Kaiden nodded. "I did. He performed quite well during those years. In fact, he was even better than you. But that’s not a big problem. I'm sure you'll surpass him as long as you don't give up."He reached out and pinned a medal on Juno's shirt."Juno, out of everyone, you're the only one I think has a chance of becoming the next legate. Hence, I'm giving you this medal and a codename to represent my sincerest blessing."Juno looked down and saw the word inscribed on her medal. She mumbled, "Eclipsea?"Kaiden said, "Once you leave this place, you shall no longer be Juno Byrd, but Eclipsea. I hope that you will create a legacy for yourself that will go down in history for generations. I hope you'll become an outstanding legate like War Legate Draco himself.”"Thank you, sir. I love the name very much. I’ll be sure to call and let you know if I become the new legate," Juno replied. "Fall back in line, Juno. Now, Jesse, Eve, Frank. Step forward.”The few mentioned stepped forward a
Kaiden dismissed his students after he was done making arrangements. He wanted to give them a little more time to prepare themselves.Juno and her team returned to their dormitories, where Elize, Felicia, Penny, and the others had also returned. At that moment, they were discussing whether to participate in the selection. Seeing Juno walk into the dorm, Elize quickly asked, "Juno, are you going to sign up? I'm undecided whether I should join myself. I know I won’t be selected, and I may even be eliminated in the first round. But I think I’ll regret it a little if I don't try."A number of them shared the same thought. After all, the selection was going to be extremely difficult for its candidates. Only the one who could endure all hardships would become the new legate. Despite this role being a lifelong dream for many, only a handful had the competency to become one.Juno replied, "I'm going to sign up. I promised my brother I’d become the next legate.” "Wow!" "That's a huge d
Mya smiled. "The selection is coming up soon. We should head back and make preparations. What do you think, Gloria?"Gloria nodded with a smile. "Yes, we should. Let's go home since there's nothing wrong with me anymore. We’ve troubled them to take care of us for so long that I'm starting to feel a little guilty.”"You did no such thing." Lacey continued, "It was no trouble at all. Neither are we trying to chase you out, but the matter in Novemton seems to be very pressing.""What do you think?" Gloria asked. Adrian wanted to stay there for another week until all of the mutated cells inside Gloria were gone, but the selection was at hand. This was the most important event in his life and the last thing he would be involved in as a war legate. Hence, he needed to give it his all.He asked, "Lacey, are you sure Gloria’s cells won't mutate again? What are the chances of that happening?"Lacey understood Adrian’s concerns. "Don't worry, the remnants aren't functional. Also, the medi
Adrian and Nicholas sat inside a cafe, talking about Gostia and Partingia. Adrian held Nicholas in very high regard and had nothing but good compliments for him. Nicholas did not have high aspirations in life. He only hoped to do what he could to resolve problems and make the world safer.Naturally, these problems were related to Gostia and Partingia. If the outlands learned of these countries’ histories and located what was lost there, the world would surely face a world-ending catastrophe.Nicholas said, "I'll be entering Mount Shangspar again in spring next year when it is warmest. Please let me know by February if you'd like to go. I'll wait for you until then and depart in early March."February was a warm season for Mount Shangspar which was a mountain of snow. There would be fewer avalanches during that time, making it the best time to visit. Nicholas wanted to learn the history of Gostia and Partingia, something that he had been confident in since the beginning.Adrian thou
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lacey. Sorry for taking up so much of your time," Adrian said.Lacey nodded in response. "It's nothing, don't mention it. Have a safe trip home. Feel free to contact me if Gloria faces any abnormal situations.""Okay, thank you. We'll be off now." Gloria waved at Lacey and got into the car. Hayden drove off once Adrian and Mya too got in. Lacey stood outside her clinic, heaving a sigh as she watched the car drive into the distance. Nicholas walked over, and she hooked her arms around his. Leaning into him, she said, "You've created another miracle, you little rascal. Let's see if anyone in Paranormal Physicians still dares to underestimate your capabilities now. By the way, what were you and War Legate Draco talking about?""Nothing much, just that he wants to visit Mount Shangspar next year.""You're going to Mount Shangspar again? Listen here, I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life if you don't take me with you this time…"***Hayden d
Amidst the chatter, the group soon arrived at the harbor.There was no boat home, which operated only once a month. However, there was a small electric-powered wooden boat by the docks. Brett was standing there, looking toward Adrian and the others. He walked over when the car stopped. Adrian, Gloria, and the others got out. Brett said, "You guys are here. I've been waiting for you guys.""This spells trouble.” Mya tutted and pointed at the wooden boat. "Brett, are you sure this little boat will be able to handle the great sea? The waves won’t flip it over, right?"Brett smiled in embarrassment as he scratched his head. "I'm really sorry, Ms. Mya, but they're really poor people. I had to pay the fishermen a huge sum just to borrow this boat. Don't worry, I checked the weather report today. We won't be facing any waves today.""What baloney. Don't you know it's almost impossible to predict what the weather out at sea will be like? I'm going to give you a good beating if I fall ove
