally exhausted, Alan''s thoughts never strayed from Isabella.


    They had never been separated for so long since they were children.


    Was she missing him? Had anyone bullied her? Was she lying in bed, unable to sleep because of her illness?


    He didn''t know.


    It took him a long while to pull himself from those emotions.


    Alan carefully stored the jar again and looked down at his right hand.


    Not long ago, this hand had clasped Alice''s, sealing a promise to meet again.


    The words Sacred Realm still felt too distant to him¡ªbut not unreachable.


    Alan''s gaze grew firm.


    Alice might hold the title of Duke, but her power and presence far exceeded that of an ordinary noble.


    Even the Church and Lioncrest Academy held her in awe, which could only mean that her background was far more powerful than it appeared.


    But so what?


    Anyone can walk a well-paved path. Only those who dare to climb towering peaks are called the brave.


    To Alan, Alice was one such peak¡ªa majestic mountain whose summit was still hidden by the clouds.


    He couldn''t yet see what lay at the top.


    But he knew this much¡ªsomeday, he would see it. And more than that¡­ he would climb even higher. Farther.

 Chapter 559 - Chapter115-Perilous Encounter

    Boom!


    Just as Alan was lost in thought, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted outside the train.


    The next moment, a violent tremor jolted the entire cabin, throwing him hard onto the floor.


    Alan quickly stored the Spirit of Fire away and scrambled to his feet, instinctively looking out the window.


    What he saw made his blood run cold¡ªa massive magic array was slowly materializing above the train, its runes pulsing with terrifying destructive energy.


    In an instant, the array severed the connection between the first-class car and the rest of the train.


    But that didn''t mean the passengers were safe.


    In fact, Alan could already see some carriages derailing and toppling off the track completely as the magic array took effect.


    Muffled cries of pain and panic filtered in from the outside.


    Then, starting from the last carriage, a chain of explosions rocked the train again, each one louder than the last.


    Without hesitation, Alan smashed the glass with his elbow and leapt out of the first-class compartment.


    The magic train was still speeding at full throttle¡ªjumping off was unimaginably dangerous.


    But Alan knew one thing for sure¡ªif he didn''t jump now, he''d be buried with the train in the ensuing inferno.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Sure enough, not long after Alan leaped out, a thunderous explosion erupted behind him.


    The entire first-class cabin was torn apart, reduced to flaming debris in seconds.


    Alan, caught in the forceful inertia, had completely lost control over his body. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He tumbled along the ground like a human tire, rolling, bouncing¡ªunable to stop no matter how hard he tried.


    "What do I do?!"


    His mind raced.


    In this kind of scenario, most magic was utterly useless.


    The fire element was pure energy, the water element was liquid¡ªneither could lessen the terrifying inertia from the jump.


    He could try using the wind element to generate a counter-current and slow his rolling, but with his current lack of control, he might just send himself flying faster in the wrong direction.


    As for the earth element?


    Alan didn''t even consider it.


    At this speed, if he collided with a mana-formed earth wall, death would be certain¡ªand a quick one at that.


    "What do I do¡­ what do I do?!"


    He questioned himself again and again, racking his brain for a way out of this death spiral.


    Then, a thought flashed through his mind¡ªthe holy sword staff!


    "That''s it! I''ll use that!"


    Without delay, Alan summoned the holy sword staff.


    But not to use a light sword technique¡ªlight, after all, had no physical form.


    What he needed now was not an element.


    What he needed was something solid¡ªand the staff was exactly that.


    Clenching his teeth, he grabbed the staff by one end and rammed it into the ground.


    Screeeeech¡ª!


    As the staff dug into the earth, it carved a long trench behind him.


    His tumbling slowed¡ªnoticeably.


    But before he could celebrate, his grip slipped, and the staff was flung from his hands.


    Alan''s eyes widened in horror.


    Up ahead¡ªa sheer cliff, the bottom hidden in a haze of clouds.


    The magic train could cross this chasm thanks to its elevated track, but Alan had been flung far from the rails. He had no control over his direction.


    Now, without the staff to anchor him¡ªhe was doomed.


    "Come back¡­! Come back to me!"


    Watching the staff grow smaller in the distance, Alan wanted nothing more than to extend his arm a few feet further, to reach it, to grab it again.


    But he couldn''t.


    He hadn''t yet mastered the skill of shaping mana into whatever form he wished.


    Just as despair began to take root, the holy sword staff¡ªpreviously motionless¡ªsuddenly slid a few inches toward him, as though pulled by some invisible force.


    Alan''s eyes lit up.


    Not wasting a second, he tried once more to extend his mana¡ªhoping to grasp the staff before the cliff swallowed him.


    When he was just a few meters from the drop, Alan clenched his fist.


    The holy sword staff suddenly plunged deep into the ground like a spike.


    And between him and the staff, a faint, thread-like mana tether shimmered into view¡ªconnecting them.


    The final vestiges of momentum faded.


    Alan had stopped.


    Panting, bloodied, barely alive, he summoned the Stone of Sage and used it to heal his battered body.


    Then, staggering upright, he walked toward the staff that had saved his life.


    It floated into the air as if magnetized and gently hovered toward him.


    Alan''s heart surged with joy.


    Perhaps it was the sheer desperation of the moment that had driven him past his limits.


    Or maybe his mana had heard his call¡ªand responded.


    Whatever it was, he could now feel a direct connection to the staff¡ªa strong, unbreakable link.


    Mana shaping!


    In that crisis, with pure willpower, he had done what few could¡ªgiven form to formless mana.


    After retrieving the holy sword staff, Alan didn''t bask in triumph.


    Instead, he quickly summoned the earth element, carving a two-meter-deep pit beneath his feet.


    Without hesitation, he jumped in and sealed the opening shut with a layer of earth.


    In the darkness of the pit, soft light began to glow around him¡ªthe residual traces of light element.


    Leaning against the earthen wall, Alan replayed everything that had just happened.


    A magic train driven by church members¡ªnormally one of the safest means of transportation.


    So why the explosions?


    And that massive magic array that had appeared in the sky¡ªit looked familiar.


    Then, four words suddenly flashed through his mind: Lioncrest Academy.


    Yes, if there was any group in the world brazen enough to blow up a church train¡­ it had to be them.


    But still, it didn''t make sense.


    His movements had been strictly confidential¡ªhow did they find him?


    As he puzzled it out, Alan suddenly heard footsteps above him.


    He immediately closed his eyes and used the Stone of Sage to release tiny blood-thread crystals, letting them pierce the earth and check the situation above.


    Meanwhile, on the surface, two figures rushed past.


    Alan recognized them instantly¡ªVice Headmaster Tyrande of Lioncrest Academy, and Beatrice.


    Seeing that these two were truly behind the train attack, Alan gritted his teeth, his brow furrowing deeply.


    Tyrande summoned several vines, grotesque tendrils that slithered across the ground like living things.


    After a while, he scowled and muttered, "Where the hell did that brat go?!"


    Beatrice clenched her fists and frowned. "Tyrande mentor, even without using these filthy tricks, I would''ve killed that Alan with my own hands."


    Tyrande retracted the vines and said coldly, "Don''t overestimate yourself, Student Beatrice."


    "These past days, I''ve been investigating him closely. That Alan isn''t just unusually adept at manipulating mana¡ªhis body is also unnaturally strong, like those kingdom knights blessed by the gods. But most importantly¡ªhe controls four elements."


    Beatrice gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "F-Four elements?! Could he be¡­ not just a mage, but a magus?!"

 Chapter 560 - Chapter116-The Despicable Lioncrest Academy

    "Exactly!"


    Tyrande lowered his voice and continued coldly, "I''ve also heard¡­ that it was on this very same magic train that Alan once personally killed a hidden acolyte from the Church. You know how sacred acolytes are to the Church¡ªthey''re practically the gods'' chosen emissaries."


    "But instead of hunting him down, the Church of Steam and Magic actually treated him with courtesy and respect. Doesn''t that strike you as strange?"


    "And what''s more¡­"


    Tyrande pointed a finger at Beatrice.


    "He crossed paths with you in that small world before, didn''t he? You two even clashed. At that time, he was nowhere near your level of strength. And how long ago was that? Not long enough for a normal mage to even break through a single tier."


    "Yet now¡­ in such a short period, he''s reached a point where he can match you head-on. Do you realize how terrifying that is?"


    Beatrice fell silent. She couldn''t find a single explanation for how Alan''s strength had grown so fast.


    Tyrande stepped closer and patted her shoulder, letting out a heavy sigh. "Beatrice, you and Eisen are the top prospects of this year''s intake at Lioncrest Academy. The Headmaster, along with the rest of us mentors, all have high hopes for you both."


    "This isn''t just about personal glory. This concerns the honor of Lioncrest Academy itself."


    "We can''t gamble on whether Alan really is a magus or not. We can only assume the worst. And if he truly is one, then Alan is an existential threat¡ªone that Lioncrest Academy must eliminate."


    "Right now, Alan''s in Ironblood City, all on his own. The Rose Duke is off in the Sacred Realm. No one''s here to protect him. This is the best chance we''ll ever get."


    "Tell me, Beatrice¡ªif I don''t act now, using this method, when else would I get another opportunity like this?"


    Beatrice looked conflicted, hesitating for quite a while before finally speaking up. "But¡­ what if someone finds out?"


    Tyrande''s expression darkened instantly. He clenched his fist and slammed it against a nearby tree trunk with a resounding crack, then hissed, "No one will find out. And even if someone does¡­ so what? What can those wretches possibly do to us?"


    "They''re nothing but parasites¡ªpeasants who grow grain and brew ale. Every single one of us at Lioncrest is an elite among elites. If this goes to trial, who do you think the Justiciar would believe? Them, or us?"


    "Lioncrest Academy''s very existence is the embodiment of law and order. No one dares defy us."


    "Besides¡­" A mocking smile curled Tyrande''s lips. "The memory of peasants is short. Give it some time and the whole incident will be forgotten. At most, it''ll be reduced to a few idle rumors told over dinner. Who would believe Lioncrest Academy actually blew up a Church-operated magic train?"


    With that, Tyrande retracted the second wave of vines he''d sent out¡ªbut still, there was no sign of Alan.


    A strange look crept onto his face. "Weird. Why can''t we find him? Where the hell did he run off to?"


    Beatrice slowly lifted her head and scanned the surroundings. After a pause, she offered, "In that situation, whether he jumped off or stayed in the train, he should''ve been dead either way."


    "If we didn''t find his body inside the carriages, then chances are, he jumped. And with that massive cliff ahead¡­ he probably fell."


    "Given the sheer force of inertia from jumping off a speeding train, it''s entirely possible. He''s just a tier-bronze¡ªhe definitely hasn''t mastered mana shaping, that kind of advanced manipulation."


    Tyrande mulled over her words and gave a slow nod. "Fair point. In that case, no use sticking around. Let''s move."


    The two exchanged a glance, preparing to leave.


    Then Beatrice suddenly asked, "Mentor, is Eisen coming back soon?"


    Tyrande blinked, then chuckled, "Not coming back¡ªalready back. And you know exactly what kind of person he is. He''s probably already on his way to Sirius Academy, ready to deal with all those feeble fools."


    "Alan''s lucky he''s dead. If he were alive and crossed paths with Eisen¡­ who knows what kind of beating he''d get, hahaha."


    The two laughed and chatted casually for a while before Tyrande activated a teleportation spell, vanishing from the scene with Beatrice in tow.


    Meanwhile, deep underground, Alan was trembling with rage.


    "Lioncrest Academy¡­ you bastards are beyond shameless."


    He understood now. Lioncrest wasn''t attacking him for revenge. They were simply afraid¡ªafraid of his potential. That''s why they wanted to kill him before he could grow any stronger.


    But he, Alan, was no fragile sapling to be easily uprooted.


    After waiting a little longer and confirming that Tyrande and Beatrice''s mana traces had completely faded, Alan cautiously crawled out of the pit.


    He clenched his fists tightly, eyes filled with cold fury.


    One day, he vowed, the people of Lioncrest Academy would pay¡ªwith blood.


    Had he not grasped the concept of mana shaping in that life-or-death moment, he really might''ve been done for.


    People liked to talk about Lioncrest Academy as a prestigious institution in the capital. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But in Alan''s eyes, they were worse than the scum from House Roan.


    The noble side of human nature might vary from person to person.


    But the dark, vile side? It was always the same¡ªdeceitful, cowardly, cruel.


    Alan took a deep breath and forced the hatred down his throat.


    After taking a moment to recover, he turned and began walking toward Ironblood City.


    He had no intention of walking all the way back to the capital on foot. That would take far too long¡ªand it wasn''t necessary.


    Moments later, in the forests surrounding Ironblood City, the wind began to howl.


    Alan shot through the trees like Tarzan, moving with astonishing grace and speed.


    But look closely and you''d notice¡ªthere were no vines or tools helping him.


    All he used were faint flows of mana.


    In past battles, he had tried to shape mana into physical forms to restrain enemies, but never got the hang of it.


    Now? He could effortlessly condense mana into circles, squares, even triangles¡ªwith barely a sound.


    These basic geometric shapes might seem simplistic, but when used right in battle, they were deadly.


    Take, for example, the mana triangle spike he once placed beneath Duke Mogan. It had taken the old noble completely off guard.


    This method not only conserved mana, but also created devastating surprise attacks.


    Picture this: two mages in the heat of battle, flinging fireballs and ice shards at each other¡ªwhen suddenly, one of them molds his mana into a longsword and lunges forward.


    Even the most seasoned warrior would flinch.


    And that brief moment of hesitation?


    Could be fatal.

 Chapter 561 - Chapter117-Those Who Wait for His Return

    At the same time, within the heart of Ironblood City¡­


    Inside her private chambers, the Third Princess lay restless upon her bed, tossing and turning without reprieve.


    Suddenly, a maid burst into the room, breathless and pale with urgency. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Y-Your Highness¡­ something terrible has happened!"


    The Third Princess immediately sat upright, tension written all over her face.


    "What is it?"


    The maid tried to steady her breathing before replying in a quivering voice, "Just now, news arrived from the Church¡­ The magic train that was supposed to bring Lord Alan back¡ªit¡­ it met with an accident. The survival rate is estimated at less than twenty percent¡­"


    "What?!"


    The Third Princess leapt out of bed and headed for the door without a second thought.


    The maid quickly rushed to stop her.


    "Please, Your Highness¡ªright now, the Church is busy comforting the families of victims. Everyone there is overwhelmed¡­ You won''t be able to get any solid information even if you go."


    The Third Princess''s eyes turned red with emotion. Her voice was icy.


    "Did the Church say anything about the cause of the accident? Was it¡­ a mishap, or something intentional?"


    The maid hesitated for a moment before replying, "That part hasn''t been fully investigated yet¡­ but some of the survivors claimed they saw a massive magic array appear in the sky above the train right before the accident¡­"


    The Third Princess''s face grew even more ashen.


    She asked urgently, "Is Alan''s name on the list of survivors?"


    The maid froze, then slowly lowered her gaze and shook her head with a heavy sigh.


    Crash!


    Suddenly, several flashes of invisible blade light erupted around the Third Princess.


    The tables, chairs, cups, and vases inside the chamber were all cleanly sliced in half, crashing to the ground in a chaos of splintered wood and shattered porcelain, as though a violent storm had passed through.


    Yet even this wasn''t enough to quell her fury.


    The Third Princess crouched low and slammed a clenched fist against the ground.


    Her voice cracked, trembling with grief and rage.


    "Lioncrest Academy¡­ you beasts are worse than pigs and dogs!"


    The maid hesitantly approached, hoping to offer comfort.


    But the Third Princess violently shook off her hand and growled,


    "Replace all of the city''s scouting soldiers¡ªsend them directly to the site of the incident. I want a thorough investigation!"


    The maid nodded but then asked cautiously, "But¡­ if we reassign all of them, won''t that leave the city undefended?"


    The Third Princess waved a hand dismissively.


    "They''re destined to return anyway. Finding him now matters more than holding the gates."


    "Understood!"


    The maid bowed and turned to leave, swiftly passing on the Princess''s orders to the scouts.


    Back inside the silent chamber, the Third Princess slowly stood up.


    She leaned against the doorway, drawing out a pale gold rune stone from her pocket.


    She stared at it with a dazed, longing expression.


    "You''re going to be okay, right?"


    "No¡­ you will be okay."


    "I won''t let this happen¡ªnot to you."


    But then, her eyes dimmed.


    She clutched the rune stone tightly in her palm and slowly slid down the doorframe, her body trembling.


    At dawn, Alan once again stood before the gates of Ironblood City.


    Around him were a few merchants and travelers, all waiting for the gates to open.


    He now wore a gentleman''s hat, a dark brown long coat, and a pair of sunglasses.


    No one would''ve linked him to Alan¡ªthe young prodigy allegedly killed in a magic train explosion.


    "Strange¡­ Where are the watchtower guards?"


    Alan paused near the city entrance, curious about the missing soldiers who were usually stationed above.


    But he didn''t have the time to dwell on it.


    The moment the sun crested the horizon, the gates of Ironblood City swung open.


    Blending into the crowd, Alan quietly entered the city with the others.


    His first instinct was to head toward the Third Princess''s residence¡ªbut halfway there, he suddenly stopped.


    His expression changed, and he turned sharply, making his way to the Church instead.


    Right now, he was supposed to be dead.


    He couldn''t risk any contact with the Third Princess¡ªnot just to avoid exposure, but because he didn''t want to drag her into danger.


    At 9 a.m., Alan successfully "borrowed" a Church uniform and posed as one of their workers, slipping into the staff preparing the next magic train for departure.


    Soon after, the front of the train hissed with steam and slowly pulled out of the station¡ªdestination: the Capital.


    After finishing his assigned tasks, Alan let out a long sigh of relief.


    Dodging his coworkers'' attention, he slipped into the rearmost boiler room of the train and locked the door tightly behind him.


    Only once he was completely sure that no one was around¡­ did Alan finally allow his consciousness to descend back into Hell.


    This time, he had a singular goal:


    To master the art of mana shaping he had just begun to grasp.


    Within the first layer of Hell, the chaotic mana raged like dried, cracked clay¡ªuncooperative and nearly immovable, no matter how hard Alan tried.


    Even so, he made some progress.


    At the very least, he was now able to reshape the blazing Hell Flame around him into cone shapes.


    Though he could only mold basic elemental mana for now, Alan was confident.


    Given enough practice, he''d soon be able to control even the fine threads of mana that drifted invisibly through the air.


    It was just a matter of patience and concentration.


    With that thought, Alan threw himself fully into the process¡ªabsorbing and reshaping the surrounding mana again and again.


    Two days passed.


    The magic train carrying Church personnel was now entering the Capital''s domain.


    Some of the Church members aboard were starting to grow curious.


    "Hey? Anyone seen that new kid from the other day?"


    "Not sure¡­ I think someone saw him go into the boiler room?"


    "Heavens above¡­ Don''t tell me he stayed in there all night? That kid''s got some serious work ethic!"


    None of them knew that Alan couldn''t hear a word they said.


    His mind was still deep within Hell, completely immersed in the art of mana shaping.


    Alan had always had a natural gift for comprehension¡ªand now, with Hell''s abundant mana, he was rapidly improving.


    Soon, he could not only manipulate Hell Flame, but also begin nudging the more volatile mana drifting in the air.


    Half a day later, the train screeched into the Capital''s station.


    The wheels ground against the rails with a painful screech, echoing through the early morning air.


    Meanwhile, within the Sirius Academy, deep inside the Capital¡­


    At the edge of a reflecting pool, Isabella sat quietly, head bowed and feet gently swaying over the water.


    Every so often, she heard footsteps echo in the distance.


    And every time, she''d jerk her head up, heart filled with hope¡ªwas it him?


    But it never was.


    This time, the footsteps belonged to Blanche.


    "You''ve been sitting here all day, Isabella."


    Blanche walked up and gently patted the girl''s head.


    Isabella shook her head. "I''m not daydreaming¡­ I''m waiting for my brother."


    Blanche tilted her head. "Why here, though? The Academy''s main gate is quite far from this spot."


    "Because," Isabella said confidently, "this is where he always sneaks me off to play."


    "So when he comes back¡­ he''ll definitely come here first."


    Blanche let out a soft chuckle.


    She didn''t argue. She just stood beside her, silently hoping the girl was right.

 Chapter 562 - Chapter118-Abandoning Humanity and Dignity to Grow Stronger

    Just as Blanche reached out to take Isabella''s small hand, ready to leave the secluded garden¡ª sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A group of figures suddenly appeared, surrounding the two of them in a tight circle.


    Then, one of the shadows stepped forward, parting the crowd and revealing his face.


    Blanche''s eyes widened in shock.


    The man who stood before her was Eisen¡ªa name that echoed with power and fear.


    The other prodigy of Lioncrest Academy, hailed alongside Beatrice as one of the strongest students of their generation.


    Eisen''s icy gaze swept over her with contempt. His voice was low and sharp.


    "Where is Alan?"


    Blanche swallowed hard and shook her head.


    "Alan¡­ he''s not at the academy right now."


    Eisen frowned, then said coldly,


    "Then you can pay with your life in his place."


    The moment those words fell from his lips¡ªhis figure vanished.


    All that remained was the cracked ground beneath his feet, spiderweb fractures radiating outward from his last step.


    Blanche''s heart dropped.


    She instinctively pushed Isabella behind her, shielding the child with her own body.


    But that brief hesitation was all Eisen needed.


    Boom!


    His whip-like leg crashed into Blanche''s abdomen, sending her flying dozens of meters through the air like a broken doll.


    "Ugh¡­ cough, cough¡­"


    Blood spurted from Blanche''s lips as she crumpled to the ground, trembling as she tried to rise.


    That single kick had nearly cost her her life.


    Still, she was grateful. At least the blow hadn''t struck Isabella.


    But as that thought crossed her mind, Blanche reached a hand behind her¡ª


    And touched¡­ nothing.


    Panic surged through her.


    She turned around and saw that the girl was gone.


