When Adrian heard what the staff told him, he asked, "Has everyone whom we invited arrived too?"The woman nodded. "Yes, sir. Although, a few of the elderly are too ill to attend, so they've sent their descendants as substitutes. Also, the godkings have made all the preparations necessary at Wyvern Peak. Jerome and the others are still inside the rainforest at the moment. Based on the current situation, I believe the first team will exit in seven days."Adrian got up when he heard this. "That's good. It's about time I head over to Wyvern Peak myself. Help me prepare for it please.""Yes, sir." Adrian flew over to Wyvern Peak the very same day, where a whole group of people had gathered. The retirees and friends and relatives of the candidates were all staying in Wyvern Peak, waiting for the birth of the next legate. Wyvern Peak's management was closely monitoring everything happening within the rainforest. Everyone became more and more excited as they waited for the final day.
After two weeks, the first and second teams were about to exit the rainforest. Wyvern Peak would select its next legate between the victor and the runner-up. Adrian seemed a little worried, while the others were trembling with excitement. Finally, with the sounds of heavy footsteps and labored breathing, thousands of figures emerged from the forest.It was Jerome and his team.He was riddled with countless wounds, some of which were scrapes from vines. He was a gruesome sight. More than a hundred of his teammates were being carried by the other teammates. All of them looked exhausted.Jerome instantly spotted Adrian and the others waiting for him outside the rainforest. He stopped and gasped for air as he looked at Adrian. Everyone started applauding and cheering for him with smiles on their faces. Jerome was still bleeding. It seemed that they had come across a pack of wolves or something equally dangerous."I'm back," Jerome said, his words filled with deep meaning. "Well done,
"Alive and kicking, sir," Remy responded, to which everyone smiled. Adrian stroked Remy's head and smiled. "Good work. I can see you've improved a great deal since we last spoke. You've won this test."“Has no one else gotten out?" Remy asked. "You're the second team to leave the rainforest, Jerome was six hours ahead of you. Everyone else is still in there."Remy took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Does this mean either Jerome or myself will be replacing you as the next legate?""That's right. One of you will become Wyvern Peak's next leader.""I'd like to sleep for a while now," Remy replied.Adrian gestured, and a second group of medics transported the injured to the base. The first elder then walked over and asked, "Should we let the rest continue with the challenge?"Adrian nodded. "They may have lost, but they're still going to become valuable members of Wyvern Peak. Keep a close eye on their positions and have our men on standby to save them if required.""All right.
Neither of them knew what Adrian meant, but they could sense there was a deeper meaning to his words. Remy asked, "Why do you say that, sir? Is something going to happen during the finals?"Adrian turned his back to them. "Focus on your fight and don't stop until a new legate has been chosen. Remember, do not stop no matter what happens. This is a show of courage and determination. It’ll also show the outlanders that Wyvern Peak will be regaining control very soon. We're about to rise." Still confused by Adrian's sudden statement, Remy and Jerome were about to ask more when Adrian said, "Make sure you remember all that. Now, rest. Your finals will begin in ten days. I want you to focus on recuperating so that you can surprise me with your best performance. Go on now." "Sir.""Sir."Remy and Jerome called out, though they were reluctant to leave Adrian's side. "A legate never shows fear or retreats, that's the motto you should remember. Create your own legacy for your lovers,
"You do know you might die, right?" Raquel said through clenched teeth. She added firmly, "I'll gather the battle warriors and godkings immediately. They should be able to get here in no time. I doubt Bashir will be a match for all of us, even if he's an immortal."Adrian shook his head and rejected Raquel's suggestion. "I just told you this will be my last fight. I'm going to give Jerome and Remy one final lesson before I bow out. I'll be able to truly let everything go after that."Raquel placed her hand over Adrian's shoulder. "Have you ever once thought about yourself? You've already done enough. Jerome, Remy, Sage, Polaris, everyone… You've taught them enough. This is their path to walk now, so why do all this?" "It's my job to clean up the messes until they officially take over Wyvern Peak. I have to clear the way one more time before I leave.""What about Sam and Nova? You know full-well Bashir’s an immortal and that nobody is a match for him. You will die if you fight him
Adrian stood under the night sky a while longer before leaving the roof. Everyone in Novemton eagerly awaited for the finals to begin as Jerome and Remy prepared for their final battle. The spectators waited patiently to witness the birth of the new legate, while reporters zoned in on Wyvern Peak like hawks. Samantha and her family, including Juno, returned to Swallowston, while reporters from all over the world rushed to Wyvern Peak, ready to record the finals. Billions of people waited for the final event, anxiously waiting for it to take place. Adrian sat in his office writing a letter. It was a letter addressed to all of the citizens of Novemton. His letter contained the hopes he had for the next generation as War Legate Draco before he retired. The Battle Warrior Departments scattered throughout the cities, counties, and villages throughout Novemton made copies of the letter upon receiving it. Soon, everyone had a copy and read through it silently.[It has been four years s
They all hoped he would retain his position for another four years, but that did not seem possible anymore.***One Jewel Road in Swallowston was brightly lit.As Adrian’s family read the letter, they felt all of Adrian's regrets in every single word. He may have dealt with Internal Affairs, but he did not have the opportunity to purge the world of the many outland organizations.Samantha thought back to the past. More specifically, she was recalling when Adrian had just returned to Swallowston. She lamented how time had passed so quickly and how Adrian had only retained his position for a few more years since then.'He's grown old…’Samantha picked up Nova from her cot and carried her to the observatory. She pointed in the direction of Wyvern Peak and said, "Daddy's over there, Nova. He'll be home soon.""Da…da… Dada!" Nova's cries traveled all the way to Wyvern Peak. ***Dong!Dong, dong!Dong, dong, dong!!!The deafening sound of the drums could be heard from Wyvern P
Dong, dong, dong!!!The sound of drums rang out as billions of people cheered. Everyone sitting around the stage became nervous as the finals began.The moment the first elder announced the start of the battle, Jerome and Remy clenched their fists and unleashed their mighty aura, which caused another wave of cheers. The two candidates spotted someone on the roof of Wyvern Peak's main hall.It was Adrian in a black cape, quietly watching them.They looked at Adrian, recalling him saying they were to continue their match no matter what happened that day. Those words from ten days ago rang in their mind as though they were just yesterday. They both looked at one another and yelled, "Let's go!"Boom!!!Their auras were so intense that even the ground beneath their feet shattered as they charged at one another. They both swung powerful punches that clashed on impact.And thus, began the finals of the selection! ***Adrian remained calm as he watched Jerome and Remy fight. Raqu
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