Danial looked at Barley and was about to ask about the maid when he noticed some movement in the corner of his eye. The maid that was standing suddenly dashed towards Barley. The maid suddenly took out a knife, more like a dagger from her back and aimed it at Barley's neck.As Danial's instincts heightened and his body tensed intensely, he watched in horror as the maid, who had seemed so unassuming just moments before, dashed behind Barley with a small dagger in hand.Time seemed to slow as Danial's mind raced, processing the danger unfolding before him.With lightning speed, Danial's instinct kicked in. He knew he had to act quickly to protect Barley and Lily. Without hesitation, he activated his martial arts technique, channeling the water-flowing movement to propel himself forward with astonishing speed.The maid's eyes widened in shock as Danial closed the distance between them in an instant, with a swift motion, Danial knocked the knife out of the maid's hand, sending it clatteri
James broke down at that moment, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. He fell to his knees, his sobs racking his body as he finally let out the pain and fear he had been holding inside for so long."Every time something happens, I have to take the blame. Every single time," he choked out between sobs. "He knows I have my wife and two kids, and he constantly threatens their lives. I can't even leave the country because his men are always around my house, watching us, waiting for me to slip up."James's tears flowed freely as his emotions poured out, a torrent of despair and hopelessness. His shoulders heaved with the weight of his burden, and he looked utterly broken.Albert, moved by the sight of his friend in such agony, knelt beside James and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Why didn't you say anything to me, James? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked gently, his voice filled with sorrow and compassion.James looked up at Albert, his eyes red and swollen from crying
Danial sat on his bed, staring at the intricate design of his Jade ring. The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle radiance over the room. His mind was filled with questions, swirling like a storm in his consciousness."Where are you, father?" he muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "And what is going on with me?"He turned the ring over in his hands, feeling its smooth surface against his fingertips. It had been his father's, a cherished memento that held a connection to a past he barely understood. Danial often found himself lost in thought, wondering about the mysteries that surrounded his family and his own destiny.As he pondered, his thoughts gradually faded into the realm of sleep. His eyelids grew heavy, and his breathing slowed as he succumbed to the embrace of slumber.Outside the newfound ruins of Cyrus West, two figures stood amidst the darkness of the night. Grandmaster Quintan stood beside a woman clad in golden armor. Her
Danial stood up, his mind still filled with questions. "I have some questions I hope that you can enlighten me," he said, looking earnestly at the three Masters."Abhaya, with his serene demeanor, put his palms together and said, "We will help you, Amitabha."Danial gathered his thoughts and asked, "Do you know someone by the name of Prince Egon or Cyrus West?"The three masters exchanged puzzled glances before shaking their heads. "No, I haven't heard of anyone by those names," Balthazar admitted, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What happened, Danial?"Danial sighed deeply, recounting the events of the past few days. "There is an opening of ancient ruins, and my friends and I are expected to enter and explore them. These ruins are linked to someone named Cyrus West, and there’s talk of Prince Egon. We’re dealing with an arcane barrier that prevents anyone above the Mortal level of cultivation from entering. We are selected with other individuals whose cultivation is under the Morta
Master Eamon, Leonard, Kuro, Maria, Pavan, and Danial had agreed to meet near the academy, where a sleek, black bus stood waiting. Master Eamon was on a call, his voice low and serious, while Pavan, Maria, and Leonard were engaged in a conversation nearby. Despite the group's overall camaraderie, Maria seemed somewhat distant from Leonard, maintaining a subtle but noticeable gap between them. Kuro, meanwhile, was leaning against the bus, lost in thought.As Danial approached Kuro, he called out, "Hello, Kuro. Earth to Kuro?"Kuro snapped out of his thoughts and looked up, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Hey, Danial. You finally made it."Danial scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, I was stuck in traffic."Kuro nodded. "Well, come on. Everyone is waiting for us."Before Kuro could move, Danial noticed the tension in his friend's expression. "You're afraid, aren't you?" he said softly.Kuro froze, a stunned look crossing his face. "Is it something related to your family?" Danial as
Danial woke to the piercing sound of an alarm blaring throughout the academy. Groggy, he struggled to make sense of the noise until a cold electronic voice cut through the din, "All students and cultivators must gather in Training Hall Alpha. All students and cultivators must gather in Training Hall Alpha." The message repeated on a loop, heightening the urgency.Danial rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sprang out of bed, and hurriedly freshened up. Not knowing what the clothing criteria might be, he decided to wear his sports clothes. As he prepared, he noticed Pavan sitting on the edge of his bed, dark circles under his eyes but an enthusiastic expression on his face."What's up? Didn't sleep well?" Danial asked, placing a hand on Pavan's shoulder.Pavan's reply was unusually enthusiastic despite his weary appearance. "Dude, I couldn't calm down from the excitement. I didn't get any sleep. Right now, I'm more excited than ever This is going to be epic."Danial chuckled and nodded. "Le
