Strider, clad in Wyvern Peak’s battle suit, stood proudly before Jerome and shielded him. He emanated an aura that could shift the winds and shape eternity. His presence ignited an unprecedented surge of passion.Strider's appearance ignited a fervent wave of enthusiasm. Countless people cheered as excitement coursed through them. They thought it was the end for Jerome when he fell. Nobody had expected Strider, the newly appointed tenth battle warrior of Wyvern Peak, to arrive with an invincible demeanor.Not one of the Eight Hollows would have dared to invade them if they had known of Strider."Strider!""Strider!"Endless cheers echoed as the thrilling moment unfolded. The news anchor excitedly said, "Battle Warrior Strider appeared the moment War Legate Dominus fell! He's going to fight in the war legate's stead."Take a look, everyone! This is how powerful Wyvern Peak is, and how powerful Novemton's soldiers are. Battle Warrior Strider will defend our honor in War Legate Domi
Strider had come to settle this once and for all.Crystal took a deep breath. "Jerome exceeded my expectations. I can't believe a nineteen-year-old had so much foresight to plan this far ahead. He wanted to gain recognition from Novemtoners through this battle. That is why he faced it alone despite his severe injuries. This battle is a tribute to his master's battle at Azure Creek."I thought Jerome’s fall would mean the end of all our lives. I wasn't expecting him to arrange for Strider to be his backup plan."It was hard to imagine that such a masterful plan had come from a nineteen-year-old.An elder said, "War Legate Dominus displayed courage in this battle that not even War Legate Draco possessed back in the day. War Legate Dominus has earned his right to be known as a legend."He killed six of the seven immortals he faced, and a single immortal is worth a hundred thousand men. War Legate Dominus has effectively single-handedly annihilated six hundred thousand men. Such a fea
“Ooooohhhhh!!!" As the news anchor excitedly reported this latest information, screams of joy erupted from every city and corner of Novemton. The people went wild with excitement. No one had expected Remy to take control of Dragon Peak's stronghold at such a crucial moment.The news anchor continued, "After the Eight Hollows departed from their headquarters, War Legate Dominus ordered Battle Warrior Remy to sneak into Dragon Peak's vicinity with five hundred men. And while War Legate Dominus was battling the Eight Hollows, Battle Warrior Remy conquered Dragon Peak with his men, a stronghold that was defended by thousands of men!"The people were ecstatic."Well done, Battle Warrior Remy!""Well done!""Three cheers for Battle Warrior Remy!”"Hip, hip, hooray!"Cheers swept through the cities.A few children were sitting on a bench on a city street, watching the live broadcast of the battle through the large screen on the city’s central building."Debra, are they talking abou
Strider nodded resolutely. "You've done your part. It's time for me to do mine." At this moment, several men from Wyvern Peak rushed up the mountain. Strider went up to them."Retreat immediately and get the legate to the hospital. Nobody is allowed near Ganon Mountain unless I say so.""Yes, sir!"As Strider handed Jerome over, Javi suddenly yelled in anger, "None of you are going anywhere!"Javi charged at Strider and Jerome. In return, Strider simply shrugged his shoulders and shot out a beam of green light that smashed into Javi."Argh!"Javi screamed in agony as he was sent flying and crashed heavily into the ground. After the men took Jerome away, Strider turned to look at Javi and slowly walked toward the man."The Eight Hollows are supposed to be Wyvern Peak's reserve forces. Novemtoners are your ancestors, yet you refuse to work for Novemton. To make matters worse, you tried to invade Novemton. Thus, on my name as Strider Hicks, I will stop your traitorous act for the
Javi was dead. The man who was promoted to the head of the Eight Hollow thanks to Wyvern Peak, who later on went to plunder Dragon Peak, died outside the gates of his homeland.Javi was a Novemtoner through and through, and his family originated from Locksmourne. Twenty years ago, he was chosen to join the Eight Hollows and became one of the strongest men alive. Yet, he refused to live out the rest of his life under Wyvern Peak's rule and started a coup.Dragon Peak, a place founded by Achelous, brought Javi tremendous strength. He then allied himself with other outland organizations in an attempt to rebel. But after conspiring for decades, Javi, much to his surprise, died at the hands of a young man.More importantly, he died kneeling before the gates of his homeland.And thus ended the Eight Hollows' existence. Novemtoners celebrated throughout the streets. They shouted out of the thrill of their victory.Strider stood with his back to Novemton's gates, gazing toward a distant d
"Any news on War Legate Draco?" Jerome asked when Lewis entered the room.Lewis shook his head. "The rain in the Uduma Desert hasn't stopped. Nearly the entire desert is flooded, but we still have yet to hear from War Legate Draco. We can’t send our men to Enigma City since there's just too much about the place we don't know. Right now, our only option is to leave his fate to the gods."Jerome took a deep breath. Although he was concerned about Adrian, life had to go on. He instructed, "Help me write a letter to Novemton headquarters. I want to inform Monarch Crystal about my intentions to build a railway connecting Wyvern Peak and Dragon Peak. To do so, we have to tunnel through mountains and lay down the necessary tracks.""But sir, this will be a tremendous project. We don't know how long it'll take to complete. I'm worried it might cause a significant impact on Novemton's finances." "We can save costs wherever necessary, but the railway must be done as soon as possible. The ea
Crystal looked at Oliver in amusement. "I get the feeling that you were already expecting War Legate Dominus to build a railway through Mount Gremont."Oliver took a deep breath. "Mount Gremont is situated north of Wyvern Peak. It's a strategically advantageous position that's easy to defend and hard to attack. Beyond the snowy mountains lies War Legate Achelous' Dragon Peak."In the past, War Legate Achelous chose that place as Dragon Peak’s base as he wanted to form a stronghold with both peaks and Novemton through an alliance. It would’ve been an indomitable force against the outlanders. However, War Legate Achelous never anticipated that the Eight Hollows would rebel against him for control over Dragon Peak."Crystal thought it was rather laughable how War Legate Achelous' good intentions ended up becoming a smudge in his honor and dignity. "Go on," she prompted."After the Battle at Azure Creek, War Legate Draco stood on the rooftop of Wyvern Peak and looked out toward Mount
"It was with my mentor whom War Legate Draco inquired about the railway years ago, about whether it was a possible task at the time. After that, my master left Wyvern Peak and returned to the campus to refine his skills. After four years of hard work, he completed this blueprint.“Before he passed on, he gave this to me and told me to complete it for him because it was only a matter of time before Novemton needed it. And I believe that time has come," Oliver said.He suddenly got on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, as the genius of the engineering institute, I request that you allow me to be the chief designer and engineer for this project. I will lead the workers and complete the railway through Mount Gremont. I shall offer up my life should I fail.”Complicated feelings arose in Crystal when she saw Oliver kneeling before her."Oliver, the construction of this railway may exhaust all of our finances, so it has to be completed. Otherwise, we'd be irreversibly ruined.""I underst
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