"The Celestrians have captured Rozi?" Adrian rubbed his temples, feeling a slight headache coming on.Adrian had been separated from Rozi for too long, mainly due to his busy schedule. Since arriving in Obscura, he had been tirelessly preparing for the impending siege, with some tasks self-imposed and others mandated by Quintin. The weight of these responsibilities pressed heavily on him, leaving him little choice but to accept them, even when he didn't want to.It had been over a month since his arrival in Obscura, and a month since he last saw Rozi and the others. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that the Celestrians had targeted her. On top of that, Rozi harbored a mysterious dark dragon, a ticking time bomb, inside her. Adrian saw this as a lesson and vowed to keep Rozi close to him in the future.Wallace's voice said meekly, "I understand you're busy, but if possible, you should return for a while.""Has the situation worsened that much?" Adrian inquired, his tone serious."Li
“You're finally here, Mr. Adrian,” one of the welcome party greeted.Quintin had arranged for a special convoy of fast carriages with skilled drivers to expedite Adrian's return. Exclusive coachmen were also provided. However, upon arrival, he found an unexpected additional passenger. Alongside the two coachmen stood another person, her presence surprising Adrian."What a coincidence," remarked the additional passenger."You're not riding in this carriage too, are you?" Adrian asked incredulously.Each encounter with Elizabeth left Adrian feeling uneasy. She was a formidable figure, over two hundred and thirty-eight years old—an age that surpassed Adrian's expectations by far. Despite her age, Elizabeth's appearance remained unchanged, a fact that unnerved Adrian."I secured this carriage through His Majesty's approval, and I was the first to do so. You’re the one taking advantage of my arrangement," Elizabeth said mockingly, aware of Adrian's discomfort with her presence.Adrian
A little over an hour later, Elizabeth and Adrian reached Cras Island from Obscura. As Adrian gazed upon the expansive landscape of Cras Island from above, he felt a rare surge of emotion. It had been a month since he last set foot here, recalling the moment when Kaya had personally escorted him here, and also of Everett and the others. However, while Everett, Lillian, and the rest had settled there, Adrian had promptly departed for Mori Island, where subsequent events led him to Obscura. It had been over a month since then.Observing Adrian's contemplative demeanor, Elizabeth smiled serenely. "You don't seem as aloof as you appear."Adrian shot her a sidelong glance. "And you don't seem as youthful as you pretend to be."Though Adrian's remark carried a touch of sarcasm, it was not intended to cause offense. Even if Adrian harbored ill intentions, Elizabeth remained unfazed, her resilience transcending the concerns of ordinary individuals. Though she was a woman, Elizabeth existed
When Adrian turned his head, Elizabeth had already disappeared from the carriage. He was stunned, not knowing when Elizabeth had left. It was at this moment he recognized that Elizabeth's strength might surpass his own. After all, only by using Origin Power could Elizabeth have left the carriage without him noticing.'Would I have been able to defend myself if she had attacked me?' Adrian thought. Elizabeth was like Pandora’s box, and he felt a real sense of danger from her. She held too many secrets that made him uneasy."What's the matter?" Wallace asked. "Did you see someone else leaving the carriage?" Adrian asked.Wallace shook his head. "No, it was just you in the carriage.”Adrian fell silent. This further confirmed that Elizabeth could also wield Origin Power.Wallace looked at Adrian strangely. He felt that Adrian had undergone some changes since returning from Obscura, but he could not quite put his finger on it. "Seriously? Was there really someone else with you in th
Adrian turned to Wallace, hoping the latter might have some insights. However, to his surprise, Wallace's expression was gloomy. He could also sense hurt and caution in Wallace’s demeanor. Did this imply that there was something wrong with this man before them?"Why have you gone out of your way to welcome me?" Adrian asked bluntly."Well... You've made remarkable contributions in Obscura, and I'm not only the governor of Cras Island but also an ordinary citizen of Silverboa. I hold great respect for you!" the man answered. "Let me introduce myself. I am Thobias, Thobias Remington." Adrian squinted and scrutinized Thobias before shaking the latter’s hand. "Please, come with me. I've already been informed of what happened to the young lady and Ms. Lillian," Thobias said, "Ms. Lillian is currently receiving treatment in the best medical hospital in the city. As for the young lady, I've dispatched people throughout the entire city to search for her. I believe it won't take long to f
Adrian entered the ward and saw Lillian, who was unconscious."Mr. Adrian, Ms. Lilian’s condition is extremely severe. It's best not to disturb her. But rest assured, we have the best medical facilities and many people to protect her. You don't have to worry about anything," Thobias said.Adrian sneered inwardly. He was certain that the people outside were there to monitor Lillian rather than protect her, but he chose not to say this out loud.The expression on Adrian’s face caught Thobias' attention though, who then felt a twinge of discomfort. 'I didn't expect him to notice something amiss so quickly. Truly, he's someone who could achieve so much in Obscura.'Thobias sighed inwardly. Then, he turned to Wallace and looked at him coldly. Apparently, Wallace had revealed something to Adrian earlier, and Thobias regretted not eliminating Wallace earlier. Although it might be risky, taking the risk would have been better than letting Adrian realize anything."Mr. Adrian, we—" "Not
"I've just returned. Rest for now, we'll leave here soon," Adrian said.Thobias was slightly taken aback. He approached Adrian and carefully examined Lillian. All her injuries had indeed improved significantly. With a smile, he said, "Not only are you renowned for your military achievements, but you also seem quite adept in the field of medicine! However, I still advise you to remain here. Let us handle the search. After all, a hospital environment is more conducive to Ms. Lillian's recovery."Thobias was still trying his best to keep Lillian here, but since Adrian was suspicious of Thobias' intentions, he would not allow that to happen. "No need to worry. I'll be taking her with me," Adrian said.Thobias fell into silence. He would not mind killing Adrian right here, but Adrian's unpredictable strength and his immense contributions made him think twice. If he killed Adrian here on Cras Island, it could have repercussions for him.Resignedly, Thobias sighed and said, "It seems like
Upon hearing this, Adrian turned to look at Lillian lying on the hospital bed. Compared to Wallace's assessment, Adrian had more trust in Lillian's words regarding the Celestrians. After all, Wallace could be quite erratic at times. Lillian nodded in agreement and said, "Seven days ago, we suddenly found many local government officials around us. They claimed to have noticed that the Celestrians were keeping an eye on us and might take action against us, but we suspected that it was Rozi who had been discovered by the Celestrians again, so we accepted the protection of the local government forces."At that time, we didn't suspect them. It's because of this that we relaxed our guard. We thought we were safe under the local government’s protection, but when the Celestrians arrived, the officials were too weak to withstand them. The Celestrians defeated them and took Rozi away.”Wallace sighed. "If we knew that the Celestrians had found us again, we would’ve escaped. We were tricked b
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