    From somewhere nearby, the mocking voices of the Lioncrest students rang out.


    "Boss Eisen, why bother with that woman? This little girl''s Alan''s sister, isn''t she? If we capture her, he''ll have to show himself!"


    Eisen''s face was a mask of cold indifference, like ice that had never known the sun.


    Without a word, he flashed behind Isabella and seized her by the nape of the neck, lifting her into the air like a rag doll.


    "Ugh¡­ let¡­ go¡­"


    Isabella gasped and struggled, but in Eisen''s grasp, she was utterly powerless.


    It felt like a metal vice had clamped down on her throat, not a human hand.


    The intense suffocation nearly caused her to black out.


    "Put her down!"


    Blanche, bloodied and battered, rushed forward once more.


    She drew two daggers from her sleeves¡ªeach blade glinting coldly like the fangs of a viper.


    If she could just get close¡­ just catch him off guard¡­ she might be able to take his life in a single strike.


    But Eisen¡­ was even more shameless than she expected.


    Just as Blanche was about to strike, he shifted Isabella in front of him, using her as a living shield.


    "You bastard!" Blanche screamed, trembling with fury. "She''s just a child! Do you have no sense of humanity?!"


    Eisen raised a brow, then asked flatly,


    "Humanity? What''s the use of that?"


    "In the world of mages, morality is a liability. It only holds you back."


    Then, with another vicious kick, he sent Blanche sprawling once again.


    He stood over her, eyes void of sympathy, his voice cutting like a blade.


    "I want to see Alan at Lioncrest Academy within the hour. If he doesn''t show¡­ he''ll never see his sister alive again."


    With every word, he pressed harder with his foot on Blanche''s wounded body.


    But Blanche didn''t make a sound.


    She bore the pain in silence, her teeth clenched, her fists trembling.


    Eisen hoisted Isabella over his shoulder and turned to leave.


    But Blanche, summoning the last of her strength, grabbed his ankle, refusing to let go.


    Her voice was barely a whisper.


    "Doing this¡­ does your Lioncrest Academy still have any dignity left?"


    Eisen crouched beside her and gently patted her cheek as if consoling a child.


    "You still don''t get it?"


    "Humanity. Dignity. These things only slow down your path to power."


    "In this world, only the victor gets to speak of dignity."


    "We at Lioncrest Academy have won¡ªso we own that dignity."


    "As for you¡­ Sirius Academy?"


    He sneered.


    "You''re the losers. You''re the dogs groveling for scraps."


    "You dare speak of dignity? You''re not even qualified."


    Blanche said nothing more.


    Whether it was the pain or sheer despair, her voice was gone.


    Eisen stood up again, flung Isabella over his shoulder, and delivered one final warning.


    "Remember¡ªone hour. If Alan doesn''t show, start digging his sister''s grave."


    With that, he and the rest of the Lioncrest crew vanished into the distance.


    Blanche collapsed, her consciousness fading.


    But even in that state, she managed to draw a rune stone from her pouch and send a signal¡ªan emergency alert to the rest of Sirius Academy.


    Meanwhile, just outside the academy gates.


    Only moments after Eisen and his group had left¡­


    A familiar figure appeared.


    Alan.


    He removed his hat and sunglasses, then shrugged off the long coat he''d been using as a disguise.


    All he wanted right now¡ªwas to see Isabella.


    In the blink of an eye, Alan swept through the entirety of Sirius Academy, moving so fast that no one even noticed his presence.


    But something felt off.


    The academy was too quiet today.


    And more importantly¡ªIsabella was nowhere to be found.


    He had searched every corner, every shadow, every room.


    But she was gone.


    Suddenly¡ª


    "Cough¡­ cough cough¡­"


    A bloodstained figure stumbled into view behind him.


    It was Blanche.


    She looked at him with exhausted eyes and said weakly,


    "So¡­ it really was you¡­"


    Alan turned, panic already overtaking him. He rushed forward and grabbed her shoulders.


    "Where is she?! Where''s my sister?!"


    "W-Wait¡­ let go¡­"


    Alan''s desperate shaking made Blanche cough up more blood.


    After several seconds, she finally steadied herself and forced the words out:


    "Isabella¡­ was taken."


    "What?!"


    In that instant, Alan''s mana exploded in a terrifying burst of power.


    His breathing turned ragged.


    Veins pulsed around his bloodshot eyes, red as flame, as if fury alone could tear the world apart.


    Blanche lowered her gaze and sighed.


    "It was Lioncrest Academy."


    Alan froze.


    Then¡ª


    Boom.


    His aura surged to an almost demonic level.


    Old grudges had not yet been settled. Now new ones had joined them.


    And this time, the fury was personal.


    He released Blanche, threw back his head, and let out a roar of unrestrained rage.


    Then, without a word, he bolted for the gates of Sirius Academy.


    Blanche, struggling to stand, called out after him.


    "Wait! Don''t rush in¡ªat least talk to the Headmaster first!"


    But Alan didn''t hear her.


    Or maybe he just didn''t care.


    He ran faster.


    And faster.


    Until his figure vanished like a phantom.

 Chapter 563 - Chapter119-The Ruthless Slaughter Before the Academy Gates

    Blanche, panic rising in her chest, shakily pulled out another rune stone and sent an urgent message to the academy.


    Then, she pushed her wounded body forward, forcing herself toward the front gates of Sirius Academy, desperate to catch up with Alan.


    Meanwhile, in the heart of the capital¡ª


    Alan stormed through the bustling streets like a wild tempest.


    He overturned vendor stalls, shattered stone walls, and even forcibly stopped several carriages, all without pause or apology.


    People screamed. Others hurled curses at him. But he didn''t care.


    He had only one goal: Lioncrest Academy.


    His mind was blank, completely overtaken by a single, all-consuming fear¡ªwhat if Isabella¡­ was gone?


    He could take the hatred, the attacks, the humiliation from Lioncrest Academy.


    He could wait for his chance and return it a hundredfold.


    But if something happened to Isabella?


    Then he would drag the entire Lioncrest Academy to hell with him¡ªeven if it meant his own life.


    Blood dripped from his lips as he bit down, hard, trying to ground himself in that rising sea of rage.


    His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked audibly, veins bulging as his body trembled.


    Some of the vendors along the street began to recognize him.


    "Was¡­ was that Alan just now?"


    "It really was! What''s he doing, running like a madman?!"


    Their eyes followed his trail of destruction. At the end of the road stood the towering, iron-clad gates of Lioncrest Academy.


    "My gods¡­ is he headed there?!"


    "No way¡­ that''s suicide!"


    "Stop him! Someone stop him! He''s still so young¡ªhe can''t throw his life away like this!"


    Despite the warnings, despite the gathering crowd of bystanders and well-meaning merchants, Alan raced forward.


    Within moments, he reached the front gates of Lioncrest Academy.


    There¡ªchained to a pillar beside the gate¡ªwas a small, trembling figure.


    Isabella.


    Thick, iron chains bound her arms and legs, rattling loudly as she shook in fear.


    "Isabella!" Alan shouted her name before he even realized it.


    The girl looked up, startled. Her eyes filled with tears.


    "Brother¡­ no¡­ don''t come any closer¡ªit''s a trap!"


    Alan froze for half a second.


    Then fresh blood leaked from the corner of his lips again as he exhaled slowly, suppressing the wrath boiling inside him.


    From within the academy, several Lioncrest students stepped through the gates, smirking as they faced him.


    "You finally showed up¡­"


    But before the words could fully leave the speaker''s lips¡ª


    Shing!


    A razor-sharp blade of mana sliced across his neck.


    Thump.


    His head tumbled to the ground, rolling several times before it finally stopped.


    No one even saw the attack.


    In less than a second¡ªthe boy was dead.


    Gasps of horror erupted from the onlookers.


    Especially the crowd of nosy pedestrians who had chased Alan here.


    "W-What''s going on?! He just¡ªhe didn''t even speak¡ªhe just killed that guy?!"


    "No hesitation, no questions¡­ just decapitation?!"


    "Hey! You¡ª!"


    The other Lioncrest students instantly drew their magic, their expressions turning grim.


    But Alan didn''t give them the chance.


    In the blink of an eye, the Holy Sword Staff formed in his hand.


    Blades of radiant light magic, cloaked in violent mana, burst forth and pierced straight through the students'' defenses.


    Before they could cast a single spell, several had already been run through.


    Then Alan stomped the ground hard.


    A web of earth element surged from beneath his feet, intertwined with traces of metal element, rising up like chains to bind the students'' legs.


    A move he''d learned during his fierce duel with Duke Mogan.


    Slash! Slash! Slash!


    Blazing light swords carved through flesh and bone, reducing the trapped students to scorched, dismembered corpses.


    But Alan wasn''t finished.


    He opened his hand, then slammed his palm against the ground.


    An eerie, crystalline chime echoed around them, sharp and unnatural¡ªlike glass shattering inside the skull.


    Some Lioncrest students suddenly turned pale, panic flooding their faces.


    They reached toward the sky helplessly, their pupils dilating.


    Moments later, blood-red crystal blossoms burst from their chests¡ªpiercing through their skin like deadly art.


    Amidst the gore, the flowers bloomed¡ªpainting the massacre in elegant crimson beauty.


    A scream tore through the air.


    "Wait¡ªdid you see that?! Wind element¡­ Earth¡­ Metal¡­ Light¡­ Fire¡­ and some strange crystal spell¡ª"


    "Don''t tell me¡­ he''s a Magus?"


    "Magus?!"


    The crowd was stunned into silence.


    In the Plantagenet Kingdom, there were countless mages.


    But Magus¡ªthose who could command all elements and create their own spells¡ªwere so rare that most believed them to be legend.


    Even across centuries, few had ever existed.


    But rare did not mean unworthy.


    In fact, among mages, the word Magus carried the weight of myth.


    A title spoken only with reverence and longing.


    Many dreamed of reaching such heights.


    But that dream remained forever unreachable for most.


    To command all elements? To shape raw mana freely?


    It was a feat few could even attempt.


    And now¡­ before their eyes¡­


    A true Magus had appeared.


    At that moment, it no longer mattered who supported Sirius or Lioncrest.


    The news of a Magus'' emergence spread through the capital like wildfire.


    Crowds flooded the streets, heading straight for Lioncrest Academy.


    Meanwhile, Alan continued his one-man assault, cutting down the Lioncrest reinforcements as they arrived.


    None of them lasted more than a second.


    "Enough!"


    A powerful male voice boomed across the battlefield.


    Vice Headmaster Krom appeared, hands behind his back, face grim.


    He stepped forward and barked,


    "Alan! Are you trying to get yourself killed?! You''ve trespassed on Lioncrest grounds and murdered our students!"


    Before he could finish, Alan raised the Holy Sword Staff, pressing the blade to Krom''s neck.


    His voice hoarse and trembling with rage¡ª


    "Get myself killed? Hmph. You think I care who dies today?"


    "I''ve come to your academy as demanded. Bring out the one responsible. Or I''ll kill every last one of you."


    Then¡ªAlan vanished from in front of Krom.


    A moment later, a Lioncrest student behind the vice headmaster fell limp¡ªhis chest punched through cleanly by Alan''s fist.


    He collapsed without even a gasp.


    Right under Krom''s nose.


    The insult could not have been clearer.


    Krom''s face twisted in fury.


    His fists clenched.


    His murderous intent spiked.


    But just as the standoff reached the brink of all-out war¡­


    A female voice chuckled mockingly from beyond the academy gates. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Heh¡­ Lioncrest Academy, truly shameless. You lure someone here with despicable tricks, then cry foul when he fights back?"


    "You brand him reckless, violent, unrestrained¡ªwhen you''re the ones playing judge, jury, and executioner."


    "How convenient. How typical."

 Chapter 564 - Chapter120-Eisen’s Arrogant Miscalculation

    Krom was momentarily stunned. He turned around quickly, only to see a noblewoman, elegantly dressed and holding a parasol, gracefully approaching from a distance.


    She moved slowly, as though partially blind¡ªevery few steps, she had to be assisted by her attendants. Yet her voice rang out clear as day, piercing through the crowd like a blade through silk.


    Krom''s brow furrowed. His gaze locked onto the woman, eyes filled with caution and veiled menace.


    But the noblewoman acted as if she hadn''t noticed. She let out a soft chuckle, covering her mouth politely as she spoke.


    "What, afraid to admit it? You from Lioncrest Academy abducted this young man''s sister and lured him here, and now you''re trying to turn the tables¡ªaccusing him of being the aggressor for fighting back? Truly shameless."


    The crowd began murmuring at once.


    "So Alan had a reason to attack?"


    "His sister''s just a regular girl, isn''t she? Lioncrest Academy would go so far as to harm a child?"


    "Unbelievable. Worse than animals!"


    "Alan did the right thing. These bastards deserve to die¡ªa warning to the rest!"


    Hearing this wave of criticism, Krom''s face darkened to an almost pitch black hue.


    At that moment, more footsteps echoed from within Lioncrest Academy.


    Alan turned his head calmly and saw the familiar figure leading the procession¡ªEisen, followed by a large number of Lioncrest students.


    "Professor Krom," Eisen said confidently, "there''s no need for someone of your stature to deal with small fry like this. Allow me."


    Krom nodded and stepped back, but not before muttering a warning.


    "Don''t underestimate him. Something about him feels¡­ different."


    Eisen smirked, brushing the caution aside.


    "Just some cheap tricks. Nothing I can''t handle."


    He turned to Alan with a mocking grin.


    "So? Did you like the little gift I left you? Those chains were originally made for dogs. I''ve got a set for you too¡ªjust need to¡ªhuh?"


    Mid-sentence, Alan vanished.


    Even though Eisen''s eyes no longer registered the figure, his instincts screamed danger.


    He immediately dropped low, narrowly avoiding the mana blade that came slashing toward his neck.


    In one fluid motion, Eisen countered by shaping mana into a massive boulder, which he hurled at Alan with tremendous force.


    It was dense, heavy, and brimming with lethal energy¡ªenough to crush an ordinary mage to pulp, even if they braced for impact.


    But Alan was anything but ordinary.


    He didn''t flinch.


    With a deep breath, he raised his fist¡ªand punched the mana boulder head-on.


    Szzzt¡ª!


    The moment contact was made, the deadly mana solid melted into water, splashing harmlessly across the ground.


    The Stone of Sage had granted him the ability to alter physical properties, and Alan used it with terrifying precision.


    Even dense, combat-grade mana could be transmuted into harmless liquid in an instant.


    But Eisen had expected this.


    The boulder had merely been a distraction.


    As it dissolved, he had already surged forward, arriving behind Alan in a flash.


    Deep crimson magic arrays glowed across his arms, radiating devastating energy.


    Alan remained calm.


    In the blink of an eye, he shaped his mana into a transparent tether, which lashed out and dragged him sideways.


    To the spectators, it looked as if Alan glided like a ghost, moving with an inhuman swiftness.


    "W-What?!" Eisen gasped. He hadn''t expected Alan to move in such an unnatural way.


    That moment of hesitation was all it took.


    Alan closed the gap in a flash, holy sword staff burning with searing light, and drove a strike toward Eisen''s chest.


    The mana fluctuations pouring off the blade were staggering.


    This power¡ªthis couldn''t belong to a mere tier-bronze!


    But Eisen was no novice.


    Light element was his specialty.


    He spread his arms wide and suddenly fell backward, as if preparing to embrace the sky.


    Alan shifted immediately, switching his horizontal slash into a vertical stab mid-air.


    In that moment, Eisen gathered a massive surge of light mana around him.


    Six radiant wings of holy light began forming on his back¡ªshimmering with divine intensity.


    The tips of the wings sharpened into blades and thrust toward Alan like javelins of justice.


    But Alan didn''t retreat.


    He charged forward, staff braced.


    A harsh screeching hum rang out as mana clashed with mana.


    Alan emerged unscathed.


    But the radiant wings?


    Shattered.


    Cracks spread from the tips of Eisen''s wings to the very roots.


    He stumbled backward, coughing blood, barely keeping his footing.


    And just as he regained balance¡ª


    Alan appeared behind him.


    The staff in his hand now burned with furious white fire, aimed squarely at Eisen''s heart.


    The mana pressure was overwhelming. The very air grew hot.


    Eisen felt like he had been thrown into a pool of lava.


    He bit his tongue hard, using the sharp pain to keep from blacking out.


    Then¡ªslamming his fists to the ground¡ªhe propelled himself upward, using the rebound force and what was left of his broken wings to launch himself into the sky.


    Alan clicked his tongue in annoyance, then bent his knees and leapt after him.


    The two figures disappeared again, clashing mid-air in a series of rapid, violent exchanges.


    In under a minute, the skies around Lioncrest were streaked with dozens of battle scars.


    When they finally reappeared, Eisen was in tatters.


    His body was scorched and slashed all over.


    His mana reserves were nearly depleted. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His wings flickered like candles in the wind.


    Meanwhile, Alan stood untouched. Not even dust clung to his robe.


    Calmly, he raised the holy sword staff, ready to strike the final blow¡ª


    Suddenly, a mana ripple burst forth from inside Lioncrest Academy.


    A student rushed toward them, apparently trying to shield Eisen.


    Alan''s expression twisted into disgust.


    With a growl, he thrust the holy sword staff behind him.


    **Eisen would die¡ª**but so would this annoying insect.


    Squelch!


    The blade sank deep into the charging student''s chest.


    Alan yanked it free and kicked the body aside like a piece of garbage.


    Then, as if to drive home the point, he walked over¡ª


    Raised his foot¡ª


    And crushed the student''s skull beneath his heel.


    The sound echoed.


    Silence followed.


    Blood spread across the cobblestone like ink spilled on parchment.


    And Alan¡­


    Didn''t even blink.

 Chapter 565 - Chapter121-Executing Eisen

    After finishing off the last man, Alan wiped the sole of his shoe on the ground with a look of clear disdain.


    Then, as if mocking, he crooked a finger toward Eisen, the gesture full of derision.


    Eisen froze in place.


    It wasn''t just him¡ªeveryone present, from the onlookers who had come for the spectacle to the reinforcements from Lioncrest Academy, all stood rooted in place, stunned.


    With a mere flick of the hand, Alan had killed someone¡ªeffortlessly, cleanly.


    To Alan, were the people of Lioncrest Academy nothing more than weeds? Ants?


    Whatever the answer, one thing had become obvious to everyone. Alan held absolutely no regard for the name Lioncrest Academy.


    What he had done just now could be summed up in four words:


    Slicing melons, chopping vegetables.


    "¡­Already scared?"


    Alan sneered and said coldly to Eisen, "If you''re not going to attack me, I''ll start attacking you."


    That snapped Eisen back to his senses. He hastily called out to the others from Lioncrest Academy to come and fight alongside him.


    The bystanders smacked their lips and scoffed, "Can''t beat him, so now you''re calling backup? So this is the great Eisen of Lioncrest? Pathetic."


    Eisen''s face turned red with fury, veins bulging on his forehead.


    With a shove, he pushed the others in front of him aside and barked, "Out of my way. I''ll deal with him myself!"


    "B-But Eisen, Senior¡­"


    "No buts! Watch closely¡ªI''ll show you all what true power looks like. Against overwhelming strength, all resistance is meaningless!"


    As he spoke, Eisen once again summoned his radiant wings of light.


    What he did next, however, left everyone gasping in horror.


    Right before their eyes, Eisen tore off one of his glowing wings with his bare hands!


    For a mage, mana was as vital as blood and flesh. Creations forged from it¡ªlike those wings¡ªwere considered extensions of the mage''s body.


    To rip it off¡­ was no different from severing a limb.


    The wounds even bled red, just like flesh and bone.


    What in the world was he trying to do?!


    As the crowd stood there, utterly bewildered, a sinister surge of mana began to gather at the broken stump of the wing.


    The formerly radiant white wings were now completely drenched in darkness.


    Moments later, Eisen reattached the blackened wing back onto his back.


    His aura spiked. His mana surged to a level that sent tremors down everyone''s spines.


    "Wings of Light and Darkness¡­ He''s fused two completely opposing elements without triggering any backlash?"


    "Could it be that Eisen has reached Tier-Platinum?!"


    "No way!"


    Others in the crowd quickly objected. "There''s no record of Eisen ever mastering the dark element!"


    "He must have made some sort of deal with Beatrice in private. This can''t be his true power¡ªhe''s just borrowing it for a moment, creating a fake illusion of reaching Tier-Platinum!"


    "Even if that''s true, the fact remains¡ªhe has Wings of Light and Darkness now!"


    The onlookers began arguing again.


    Alan, however, remained still, silently watching the approaching Eisen¡ªhis black-and-white wings slowly flapping, his aura growing heavier with each step.


    Only when face to face could one truly grasp the sheer force Eisen now radiated.


    But Alan knew¡ªhe absolutely could not afford to stand still.


    As Eisen closed the distance, a blood-colored crystal flower silently bloomed behind Alan.


    The next instant, Eisen moved. His speed was even faster than before¡ªlike a blur, he appeared directly above Alan''s head.


    His feet, heavy as falling meteors, came crashing down toward Alan''s skull.


    Alan didn''t choose to meet the attack head-on.


    He could feel the immense force within Eisen''s strike¡ªmana filled with both light and dark energy.


    So, Alan twisted his body and dodged.


    Boom!


    Eisen landed with a thunderous crash, forming a massive crater nearly five meters wide in the ground.


    Turning his head, Eisen chuckled mockingly. "What happened to all that bravado? Now you''re just a little rat, scurrying and dodging."


    But just as he finished speaking, his smile froze.


    A deep sense of dread washed over him.


    He couldn''t move. Not even a single step.


    Thin crystal threads¡ªfiner than strands of hair¡ªhad silently wrapped themselves around his body, binding him in place.


    No matter how much strength he exerted, the mana-infused threads would not break. Their toughness was absurd. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In that moment, Alan had already flashed above him.


    Behind Alan, numerous Holy Flame Light Swords shimmered in the air.


    Most dazzling of all was the holy sword staff in Alan''s hand.


