Voices clashed back and forth as each side passionately defended their position. The older apprentices hadn’t expected the new arrivals to be so bold, go against them so soon after joining. If this continued, the newcomers might even surpass them.One of the leaders, unable to tolerate the situation any longer, shouted, "What’s so excessive? According to the rules of Purecastle, newcomers must yield to the older apprentices!""Oh? Why weren’t we informed of this?" one of the newcomers retorted."Yeah, Orson didn’t mention it before he left," another added.The newcomers were persistent in their objections. Seeing that they were unmoved by both persuasion and threats, the leader's expression darkened with frustration."Don’t think you can avoid punishment just because you refuse to listen," the leader snapped, his anger boiling over. He swung a powerful punch at Tyron, clearly intending to take him down with one blow.But Tyron simply smiled. "I was waiting for you to make a move,
The apprentice looked at Adrian and asked, "Mr. Adrian, what do you think?"Adrian pondered for a moment before answering, "It's quite simple—it's intentional. Before we arrived, the various outer apprentice divisions in Caelum Valley were maintaining a delicate balance. They all coveted the aura essence of Sierra Courtyard but were held back by various factors from breaking that balance. Our arrival, however, disrupted that balance entirely."Tyron nodded in agreement, adding, "By moving in, we've given them a reason to act. No matter how they decide to distribute resources afterward, the one thing they can all agree on now is to eliminate us. It seems someone is deliberately trying to prevent us from settling down."The group considered this explanation plausible. According to Adrian's assessment, it was best not to make any significant moves for now. They agreed to stay put and observe the situation, adapting as necessary to address any challenges.Meanwhile, something was takin
Adrian noticed three to five outer apprentices cornering someone, making it clear that something unpleasant was happening. In high-ranking factions, such bullying and infighting among apprentices were common. Adrian usually preferred to stay out of these matters, but soon realized that the person being bullied looked familiar.Deciding to observe from the shadows, Adrian quickly recognized the victim as Rahu Wright, a new apprentice from his batch. Rahu had always kept a low profile, and his average strength made him less noticeable. Nice people were easy targets, and it was likely Rahu’s gentle personality that had attracted the bullies."Rahu, as a new apprentice, shouldn’t you show some respect to us? Do that, and we'll look out for you in the faction!" One of the bullies sneered.Rahu gulped, shaking his head repeatedly. "No, the elders said we can’t spare even a single pill. I can’t meet your demands!""What are you afraid of? If anything happens, we’ve got your back. Besides,
Bang!A powerful force erupted.The bullies felt their blood surge backwards in their veins, and a sweet, metallic taste filled their throats. Caught off guard, they were immediately sent flying, crashing to the ground.They didn’t even get a chance to face Adrian before being effortlessly defeated. His strength was truly formidable."You..." Even lying on the ground, the bullies struggled to get up. But Adrian, like a specter, suddenly appeared before them, standing with his hands behind his back. His gaze, sharp as a knife, fixed on them.“What are you going to do? Remember this—today is just a warning. Next time, you won’t be so lucky!”“Let’s go...”The bullies scrambled to their feet and fled in disgrace.Adrian walked over to Rahu and asked with concern, “Are you alright?”Rahu nodded repeatedly. “I-I’m fine... Thank you, Mr. Adrian.”Adrian then asked, “What about those people? Do they often bully you?”Rahu gave a bitter smile. “It’s not just me. Almost everyone in
Next, everyone shared their experiences with Adrian in detail. Adrian discovered that Rahu's situation was relatively better compared to others. Some had endured inhumane treatment.Listening to their accounts, Adrian’s anger boiled over. “If that’s the case, I’ll have to see whether they’re stronger or if I am!”“What are you planning to do?” Tyron asked.Adrian replied, “I’m going to seek revenge, of course. I refuse to believe just how strong these people really are.”Feeling that there was no need to waste more time, Adrian resolved to take action. He wasn’t going to let them act like tyrants just because he had stayed silent.Meanwhile, at the Derrinia Pagoda, a few panicked individuals recounted the situation to Haroon. He and Laurie listened carefully, appearing satisfied.Haroon then said, “I didn’t expect them to react so quickly. Since that’s the case, let’s not waste any time. We’ll proceed as planned.”“Yes!” The subordinates acknowledged the orders.But at that mom
“Is that so?”Haroon, enraged and embarrassed, was determined not to let Adrian off the hook. Though momentarily at a disadvantage, Haroon had no intention of backing down. He had been careless earlier and hadn’t used his full strength, believing he might still win in the upcoming fight.“Take this!” Haroon gathered all his strength and charged at Adrian with surprising speed. He concentrated his power into his palms, and suddenly, thunder roared as lightning streaked across the sky.Haroon’s strength was indeed formidable. During their fight, Adrian could feel the pressure of Haroon’s strength. While it wasn’t enough to defeat him, it posed a significant threat.The two battled fiercely, neither able to gain the upper hand.Bang!Haroon feigned a move, realizing he couldn’t win by directly confronting Adrian. He quickly created some distance between them. At the same time, he shouted to his subordinates, “What are you waiting for? Get in there and finish him off!”“Everyone, fo
At this moment, Rahu stepped forward to explain, “Mr. Adrian, the Heaven's Law Arena is not as simple as it seems.”The Heaven's Law Arena was a special place within Purecastle where apprentices could settle their grievances. However, only one person could leave the arena alive. Even if Adrian was very powerful, he might not completely overwhelm Haroon, who would undoubtedly fight with all his might. This meant that even with Adrian’s strength, he was likely to be injured.This was what Tyron and the others were worried about.But Adrian said, “Even so, the one who will be defeated will definitely be him. Don’t worry, I’m not that fragile.”Seeing Adrian’s determination, the others felt they couldn’t say much. After all, Adrian had already agreed to the duel, so they would just have to wait and see how it turned out in three days.On a towering mountain peak, Kayne arrived with a flash of light. Other elders were already standing on the peak. When he landed, a loud-voiced elder gr
The elders were enlightened. It seemed that Kayne was indeed very thoughtful. Of course, as elders, they could only guide and could not make a decisive impact. The whole situation depended on Adrian and his actions.“I’m so furious!” Haroon said, fuming as he returned to the Derrinia Pagoda. He didn’t expect the battle to be interrupted by the elders.Laurie, on the other hand, was somewhat satisfied with this outcome. “Actually, having the duel at the Heaven's Law Arena isn’t a bad idea. This way, we can eliminate that kid with legitimacy.”Haroon gave him a disdainful look. “What do you know? That kid is powerful. If it’s just a straightforward fight at the Heaven's Law Arena, I’m not entirely sure I can win.”“Oh? Even you’re not confident? Is he really that strong?” Laurie found it hard to believe.Haroon replied, “Absolutely. His strength is formidable. If we want to defeat him at the Heaven's Law Arena, we need to come up with an alternate strategy.”“Perhaps I can offer yo
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