Adrian could also tell how genuinely happy Gloria was. The generator broke down three times throughout the entire journey. An eight-hour journey dragged out to twelve hours. It was night by the time the wooden boat finally arrived at Noirsandia's Northseaton. The boat pulled into a broken-down dock usually used by fishermen. The harbor was brightly lit.Mya grumbled, "I'm exhausted from that hazardous boat ride. This is all your fault, Brett."Brett held his hands in the air. "The most important thing is that we arrived in one piece. We should count our lucky stars that we even found a boat to get here, so please, stop your complaining.""I'm hungry. How about something to eat?" Gloria suggested. "A car's here to pick us up, so we should hurry over." The group left the harbor and found two jeeps waiting for them. Two middle-aged men were standing by the vehicles, with one of them stepping forward when Adrian and the others arrived."Sir, we're in charge of defending Noirsandi
The sound of water streaming down masked Gloria and Mya's conversation."You've got such a wonderful physique, Mya! You’re gorgeous!" Gloria complimented. "You should take a look at yourself. You've literally got the perfect physique and skin tone."While the women were busy complimenting each other, Adrian lay on the bed. He could vaguely make out what they were saying. Suddenly, his awareness heightened as he felt a murderous intent.Shortly after, he sensed a few gun muzzles aiming straight into his room. His senses had honed after being through countless battles, and he could feel an ambush from merciless snipers, along with a faint light reflection. When he turned around and looked through his window, he spotted a few men hiding in the skyscraper opposite the hotel. Assassins!But there was no way the outlanders could have caught onto them while they were traveling back from Bortuguesa. Looks like the trip back was not going to be as smooth sailing as they thought.Adrian
The Daemon Emperor was startled."What is happening? This power..."Formless energy was surging forward, pressuring his nerves and senses.Below, Andy and the others trembled uncontrollably."Who is it?" Finnian stared into the crimson mist.Even Andy was horrified, his gaze locked on the unfolding scene in disbelief, and asked, "What is this? What exactly is happening?" At this moment, Adrian abruptly opened his eyes.Apparently, the Daemon Emperor had once conspired with Adrian's subordinates to ambush him.However, Adrian had managed to annihilate the traitors and sealed this Daemon Emperor. Now, fate had brought them together again."If I killed you once, I can kill you again." Adrian stood tall, his white robes fluttering in the air.The Daemon Emperor was stunned into silence."This is impossible! You're not that mortal boy!""Is that so? In this life, your end has come, and so has the era of the daemons." Adrian's voice was calm yet resolute. He stretched out his han
Adrian's face hardened at the words. He despised threats above all else. While he understood what the mysterious entity desired, he couldn't yet fully comprehend its implications or find a way to counter it. His only choice was to focus on growing stronger.Within the hot spring, waves of raw, terrifying power surged and crashed violently against Adrian's body.The force, though beneficial, was brutal and overwhelming. Adrian's body struggled to endure, cracking as though it were disintegrating."Arghhh!"A heart-wrenching scream echoed as Adrian's flesh was torn apart and his aura gradually dimmed."Ahhh!"His agonized cries echoed once more. He could no longer withstand the pain.In the distance, a towering figure appeared and sneered. "What's this? Can't take it anymore? Pathetic. Humans are truly the epitome of stupidity."Suddenly, Adrian erupted with an explosive surge of energy, and in that instant, he broke through to the pinnacle of the Void Stage."Hmm? He actually b
At that moment, the crowd was speechless.Adrian had ascended as if it were the easiest thing in the world.Faced with such a sight, no one could say much beyond admiration. Even if the Holy Son claimed Adrian had cheated, many secretly wished they could cheat the same way.Lacking Adrian's means, all they could do was envy him.Finnian chuckled. "Haha! You really caught us all by surprise, kid. Still, I'll count this as you repaying me a favor."For Finnian, the outcome couldn't have been better. With a broad smile, he seemed to have achieved his desired result. Adrian's successful climb was all that mattered to him.Once Adrian had vanished, the focus shifted to the rest of the group and their trials.When Adrian opened his eyes again, his entire body ached, but an oddly comforting sensation flowed through him. Surveying his surroundings, he realized he was now in a pond."Where am I?" he asked.Though uncertain about the place, Adrian knew he had cleared the trial and arriv
