"Excellent, very impressive!" The Gilded Tyrant chuckled as he regarded Adrian. "Your strength is commendable. Given that, let's call it quits for today. But next time, I won't go easy on you."With that, the Gilded Tyrant flickered and vanished from sight, leaving the others visibly stunned. They hadn't expected the battle to end so abruptly, leaving them speechless.Adrian turned to them and said, "The Gilded Tyrant has acknowledged my strength and showed caution. In a way, he kept his word. Now that he's gone, let's gather whatever we can find."Finally snapping out of their daze, the Valor Supremes realized this place, brimming with its treasures, was theirs to claim. Excitement filled the air as they quickly gathered their newfound riches and departed from this secret realm.When they got out, Adrian and Zector bid farewell to them and left to continue their journey. In the vast northern continent, they sought to uncover more truths, eventually arriving at the grand city of Aq
There were two rental options available: a short-term stay in a two-story duplex loft for twenty low-grade essence stones per month, or a long-term stay for an annual rent of one hundred and eighty low-grade essence stones for the same loft.Additionally, Nimbus had ties to Oxridge's Independent Immortals Alliance, allowing any immortal to set up market stalls without paying management fees or commissions, attracting many immortals in need of services and goods to the area."Can we really set up stalls here?" Adrian inquired."Yes, if you're skilled in alchemy or blacksmithing, you'll thrive here and be in high demand among immortals," the steward explained.Adrian pondered, then asked, "Are there any other housing options besides lofts?"The steward chuckled. "There are cave dwellings, but I wouldn't recommend them.""Why not?" Adrian questioned, "Why not save to accumulate as many essence stones as possible?"The steward was momentarily surprised before laughing. "You're quite
Two months passed swiftly. During this time, Adrian and Rozi delved into advanced techniques like the "Entanglement Technique" and "Rain of Arrows," enhancing their strength, though they hadn't yet reached a higher level.They often engaged in friendly competition, comparing popularity and earnings. However, alchemy posed higher risks and costs compared to blacksmithing. Rozi, particularly, faced intense frustration when her attempts to create Red Pills failed, sometimes venting her anger by smashing tables. But things changed when she successfully produced the Mind-Clearing Pill, significantly boosting her and Adrian’s power.After much discussion, the pair decided to leave Oxridge Market. Adrian believed staying there hindered their breakthroughs, citing that Rozi could support their training with her alchemy skills. Initially, Rozi didn't understand his decision though, causing her and Adrian to get into a heated argument. Eventually, she relented to his firm stance.The next day
"We might spare your life if you leave your treasures behind, kid," Edith said."You want me to leave my treasures? What if I let you two leave instead? What do you think about that, dear friends?" Adrian replied calmly."You little…" Darren snarled, then chuckled, "Hmph, well done, young man. You have a sharp tongue. Once we capture you, you'll beg for death in no time.""No need. I'm used to traveling alone. I’m not fond of the hustle and bustle of factions," Adrian said coldly as he activated his Draco Vein Power and released a misty barrier."Hah, petty tricks. It's been only a few days, yet you've reached level nine. It'd get tougher to eliminate you if you had more time to grow. We can't let you leave now," Darren said.It was Adrian's first real confrontation with someone above level nine. After all, the encounter at Stone Sea Forest was not a real fight. He was no match against someone above level nine. The mist shield was just raised, and Edith dispelled it in a second.
“Adrian? Adrian," Rozi gently called out while holding Adrian's face. However, he had already fallen into a coma and could not hear a thing."Huh, the Water Ethereal Physique?!" A woman exclaimed in surprise. "She lacks proper guidance since she doesn't have a mentor. Besides, it seems this little one has encountered some trouble too."A light gate appeared before the woman, and she gracefully entered, leaping a hundred miles in an instant to stand beside Rozi. Without even raising her head, Darren attempted another sneak attack.Before Darren could reach the woman, an invisible force in the air stopped his attack. Undeterred by his failed attempt, Darren continued manipulating his flying sword, sending it and its illusions toward the beautiful woman."Still not giving up, little one?" the beautiful woman asked. She lightly tapped her waist, and in a flash of yellow light, Darren and Edith were stunned and fell unconscious."Thank you for saving my life." Rozi hurriedly bowed to t
Adrian's chest felt like it burned as he lay on the cold, damp shore. Hunger aside, he was annoyed by a series of discomforts like coughing, labored breathing, and shortness of breath."Where am I? Wasn’t I at Nimbus?" Adrian had not completely lost his memory thanks to the Draco Vein Power. However, the times he spent with Rozi on Oxridge were almost all gone.Adrian surveyed his surroundings in a daze. Although it was an uninhabited island, it was lush. He thought monsters might be around, so he tried to stay vigilant."I must find a safe place to stay. Entering the forest will be too dangerous once the tide rises and it gets dark. While wild animals aren’t scary, encountering a monster would be."Adrian was overjoyed when he turned to look back at the sea. He saw a wrecked merchant ship that had washed ashore.After reaching level nine, he had thought he and Rozi would wander the world. Coincidentally, they heard about an auction at Oxridge and decided to dispose of some odds a
Adrian entered the small cave and lit a fire with some flint. "All done."He glanced at the box beside him and grinned from ear to ear. Despite the rush, he had checked it at the time. Otherwise, he would not have bolted.To ordinary people, the world had immortals who could fly, control the weather, and perform other miraculous feats. However, Adrian was a level nine and knew they were not all-powerful immortals. Becoming an accomplished immortal was incredibly difficult.Aside from a few with extraordinary luck and great opportunities, he had never heard of anyone who could break free from the mortal realm.“What’s this?” he wondered.In his haste to retrieve the items from the wrecked ship, he had thrown everything into his storage ring without thoroughly inspecting them."That’s interesting. I wonder which family was this fortunate. A senior family member like him is most likely a high-ranking apprentice of a major faction. He must've reached level nine and wanted to sever wo
It took Adrian three days to dismantle the broken ship and move all the supplies to his cave. Although he felt exhausted after thorough scavenging, he continued training all day and night in the cave. Surprisingly, the training relieved his fatigue.Although Adrian was not greedy, he could not stop smiling when he tallied his gains. He had enough food for a year, including wine, meat, and seeds for grains and tea. Although he had expected it, it was still a pleasant surprise.He had no interest in other valuables and casually tossed them aside as he started his construction project. He wanted to incorporate the broken ship's scrap metal into his cave. After all, he had not fully explored the island yet.Since monsters and sea beasts from the ocean could come ashore, he needed to build robust defenses around the cave and keep the place well hidden. Even though it was a deserted island, people could always invade. Besides, he could not just eat ordinary food since there was a differen
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