Adrian sprinted swiftly through the desert wilderness, disappearing without a trace before long. He had delved into the depths beneath the sand after pinpointing an anomaly he had detected. He sensed the presence of another space hidden deep within this dark underground corner, which was undiscovered by anyone until now.As he descended, Adrian discerned that it was an underground fortress. Though buried for decades and showing signs of decay, the fact that this place was concealed so deeply underground was peculiar. There should have been defensive measures surrounding the base, yet Adrian encountered no obstacles upon entry. This stirred up an unsettling feeling within him. Even for someone as formidable as him, he knew discerning the situation here would be challenging.Adrian pressed onward to explore this subterranean world. He was determined to uncover its mysteries. After about ten minutes, he reached the deepest part of the underground expanse. Before him lay an exceedingly n
At that moment, Adrian heard voices."Why did the leader assign us this task?""Yeah, we've been researching alchemy all this time but haven't had any substantial results. Those test subjects always run into various issues. What's the purpose of this?"As these people talked, they walked toward Adrian's location, unaware that someone lurked in the shadows, overhearing their conversation."Maybe the leader is worried, but that's not our concern. We just have to do our job.”"Yeah, you're right."As they conversed, they didn't realize someone sneaking up behind them and launching an attack. Caught off guard, they were struck, feeling intense pain before passing out. After an unknown period, they woke up in a dark place. The surroundings were dim, with only a man standing before them, glaring at them sharply. Even in the darkness obscuring the man's face, the weight of his sent shivers down their spines. Clearly, this was no ordinary individual.Feeling a coldness settle in their h
Observing their reaction, Adrian pressed, "What's the purpose of this lab? Tell me or I'll break your legs.""You dare?! Don’t you know who we are?!"The captives doubted Adrian would follow through with his words. They had powerful backers, and harming them would mean opposing that force.They stared at Adrian coldly. "We don't care who you are, but if you dare hurt us, you won’t get away with it."To Adrian’s surprise, these people retained their superior sense of self, even in this tense moment. He smirked. "Such loyalty, but unfortunately for you…” He kicked one of the captives in the thigh, eliciting from him a sharp scream.The other captive was stunned. Neither of them had anticipated such actions from Adrian. It was clear now that his words weren't empty threats."Why you… You…” The captives, clearly frightened, hesitated, unsure of what to say.Adrian's gaze remained cold. "What? Want me to continue?" He raised his foot.Shocked and pale with fear, the captives pleaded
According to the captives, they were merely low-level workers who knew only that alchemy research was being conducted but were unaware of the specifics. However, they were certain that their superiors were searching for something within certain individuals or seeking out a particular type of person."A particular type of person? But you’ve been experimenting on humans, and as a result, created some half-human half-beast monsters," Adrian said."Yes, but those individuals are considered failures. They are not the outcome our leader desires.”After a pause, one of the captives looked up, adding hastily, "These are the directives of our superiors, not our personal opinions. We ourselves hold deep regard for the people of Aethersphere."It sounded like he was pleading for mercy, but upon hearing this, Adrian simply glared at the captives, visibly furious. "You hold deep regard for the people of Aethersphere? You mean you regard them as test subjects.”Unexpectedly, Adrian abandoned an
Adrian silently accepted the provided data and quickly went through its contents: records of alchemy research intertwined with directives from Mark. Through the data, the collusion between Mark and Falconia’s inhabitants was substantiated. The detailed nature of the information stirred up a fit of anger within Adrian as if he were experiencing the events described."This is all we have. You'll find everything you need in it," the captives assured him earnestly.After perusing the document, Adrian closed them with a decisive nod. "Very well. With this evidence, I can hold Mark accountable."Despite his considerable power, Adrian understood the necessity of sufficient evidence for conviction. The provided documents offered a crucial piece of the puzzle, yet it was limited. To gather more evidence, he would need to investigate further.Addressing the captives, Adrian stated, "Your task is complete."They implored, "Will you spare us then? We’re just low-level workers, and we’ve coope
Adrian glanced around and quickly grasped the situation. "Those two had pretended to surrender and secretly informed their allies," he mused, his eyes flashing dangerously.A rustling sound then filled the air, and figures emerged. They encircled Adrian, forming an impenetrable barrier. The leader—a man sporting a head of white hair and bulging muscles, emanating a fierce presence with every move he made—sneered. "Didn't expect this, did you?"Adrian then figured out their ploy: they had baited him in with real information.Facing the leader, he asked calmly, "So you believe you have the upper hand?""Absolutely," the white-haired man replied with a cold smirk, gesturing to the people surrounding Adrian. "These are our cyborgs. Against them, you stand no chance of winning."Adrian erupted into laughter. "Hahaha! If you believe you're in control, then go ahead, test me.” A formidable aura erupted from him as he unleashed his power.“Enough talk!” Enraged by Adrian's defiance, the
The white-haired man fixed his gaze on Adrian and remarked, "Didn't expect you to be so strong, kid. You're certainly no pushover."Adrian returned his gaze with cold indifference, furrowing his brow and snorting dismissively. "It's time for you to meet your end."He had no intention of letting any of them escape alive. To him, these people were worthless, offering nothing of value. Wiping them out wouldn't disrupt his plans in the slightest.With a decisive strike, Adrian aimed for the white-haired man’s vital points. With a final cry, the man succumbed to Adrian's blow.Now, not a single soul remained in the vast space. Adrian surveyed the aftermath calmly before continuing on to the lab’s deepest recesses. Inside, he found numerous documents scattered across a desk. It was evident that the perpetrators had been in a hurry, leaving the documents behind in trying to deal with Adrian.Adrian examined the documents' contents, and they shattered his previous understanding. He discov
"You think Adrian did that? Stop dreaming. He's probably just another one of those who are colluding with those bastards, coming here to test us!" "That's right. Luckily, we don't have anything for him to gain from, so it's all the same to us." Nilson's companions did not believe him and scoffed at him sarcastically, leaving him feeling helpless. He hoped that Adrian would return safely as he felt that Adrian was a good person.As the sounds of explosions subsided, Nilson stared blankly at the area. When he saw no one coming out of there, he felt disappointed. He sighed and thought Adrian was not coming back. Just as he turned away, a voice rang out behind him."Nilson?" The stunned Nilson turned around and locked eyes with Adrian's smiling face. He rushed up to the latter, his tone filled with surprise and joy as he shouted, "Mr. Adrian! I knew you'd come back!"He shouted so loudly that he had attracted the attention of those around them. When they ran over and saw Adrian, t
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