    Both the staff and the floating light swords were now laced with razor-sharp mana blades¡ªfully formed and refined.


    The destructive force was terrifying.


    Even a true Tier-Diamond powerhouse wouldn''t escape unscathed from a blow like this.


    Let alone Eisen¡ªwho had only temporarily mimicked the power of Tier-Platinum through some unknown method.


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    The holy swords rained down like a thunderstorm.


    Eisen''s Wings of Light and Darkness didn''t even last a second.


    They were torn to shreds, riddled with holes.


    Alan stepped onto Eisen''s shoulders, slowly raising the holy sword staff in his hand.


    The tip pointed directly at Eisen''s skull.


    His expression was utterly cold, and the killing intent in his eyes made the spectators shudder.


    "Stop!!"


    Krom rushed forward, shouting at Alan, "If you dare kill him, Lioncrest Academy will never forgive you! You and your sister will have nowhere left to¡ª"


    Shink!


    Before Krom could finish, Alan thrust the sword downward.


    A thin line of blood appeared on Eisen''s forehead¡ª


    ¡ªright where the holy sword had pierced clean through.


    Eisen''s body collapsed, lifeless.


    But Alan wasn''t finished.


    With a fierce kick, he sent Eisen''s corpse flying into the air.


    Mana chains shot out like snakes, coiling tightly around the body.


    Then came the tearing. Relentless, brutal tearing.


    Bit by bit, Eisen''s corpse was ripped apart like a rag doll.


    Fresh blood rained down from the sky.


    Alan stood beneath it all, bathed in the crimson shower. His face twisted into a fearsome grimace¡ªlike a grim reaper descending upon the world.


    After a long moment, he raised his holy sword staff again and pointed it at the remaining members of Lioncrest Academy.


    In a voice cold enough to freeze the air, he declared:


    "Next! Come die!"


    The Lioncrest students froze.


    No one dared take a single step forward.


    After all, their strongest warrior, Eisen, was already dead.


    What chance did the rest of them stand?


    They''d be cannon fodder. Nothing more than lambs to the slaughter.


    Seeing no one answer, Alan''s voice thundered again:


    "I said¡­ NEXT! COME DIE!!"


    The students'' legs were trembling.


    They exchanged horrified glances¡ªthen turned and fled.


    But Alan had no intention of letting them go.


    Several holy flame swords shot out from behind him.


    Moments later, the fleeing students were all writhing in agony¡ª


    Their bodies reduced to burning husks as the sacred fire devoured them.

 Chapter 566 - Chapter122-Rematch with Krom

    Unlike the chaos and screaming inside the academy, the crowd gathered outside to witness the battle was eerily silent.


    Everyone shared the same bewildered question¡ª


    How did Alan dare to do this?


    In front of everyone, he had slain students from the illustrious Lioncrest Academy of the Imperial Capital, and not just any students¡ªhe had personally executed Eisen, the academy''s brightest rising star.


    Lioncrest Academy, once seen as untouchable, had been thoroughly humiliated. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They were trampled underfoot. And instead of stopping Alan, they had only managed to lose more lives to him.


    Could it be that Lioncrest Academy was truly helpless against him?


    Vice Headmaster Krom, having gathered the few remaining students, quickly led them away from Alan, as though afraid that any further provocation would ignite yet another massacre.


    He couldn''t understand it.


    Eisen¡ªone of the most powerful light-element mages the academy had cultivated with great effort¡ªhad died at Alan''s hands, without even making a splash.


    How?


    How had it come to this?


    The more Krom thought about it, the more his head throbbed.


    And deep within, a flicker of dread began to rise.


    What if it had been him facing Alan''s holy flame light sword just now?


    Would he have survived?


    In an instant, Krom ran through multiple battle scenarios in his mind¡ª


    Only to reach a chilling conclusion:


    Even if it were him, in a head-on clash with Alan''s divine sword arts, the odds of survival were slim.


    "This brat¡­ How did he grow so strong in such a short time? He''s a monster!"


    Krom''s eyes never left Alan. If he could, he would flay him alive on the spot.


    Such a dangerous individual must not be allowed to live!


    But Alan didn''t even spare Krom a glance.


    He walked straight toward the stone pillar where Isabella was imprisoned.


    With a wave of his hand, the iron chains binding her dissolved into a pile of ash.


    Isabella looked utterly terrified.


    She curled up in Alan''s arms, trembling violently.


    "B-Brother¡­ I''m scared¡­ so scared¡­"


    Alan gently patted her head. All traces of violence and coldness vanished from him.


    At this moment, he was just a warm and kind older brother.


    "I''m sorry, Isabella. I made you suffer."


    Isabella shook her head, choking back tears as she hugged him tightly.


    "You don''t have to apologize, Brother. It wasn''t your fault¡ªit''s those bad people''s fault!"


    Alan lifted his head and cast a dangerous gaze toward the members of Lioncrest Academy.


    "You''re right. It was their fault."


    His voice dropped into a low growl.


    Then, still carrying Isabella, he approached the blind noblewoman who had been watching the events unfold.


    "Miss, could I trouble you to take care of my little sister for a while?"


    The woman gave a calm smile and knelt down, setting her parasol over Isabella''s shoulder.


    "Go. I promise you¡ªno one will lay a hand on this child while I''m here."


    Alan nodded heavily. Then, he turned to leave.


    Suddenly, a small hand tugged at the hem of his coat.


    He looked back to find Isabella staring up at him with tear-filled eyes.


    "Brother¡­ don''t go. Please¡­ I don''t want you to get hurt."


    Alan smiled reassuringly.


    "It''s alright. I won''t get hurt. And remember what I promised?


    If anyone dares to bully you¡­


    I''ll pay them back tenfold!"


    Just then, a furious shout rang out from the Lioncrest group.


    A student raised his staff, eyes bloodshot with rage.


    Clearly, grief and terror had driven him to the edge.


    They weren''t entirely spineless after all.


    Watching so many of their classmates die in agony had finally ignited something¡ª


    Terror had morphed into fury.


    "You¡­ you demon! Don''t take one more step toward the academy!"


    A fireball, the size of a clenched fist, formed at the tip of his staff.


    Alan smirked and stood up, slowly walking toward him.


    "Oh? And if I do¡ªwhat will you do about it?"


    "I¡ª! I¡­!"


    As Alan drew closer, the student could no longer hold back.


    With a desperate cry, he launched the fireball spell.


    But to everyone''s shock, the fireball dissipated before it even reached Alan¡ª


    It evaporated into harmless mist.


    The student stood frozen, dumbfounded.


    In that moment of hesitation, Alan appeared before him¡ª


    One hand gripping the student''s throat in a vice-like hold.


    The student''s face contorted with pain.


    The crushing pressure stole his breath, turning his face an ugly purple-black.


    "You want revenge?


    Try again in your next life."


    With a violent swing, Alan smashed him into the ground.


    Suddenly, a cyclone surged in from the side, yanking the student from Alan''s grasp and forcing Alan back several paces.


    Alan squinted against the debris, quickly clearing his eyes with a burst of water-element mana.


    Then he looked toward the source of the wind.


    "Krom¡­"


    "The Vice Headmaster is finally stepping in!"


    The crowd stirred in excitement.


    Alan summoned his holy sword staff once again and pointed it at Krom.


    "You old dog¡­ Only capable of sneak attacks, huh?"


    Krom opened his mouth to reply¡ª


    But Alan suddenly vanished before his eyes.


    "Left? No¡ªright? Or above?!"


    Krom spun in every direction, checking even overhead and behind himself.


    Alan was nowhere to be seen.


    Then¡ª


    The ground beneath Krom cracked.


    Tiny fissures spidered out in all directions.


    From the cracks, flaming holy swords erupted like bamboo after rain, lunging straight at his throat.


    The strike was swift and perfectly concealed.


    Krom had no time to react.


    In desperation, he conjured another cyclone, trapping both himself and Alan in its center.


    The audience was stunned.


    Who was Alan fighting now?


    None other than Krom, one of Lioncrest''s three vice headmasters!


    A peak tier-platinum powerhouse¡ªnearing tier-diamond!


    And yet even he¡­


    was forced into using such a self-harming, all-consuming move just to protect himself?!


    Everyone watching felt like they were dreaming.


    Was this real?


    The sandstorm summoned by Krom slowly began to fade.


    Then¡ªtwo figures flew out in opposite directions.


    Alan looked a bit disheveled, rolling across the ground several times before managing to stop himself.


    Krom, by contrast, was unscathed¡ª


    Not even a speck of dust marred his robe.


    He turned toward Alan, who was slowly rising from the ground.


    A cruel smirk curled on his lips.


    "In the end¡­ you''re still just a child.


    Between tier-bronze and tier-platinum, lie two insurmountable chasms.


    There''s no way you¡ª"


    "Urgh!"


    Krom suddenly fell to his knees.


    His hands clutched at his chest as blood poured from his lips.


    His expression twisted in pain.


    He held up a hand to examine the blood¡ª


    And his eyes widened in shock.


    Within the cyclone he had created¡ª


    Among the wind and sand¡ª


    Countless razor-thin metallic blades, no larger than grains of sand, had been hidden.


    They had mixed with the dust, completely undetectable.


    And now, they were shredding him from the inside out.

 Chapter 567 - Chapter123-Next One—Come and Die!

    Krom quickly turned around, his eyes fixed on Alan''s figure. That boy had actually infused his own mana into someone else''s spell, manipulating the outcome unseen and unheard.


    Such a precise control over mana¡ªso delicate, so insidious¡ªwas far beyond what any tier-bronze magus should be capable of.


    And yet, Alan had done it.


    Which could only mean one thing.


    Alan''s true strength was far above tier-bronze.


    And if that were truly the case, then Alan absolutely could not be allowed to walk away alive today.


    Lioncrest Academy had already burned all bridges with him. If they let him live, and he returned later¡ªstronger, prepared, fueled by vengeance¡ªhe would become a catastrophe waiting to happen. A time bomb aimed straight at their academy.


    With that thought, Krom began summoning a storm once more, condensing a violent hurricane into the palm of his hand, preparing to strike Alan down before he could react.


    But just as he was about to act, a disdainful laugh rang out from the sidelines.


    It came from the blind noblewoman standing nearby.


    "Really, Krom? How shameless can you be?" she said coldly. "Using your full strength against a junior half your age? If word gets out, do you think your old face will be worth anything anymore?"


    Krom froze in place, momentarily caught off guard.


    He looked again toward the crowd gathered outside the academy.


    Sure enough, all eyes were on him.


    And none of those faces looked pleased.


    After all, Eisen had kidnapped Alan''s sister, lured him here by force, and still got himself killed because he was too weak to handle the consequences.


    And now?


    Not only was Lioncrest Academy refusing to admit any fault, but their members were lining up to try and kill Alan in retaliation.


    They were practically parading the word "shameless" across their foreheads.


    And to make matters worse, Krom¡ªone of the academy''s own vice headmasters¡ªwas participating in what had essentially become a youth deathmatch.


    No matter how you looked at it, Lioncrest Academy had already thrown all dignity out the window.


    Krom''s body trembled with fury. He turned and roared at the noblewoman, "How Lioncrest Academy conducts its business is none of your concern, outsider!"


    The noblewoman chuckled coldly. "If you''re in the wrong, do I not even have the right to speak?"


    Then she raised her hand and pointed at the many common folk standing outside the academy. Her voice grew sharper.


    "Even if I have no right to judge you, what about them? The people who''ve lived in this imperial capital for generations? The ones who live near Lioncrest Academy, who have fed and supported your staff and students for decades?" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You haven''t just disgraced yourself, Krom. You''ve disgraced the entire imperial capital. You should be ashamed."


    Krom opened his mouth, but no words came out.


    Every word the noblewoman had said cut to the bone¡ªand what''s worse, she wasn''t wrong.


    Eisen had indeed started all this by targeting Alan''s younger sister, using despicable means to bait him here.


    And now?


    Not only had they tried to gang up on Alan, they were still losing.


    Losing while outnumbering him.


    If this got out, if word spread that Lioncrest Academy had been trampled by a single boy¡­ it would be a nationwide joke.


    No¡ªpeople from Barton, even the Kent Kingdom would travel across borders just to laugh at them.


    Feeling the crowd''s support behind him, Alan lifted his holy sword staff and rested it casually across his shoulder. He turned toward Lioncrest Academy''s towering gates and spat.


    "So what happened to all that talk from earlier?" he taunted with a smirk. "Didn''t you say you''d crush me without even trying?"


    "Where''s that big attitude now? Cat got your tongues?"


    "You lot still dare call yourselves students of Lioncrest Academy? I say you should change your name entirely. Stop calling it Lioncrest¡ªstart calling it Catcrest."


    "Why you¡ª!"


    One of the academy students, his eyes bloodshot and fists clenched tight, couldn''t take the insult.


    "Vice Headmaster!" he shouted. "I can''t take this anymore! The dignity of Lioncrest Academy cannot be trampled by this trash!"


    With that, he charged straight at Alan.


    Alan''s lips curled upward. He stepped forward to meet the attack head-on.


    Swish!


    A brilliant arc of holy flame burst from his blade.


    The student didn''t even have time to scream. He was instantly reduced to a scorched corpse, collapsing to the ground in a blackened heap.


    After cutting the attacker down with just a few casual movements, Alan lifted a finger and beckoned to the remaining students like he was inviting them to dinner.


    "Next one¡ªcome and die!"


    The remaining Lioncrest students were furious, but after seeing what had just happened, none dared to move.


    Alan scowled.


    "What''s the matter?" he barked. "Where''s that arrogance you had when you kidnapped my sister? Wasn''t Eisen screaming about how he was going to kill me to avenge the academy?"


    "So how is it that he''s dead¡­ and I''m not?"


    That one sentence turned every Lioncrest face dark and stormy.


    Alan might as well have been slapping them across the face. He was calling them cowards¡ªdirectly, shamelessly.


    And none of them had the guts to refute him.


    "Enough of your nonsense! Lioncrest Academy will not allow someone like you to continue defiling its name!"


    Another student, unable to hold back, took a step forward to argue¡ªbut Krom rushed to stop him.


    "No! Don''t go near him! It''s a trap!"


    But it was too late.


    Before Krom could reach him, the student''s entire body burst into flames.


    It was not a normal fire.


    Holy fire¡ªradiant and merciless¡ªconsumed his flesh, his spirit, his very soul, reducing him to nothing but a pile of unremarkable ash.


    Krom clenched his jaw so hard his teeth nearly cracked.


    To be humiliated like this¡ªby a mere boy¡ªwas almost too much to bear.


    More and more students from Lioncrest Academy began arriving, drawn by the commotion.


    But as they came upon the scene and saw their peers lying in blood and ashes, their expressions twisted with grief and fury.


    "You bastard! How dare you¡­ how dare you!"


    One of the new arrivals, a younger student who had admired Eisen deeply, began weeping tears of blood. His eyes locked onto Alan with vengeance.


    He raised his sword and charged forward.


    Alan didn''t even flinch.


    With one motion, he raised his holy sword staff and met the attacker head-on.


    Clang!


    The enemy''s sword hissed and smoked. Under the heat of Alan''s sacred flames, it melted like wax, disintegrating into a puddle of useless iron.


    Then, with one clean thrust¡ª


    Shlick!


    Alan drove his blade into the young man''s chest. His eyes lost their light instantly.


    With a casual flick of the wrist, Alan hurled the body aside like a discarded rag.


    The others around them began to stir¡ªrage bubbling up once more.


    But then¡ª


    "ENOUGH!" Krom roared.


    "Anyone who dares take one more step¡­ will be expelled from Lioncrest Academy on the spot!"


    At those words, the furious crowd finally calmed.


    Krom stood still, fists clenched, eyes locked onto Alan with a hatred so sharp it could cut steel.


    He wanted nothing more than to kill this boy on the spot.


    But deep down, he knew the truth.


    With the power Alan had shown today¡ªnot even Krom, nor any number of their top students combined¡ªcould defeat him.


    Keeping this standoff going would only humiliate them further.


    And then¡ªjust when the situation couldn''t get any tenser¡ªa new figure arrived at the academy gates.


    Krom''s pupils shrank.


    The man who had just arrived¡­


    Was none other than the other vice headmaster of Lioncrest Academy.


    Kelin.


    The very same man who had rejected Alan''s application not long ago.


    Because of his poor judgment, not only had they lost a monstrous talent like Alan¡­


    They had also, indirectly, caused the death of the once-promising Eisen.

 Chapter 568 - Chapter124-The True Power of Old Gayle

    Kelin had clearly noticed Krom''s sidelong glance¡ªbut chose not to comment.


    Instead, he turned toward the crowd gathered outside the academy gates and barked coldly,


    "What are you all staring at? Lioncrest Academy is merely dealing with a lunatic who''s lost all reason. There''s nothing to see. Get lost!"


    But the onlookers only grew more agitated.


    Naturally, their indignation was directed at Kelin''s remarks.


    They hadn''t even stepped past the academy threshold¡ªjust watching from outside¡ªand that alone wasn''t allowed?


    It was obvious the higher-ups at Lioncrest Academy were simply too ashamed to let the truth spread. Now they were trying to shut their doors and cover up the disgrace.


    And not everyone was going to let that slide.


    Some spectators, especially those who loved chaos and drama, only grew more fired up.


    One voice shouted,


    "Why can''t we look? What, afraid people will find out the truth? Is Lioncrest Academy scared of this young man or something?!"


    The words had barely finished echoing when Kelin teleported right in front of the speaker.


    With one swift motion, he crushed the man''s skull in his bare hand.


    Red and white¡ªbrain matter and blood¡ªsplattered everywhere.


    The crowd erupted in panic. People shoved and screamed, scrambling to flee the scene.


    They''d gotten so carried away watching the spectacle that they forgot where they were¡ªLioncrest Academy, breeding ground of elite mages.


    Right or wrong, the academy''s strength was unquestionable.


    To provoke them¡­ was to court death.


    Within moments, not a single bystander remained near the gates.


    Except for one.


    The blind noblewoman, whom Alan had entrusted with Isabella''s safety, was still standing calmly in place.


    Kelin slowly walked toward her, voice dripping with menace.


    "Why haven''t you left? Are you not afraid of Lioncrest Academy''s retaliation?"


    The woman gave a soft laugh and replied,


    "You give me too much credit. Lioncrest Academy is fearsome indeed. How could I not be afraid?"


    Then, she gently took Isabella''s hand.


    "Come, dear. Let''s go."


    Isabella hesitated, casting a pleading glance toward Alan.


    Alan''s expression softened. He waved at her and said gently,


    "It''s alright. Don''t worry about me. Go with her. I''ll come find you soon."


    "But¡­ but¡­"


    She wanted to say more.


    But the noblewoman suddenly moved¡ªstriking the back of Isabella''s neck.


    The girl''s eyes rolled back as she collapsed into the woman''s arms, unconscious.


    Without a word, the noblewoman turned and quickly departed with her in tow.


    Not long after they left, Kelin could no longer restrain himself.


    He launched a surprise attack on Alan¡ªdeliberately choosing the moment when Alan hadn''t yet risen to his feet.


    Alan was caught off guard.


    He was blasted backward, tumbling several times across the ground before finally coming to a stop.


    Kelin approached, towering over him, sneering.


    "Didn''t you enjoy slaughtering our students earlier? Where''s that arrogance now?"


    "Get up! If I can''t make you pay for the lives of those students today, then I''m not worthy of the name Kelin!"


    With that, he placed a heavy boot on Alan''s chest and began pressing down with force.


    Alan coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips as pain twisted across his face.


    But just as the situation turned critical¡ª


    A new figure arrived, intervening with lightning speed.


    Kelin was forcibly knocked away, saving Alan''s life at the last second.


    "Kelin, bullying a boy like this¡ªdo you really think Sirius Academy has no one left?"


    Both Kelin and Alan looked toward the voice.


    Their reactions couldn''t have been more different.


    Kelin''s face twisted in anger.


    Alan, meanwhile, lit up with joy.


    "Headmaster Gayle! You came!"


    Gayle smiled, reaching out to ruffle Alan''s hair affectionately.


    "If I didn''t come, was I supposed to just sit by and watch that old bastard beat you to death?"


    Kelin''s brow furrowed. He growled,


    "You damn old man¡ªwho are you calling¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Gayle vanished.


    In the blink of an eye.


    Kelin tensed immediately, eyes darting around, watching for a sudden strike.


    But Gayle never reappeared.


    Instead¡ª


    A crushing gravitational force slammed Kelin flat against the ground.


    No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn''t move.


    Everyone nearby¡ªespecially the Lioncrest students¡ªstood frozen in disbelief.


    This was Vice Headmaster Kelin, a confirmed tier-diamond mage.


    And yet¡­


    He couldn''t even withstand a single spell from Gayle?


    Kelin himself was in shock.


    He forced his head up, glaring at the man now standing beside Alan once more.


    "What¡­ what kind of magic is this?!" he spat, blood pooling between his teeth.


    Gayle didn''t respond with words.


    He simply clenched his fist.


    The pressure increased immediately.


    Kelin''s bones groaned under the weight, and still he couldn''t move.


    Strangely, the crushed stones around him¡­ began to float upward, defying gravity.


    The sight struck Kelin with a dreadful realization.


    "Gravitational inversion¡­ manipulation of natural law¡­ You¡ª"


    His eyes widened in horror.


    "Your power¡­ it surpasses tier-diamond?!"


    Crack!


    At that moment, Kelin''s leg was crushed into fragments by the gravity alone.


    Gayle pulled out a small silver flask, took a sip, then made a casual downward gesture with his hand.


    Suddenly, the earth around Kelin convulsed.


    It lifted violently into the air, forming a floating platform like a miniature island.


    Kelin was pinned to its center, completely immobilized.


    Then, just as quickly as it rose, the platform plummeted.


    Boom!


    The floating mass slammed into the ground with catastrophic force.


    Kelin''s organs ruptured from the impact¡ªshattered beyond repair.


    His body was broken, battered, and utterly ruined.


