Hearing this, Adrian frowned slightly. âItâs that dangerous? I imagine there will still be quite a few people willing to enter,â he said.Despite the risks, the allure of potential rewards often outweighed the danger. Many would be drawn to the ancient secret realm, seeking rare treasures that might outweigh the risk to their lives.âSir, are there many treasures within the secret realm?â Adrian asked. Where there were treasures, there was always a chance worth taking. He wasnât inclined to believe that luck would abandon him so soon, and with his skills and resources, he felt confident he could handle most challenges.Bryn was momentarily surprised, then smiled at Adrian. âThere are indeed treasures, but youâll need to survive to claim them. The ancient secret realm is highly perilous, so I advise you to think it through carefully.âHe then added, âThis time around, the realm is being opened in response to the daemonsâ appearance. We hope to find any exceptional individuals who ca
Rescuing Purecastle might be challenging, but Adrian and Tyronâs coming to Universe Alliance would be for naught without mentioning it. Bryn looked at them with mild surprise. He had anticipated their purpose for coming here, and his expression grew serious as he listened to Adrianâs request. âI will report this matter to the leader of the Universe Alliance. Iâll give you an answer in three days. Since the secret realm will open in five days, it shouldnât affect your entry,â he assured them.Adrian, disappointed by the outcome, nodded with resignation. âThank you, sir. Weâll leave this matter to you.âBrynâs expression showed a hint of helplessness. âI canât make a decision on this, Adrian. Sending help isnât as simple as deploying one or two individuals. If we send our experts, they might face ambushes from the enemy, which could create significant problems for the Universe Alliance. So, donât get your hopes up too high.âBrynâs warning was clear: if the leader of the Universe Al
Time seemed to drag on. After two days, Oscar had still not been captured. Despite intense search efforts, he seemed to have vanished completely, as if he had disappeared from the world. This left many people bewildered and frustrated. Oscar had managed to hide himself incredibly well.âHmph! No matter how well you hide, I will find you!â Brynâs expression was grim. As this incident occurred under his watch, he felt responsible for capturing Oscar.Despite the Universe Allianceâs barriers being closed off and impassable, Oscar had vanished. It was alarming how elusive he had become, especially since he had only recently appeared and had been defeated by Adrian.The search continued without success, and Adrian was troubled. Logically, Oscar should have been trapped within the Universe Alliance with no way to escape, yet he had disappeared without a trace. This situation was confusing.âAdrian, come to the main hall quickly. Deputy Leader Jermaine wishes to see you.â Brynâs powerful
Although the request seemed to benefit him directly, Adrian still disliked this approach. âWhat exactly is this task you mentioned?â he asked, reluctantly. Despite his hesitation, he knew he had to make a decision. Purecastle needed his help, and its troubles could lead to disastrous consequences.Jermaine explained, âThe task is both simple and complex. I need you to enter the secret realm and retrieve two items. Find the Phoenix Tree and retrieve from it a leaf and a stone from beneath it called the Prism Stone.ââThe Phoenix Tree?â Adrian was puzzled, having never heard of it before. He didnât know much about the Prism Stone either, only that it was extremely rare and valuable. He regarded Jermaineâs request as overly ambitious.âIâll be straightforward with you. The most crucial item is the Prism Stone. The Phoenix Tree Leaf is a secondary requirement. Consider this carefully before you decide. The Prism Stone is deeply hidden and finding it will be extremely difficult,â Jermain
Upon hearing these words, Brynâs expression became complex, and a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. âTo become a true expert, one must endure trials that are almost like facing death. Otherwise, becoming strong will be difficult,â he said, though his eyes betrayed an expectant gleam.Jermaine smiled faintly. âHahaha, youâre as cautious as ever in your words. But what you said is not wrong.âAs the two discussed, Adrian remained unaware. Even if he knew the contents of their conversation, it wouldnât bother him much. He had received similar praise before, but it meant little to him. Ultimately, relying on oneself was the best approach.Back at their lodgings, Adrian shared the situation with Tyron, who was immediately shocked. He stared at Adrian with wide eyes. âWhat? The Prism Stone? Mr. Adrian, youâre crazy!âAdrian was confused. âWhy?ââThe Prism Stone is an ancient miracle stone said to grow under the Phoenix Tree, absorbing the essence of nature. Itâs rumored to contain i
Someone spotted a white warhorse descending from the sky in the distance. It seemed to soar through the air with thunderous power, and atop it rode a young man in white robes, exuding an overwhelming aura. The sight captured everyone's attention, causing their expressions to turn into ones of awe.âItâs Greg!âThe crowd was astonished, not truly expecting Greg to appear.âHeâs already broken through to the Nascent Stage and reached the Astral Stage!â an old man exclaimed.Others were equally shocked. The presence of such a prodigy made people widen their eyes in awe. Greg was an extraordinary genius, unmatched by ordinary individuals.The crowdâs expressions grew complicated. With such a prodigy among them, they felt they had little chance of competing for the treasures within the secret realm. The thought alone brought a pang of bitterness. Such a genius was truly intimidating.âWho do you think is stronger? Adrian or Greg?â Suddenly, someoneâs voice cut through the murmurs.Th
"Don't do it, Tyron. That guyâs not just a genius, but far from ordinary. If you face him now, you'll lose for sure," Adrian warned. It felt as though someone had purposely set him up to confront this highly favored individual. Naturally, Adrian remained cautious."So what? Should we just let him provoke us? It's completely intolerable!" Tyron retorted.Adrian shared the frustration. Being provoked like this was unsettling for anyone, but he knew they couldn't act rashly. He and Tyron communicated telepathically, so no one else could hear."Greg, what do you think you're doing?" Bryn suddenly appeared and demanded, his expression dark. He had expected someone might push Greg into a confrontation with Adrian today. Adrian had been getting a lot of attention lately, while Greg was notoriously proud. If the two fought, one of them would surely be seriously injured or even die, and that would be a disaster.The Universe Alliance couldn't allow such a clash. Both Adrian and Greg were im
Bryn noticed the cold look in Gregâs eyes and frowned slightly. There were too many things beyond his controlâthis was the nature of geniuses, often swayed by their pride.Sweeping his gaze over the crowd, Bryn said, "Since you're all here, I will open the gate to the secret realm. Remember, you have only one month inside. After that, I will summon you, and when I do, do not resist."If anyone gets trapped inside, we will be powerless to help. The secret realm is dangerous, and one wrong move could cost your life. This is your last chance to reconsider. If anyone wants to withdraw, now is the time."Many hesitated. Brynâs warning reminded them how treacherous the secret realm could be, and survival would require exceptional skill."Weâre willing to try," one young man declared boldly.Bryn smiled faintly at the show of determination. "Iâm glad to see your resolve but remember, just do your best to stay alive. Now, step forward."Suddenly, the ground began to tremble as green rays
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 onâthis 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 longerâgiving 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 Adrianâs 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 returnâa 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 expertâor perhaps someone of the Multiply Stageâmight 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 vendettasâeliminating 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 affordâhe'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 beforeânow 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 obstacleâit was a crucible, a tool to temper his body and strengthen his resolve.Despite the storm, A