The onlookers stared in bewilderment, their faces etched with confusion as they struggled to grasp the unfolding events.Meanwhile, Adrian seethed with barely contained rage. This wasn't his first encounter with such torment. Every few steps he ascended, another trial awaited.To Adrian, the relentless punishments felt suffocating. Yet he pressed on—this was the final stretch of the climb. "Adrian, hang in there!" Andy shouted, urging him to conquer the last step. To Andy, reaching that final step symbolized Adrian's growth. He had witnessed Adrian's remarkable resilience countless times and held unwavering faith in his potential. In Andy's eyes, Adrian was destined for greatness. Adrian's expression turned cold as he locked his gaze on the steps ahead. Determination flickered in his eyes. "If reaching the top guarantees a reward, it doesn't have to be me up there. As long as someone makes it, that's enough." With that, he shifted his focus to the void above and formed
Adrian felt as if every nerve in his body was beyond his control. A deep sense of grievance filled his heart as the divine thunder from the void relentlessly crashed down.Rage surged within him, but under the onslaught of endless forces, he felt weak and constrained.Still, he had no choice but to press forward. He knew victory was within reach if he could endure a little longer—giving up now would mean death.If he fell, the shame and humiliation would crush him.Below, the Holy Son and others waited, eager to see him fail and mock him. This left Adrian no option but to push forward, striving toward the void above and his ultimate goal.The violent forces continued to bombard him from the sky.With every step, the thunder's impact intensified tenfold. His soul, already battered from a fierce battle with a horde of beasts, now felt as though it was dragging his exhausted body forward.Anyone else would likely have succumbed to despair. After all, under such immense pressure, ev
The oppressive forces descending from the void seemed determined to halt Adrian’s ascent up the staircase.Yet he refused to yield. To him, these overwhelming challenges were merely obstacles to conquer.He pressed forward with relentless determination.Thunderbolts continued to rain down, but the ominous red light from before did not return—a relief, as he never wished to endure its crushing weight again.The memory of that light still haunted him, leaving a lingering sense of helplessness. Its suffocating pressure had drained his strength, reducing him to a gasping, powerless state.Despite the toll on his body and mind, Adrian remained singularly focused on reaching the final step. His burning desire for greater power drove him forward, unwavering and resolute.Step by step, he ascended, reaching the 95th step in what felt like an instant.Only five steps remained. His gaze locked onto the summit, and a wild glint lit his eyes. A daring idea sparked within him, consuming his
Adrian pondered his situation, his cold gaze reflecting simmering frustration. Yet deep down, he recognized that whoever had designed the staircase was far from ordinary.Creating such a formidable trial required unimaginable power.Even a pinnacle Void Stage expert—or perhaps someone of the Multiply Stage—might bow in reverence before the ladder's creator."He won't last much longer. The divine lightning in this void is utterly destructive. In moments, he'll be reduced to ashes," sneered the Holy Son, his sharp eyes gleaming with malice.To the Holy Son, Adrian's demise was inevitable. Adrian had dared to offend him, and he was certain such audacity could only lead to death.Adrian caught the Holy Son's words and cast him a frosty glare. His intent to kill was unmistakable, though now wasn't the time.The staircase was no place for personal vendettas—eliminating him here would require careful planning.He also knew the Holy Son carried seals of immense power. A reckless move co
Finnian's sharp gaze reflected a hint of admiration. "Kid, you owe me a big favor this time. You'd better treasure this opportunity."Adrian remained silent, unsure how to respond. His cold eyes revealed no emotion, though he fully grasped the challenges ahead.Fear was a luxury he couldn't afford—he'd come too far to back down now.Suddenly, a streak of red light surged from the void, hurtling toward Adrian with terrifying speed. His eyes widened in shock as the crimson beam struck him, slamming him against the staircase.Caught off guard, Adrian collapsed, sprawled helplessly on the steps.The crowd below watched in astonishment. No one had expected his seemingly indestructible body to be overwhelmed so easily.The Holy Son sneered. "Haha! It seems he's triggered some kind of taboo. Let's see how arrogant he is now!"His voice dripped with schadenfreude, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction as he relished Adrian's struggle.Despite the crushing force, Adrian refused
"What exactly is up there pulling me so strongly?" Adrian's expression hardened as he pondered the mysterious force drawing him upward.A surge of violent energy erupted across the sky, crashing down like a raging storm.Adrian advanced cautiously, each step deliberate and precise.Gone were the reckless strides of before—now he moved with steely determination, fully aware of the lurking dangers.He'd learned that the void's formidable forces seemed to target him directly, compelling him to proceed step by step. Any attempt to bypass its unseen barriers would provoke a devastating strike."Ridiculous," Adrian muttered. "If I've chosen to climb, nothing will stop me."The void's relentless power intensified.Bolts of thunder hammered down mercilessly, battering Adrian's body. Yet fear never crossed his mind.What was there to be afraid of?To him, the divine thunder wasn't an obstacle—it was a crucible, a tool to temper his body and strengthen his resolve.Despite the storm, A