    "Cough¡­ cough¡­"


    Blood and tissue spilled from his mouth in chunks.


    Barely conscious, he lifted his head with what little strength remained.


    "All these years¡­ you never revealed your true power¡­ You''re a terrifying actor¡­"


    Gayle frowned in disgust, then spat a mouthful of wine-laced phlegm in Kelin''s face.


    Without sparing him another glance, he turned and helped Alan up.


    At the same time, Francis and Fort finally arrived, rushing to support their student.


    They took Alan from Gayle, expressions grim.


    "Alan, are you alright?" Fort asked, his voice laced with concern.


    Alan wanted to reply, to say he was fine.


    But the moment he opened his mouth¡ª


    A torrent of blood burst forth, spilling down his chin.


    Clearly, during Kelin''s sneak attack, he hadn''t held back in the slightest.


    Though Alan appeared uninjured on the outside, internally, his mana circuits were completely shattered. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His breathing turned shallow.


    His consciousness began to dim.


    And in that moment¡­


    The entire capital finally realized¡ª


    This old drunkard of a headmaster, Gayle, wasn''t just a harmless relic of Sirius Academy.


    He was a monster in disguise.

 Chapter 569 - Chapter125-Outnumbered but Undaunted

    Seeing Alan so gravely wounded, Francis clenched his teeth in fury.


    He stepped forward and shouted toward the collapsed Kelin,


    "You''re the vice headmaster of an academy, and you dare interfere in a battle between students?!"


    "Kelin! Are you even human?! Have you no shame?!"


    "If the rest of Lioncrest Academy are as shameless as you, then I''d say your institution has already reached the end of its road!"


    Fort followed with a snarl of his own, voice like a blade.


    "Disgraceful! Despicable!"


    Headmaster Gayle frowned and quickly pulled both of them back. His tone turned sharp with authority.


    "Enough talk! Get Alan out of here for treatment¡ªimmediately!"


    But Alan, who had seemed near death just moments ago, suddenly stirred.


    Thanks to the Stone of Sage, and its immense reservoir of vital energy, his internal injuries were already beginning to heal.


    He gently pushed Gayle aside, gripped his Holy Sword Staff, and slowly rose to his feet.


    Turning toward Lioncrest Academy''s gates, he shouted:


    "Headmaster Gayle! The students of Sirius Academy are not cowards!"


    "If anyone dares to insult us, to attack us, we''ll return it a hundredfold¡ªa thousandfold!"


    "So what if we''re outnumbered?! I never intended to walk out of here alive today!"


    "If I can''t take down every last one of them, I don''t deserve to live with my name!"


    His voice boomed with righteousness, sparking something deep in Francis''s chest.


    "Gayle, have you lost your mind?!"


    "These arrogant bastards dared to kidnap someone from our academy in broad daylight¡ªwho knows what they''ll try next?!"


    "If we let this go today, then what are we telling the world? That Sirius Academy is soft? Weak? Easy to push around?"


    "No. This fight needs to happen! They need to bleed. They need to fear us. Only then will they hesitate before coming after us again!"


    Beside him, Fort pressed a hand on Gayle''s shoulder, voice low and firm.


    "I''m not leaving either."


    Gayle let out a long sigh.


    "¡­You''re not wrong, but¡ª"


    "No ''buts''! Not now!"


    Before Gayle could argue further, Francis turned and saw Alan already charging back toward Lioncrest Academy, holy sword blazing.


    His jaw dropped.


    "Seriously? Not even gonna hesitate?"


    Fort gave him a playful shove from behind.


    "Well? You going or not?"


    Francis grinned.


    "Going, obviously! What kind of man would I be if I didn''t?"


    The two of them bolted after Alan, plunging through the gates and clashing with the wave of Lioncrest students awaiting inside.


    Just then, another figure rushed past Gayle and joined the fray.


    It was Blanche¡ªstill injured, her wounds barely closed.


    Now, all four of Sirius Academy''s frontline fighters had thrown caution to the wind, transforming into ruthless warriors, carving a blood-soaked path through Lioncrest territory.


    Seeing this, Gayle gave up on restraint. He stepped forward and blocked both Krom and Kelin, voice ice cold.


    "Let the kids settle this themselves. If either of you old relics wants to join the fight¡ª"


    "You''ll have to get past me first."


    Krom''s expression soured.


    He turned to a servant and whispered urgently,


    "Go¡ªget the headmaster. Now."


    The servant responded quickly,


    "Sir, the Headmaster has already received word. He''ll be returning soon."


    That news brought a hint of color back to Krom''s face.


    They had no chance against Gayle, not with their combined strength. Only their headmaster could suppress this monstrous old man.


    And once Gayle was tied down¡ª


    Alan and the others wouldn''t last a minute.


    Those children were fierce, yes¡ªbut they were still inexperienced.


    Krom''s eyes turned cold with calculation.


    With renewed confidence, he turned to his students.


    "Gather everyone. All remaining students¡ªNOW. If Sirius Academy won''t play fair, then neither will we."


    As soon as the vice headmaster gave the order, the students responded with roaring morale.


    They charged forward in waves, flooding toward Alan and his allies like a tidal surge.


    Soon, the four Sirius students found themselves surrounded by over a hundred enemies¡ªeach one emitting mana waves no weaker than tier-silver.


    Francis''s blood ran cold.


    "Okay, um¡­ maybe we should consider a strategic retreat?"


    Fort gave him a sidelong glare.


    "Retreat? Now?"


    Francis waved his hands.


    "Not retreat¡ªstrategic repositioning. There''s a difference!"


    Fort snorted.


    "There''s no difference. You''re just from Mist Woods and bad at hiding it."


    "Excuse me¡ª!"


    Before their bickering could escalate, Alan began his assault anew.


    Mana blades, crafted from dense, pure magical energy, flew like guillotine discs from his staff¡ªmowing down enemies like a high-speed reaper.


    Those lucky enough to survive the first strike would find themselves entangled by crimson crystal vines, paralyzed, unable to resist.


    And the light sword wreathed in sacred flame was simply too much.


    No one could withstand its power.


    For a moment, Lioncrest''s advance faltered.


    But then, they changed tactics.


    Rather than confronting Alan head-on, they began coordinated ambushes from his flanks and rear.


    Even someone as powerful as Alan couldn''t handle attacks from all sides.


    His reaction speed dropped. The conjuring speed of his light sword lagged behind the growing number of threats.


    And there were many.


    Lioncrest Academy had unleashed their full force.


    Each of the Sirius students now faced enemies outnumbering them tenfold¡ªeven twentyfold.


    BAM!


    Alan repelled three attackers in quick succession¡ªonly to be struck from behind by a fourth.


    His body was hurled through the air, slamming into the academy''s stone tiles with a sickening crunch.


    Francis, Fort, and Blanche weren''t faring any better.


    They were doing everything they could just to hold their defensive formation. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But the tsunami of enemies didn''t let up.


    Now that they held the upper hand, the Lioncrest forces grew frenzied with bloodlust.


    Yes, they had kidnapped someone.


    Yes, Alan had retaliated with blood.


    But revenge breeds revenge, and now, this hatred could no longer be quelled.


    There would be no peace today.


    Only one side would walk away alive.


    Suddenly¡ª


    "To the side gate!"


    Francis heard Alan''s voice, transmitted directly into his mind via mana.


    He turned, startled, only to see that Fort and Blanche were already reacting¡ªexpressions grim but resolute.


    Without a word, the three of them began pushing toward the side entrance of Lioncrest Academy.

 Chapter 570 - Chapter126-Pillar of Sacred Flame That Burns All

    The side gate of Lioncrest Academy was nothing like the grand main entrance.


    Jagged artificial hills and dense rock formations framed the path, narrowing the terrain to a passage only wide enough for two people to walk abreast.


    Since Alan and his allies were retreating while fighting, and Lioncrest students were careful not to injure their own in the chaos, the pressure on them was instantly relieved¡ªthey only needed to deal with the few students in front.


    That''s when Alan barked,


    "Open the side gate. You go first. I''ll cover the rear!"


    Not a single one of them questioned his command.


    After fending off yet another wave of attackers, Francis, Fort, and Blanche pushed open the side gate and quickly slipped through.


    Alan, now alone, pressed his palm to his chest¡ªthen clenched.


    A torrent of vital energy surged outward from within him.


    Where it landed, it bloomed into crystalline flowers¡ªeach with an intricate design, their colors glowing brilliantly like gemstones under the sun.


    But this was only the beginning.


    Alan summoned his Holy Sword Staff, but this time, not to fight directly¡ªrather, as a conduit.


    "Light Sword Art!"


    With a mighty roar, countless blades wreathed in sacred flame erupted from the ground¡ªspear-like swords driving forward with unstoppable momentum toward the pursuing Lioncrest students.


    They tried to dodge, but it was already too late.


    The moment the sacred swords made contact with the vital energy on the ground, they expanded, swelling into towering pillars of flame.


    In the blink of an eye, several Lioncrest students were engulfed by the raging infernos¡ªconsumed so thoroughly that not even their bones remained.


    And it didn''t stop there.


    Those who hadn''t been directly struck by the fire pillars were still writhing in agony nearby.


    The waves of searing heat had scorched their skin, rendering them immobile. Though technically alive, they were functionally no different from corpses.


    Watching this devastation unfold, Krom, who had been observing from a distance, suddenly felt his throat tighten.


    This kind of annihilating power couldn''t possibly come from a mere tier-bronze Magus!


    As the flames slowly dissipated, the remaining Lioncrest students found themselves paralyzed by fear.


    They had once howled for vengeance, vowing to tear Alan to pieces.


    But now, they were staring down a figure that seemed to embody death itself.


    Alan no longer looked like a student. He was an executioner.


    "Hey! Did you guys see that?!"


    From just beyond the side gate, Francis was still watching, waving frantically at the others.


    "That pillar of fire¡ªboom!¡ªand then they were just gone!"


    "Alan''s a monster! Think he''s got another one of those in him?"


    Alan, hearing the teasing tone, allowed himself a crooked smile.


    He unleashed another wave of vital energy, spilling it onto the terrain like divine ink.


    Then, he planted the tip of his Holy Sword Staff into the ground.


    The earth beneath his feet began to rumble¡ªmagma-like energy churned below the surface.


    Those who had dared to remain no longer dared to face him.


    The Lioncrest students turned and fled in all directions.


    That''s when Headmaster Stephen finally returned.


    Seeing their leader appear, the wounded and demoralized students felt a flicker of hope.


    Stephen''s expression was stormy.


    He glanced at the charred corpses littering the gate¡­ then at the blood-soaked lion crest carved into the stone beneath them.


    His rage boiled beneath the surface.


    Ignoring all objections, he walked straight toward Alan and said coldly,


    "Why?"


    Alan didn''t respond. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Instead, he drove the Holy Sword Staff into the ground once more.


    BOOM!


    Another Pillar of Sacred Flame erupted into the sky, consuming more of the fleeing students in its blazing wrath.


    Stephen had seen enough.


    In a flash, he lunged forward and seized Alan by the throat, lifting him off the ground.


    But before he could squeeze¡ª


    A hand reached out and slapped Stephen''s away, effortlessly freeing Alan.


    Stephen turned sharply.


    Old Gayle.


    He narrowed his eyes.


    "You Sirius Academy fools¡­ have you all gone mad?"


    Gayle didn''t answer. He simply pulled out his familiar silver flask, took a calm sip¡ª


    ¡ªand then let it drop.


    Clang.


    The sound echoed unnaturally.


    To Stephen, it rang like a thunderclap.


    He looked down¡ª


    His own body was splintering like glass, thousands of fractures spidering across his skin.


    A surreal vision gripped him.


    In that moment, he whispered:


    "Reality rewriting¡­ cognitive distortion¡­ You¡­ you''ve reached Legendary."


    Gayle met his gaze with a tinge of scorn.


    "So what if I''ve rewritten reality? The people we lost won''t return."


    "There are only four Legendary mages left in the Plantagenet Kingdom. You''re one. I''m another."


    "If you really want to turn this into a war, then come. I''ve got nothing left to lose."


    "And before this life of mine burns out, I''ll make sure to drag Lioncrest Academy into hell with me."


    Stephen held his gaze in silence for a long while.


    Gayle was unhinged.


    A lunatic.


    But he wasn''t willing to become one too.


    Lioncrest Academy might have strength in numbers, yes. If they fought, they would likely win in the end.


    But the cost¡­


    To defeat Gayle would require Stephen, plus three more headmasters¡ªand even then, victory wasn''t guaranteed.


    The academy would be razed to the ground. The students decimated. Their legacy in ruins.


    Meanwhile, Sirius Academy had nothing left to lose.


    If they fought¡­ was it really worth it?


    Stephen asked himself that over and over.


    And every time, the answer was no.


    But then¡­ his gaze swept across the scorched remains of his students.


    Rage flared in his eyes.


    "Fine," he said slowly.


    "I can overlook your little intrusion."


    "But¡ª"


    He suddenly pointed at Alan.


    "This one. This murderer. Must answer for the lives he took. If you insist on protecting him¡ªthen prepare to face the consequences. Even if I have to bury Lioncrest Academy in the process, I won''t hesitate."


    The moment those words fell, spatial magic ripples spread out from Stephen''s body.


    Moments later, multiple white-robed mages appeared around Gayle, Alan, Francis, and the others.


    They made no effort to hide their strength.


    Each one exuded mana pressure that could only belong to tier-diamond powerhouses.

 Chapter 571 - Chapter127-Fight to the Death!

    The moment the white-robed mages appeared, their gazes locked murderously onto Alan.


    Their presence wasn''t just symbolic.


    They represented the stance of Headmaster Stephen¡ªand by extension, the stance of the entire Lioncrest Academy.


    So many students had perished right outside the academy''s gates today. As headmaster, Stephen had no choice but to give an explanation. To the faculty. To the students. To the academy''s pride.


    And the only "solution" he could think of¡­ was to put all the blame on Alan¡ªmake Alan die in their place.


    A convenient scapegoat, yes, but also a calculated move.


    Because Stephen wasn''t just reacting to this one event.


    He had watched Alan¡ªhow he fought, how he killed. His power was unnatural.


    Sure, the weaker students didn''t stand a chance¡ªbut even Eisen, his prized disciple, had fallen to Alan.


    If Alan could kill Eisen today, who could he kill tomorrow?


    The vice headmaster?


    Stephen himself?


    That was a future Stephen could not allow.


    Especially with the long-anticipated life-or-death duel between Sirius and Lioncrest looming on the horizon.


    Alan was already terrifying now.


    If left unchecked, how monstrous would he become?


    And as if that wasn''t enough, Krom had told him¡ªwhen Alan slaughtered Eisen and the others, there were bystanders watching just outside the academy walls!


    Lioncrest Academy hadn''t just lost students.


    They''d lost face.


    They were publicly humiliated.


    To Stephen, if Alan didn''t die today, it would be a travesty of justice.


    As Stephen made his stance clear, Francis, Fort, and Blanche stepped forward without hesitation.


    They stood beside Alan and Old Gayle, eyes resolute, ready to fight and die together.


    Gayle slowly shook his head, his eyes¡ªthough murky with age¡ªshining with unshakable determination.


    "So¡­ there''s really no other way?"


    Stephen scoffed.


    "Did I stutter, old man? Or are your ears too ancient to hear clearly?"


    Gayle waved dismissively, refusing to engage in further back-and-forth. Instead, he turned to Alan.


    "You heard him. Now I ask you¡ªwhat do you want to do?"


    Alan was quiet for a moment, then answered slowly:


    "This all started because of me. If Headmaster, you truly wish to end this without escalation¡­ I''ll accept that."


    "I''ll take responsibility. I''ll die to settle the score with Lioncrest Academy."


    Gayle let out a long sigh.


    "¡­And yet, that''s clearly not how you really feel, is it?"


    Alan froze.


    Then clenched his fists and grit his teeth.


    "Of course it''s not."


    "Sure, maybe my death would buy temporary peace. Maybe Lioncrest would back off¡ªfor now."


    "But what about later?"


    "Lioncrest Academy is infamous for double-dealing, backstabbing, and broken promises. They''ve done it plenty of times before."


    "They kidnapped my sister. I came here to demand justice. And now I''m supposed to die for it?"


    Alan''s voice grew louder, fiercer.


    "Headmaster, I don''t know what you''re afraid of¡ªbut I''m done bowing my head."


    "Sirius has lived in Lioncrest''s shadow for too long. They push us around, and we just stand aside. Smile and pretend we''re not hurting."


    "While their reputation soars, ours rots."


    "I don''t want to spend my life groveling. I don''t want this storm cloud hanging over my head forever!"


    "If Lioncrest Academy wants my life¡ªthen I say this: Come and take it!"


    "I''ve had plenty of enemies before. Back home, they tried to bury me too."


    "But in the end, I was the one still breathing. And they? They vanished¡ªdead or fled, none left to brag."


    Alan spun on his heel and faced the entirety of Lioncrest Academy, his roar echoing like thunder.


    "I''m standing here. Come at me! If you think you can kill me, then do it!"


    "And if I''ve still got a single breath left in me¡ªI''ll crawl into your academy and tear you apart tooth by tooth!"


    "Well said!"


    Francis couldn''t hold back anymore. Alan''s words lit a fire in his soul.


    "Old Gayle, he''s absolutely right!"


    "We can lose pride, but never dignity!"


    "Letting people insult us, hurt our loved ones, and just staying quiet? That''s not humility¡ªthat''s cowardice!"


    "And I refuse to be a coward!"


    "As long as Lioncrest exists, Sirius will never be able to raise its head. And I''m sick of that."


    Francis glanced at Isabella, huddled behind the noblewoman, and his expression turned dark.


    "They dared to take Isabella today. Tomorrow it could be Blanche. Or me. Or Fort. Or even Alan again."


    "Sirius barely has any students left¡ªif we''re all wiped out today, then what academy is left for you to run, old man?"


    "So today, I say this¡ªif it costs me my life, so be it."


    "One of us dies today. Them or us. You decide."


    Fort didn''t say much¡ªbut his quiet voice carried weight:


    "I''m not leaving either."


    Blanche wiped the blood from her face.


    She was injured¡ªbadly. But there wasn''t a shred of hesitation in her eyes.


    Old Gayle''s chest swelled with pride.


    These students¡­ reminded him of that battle, years ago.


    When Sirius stood on the brink of annihilation.


    Back then too, even though they were outnumbered, outmatched¡ªthey stood tall.


    For the dignity of their academy.


    Gayle turned back to Stephen, voice steady:


    "You heard them, Stephen."


    "Today, we settle this."


    "Let the capital decide who the fiercest beast truly is."


    "The victor will claim everything. The loser¡­ extinction."


    With that, Gayle crushed his silver flask in one hand.


    Crash!


    The pungent scent of liquor flooded the air, and with it¡ªan overwhelming surge of mana. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All around them, the world grew heavy.


    A distant gong rang through the air¡ªslow, solemn, inevitable.


    The sky turned dark.


    The sun and moon lost their luster.


    And from the heavens, a massive celestial body began to descend.


    It shimmered with a dark violet glow, spiraling with gravitational distortion.


    Grass, trees, pebbles¡ªanything not rooted deep¡ªwas pulled toward it.


    To the untrained eye, it was as if Gayle had dragged down a star from the heavens.


    Gayle grinned wildly, lifting a fist.


    "Stephen¡­ I made this move just for you."


    "Let''s see if you can take it."


    And then¡ªhe slammed his fist forward.


    The star in the sky trembled¡ªthen plunged downward¡ª


    directly toward Stephen.

 Chapter 572 - Chapter128-I Advise You to Think Twice

    Stephen stood motionless, brows tightly furrowed, feeling the weight of the oppressive pressure before him.


    He couldn''t wrap his head around it.


    Was Gayle really about to burn all bridges with Lioncrest Academy¡­ for Alan?


    Was it worth it?


    From both a rational and emotional standpoint, sacrificing an entire academy for a single student was the worst decision a headmaster could make.


    Gayle shouldn''t be that kind of man¡ªhe never had been.


    But what Stephen didn''t realize¡­ was that Gayle saw further and clearer than anyone.


    True, Alan was a newcomer to Sirius Academy¡ªhe had no background, no connections, and no deep-rooted ties to the academy.


    But Gayle sensed something rare and irreplaceable in him.


    A magnetic pull. A force of cohesion.


    Because of Alan, Francis and Fort chose to stay.


    Even Blanche, Gayle''s own granddaughter, followed the same path.


    Alan''s presence had sparked something in people who had long given up on dreams.


    He gave them hope.


    If Gayle were to abandon Alan today for the sake of some "peaceful settlement" with Lioncrest, Francis would be the first to walk away. He wouldn''t tolerate the betrayal.


    More importantly, Alan''s potential¡ªthe speed of his growth¡ªwas so astonishing, Gayle was willing to cast aside everything just to protect him.


    To forsake such a student over political posturing?


    That would be the true disgrace.


    Because it would mean students weren''t people¡ªthey were just bargaining chips.


    And no one enters an academy to become someone else''s currency.


    As Gayle''s mana surged with increasing ferocity, the white-robed tier-diamond mages Stephen had summoned began to visibly tremble.


    They backed away, step by step, eyes wide with disbelief.


    Legendary mage.


    That was the rank Gayle had reached¡ªone of only four in the entire Plantagenet Kingdom.


    Even the most battle-hardened diamond mages paled in comparison to a single Legendary.


    In the world of mages, each rank grew exponentially in power.


    Don''t be fooled by how short the step seemed¡ªfrom diamond to Legendary.


    That single step was greater than the chasm from iron to diamond.


    Even if every single mage in Lioncrest Academy stood together, they likely couldn''t defeat Gayle.


    That wasn''t arrogance. That was reality.


    Diamond mages bent to reality.


    Legendary mages rewrote it.


    "Damn it!"


    Stephen''s jaw clenched hard enough to grind his teeth.


    He had already calculated the odds.


    Even if Lioncrest threw everything they had into a fight with Sirius, it would be a brutal, thankless war.


