Adrian hesitated. Lionel had gotten Rozi’s condition under control, but she had yet to be fully cured. Adrian had to find the Green Plum Grass and could not stay at Medicis Manor forever.“I will leave eventually,” he mused.“Please help me, Adrian,” Claude begged, “I have to be under Mr. Lionel’s tutelage right now and have no time to manage Medicis Manor.”Adrian did not reply, so Claude continued, “I know you need the Green Plum Grass, and you can only obtain such a precious item by becoming Medicis Manor’s leader.”“All right then.”Adrian agreed to the proposal. However, he knew that he might attract many enemies because of his skin color. His life was about to become a lot more chaotic.Claude was over the moon. “Here, take this.”“What is it?”Adrian studied the silver badge Claude handed him and guessed it was the Medicis Manor leadership symbol. There had been a similar item in Ivory Cloud as well.Claude then secured the badge to Adrian’s belt. “This is the symbol of
Marissa then turned into an eagle and took to the skies after Adrian and Rozi climbed on her back. They glided smoothly toward their destination.Adrian spied the Archer family carriage in the distance. Its wheels were all gone, and he guessed someone with ill intentions must have taken them. However, he did not see any men in black. He did see Ophelia standing outside the carriage, teary-eyed. She kept looking around like she was lost.“Marissa,” Adrian ordered, “Take Arlo and Ophelia away when we get down. I’ll stay with Rozi to fight the men in black.”Marissa smiled mischievously. “Save some for me. I’ll fight them when I get back.”“No, you have to protect them.”Adrian looked solemn. Shaquille was not an easy man. Since he attacked Arlo, he surely would not give up easily.Marissa was disappointed. Adrian was so annoying. He would always get her to hide behind him. She was a brave warrior, so of course, she wanted to charge to the frontline.“This is unfair!” she said.“S
Adrian signaled to Marissa, and she instantly understood. She turned into an eagle and placed Ophelia onto her back. Rozi then kicked Caroline, and the latter flew onto the eagle’s back as well.Adrian was the slowest as he knew Arlo would suffer if there were any sudden movements. He gently placed Arlo onto the eagle’s back.The man in the black who had spoken was furious. “Kill them!”Marissa soared into the sky, keeping as stable as possible. Knowing Arlo’s condition, she slowly flew in a circle to adjust her direction.Suddenly, a roc charged out of the forest and went after Marissa. It shot toward her, attempting to knock her out of the sky.Marissa could not fight back as she had three people on her back. All that she could do was fly in circles to dodge the collision.Adrian this, but just as he was about to attack the roc, the men in black flanked him from two sides.Looking around, Adrian saw that the forest up ahead was empty. “Rozi, let’s hide inside the forest.”Who
Adrian’s expression turned cold. "These people must be from the Debonaire Syndicate. Shaquille’s pretty cunning to try and turn the syndicate against us.""His plan worked though." Rozi took a deep breath and took a few steps back, feeling extremely upset.Adrian smirked. They were fortunate to have uncovered Shaquille’s conspiracy. If they had left in a hurry, they would have been convicted and not be able to defend themselves.He suggested, "Let’s investigate the cause of their deaths."Rozi beamed. "You’re so smart, Adrian."Adrian was indeed smart. Although they were carrying swords, these people had not been slashed to death, proving that this had nothing to do with them."I’m just speculating here. We need facts."While saying this, Adrian reached out to search the clothes of one of the deceased when he heard a noise behind. He instantly became alert and shielded Rozi behind him.He asked in a vigilant tone, "Who’s there?""We’re only passing by!"Standing outside the w
The galloping of horses could be heard heading their way, and Adrian was about to stand up when he felt a slight bump at the tip of one of the corpses’ fingers. Upon closer inspection, he found it was a tiny red dot. With a gentle press, a needle poked out of the red dot.‘This should be the cause of their deaths,’ Adrian thought. Unfortunately, someone had arrived, so he had to stand up and could not inspect further.With her blade in one hand and the other hand grasping Adrian’s arm, Rozi shouted, "I’ll kill whoever dares to accuse us without evidence. One extra body doesn’t make any difference at this point.""Don’t say such nonsense, Rozi!" Adrian whispered, "We haven’t killed anyone, and this is their plan to catch us red-handed. Do you understand?""Step out!" There were sounds of someone jumping off a horse and hurrying to the edge of the woods. The person shouted, "Otherwise, I’m bringing my men in."Rozi was worried, but Adrian looked calm."Let’s go, Adrian. Let’s not d
“Can you see them and determine their cause of death while standing so far away?" Adrian questioned."I can’t see them," Igor refuted, "But Sir Hennessy is a trustworthy person and would never lie.""What I’m asking you is whether you can see the color of their lips from where you’re standing right now," Adrian asked as he sneered.Igor explained smugly, "They’re all lying on the ground, and I’m no clairvoyant, so of course, I can’t see them from here. Sir Hennessy is the one who told me that detail."Rozi then piped up, "Sir, that man you speak was standing even farther away than where you’re standing now. Also, the bodies are scattered everywhere. How could he have possibly determined anything about the bodies or the number of bodies there are.”Igor was stunned. ‘The leader of Medicis Manor surely wouldn’t lie. And these bodies certainly shouldn’t be lying neatly next to each other. This man must’ve moved them before we got here.’"Is this all true?" Igor asked.Adrian nodded
Adrian raced toward Medicis Manor.Hendrick, who was working in the herb field, immediately shouted when he saw Adrian, "Where’s Arlo?""I don’t know!" Adrian did not stop and charged on.Hendrick was puzzled, but just as he was about to ask further, Adrian had already passed the field and showed no intention of engaging in conversation.The horse had not even come to a complete stop when Adrian and Rozi both jumped off it and headed straight for Medicis Manor. The first thing that caught their eyes was the resident watchdog that was lying dead on the ground.Rozi exclaimed in shock, "Someone attacked Medicis Manor! Let’s head to study right away!""No!" Adrian had figured it out. What Shaquille wanted was the herbs and to warn them not to act recklessly while he was at it. "We have to go to the cellar. We can’t let them get the herbs."Rozi was frustrated. Lionel had regarded the study as a part of his life and loved studying the ancient tomes there. He had claimed that the tom
Adrian scoffed. "What you said may have been true in the past, but things have changed. I’m the current leader of Medicis Manor." He pointed to the silver badge on his waist.Hennessy’s expression fell. Up until now, both parties had only been bluffing without providing any concrete proof. But Adrian had now revealed his identity."Kill him! There will be a generous reward for the person that brings him down!" Hennessy shouted.Adrian sneered. "I strongly advise you to reconsider. If you dare to lay a hand on me, I’ll make sure Moonlit answers for your actions.""Move it!" Hennessy roared.With his identity exposed, the only way for him to keep himself safe was to kill Adrian. Therefore, of course, he was not about to listen to Adrian."Stop!"Someone leaped over the wall, stood before Adrian, and glared at Hennessy."Sir Hennessy, you’re an elder of Moonlit, but you’ve tarnished the reputation of our faction for your own selfish gain. You’re my problem now," Igor said firmly.
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