Oliver Brown stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention. His gaze swept over the assembled students like a cold wind, penetrating deep into their souls, making them feel as if their darkest secrets were being laid bare. The remaining students felt that they couldn't hide anything from Oliver no matter what they did.Each time his eyes landed on an individual, they felt their vision darken and blur, an overwhelming testament to the immense power he wielded. Although these moments were brief, they were enough to instill a sense of awe and fear among the students, a clear indication of Oliver's unmatched prowess.When his gaze landed on Kuro, Oliver's eyes widened slightly in recognition. He recalled the boy's lineage and the formidable reputation of his family. It was rare for Oliver to be caught off guard, but the sight of Kuro sparked a memory. Kuro, too, felt the intensity of the scrutiny, but his expression remained composed. He knew that his identity would
His exclamation echoed through the silent hall, drawing the attention of everyone present. All heads turned and looked at Danial with confused and curious gazes. Feeling the weight of their stares, Danial shook his head in embarrassment, trying to dismiss the outburst. He could feel his cheeks burning as he avoided eye contact, focusing instead on the System panel.Elysia's sharp gaze shifted to him, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. "Is there something you would like to share with the rest of us?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of challenge.Danial swallowed hard, realizing he needed to think quickly. "No, Miss Elysia," he said, his voice steadying as he spoke. "I was just surprised by the reality of our mission. It's a lot to take in."Elysia studied him for a moment longer before giving a curt nod. "Good. Let that surprise fuel your determination. You'll need every bit of it."With the focus shifted back to Elysia, Danial let out a silent sigh of relief. He glanced arou
Pavan stood tall, the steam curling from his body growing denser with each breath. The arena crackled with tension as silence swept through the crowd. His clothes, torn and burnt at the edges, clung to his frame. His skin shimmered faintly, redder than before, and glowing orange fissures branched along his arms and shoulders like dormant lightning, pulsing with restrained might.But the change wasn’t just physical.His movements had sharpened.His aura was heavier.And his eyes—burning a molten gold—locked onto Zain like a predator.In the stands, Danial leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “What happened to him?”Crystal, just as confused, shook her head. “I... I don’t know. But it’s like his strength and speed just multiplied all of a sudden.”Danial’s brows furrowed. “Do you think he’s awakened some kind of hidden power?”“I can’t tell. But this isn’t elemental... it feels different.”Back in the arena, Pavan moved.He vanished in a blur of heat shimmer, reappearing before Zain with a r
Zain did not waste time and immediately rushed towards Pavan with a slashing whip.She leapt forward like a predator, her movements swift and ferocious, the whip in her hand arcing through the air with a venomous hiss. The sound alone was enough to make several spectators flinch.Pavan stepped back and avoided the whip attack and saw the mark on the ground—a testament to the power and durability of the whip.The stone tiles of the arena cracked under the force, the lash leaving behind a long, blackened scar. Dust floated into the air as Pavan widened his eyes."If that whip hits me," he thought grimly, "it will cut me open like butter."Zain followed the attack, twisting her body and lashing out again.She spun like a dancer, her every step precise. The whip cracked once more, slicing through the air like lightning. It came toward Pavan again—fast and merciless.Pavan raised his sword and blocked the whip attack; however, a black mark appeared on the sword, showing the power that the
Danial and Crystal returned to the arena, their footsteps brisk as they hurried toward the edge of the spectator stands. The air was buzzing with anticipation, and as they settled in, a clear voice rang out across the arena."Next round—Pavan from Somerland versus Zain from Somerland!"Danial and Crystal exchanged glances. Without a word, they moved closer, their attention sharpening as they peered down at the battlefield.Emerging from the preparation area, Zain strode onto the stage with an air of absolute confidence. In her hand, she carried a black whip, its length coiling and uncoiling like a living serpent. With a casual flick of her wrist, she lashed it through the air, the sharp crack echoing through the silent arena.Danial furrowed his brows at the sight. "A whip? Is that even considered a proper weapon?"Crystal, arms crossed, responded without looking at him. "It is—if she belongs to the Devil’s Associates faction."Danial turned to her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"Crysta