    That was why he''d offered Alan as the scapegoat.


    Let Sirius admit fault, take the loss, and walk away.


    But what he hadn''t expected¡­ was for Sirius to fight like cornered beasts¡ªeven Gayle, that famously reclusive drunkard, was now prepared to risk it all for a single student.


    What made Alan so special?!


    The air grew charged. A fight seemed inevitable.


    That''s when¡ª


    From the horizon came a soft, almost weary sigh.


    Everyone instinctively turned their heads.


    There, floating calmly in the sky, was an old man with flaming red hair.


    Without a word, he descended and placed a hand gently on Gayle''s shoulder.


    "Gayle," he said with a smile, "can''t we talk this out like old friends? Must it come to this?"


    Gayle blinked, eyebrows knotting.


    Then, recognizing the man, he snapped irritably,


    "You decrepit fool. Just woke up and already looking for trouble? What, you bored in retirement?"


    The red-haired elder shrugged.


    "I''m not here to make trouble. I''m here to protect what''s left of our Plantagenet Kingdom¡­" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That sentence silenced the crowd.


    Alan blinked and leaned closer to Gayle.


    "Headmaster¡­ who is this?"


    Gayle sighed and shook his head. He knew exactly why this man had come: to stop a war from breaking out.


    "You kids are too young to remember," Gayle said.


    "That red-headed bastard is none other than the former king of the Plantagenet Kingdom¡ªDenken Charlie, also known as Charlie the First."


    Then, with a roll of his eyes, Gayle added,


    "And¡­ like me and Stephen, he''s also one of the four Legendary mages still alive."


    "WHAT?!"


    Alan couldn''t believe it.


    This lazy-looking old man, who had floated in with a yawn, was not only the founding monarch, but also one of the strongest mages in the world?


    Denken chuckled and gave a sheepish wave, saying nothing more.


    Instead, he turned toward Stephen.


    "Stephen, long time no see. Still in good health?"


    Stephen snorted coldly, ignoring him.


    Unfazed, Denken went on,


    "I didn''t expect things to escalate like this. How about we¡­ end it here?"


    "For my sake."


    That line landed like a stone dropped into still water.


    Stephen''s face darkened instantly.


    "You want me to let it go? Just like that? And what about my students, huh?"


    He pointed at the burned corpses near the gate.


    "Do those charred bodies mean nothing?!"


    Denken''s face grew solemn.


    Even he didn''t have a perfect solution.


    He had only come to prevent something worse¡ªbecause the truth was, the Plantagenet Kingdom had external threats aplenty.


    Most notably from the Barton Kingdom.


    They couldn''t afford internal conflict on top of that.


    If there was one lesson Denken had learned during his reign, it was this:


    "You have to hold the bowl level."


    Even if you can''t make it perfectly even, you must never let it spill. Never let others drink your portion.


    After a long pause, Denken finally said:


    "Stephen, Lioncrest Academy has a long and proud history."


    "Its traditions, its legacy¡ªit''s one of the jewels of our kingdom."


    "But Sirius, though it''s weakened, has¡­ how do they say¡­ grown a few new fangs."


    "If Gayle fights seriously, even Lioncrest might not walk away unscathed."


    "And if word got out that Sirius defeated Lioncrest?"


    "All the prestige you''ve worked so hard to build¡­ gone."


    "Stephen, you''re not a child anymore. Don''t let your emotions lead you. Think about the future."


    Stephen remained silent, brows furrowed.


    He knew¡­ what Denken said was the truth.


    But knowing it and accepting it were two different things.


    Humans are creatures ruled by a tangled web of logic and emotion.


    If everyone always listened to reason, there would be no vengeance. No wars. No grudges.


    And yet¡­


    Seeing Stephen still hesitate, Denken added one final piece:


    "Stephen, I advise you to think carefully."


    "Stay the course. Keep building. In a few more years, your efforts might be recognized by the Sacred Realm."


    "But if you make the wrong decision here today¡­"


    "That door might close forever."

 Chapter 573 - Chapter129-Bounty Issued

    "Sacred Realm¡­"


    Stephen softly repeated the name, his eyes flickering with a trace of hesitation.


    The legendary Sacred Realm¡ªevery mage''s dreamland.


    It was said that in that realm, mana flowed like gentle streams across the land, so abundant that even the earth itself seemed alive. That mana nourished a myriad of elemental lifeforms, and deep within the Sacred Realm, there were even clusters of highly concentrated mana crystals¡ªenough to supply hundreds of mages at once.


    Even the wandering, rustic mages who roamed the countryside yearned for the Sacred Realm. Let alone those from elite institutions like Lioncrest Academy, backed by the imperial capital of the Plantagenet Kingdom.


    In fact, even Stephen himself had only agreed to become the headmaster of Lioncrest because he had heard rumors that the Plantagenet Kingdom held secret pathways to the Sacred Realm.


    Unfortunately, the old fox Denken had kept that secret well-guarded, never revealing even a clue.


    Seeing Stephen''s hesitation, Denken continued, "Although I don''t fully understand the situation, from what I''ve observed, the root of the conflict seems to lie with your students."


    "In that case, we old folks shouldn''t get involved so easily. Otherwise, the fighting will never end."


    "In my opinion, if the conflict is among students, then let the students settle it themselves. That way, it shows that you two headmasters are reasonable and open-minded. Besides, through these confrontations, your students can grow rapidly, don''t you think?"


    Old Gayle pondered for a moment. He had to admit that Denken''s words made some sense. He nodded and said, "Let''s go with your plan, old emperor. But I wonder¡­ will Stephen agree to this?"


    Upon hearing this, Denken turned his gaze back to Stephen.


    Stephen let out a sigh and replied, "I''m not like some people. When Emperor Denken speaks, how could I possibly refuse?"


    But then, his tone suddenly changed. "That said, I don''t trust the people from Sirius Academy. Unless we establish a rule that absolutely no one can break, there''s no way we''ll come to a truce."


    "A rule that absolutely no one can break?" Denken raised an eyebrow, then said, "How about this¡ªno one above tier-diamond strength is allowed to interfere. After all, these high-level mages wouldn''t dare make a move under our watchful eyes. If they do, they''ll leave traces behind."


    Old Gayle found the suggestion fair and didn''t raise any objections.


    But Stephen''s reaction was visibly resistant.


    "No good! If we only restrict by strength level, Sirius Academy can exploit plenty of loopholes. What if they call in outside help? That''ll only complicate things even more."


    "If you ask me, instead of limiting strength, we should limit age. Only those under thirty can take part in the conflict. Anyone older than that is strictly forbidden from intervening. Now that would be fair, don''t you think, Emperor Denken?"


    Denken frowned slightly, and Gayle cast a thoughtful glance at Stephen. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They weren''t fools. The difference in fairness between restricting strength and restricting age was obvious.


    But Stephen insisted on the age restriction¡ªit was clear he had some hidden agenda.


    Still, Gayle had no solid reason to refute him, and neither did Denken.


    After a long silence, Denken finally said, "Age restriction¡­ isn''t entirely unreasonable. Gayle, are you willing to accept his terms?"


    Gayle''s face darkened slightly. He swept his gaze over Alan and the other Sirius students, then said flatly, "Do I really have another choice?"


    With that, he turned and walked into the midst of his students, leading them away from Lioncrest Academy without another word.


    Seeing the temporary resolution of the conflict, Denken said nothing further. He activated a teleportation spell and vanished without a trace.


    At this moment, at the blood-stained gates of Lioncrest Academy, only Stephen remained¡ªstanding alone amidst piles of corpses, his face ashen and terrifyingly grim.


    "H-Headmaster¡­"


    Krom trembled as he stepped forward, but before he could finish, Stephen spun around and slapped him across the face.


    The blow was so sudden, Krom collapsed to the ground in a daze. He looked up in confusion at the headmaster of Lioncrest Academy.


    "It''s all because of you!"


    Stephen shot him a chilling glare and growled, "If you hadn''t handed Alan over to Sirius, none of this would''ve happened today!"


    "Because of your blind ignorance, the academy has suffered massive losses. Krom, you''re a disgrace to Lioncrest Academy!"


    Stephen''s voice grew louder with every word. The tier-diamond white-robed mages he had brought with him now approached, their eyes cold as ice, staring at Krom.


    At this moment, Krom was overwhelmed with regret.


    If only he and Hivrael hadn''t rejected Alan when he first came to enroll at the academy¡­


    If Alan had joined Lioncrest, with his monstrous growth speed and Lioncrest''s abundant resources, he would''ve become the most dazzling genius the imperial capital had seen in years.


    Even Beatrice and Eisen would have been overshadowed by him.


    Meanwhile, Sirius Academy¡ªwithout Alan¡ªwould have remained as insignificant as a stray dog on the roadside, ripe for Lioncrest''s manipulation.


    Not like today, where they were forced to stake the lives of their entire student body just to salvage the situation.


    Krom pounded the ground weakly. He was filled with remorse, frustration, and a desperate wish to turn back time¡ªto the day Alan first arrived in the capital, so he could undo his foolish decision.


    But alas, no such spell existed in the world.


    Not only Krom, even Stephen was now filled with bitter regret. If only he had paid more attention to that unremarkable new student¡­ If only he had happened to walk by that day¡­


    Maybe then, he wouldn''t have let Alan slip through his fingers.


    But it was too late. The past was the past, and all Stephen could do now was focus on protecting Lioncrest Academy from further harm at the hands of Sirius.


    With that thought, Stephen slowly crouched down and asked Krom, "Where is Hivrael now?"


    Krom trembled as he replied, "He¡­ he should still be in the capital."


    Stephen''s eyes narrowed coldly. "Kill him. Don''t come back unless you do."


    Krom froze for a moment, then scrambled to his feet and ran off in a panic toward the capital.


    Not long after Krom''s departure, Stephen turned to the white-robed mages and issued a chilling command.


    "I want bounties posted not just across the Plantagenet Kingdom, but in all neighboring nations as well."


    "Anyone who kills a member of Sirius Academy will receive a personal reward from me¡ªmana stones worth no less than one million."


    "And in addition to that," he added, "they''ll receive high-tier magic scrolls¡ªsome even tier-platinum."


    One of the white-robed mages frowned and asked hesitantly, "But Headmaster¡­ didn''t you just say that neither side should bring in outside help?"


    Stephen sneered. "I said they aren''t allowed to bring in outsiders. I never said we couldn''t."


    "Besides, the bounties are posted anonymously. As long as the truth isn''t exposed, who would know these bounty hunters were sent by us? They''re driven by instinct¡ªfollowing the scent of gold like hounds."

 Chapter 574 - Chapter130-The Kingdom’s Support

    The white-robed mage said nothing more. He simply bowed his head and departed, heading off to carry out Stephen''s latest order.


    Although to Stephen, that order had merely been spoken in passing¡ªjust a few casual words¡ªonce it was time for the white-robed mages to actually execute it, the complexity of the task became immediately apparent.


    Why? Because the scope of Stephen''s bounty was simply too vast.


    Even ignoring the neighboring countries of Charlie, Barton, and Kent, there were nearly a hundred nations of varying sizes within the Kener Continent, such as the Jiner Kingdom.


    And beyond these established kingdoms, there existed secluded families and hidden cults that rarely revealed themselves to the outside world. These reclusive powers hardly ever surfaced, but the moment an event with enough profit potential occurred, they would descend like sharks catching the scent of blood¡ªone after another, emerging from the shadows. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And clearly, the anonymous bounty issued by Lioncrest Academy was exactly that kind of lucrative opportunity.


    Just look at what Stephen was offering in his vendetta against Sirius Academy:


    Scrolls containing high-grade spells¡ªsome gold-tier, others even tier-platinum. Over a million mana stones¡ªnot the cheap, impure level-1 or level-2 varieties, but high-purity tier-3 mana stones.


    A famous bounty hunter had once said:


    If there''s a 10% profit margin, low-level bounty hunters will start to appear everywhere.


    If there''s a 20% margin, mid-tier bounty hunters will eagerly join the fray.


    And if there''s a 50% profit margin, even the most powerful bounty hunters will risk their lives to compete.


    Stephen''s offer far exceeded that¡ªit wasn''t a 50% profit, but a staggering 300% return.


    As a result, those money-obsessed "hyenas" would now charge into the imperial capital of the Plantagenet Kingdom with reckless abandon, doing everything in their power to take the lives of Sirius Academy''s students.


    And that was exactly what Stephen wanted to see.


    Meanwhile, back in the imperial capital, Alan and the others had returned to Sirius Academy under Old Gayle''s protection to rest and recover.


    But the stories surrounding Alan were spreading through the capital like wildfire.


    Some claimed that Alan had defeated Lioncrest Academy''s top student, Eisen, only through sheer dumb luck.


    Others speculated that Sirius Academy''s aggressive actions were a sign of their impending rise and a declaration of war.


    One artist had even sketched the scene of Alan standing before the gates of Lioncrest, having drawn a massive blood-red lion insignia on the ground using the corpses of students.


    When he displayed his work, the artist humbly admitted that his drawing only captured the barest sliver of the real horror¡ªwitnesses swore the actual scene had been ten times more terrifying.


    For a time, everyone in the capital was talking.


    And no matter where the conversations started, they all eventually circled back to one name¡ªAlan.


    So young, yet already powerful enough to utterly dominate every single student at Lioncrest Academy.


    And more than that¡ªrumors now swirled that Alan was one of the rare, mythical mages who could wield all elemental forces.


    From this day forward, no one dared look down on Sirius Academy.


    After today''s battle, everyone silently equated Sirius with Lioncrest¡ªand in many minds, Sirius had already surpassed them.


    "Brother¡­ Brother''s back!"


    At the front gates of Sirius Academy, Isabella had been waiting anxiously for what felt like an eternity. The moment she saw Alan''s figure appear, she bolted toward him, throwing herself into his arms and burying her head in his chest.


    Alan let out a helpless chuckle, squatting down and gently lifting his sister up.


    "Relax," he said with a smile. "I''m not going anywhere. Didn''t I promise you I''d come back alive?"


    Isabella didn''t say a word¡ªshe just wept.


    Seeing this, Alan didn''t try to say more. The poor girl had been frightened far too much this time. Letting her cry would do her good¡ªit would ease the emotional tension inside her.


    After all, crying was fundamentally a form of the body''s self-protection.


    If someone was afraid of embarrassment and forced themselves not to cry, that would only do more harm.


    Alan stood up, stepping past Isabella and walking toward the blindfolded noblewoman. He gave her a deep, respectful bow.


    "Thank you so much for your help. I still don''t know your name."


    The blind noblewoman waved her hand and replied gently, "You may call me Catherine."


    "Truly grateful, Lady Catherine."


    Catherine gave him a faint smile and tapped Alan''s waist with her mana-sensing staff, saying with meaningful weight,


    "To serve the Duke is our sworn duty."


    "Rest assured¡ªif things ever reach a truly irreversible point, the kingdom will stand behind you."


    "So¡­ she''s from the kingdom?"


    Alan looked at her thoughtfully, as if trying to imprint her appearance in his memory.


    But strangely, the more he tried to focus on her features, the blurrier the image became.


    It seemed Catherine had deliberately obscured her appearance using mana.


    By the time Alan regained clarity, the blind noblewoman was already gone¡ªdisappeared without a trace.


    Isabella peeked out from behind Alan''s back, her small head tilting curiously. "Brother, are you tired? Come on, let me take you back to your room to rest!"


    Just then, Francis limped over, putting on a dramatically weak expression as he croaked, "Cough¡­ cough¡­ Isabella, I was injured badly protecting your brother. Don''t you care about me at all?"


    Before he could continue, Fort walked up and delivered a solid kick to his rear.


    "Shameless," he said coldly.


    Unexpectedly, Isabella giggled. She reached out her little hand to ruffle Francis''s hair, then took Fort''s hand and said earnestly, "Thank you, Brother Francis, Brother Fort. You helped my brother so much¡ªthank you!"


    Her sincerity made even Francis feel a bit sheepish. He waved his hand quickly, saying, "Really, it wasn''t a big deal. I''m super strong, you know? These little injuries¡ªI''ll recover in no time."


    "Oh? That so?"


    Old Gayle''s voice rang out behind him.


    Without warning, he appeared and struck Francis squarely in the chest with a burst of mana.


    Francis immediately coughed violently. His whole body shook, his face turned pale as a ghost, and he collapsed like a man with a terminal illness.


    Then Old Fort came over and poured a bunch of pitch-black potions straight into his mouth.


    Only then did some color return to Francis''s face.


    "Heh," Old Gayle said with a smirk. "Doesn''t seem like such a minor injury now, does it? Here¡ªcatch."


    He tossed two more vials of that dark potion toward Fort and Alan.


    Alan didn''t say much. He caught the vial and took Isabella back to their room.


    Francis, meanwhile, struggled to his feet and looked pleadingly at Old Gayle. "You''ve had these awesome potions all along? Why didn''t you bring them out earlier?"


    Old Gayle rolled his eyes and was about to respond when Francis bent down and picked up the empty potion bottle from the ground, muttering to himself, "The packaging''s nice too¡­ wonder how much it''d sell for."


    "Old man, how about giving me a few more of these? We can sell them on the market and use the profits to renovate the academy. You don''t even know¡ªyesterday when I got out of bed, a chunk of plaster fell right on my face!"


    Old Gayle went silent for a long moment. Then he gave Francis a sidelong glance and said dryly, "Is that your final statement?"


    "What¡ªwait, NO! Not the face¡ª!"

 Chapter 575 - Chapter131-Connections

    "Heh, Gayle, you really are the same as always¡ªno mercy at all when disciplining your own students, huh?"


    The old King Denken strolled casually into Sirius Academy, his posture relaxed as if he were simply out for a walk.


    Seeing him arrive, Old Gayle immediately grabbed the swollen-faced, bruised Francis¡ªwho had just taken a solid beating¡ªand tossed him aside like an empty sack.


    "Hmph, only a strict teacher can raise outstanding students," he snorted. "If even the instructors are slack, how can the students be expected to turn out any good?"


    It was a rather shameless statement, considering that before today''s chaos erupted, Old Gayle had been treating most of the Sirius students with complete neglect. He spent his days lounging about, sipping his wine, and living a life of leisure.


    Denken knew this perfectly well, though he didn''t call it out directly. Instead, he offered a tactful nudge. "That''s not quite true. I''ve noticed you weren''t exactly attentive to Alan either, and yet look how that turned out¡ªhis strength shocked both of us, didn''t it?"


    Old Gayle rolled his eyes and replied with sarcasm, "And you, when have you ever shown up to uphold justice? What''s gotten into you today that made you show up in person for once?"


    Denken scratched his nose, chuckling awkwardly.


    "Because I didn''t have a choice."


    "Oh? What do you mean?"


    Denken hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply and confessed, "To be frank, the Plantagenet Kingdom wouldn''t be terribly affected if either one of your academies disappeared."


    "In fact, I''ve been considering whether I should establish a royal academy to compete with you old fossils and poach some talent."


    "I even tried a few times... but in the end, I gave up."


    Gayle chuckled. "Too much trouble?"


    "No," Denken said, his expression growing serious, "because it''s not worth it."


    "At present, having you and Sirius Academy act as a counterbalance to Lioncrest Academy is the ideal arrangement." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If I were to create another faction now, it would disrupt the delicate balance we''ve achieved."


    "And if the day ever comes when you can no longer hold off Lioncrest''s aggression, then even the mages in the capital won''t be enough to resist them. That''s why I chose to support you."


    Old Gayle scoffed, "Still playing your little imperial balancing games, huh?"


    Denken grinned. "Not entirely. To be honest, there''s another reason I have to support Sirius."


    "Oh?" Gayle raised a brow. "And what''s that?"


    He couldn''t recall ever doing anything that would earn Denken''s personal gratitude.


    Denken glanced around, then set up a high-tier soundproofing barrier. Only once it was in place did he lower his voice and say, "You might not know this yet, but Alan''s already been secretly conferred the title of Duke."


    "Moreover, during his time in Ironblood City, he got along quite well with my third granddaughter. So, both sentimentally and politically, I have to back your side, don''t I?"


    Gayle was stunned silent for a moment.


    Alan had brought him too many surprises lately.


    Now it turned out the boy had not only been granted the title of Duke but had also built a connection with the kingdom''s Third Princess?


    And both of these happened to the same student?


    If you''d told Gayle this a month ago, he''d have laughed in your face. It would''ve sounded more like a delusion than a possibility.


    But now¡­ he wasn''t so sure.


    Because he had a feeling¡ªif it was Alan, maybe he really could pull it off.


    Seeing that Gayle had fallen into stunned silence, Denken stepped forward and patted his shoulder with a smile.


    "Don''t be so on edge. I''m not trying to bring Sirius Academy under the kingdom''s thumb. After all, when I first founded this country, my dream was that every citizen could live with freedom."


    Gayle gave him a faint smile and said, "I believe that''s your ideal. But ideals often run into obstacles in the real world."


    "I just hope you remember what you''ve said here today. Don''t become one of those obstacles for that child in the future."


    Denken shook his head vigorously. "Of course not. On the contrary¡ªI won''t be an obstacle. I''ll be one of his greatest allies."


    "That child has a noble heart and has already given so much to the kingdom. Not to mention, he helped my granddaughter quite a lot back in Ironblood City."


    "The royal family is grateful. We would never stand in his way."


    Hearing such a firm promise from the king himself, Old Gayle gave a nod of satisfaction.


    Without saying anything more, he pulled out a fresh flask of wine and walked off toward his personal quarters, drinking as he went.


    Denken also prepared to leave. But just before stepping outside, he paused and looked back at the gates of Sirius Academy, letting out a wistful sigh.


    "A magus¡­ Hah. My Plantagenet Kingdom finally has a true magus."


    Splash, splash¡­


    In the washroom, a mana-powered faucet poured out a steady stream of clean water.


    Isabella crouched underneath it, diligently washing the fresh vegetables she had just picked from the academy''s garden.


    From time to time, she''d lift her arm to wipe the sweat from her brow.


