The entrance led straight into the interior of Mount Regent, and there were traces of human tampering above the entrance.Arriving at the entrance, Nova took a deep breath. "I see… Strider found the entrance but didn't seal it up. He did that so that others would be able to find it easily next time."Nova had grown up hearing stories about Strider. What she was looking at now was the groundwork laid by Strider himself. Thanks to him, she easily located the entrance.Without hesitation, she leaped down into the entrance, and darkness enveloped her. The dark seemed capable of swallowing everything, but she reached the ground in less than a minute.Once she landed, Nova turned on her flashlight to illuminate her surroundings. She found herself in an underground hall with twelve golden dragons carved out of stone. Their bodies were covered in dense runes, but she was not in the mood to study these symbols. Her only goal was to find the Timewinder.Nova then spotted a hand-carved arrow
"Who is it?" Nova scanned her surroundings upon hearing the voice.Suddenly, a white light appeared in front of the enormous clock, and the air seemed to twist. A figure with the head of a man and the body of a snake materialized before Nova, causing her to stagger several steps back."Wh-Who are you?" Nova asked cautiously.The snake man did not attack her. Instead, it turned to look at the Timewinder. "I spent ten thousand years arranging this to eliminate him. Today, that day is finally here. The fate of humanity rests in your own hands," the snake man said."Y-You're Wonder, aren’t you?" Nova murmured in realization.The figure turned toward Nova. "Yes.""You're Wonder? I've often heard Steel and the others speak of you. You're still alive? You've been here all this time?” Nova grew excited. “Wonder, it's chaos out there. Can you help us defeat him?" she pleaded.Nova never expected to meet this legendary figure here. She had heard everything about Wonder, who protected ever
"All of our efforts, yours and mine, will be in vain.""How do we defeat him? Please tell us how. We've already lost too many people. We can't have any more senseless sacrifices," Nova pleaded.Wonder shook his head. "There's no way of defeating him directly. You need to call upon your strength. I've left you everything I can. It’s up to you to end this.""But I have no idea what to do. Why would you come here from the past if you can't help us?" Nova questioned."I came here to teach you how to use the Timewinder. Its power is still beyond my full control, so I can only stay here for ten minutes. After that, the Timewinder will take me back to my own time.""I understand," Nova said, a note of determination in her voice. "But why do you call me the chosen one? There are many stronger than me in this world, and I don't know if I can handle the Timewinder.”Instead of answering, Wonder suddenly turned to the side and commanded, "Show yourself.”As he spoke, a stone door nearby op
Nova felt an unprecedented pressure weighing down on her. She was representing the entire world of her era. Their destinies hinged on her every action.Strider said, "Wonder doesn't have much time left, Nova, and you’re missing a piece of the artifact to activate the Timewinder—the Godkey. Only by bringing this other piece will you be able to activate it.""The Godkey?" Nova murmured."I dismantled a part of the Timewinder so that it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. You must now find it," Wonder said."But where did you put it?" Nova asked in confusion."It's stored in an underground base called The Resistance. The people there are the ones who protect the key."Nova, unfamiliar with this organization, was taken aback. Time was running out. The world had changed drastically since Wonder's era, so it was impossible to find the Godkey now, especially without knowing its exact location. After all, where in this vast world was Nova supposed to start looking?She anxiously asked,
The flames linked Wonder and Nova, and the latter could feel the powers within her awakening as if she were undergoing a metamorphosis.Wonder said, "I’ve ignited your potential, and I hope you will continue to unleash all your strength. You won't be able to defeat him alone. You need to unite all your allies and friends. May the rain of heaven bring revival to all things. I wish you all the best in the upcoming battle. Rise!"Suddenly, a blaze burst forth from Nova. Mount Regent shook as the glow from the flames struck the walls, causing the outer layers of stone to detach. Countless lines emerged, sprawling in every direction all over the mountain, and the flames entered these rune-lined pathways. The mountain interior lit up, coursing with the power emanating from Nova.Mount Regent came alive. Runes appeared along the walls, and the light from Nova flowed into them. The mountain vibrated with endless sounds as if trembling from the energy. Then came a thunderous boom. The power
The soldiers throughout all the cities gripped their weapons tightly, looking up at the flame above Mount Regent. They were prepared for battle. Helicopters, fighter jets, transport, and cargo planes stood ready for deployment. When the time came, these soldiers would board their aircrafts and fly to Mount Regent.***Meanwhile, two people were traversing through the snowy landscape of Mount Shangspar. The sudden blaze in the sky caught their attention.Adrian halted and looked toward the fire. "That's coming from Mount Regent. They’re gearing up.”"Looks like your dream came true." Rozi sighed in relief."This is our last chance. If we lose it, we’ll have nothing left. Let's pick up the pace and hurry over.""Let’s go.”***The flame from Mount Regent’s peak illuminated the vast Millionth Mountains as Wonder instructed Nova on how to use the Timewinder. With her eyes closed, Nova committed to memory the information Wonder telepathically conveyed to her.After a while, Wonde
"You’re still alive as Wonder lifted the illusion. In fact, all fifty thousand soldiers who fell here five years ago are alive as well." Strider smiled.At that moment, fifty thousand fully-armed soldiers previously believed to have perished emerged all throughout Mount Regent. They had been alive the entire time, training and biding their time while under the illusion of death.The youngsters were astonished to see so many people all of a sudden."Who is this, Nova?""This is Sir Strider, our predecessor," Nova introduced.Amazed, they begin to crowd around Strider. However, time was not on their side. Nova quickly briefed everyone on the situation with the Godkey.She then instructed, "Daisy, get me the communicator. We need to contact Geras immediately.”Daisy hurried off to retrieve the radio equipment and assemble it.Nova then peered into the distance and exclaimed, "What is that? It’s huge!""The monsters are coming. He's sending them here to destroy the Timewinder. The
As the monsters drew nearer, Nova drew her blade and stepped forward determinedly."Nicholas, Lacey, Strider. This is our first meeting and our first time fighting side by side. Since I'm the youngest here, will you help me in facing this challenge?"In response, a light materialized in Strider's hand and took the form of a sword. Nicholas and Lacey also readied their weapons."Charge!" Nova commanded."To battle!Everyone shouted in unison as they rushed down Mount Regent."Anti-air squad! Get into formation and intercept the bird monsters!" Strider ordered.His army of fifty thousand quickly got into formation, ready to meet the enemy head-on. Nova joined Daisy, Thunder, Nicholas, and Lacey in a charge to confront the monstrous horde at the base of Mount Regent.As the battle commenced, alarms sounded through countless cities. Every soldier and civilian prepared themselves for war.In Drogoton, Remy stood atop a high building and boomed, "My brethren! The monsters have set o
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