Egbert stood up while clenching his blade, his entire body trembling. His eyes, wide with disbelief, locked onto Danial as his voice cracked with confusion."How can this be? How could this ever be possible?" he muttered, his face twisted in shock. He staggered back, gripping his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "How could your basic technique be so powerful? How could your technique overpower my divine Crimson Reaper Arts? That is not possible. You must have cheated!"Egbert could not accept reality. His technique was not just some ordinary martial skill; it was crafted by Norman Ray, a war deity of immense power and wisdom. The Crimson Reaper Arts were revered as one of the strongest sword techniques, refined through generations, yet Danial’s seemingly simple Sword Drawing Technique had shattered it, breaking through his proudest ability as if it were nothing. It defied all logic. It was unacceptable.Egbert's voice echoed through the now-silent hall, but no one came
The battle hall was filled with murmurs and hushed voices as Danial and Egbert stepped onto the duel arena. The place still carried traces of previous battles, the floor marked with faint scars from past clashes, including Danial’s fight with Sara. But today, the tension in the air was different—more electric, more charged.Egbert’s arrogance was on full display as he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. “Kid, I’m taking pity on you for what’s about to happen. Maybe if you kneel and crawl, I’ll let you live.”Danial met his gaze calmly and replied, “No.”The single word was enough to darken Egbert’s face. His jaw clenched as his pride took a hit. “Danial, I’m giving you a way out. Once in the duel arena, I won’t let you off even if you kneel and beg for mercy.”Danial tilted his head slightly, unfazed. “Are we going to fight or not?”Egbert’s eyes twitched in annoyance before he shrugged as if he had already won. “Alright, I hope you remember what I said.”Both climbed onto the duel
Danial sat in the audience, watching the ongoing matches with mild interest. At first, he paid attention, analyzing the techniques used by different fighters, but after a while, he grew bored. The matches were too predictable, lacking the intensity of the battles he had been in. He tapped his fingers on the armrest, wondering when his final match would come.Crystal, who had been sitting beside him, noticed his bored expression. She smirked and leaned closer. “Danial, let’s go walk around the academy.”Danial glanced at her and considered it for a moment. Sitting here and watching these mundane fights wasn’t going to help him. He nodded. “Alright, might as well.”As they stood up and left the arena, they remained unaware of the shadow lurking in the distance, silently watching their every move.The academy grounds had transformed into a lively hub. Stalls lined the pathways, selling everything from cultivation manuals to exotic snacks. There were booths set up for visitors and student
Crystal descended into the rocky arena, her icy-blue eyes scanning the terrain. The environment was filled with jagged hills, uneven terrain, and rocky outcroppings—an arena that would test movement and adaptability. Danial leaned against the railing, watching her with a small smile, fully confident in her victory.Just as the match was about to begin, Leonard approached from behind, patting Danial’s shoulder with a smug grin."Danial, did you see my match just now? The tricks I used had him completely baffled—haha!"Danial turned to look at him, blinking. "That was your match?"Leonard’s face fell. The excitement in his eyes flickered. "Yeah… you didn’t see it?"Danial quickly realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation. "Leonard, I didn’t know your match was happening. I’m sorry."Leonard forced a smile, waving it off. "Alright, no worries." He turned and walked away, but as he did, the forced smile gradually faded.Danial sighed, feeling a little guilty, but his attenti
As the tournament progressed, the excitement in the air reached its peak. The crowd roared in anticipation as each match brought forth new surprises, showcasing the sheer talent and determination of the academy's young warriors. Danial sat with Crystal, both observing the ongoing battles with quiet interest.Crystal turned to him and asked, "You already won two matches. This guarantees your spot in the Final Stage tomorrow. Who do you think your final opponent will be?"Danial shrugged, his expression calm. "I don't know," he replied simply.Just as he finished speaking, movement from the side caught his attention. Pavan had returned from the infirmary, his head and shoulders wrapped in fresh bandages. His steps were steady, but the slight wince as he moved revealed that his injuries hadn’t fully healed.Danial immediately got up and walked over to him, his brows furrowed in concern. "Why are you out of the infirmary? Your body needs rest."Pavan groaned, waving his hand dismissively.
Tyler staggered slightly as he stepped down from the arena, his legs trembling, his face pale. The match had been brief—too brief—but the experience had left a lasting impression on him. No, it wasn’t just the match itself; it was the gaze. That chilling, soul-crushing gaze that had locked onto him as if stripping away every ounce of his being. It was unlike anything he had ever faced before.His master approached, his eyes filled with concern as he placed a firm hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”Tyler did not answer immediately. He walked in silence, each step feeling heavier than the last. His master was about to repeat the question when Tyler finally spoke, his voice hollow.“I want to withdraw from the tournament.”The words were so unexpected that his master was momentarily stunned. Tyler was not one to give up easily. He had trained relentlessly, fought fiercely, and had dreams of proving himself. Yet now, standing before him, was not the same student who had entered thi