“Times have changed. The previous deal was for me to enter Cloud Puff Mountain's secret realm and you wouldn't kill me. Now, it's for me to enter the secret realm and you let go of this dragon," Adrian said flatly."So you're breaking the deal?" "I'm not breaking the deal. It’s just that our previous agreement has been nullified." Adrian smirked."Are you implying that I can't kill you now?" Fynn asked."If you don't believe me, feel free to try,” Adrian said while activating his Abyssal Bloodstorm. Fynn hesitated upon seeing Adrian's powerful aura. He sighed and said, "I understand now why the Dark Dragon was so determined to kill you."It took Adrian only a few days to transform from an ordinary man to someone who could threaten him. While sighing, Fynn had to admit defeat. It seemed to him that he had forgotten that the world was much larger than he imagined after living in seclusion for more than two hundred years. Underestimating Adrian was his biggest mistake. If he had k
If he had listened to her, none of this would have happened and his plans would not have been disrupted."Leave this place and don't disturb what's inside. I'll search for treasures within the secret realm for you," Adrian said. Fynn remained silent for a long time. He turned to look at the massive pool of magma, his eyes shining with a manic light. Eventually, he nodded. "Fine."Even though it was not what he wanted, there was nothing he could do now, so he could only compromise. The two of them left the tunnel, and waiting at the exit were Sion and the other Mudstone villagers.When they saw Fynn and Adrian coming out together, they were taken aback.Fynn looked at the crowd and said indifferently, "Let's head back."All of them were curious why Fynn would suddenly give up on looking for the dragon. However, they glanced at Adrian and refrained from asking further questions.On the way back, Adrian kept some distance from Sion while contemplating what Sion had told him earlie
After setting out, Sion led Adrian and the others headed toward Cloud Puff Mountain."You still haven't told me what you plan to do yet," Adrian said to Sion.They encountered some beast attacks on their way to the mountain. However, Sion was able to drive some of them away by communicating with them. For the ones that Sion could not handle, the team would take care of them. The shadows of the trees danced eerily on the forest floor, creating a mysterious atmosphere that heightened the sense of anticipation. Even though it was still daytime, the sky was unusually dark.Adrian and Sion walked in front of the team as they talked. When Sion heard Adrian’s question, he replied, "You'll know when the time comes.""It seems like you don't trust me." Adrian chuckled."Why should I? Lyra ended up that way because she trusted you too much and got too close to you," Sion countered.He harbored some resentment against Adrian. After all, he had been protecting Lyra for over a decade. If Ad
It was evident that these people were from Blade's Reach."Adrian!" someone growled through gritted teeth.Some of them couldn't restrain their hatred.Adrian naturally heard the person, and he spoke up, "Are you looking for a fight?""Yes, I am. You killed Elio, and he was my son!” the man thundered.Adrian raised an eyebrow. The enmity between him and Blade's Reach was stoked by Elio. He hadn’t expected Elio’s father to be on the expedition team."It's a pity that you no longer have any descendants.” Adrian sneered.Adrian’s team stood to one side of the mountain cave, while the Blade's Reach team silently lit a campfire in another area. Both groups sat at opposite sides, not saying a word to each otherThe middle-aged man who had clashed verbally with Adrian had an angry expression. However, his companion persuaded him to calm down."I've been busy with going up the mountain lately. I didn't expect such things to happen in the village!" The man gritted his teeth. He then lo
As for Adrian, when he saw this young man, he couldn't help but laugh. He had seen many arrogant people, but he had noticed a pattern. It seemed that in this secret realm, such brainless arrogance was particularly common. From Duo to Elio, and now this young man before him, Adrian had seen quite a few of such people. The first two had already died at his hands, and he wondered what would become of this guy.After the Emberfallen team made their grand entrance, they intended to find a place to settle down. However, the young man noticed Adrian laughing."What are you laughing at?" he asked coldly, glaring at Adrian.Beside him, the girl held nothing in her hand, but Adrian could sense that there was something very special about her. She also looked at Adrian.Adrian met her cold gaze and shook his head. "What does my laughter have to do with you?" he replied, then turned to the young man in white."Hehe, did I upset you?" the young man asked.Adrian stood up and walked toward him.
As for the young talents, not many knew what they were like. The Blade's Reach team was excited to see Adrian and the Emberfallen team clash, but in the end, they were disappointed.Ninety-plus people from the three villages were now gathered in the cave. The light of the campfire shimmered. No one spoke much as this was not a good place for conversation. Other than the occasional crackling sounds from the bonfires and the roars of various monsters outside, it was unusually quiet.Adrian had wanted to test the girl. Unfortunately, she didn't take the bait, and he wasn't in a hurry to test her either. The night passed without incident.The next day, sunlight poured into the cave. The bonfires were extinguished, leaving behind only red embers. The three teams set off once again.They were now halfway up Cloud Puff Mountain. After walking a distance, they would arrive at the entrance of the secret realm. The leaders of the three teams led their respective groups forward.Adrian walke
"Don't panic. If you panic in this place, you'll die," Sion said. He then showed everyone how to move in such an environment.After the initial panic, the others calmed down. As for Adrian, he was slightly uncomfortable when he first entered, but that lasted only for a few seconds. While Sion was teaching the others, Adrian was observing their surroundings.There was a pillar carved with a dragon near them. Adrian stared at it for several minutes. Besides the pillar, there were various dragon elements scattered on the palaces."Is this a gathering place for dragons?" he murmured.Adrian couldn't believe it. However, the scale of the dragon elements on the palace ruins and their larger-than-normal size made him feel that they must have arrived at a dragon’s ground."What's inside the palaces?" Adrian asked. Sion looked at everyone, who was looking back at him in curiosity. "Treasures, if you're lucky,” he answered."What if you're unlucky?" Adrian smiled. "You’ll encounter mon
The mirror was only the size of an adult's palm. When the bearded man held it in his hand, it looked even smaller. As Adrian studied the mirror, he was surprised. What was reflected in the mirror was not the bearded man's face, but a picturesque scene of mountains and rivers. And the surprising thing was that the picture was moving. It was like the cameras Adrian had seen on Earth, transmitting distant scenes to screens around the world. The image showed a picturesque landscape. Birds occasionally flew across the scene, and the camera seemed to be floating in the air. However, the more detailed things couldn't be seen."This item’s a little strange, and I don't know what it's for. Should we keep it?" The bearded man looked at Adrian and Sion. Sion glanced at Adrian, then at the mirror, nodding and saying, "It's best to take everything we can." But Adrian said, "I suggest you put down that mirror." "Why?" Adrian's facial muscles twitched slightly. He saw that within the mir
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