Riley broke down.The goal of Southrive’s River family was obvious.What sort of person was Jaden River? He grew up in a business family. His father and grandfather were renowned entrepreneurs. How could the Xander Group contend with him?Yet, why could Leonard not understand such a simple issue?Riley cried and said, “I’ve already said my piece on this matter, Father. We can wait and see if I’m wrong about this.“I have no doubts that the Xander Group’s shares will change drastically when Jaden channels the money into the company.“By then, Jaden will acquire all the shares using money bit by bit. In the end, he will kick Grandfather and all of you out of the company. By then, it will be too late to regret this.”Riley did her best to convince Leonard.But why would Leonard allow himself to be dissuaded? He was already immersed in the joy of having the Rivers as his backer.However, before Leonard could lose his temper again, Cedric walked over with his crutches. “Riley, I ha
The next morning, Samantha woke up early for New Paraiso’s opening ceremony.Samantha spent a little over an hour getting ready, donning a formal business suit with high heels. She looked alluring, mature, and charming.She also applied eyeshadow on her eyelids and lipstick on her lips, which was rare.Samantha looked extremely enticing and breathlessly beautiful.“Are you done getting ready, Adrian? Let’s eat on the way over. It will be a busy day at the company, and we should leave soon,” Samantha smiled and said to Adrian as soon as he stepped out of his room.Adrian glanced at Samantha and was enthralled by her.Her long legs were glistening with a seductive glossy sheen under her skirt and Adrian could not refrain himself from taking a few extra glances.“Do I look good?” Samantha asked.She spread her arms and spun around in front of Adrian on purpose.He smiled and said, “My wife is beautiful. She’s exquisite.”Samantha sniggered and said to Rue who just got out of her
Samantha realized she was no longer able to figure out Adrian’s thoughts.Still, she chose not to think too much since time was of the essence.Instead, she brought Rue with her to New Paraiso’s official opening ceremony.***Meanwhile, Adrian had someone deliver him a car so that he could drive over to Swallowston Cemetery.The area was rather quiet, seeing how it was in the suburbs.The cemetery was not luxurious per se, but it was the place where Layla Hart, Adrian’s grandmother, rested.Adrian did not know much about Layla’s life, but from what he knew, she was born into the Hart family—a wealthy family in Northrive. She had gone through life with a silver spoon in her mouth, receiving the best education possible.When Layla grew up, she became not only the most beautiful woman in Northrive but a learned one.Perhaps it was during the later years of her life that she crossed paths with Harold and got together with her.Despite her family’s objections, Layla went on to mar
Adrian said, “Grandmother, Father, it’s been seven years since I last visited. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. Too many things have happened ever since you two left.”Too many unexpected things had happened to Adrian over the past seven years, and now that he was able to see the people he wanted, they were no longer around.Adrian reminisced about the past and felt nostalgic. Yet, unfortunately, those times would never return.He recalled how his father was a kind-hearted man who always taught him to be a normal man when he grew up.Adrian shook his head and smiled when he thought about this. “Father, I remember how you always told me to be a man who contributed to society when I was little.“Well, I’ve come here today to tell you that I’ve done it.”With a smile, Adrian took out a medallion and five rings from his pocket.The medallion had the words “War Legate” carved onto it.“This is the War Legate Medallion, the most powerful item in all of Navia. With this, I’m able to co
Elara weaved through the crowd, found Samantha, and said, “Ms. Samantha, the Xanders are here.”“What?”Samantha had a slight frown on her face when she heard this. She had not expected the Xanders to show up today.Mandy could tell Samantha was concerned, so she stood up and asked, “Is something the matter, Sam?”Samantha took a deep breath. She genuinely did not wish to see Harold and the others ruin her joyous event, but she had no choice but to welcome them since she was their daughter-in-law.She could only pray that they were not here to ruin the party.Hence, she replied, “I’m worried they might be here to cause a scene.”The moment Mandy and Liam looked at each other, someone furiously yelled, “Have you no respect for your grandfather anymore, Samantha?! How could you not invite us to your company’s opening?!”It was Leonard who had yelled. Next to him, Harold, Wilfred, Cedric, Jacob, and Cecilia marched into the main hall, all of them with furious expressions on their
Samantha could tell from Wilfred’s tone.Harold was the one who conspired from behind the scenes to have Adrian sent to the army as border patrol to take Paraiso away from him.But now, Wilfred was making it sound like she was trying to take Paraiso for herself, while they were taking care of it on Henry’s behalf to protect the company.How were they any different from crooks?Samantha’s face was filled with tears, never expecting the Xanders to twist the truth to this extent, which was causing the people in the main hall to gossip wildly.Seeing this, Leonard said, “Everyone, Samantha only married Adrian for my younger brother’s wealth. She had my brother killed right after she married into the family and even tried to take Paraiso.“Paraiso belonged to my younger brother, which means it belongs to the Xanders, which is why we took it on his behalf. But now, she’s trying to use Adrian to take away our property!”Leonard shamelessly portrayed Samantha as an ungrateful imbecile.
It was against the law to accuse someone of murder…The Xanders were stunned when they heard this.They all exchanged looks for a moment, completely unrealizing they had taken things a little too far.And now, they felt extremely awkward thanks to Mandy’s reminder.At that moment, Mandy took out her cell phone and said, “You have some time to rearrange your thoughts and confirm whether it was indeed Sam who got Henry killed.“If you stick to your guns, I’ll inform the police right away and have the Battle Warrior Department arrest her. However, if she’s proven innocent after the investigation is over, you will all be sentenced to five years in prison at least.“So, what’s it going to be?”Mandy shot a glance at the Xanders as she clenched her cell phone.None of the Xanders were able to utter a word through their embarrassed expressions.Harold suddenly said, “My sons went a little in over their heads, Ms. Mandy. Samantha wasn’t the one who got my son killed. She’s innocent.”
Despite how invincible Cedric thought he was, someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stopped him before he could lay his hand on Mandy.What followed right after was a muffled sound and a loud crack, followed by Cedric’s horrified scream as he was sent flying. In that instant, his hips and ribs fractured as he crashed against a table.When he landed on the ground, he had his hand on his hips as his mouth widened in shock.He was in so much pain that he could not even say a word as his body trembled uncontrollably. In fact, he felt as though he was about to pass out from the endless pain.“Father… Father!” Cedric forced himself to yell out. He gasped for air as tears flooded his cheeks.Instantly, all the Xanders were stunned.After Cedric was sent flying, everyone could clearly see Adrian was now standing before Mandy and Samantha.Samantha immediately felt a lump rise up to her chest, while Mandy heaved a sigh of relief.“Adrian, y-you… You ungrateful piece of sh*t! How
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