    There was a plain but charming cuteness to her appearance¡ªinnocent and earnest.


    But what Isabella didn''t notice¡­ was that under the sunlight, the shadow cast behind her on the wall began to twist in a strange, unnatural way.


    "Isabella."


    A soft voice called her name, almost like a whisper on the wind.


    Startled, she turned her head¡ªand saw a girl in a black dress standing quietly a short distance behind her, calmly waving.


    The girl''s aura was cold and detached.


    Isabella looked at her, then down at the half-washed vegetables still in her hands. She hesitated for a moment and didn''t stand up immediately.


    But the black-dressed girl didn''t wait for a response. She walked right up to her.


    Without a word, she knocked the basket of vegetables out of Isabella''s hands, sending them tumbling to the ground.


    Isabella stood up, upset. "Hey! What are you doing!?"


    The girl glanced at her and replied softly, "Are you angry?"


    "Of course I am! You''re bullying me¡ªhow could I not be angry?!"


    Hands on her hips, Isabella''s cheeks puffed up as she glared at the girl.


    The black-dressed girl, however, just covered her mouth and giggled. "You''re right. Anyone would be angry if they were bullied¡ªyour brother included."


    "I can guarantee, he''ll be bullied again someday. And most of the time, it''ll be because of you."


    Isabella froze, the anger draining from her face. She lowered her head, eyes dim.


    She wanted to deny it. But the look in the girl''s eyes, that judgmental gaze¡­ it left her speechless.


    Because she was right.


    "Just admit it. From the moment you were born, you''ve been holding your brother back. Without you, he''d have had a freer, easier life."


    "Stop it!"


    Isabella clutched her ears and shook her head violently, crouching on the floor.


    These were the thoughts she had tried so hard to avoid all these years¡ªnow cruelly spoken aloud.


    "No, I''m not done."


    The girl in the black dress crouched down too, lifting Isabella''s face with both hands so that their eyes met.


    "If you don''t want to be a burden on your brother, there''s only one solution¡ªyou need to become stronger."


    "Otherwise, you''ll become a real weight on his shoulders. Alan isn''t a machine. If this keeps up, he''ll eventually grow tired¡­ and one day, because of an accident, he might leave you forever."

 Chapter 576 - Chapter132-The Host of the Primal Spirit of Frost

    "No! Stop... stop saying that¡­"


    The black-dressed girl advanced step by step, causing Isabella to break down in sobs.


    But just as suddenly, the girl''s demeanor changed. She gently pulled Isabella into a warm embrace and spoke to her with a voice so tender it seemed to melt the frost itself:


    "Isabella, the things I said earlier weren''t meant to scare you. I said them so you would see the truth clearly."


    "If you don''t want to hold Alan back, then you must gain the power to protect yourself."


    "And even that won''t be enough. One day, Alan will face dangers of his own, and when that time comes¡­ he''ll need your strength too."


    "Brother... needs my strength?"


    Hearing those words, Isabella lowered her head in confusion and stared blankly at her own hands.


    It felt unrealistic¡ªtoo far-fetched. Her brother was so powerful. How could someone as weak as her ever be needed by him?


    As if sensing Isabella''s thoughts, the black-dressed girl raised a hand and gently tapped her forehead with a finger.


    In that instant, the surrounding ground froze over in a thick layer of shimmering frost, spreading several meters outward like a breath of winter.


    Even the enchanted faucet¡ªfed by mana¡ªsputtered and ceased its flow, completely blocked by the sudden drop in temperature.


    Isabella panicked and stumbled backward, trying instinctively to get away from the icy surface.


    But the black-dressed girl held her firmly by the shoulders and forced her to look.


    "Don''t run from it! This is your power."


    "Deep within your soul resides the Primal Spirit of Frost. All the ice and snow in this world¡ªevery shard, every flake¡ªthey exist to serve you as their master!"


    "I come from the Sanctuary of Winter, a place devoted to the worship of that very Spirit. Join us, Isabella. If you do, I promise you this¡ªin less than three years, all the so-called geniuses of this kingdom¡­ no, even of this entire empire, will be crushed beneath your feet."


    "They are mortals, bound by flesh and bone. But you are the host of a god. There is a fundamental difference between you and them!"


    Isabella fell silent.


    Her mind echoed with the girl''s words. The weight of them was heavy¡ªtoo heavy for someone her age to bear easily.


    But she didn''t want to be a burden anymore. She didn''t want her brother to fall into danger because of her.


    After a long pause, Isabella slowly raised her head and locked eyes with the girl.


    "I¡­ I''ll join the Sanctuary of Winter. But¡­ not yet. I want to spend a little more time with my brother. At least let me say goodbye to him properly."


    "Of course," the girl replied, rising to her feet with a soft smile. "There''s no rush. We still have plenty of time."


    "The power of the Primal Spirit of Frost is one of stillness. To it, the fleeting days of mortals pass in the blink of an eye."


    Isabella didn''t quite understand everything the girl was saying. But she now had a general impression of the Sanctuary of Winter.


    It was a gathering of fanatics¡ªdevotees who worshiped the Primal Spirit of Frost with obsessive reverence.


    Back in her hometown, Isabella had only ever seen one or two such people in passing, at the old cathedral. And even then, they were widely considered to be lunatics.


    But after today, her perception shifted.


    The black-dressed girl didn''t seem mad at all.


    In fact¡­ she was terrifyingly rational.


    That evening, Isabella pushed a food cart slowly into the grand dining hall of Sirius Academy.


    The table was already set with several hearty dishes. Headmaster Gayle, along with Francis and the other students, were already seated.


    Only Alan was missing.


    Isabella was just about to ask where he was, when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder.


    She turned around quickly¡ªand saw Alan grinning behind her, also pushing a food cart.


    She pouted and glared at him.


    "Brother, didn''t I tell you I was handling dinner tonight?"


    Alan reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling.


    "I just couldn''t bear to see you working all alone. So I snuck away to whip up a few side dishes."


    "Don''t worry, you''re still the head chef tonight. I wouldn''t dare steal your spotlight."


    "Hey, hey, enough chit-chat, you two lovebirds! I''m starving over here!"


    Francis banged his fork against his plate, looking ready to riot from hunger.


    Alan and Isabella both laughed and quickly took their seats at the table.


    Ahem.


    Just then, Headmaster Gayle, sitting at the head of the table, cleared his throat and spoke in a heavy tone.


    "Before we begin tonight''s dinner, I have something important to share."


    Francis groaned dramatically and set his fork back down with a sigh, giving Gayle a pitiful look of starvation.


    Gayle completely ignored him. He took a swig from his ever-present flask and continued:


    "I just received word from an old friend. A new bounty has been posted among the bounty hunter circles across various nations."


    "The message is simple: ''Kill every student under the age of thirty from Sirius Academy.''"


    The room fell silent. Everyone''s expressions turned grim.


    Alan slammed his palm on the table and said coldly, "Let them come. Whether it''s Lioncrest students or mercenary bounty hunters, I''m not afraid of any of them!"


    Francis jumped in with support: "That''s right! Alan practically went berserk at their front gates earlier. Those Lioncrest guys didn''t even dare fart in his presence!"


    "And now they''re so scared they won''t even fight us themselves¡ªthey have to hire bounty hunters instead. Hah! Can I go ahead and declare this a one-sided victory?"


    But Blanche frowned and turned to Gayle.


    "Didn''t Stephen accuse us of recruiting outside help, which led to part of the wager being changed? Now he''s the one breaking the rules?"


    Gayle shook his head. "No. That''s the clever part."


    "He knew he wouldn''t technically be breaking the rules. That''s why he''s paying so handsomely to attract bounty hunters."


    "You see, Stephen subtly shifted the scope of the wager¡ªoriginally it was just a competition between tier-diamond mages from two academies. But now, it includes any mage under thirty years old."


    Blanche''s eyes widened in realization. "Ah¡­ so that''s why he was so insistent about changing that part of the bet¡­"


    Gayle chuckled darkly. "Don''t worry, kids. Even if he hadn''t played his word games, Stephen would''ve found some way to cause us trouble. After all these years of fighting him, no one in the capital understands him better than I do."


    "And besides¡­"


    He cast a mocking glance at Francis.


    "You think we''re just going up against those third-rate bounty hunters who sit around pubs bragging about how many goblins they''ve slain?"


    "If that''s what you believe, then you''re dead wrong."


    "Stephen didn''t just attract any mercenaries¡ªhe lured in top-tier bounty hunters. These guys are elite. Well-trained, powerful, and masters of coordination. Some of them are as dangerous as an entire kingdom''s military unit."


    "If you underestimate them¡­ you could lose your life before you even know what hit you."


    S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 577 - Chapter133-Eat It

    "So scary?"


    Francis raised an eyebrow and said to Gayle, "Let me just say this upfront¡ªwe''re not monsters like Alan. We don''t have the experience or the ability to take on multiple opponents at once."


    "So..."


    As he spoke, he turned to Alan, giving him a pitiful look and pleaded, "So, brother, if anything really happens, you gotta be the first one to step up, alright?"


    Alan rolled his eyes at him and sighed, "Could you at least try to rein in your idiocy a little? You''re dragging down the average intelligence of the entire space."


    "Think about it a little, will you? The Headmaster wouldn''t have brought these problems out into the open unless he already had some solutions in mind."


    Hearing this, Francis''s eyes lit up. He quickly turned to Gayle again, full of hope.


    "Really? Headmaster, you really have a way for us to handle fighting against multiple enemies at once?"


    Old Gayle merely let out a cold snort.


    "You''re dreaming," he said, voice heavy with disdain. "Unless you have overwhelming strength and can crush every enemy in front of you, if you ever face two or more mages at once, you''d better find a way to run. The increase in numbers leads to a change in quality. Facing just one more mage means you''ll have to split your focus to handle an entirely different elemental attack."


    "Not to mention, when certain elements are combined, their synergy can produce effects far beyond the sum of their parts."


    After hearing Old Gayle''s explanation, Francis slumped back into his chair, drained of all energy.


    "So basically, we''re just sitting around waiting to die, huh?" he said miserably.


    "Not necessarily."


    Blanche suddenly lifted her head and looked seriously at Gayle.


    "With Stephen having modified the wager, we might be able to exploit some loopholes."


    "He can hire bounty hunters to attack us through financial means¡ª"


    "Then we can do the same. We can hire mercenaries to strike back."


    Old Gayle let out a deep sigh, his voice low and tired.


    "At first, I thought the same. After all, in my younger days, I did befriend quite a few mercenary leaders. If I could just swallow my pride and ask them for help, maybe, just maybe, we could turn things around."


    Upon hearing Old Gayle''s softened stance, Francis immediately straightened up in excitement.


    "Then what are we waiting for, Headmaster? Hurry up and contact them!"


    But instead, Old Gayle slammed the jug on the table with a loud thud, his face twisted with bitterness.


    "It''s not that I''m too proud to beg. It''s just... after all these years, most of those mercenary leaders have already made it big."


    "And as for us, Sirius Academy? Calling it ''barely functioning'' would be a compliment!"


    "Even if they wouldn''t outright mock us because of our old ties, once they actually saw the pitiful state we''re in now... Who could guarantee they wouldn''t look down on us? Honestly, I just don''t have the guts to face that humiliation."


    ...


    The atmosphere turned deathly still.


    Everyone''s eyes were locked on Old Gayle, yet no one dared to speak.


    After all, they could only vaguely imagine how much pressure their Headmaster was shouldering.


    Trying to lighten the mood, Francis forced a grin and said,


    "Well, you never know unless you try. Maybe those mercenary leaders are all outstandingly kind-hearted people now?"


    Old Gayle gave a bitter laugh.


    "That might have been true ten or twenty years ago, back when Sirius Academy was at its peak."


    "Back then, those so-called mercenary captains wouldn''t even dare to breathe loudly in front of me. They had no choice but to be good people."


    "But now... sigh... a fallen lion can''t even keep mangy dogs at bay."


    His voice was full of resignation.


    Even Francis, usually so light-hearted, found himself infected by the heavy mood and sat quietly in his chair, saying nothing.


    At that moment, Old Gayle suddenly stood up and pointed at Alan, Francis, and Fort.


    "Enough with the useless talk! If you want to change your fate, you''d better take action! Ten minutes from now¡ªmeet me at the training field!"


    With that, he left the dining hall without looking back.


    The three who were called out looked at each other, feeling a little baffled.


    "Well, what are you waiting for?"


    Francis stood up and waved the other two along.


    Alan wiped the corner of his lips with a napkin and was just about to follow Francis when¡ª


    Isabella suddenly tugged at the corner of his shirt, her voice soft and hesitant.


    "Brother... can you stay with me a little longer?"


    "Of course."


    Hearing his sister''s request, Alan immediately sat back down without hesitation.


    He turned to Francis and Fort and waved them away.


    "You guys go ahead. I''ll catch up soon."


    "Got it, got it."


    Francis waved dismissively without even looking back.


    Soon, the dining hall was left with just Alan and Isabella.


    She sat there quietly, resting her chin in her small hands, gazing at Alan intently¡ªas if she wanted to imprint every detail of his face into her memory.


    Alan scratched his face awkwardly and asked,


    "What''s with you today? You''re acting weird."


    Isabella smiled gently.


    "Really? I just missed you so much, brother. I wanted to have a good look at you."


    "Well, fine. Look all you want¡ªbut don''t make me late for the Headmaster."


    Alan gave a bitter chuckle. There was no way he could refuse when his little sister acted like this.


    After a moment, Isabella lowered her gaze and said quietly,


    "You can go now, brother. I''ve looked enough."


    "Oh... okay."


    Still feeling slightly bewildered, Alan stood up and walked out of the dining hall.


    Along the way, he kept glancing back¡ªonly to find that Isabella''s eyes never once wavered, always following him closely.


    But unlike before, today''s Isabella seemed... different.


    Her gaze was powerful, full of energy, and her entire aura had subtly changed.


    "Was that... just my imagination?"


    Alan shook off the strange feeling and continued toward the training field.


    ¡ª


    "Everyone''s here?"


    At the training ground, Old Gayle stood with his hands behind his back, swiftly scanning the three of them.


    Then he crooked a finger at Fort. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You first. How''s your development with the sharp metal element?"


    Fort frowned slightly, troubled, and replied,


    "I''ve... hit a bottleneck."


    "Oh?"


    Old Gayle gave him a thoughtful look.


    "What kind of bottleneck?"


    "The metal element... it''s too heavy. I can''t... control it freely."


    "I see."


    Old Gayle fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly walked toward the corner of the training ground.


    After rummaging around noisily for a bit, he pulled out a battered old box and dumped it out¡ªspilling a heap of rusty iron nails at Fort''s feet.


    "Eat them."


    "Huh?"


    Fort stared blankly at Old Gayle, confused.


    "I said, eat them."


    Old Gayle''s expression was serious, not a hint of joking in his eyes.


    Fort gritted his teeth.


    "Alright, I''ll eat!"


    Without hesitation, he knelt down and began stuffing the rusty nails¡ªeach about ten centimeters long¡ªinto his mouth, one by one.


    Soon, everyone could hear a series of metallic clangs coming from inside Fort''s mouth¡ª


    as if a blacksmith had set up shop inside his skull.


    Watching this horrific sight, Francis''s face turned pale with fear.


    He couldn''t help but rush over to Gayle and cry out,


    "Headmaster! This... this won''t kill him, right? Look! Fort''s already bleeding from the mouth!"

 Chapter 578 - Chapter134-Mana Overpressure

    Old Gayle let out a cold chuckle.


    "It''s just normal gum bleeding. It''s nothing to worry about."


    "Don''t joke around! What kind of normal person eats nails?!" Francis shouted, horrified.


    "At this rate, you''re going to torture Fort to death, you crazy old man!"


    Hearing this, Old Gayle immediately locked his sharp gaze onto Francis.


    "Heh. Thanks for reminding me," he said with a sinister smile.


    "Since he''s busy eating nails, you shouldn''t be standing around idle either!"


    "What... What are you planning?!"


    Seeing Old Gayle approaching him step by step, Francis let out a high-pitched scream and immediately ducked behind Alan.


    Old Gayle sighed helplessly.


    "Alan," he said, voice calm but firm, "grab him and beat him. Beat him senseless. Beat him to death if you have to¡ªI''ll take full responsibility."


    "Okay!"


    Alan responded without hesitation.


    He grabbed Francis by the collar with one hand and raised his fist high, ready to deliver a heavy blow to Francis''s face.


    "Wait, wait, wait!"


    Francis hurriedly cried out, frantically waving his hands to stop him.


    Then he glared at Old Gayle and shouted,


    "So this was all just a setup to mess with us, wasn''t it?!"


    "Mess with you?"


    Old Gayle snorted.


    "If I wanted to mess with you, I wouldn''t have bothered bringing you all the way out here to the training ground."


    "Francis, let me ask you¡ªwhen those bounty hunters really come knocking, do you think they''ll show you any mercy?"


    Francis shook his head dejectedly.


    "Exactly."


    Old Gayle''s voice turned even colder.


    "By that time, forget nails¡ªthey''ll force you to swallow far more disgusting and deadly things. Compared to what I''m making you do now, what''s happening here is practically a mercy!"


    The fire in Francis''s eyes quickly died out.


    His posture sagged and he muttered, almost pleading,


    "But... but can''t I do something else instead of eating nails? Fort has a steel bloodline, he can survive that. I don''t! If I swallow those, I''ll really die!"


    Old Gayle''s lips curled into a smile.


    "Of course. For a little genius like you, I naturally have a different training method prepared."


    Francis''s face lit up with hope.


    "Really? What is it?!"


    In response, Old Gayle slowly pulled out a length of rope from within his robes and tightly bound Francis''s legs together.


    The moment the rope tightened, Francis immediately felt a massive weight crush down on him.


    The rope was enchanted with an incredibly powerful gravity spell¡ªjust standing upright became a monumental effort.


    Once he had thoroughly secured the binding, Old Gayle pointed at the wall surrounding the academy grounds and said coldly,


    "Now, hop around the entire academy a hundred times."


    "And don''t even think about trying to cheat. This rope is imbued with my magic¡ªit won''t release until you complete the task. Fail to finish, and you''ll spend the rest of your life dragging this rope around with you."


    "Nooooo!"


    Francis wailed in despair.


    But faced with Old Gayle''s iron will¡ªand his undeniable authority as Headmaster¡ªhe had no choice but to obey.


    ...


    After Francis had hop-waddled his way miserably out of the training ground,


    Old Gayle turned his sharp gaze to Alan.


    Unlike Francis, Alan''s expression remained calm and composed.


    No matter how grueling the training ahead might be, he showed no trace of fear.


    "Alan... you¡ª"


    Old Gayle had barely begun speaking when Alan interrupted him.


    "Got it. I''ll go!"


    "...Hold on, at least listen first."


    Old Gayle chuckled, patting Alan on the shoulder.


    He sighed and said,


    "Back at Lioncrest Academy... those crystal flowers that appeared around you¡ª


    were they grown using a Stone of Sage?"


    Alan paused for a moment, but quickly realized there was no point in hiding it from Old Gayle.


    He smiled and admitted frankly,


    "Headmaster, you really do have a sharp eye. Yes, those crystal flowers were indeed cultivated using a Stone of Sage."


    "As I thought."


    Old Gayle''s eyes showed a touch of emotion, but he didn''t press any further.


    He understood very well¡ªwhatever methods Alan had used to acquire a Stone of Sage, that was his own secret. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone had secrets. Himself included.


    "Come with me."


    After a moment of reflection, Old Gayle led Alan deeper into the training grounds.


    At the very back of the field stood several stone golems¡ª


    but unlike ordinary stone golems, these were massive.


    The smallest one stood over five meters tall, towering like a living stone giant.


    Old Gayle placed a hand on one of the stone giants, infusing it with mana.


    A low rumble echoed across the training ground.


    Moments later, the stone giants slowly began to awaken.


    Intricate magical arrays gleamed to life around their joints.


    "Tell me," Old Gayle said suddenly, "do you think you can take these things on?"


    Alan lifted his head and calmly assessed the titanic enemies before him.


    After a brief pause, he replied,


    "I should be able to."


    "Not should¡ªyou must."


    Old Gayle''s voice was like steel.


    Without warning, he moved.


    He didn''t cast any flashy spells or weave elaborate magic circles.


    He simply relied on the sheer physical strength of his body.


    In a blur of motion, he charged to the side of one stone giant''s massive head.


    In that instant, the mana within his body surged violently¡ª


    it flooded into his arm, inflating the veins until they glowed faintly blue beneath his skin.


    Then¡ª


    BANG!


    A thunderous crack split the air.


    Old Gayle''s fist slammed into the stone giant''s head,


    shattering it instantly into countless fragments that exploded in every direction.


    Below, Alan watched the scene unfold with wide eyes.


    A surge of excitement stirred in his chest.


    In the current world, most mages focused on externalizing their mana¡ª


    transforming it into ice, fire, earth, wind, or other elemental attacks.


    On that foundation, they had developed techniques like elemental combinations, mana shaping, and other advanced applications.


    But Old Gayle was different.


    He didn''t externalize his mana.


    Instead, he internalized it.


    He circulated it through his own veins¡ª


    allowing the mana to replace his blood, dramatically enhancing his body''s capabilities.


    Few mages practiced this method, because it was both rare and incredibly dangerous.


    Yet the explosive force it granted...


    was astonishing.


    No less powerful than a mage at the tier-diamond level.


    Old Gayle brushed the dust off his clothes casually, then walked back over to Alan.


    "Element magic is, without a doubt, an essential part of any mage''s arsenal," he said, voice calm but serious.


    "But sometimes, pure mana alone can create unexpected results."


    "Do you know what''s the most important thing when fighting someone?"


    Alan thought for a moment.


    "Strong conviction?" he offered.


    Old Gayle chuckled.


    "That''s part of it¡ªbut not the whole answer."


    He stared intently at Alan and said,


    "The real key... is mana overpressure."


    Alan looked puzzled.


