The black-robed man was fuming. He had expected the daemonic beast to easily handle Adrian and his group, but he was stunned to find that their strength was growing more formidable by the moment.Fortunately, he had another trick up his sleeve.The man nicked his arm with a knife, and a stream of blood shot out like an arrow toward the beast. As the blood arrow struck, the beast's power surged.“Rooooaaaarrr!” The beast howled furiously, erupting with newfound strength. Bloody energies surged into it, and it began to emit a rolling black fog, merging with the black-robed man.In moments, the black-robed man transformed into a massive, half-human, half-beast monster. Standing 10 meters tall with enormous, menacing claws, he now resembled a towering mountain in front of Adrian and the others.Adrian remained unfazed, mocking, “Tsk, I expected more from you. Instead, you’ve just become uglier. Do you really think this grotesque form is enough to take us down?”“Otherwise? Prepare to
In an instant, the man transformed into a devilish figure from the depths of hell. The previous clash had already left Adrian’s blood and energy surging uncontrollably, making it difficult for him to keep up. Sensing Adrian’s weakness, the man unleashed an even more powerful attack, aiming to finish him off with a single strike.Realizing that he couldn’t match the man’s growing strength, Adrian’s heart sank. With his remaining energy, he knew he couldn’t hold his ground much longer without endangering his fellow apprentices. He had no choice but to fight.Adrian condensed his energy into a sword and swung it fiercely. “Bring it on!”“Die!”A colossal, earth-shattering attack surged forward. At that moment, Tyron, Jonty, and the other apprentices rushed to join in. “Mr. Adrian, we’re coming too!”The final battle had arrived, a moment destined to determine their fate. Regardless of the outcome, the apprentices of Purecastle were resolved not to surrender to evil.“If you all choo
The black-robed man, shocked and furious, was bewildered by his sudden predicament. His eyes burned with rage as he glared at Adrian. “Damn brat, what have you done to me?!”Adrian merely laughed and replied, “It’s just a little trick. Are you falling apart already?”In a dramatic reversal, Adrian, who had been on the brink of collapse, had gained a significant boost in power by using the black-robed man as a substitute. Meanwhile, the black-robed man’s fighting spirit was rapidly fading.Furious and desperate, the black-robed man roared, “Even if I die, I’ll drag you down with me!”With a final, ferocious roar, he burned his last bit of life force to reinforce the Deathly Formation.Boom!The formation began to collapse, twisting inward like a distorted space.Tyron realized the imminent danger and shouted, “Damn it! This person is ruthless. The formation is collapsing inward, and we have nowhere to escape!”Amidst the chaos, Adrian signaled for everyone to stay calm. “Watch m
Tyron fanned himself and remarked, “No wonder I always felt something was off. I never expected such an inside story. Do you know who this person is?”Adrian’s eyes lit up as he replied, “I’m not entirely sure yet, but I have a rough idea. We’ll need to wait until we return to Purecastle to confirm.”“Alright then, things are settled for now. Let’s head back,” Tyron agreed.As they cleaned up the battlefield, Adrian and his group discovered that other apprentices had also suffered significant losses. Out of more than a thousand outer apprentices, over three hundred were dead, and more than five hundred were seriously injured. The remaining ones were all wounded to varying degrees.This trial had indeed been a life-and-death struggle. However, the daemonic god remnants in Hidden Dragon Hill had been thoroughly eradicated. It turned out that these remnants were merely a group of daemonic soldiers and ghostly minions led by the black-robed man. With their elimination, Hidden Dragon Hi
Kayne paused before continuing, “Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t pass this time. The trial was tougher than expected. Even though you didn’t succeed, the faction has decided to reward you with six months’ worth of supplies.”For outer disciples, monthly training resources were scarce. Receiving a six-month supply all at once was a substantial boost, useful for healing or improving their skills.The apprentices who failed stepped back, and it was now time for the elders to select their new apprentices.“Adrian, you will train under me from now on,” Kayne said, looking at Adrian satisfactorily. Earlier, Kayne had told Darcie he wanted Adrian as his apprentice.Adrian responded, “It’ll be my pleasure.”He started to bow, but Kayne gently stopped him. “No need for formalities. You’re talented, and focusing on such things would be a waste. Come with me.”Kayne then turned and left, with Adrian quickly following. Tyron, Jonty, and the others joined their respective elders as apprent
To ensure the effective operation of each major formation and the overall functioning of Purecastle’s grand protective formation, Kayne had arranged the swords in this way.“I see. But I just noticed that this formation is incredibly versatile. If real danger arises, it can still be adjusted to reach its full potential,” Adrian said.“Exactly. That was my intention,” Kayne confirmed.Despite being new, Adrian’s remarkable abilities were already convincing Kayne that choosing him as an apprentice was a wise decision.As an inner disciple, Adrian no longer had to handle mundane tasks and could focus more on his training. Since entering the maritime immortal world, he had been hiding his true level. Few knew he had actually reached level nine, but his divine consciousness was even more formidable.One day, while training, Adrian expanded his divine consciousness to cover the entire Sword Peak. “The spiritual energy here is abundant. It’s truly an ideal place for training,” he remarke
If Adrian hadn’t been strong enough, his soul would likely have been destroyed by now.Kayne hovered in midair, his robes fluttering as he calmly said, “I haven’t taken an apprentice in thirty years because I’ve been waiting for someone capable of inheriting my legacy. Adrian, you’re the most promising person I’ve encountered in these thirty years. But to inherit my full legacy, you must first pass this trial. If you’re cut down by these thousands of swords, it will simply mean you’re not up to the task.”‘What? What kind of logic is that?!’ Adrian thought. It seemed that even if Kayne took on an apprentice, a single misstep could mean their demise under his relentless attacks.Amidst the sea of swords, Adrian searched for a way to break the formation. But Kayne’s overwhelming power left no gaps, offering Adrian no chance to escape.‘No choice. Looks like I’ll have to fight head-on.’ Adrian steeled himself.Though his soul was separated from his body, he could still condense his e
Adrian followed the voice and saw Kayne approaching with a smile. The latter laughed heartily as if the recent events had not affected him at all.Adrian smiled and quickly apologized, “I’m really sorry. My skills are still lacking, and I had to resort to such a desperate move to secure a chance of survival. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”Kayne waved dismissively. “Your current level isn’t enough to harm me. No need to worry.”Kayne then took a moment to carefully assess Adrian and praised him, “There’s no need for modesty. That last move was unexpected and showed your sharp wit and extraordinary potential. I’m grateful I decided to take you as my apprentice.”Adrian was surprised by the high praise from Kayne. “Since you hold me in such high regard, I’ll train diligently and make sure not to disappoint your expectations.” He bowed respectfully.Kayne laughed even louder. “Good! Let’s not waste time then. Follow me.”He turned and walked deeper into the core of Sword Peak. Adrian fol
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