The four men exchanged furtive glances with Adrian and then looked at each other. Finally, one of them, who had never spoken before, cautiously asked, “Why do you two get to stand in the center while the four of us have to stand in the corners?”After voicing their concern, they all nervously looked at Adrian again. Seeing that Adrian showed no signs of displeasure, they breathed a sigh of relief. However, Freya was now in a difficult position. She couldn’t reveal that this was a Four Symbols Formation and that they were essentially stepping stones for their escape. She had to answer in a way that maintained their trust, which she had worked hard to build.Adrian nodded slightly, resting one hand on his chin and the other at his waist, watching Freya with interest. He was curious to see how this clever woman would handle the situation.Without hesitation, Freya replied, “You may not know, Cathal, but this portal has its intricacies.”“O-Oh... Ex-Explain, please!” Cathal Aisling sta
Adrian burst into laughter, slapping his forehead with a mix of frustration and sudden realization. "I understand now! How fascinating! What kind of existence could be on another continent?"The five others had been watching Adrian closely and definitely heard him, but only Freya dared to inquire further."What is it, Adrian? Have you discovered something? We’re all in this together and should support each other. If you keep such knowledge to yourself, it could be detrimental to all of us," Freya said, gesturing toward the others. Her words resonated with the group, quickly dispelling any lingering doubts about her position in the center of the portal.Adrian looked at Freya silently, admiring and fearing her for her wit and eloquence. Deciding to remain cautious, he turned to the group and asked, "Have any of you noticed the peculiarity? How it reacts differently depending on speed?""S-Stop talking nonsense! Tell us so-something we don’t know!" Cathal blurted out.Adrian raised
“What happens if we stay here?” Bayn asked, trying to appear calm but clearly shaken after confirming Adrian’s words.Adrian chuckled softly and replied, “I had a sudden premonition earlier and cast a divination. This place is extremely ominous. If we stay here any longer, not only will we die without a trace, but we might not even enter the cycle of reincarnation.”Bayn pondered Adrian’s words for a moment, then gazed into the distance. He saw the mist stretching endlessly with blood-red streaks extending toward the sky, creating an eerie and unsettling scene. After a long pause, he asked, “Is it really that severe? We won’t even enter reincarnation?”Adrian displayed a look of fear and heavily patted his chest. “Had we engaged in a life-and-death battle just now and one of you had died by my hand, it would have caused a great deal of carnage, and none of us would have made it out alive.”Still skeptical, Gallahan questioned, “What kind of energy exists here that could frighten yo
Freya decided to trust Adrian and team up with him. With a charming smile, she cast an enchantment spell to influence the judgments of the others. Those who had initially doubted her were now completely compliant.Adrian was pleased but had to hide his satisfaction. It was challenging to maintain his pretense, but he pressed on, feigning impatience as he urged, “Stop wasting time! Opportunity waits for no one. If we don’t leave now, when will we?”He then looked down the mountain. Although the view wasn’t grand, the mix of bridges and streams had an eerie yet unique charm. Adrian had led a disciplined life, enduring many hardships while traveling from the Southern Forest to the South Sea, and then to the central lands.While Adrian’s life wasn’t carefree, it was close. He wasn’t just observing the white fog; he was reflecting on his past. His mind was in turmoil, but with the clarity brought by the Draco Veinergy, he could once again see the web of fate and the man he had encountere
Freya was truly extraordinary. Her every smile and frown seemed to carry an enchantment that stirred a protective instinct in others. An ordinary person might even feel compelled to sacrifice themselves for her just upon seeing her smile.However, Adrian’s divine consciousness was so powerful that he was immune to her enchantment and could even reverse the influence. He remained vigilant and wary of Freya.As the others watched with envy and jealousy, Adrian took Freya’s hand and pulled her into his embrace, pinning her under his arm to prevent any resistance. He whispered in her ear, “You should close your eyes.”With no other option, Freya complied, understanding that if they were transported together, staying close might be advantageous for her in the future, especially if Adrian harbored any grudges.Satisfied, Adrian nodded and closed his eyes. He instructed the others to activate the portal while he took control of its core to ensure its safety.Once activated, the portal bu
“You scoundrel!” Gallahan shouted angrily. “You won’t die a good death! Using us as sacrificial pawns, huh? I won’t let you have your way even in death!”The Four Symbols Formation was fully activated, and the four of them were immobilized. Adrian sighed in relief, ignoring their provocations and letting out a couple of cold snorts before closing his eyes to rest.Freya, initially anxious, grew more uneasy as Adrian remained calm and ignored the chaos. She realized the men’s shouting wouldn’t affect the portal. The Four Symbols Formation would not stop unless the core of the portal was destroyed after activation. Confident in this, Adrian remained composed, while Freya, with her limited knowledge of ancient texts, showed increasing signs of panic.As the immortals’ screams weakened, they turned into low groans and eventually faint whimpers. The portal continued to drain their spiritual energy until their life force was depleted. As the membrane shrank toward the center, Freya’s anxi
In Freya's mind, Adrian seemed even more dangerous than the spatial rift. While spatial rifts occurred due to distorted spatial laws in high-density spaces, the consequences of passing through such rifts were unknown.As the rocky platform Freya stood on approached the rift, it didn’t continue to ascend but instead began spinning faster, making Freya dizzy and nearly causing her to vomit. If an outsider were present, they would see that Freya wasn’t spinning with the rock. Extending their divine consciousness would reveal that the space around Freya was severely distorted, with a four-colored membrane protecting her from the rift's pressure.Suddenly, the massive rock fell, kicking up a cloud of dust, and the spatial rift vanished. Freya was nowhere to be seen, having completely disappeared from Mythria.It appeared Freya was navigating a passage within the rift. She turned and twisted through the passage until she stopped trying to remember the path. With a faint smile, she decided
Despite Adrian's best efforts, he couldn't shake off his pursuers. Realizing escape was futile, he resolved, 'If I can't escape, then I'll destroy you!'With that thought, his sword essence shot out, faster than lightning, targeting his opponents.Boom!A thunderous sound echoed through the area, and Adrian watched as the space before him rippled and flashed, revealing several figures. His probing attack had clearly failed to harm them. As soon as these figures appeared, they launched a powerful offensive, trapping Adrian within a formation.The leading figure sneered, "Kid, I'm impressed you noticed us. Not bad."Adrian's eyes narrowed as he coldly replied, "You act like persistent pests—of course, I sensed you. Now, who are you, and why are you chasing me?"Seeing the aggressive approach of his opponents, Adrian decided there was no need for courtesy and released a powerful aura of his own.The leading figure stepped forward, coldly saying, "You dare question us? You broke thr
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