    "Mana overpressure? What''s that?"


    "Mana overpressure," Old Gayle explained, "means using mana to exert overwhelming pressure on your opponent."


    "This pressure can be physical, it can be psychological, and it doesn''t have to take any specific form."


    "You can apply it through your element magic, or¡ª"


    "¡ªyou can do what I just did: compress your mana to the extreme inside your own body and then unleash it all at once."


    "The key is that your attacks must carry a sense of oppressive force."


    "Even if the raw damage doesn''t increase significantly,


    the enemy''s defenses will be greatly weakened under the psychological strain."


    "Mages don''t have many ways to handle physical attacks, sure¡ª


    but against pure mana suppression, most mages'' mental defenses collapse completely."


    "And once their mental defenses crumble..."


    "They can no longer effectively defend themselves at all."


    "In that way, you''ll cause even greater damage¡ªindirectly but effectively."


    "Understand?"

 Chapter 579 - Chapter135-If Youre Strong, Its Weak; If Youre Weak, Its Strong

    "I see..."


    Alan nodded thoughtfully.


    Unlike the tangible, visible forms of shaping mana, this invisible, aura-like mana¡ªcapable of exerting psychological pressure¡ªwas not something apparent on the surface. It belonged to a deeper, more intangible domain, one that existed purely within the realm of the spirit.


    Seeing that Alan seemed to have grasped the concept, Old Gayle moved forward again.


    He once more infused mana into his body and shattered another stone giant with a single blow.


    This time, he clutched the mana core of the fallen giant in his hand, returned to Alan''s side, and crushed it into dust right in front of him.


    "This concept is too abstract for you to fully understand right now," Gayle said patiently.


    "I can only try to explain to you, as best as I can, some of the experiences I went through when I comprehended mana Overpressure."


    "Everyone''s mana Overpressure manifests a little differently."


    "Some people''s is sharp and aggressive¡ªjust standing near them makes you restless, uneasy."


    "Others are more subtle, hiding a dagger in the softness of their aura. They seem weak, like a breeze could knock them over¡ªbut when they get serious, their Overpressure is no less terrifying than the former."


    "The essence of mana Overpressure," he continued, "is a mental elevation¡ªplacing yourself above all your opponents in spirit. No matter if you are outnumbered or outmatched, you must maintain an unwavering belief in victory." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If you persist long enough, your unique mana Overpressure will naturally manifest itself."


    "There was even a study conducted by Lioncrest Academy," Gayle said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.


    "They once made a group of weak-willed freshmen spar with mutant griffins for over three hours a day."


    "The experiment lasted an entire month. In the beginning, no one had any real expectations for those kids. But surprisingly, after that month, their strength had skyrocketed."


    "Not only did they dominate their peers, but they also achieved a fifty-fifty win rate against students a few years their senior."


    Alan frowned slightly, puzzled.


    "I don''t get it. Mutant griffins are rare, sure, but they''re not particularly strong. Could sparring with them really cause such a leap in strength?"


    Old Gayle chuckled.


    "Of course not. Even if they had found an opponent ten times stronger than a mutant griffin, those kids wouldn''t have improved that much based on battle experience alone. The real key lies in mana Overpressure."


    As he spoke, he suddenly cast a sharp, piercing gaze at Alan.


    Instantly, Alan felt as though he had plunged into an icy abyss.


    His skin stung as if countless tiny knives were slicing across him.


    Seeing Alan''s reaction, Gayle quickly withdrew his gaze and said solemnly,


    "Mutant griffins may not be particularly powerful, but their eyes carry both the sharpness of eagles and the ferocity of lions."


    "Prolonged eye contact with them, even for the most timid individuals, will naturally forge a foundation for building mana Overpressure."


    "I think... I''m starting to understand..."


    Alan nodded slowly, feeling a moment of realization dawning upon him.


    In simple terms, as long as one could dominate an opponent in spirit, even without overwhelming physical strength, they could generate a genuine mana Overpressure¡ªsubstantially boosting their chance of victory.


    It made perfect sense.


    Someone who believed without a doubt that they would win, compared to someone who attacked and defended timidly, hesitating at every turn¡ª


    It was clear who would last longer in a true battle.


    "I''ll give it a try!"


    Alan''s eyes gleamed with determination.


    He looked straight at the stone giants'' cores, then charged forward.


    Just like Gayle had demonstrated, he focused all his mana into his right arm.


    In an instant, the veins on his arm began to glow faintly blue, emitting a strange, intimidating light.


    The sight was enough to make anyone''s heart race.


    "Take this!"


    BANG!


    Alan''s fist slammed heavily into the head of one stone giant, creating a deep crater.


    However¡ª


    The stone giant was far from defeated.


    The blow hadn''t even cracked its mana core.


    A moment later, the stone giant Alan had attacked raised its massive hand and swung it down toward him with terrifying force.


    Even though it was just a mindless construct, the weight and momentum of its attack carried an overwhelming sense of pressure¡ª


    a kind of natural mana Overpressure without any conscious effort.


    To Alan, it felt like a small mountain was collapsing right on top of him.


    The mana Overpressure he had painstakingly gathered shattered instantly under the stone giant''s raw might.


    With a cry of pain, Alan was knocked flying, crashing back down near Gayle''s feet.


    Seeing this, Old Gayle couldn''t help but burst out laughing.


    "Haha! That''s not how you do it! Your so-called mana Overpressure didn''t even faze it!"


    Alan climbed out of the rubble, frustrated and covered in dust.


    He looked at Old Gayle with a resentful expression.


    Gayle shook his head, still smiling.


    "It''s not that it didn''t work," he explained,


    "It''s that your mana Overpressure hasn''t yet reached the threshold needed for these creatures to even sense it."


    "Threshold?" Alan asked, puzzled.


    Gayle pointed at the towering stone giants.


    "Do you know why these stone golems were designed to be so massive? If they were just meant to act as guards, wouldn''t this size actually be a liability?"


    Alan honestly couldn''t figure it out.


    He stayed quiet, waiting for Gayle''s explanation.


    "It''s simple," Gayle said.


    "Because these aren''t ordinary stone golems. They''re specialized stone golems. Their internal logic operates fundamentally differently."


    "Normal golems, once given a command, will attack any enemy¡ªeven ones far stronger than themselves¡ªwithout hesitation."


    "But these special golems are different. While they lack true thoughts or awareness, they possess a primal instinct: fear."


    "The stronger your mana Overpressure, the weaker they become."


    "All their attributes¡ªspeed, defense, attack power¡ªwill be suppressed if they sense overwhelming pressure."


    "But if you fail to demonstrate sufficient mana Overpressure, they''ll see you as an easy target."


    "Their movements will become faster, and the stones composing their bodies will harden dramatically¡ªjust like what happened to you earlier. No matter how much mana you pump into your attacks, you won''t even scratch them."


    "No wonder!"


    Realization struck Alan like a bolt of lightning.


    Earlier, he and Old Gayle had used the same techniques,


    and yet Gayle had shattered his stone golem like glass,


    while Alan''s own attack felt like punching an unbreakable diamond.


    "So it''s not just about the strength of my attack," Alan muttered, clenching his fists.


    "It''s about how much pressure I exert beforehand. Alright¡ªI''ll try again!"


    Just as Alan was about to rush forward again,


    Old Gayle suddenly placed a firm hand on his shoulder.


    "No rush," he said calmly.


    "Mana Overpressure isn''t something you can improve through brute force."


    "More often than not, all it takes is a moment of sudden insight¡ªa spark of understanding."


    He paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully.


    "In your case, among the people you know, the one who''s most skilled at using mana Overpressure... would be none other than Rose Duke, Alice."


    "Alice?"


    Alan blinked in surprise.


    "But I''ve never felt any mana Overpressure from her before."

 Chapter 580 - Chapter136-

    Old Gayle shot him a glance and said,


    "Just listen to me first."


    "I heard you fought against Alice before," he continued,


    "But it was obvious she didn''t use her full strength in that encounter."


    "In truth, back when Alice was still active in the Imperial Capital, she would unleash a tremendous amount of mana Overpressure on every opponent she faced."


    "In fact, that Overpressure had already been etched into the very depths of her soul¡ª


    it had become a natural instinct for her."


    "Whether it was facing tier-platinum, tier-diamond, or even when I was invited to the Royal Family to help train these so-called prodigies, Alice still unleashed her mana Overpressure against me."


    "In her mind, fear and hesitation seem to simply not exist."


    "Perhaps it''s destiny," Old Gayle sighed,


    "Over the past few years, countless talents with incredible mana potential have emerged in the Plantagenet Kingdom, but even among them, Alice left the deepest impression on me."


    As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Alan and added with a soft sigh,


    "You might not realize it yet, but even though you haven''t fully grasped mana Overpressure, there is already a trait within you¡ªa trait even you yourself haven''t noticed."


    "What trait?"


    Alan was genuinely surprised.


    He had always believed he understood himself quite well, but apparently, there was something even he had overlooked.


    Old Gayle took a swig from his flask and said,


    "It''s hard to put into words exactly. Many people simply call it... belief."


    "Belief?"


    "Yes!"


    Old Gayle pointed toward the towering crystal giant that had formed from the shattered golems.


    "Throughout history, countless legends have recorded stories like this¡ª


    mages with indomitable wills, who, even while their bodies were consumed by flames, refused to surrender as they fought to break curses binding their loved ones."


    "The so-called ''resilience'' they showed¡ªit''s just another form of this unyielding belief."


    "In this Plantagenet Kingdom, your raw strength is far from the strongest yet."


    "But I''m convinced that even if the Kingdom''s current strongest mage stood before you, you would still fight, struggle, and even risk your life without hesitation."


    "Because inside your heart, there exists a fierce, burning belief¡ª


    a refusal to be left behind."


    As he finished speaking, Old Gayle suddenly stomped hard on the ground.


    With a rumble, Alan watched as the stone golems before him began collapsing¡ªdisintegrating into rubble.


    Yet their mana cores didn''t fall to the ground or scatter among the debris.


    Instead, they were drawn upward by an invisible force, merging together in midair.


    Finally¡ª


    A massive crystal giant, radiating with strange, shifting lights across its surface, slowly rose and stood before Alan.


    It was huge¡ª


    dozens of meters tall.


    In front of it, both Alan and Old Gayle looked no larger than tiny ants.


    Seeing Alan''s stunned expression, Old Gayle chuckled lightly.


    "Scared?"


    Alan shook his head.


    "Not scared.


    But... this crystal giant''s toughness must be many times greater than those stone golems from before, right?"


    "You catch on quick."


    Gayle nodded approvingly.


    "Indeed. The crystal giant''s defenses are the sum of all those shattered stone golems combined.


    Every inch of its body is a core¡ª


    unless you grind it completely into powder, even a single remaining pinky finger could still be enough to crush you."


    "This is a true fight to the death:


    either you pulverize it into dust,


    or it reduces you to a bloody smear."


    "Alan, I believe you can do it."


    "In fact, back at Lioncrest Academy,


    you already showed glimpses of developing mana Overpressure¡ª


    but only when Isabella was constantly in danger."


    "And that... is not good."


    "You know it too."


    "So today, this battle will temper you."


    "Today, you''ll learn how to unleash powerful mana Overpressure¡ª


    without depending on Isabella''s peril."


    Having said that, Old Gayle stepped back, retreating beyond the edges of the training field.


    Leaving Alan alone to face the towering crystal giant.


    HUMMMM¡ª!


    Suddenly, the crystal giant''s surface burst into an intense, blinding glow.


    It raised its massive hand, large enough to blot out the sun, and brought it smashing down toward Alan.


    Alan hurriedly dodged to the side¡ª


    but even so, the shockwave from the impact knocked him off balance, causing him to tumble across the ground.


    "Well... the speed''s slower compared to before,"


    Alan muttered, dusting himself off and bracing a hand against his knee as he stood up again.


    "But the power behind those strikes... is insane!"


    If this crystal giant was truly just an enhanced version of the previous stone golems,


    then it must have inherited their critical weakness too:


    its susceptibility to mana Overpressure.


    But even knowing this, Alan still felt helpless.


    As Old Gayle had said¡ª


    mana Overpressure wasn''t something tangible or teachable.


    It could only be grasped through sudden insight.


    Even with Alice as an example, Alan wasn''t sure he could replicate it.


    Their backgrounds were too different.


    Their worlds were too far apart.


    Unless...


    Unless someone overwhelmingly powerful stood before him,


    demonstrating mana Overpressure firsthand in real combat¡ª


    Otherwise...


    "Wait!"


    Dodging another thunderous swipe from the giant,


    Alan''s mind suddenly sparked.


    A series of memories surfaced in his mind¡ª


    vivid and clear.


    He remembered the magic train that had carried him and Isabella to the Imperial Capital.


    He remembered the agents from the Church of Steam and Magic who had come looking for trouble.


    And most of all¡ª


    he remembered the mysterious black-robed woman who had appeared, saving them from disaster.


    That day,


    she had fused the weakest Water Element into her Light Sword Spell¡ª


    and yet unleashed unimaginable destructive power.


    Logically speaking,


    the Church''s forces should have defended themselves with everything they had.


    But instead,


    they just stood there, frozen like statues,


    as the black-robed woman calmly brought her sword down.


    Now, thinking back¡ª


    it wasn''t just the sword''s power that had paralyzed them.


    It was mana Overpressure.


    Even though it was still the Light Sword Spell,


    there was something different about it¡ª


    something overwhelming that made resistance impossible.


    Alan frowned deeply.


    The Light Sword Spell''s "light"... S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    was not merely referring to the Light Element.


    He realized now¡ª


    any elemental force could be fused into the Light Sword Spell,


    creating miraculous combinations.


    It wasn''t limited to Light magic at all.


    In fact, the very logic of the Light Sword Spell defied traditional elemental theory¡ª


    which stated that opposing elements should naturally repel each other.


    (Like the classic conflict between Water and Fire Elements.)


    This meant¡ª


    the Light Sword Spell wasn''t simply a "Light-element-based" attack technique.


    It was a universal Sword Art¡ª


    one capable of burning, shredding, drowning, or crushing enemies depending on the elemental fusion!


    All this time, Alan had been misled by the spell''s name,


    assuming that it required Light Element as its foundation to achieve its maximum power.


    But now¡ª


    He knew he had been dead wrong.


    As memories of the black-robed woman''s swordplay flooded back to him,


    Alan extended his hands and conjured two elemental longswords¡ª


    one in each hand.


    Without using Light as a base,


    the energy of these swords looked a little darker, less brilliant¡ª


    but their killing power had not diminished at all.


    In his left hand, Alan held a blade crackling with a raging storm of wind.


    In his right, a sword blazing with fierce, uncontrollable flames.


    Wind fueling fire¡ª


    an unstoppable combination.


    At the same time, in Alan''s eyes,


    a violent Battle Spirit ignited.


    A terrifying surge of mana Overpressure


    began emanating from his body, rippling outward.


    Across the ground,


    the rubble left behind by the shattered golems started to tremble violently.


    As if fearing some monstrous predator,


    the stones rolled and shifted¡ª


    desperately trying to flee from Alan''s presence.

 Chapter 581 - Chapter137-The Crystal Giant’s Collapse From Fear

    Standing behind Alan, Old Gayle also noticed the change.


    His pupils contracted slightly in shock as he stared at Alan in disbelief.


    "This brat¡­ I told him to practice mana Overpressure, and now he''s over there fiddling with Element Fusion on his own?" he muttered.


    Whoosh!


    In the moment Old Gayle was distracted,


    The flaming longsword in Alan''s right hand had already devoured the tempestuous wind concentrated in his left.


    In the blink of an eye, the two originally modest longswords had merged into a colossal flame greatsword¡ª


    so large it towered above Alan himself.


    And yet, Alan held it aloft effortlessly, as if it weighed nothing.


    After all, the Fire Element, at its core, was a form of energy,


    not true matter.


    No mass¡ªno burden.


    The flame greatsword radiated blinding brilliance and searing heat,


    its brightness and intensity multiple times greater than when the two smaller swords had existed separately¡ª


    and this was without even infusing any Light Element!


    The sword was powered purely by the raw heat and energy of Fire.


    Old Gayle stood there, utterly stunned.


    The small silver flask in his hand slipped from his fingers and shattered against the ground with a sharp clang.


    His mind swirled with confusion.


    Among mages, it was common knowledge that elements of differing natures could not fuse.


    Even similar elements, when forced together with great effort,


    barely boosted power by a factor of 1.5.


    That was why most mages specialized in mastering a single element¡ª


    concentrating their limited energy and time to perfect it.


    By focusing, even a humble Fireball spell could eventually wield the destructive force of a meteor strike.


    But what Alan displayed now,


    this fusion of Wind and Fire¡ª


    the power increase wasn''t just 1.5 times.


    It wasn''t even close.


    It was at least fifteen times stronger.


    Old Gayle had personally witnessed Alan seamlessly overlapping the Wind and Fire longswords,


    merging them into an enormous, massive flame blade.


    Even from a distance,


    Old Gayle could feel the intense heatwaves battering his skin¡ª


    all emanating from the greatsword in Alan''s hand.


    And the next moment¡ª


    Alan and the greatsword vanished,


    leaving behind only a scattering of dust.


    "Huh?!"


    Old Gayle''s heart jumped.


    He frantically scanned the surroundings, searching for Alan''s figure.


    Though the flame sword itself carried no real mass,


    elemental energy still had a certain density and weight.


    Old Gayle didn''t believe Alan could move freely while carrying that massive concentration of Fire Element.


    But the truth proved otherwise¡ª


    Suddenly, a silhouette emerged midair¡ª


    Alan, hovering above, holding the giant flame sword single-handedly.


    He stood suspended in the sky,


    one arm casually leveling the blade downward,


    the tip aimed straight at the crystal giant''s head.


    Like a sovereign gazing coldly down upon all living beings,


    he said flatly,


    "I will strike only once."


    Old Gayle''s heart instantly leapt into his throat.


    Because he noticed that around the edges of the flame greatsword,


    thin, faintly blue threads had appeared¡ª


    a manifestation of mana shaping compressed into razor-thin edges.


    With these edges, sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the flame sword was no longer just a mass of fire.


    It had been honed into a true weapon¡ª


    a deadly blade of astonishing sharpness and power.


    Its lethality had been elevated dramatically compared to before.


    "Go!"


    Alan roared from midair,


    then struck the sword''s hilt fiercely with his fist.


    Instantly, the massive flame greatsword, propelled by the impact,


    shot toward the crystal giant like a blazing meteor.


    BOOM!


    A deafening explosion rocked the training ground.


    The crystal giant''s head was completely obliterated,


    mana cores of every color and type reduced to fragments finer than dust,


    raining down in a dazzling storm of shimmering particles¡ª


    like a breathtaking rain of jeweled stardust.


    But to Old Gayle''s surprise¡ª


    After blowing apart the crystal giant''s head,


    Alan did not pursue further.


    Instead, he calmly waved his hand,


    dispersing the flame greatsword back into its base elemental form.


    Then, weaving a net of mana threads,


    he gently lowered himself back to the ground.


    Old Gayle hurried forward and asked,


    "Why didn''t you keep attacking?"


    Alan scratched his head and said lightly,


    "Because I realized that the crystal giant''s defense wasn''t actually that impressive.


    I shattered its head without even using mana Overpressure."


    "What?!"


    Old Gayle froze.


    Only then did he truly grasp what had happened.


    Alan had fused Wind and Fire while focusing purely on raw force¡ª


    he hadn''t even bothered constructing mana Overpressure.


    Which meant¡ª


    The giant that Alan had just destroyed


    was the original, unweakened, maximum-defense crystal giant!


    Alan had crushed it


    with nothing but overwhelming brute strength,


    completely bypassing the intricate psychological mechanics of Overpressure.


    Alan''s real power...


    was even more terrifying than Old Gayle had imagined.


    While still processing this revelation,


    Old Gayle heard Alan chuckle.


    "But after swinging that sword,"


    Alan added casually,


    "I think I sort of grasped how to activate mana Overpressure too."


    "It''s hard to describe in words...


    Want me to give you a demonstration?"


    Seeing the sharp glint beginning to ignite in Alan''s eyes,


    Old Gayle immediately shook his head in terror.


    "No, no¡ª


    I believe you!"


    He nodded fervently,


    then ruffled Alan''s hair affectionately.


    This young man¡ª


    who had traveled all the way to the Imperial Capital to seek medical treatment for his sister¡ª


    had not initially chosen Sirius Academy.


    Instead, he had enrolled in Lioncrest.


    And those arrogant fools at Lioncrest...


    had simply let a genius like this slip through their fingers.


    Old Gayle couldn''t help but imagine:


    If only he had captured Alan''s feat on a mana-projection crystal¡ª


    the moment Alan shattered the crystal giant''s head¡ª


    and played it back for the senior leadership of Lioncrest Academy...


    They would surely regret it so much,


    they might just vomit blood on the spot.


    Fortunately¡ª


    Alan had chosen Sirius in the end.


    If he had become their enemy instead...


    Old Gayle didn''t even dare to imagine how disastrous that would be.


    "Alright.


    Today''s training ends here."


    "You can go get some rest.


    Tomorrow morning¡ª


    come back here again."


    With that, Old Gayle grabbed his battered flask and staggered off toward the deeper parts of the training grounds.


    Alan, however, did not leave.


    He turned slowly, his gaze locking onto the crystal giant that still loomed motionless in the distance.


    Though Old Gayle had issued it a standby command before leaving,


    the crystal giant''s core remained active¡ª


    it was still operational.


    Meaning¡ª


    It was still programmed to bully the weak and fear the strong.


    Alan exhaled slowly,


    summoning his presence¡ªhis pressure.


    He took a single step forward.


    The moment he closed to within three meters of the giant¡ª


    CRACK.


    Hairline fractures suddenly spread across the crystal giant''s shimmering body.


    CRACK¡ªCRACK¡ª


    The cracks deepened and multiplied, until¡ª


    The entire enormous form shattered into fine powder,


    collapsing silently to the ground.


