Upon hearing Samantha’s remark, Adaline threw open her arms in excitement and ran toward the garden. She became fully immersed in the beautiful scenery of blooming flowers.Rue was watching everything with tears of emotions in her eyes. In the eight years since Henry had passed, she never expected her life to reach a new height once again. She quietly observed the villa and was relieved beyond comparison.“Mother, you’re going to live out the rest of your life here. What do you think about that?” Samantha asked Rue with a smile.Rue wiped away her tears. “Sam, our family lacks for nothing now. The only missing thing in our lives is those that have passed.“Since our lives are improving, you and Adrian should have children soon too. If you don’t hurry, I’ll become too old to babysit for you,” Rue said emotionally.Samantha blushed. “This again, Mother? You got to give me some time. I have to muster the courage to bear children. I fear the pain!”Rue said smilingly, “You won’t find
Juno had painted it recently.At night, the family had dinner in the dining room downstairs after Rue finished cooking.Juno, Adaline, and Rue would be staying on the first floor while Adrian and Samantha would take the room on the second floor.After dinner, the night was warm and the sky was lit up by bright moonlight. Samantha and Adaline changed into their bikinis and headed to the outdoor pool on the third floor’s sky garden for a dip.Adrian and Juno followed them as Rue stayed downstairs to clean up. The old woman felt her heart flood with happiness as she listened to the sound of laughter radiating from the rooftop garden.A mother’s biggest joy was to see her children happy.In the sky garden, Samantha and Adaline were soaking in the outdoor pool in their bikinis. There was no better way to cool down on a hot summer evening.The sky was already dark. However, the sky garden was brightly lit.Juno sat on the man-made beach and watched Samantha and Adaline swimming like
The few of them stayed in the pool for a long time.Adrian helped Juno to train her leg coordination. The training was effective, of course, and her legs steadily grew stronger.By the time they got out of the pool, it was already very late at night. They dried themselves off and changed into their pajamas.Adaline and Juno returned to their room to hit the hay.After sending Juno back to her room, Samantha and Adrian made their way to the room upstairs.Samantha was exhausted from the long swimming session on top of the move today. She planned on engaging in some pillow talk with Adrian but she fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed.After she was sound asleep, Adrian walked out of the room and headed to the viewing deck in the sky garden.Swallowston was a busy city, especially at night. It was brightly lit by dazzling lights. He could see the whole of Swallowston from the viewing deck.Adrian lit a cigarette and thought about many things as he stood there quietly. He thought
Adrian smiled at her. “The problem doesn’t lie in buying the house but in me. I can’t sleep because every time things grow quiet, my mind fills with scenes of the battlefield and my comrades covered in blood.“I abandoned them,” he said forlornly.“Is it because you’ve retired from military service?” Samantha asked.Adrian did not answer.Samantha said, “There’s a saying that one will bear responsibility as huge as one’s capability. Men aspire to travel far and make their mark. Are you only this way because of me?”Adrian lowered his head and looked at Samantha. “Why would you think that?”Samantha replied, “Even though we haven’t been together for a long time, I figured that we’re bound as husband and wife. You don’t want to disappoint me, yet you don’t want to leave the battlefield.“You feel torn that you’ll have to choose to disappoint me or your comrades if a war breaks out in the future, am I right? You can tell me the truth,” Samantha said softly. Adrian had not expecte
Adrian and Samantha returned to their room.The next morning, Samantha woke up early. After having breakfast prepared by Rue, she hastily left for work due to some pressing company matters.Adrian sent Adaline and Juno to school.Samantha received a call on her way to work. It came from Tiffany.There was no telling how Tiffany got her number, but Tiffany said as soon as the call was picked up. “Hello! It’s Samantha, right? I’m Tiffany. Do you recognize my voice?”Samantha recognized Tiffany’s voice from the start. However, she did not understand Tiffany’s personality at all.“Hey, Samantha. You’ve been doing well in life and can even afford One Jewel Road. Our university alumni are organizing a gathering today and would like to extend an invitation to you.“You won’t decline us, will you?” Tiffany pouted.Samantha knew Tiffany’s character well. There was no telling what Tiffany’s plan was but Samantha was eighty percent certain that the gathering was a trap. She answered, “I’m
Hence, Samantha felt more at ease now that Adrian was here.“Let’s go inside,” Adrian said to Samantha.She nodded and both of them walked into the hotel.Meanwhile, Tiffany and Kai were already in the hotel lobby and chatting with a few fellow alumni.“Tiffany, you’re doing very well these days huh? You’re dating Kai now.”“That’s right, Tiffany. You and Kai are doing very well in life. I really envy you guys!”“I’m so jealous of you, Tiffany.”The crowd chattered away as they surrounded Tiffany and Kai.Tiffany was delighted and was happy to bask in the alumni’s envious gazes. She enjoyed being the object of others’ envy. Today was an alumni gathering, but in truth, Tiffany was just finding an opportunity to show off and bring Samantha down while she was at it.This was not hard to deduce because the alumni Tiffany invited today were the ones that did poorly in life. She had not invited any who were well off because they would just dim her light.Tiffany smiled and humbly s
“What?”Tiffany and Kai were stunned for a moment while the other alumni looked over in succession.They watched as Swallowston’s richest man, Mr. Donald, who seldom showed up in public, walked into the hotel with the president of Swallowston Bank, Mandy, the director of Nine Kings, Liam, and the director of Swallowston Jewelers.The hotel’s manager came to welcome them in person.Donald was the only person who was acquainted with Battle Warrior Lucas. He was Lucas’ friend. However, Donald had always kept a low profile and almost never got involved in any scandals. He seldom showed up in public too.“It really is Mr. Donald. I didn’t expect to see him here as soon as Kai mentioned him.” The crowd of people could not help feeling amused to see Donald’s arrival.Meanwhile, Tiffany narrowed her eyes and looked at Adrian sarcastically. “Adrian, didn’t you say that you’re acquainted with Donald? Why haven’t you gone over to say hi?”“Hahaha!” Kai burst out in laughter as well.He ha
A few women surrounded Adrian and exclaimed in surprise, “Wow! Samantha’s husband, you’re really impressive. You’re actually acquainted with Swallowston’s richest man, Donald Kushner. Moreover, he treats you with so much respect!”“That’s right, you must be someone very important, right?”A few women surrounded Adrian and inquired eagerly.Adrian shrugged. In truth, he had not expected to cross paths with Donald here either. However, he could tell that Tiffany and Kai were completely at a loss right now. They stood by the side, red in the face.They were planning on being the main characters today, drawing out the envy and flattery from their fellow alumni today. Yet, they were being ignored now. Tiffany enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention. Otherwise, she would not have invited just the alumni who did poorly in life to today’s gathering. She was afraid that those who did well in life would steal her limelight yet she had not expected…Meanwhile, a chubby man sud
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