The fiery beast looked more terrifying than ever as its fireball scorched everything around it, heading straight for Adrian and the others.Adrian's expression hardened. "Whatever it is, it dies if it comes for us," he said.The Violet Rain Bird was briefly stunned by Adrian's determination. Knowing his immense strength, the bird realized that Adrian was ready to unleash his full power."Be careful, Master. This creature seems to be at the early Divine Stage," warned the Violet Rain Bird. "It’s not only strong but also a pure-blooded ancient beast."Adrian's eyes narrowed. "If it comes after us, it's ready to die."Without another word, Adrian unleashed his power. But before he could intercept the fireball, the cry of a beast erupted from within the flames."What is that?" Adrian asked as a small figure emerged from the fiery sphere.“That...That's a Fire Unicorn!” gasped the Violet Rain Bird.“A Fire Unicorn? Isn’t that an ancient divine beast?” Adrian was shocked as the flame
Adrian's eyes lit up with interest, and Tyron, along with the Violet Rain Bird, knew trouble was coming. The Fire Unicorn had caught Adrian's attention, and when something like that happened, things rarely ended well. From their experience, whatever Adrian focused on faced one of two fates—submission or death. There were no exceptions.The Fire Unicorn had provoked them first. Had it just retreated quietly, things might not have escalated.Adrian’s voice was cold as he spoke, "Sorry, little one. You have only one choice now: submit or die. Make your decision."His words sent a chill through the air. The Fire Unicorn roared in fury, eyes locked on Adrian as if it wanted to tear him apart."Trying to intimidate me, are you? Impressive. A Divine Stage unicorn is no small feat. If you can break out of the cage I’m about to set, you’re free to go," Adrian said calmly.With a wave of his hand, Adrian summoned a cage around the Fire Unicorn. The creature thrashed violently, determined to
The formation trembled again, but nothing happened.Adrian smiled at the sight. "Not bad. Keep going, don’t stop."Though small, the Fire Unicorn wasn’t foolish. It sensed the mocking tone in Adrian’s words, but surrender was not an option. It thrashed wildly, fighting with all its might to break free.Adrian’s face showed a flicker of surprise. The unicorn was consumed by rage, and that was exactly what he had been waiting for.To him, the best way to subdue a mythical beast was to overwhelm it with strength when it was most vulnerable. The Fire Unicorn, still in its infancy, was at the perfect stage for taming. Despite its size, its potential was enormous, and Adrian knew this might be his only chance to gain control of such a formidable creature.The Fire Unicorn continued its desperate struggle, but the formation's oppressive power held firm. No matter how fiercely it fought, it couldn’t break free. It glared at Adrian, anger burning in its eyes, frustrated at being trapped so
"Oh! Do you want this flame I possess?" Adrian asked with a smile. "If you're willing to submit to me, I can teach you how to wield it."The Fire Unicorn's large eyes flickered with uncertainty, and its fiery body trembled slightly. It seemed to consider Adrian's offer. Submission sounded simple enough, but the creature didn’t realize there was more to it than just surrendering.Tyron and the Violet Rain Bird were momentarily stunned. They sensed that Adrian was baiting the Fire Unicorn with promises that seemed too good to be true. It was as though he was dangling an irresistible offer, and the two onlookers couldn’t help but be surprised. Why was the Fire Unicorn so captivated by Adrian’s flame? They couldn’t quite understand.Adrian, still composed, continued, "It’s time to decide. Refuse, and I’ll have no choice but to roast you with this flame. By then, it’ll be too late for regrets."The Fire Unicorn’s pupils flashed with fear as it listened. Realizing it had no other option,
After all, it would be a significant loss if Adrian failed to tame the Fire Unicorn. Gaining control over it would make him even more formidable.Time passed slowly, and the creature became fully enveloped in Adrian's power. The latter’s gaze turned colder as he felt his grip on the Fire Unicorn steadily tightened.As Adrian’s control increased, the Fire Unicorn began to sense that something was wrong. The surge of power startled it, but by the time it realized what was happening, it was too late. Struggling and roaring, the creature fought back, but its efforts were futile.Adrian smiled faintly. "Do you still want this flame? If not, it’ll soon be too late to claim it."His words stirred the Fire Unicorn’s hesitant heart, and it finally surrendered, allowing Adrian to seize full control. In moments, the creature was completely subdued, leaving everyone awestruck.Tyron and the Violet Rain Bird stood by, their curiosity and astonishment evident. They hadn’t expected Adrian to cap
Seeing the Fire Unicorn's curious expression, Adrian smiled. The creature was undeniably innocent. To Adrian, the small flame was insignificant, but to the Fire Unicorn, it seemed to mean everything.With a soft smile, Adrian said, "Little one, stick with me, and you'll be able to play with flames all you want."Excited, the Fire Unicorn jumped onto Adrian's shoulder. The latter chuckled and said, "Not bad. Let's keep moving. And you, make sure to hide your presence."To Adrian’s surprise, the Fire Unicorn seemed to understand. In an instant, it concealed its aura completely, leaving Adrian impressed."I didn’t expect you to have this kind of ability. Impressive. If only you could talk, that would be perfect," Adrian remarked.The Fire Unicorn chirped and chattered as if trying to speak but couldn’t manage it. In its juvenile stage, it hadn’t developed that ability yet.Through their connection, Adrian sensed that, despite its small appearance, the creature was over a hundred yea
"Don't worry, there's no one else around. Go ahead and transform. We won’t laugh at you, even if you end up looking silly," Adrian said.His teasing seemed to provoke the Fire Unicorn, causing its eyes to widen in frustration. Roaring defiantly, it floated in mid-air, clearly offended by the suggestion that it might look ugly. In an instant, its small form vanished from Adrian's shoulder, and a massive figure took its place.Adrian's eyes widened in surprise at the transformation. The once small Fire Unicorn had morphed into an enormous, imposing beast resembling a legendary gluttonous creature.The Violet Rain Bird stared in disbelief. "How...How is this possible? Could it be a hybrid? Is that why its two forms are so different? But that doesn’t make sense either!"As soon as the Violet Rain Bird voiced this theory, the Fire Unicorn glared at it with giant eyes, clearly displeased.Meanwhile, Adrian fell silent. He hadn’t expected this at all. While the Violet Rain Bird’s theory
"Alright, enough talk," Adrian said, fixing his sharp gaze on the Fire Unicorn. "Why don’t you shrink your form a bit? That huge body of yours draws too much attention."After all, there were always greedy ones eager to steal what didn’t belong to them. He didn’t want anyone setting their sights on the Fire Unicorn.The Fire Unicorn blinked its large eyes, unsure why Adrian was asking this, but obediently complied. In an instant, its enormous form shrank down, returning to a smaller, more mischievous version. Though it still looked somewhat fierce, there was a playful and gentle side to its new appearance. It was an odd yet charming combination.Perched on Adrian’s shoulder, the Fire Unicorn clutched the flame the former had given it earlier. It felt comforted by the flame’s warmth. This connection was why it had chosen to submit to Adrian. Without it, the unicorn would have fought to the bitter end rather than follow him willingly.As the group pressed forward, they passed through
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