    Alan hadn''t even raised a hand.


    The crystal giant¡ª


    merely sensing the overwhelming mana Overpressure radiating from Alan''s body¡ª


    had chosen to self-destruct.


    Because, to it,


    that was the best possible way...


    to survive.

 Chapter 582 - Chapter138-Mana Rupture

    "As expected," Alan thought, a glint of understanding flashing through his eyes.


    He had already come up with a rough answer in his mind.


    Old Gayle''s previous explanations had been far too vague. Besides, someone like Rose Duke Alice¡ªa peerless genius encountered only once in centuries¡ªwas ultimately an exception. The method she used to master mana Overpressure couldn''t simply be generalized and applied to others.


    It was even possible that Alice had been born with a natural form of mana Overpressure. It was ingrained in her, almost instinctual.


    Trying to use his own hard work to exchange for something others were born with was obviously an unfair and losing trade.


    Alan slowly clenched his fist and abruptly punched toward the crystal giant''s chest.


    This punch carried no mana, no enchantment¡ªjust a venting blow, thrown in sheer frustration.


    Yet even such an ordinary punch, relying only on the force of the gust it created, was enough to blast a bucket-sized hole straight through the crystal giant''s chest without even making direct contact.


    The precondition for successfully wielding mana Overpressure was simple: you needed to possess a strength that vastly surpassed the norm.


    The stronger you were, the greater the oppressive force you could exert. The two aspects complemented each other, forming a virtuous cycle.


    This, Alan realized, was the most effective way for an ordinary person to grasp the concept of mana Overpressure.


    "In the end, it''s still the same as before," Alan murmured inwardly.


    "As long as my strength is overwhelming enough, then no matter how complicated the technique¡ªbe it mana Overpressure, mana shaping, or any other so-called high-end skills¡ªthey''ll come to me naturally. There''s no need for me to deliberately study them."


    Still, he had to admit¡ªthe power of Overpressure was nothing to scoff at.


    Alan lifted his head again and looked at the shattered chest of the crystal giant. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He recalled the time he had fought the stone golems earlier and had roughly gauged the durability of these magical constructs.


    Without any interference from mana Overpressure, the defensive capabilities of a standard stone golem were roughly equivalent to those of a tier-gold mage.


    This crystal giant, forged by fusing many stone golems together, had defenses that should have risen to tier-platinum levels.


    Yet even so, a single punch fueled by pure Overpressure had caused devastating damage.


    And this wasn''t even his full power¡ªit was merely his base strength.


    Alan didn''t even dare to imagine: if he unleashed this punch after amplifying it with the vital energy from the Stone of Sage, just how terrifying would it become?


    He reckoned that even powerful tier-diamond mages might suffer a humiliating defeat if they were careless.


    "Let''s see..." Alan mused thoughtfully.


    "Since this technique concentrates Overpressure into a strike, and it has the effect of shattering enemy defenses... why not call it Mana Rupture?"


    He chuckled at the thought.


    In an actual battle, no opponent would ever expect that a mage, who had just been exchanging spells with them moments ago, would suddenly step in and throw a physical punch¡ª


    ¡ªespecially a punch capable of rupturing mana shields and magical defenses alike!


    The more Alan thought about it, the more amusing he found it.


    He even started humming a little hometown tune as he left the training ground, stepping lightly like he didn''t have a care in the world.


    However, not long after he departed, something unexpected happened.


    The giant crystal figure, which had been sitting motionless on the ground, its core hollowed out by the earlier blow, suddenly developed countless hairline cracks spreading outward from its chest wound.


    Then¡ª


    Crash!


    A sharp, crisp sound echoed through the empty field.


    The entire crystal giant, which had barely managed to maintain its form moments ago, shattered completely into a field of glittering debris.


    The true destructive force of Mana Rupture...


    ...was even greater than Alan had imagined.


    On his way past the training ground''s outer hall, Alan caught sight of a familiar figure.


    "Why are you still here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.


    There, slumped over in a chair, sat Fort. In front of him were stacks upon stacks of trays, each piled high with metal nails of various sizes and types.


    "Y-You go on ahead," Fort mumbled through a mouthful of metallic shards and bloody spit.


    "I gotta finish... all of these."


    Alan couldn''t help the goosebumps that pricked his skin at the sight.


    Old Gayle wasn''t training this kid¡ªhe was outright torturing him!


    But then, Alan''s expression shifted subtly.


    He sensed something unusual: Fort''s mana signature was beginning to change.


    It was slowly, unmistakably aligning with the purest, most primal form of the metal element¡ªOrigin Metal Mana.


    It finally clicked.


    Old Gayle wasn''t just being cruel; he was helping Fort awaken his Origin Mana.


    Fort was a Sharp Metal Elemental Body¡ªa rare bloodline descended directly from the concept of metal itself.


    By forcefully ingesting enormous quantities of metal, he was accelerating his return to his origin.


    Still, Alan had to admit¡ªthis method of eating nails to achieve it looked absolutely horrifying.


    "Haah... Huff... Haah... Huff..."


    Just as Alan was observing Fort''s transformation, another figure bounded awkwardly toward them, hopping like a frog.


    Alan chuckled and walked up with a teasing smile.


    "How many laps do you have left?"


    Francis collapsed beside the water fountain, guzzling down handfuls of water like a man dying of thirst.


    Only after a long pause did he pant,


    "F-Fifty laps left... That damned old man... you have no idea how brutal he is! The rope doesn''t look heavy at all, but the moment you start skipping, it feels like you''re hauling two mountains!"


    "And I swear, every time I jump one round, it feels like the rope doubles in weight!"


    Alan looked at him with a lazy, almost gleeful expression.


    "Man, you guys are lucky," he said, clearly enjoying Francis''s suffering.


    "Headmaster must really value you both, giving you such ''hardcore'' training tasks. I''m jealous."


    He stretched lazily.


    "Unlike you, I only got to tinker a bit with some old stone golems before being dismissed. Wish I could get some of that ''special attention,'' too."


    Francis rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell out of his sockets.


    He knew Alan was deliberately poking fun at him, but he still couldn''t help feeling a little aggrieved.


    "Come on, seriously now. Old Gayle really just made you fix some worn-out stone golems? That''s it?"


    "That''s your whole training session? You''re not even a puppet master!"


    Alan just turned around, waving a hand dismissively.


    "Don''t worry about it," he said nonchalantly.


    "Anyway, my mission''s done for today. You and Fort, though, keep it up. You don''t want to miss breakfast tomorrow, right?"


    "You little¡ª! Get back here!"


    Francis instinctively leapt to his feet to chase after him.


    But he had completely forgotten the enchanted ropes still binding his ankles.


    The moment he tried to sprint, he tripped, faceplanting spectacularly into the dirt.


    Muttering curses through a mouthful of grass and soil, Francis lay there, furiously spitting.


    Meanwhile, Alan had already strolled far out of earshot, laughing softly to himself.


    Late at night, Alan returned to his dormitory, moving stealthily to avoid waking his sister.


    However, when he switched on the light, he froze.


    There, sitting stiffly on a chair, staring straight at him, was Isabella.


    Alan blinked, confused.


    "Why aren''t you asleep yet?" he asked.


    Before he could react further, Isabella leapt off the chair and ran straight into his arms, hugging him tightly.


    Her sudden, unusually emotional behavior made Alan instinctively reach out and gently pat her head.


    Softly, he asked,


    "What''s wrong, Isabella? Did someone bully you again?"


    Isabella shook her head quickly.


    Then she looked up, her small face serious and timid at once.


    "Brother," she whispered.


    "If I told you... that the strange disease on my body isn''t a curse... but a blessing from a true god¡ª


    ...would you be happy for me?"

 Chapter 583 - Chapter139-The Visitors Mean Trouble

    Alan let out a helpless chuckle.


    He could still vividly remember the bone-chilling cold that had emanated from his sister''s body whenever her illness flared up.


    That kind of cold wasn''t something any ordinary person could endure.


    And yet Isabella, at such a young age, had already endured it so many times.


    It wasn''t hard to imagine that her body''s natural defense mechanisms had altered her perception over time¡ª


    ¡ªto the point where she had started crafting comforting fantasies for herself.


    Alan crouched down so he was level with her and gently rubbed her delicate cheeks with his palm.


    "If that''s really the case," he said softly,


    "then maybe that invisible, untouchable God of Frost is merely testing you."


    "I''ve heard," he continued, weaving a story to comfort her,


    "that many deities from the churches often test the purest of their believers.


    And once they pass the trials, they receive powerful blessings in return."


    He was well aware that such words wouldn''t truly help Isabella''s condition¡ª


    ¡ªin fact, he was almost certainly exaggerating.


    But that didn''t matter.


    If it could bring a little happiness to his sister, Alan wouldn''t hesitate to make up an entire church doctrine on the spot.


    Feeling her brother''s warmth and care, Isabella didn''t argue any further.


    She simply buried her head deeper into Alan''s chest, nuzzling against him.


    In the silent night, a boy who still hadn''t fully shed his childhood innocence embraced a girl even younger than himself,


    and softly began humming a lullaby from their distant homeland.


    For so many years, it had been just the two of them, relying on each other to survive.


    The bond between them had long since surpassed even the closest blood relations.


    "Mom..."


    Isabella murmured drowsily, her voice barely a whisper.


    For a brief moment, she had mistaken Alan for their mother.


    Alan smiled and lightly tapped her little nose with a fingertip.


    "Not Mom, silly. It''s your big brother."


    Isabella giggled softly, rolling over to snuggle against Alan''s arm.


    In a small, spoiled voice, she said,


    "Sorry, brother. It''s just that... when I was little, I remember Mom singing this lullaby to me.


    Did she ever sing it to you too?"


    Alan didn''t respond right away.


    He stared up at the ceiling, lost in hazy memories.


    He had only the faintest recollection of that gentle melody¡ª


    ¡ªand even less memory of who had sung it to him.


    Seeing her brother slip into a daze, Isabella quickly backtracked,


    "It''s okay, brother.


    Even if Mom didn''t sing it to you... from now on, you can sing it for me instead, right?


    Can I hear it a few more times?"


    "Of course," Alan said warmly.


    He tucked the blanket snugly around her and resumed gently patting her shoulder, continuing to hum the lullaby.


    His pitch wasn''t particularly refined, and his singing technique was quite rough.


    But even with its imperfections, the simple lullaby soothed Isabella into a sweet, peaceful sleep within moments.


    The next morning, Alan climbed carefully out of bed, doing his best not to disturb the sleeping girl.


    After a quick wash, he hurried back toward the training grounds.


    To his surprise, the rubble scattered across the area had reassembled itself into the form of stone golems once again.


    Alan couldn''t help but wonder if perhaps their "true" state was just a pile of debris¡ª


    ¡ªonly shaped into golems through some forceful magic, just for the sake of practicing mana Overpressure.


    But that wasn''t important right now.


    The critical thing was to consolidate the mana Overpressure he had managed to grasp yesterday.


    Currently, Alan could only invoke mana Overpressure when he released massive amounts of mana or when his aura peaked at its highest intensity.


    He could pull off the powerful Mana Rupture attack...


    ...but only occasionally, and not reliably.


    Sure, it made for a brilliant surprise move in battle¡ª


    ¡ªbut Alan didn''t feel secure relying on spur-of-the-moment inspiration.


    What if he needed it in a critical fight, and it failed to activate?


    He didn''t dare to gamble.


    In real combat, every miscalculation came with the cost of one''s life.


    Thus, he had to forge his control over mana Overpressure to the highest possible degree.


    Not necessarily achieving the monstrous level of Alice¡ª


    ¡ªwho could maintain Overpressure constantly and effortlessly¡ª


    ¡ªbut at least reaching a point where he could summon it whenever he truly needed it.


    Moreover, Alan believed his earlier grasp of Mana Shaping was still far from complete.


    At present, he mainly used it to coat his primary spells with razor-thin edges, boosting their lethality.


    But Alan was convinced that Mana Shaping''s potential wasn''t limited to just enhancing offense.


    No¡ªhe believed it should be something closer to a highly functional auxiliary skill, like Mana Tether.


    Merely using it for slashing power seemed like a massive waste.


    Thus, Alan devoted an entire day solely to refining these two newly-acquired techniques.


    His skill and strength advanced steadily with every passing hour.


    Meanwhile, Fort and Francis were throwing themselves into their training with desperate intensity.


    Fort had even abandoned regular meals and sleep altogether, spending every waking moment devouring solid chunks of metallic element.


    Eventually, nails became too small for him.


    He moved on to gnawing on the academy''s iron fences, old metal bookshelves from storage rooms,


    and even the academy''s front gate sign¡ª


    ¡ªall of which, by now, bore clear bite marks!


    As for Francis¡ª


    ¡ªalthough he grumbled constantly, he never once slacked off on the grueling training regimen Old Gayle had assigned him.


    Everyone at Sirius Academy had their reasons for being there.


    None of them had the luxury of failure.


    Over time, both Fort and Francis had developed a deep attachment to the academy.


    Old Gayle, despite always being drunk and disheveled, had proven himself dependable in times of crisis,


    protecting the students like a true guardian.


    Blanche, though often taciturn, had also offered them quiet help and support many times, like an ever-reliable big sister.


    And as for Alan and Isabella¡ª


    ¡ªboth Fort and Francis had long since regarded the siblings as true friends.


    Most importantly, Sirius Academy itself had no way back now.


    If the students failed...


    ...not only would they likely lose their lives, but the entire academy could face complete annihilation. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    None of them wanted to see that happen.


    That was why they were pushing themselves so relentlessly.


    In the blink of an eye, a week passed.


    Throughout that week, the Sirius students had barely slept.


    The moment they opened their eyes, it was back to relentless training, again and again, without pause!


    Meanwhile, an odd event was unfolding near the gates of the imperial capital.


    Three strange figures approached the city entrance, attracting immediate attention.


    Each wore a wide-brimmed, curled cowboy hat and a brown leather jacket,


    riding peculiar four-legged beasts unfamiliar to the local populace.


    The soldiers stationed at the gates immediately noticed these bizarre "cowboys" and rushed forward, weapons drawn.


    "Who goes there?!" barked one soldier sharply.


    One of the riders, a blond man with blue eyes and a thick walrus mustache, casually dismounted.


    He swept an arrogant glance across the soldiers, then sneered,


    "Didn''t expect the Plantagenet Kingdom''s gatekeepers to be such a bunch of blind fools."


    "What did you just say?!"


    The soldier, instantly enraged, raised his regulation longsword, prepared to teach this rude foreigner a harsh lesson.


    But before he could act, the mustached cowboy moved with lightning speed.


    In one smooth motion, he drew a gleaming silver flintlock pistol from his belt¡ª


    ¡ªand pulled the trigger straight at one of the guards!

 Chapter 584 - Chapter140-Youre the One Whos an Intruder

    With a deafening bang, the soldier who had been shot cried out in pain and collapsed onto the ground.


    The other guards immediately frowned and drew their weapons, ready to apprehend these troublemakers on the spot.


    But just then, a masked middle-aged man appeared out of nowhere and barked an order:


    "Stand down!"


    The soldiers instantly froze, because they could clearly sense the overwhelming pressure radiating from the middle-aged man.


    None of them dared to act recklessly against such an obvious powerhouse.


    "These people are bounty hunters," the man explained calmly.


    "I invited them here to the capital."


    He patiently detailed the arrangement to the soldiers.


    However, the guards weren''t easily swayed.


    They knew full well what bounty hunters were¡ª


    heartless mercenaries, slaves to money, shunned by all proper nations, Plantagenet Kingdom included.


    Still, while they disdained bounty hunters, sometimes certain... unsavory tasks had to be handled.


    And of course, the great powers of the world couldn''t get their own hands dirty.


    That''s where bounty hunters came in¡ª


    ¡ªthose who could wield dirty, ruthless methods without shame.


    Seeing their lingering resistance, the middle-aged man sighed softly.


    He motioned for the squad leader among the soldiers to come closer and spoke in a low voice:


    "Do you know who hired these bounty hunters?"


    The squad leader shook his head slowly.


    The masked man leaned in and said cryptically:


    "The imperial capital roars like a lion, its voice shaking the heavens."


    The squad leader, a veteran of the political world, immediately understood the hidden meaning behind the words.


    Lioncrest Academy¡ª


    ¡ªmost likely, it was Lioncrest Academy that had issued the commission.


    Without further hesitation, the squad leader turned and barked at his subordinates:


    "Let them in."


    "But Captain, Leslie was just¡ª"


    Before the soldier could finish speaking, the mustached bounty hunter moved like lightning.


    He slung an arm around the soldier''s shoulders and pressed the cold barrel of his silver pistol directly against the soldier''s temple.


    "Easy there, kid," the bounty hunter said lazily.


    "You can eat whatever you want, but you can''t just spout nonsense."


    He smiled, though the glint in his eyes was ice-cold.


    "The bullet I used earlier was rubber. At worst, it knocks someone out. Killing? Absolutely impossible."


    Then, his tone shifted into a chilling threat.


    He slowly thumbed back the hammer of his pistol and whispered:


    "But this next shot? I can''t promise it''ll be rubber."


    The soldier broke into a cold sweat.


    Fortunately, the bounty hunter was only trying to scare him and didn''t actually pull the trigger.


    Soon after, the middle-aged man led the bounty hunters into the city,


    while the squad leader stood at the gates, staring pensively at their retreating backs.


    "Captain! Captain! Leslie''s awake!"


    One of the soldiers rushed over, shouting excitedly.


    Sure enough, Leslie, who had been shot, was now groaning and clutching his swollen forehead as he slowly got up from the ground.


    The squad leader nodded and ordered:


    "Get Leslie treated. Then send him home to rest. He can return to duty in three days."


    "Understood!"


    The soldier saluted, but then hesitated.


    "Captain, why were you spacing out just now?


    Is there something suspicious about those bounty hunters?"


    The captain frowned slightly and muttered,


    "There is, actually."


    He glanced around cautiously before continuing in a hushed tone:


    "Bard, you know I''m not originally from the imperial capital, right?"


    "Of course," Bard replied immediately.


    "But what does that matter, Captain?


    You''ve dedicated yourself to the Plantagenet Kingdom, setting an example for all of us.


    Even if you weren''t born here, I''d still gladly follow your orders!"


    "Enough with the flattery," the captain said, waving a hand impatiently.


    "Listen carefully.


    Before coming here to serve, I spent some time living in Barton Kingdom."


    At this, Bard''s eyes widened.


    "And those bounty hunters who just entered..." the captain continued slowly,


    "...they were speaking with a clear Barton Kingdom accent."


    "What?!"


    Bard gasped, utterly stunned.


    "You mean that Barton?!


    The Barton Kingdom that''s our mortal enemy?!"


    "What other Barton do you think I mean?" the captain snapped.


    "Of course it''s that Barton."


    "But why?!"


    Bard asked, his voice full of confusion.


    "If it was just about hiring some bounty hunters to do dirty work,


    there are plenty of skilled ones inside our own kingdom.


    Why specifically invite bounty hunters from Barton of all places?"


    The captain stroked his chin thoughtfully, clearly just as puzzled.


    "How would I know?


    Just focus on your duty.


    The less we meddle in things above our pay grade, the better."


    Not long after entering the city, the middle-aged man turned around and addressed the bounty hunters with a heavy sigh:


    "Keep a low profile.


    If you make too much noise, you''ll alert the target."


    "Before we start the mission,


    I''ll find a safe hideout for you.


    Stay put and behave yourselves."


    The mustached bounty hunter flicked the brim of his hat with a smirk.


    "Why make things so complicated?" he drawled.


    "You tell us where the target is,


    and tomorrow morning, we''ll deliver their head to you.


    That''s how bounty hunters work. Simple."


    The middle-aged man''s expression darkened in alarm.


    "No! This mission is extremely important.


    We must proceed cautiously!"


    The bounty hunter chuckled again¡ª


    but this time, there was a chilling hint of menace in his laugh.


    "Caution? Screw caution," he sneered.


    "You seem to be under some kind of delusion, pal.


    We bounty hunters have plenty of jobs lined up."


    "After we''re done with yours,


    we have other contracts waiting.


    We don''t have time to play your slow, secretive games."


    Seeing the middle-aged man hesitate further, the mustached bounty hunter sighed dramatically.


    "Fine, fine.


    I get it.


    You big shots who won''t even reveal your real identities have your worries.


    I''m not asking you to lead us there yourself."


    "Just tell us the target''s location.


    This ''Sirius Academy,'' or whatever it''s called."


    As soon as he said that, a nearby passerby let out an exclamation:


    "Sirius Academy?!


    You folks heading to Sirius Academy?"


    The bounty hunter immediately turned around and grinned.


    "That''s right.


    You know where it is?"


    The passerby slapped his thigh in excitement.


    "Well, isn''t that a coincidence!


    I''m heading there myself!


    Heard there''s a student at Sirius who took on almost the entire Lioncrest combat force solo¡ª


    ¡ªand even personally killed that Eisen guy!"


    "Everyone in the capital wants to catch a glimpse of that little monster!"


    The mustached bounty hunter bared his teeth in a wide grin.


    In bounty hunter slang, this was called "walking right into the gun barrel."


    "Then what are we waiting for, buddy? Lead the way."


    "Sure thing!"


    The passerby responded eagerly and started leading them through the city streets.


    Along the way, they ran into more and more curious folks.


    News of bounty hunters¡ªeven foreign ones from Barton Kingdom¡ªbeing interested in Sirius Academy spread like wildfire.


    In no time at all, a large crowd had gathered, all excitedly following the bounty hunters.


    Everyone knew the vile reputation bounty hunters carried.


    But it was precisely because of that infamy that they yearned to see it¡ª


    ¡ªto witness Alan, the student prodigy, thrashing these despicable mercenaries.


    They wanted to see evil punished and justice upheld¡ª


    ¡ªand watching Alan deliver that justice with his own hands would be nothing short of exhilarating.


    The fact that these bounty hunters were from Barton Kingdom, their mortal enemy? S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That just made it even sweeter.